willowclan ceremonies -- october 2018
Oct 10, 2018 5:42:26 GMT
Captain, Izumakoto, and 2 more like this
Post by trevni on Oct 10, 2018 5:42:26 GMT
oaktalon
TAGS TAGS TAGS
well, i believe this world is burning to the ground
Kestrelkit -> Kestrelpaw (Orange Peel ) (mentored by Cherryblossom (@blackfrost ))
Reedkit -> Reedpaw (Captain ) (mentored by Rainstrike (@silverfire12 ) )
Acornkit -> Acornpaw (Izumakoto ) (mentored by Oaktalon (trevni ))
Basilkit -> Basilpaw (@jinx ) (mentored by Heronstep (Plaid PJs ))
Redpaw -> Redbear (Mal )
Streampaw -> ? (@silverfire12 )
Sparrowpaw -> ? (Orange Peel )
(( permission given by Sloth to make this ceremony thread! apologies for the length, oop.
oaktalon summons the clan in willowstar’s place, as she has given him permission to do so due to her having a minor cough and not wanting to display weakness before her clan. oaktalon addresses willowclan, noting the battle and the sickness but attempting to rally morale. he proceeds to name four apprentices, making a potentially-surprising choice for the last of them. he then gives three cats their full names – again, making a choice that is arguably his own, rather than willowstar’s, at the end.))
”Willowclan! Join me beneath the Willow Tree!”
The sharp cry rang through the chilled morning air, but it was not the soft, lilting voice of Willowclan that gathered the Clan together upon that frigid leafbare day. Instead, a large, dark-furred tabby perched within the branches, his form strong and determined despite the sickness that had spread throughout camp – and affected him too, though he was too proud to show weakness. But Oaktalon was scrawnier than usual, and the rasp in his throat betrayed the cough that he hid from his Clanmates. Despite the fatigue that dragged at his mind, however, he was nothing but alert (and even a little excited) that morning.
Willowstar had called him to her den the previous night – he’d found the she-cat with a mild cough, though she had looked far better than Oaktalon felt. They’d discussed mentors, apprentices, and warriors – as much as you could call a one-sided conversation laying out what should be done a ‘discussion’, at least. Oaktalon had sat and dully nodded along, feeling flashes of anger and indignation at some of Willowstar’s decisions that he would have never made on his own.
But then, to his surprise, she’d turned the reins over to him – he would be the one conducting this ceremony, though he was clearly expected to stick to her decisions. She’d spoken of how it wouldn’t due to appear weak in front of her Clanmates, and Oaktalon had resisted the urge to box her ears. Clearly, she didn’t care how weak he looked, despite his ragged fur and scrawny form. Her cough was almost-certainly nothing to worry about as well, whereas Oaktalon had been sneaking into the medicine den for treatment for the past couple of nights. The idea of taking precious catmint when others might need it wrenched his heart, but he had to concede that dying wasn’t one of his plans. He needed to be strong for Willowclan, to show others that he was a cat that could be relied upon.
Looking down as cats began to gather, sharp green eyes searched their faces for reactions. Some would be irritated or upset by the idea of the deputy, rather than the Queen, making such announcements. Others – cats who had approached Oaktalon after Pearstripe’s exile, and other cats who he knew were disillusioned with some of Willowstar’s choices – might see things differently, however. Perhaps they saw hope in him, even in the bleakest of leafbares.
He allowed the Clan to gather before rising to his paws, balancing upon the branch and sinking his claws in to steady himself. A part of him admitted that addressing this many cats was thrilling. He should have been nervous, but he only felt excited.
”Cats of Willowclan,” he began, inclining his head to them in a way he suspected Willowstar never would. ”Things have not been easy since the battle – we suffered many injuries – and some deaths – in our fight to keep the lake. But we have recovered well, despite the temporary proximity of our neighboring Clans. I hope that you will all keep a watchful, but peaceful, eye upon the borders – the other Clans are going through the same leafbare that we are, but we cannot show weakness. Do not start unnecessary battles, but be sure to show Fireclan and Ravenclan that we are still strong, despite the battle and the sickness that is currently spreading throughout the Clans.’ He paused for a moment, scanning the faces of his Clanmates. For once, he suspected he and Willowstar were in agreement – even if he had fully supported giving the other Clans access to water. It was easy to imagine one or both Clans taking advantage of their situation. Though they were entitled to water, they were not entitled to Willowclan prey, and in the harshest season, Oaktalon knew that they could not afford to lose prey.
Especially with sickness ravaging the Clans. ”… If any of you are feeling ill, I implore you to visit Ashcloud’s den. It might be tempting to ignore it – to pretend that you’re fine, no matter how sick you may feel – but greencough takes lives every year. The sooner you get treatment, the sooner you can fully return to your duties, and serve Willowclan to the best of your abilities.” Many, like himself, were usually too proud to display weakness, but he hoped that the possible consequences would spur some cats into action.
”Even in the coldest leafbare, however, life goes on – and today is a day of celebration and growth for Willowclan,” he continued, decidedly more light-hearted. ”Your Queen is… not feeling her best today, and we all wish her a quick recovery,” he added, a faintly-wry note entering his voice. Willowstar was certainly healthier than him, despite what she claimed. ”But she has discussed things with me, and given me permission to name new apprentices and warriors.”
”Kestrelkit, Reedkit, Basilkit, and Acornkit, come forward,” he addressed, beckoning the kits from the crowd. He searched their faces for a moment, pondering if they were as excited as he had once been, when he’d gone from being Oak-kit to Oakpaw. He hoped that he wasn’t imagining the excited gleam to their eyes.
He turned to address each kit in turn, though he was sure not to echo Willowstar’s words too closely. That fierce, rebellious spark within him found a strange thrill in addressing these cats as though, for one night, he were their King, rather than Willowstar their Queen. ”Kestrelkit, you have shown yourself to be an outgoing, energetic individual of Willowclan. Today, you will take the first pawsteps into apprenticehood as Kestrelpaw. Cherryblossom will be your mentor – may her moons of experience guide you towards becoming a fine warrior to serve Willowclan and the Royal Family.” Perhaps the older she-cat would be able to get through some of Kestrelpaw’s stubbornness.
He turned his gaze towards the next kit. ” ”Reedkit, you have shown yourself to be a brave, determined individual of Willowclan. Today, you will take the first pawsteps into apprenticehood as Reedpaw. Rainstrike will be your mentor – may her moons of experience guide you towards becoming a fine warrior to serve Willowclan and the Royal Family. Rainstrike – despite your recent injuries, I am confident that you will train this apprentice to the best of your capability.” He considered the half-blind she-cat for a moment, pondering what had caused the she-cat and the rest of her family to arrive in such a bedraggled, injured state. I need to question them about that when I get the chance – clearly something terrible happened.
Shaking the thought from his mind, he turned to Basilkit. ”Basilkit, you have shown yourself to be a persistent, strong-willed individual of Willowclan. Today, you will take the first pawsteps into apprenticehood as Basilpaw. Heronstep will be your mentor – though he is young, he will prove his skill in guiding you towards becoming a fine warrior that serves Willowclan and the Royal Family.” Privately, Oaktalon was pleased with this choice. He suspected that Heronstep didn’t feel at ease in Willowclan yet, and hoped the former Ravenclanner would prove himself a loyal, capable warrior.
He turned his glance to the smallest of the gathered kits last – a kit who would have likely stood tall over some of the others if not for the dwarfism that shortened her limbs. He was sure this kit had been the subject of murmurings and gossip as well – cats had seen how Willowstar treated her own ‘defective’ kits and the kits of others, after all. Surely this kit was going to join the others in their pseudo-apprenticeships – to nursery queens, where the Queen of Willowclan couldn’t care less about their progress.
”Acornkit – some cats would judge you for your shortcomings, and say that you could never become a warrior of Willowclan,” he began, surprising himself with the slight anger in his tone as he shifted from his own path of words for the first time. ”But you are a competitive, steadfast kit despite the challenges you face, and I believe that you deserve the chance to prove your worth.” Though he kept his gaze upon the kit, he was aware of his Clanmates’ reactions – whether they were positive or they thought he was overstepping his boundaries, he wasn’t sure. The imagined look on Willowstar’s face when she heard what he was about to say drove him forward, though the rational part of his mind noted that it was probably a terrible idea.
”I will be your mentor – I will train you as I would any other Willowclan apprentice, and guide your pawsteps towards being a fine warrior that will serve Willowclan and the Royal Family the best that you can.” He would have liked to touch noses with the she-cat then and there, but that had to wait – there were three more cats that needed to be addressed.
”Today is a day where we welcome new warriors as well as new apprentices – these cats have trained hard for moons to earn their names.” Standing taller, he sought out the first of the three apprentices – a large, red-furred apprentice who towered over even some warriors moons older than him. Redpaw’s apprenticeship had taken longer than most cats, but Oaktalon felt pleased to be the one welcoming the good-hearted tom fully into Willowclan’s ranks.
”Redpaw, you have proven yourself to be a loyal, sensitive member of Willowclan, and you have worked hard to impress both your Clanmates and the Royal Family. For your strength and your perseverance, you will be known as Redbear from this day forward. We welcome you as a warrior of Willowclan.” He inclined his head respectfully to Redbear, allowing his Clanmates to congratulate him before moving forward.
”Sparrowpaw, you have proven yourself to be an intelligent, calm member of Willowclan, and you have worked hard to impress both your Clanmates and the Royal Family. For your intuition and your creativity, you will be known as Sparrowspeck from this day forward. We welcome you as a warrior of Willowclan.” He dipped his head again, allowing another pause.
Most wouldn’t expect the last cat he called forward – another decision by Willowstar that infuriated him enough to spark that rebellion within him again. ”Streampaw,” he beckoned the deaf she-cat forward, turning his gaze towards Cinderfeather for a moment. Did he imagine the flutter in his chest as he studied her and the deaf daughter she had helped grow and thrive for so many moons? He hoped that the grey-and-white queen supported the deviation he was about to take, even if most cats wouldn’t realize the importance of the name.
Willowstar wanted her to be called Twistedstream – as though any cat should be constantly reminded of their shortcomings, rather than their strengths. If she wanted it so badly, she should have done this ceremony herself.
”No cat can deny that you have had a more difficult apprenticeship than most – and though you may never be a full warrior, I am proud to welcome you as a full member of Willowclan. You will join the elders in their den, but I am certain that you will find ways to serve your Clan, just as many of them still do. I name you Streamshine – a testament to the idea that even cats who are doubted by others can prove themselves worthy of a Willowclan warrior name.” There was a certain defiance in his tone that made it clear that this was not entirely what Willowstar had scripted for him. But there was pride as well, even if a part of him wished he could fully defy Willowstar and welcome Streamshine as a proper warrior.
One day, perhaps.
”Willowclan,” he addressed the Clan as a whole a final time. ”May we continue to grow and thrive, even in the harshest of seasons. Remain strong, and persevere.” He dismissed his Clanmates with a flick of his tail, before jumping down to touch noses with Acornpaw.
Reedkit -> Reedpaw (Captain ) (mentored by Rainstrike (@silverfire12 ) )
Acornkit -> Acornpaw (Izumakoto ) (mentored by Oaktalon (trevni ))
Basilkit -> Basilpaw (@jinx ) (mentored by Heronstep (Plaid PJs ))
Redpaw -> Redbear (Mal )
Streampaw -> ? (@silverfire12 )
Sparrowpaw -> ? (Orange Peel )
(( permission given by Sloth to make this ceremony thread! apologies for the length, oop.
oaktalon summons the clan in willowstar’s place, as she has given him permission to do so due to her having a minor cough and not wanting to display weakness before her clan. oaktalon addresses willowclan, noting the battle and the sickness but attempting to rally morale. he proceeds to name four apprentices, making a potentially-surprising choice for the last of them. he then gives three cats their full names – again, making a choice that is arguably his own, rather than willowstar’s, at the end.))
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”Willowclan! Join me beneath the Willow Tree!”
The sharp cry rang through the chilled morning air, but it was not the soft, lilting voice of Willowclan that gathered the Clan together upon that frigid leafbare day. Instead, a large, dark-furred tabby perched within the branches, his form strong and determined despite the sickness that had spread throughout camp – and affected him too, though he was too proud to show weakness. But Oaktalon was scrawnier than usual, and the rasp in his throat betrayed the cough that he hid from his Clanmates. Despite the fatigue that dragged at his mind, however, he was nothing but alert (and even a little excited) that morning.
Willowstar had called him to her den the previous night – he’d found the she-cat with a mild cough, though she had looked far better than Oaktalon felt. They’d discussed mentors, apprentices, and warriors – as much as you could call a one-sided conversation laying out what should be done a ‘discussion’, at least. Oaktalon had sat and dully nodded along, feeling flashes of anger and indignation at some of Willowstar’s decisions that he would have never made on his own.
But then, to his surprise, she’d turned the reins over to him – he would be the one conducting this ceremony, though he was clearly expected to stick to her decisions. She’d spoken of how it wouldn’t due to appear weak in front of her Clanmates, and Oaktalon had resisted the urge to box her ears. Clearly, she didn’t care how weak he looked, despite his ragged fur and scrawny form. Her cough was almost-certainly nothing to worry about as well, whereas Oaktalon had been sneaking into the medicine den for treatment for the past couple of nights. The idea of taking precious catmint when others might need it wrenched his heart, but he had to concede that dying wasn’t one of his plans. He needed to be strong for Willowclan, to show others that he was a cat that could be relied upon.
Looking down as cats began to gather, sharp green eyes searched their faces for reactions. Some would be irritated or upset by the idea of the deputy, rather than the Queen, making such announcements. Others – cats who had approached Oaktalon after Pearstripe’s exile, and other cats who he knew were disillusioned with some of Willowstar’s choices – might see things differently, however. Perhaps they saw hope in him, even in the bleakest of leafbares.
He allowed the Clan to gather before rising to his paws, balancing upon the branch and sinking his claws in to steady himself. A part of him admitted that addressing this many cats was thrilling. He should have been nervous, but he only felt excited.
”Cats of Willowclan,” he began, inclining his head to them in a way he suspected Willowstar never would. ”Things have not been easy since the battle – we suffered many injuries – and some deaths – in our fight to keep the lake. But we have recovered well, despite the temporary proximity of our neighboring Clans. I hope that you will all keep a watchful, but peaceful, eye upon the borders – the other Clans are going through the same leafbare that we are, but we cannot show weakness. Do not start unnecessary battles, but be sure to show Fireclan and Ravenclan that we are still strong, despite the battle and the sickness that is currently spreading throughout the Clans.’ He paused for a moment, scanning the faces of his Clanmates. For once, he suspected he and Willowstar were in agreement – even if he had fully supported giving the other Clans access to water. It was easy to imagine one or both Clans taking advantage of their situation. Though they were entitled to water, they were not entitled to Willowclan prey, and in the harshest season, Oaktalon knew that they could not afford to lose prey.
Especially with sickness ravaging the Clans. ”… If any of you are feeling ill, I implore you to visit Ashcloud’s den. It might be tempting to ignore it – to pretend that you’re fine, no matter how sick you may feel – but greencough takes lives every year. The sooner you get treatment, the sooner you can fully return to your duties, and serve Willowclan to the best of your abilities.” Many, like himself, were usually too proud to display weakness, but he hoped that the possible consequences would spur some cats into action.
”Even in the coldest leafbare, however, life goes on – and today is a day of celebration and growth for Willowclan,” he continued, decidedly more light-hearted. ”Your Queen is… not feeling her best today, and we all wish her a quick recovery,” he added, a faintly-wry note entering his voice. Willowstar was certainly healthier than him, despite what she claimed. ”But she has discussed things with me, and given me permission to name new apprentices and warriors.”
”Kestrelkit, Reedkit, Basilkit, and Acornkit, come forward,” he addressed, beckoning the kits from the crowd. He searched their faces for a moment, pondering if they were as excited as he had once been, when he’d gone from being Oak-kit to Oakpaw. He hoped that he wasn’t imagining the excited gleam to their eyes.
He turned to address each kit in turn, though he was sure not to echo Willowstar’s words too closely. That fierce, rebellious spark within him found a strange thrill in addressing these cats as though, for one night, he were their King, rather than Willowstar their Queen. ”Kestrelkit, you have shown yourself to be an outgoing, energetic individual of Willowclan. Today, you will take the first pawsteps into apprenticehood as Kestrelpaw. Cherryblossom will be your mentor – may her moons of experience guide you towards becoming a fine warrior to serve Willowclan and the Royal Family.” Perhaps the older she-cat would be able to get through some of Kestrelpaw’s stubbornness.
He turned his gaze towards the next kit. ” ”Reedkit, you have shown yourself to be a brave, determined individual of Willowclan. Today, you will take the first pawsteps into apprenticehood as Reedpaw. Rainstrike will be your mentor – may her moons of experience guide you towards becoming a fine warrior to serve Willowclan and the Royal Family. Rainstrike – despite your recent injuries, I am confident that you will train this apprentice to the best of your capability.” He considered the half-blind she-cat for a moment, pondering what had caused the she-cat and the rest of her family to arrive in such a bedraggled, injured state. I need to question them about that when I get the chance – clearly something terrible happened.
Shaking the thought from his mind, he turned to Basilkit. ”Basilkit, you have shown yourself to be a persistent, strong-willed individual of Willowclan. Today, you will take the first pawsteps into apprenticehood as Basilpaw. Heronstep will be your mentor – though he is young, he will prove his skill in guiding you towards becoming a fine warrior that serves Willowclan and the Royal Family.” Privately, Oaktalon was pleased with this choice. He suspected that Heronstep didn’t feel at ease in Willowclan yet, and hoped the former Ravenclanner would prove himself a loyal, capable warrior.
He turned his glance to the smallest of the gathered kits last – a kit who would have likely stood tall over some of the others if not for the dwarfism that shortened her limbs. He was sure this kit had been the subject of murmurings and gossip as well – cats had seen how Willowstar treated her own ‘defective’ kits and the kits of others, after all. Surely this kit was going to join the others in their pseudo-apprenticeships – to nursery queens, where the Queen of Willowclan couldn’t care less about their progress.
”Acornkit – some cats would judge you for your shortcomings, and say that you could never become a warrior of Willowclan,” he began, surprising himself with the slight anger in his tone as he shifted from his own path of words for the first time. ”But you are a competitive, steadfast kit despite the challenges you face, and I believe that you deserve the chance to prove your worth.” Though he kept his gaze upon the kit, he was aware of his Clanmates’ reactions – whether they were positive or they thought he was overstepping his boundaries, he wasn’t sure. The imagined look on Willowstar’s face when she heard what he was about to say drove him forward, though the rational part of his mind noted that it was probably a terrible idea.
”I will be your mentor – I will train you as I would any other Willowclan apprentice, and guide your pawsteps towards being a fine warrior that will serve Willowclan and the Royal Family the best that you can.” He would have liked to touch noses with the she-cat then and there, but that had to wait – there were three more cats that needed to be addressed.
”Today is a day where we welcome new warriors as well as new apprentices – these cats have trained hard for moons to earn their names.” Standing taller, he sought out the first of the three apprentices – a large, red-furred apprentice who towered over even some warriors moons older than him. Redpaw’s apprenticeship had taken longer than most cats, but Oaktalon felt pleased to be the one welcoming the good-hearted tom fully into Willowclan’s ranks.
”Redpaw, you have proven yourself to be a loyal, sensitive member of Willowclan, and you have worked hard to impress both your Clanmates and the Royal Family. For your strength and your perseverance, you will be known as Redbear from this day forward. We welcome you as a warrior of Willowclan.” He inclined his head respectfully to Redbear, allowing his Clanmates to congratulate him before moving forward.
”Sparrowpaw, you have proven yourself to be an intelligent, calm member of Willowclan, and you have worked hard to impress both your Clanmates and the Royal Family. For your intuition and your creativity, you will be known as Sparrowspeck from this day forward. We welcome you as a warrior of Willowclan.” He dipped his head again, allowing another pause.
Most wouldn’t expect the last cat he called forward – another decision by Willowstar that infuriated him enough to spark that rebellion within him again. ”Streampaw,” he beckoned the deaf she-cat forward, turning his gaze towards Cinderfeather for a moment. Did he imagine the flutter in his chest as he studied her and the deaf daughter she had helped grow and thrive for so many moons? He hoped that the grey-and-white queen supported the deviation he was about to take, even if most cats wouldn’t realize the importance of the name.
Willowstar wanted her to be called Twistedstream – as though any cat should be constantly reminded of their shortcomings, rather than their strengths. If she wanted it so badly, she should have done this ceremony herself.
”No cat can deny that you have had a more difficult apprenticeship than most – and though you may never be a full warrior, I am proud to welcome you as a full member of Willowclan. You will join the elders in their den, but I am certain that you will find ways to serve your Clan, just as many of them still do. I name you Streamshine – a testament to the idea that even cats who are doubted by others can prove themselves worthy of a Willowclan warrior name.” There was a certain defiance in his tone that made it clear that this was not entirely what Willowstar had scripted for him. But there was pride as well, even if a part of him wished he could fully defy Willowstar and welcome Streamshine as a proper warrior.
One day, perhaps.
”Willowclan,” he addressed the Clan as a whole a final time. ”May we continue to grow and thrive, even in the harshest of seasons. Remain strong, and persevere.” He dismissed his Clanmates with a flick of his tail, before jumping down to touch noses with Acornpaw.
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