Post by ♏aple♢ on Nov 2, 2015 22:52:24 GMT
"Let all cats old enough to heed my words gather here beneath the High Branch for a Clan meeting!"
A ringing call shattered the camp's silence. Warriors and kits alike looked to the center of the clearing. It was a beautiful night. The moon hung high in the sky above, bathing Cedarclan's home in light. Stars glittered high above, voicing their approval before the first words had even been spoken. The air may have been cold and the wind biting, but Cedarclan pulled through. Cedarclan always pulled through. And it always would. And this ceremony would be mark enough of that.
Much had Cedarclan been through over the past moons. Much was there to be discussed. And much had yet to come. But they would be ready. Starlingfur, their leader, would make sure of that. The tabby she-cat stood tall atop the High Branch, copper eyes glittering like embers as she looked out to her clan. Warriors gathering. Kits skittering to attention. She could see Swanstrike and Rookshadow hastily grooming Rosekit, Mistlekit, and Poolkit respectively. She could see their newcomers. Some shuffling nervously, others filled with bright-eyed curiosity. Senior warriors watching from the center of the crowd with interest, no doubt keen for information on Marshclan. Once the clan had gathered, Starlingfur waited a moment. Curious murmurs filled the clearing, but one by one they died down. And then, she spoke.
"It has been a hard few moons for Cedarclan." she began, "Between our.. issues with Marshclan... preparation for Leaf-Fall, and this sudden illness, all cats of Cedarclan have had to pull thrice their weight. And for that, I thank you." the she-cat dipped her head. Starlingfur.. was exhausted. She hadn't beens sleeping lately. Too busy. Too anxious. Always checking in on patrols, always patching dens, always trying to do what she could from camp. But with the arrival of newcomers.. Perhaps some of that weight would be lifted. Even just slightly.
"Our... altercation with Marshclan.." the ears of several cats perked. All had seen the envoy leaving their camp- heavily escorted at that. Yet few but the most senior of warriors knew what had transpired in the leader's den between Duskblaze and Starlingfur. Only that her tone had been short and her eyes sharp when she'd orderd their removal from Cedarclan territory. "Has been.. resolved. Or as resolved as it will be."
"What happened?!"
"What about Patchpaw!"
Sounds of protest called from the clearing. Rightful protest. Starlingfur shook her head with a sigh. Disappointment and annoyance was clear in her gaze- though it was not directed at her warriors. "Duskblaze and the tom Steampaw... Apologized, and were escorted from camp." The protest intensified. Cats yowling for retribution. Unfairness. Crying for an apprentice taken too young and too fiercely. And Starlingfur agreed. She wanted nothing more than for Marshclan to pay for their crimes. However... "Patchpaw's death was a tragedy. She will be mourned for moons to come. However, we cannot afford another war. Especially now of all times." Leaf-Bare was coming. They hardly had resources enough as it was. Going to battle could be a death sentence for both clans. Starlingfur was a planner. Starlingfur understood this. But... she also understood that Marshclan's crimes could not go unpunished. "We will double our patrols on the Marshclan border. Mark more thoroughly, and give them not even the time of day. They may not be warriors, but we are. Keep this in mind when interacting with them." She eyed some of the fiercer warriors more carefully. She knew that some cats would be just rash enough to act out on their own... but they could not afford such things now.
"And many of you may already know, there has been illness in the medicine den as of late." Perhaps that was an understatement. The coughing that sounded from that tree was near constant these days. The smell of illness was sickening. But at least they'd finally found a reason for it. "Ravenface is doing her best, but she's found what she thinks to be the reason for the disease's spreading." Perked ears now. Cats were nervous about this illness... And rightfully so. Especially after Firecloud's death. Though... the solution would not be ideal. "The sickness is spread through grooming and sharing tongues. And so, both activities are hearby banned until the illness has dissipated. Cats save for Ravenface are not to enter the medicine den, no matter the circumstances." It would not be... pleasurable, to go without grooming for an indeterminate amount of time. Even for Starlingfur, a cat whose coat always seemed to be filled with flyaways. She could see Swanstrike and Rookshadow's horrified expressions as they looked down at the kits, so recently groomed. The kits and apprentices would no doubt enjoy it, but.. oh, as long as the illness was gone from their home, Starlingfur would have tried anything.
"On to news... less grim." Yes, there would be much to speak of in this ceremony. And not all of it dark. Not at all. "With so many warriors and so little moss to be found in Leaf-Bare, Bramblenose has put forth a solution." she looked to the tabby striped tom now, sitting near the back of the crowd. She could see Specklefoot beside him, grinning excitedly. Bramblenose.. was a good tom. A helpful young warrior. And she hoped that this solution.. Would be good for Cedarclan. That it would work as he said. Their options were growing slim. "Alongside our usual moss, we will be skinning our prey and using their pelts to line our nests."
Murmurs filled the crowd. Prey? Lining nests? Disgust showed clearly on the faces of many of the kits. Weren't those the things of horror story? All cats had heard of using feathers, but... Starlingfur went on before things could get too out of hand. "Though I was skeptical at first, it seems the perfect solution to our problems. Less waste, warmer nests. Bramblenose says that it is sanitary, and plans on teaching all of the warriors and apprentices this skill. Training lessons between apprentices and their mentors on the process will be mandatory." They would need as many pelts as they could get before the snows piled on. They would likely even need to continue gathering them throughout Leaf-Bare. But it would hopefully be better than what damp and frozen moss they would manage to collect. She, herself, planned on attending these lessons. The skill was an interesting one, and once she returned to her duties, it would be something that she would need to know as well. All cats in the clan would. Perhaps... a new tradition.
"Speaking of apprentices..." A small smile appeared on her face as she looked to the front of the crowd. Many cats would be earning their names indeed. "Poolkit, step forward." The little red she-kit perked up, and Starlingfur nodded. The leader locked eyes with Rookshadow for a moment. Her nearest and dearest friend. Her adoptive daughter would be joining the ranks of the apprentice's den today. But she would not be alone. "Poolkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed." She called, once the red kit had made her way through the crowd. "From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Poolpaw. Your mentor will be Birchtail. I know that Birchtail will pass on all he knows to you."
And Birchtail... Starlingfur didn't even have to call him forth. He was already there at the base of the branch. His place, as the leader's mate. They had discussed this beforepaw. Both Rookshadow and Starlingfur had wanted the best possible mentor for Rookshadow's daughter. And what better tom could be chosen? "Leader: Birchtail, you are ready to take on another apprentice. You once received excellent training from Granitestripe, and you have shown yourself to be loyal, just, and kind. You will be the mentor of Poolpaw, and I am certain that you will pass on all you know to her." She smiled. It had been.. moons since he'd had an apprentice, she knew. But the both of them were warriors, kits or no. And Starlingfur knew that her mate would do a wonderful job mentoring Poolpaw.
"Rosekit and Mistlekit, please step forward." Starlingfur called once Poolpaw and Birchtail had left their place. Rosekit's gait lurched as he tried to move to the leaning branch as quickly as he could. Starlingfur felt a pang in her heart for the tom. Four moons since his injury. He would never heal. Not fully. Mistlekit helped him however. Starlingfur had considered... delaying their apprenticeship. Rosekit, due to his injury, and Mistlekit, as punishment for leaving camp unsupervised. But.. in the end, she had decided against it. These kits.. had been through much already. And Swanstrike would be proud to see them made apprentices. "Rosekit. Mistlekit. You have both reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior names, you will be known as Rosepaw and Mistlepaw. Rosepaw, your mentor shall be Hollowfern. Mistlekit, your mentor will be Bramblenose. I am certain that they will pass on all they know to you."
Hollowfern and Bramblenose. She had chosen the mentors for these kits carefully. Hollowfern, Swanstrike's brother. A strong but gentle soul. Bramblenose, the tom who had first found them that fateful day. Among the clan, he was often regarded as a hero. But he was humble. Both would be good for their respective apprentices, she hoped. "Hollowfern, Bramblenose. Both of you are ready to take on apprentices. Hollowfern, you have shown yourself to be honorable and brave. You will be mentor to Rosepaw. Bramblenose, you have proven yourself courageous and true. You will be mentor to Mistlepaw. I expect you to pass on all you know to your new apprentices."
Starlingfur watched, almost with amusement as Rosekit shyly touched noses with Hollowfern. Mistlepaw's joy could barely be contained on her face as she reached up- barely tall enough- and pressed her nose fiercely to her mentor's. Yes... these would make good pairs.
Ah, but Poolpaw, Mistlepaw, and Rosepaw would not be the only apprentices joining that den. Several young cats had joined recently- all in rapid succession, much to Starlingfur's surprise. They varied in age. From the age of a nervous warrior to just out of the nest. But all three would be recieving their names along their clan-raised counterparts. "Four new youths have joined our ranks. Fright, Dew, Delilah. Please step forward." Starlingfur watched the young cats make their way through the crowd. Yes.. their personalities were all quite different. Some nervous. Some hopeful. All young. All impressionable. All so new to clan life. "Each and every one of you has surpassed the age of six moons, but remains below the age of twelve. Save for Fright, who wishes to learn more about our customs before entering warriorhood. And so, the three of you will be joining Poolpaw, Mistlepaw, and Rosepaw in the apprentice's den. From this day forth until you recieve your warrior names.. Fright will be known as Flightpaw, Dewey will be known as Bubblepaw, and Delilah will be known as Dapplepaw." the name.. still felt odd, leaving her throat. But names changed, as did the cats wearing them. Fightpaw, Bubblepaw, and Dapplepaw. Starlingfur had high hopes for these youths. She had made an effort to get to know them, even through just a conversation or two, since their arrival in her home. Life was so busy now... She needed to make more time. But she hoped that, through what little she'd learned of these cats, her choices for mentors would be pleasant ones.
"Flightpaw, your mentor will be Rookshadow. She was trained wonderfully by Puddlefrost, and I am certain that she will pass down her kindness, strength, hunting prowess, and more to you." she looked at her friend as she spoke, warmth in her eyes. Rookshadow had spoken of yearning for a chance to prove herself anew to Cedarclan. Hopefully, this would give her the opportunity. The she-cat turned to Bubblepaw now. "Bubblepaw, your mentor will be Crooked-Eye. An experienced and loyal senior warrior, he will no doubt teach you all he knows of fighting, bravery, and clan life to you." Crooked-Eye. A cat who, despite speaking little, she had come to trust. Older cats who had once been in the clans were far and few between these days. Crooked-Eye was one of the few left who had lived the old clans. She hoped that his knowledge would serve both himself and Bubblepaw well. "Dapplepaw, your mentor will be.. Specklefoot." silence. "... Though young, he cares deeply for this clan. May he pass on his kindness, determination, and warmth." Specklefoot was... a choice. Despite his warrior age, his skills better matched that of an apprentice. Some of the older warriors were working with him- Starlingfur included. But he had begged to be given an apprentice. And Starlingfur.. had had a difficult time refusing such earnest pleas. He'd told her how much he wanted to help the clan, and eventually she had given in. She would be keeping an eye on both Dapplepaw's training and Specklefoot's progress.
One more cat had yet to earn their name. An elephant in the room. Or perhaps... a coyote in the camp. One cat sat in the midst of the crowd, towering above all others. Twice the size of most warriors, and with fangs as long as the average cat's paw. Some wondered whether she was a cat at all. But... A cat like this... Of such size and stature.. could benefit Cedarclan greatly. Rough around the edges, perhaps. But she'd sought them out. And that meant something. "Sweetie, step forward." she called. An.. odd name for a she-cat such as herself. Even odder that she had requested her own warrior name. But.. Starlingfur would oblige. Once she stepped forward, Starlingfur went on. "You have expressed desire to join Cedarclan as a full warrior. I, Starlingfur, leader of Cedarclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this she-cat. She will work to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn."
"Sweetie, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
A pause as she waited for response.
And then, continuation. "Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. Sweetie, from this moment on you will be known as Sweetfang. Starclan honors your strength and initiative, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Cedarclan."
Starlingfur barely had to stoop from her place on the Tall Branch to rest her muzzle on Sweetfang's shoulder. Such a tall cat.. Starlingfur had never seen before. But she was a warrior of Cedarclan now. "You will stand a silent vigil at the camp's entrance throughout the coming day, speaking not a word until the sun sets." she instructed. And then, the cheers.
"Poolpaw! Mistlepaw! Rosepaw! Bubblepaw! Flightpaw! Dapplepaw! Sweetfang!"
Starlingfur cheered along with them, a smile on her face as she overlooked her clan. Leaf-Bare would be a hard time. Not a doubt crossed her mind on that fact. But.. they would survive.
They always did.
A ringing call shattered the camp's silence. Warriors and kits alike looked to the center of the clearing. It was a beautiful night. The moon hung high in the sky above, bathing Cedarclan's home in light. Stars glittered high above, voicing their approval before the first words had even been spoken. The air may have been cold and the wind biting, but Cedarclan pulled through. Cedarclan always pulled through. And it always would. And this ceremony would be mark enough of that.
Much had Cedarclan been through over the past moons. Much was there to be discussed. And much had yet to come. But they would be ready. Starlingfur, their leader, would make sure of that. The tabby she-cat stood tall atop the High Branch, copper eyes glittering like embers as she looked out to her clan. Warriors gathering. Kits skittering to attention. She could see Swanstrike and Rookshadow hastily grooming Rosekit, Mistlekit, and Poolkit respectively. She could see their newcomers. Some shuffling nervously, others filled with bright-eyed curiosity. Senior warriors watching from the center of the crowd with interest, no doubt keen for information on Marshclan. Once the clan had gathered, Starlingfur waited a moment. Curious murmurs filled the clearing, but one by one they died down. And then, she spoke.
"It has been a hard few moons for Cedarclan." she began, "Between our.. issues with Marshclan... preparation for Leaf-Fall, and this sudden illness, all cats of Cedarclan have had to pull thrice their weight. And for that, I thank you." the she-cat dipped her head. Starlingfur.. was exhausted. She hadn't beens sleeping lately. Too busy. Too anxious. Always checking in on patrols, always patching dens, always trying to do what she could from camp. But with the arrival of newcomers.. Perhaps some of that weight would be lifted. Even just slightly.
"Our... altercation with Marshclan.." the ears of several cats perked. All had seen the envoy leaving their camp- heavily escorted at that. Yet few but the most senior of warriors knew what had transpired in the leader's den between Duskblaze and Starlingfur. Only that her tone had been short and her eyes sharp when she'd orderd their removal from Cedarclan territory. "Has been.. resolved. Or as resolved as it will be."
"What happened?!"
"What about Patchpaw!"
Sounds of protest called from the clearing. Rightful protest. Starlingfur shook her head with a sigh. Disappointment and annoyance was clear in her gaze- though it was not directed at her warriors. "Duskblaze and the tom Steampaw... Apologized, and were escorted from camp." The protest intensified. Cats yowling for retribution. Unfairness. Crying for an apprentice taken too young and too fiercely. And Starlingfur agreed. She wanted nothing more than for Marshclan to pay for their crimes. However... "Patchpaw's death was a tragedy. She will be mourned for moons to come. However, we cannot afford another war. Especially now of all times." Leaf-Bare was coming. They hardly had resources enough as it was. Going to battle could be a death sentence for both clans. Starlingfur was a planner. Starlingfur understood this. But... she also understood that Marshclan's crimes could not go unpunished. "We will double our patrols on the Marshclan border. Mark more thoroughly, and give them not even the time of day. They may not be warriors, but we are. Keep this in mind when interacting with them." She eyed some of the fiercer warriors more carefully. She knew that some cats would be just rash enough to act out on their own... but they could not afford such things now.
"And many of you may already know, there has been illness in the medicine den as of late." Perhaps that was an understatement. The coughing that sounded from that tree was near constant these days. The smell of illness was sickening. But at least they'd finally found a reason for it. "Ravenface is doing her best, but she's found what she thinks to be the reason for the disease's spreading." Perked ears now. Cats were nervous about this illness... And rightfully so. Especially after Firecloud's death. Though... the solution would not be ideal. "The sickness is spread through grooming and sharing tongues. And so, both activities are hearby banned until the illness has dissipated. Cats save for Ravenface are not to enter the medicine den, no matter the circumstances." It would not be... pleasurable, to go without grooming for an indeterminate amount of time. Even for Starlingfur, a cat whose coat always seemed to be filled with flyaways. She could see Swanstrike and Rookshadow's horrified expressions as they looked down at the kits, so recently groomed. The kits and apprentices would no doubt enjoy it, but.. oh, as long as the illness was gone from their home, Starlingfur would have tried anything.
"On to news... less grim." Yes, there would be much to speak of in this ceremony. And not all of it dark. Not at all. "With so many warriors and so little moss to be found in Leaf-Bare, Bramblenose has put forth a solution." she looked to the tabby striped tom now, sitting near the back of the crowd. She could see Specklefoot beside him, grinning excitedly. Bramblenose.. was a good tom. A helpful young warrior. And she hoped that this solution.. Would be good for Cedarclan. That it would work as he said. Their options were growing slim. "Alongside our usual moss, we will be skinning our prey and using their pelts to line our nests."
Murmurs filled the crowd. Prey? Lining nests? Disgust showed clearly on the faces of many of the kits. Weren't those the things of horror story? All cats had heard of using feathers, but... Starlingfur went on before things could get too out of hand. "Though I was skeptical at first, it seems the perfect solution to our problems. Less waste, warmer nests. Bramblenose says that it is sanitary, and plans on teaching all of the warriors and apprentices this skill. Training lessons between apprentices and their mentors on the process will be mandatory." They would need as many pelts as they could get before the snows piled on. They would likely even need to continue gathering them throughout Leaf-Bare. But it would hopefully be better than what damp and frozen moss they would manage to collect. She, herself, planned on attending these lessons. The skill was an interesting one, and once she returned to her duties, it would be something that she would need to know as well. All cats in the clan would. Perhaps... a new tradition.
"Speaking of apprentices..." A small smile appeared on her face as she looked to the front of the crowd. Many cats would be earning their names indeed. "Poolkit, step forward." The little red she-kit perked up, and Starlingfur nodded. The leader locked eyes with Rookshadow for a moment. Her nearest and dearest friend. Her adoptive daughter would be joining the ranks of the apprentice's den today. But she would not be alone. "Poolkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed." She called, once the red kit had made her way through the crowd. "From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Poolpaw. Your mentor will be Birchtail. I know that Birchtail will pass on all he knows to you."
And Birchtail... Starlingfur didn't even have to call him forth. He was already there at the base of the branch. His place, as the leader's mate. They had discussed this beforepaw. Both Rookshadow and Starlingfur had wanted the best possible mentor for Rookshadow's daughter. And what better tom could be chosen? "Leader: Birchtail, you are ready to take on another apprentice. You once received excellent training from Granitestripe, and you have shown yourself to be loyal, just, and kind. You will be the mentor of Poolpaw, and I am certain that you will pass on all you know to her." She smiled. It had been.. moons since he'd had an apprentice, she knew. But the both of them were warriors, kits or no. And Starlingfur knew that her mate would do a wonderful job mentoring Poolpaw.
"Rosekit and Mistlekit, please step forward." Starlingfur called once Poolpaw and Birchtail had left their place. Rosekit's gait lurched as he tried to move to the leaning branch as quickly as he could. Starlingfur felt a pang in her heart for the tom. Four moons since his injury. He would never heal. Not fully. Mistlekit helped him however. Starlingfur had considered... delaying their apprenticeship. Rosekit, due to his injury, and Mistlekit, as punishment for leaving camp unsupervised. But.. in the end, she had decided against it. These kits.. had been through much already. And Swanstrike would be proud to see them made apprentices. "Rosekit. Mistlekit. You have both reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior names, you will be known as Rosepaw and Mistlepaw. Rosepaw, your mentor shall be Hollowfern. Mistlekit, your mentor will be Bramblenose. I am certain that they will pass on all they know to you."
Hollowfern and Bramblenose. She had chosen the mentors for these kits carefully. Hollowfern, Swanstrike's brother. A strong but gentle soul. Bramblenose, the tom who had first found them that fateful day. Among the clan, he was often regarded as a hero. But he was humble. Both would be good for their respective apprentices, she hoped. "Hollowfern, Bramblenose. Both of you are ready to take on apprentices. Hollowfern, you have shown yourself to be honorable and brave. You will be mentor to Rosepaw. Bramblenose, you have proven yourself courageous and true. You will be mentor to Mistlepaw. I expect you to pass on all you know to your new apprentices."
Starlingfur watched, almost with amusement as Rosekit shyly touched noses with Hollowfern. Mistlepaw's joy could barely be contained on her face as she reached up- barely tall enough- and pressed her nose fiercely to her mentor's. Yes... these would make good pairs.
Ah, but Poolpaw, Mistlepaw, and Rosepaw would not be the only apprentices joining that den. Several young cats had joined recently- all in rapid succession, much to Starlingfur's surprise. They varied in age. From the age of a nervous warrior to just out of the nest. But all three would be recieving their names along their clan-raised counterparts. "Four new youths have joined our ranks. Fright, Dew, Delilah. Please step forward." Starlingfur watched the young cats make their way through the crowd. Yes.. their personalities were all quite different. Some nervous. Some hopeful. All young. All impressionable. All so new to clan life. "Each and every one of you has surpassed the age of six moons, but remains below the age of twelve. Save for Fright, who wishes to learn more about our customs before entering warriorhood. And so, the three of you will be joining Poolpaw, Mistlepaw, and Rosepaw in the apprentice's den. From this day forth until you recieve your warrior names.. Fright will be known as Flightpaw, Dewey will be known as Bubblepaw, and Delilah will be known as Dapplepaw." the name.. still felt odd, leaving her throat. But names changed, as did the cats wearing them. Fightpaw, Bubblepaw, and Dapplepaw. Starlingfur had high hopes for these youths. She had made an effort to get to know them, even through just a conversation or two, since their arrival in her home. Life was so busy now... She needed to make more time. But she hoped that, through what little she'd learned of these cats, her choices for mentors would be pleasant ones.
"Flightpaw, your mentor will be Rookshadow. She was trained wonderfully by Puddlefrost, and I am certain that she will pass down her kindness, strength, hunting prowess, and more to you." she looked at her friend as she spoke, warmth in her eyes. Rookshadow had spoken of yearning for a chance to prove herself anew to Cedarclan. Hopefully, this would give her the opportunity. The she-cat turned to Bubblepaw now. "Bubblepaw, your mentor will be Crooked-Eye. An experienced and loyal senior warrior, he will no doubt teach you all he knows of fighting, bravery, and clan life to you." Crooked-Eye. A cat who, despite speaking little, she had come to trust. Older cats who had once been in the clans were far and few between these days. Crooked-Eye was one of the few left who had lived the old clans. She hoped that his knowledge would serve both himself and Bubblepaw well. "Dapplepaw, your mentor will be.. Specklefoot." silence. "... Though young, he cares deeply for this clan. May he pass on his kindness, determination, and warmth." Specklefoot was... a choice. Despite his warrior age, his skills better matched that of an apprentice. Some of the older warriors were working with him- Starlingfur included. But he had begged to be given an apprentice. And Starlingfur.. had had a difficult time refusing such earnest pleas. He'd told her how much he wanted to help the clan, and eventually she had given in. She would be keeping an eye on both Dapplepaw's training and Specklefoot's progress.
One more cat had yet to earn their name. An elephant in the room. Or perhaps... a coyote in the camp. One cat sat in the midst of the crowd, towering above all others. Twice the size of most warriors, and with fangs as long as the average cat's paw. Some wondered whether she was a cat at all. But... A cat like this... Of such size and stature.. could benefit Cedarclan greatly. Rough around the edges, perhaps. But she'd sought them out. And that meant something. "Sweetie, step forward." she called. An.. odd name for a she-cat such as herself. Even odder that she had requested her own warrior name. But.. Starlingfur would oblige. Once she stepped forward, Starlingfur went on. "You have expressed desire to join Cedarclan as a full warrior. I, Starlingfur, leader of Cedarclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this she-cat. She will work to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn."
"Sweetie, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
A pause as she waited for response.
And then, continuation. "Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. Sweetie, from this moment on you will be known as Sweetfang. Starclan honors your strength and initiative, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Cedarclan."
Starlingfur barely had to stoop from her place on the Tall Branch to rest her muzzle on Sweetfang's shoulder. Such a tall cat.. Starlingfur had never seen before. But she was a warrior of Cedarclan now. "You will stand a silent vigil at the camp's entrance throughout the coming day, speaking not a word until the sun sets." she instructed. And then, the cheers.
"Poolpaw! Mistlepaw! Rosepaw! Bubblepaw! Flightpaw! Dapplepaw! Sweetfang!"
Starlingfur cheered along with them, a smile on her face as she overlooked her clan. Leaf-Bare would be a hard time. Not a doubt crossed her mind on that fact. But.. they would survive.
They always did.