CANONICALLY FEBRUARY 13TH;;
Though he will never forget how ethereal the moonstone was, still wishing he could carve out a piece for himself... He can't say for certain that the pain he experienced when receiving nine lives was dashed away by the sights he saw in Starclan or the genuine peace he felt (before nine cats decided to touch their noses against his). It was as if his body was pierced with the most frigid of waters, unable to move, limbs locked into place, only able to look around helplessly as his lungs screamed for air. Terror worsened with each life, their claws dragging him further into the depth of the pitch black ocean. All he could do was let them, praying that it would be over soon. And eventually, it did. Their claws had left him go, and yet he remained there, floating in the pitch black. His only solace was the booming voices overlapping that caused his ears to ring before he returned to the waking world.
Pikestar. That strange name was his now. He was thankful to have Smoke by his side as they returned, the ringing in his ears took some time to go away and he may or may not have stumbled a few times over his own paws. Thankfully, Smoke allowed him to lean on them. When they enter camp, he can't muster a grin. I have to get up there.
His limbs ache with each step towards the willow tree. Clambering atop the stump of it is taxing. Just... Just a little more. With a grunt he manages to sit atop the stump, and it is here that he finally looks at his clanmates. As if on cue his body begins to tremble, wanting to run away and hide. However, he knows. I can't keep running. All of them gave me their lives and their wisdom. They believe in me, for some reason. No. That's bad. I have to start believing in myself. I have to try and change. The familiar sensation of being weightless in a frigid pitch black ocean engulfs him. The chattering follows suit soon after. It becomes difficult to distinguish if the noises are from camp or from his own mind, perhaps it is both?
He waits a moment before continuing.
Uhhhh... Who. You know, I should have thought about this before. UUHMMM, Come on! Think! They're staring at you! A name. JUST PICK SOMEONE!
He can save this. The moment he sees her disgruntled face and her beginning to open her mouth to retort he quickly cuts her off,
Wanting to desperately avoid the newly dubbed Russetfall's wrath, he decides his next victim will be Adder. He motions the tom to step forward with his paw. It is only when the brown tabby does, everything comes back to him. How the tom before him was enraged each word that had spewed twisted the knife deeper. Even though Adder had not outright called him a coward, he didn't have to. Pike knew it. Knew that Adder had no faith in him and thought of him as a tick in his pelt. You can hurt him.
It is alluring he can't deny, to purposely give Adder a name that will cause him to suffer even in the next life. However, the longer he looks at the older male, he is reminded of his gifts. Of his natural leader like prowess and the ability to come up with plans on the fly. He is reasonable. Logical. And... He is loved. He is a father and a mate. I can't hurt him just because of some spat between us, but I won't forget it either. He finds himself staring at the gash on Adder's face, exposing a fang.
Calling Wave forward next shouldn't be surprising. He thinks it would be unfair for him to name one without the other following.
Perhaps it shocking who he calls forward next. If anything one would expect more cats from the patrols, but this outlier is none other than Fox. He is a tom that reminds Pike of himself in many ways. Coming up with a name for the younger male was easy in that sense. I've decided for yours to be a wish.
Moving on, a good part of him wrestled with the next pair who came into mind. The matter was not what names to give them, but who should come first. One of them had gone with him to find their new home, yet she was unhappy not being able to tag along. I guess it's only fair that she would go first. He motions for Willow to step forward like the cats before her to receive her new name.
Smoke should have been expecting to be called next and it seems as if the black warrior knew this as well. Pike didn't even need to call the other, a small chuff left his maw. Did you get a bit jealous or something? I'm only teasing, don't gut me with your eyes. You really think I wouldn't have given you a name? Puuuhleeeaasse you listened to my lovely voice. There's no way I wouldn't have named you.
Anyway, Pike clears his throat to collect himself.
With that, he decided that this has gone on long enough. This was just the beginning and there was more to come. In time that is. I won't make the same mistake again.
Though he will never forget how ethereal the moonstone was, still wishing he could carve out a piece for himself... He can't say for certain that the pain he experienced when receiving nine lives was dashed away by the sights he saw in Starclan or the genuine peace he felt (before nine cats decided to touch their noses against his). It was as if his body was pierced with the most frigid of waters, unable to move, limbs locked into place, only able to look around helplessly as his lungs screamed for air. Terror worsened with each life, their claws dragging him further into the depth of the pitch black ocean. All he could do was let them, praying that it would be over soon. And eventually, it did. Their claws had left him go, and yet he remained there, floating in the pitch black. His only solace was the booming voices overlapping that caused his ears to ring before he returned to the waking world.
Pikestar. That strange name was his now. He was thankful to have Smoke by his side as they returned, the ringing in his ears took some time to go away and he may or may not have stumbled a few times over his own paws. Thankfully, Smoke allowed him to lean on them. When they enter camp, he can't muster a grin. I have to get up there.
His limbs ache with each step towards the willow tree. Clambering atop the stump of it is taxing. Just... Just a little more. With a grunt he manages to sit atop the stump, and it is here that he finally looks at his clanmates. As if on cue his body begins to tremble, wanting to run away and hide. However, he knows. I can't keep running. All of them gave me their lives and their wisdom. They believe in me, for some reason. No. That's bad. I have to start believing in myself. I have to try and change. The familiar sensation of being weightless in a frigid pitch black ocean engulfs him. The chattering follows suit soon after. It becomes difficult to distinguish if the noises are from camp or from his own mind, perhaps it is both?
"Riverclan."
He is met with a plethora of eyes. "I made the mistake of overwhelming you all. I admit that, so this time I'll do better."
I promise you all. I'll do my very best."To start... My name is Pikestar now. Like I said last time, we will have new names. I've decided not to name you all at once. I'll only name a few this meeting, and keep giving new names in different meetings. Change will be slow."
The last I want is a repeat from before. There was a lot of hissing. I don't think I can handle it if someone snapped at me again. No one really tells you how nine lives drains you until it happens. I guess... If they told you it was the most painful experience, it's not like you'd want them. I would've never wanted them if I knew, but it's too late for that. Or maybe this is just the pain talking? We'll think more about that later.He waits a moment before continuing.
"For anyone who is under six moon, as of now you'll have the suffix kit in your name."
Green eyes scan the crowd to find one tom in particular. Torrent. He manages to give the younger male a smile, "Anyone who is six moons or older will have the suffix paw in their names, until they've shown they understand how to survive and the skills required. Once they have, they'll become warriors and be given a warrior name."
Torrentpaw doesn't sound so bad. It has a nice ring to it. You're gonna go far, I know it. I've already got a warrior name in mind for you, but you'll have to wait for it. "And now I'll start with some warrior names."
Uhhhh... Who. You know, I should have thought about this before. UUHMMM, Come on! Think! They're staring at you! A name. JUST PICK SOMEONE!
"Russet!"
A wobbly smile etches from his lips as he signals the molly to step forward with his paw. WHAT ARE YOU DOING???!!! Russetbriar, dude you know darn well you're just thinking of Seabriar. He can't save you here. HELLOOOOOOOOOO. You can't keep her waiting. Russetdrop? Horrible. AT THIS POINT JUST CALL HER R- "Russetfall."
Oh, how he wishes he could fling himself off this stump and perish. I'll have to do it eight more times though now...He can save this. The moment he sees her disgruntled face and her beginning to open her mouth to retort he quickly cuts her off,
"You'll be known as Russetfall because of how hardworking you are! Yes, even though things haven't, ah... Been so great, you've kept pushing on despite everything. You never fell and stood down. I don't know anyone as stubborn as you, so Russetfall is to show how strong you are. Refusing to errr fall down!"
Totally saved that. Totally did not name you after the shelter falling on you. Totally hoping that you won't claw me to death after this, cause then we'll both be having a totally great time.Wanting to desperately avoid the newly dubbed Russetfall's wrath, he decides his next victim will be Adder. He motions the tom to step forward with his paw. It is only when the brown tabby does, everything comes back to him. How the tom before him was enraged each word that had spewed twisted the knife deeper. Even though Adder had not outright called him a coward, he didn't have to. Pike knew it. Knew that Adder had no faith in him and thought of him as a tick in his pelt. You can hurt him.
"Adder,"
he slowly begins. You can give him a name that will hurt him. Just the same way he did to you.It is alluring he can't deny, to purposely give Adder a name that will cause him to suffer even in the next life. However, the longer he looks at the older male, he is reminded of his gifts. Of his natural leader like prowess and the ability to come up with plans on the fly. He is reasonable. Logical. And... He is loved. He is a father and a mate. I can't hurt him just because of some spat between us, but I won't forget it either. He finds himself staring at the gash on Adder's face, exposing a fang.
"Your new name will be Adderfang. Yes, it is because of your appearance. But... It's also because of how blunt and assertive you are. You refuse to look at anything other than the truth and encourage others to look at reality than fantasy."
I'm still upset at you, don't think I'm not. Calling Wave forward next shouldn't be surprising. He thinks it would be unfair for him to name one without the other following.
"Wave, you have always been kind and a friendly face within our group since... Forever really. Always lending a paw when someone is in need, even if nothing will be given in return. For those reasons you will known as Wavesong. "
I hope you like it! I think it sounds nice and you did say you liked the water. And the waves make sounds like a song, so bam! Wavesong. I think it's a lullaby type of name. I think I did a pretty good job with yours, hehe, I bet the Starclanners are most happy about this one. But, I mean, does it really matter if Wave herself doesn't like it? I meaaaann... I don't uh think she'll hate it. We can change it if she actually hates it.Perhaps it shocking who he calls forward next. If anything one would expect more cats from the patrols, but this outlier is none other than Fox. He is a tom that reminds Pike of himself in many ways. Coming up with a name for the younger male was easy in that sense. I've decided for yours to be a wish.
"For you, Fox, you'll be known as Foxtail. It's true your tail is the same color and fuzziness of a fox, but that's not entirely why. Foxes are adaptable, they're cunning, they're good hunters, and they're resilient. We use our tails to balance, so I hope you'll be able to find a balance in your weaknesses and strengths to be the best you, you can be!"
And I hope to do the same. We'll be growing together Foxtail! Someday I'll be a better leader for everyone and still be myself through it all.Moving on, a good part of him wrestled with the next pair who came into mind. The matter was not what names to give them, but who should come first. One of them had gone with him to find their new home, yet she was unhappy not being able to tag along. I guess it's only fair that she would go first. He motions for Willow to step forward like the cats before her to receive her new name.
"Willow, you are wise and passionate. Not to mention a bit competitive, but that only means you have a drive. A burning need to be the very best. I admire your burning desire. That's why I've decided on the name Willowburn for you."
To be honest, he had struggle with a name for her. It was only when she pulled him aside and tried to ask once more if she could come with him and Smoke that he was able to come up with a name. Yes, he saw the fire in her eyes and he could have sworn she was seconds away from asking to fight with him to join.Smoke should have been expecting to be called next and it seems as if the black warrior knew this as well. Pike didn't even need to call the other, a small chuff left his maw. Did you get a bit jealous or something? I'm only teasing, don't gut me with your eyes. You really think I wouldn't have given you a name? Puuuhleeeaasse you listened to my lovely voice. There's no way I wouldn't have named you.
"Smoke... TELL EVERY BODY-"
Smoke's immediate reaction caused him to burst out into laughter. No one would know what the heck Pike was singing about or why now, but the silver leader couldn't help it. A final jest before being serious and giving his oldest friend a new name. I hope the meanie will appreciate my name for him. I don't think it's that bad, but you never know with a grouch.Anyway, Pike clears his throat to collect himself.
"The name I've decided for you Smoke represents unity. I won't lie and say you aren't a grouch, but it's because of you that we had somewhere to sleep. The shelter didn't work out, but that doesn't change the fact that you united us all. Despite how gruff you are, you have a soft spot for others. Don't think I haven't seen kits go up to you with trinkets and flowers. I have no doubts about your ability to unite us in ways we never thought about. From now on, your name will be Smokewreath."
Thanks for making me feel so welcome and looking after me. I know I am a bit of a pain for you. Especially when we got lost on our way to the highstones. I really do hope you're okay with this name.With that, he decided that this has gone on long enough. This was just the beginning and there was more to come. In time that is. I won't make the same mistake again.
"That's it for today's meeting. I'll continue next time, so in the meantime lets keep working together to make this place home."
Hey y'all, I'll be doing all the naming in this thread over various posts. I'll be putting the ic date at the top of the post, so you'll know officially what date your character was named. I think it would be difficult to name every single cat in one post and a bit overwhelming! ToT Please reach out through dms in discord or shoot me a ping in my channel if you have any name requests or changes! Thank you all for being on this journey with me and cheers to the beginnings of Riverclan!!!