juniper
"and this time, she won't be forgiving"
the frost had overtaken the frail grasses that still had clung to life.. no longer did dew dot them as tiny promises of a warmer afternoon. there would not be a warm day again for some time... and with that meant the promise of a slow collapse into hunger... into fear. still, they had done something good, hadn't they? shoving out into the woods to find what beasts threatened to stalk them and hunt them for nothing but sick pleasure? they did not have to fear being chased down like mice... the cost had well been worth the security that came with it. still... the ache of all that had been lost to find that crumb of safety makes the scabs along her neck hum in protesting reminder. there were always sacrifices... who would be next?still, the spotted tabby leaves her den like it is not another moon drawn closer to a rapidly ending chapter. scaling the chilled bark of the trunk that hovers as a cover to her den, the ThunderClan leader curls her tail around her paws to help warm them against the frigidity of the early morning hours. "I hope you all slept well... we have much to do today."
as sleepy eyes blink into alertness she draws in a breath, feeling the tightness in her chest where her lungs ache against how cold it is... how lonely this perch is, hanging on the mantle like a solitary star-dusted trinket. "Gracepaw, Snapdragonpaw, Briarpaw and Webpaw, step forward." what a bounty of success, the group of them... a delicately formed bouquet, a love note to ThunderClan's future. they blossomed despite the bite of cold, they were ready and Loonstar could not help but grow warmed by pride. they were not her apprentices but they were hers... right? in the way that all of ThunderClan was hers.
"Each of you have proven yourselves more than prepared to take your next steps... and in the wake of leaf-bare, your timing could not be better. I stand here today to welcome the four of you into the fold of warriorhood. You step out of the softness of apprenticeship, gain freedom in pressing into adulthood but with it comes risk. You cannot hide anymore behind those who once taught you... in time, soon enough, you'll be responsible for training who comes next. Be smart... be careful." that was all the lecture they needed, hopefully, to approach their opening horizons with caution and not reckless excitement.
"Gracepaw... today you cast aside the title of 'paw and instead, I recognize you today for the confidence with which you carry yourself. Goldenheart offered up to you all that you needed to succeed. It is contagious... that certainty, that boldness... gift it to those around you when they lose the strength of their own will... I name you... Gracebringer... and welcome you as a true warrior of ThunderClan." normally, she would descend from her perch to give proper acknowledgement but the ache of her age reaches in her joints, in the slowness of a recovery StarClan cannot heal entirely... she will find her new warriors at the end, to touch noses with them and offer individual praises. instead, she presses on, seafoam eyes searching.
"Snapdragonpaw, you proved yourself prepared for whatever dangers may find you... facing them with courage, unflinching... a dauntless fighter even when the odds are stacked against you. For the ferociousness of your bite, I name you Snapdragontooth. You've shown yourself to be a wonderful disciple of Hazelheart, taking with you her head-strong surety... you will thrive with all you've learned under her care and you honor her today as a full warrior of ThunderClan."
"Briarpaw, while I did not bear witness to your bravery against the fox that plagued our territory, I was there to see how valiantly you fought the canine invaders that threatened many lives and more. Your claws strike true, a focus needed in the heat of battle. There is no doubt that your skills as a combatant will be a force to reckon with in coming fights... Dare to rely on those skills. Fight knowing you are ThunderClan's strength come to bear. I cast aside your old name, from today onward, you will be known as Briarfox. Carry yourself proudly into the future as a warrior of ThunderClan."
last... but certainly not least... one she'd watched with baited breath to be sure she had learned. had grown past petty bickering. and she had... "Webpaw... your determination is nothing if not a glimmer of Dewshine carried within you, just as stubborn and ready as she is no matter what new page unfolds before either of you. Your loyalty has never come to question, as quick as you are to defend ThunderClan's spirit, its reputation. You are an example of our confidence, our good-will, our pride... I name you Webfrost and eagerly await what path you carve out for yourself as a warrior of ThunderClan."
there is enough pause to offer celebration, to let them bask in their newfound identities and the accomplishment of having made it this far.
there is only one other matter left to attend to... a few small and eager souls who want to press into the next phase of life more persistently than ever. perhaps it is knowing that the adults around them grow more wary that has inspired such insistence but... Loonstar is willing to humor it... and so she beckons the kits forward with a flick of her tail. "Fawnkit, Dawnkit... though I would normally wait a little longer, you've both proven to be eager and ready to learn. I have it on good authority you've already taken seriously the teachings of your seniors and so... I see no point waiting. From this moment forward, you will be apprentices and bear the names Fawnpaw and Dawnpaw.... Fawnpaw, your mentor will be Flickerdance. She is young but learned quickly so I expect she will teach you just as quickly... I expect there won't be any issues." already she is uncertain if she agrees with giving Flickerdance an apprentice at all... she will not hesitate to remove this generous gift the moment it appears to be taken for granted. the glance she gives the young warrior is all the warning she's willing to give. don't test this. "Dawnpaw, your mentor will be Copperstorm... he is experienced and patient and will be a strong, guiding force. And before I forget- Sunpaw... I'm handing your training over to Stagwhisper... you'll need to focus now more than ever since the cold season is upon us... that goes for all of the apprentices. Do not mess around... there is a thin margin for error as things grow chillier."
celebration dampened by reality... as ever...
with a soft sigh, the chocolate she-cat climbs down from her perch to mingle with the new warriors, offering each of them the briefest brush of her nose against their foreheads before turning to her deputy. "Alright, focus up... Owlbark has patrols for you all."
-
congratulations to the promotions!!
@Webpaw is named Webfrost!
@Briarpaw. is named Briarfox!
@Snapdragonpaw is named Snapdragontooth!
@Gracepaw is named Gracebringer!
@Sunswirl is assigned to @Stagwhisper
@Fawnkit is named Fawnpaw and assigned to @FLICKERDANCE
@Dawnkit ☀︎ is named Dawnpaw and assigned to @Copperstorm
please wait for @OWLBARK before posting! -
loonstar
leader of thunderclan
five lives remain