Palepaw's warrior ceremony L0V0S0(open!)

[Cloudbat]

OOC: This is an especially good thread for rebels to gather at, since they can use Pale's warrior ceremony as an excuse to be mad at Cedarstar :3

BIC:“Will all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting!”

Cedarstar’s impressive voice rang out the edges of the partially underground camp. It was the end of a slightly rainy day – dewdrops shone on the dull blades of grass as the sky began to turn dark, and the cool air smelled fresh.

The dusk patrol had just returned, so everyone should be here to witness the ceremony he was about to perform.

The Clan slowly assembled below him – lone wanderers and groups of friends all congregating below the stone. Young and old, heavyset and skinny, their eyes reflected the sparse light as they looked at him expectantly.

He looked down at the sea of pelts with a rush of pride…but worry, too. How many of them still believed in him as their leader? How many would resent that he had made Shrewstorm a warrior, and now Palepaw a warrior, but not Quailpaw or Smokepaw? He argued to himself that they were not of age, they had not been ready for the assessment. It was of no importance if some malcontents did not agree.

Shaking his head to clear his mind of such worries, he shifted uncomfortably in his thick pelt as he watched Palepaw and her mentor, Crowclaw, come up below him.

“Crowclaw. Do you think that the time is right for your apprentice Palepaw to be made a warrior?”

“I do.” The black tom meowed, not proudly, but with quiet approval.

“Palepaw. Do you promise to uphold the code and honor of a warrior, and serve MeadowClan with your whole life?”

“I do.” She breathed, looking both excited and fearful.

“Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name. Palepaw, from this moment on you will known as Palefoot. StarClan honors your swiftness and loyalty, and we welcome you as a full member of MeadowClan.”

The brown tabby laid his muzzle on the spotted she-cat’s head, and she licked his shoulder respectfully.

“Palefoot! Palefoot!”

Much of the Clan cheered, some did so halfheartedly, a few stayed silent. But Cedarstar did not care. A fairly talented apprentice – born of ForestClanners –was becoming a warrior. He cared not for those who thought she didn’t deserve it.

--
Palepaw was so excited she could hardly stop herself from racing up to the rock. This was the day she’d been looking forward to ever since she arrived in MeadowClan, barely six moons old. She’d had to train a bit longer than a normal apprentice, but it had been worth it. Crowclaw had been a terrifying mentor – but when she looked back on it, she realized his relentless critique and hard spurring had probably made her a better warrior, even if she was still distracted sometimes.

Well…she knew she had more to work on than just that, but still! She was a warrior! When Cedarstar said the words and she licked her leader’s shoulder she felt like she’d explode with joy.

Palepaw – no, Palefoot – had never been happier in her life.

[ambird]

<sup>“Will all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting!” her mate's booming voice rang over the camp. With steady excitement Gingerstripe padded over from the prey pile, having just came from a hunting patrol. They had done fairly well. Having brought back two rabbits, a mouse and a vole. Of course, it hadn't helped with certain cats bickering about ForestClan cats. The non-ForectClan apprentice and warrior had been making snide remarks about how Cedarstar was picking favorites. Even his mate. That comment had made her want to unsheathe her claws and do damage to the stupid warrior's face. Of course, she'd held back. But only barely.

The ceremony went off with out a hitch. "Palefoot! Palefoot!" she exclaimed, the excited meows filled the camp. But some weren't so thrilled. A few cries came out half-heartedly, some said nothing. Those that didn't say anything went unnoticed. There were so few. Which only strengthened the stupid complaint of Non ForestClanners. They felt they were over-powered, and Cedarstar favored the ForestClan born cats. Regardless if that was true, they should just go and stick their stupid dung-filled heads--no, if she started thinking that way, she would be as low as the scum that were saying things like that about her. The temptation never dwindled, however.

After the ceremony was over, she sat by the ledge where her mate had given Palefoot her new name. Perhaps if she discussed this with Cedarstar, he'd help her get over her rage at some of her Clanmates. Maybe this was just a feeling, but somehow the way they spoke of Cedarstar when he wasn't around to listen frightened her. It was like the didn't care that they were insulting the Clan leader! Worse still, a part of her felt that that wasn't even the real intent of the bashing. Like....the wanted him to hear them, just to get an excuse to pick a fight.

Gingerstripe wanted Cedarstar to tell her she was just delusional. Maybe she was going on too many patrols. Needed sleep. Just something to comfort her and make herself sure things weren't headed where she feared they would. She wasn't stupid. Her hearing wasn't off. At least....she didn't think so. Whatever her fellow Clan mates were angry about, Gingerstripe hoped it could be resolved. But if it wasn't, she was prepared to spill blood to keep things calm.

What was she saying? Spilling the blood of a Clan-mate! That was wrong! The Warrior Code spoke of it! And yet....nevertheless, it had crossed her mind. Things were not the way they should be. A small voice in her head feared that nothing would ever be the same again. Gingerstripe definitely needed to talk with her mate, leader, whatever she was to call him. He understood where she was coming from. Or at least, she hoped he did.

If he didn't....who else would she turn to? Many non-ForestClan cats had been her friends. And even if she was just paranoid, she wouldn't be spilling her current feelings about them to one of them. Gah! What in the name of StarClan was she doing? Already referring to her Clan-mates to us and them! What next? She wouldn't let that thought linger. Instead, she'd continue waiting for her friend, leader, and of course, mate.</sup>

[Cloudbat]

The MeadowClan leader was pleased with the ceremony, so much that he caught his mate's eye and gave her a rare grin. But his grin vanished as he smelled her slight anxiety and his brow furrowed as a slight wind blew over the half-underground camp, bending back the strong green grass and stirring up the dry dust.

"Thank you, MeadowClan, for supporting our newest warrior. Rabbitstep-" He nodded to the tabby deputy "-please organize the dawn patrol. Lionstorm, it would be appreciated if you and the other cleaners could return to work on the gravel that collapsed into the rear part of the warriors' den. Thank you."

He then jumped off the rock, tail waving as scents disappeared and the air grew cooler as the sky turned a deep azure. The heavily furred brown tabby walked across the grassy camp to the lithe ginger she-cat waiting for him, his yellow eyes fixed on her amber ones.

The leader reached his love, and touched noses with her gently. "You look worried, my love." He mewed quietly. "Is there anything I can do? Would you enjoy a walk?" He asked, his expression teasing her slightly."The night is sweet, but you are sweeter, Gingerstripe. I hate to see you unhappy." He nuzzled her lightly, delighting in her comforting scent.

[ambird]

"You look worried, my love." He mewed quietly. "Is there anything I can do? Would you enjoy a walk?" He asked, his expression teasing her slightly. "The night is sweet, but you are sweeter, Gingerstripe. I hate to see you unhappy." she purred at Cedarstar's remark. Granted, she was worried, but somehow she just had to let those stupid cats go. They could believe whatever in the name of Starclan they wanted, she knew the truth. That was good enough for her. Whatever doubts they placed in her head, Cedarstar got rid of them. Even though...she still had to tell him. "No, everything isn't exactly fine...But, I'm sure it will be. Soon enough. A walk would be lovely. And....and," she had to stop delaying! Telling him what she had observed what essential. "And....have you noticed some of the cats remarks at ForestClan born cats? They seem angry. And some keep going on about favoritism." she said, knowing he knew what she was going on about. She had seen his slight tense at the fact some weren't thrilled about no non-ForestClanners being made warriors. Personally, Gingerstripe thought they could all give it a rest and look farther than the simple fact that Cedarstar could be a bit much. Yes, he was a proud cat. Sure, you could even say he played favorites. But was he an amazing leader? Did he keep their Clan save? Hopefully, everyone in the Clan knew the answer to that. Otherwise, they might as well become what they had formerly been before joining. If they didn't feel welcome, why stay? No...she couldn't say that to any of their faces. So many of them were probably angry enough to leave anyways. And with the current size of the Clan...they needed every kit, apprentice, warrior, whoever. Gingerstripe was irked with that fact. How long had they been in their home and how small was the Clan? In her head, she had imagined them to have been thriving more than they were at the current moment. She shook her head, shaking away that thought. No, if she had her doubts, she could never voice them. Word spread fast...and if cats heard they were weak, and she was the source of the complaints...it wouldn't be good. [bg=b97335][atrb=width,469,true] [atrb=border,0,true]