Willowfrost walked beside Nettlepaw back into camp in the twilight of early morning. Her silver tabby fur caught the weak first offerings of the sun while she carefully placed her paws to avoid slips and trips. Thank StarClan she knew this path so well. But it would be nice to step back fully and have Nettlepaw recognized as he should be.
Her vision was fading faster and faster, it seemed. Once Nettlepaw had a moon behind his paws she would make the truth official. The young tom had already been acting almost entirely solo for moons already.
She gave the pale shadow beside her a twitch of the ear and a wave of her tail as she ducked into the rabbit warren amongst the roots and down into the den that belonged to the leader. She didn’t need to see him to know he was there.
Out with the old - In with the bold
‹‹‹‹ ››››
Having known that the Medicine Cat and her apprentice had set out with a specific goal in the dark of the morning, well before moonset, it was no surprise when Willowfrost arrived at the entrance to his den with a purr in her voice. The pair who had worked together for years exchanged quiet words before the tom said ”I’ll call everyone together.” in an affirmative tone.
After a quick stretch in the open area surrounded by the warren’s den mouths Boldstar slid from the tunnel followed closely by Willowfrost. She slowed in the Freshkill hollow amongst the roots while the gray tom made his way quietly up to the speaking spot. Boldstar wasn’t entierly sure how much RiverClan was going to appreciate what he was about to do, but raised his voice more loudly than usual with his call:
”All cats old enough to catch their own prey are to join here in the shade of the Twinwillow!”
22
RiverClan
A promotion ceremony for Nettlepaw
RiverClan Camp, RiverClan Territory, The Clan Territories
rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
↫ ⭒ ☽ ⭒ 〄 ⭒ ☾ ⭒ ↬
Restlessness and and eagerness shined through the dull ticked cream of his pelt in the slight morning hours. Or rather the antisipation of knowing what had transpired at Moonstone all those hours ago. Of the scents who still seemed washed over him, the very familiar image of his Starclan sent mother and Willowfrost's own mentor had commended him as such. He didn't have to wait long before Willowfrost emerged from the leader's den. Nettlepaw did not linger, and his eyes were still occassionally glanced towards the morning sky where the last twinkling lights faded for another night. He hoped he'd glimpse more of such light to come.
What I dream, the day might send. Just around the riverbend.
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ 💧 ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖
Otterwhisker was already out and about, unable to get back to sleep. Her mink form could be seen by the boughs of twinwillow besides the fresh kill pile. She had done about as much as to check the contents of the chipmonk's stomach before she had taken a few tenative bites. It was as if she felt she could never trust freshkill again after what had happened to Boldstar. But Nettlepaw had managed to figure it out. Her eyes settled on the medicine cats as they returned, and assumed as much when Boldstar came to address the clan.
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettleplume, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat
Merrykit, ♀ Contented Kit
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlepaw, ♀ Selfish Apprentice
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, ♀ Striving Warrior
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
Heatherkit, ♀ Sweet Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Emberdust, ♀ Artless Warrior
Murkkit, ♂ Opportunistic Kit
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Disturbed Rogue
A jolt went through Thornstrike and the calico couldn't suppress a growl as Boldstar's voice woke her from her rest. She had just gotten settled after hunting that night and was finally going to sleep! Why did they have to have a meeting now?!
Thornstrike got up from her nest, but her tail lashed widely even after she was outside and close enough to the TwinWillow to see their leader. The warrior also noticed that, unlike her, Nettlesky had already been awake and outside. The torbie was stretching now, but the state of her fur made Thornstrike wonder if she'd been rolling around on the ground just before Boldstar called.
PCs:
Hollyclaw, Warrior of ShadowClan
Dawnflurry, Deputy of ShadowClan
Mistyleaf, Warrior of ThunderClan
Thornstrike, Warrior of RiverClan
Shadesleek, Warrior of WindClan
Morgan, Royal Scion of Camelot
Duke, Rogue
NPCs:
Hawkfeather, Elder of ShadowClan
Nettlesky, Warrior of RiverClan
Ceridwen, Princess of Camelot
Coldgaze:
The night was almost over, and Coldgaze had walked into the camp only a few fox-lengths behind the medicine cats. Checking the borders, surveying Sunningrocks and hunting for a few night-time critters had given him a welcome distraction from worrying about the outcome of Nettlepaw's meeting with their starry ancestors. He appreciated the young cat; his insights, knowledge and advice... as well as his presence around camp. They were friends - and Coldgaze did want what was best for Nettlepaw.
He dropped off his scaled victims in the pile - some fish that hadn't had enough common sense to sleep somewhere safe from his claws - and hopped up on the roots of the tree, looking over the clan as they shook off sleep.
His eyes didn't fall to his leader as he called the clan to meet. They were glued on Nettlepaw, willing the outcome of his meeting to be successful. Silently asking 'What did you see?'
Characters:
Coldgaze: (M) Stoic Riverclan Deputy
Gingerthrash: (M) Arrogant Thunderclan Elder
Lawn Gnome: (F) Motherly Semi-Feral Shecat
Piperpaw: (F) Meek Windclan Medicine Cat Apprentice
Redkit: (M) Confident Shadowclan Kit
Sootpaw: (M) Bubbly Shadowclan Apprentice
Sturgeonkit: (M) Sleepy Riverclan Kit
Sunstrike: (F) Anxious Thunderclan Warrior
NPCs:
Quailcall: (F) Fierce Thunderclan Warrior
Briarfang flicked a paw over an ear as Boldstar called a meeting. They had woken up only a few moments before, stretching outside of the warriors' den. Seeing the medicine cat and her pale apprentice already by the TwinWillows, they had a guess at what was going on. Nettlepaw had been an apprentice for ages now, and seemed competent enough to perform their own work.
They played with the idea of another emergency, though. A medicine cat could receive any vision from Starclan, after all--even terrible ones. Perhaps they were wrong about the prey being poisoned...?
Courage is doing what’s right, even when nobody is watching.
.｡.:* ☆:**:. .｡.:* ☆:**:.
The sun slowly peeking over the horizon marked a new dawn, a new day that Goosesong wasn't sure what would occur. Despite the dislike for not knowing what would occur as the day went on. But it was a path of life he supposed. The large, muscular tom shook his thick pelt and flicked and ear at the calling of Boldstar. What was this meeting about? The gathering has long passed at this stage. So perhaps a meeting to update the clan on some news? It couldn't be an apprentice ceremony, the kits still had a fair few moons until that would happen.
Not like it was any of his business however, the ceremonies he was the center of had long passed. The hefty silver tom then sat at the edge of the clearing, he had earshot of Boldstar, but he was at the distance that no cat would really interact with him unless they were tying to. He wasn't exactly a chatty tom anyway.
Bee's Characters
FROM WINDCLAN
Beewhisker - ⚧ Chirpy Warrior
Sunbear - ♀ Blunt Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN
Greypebbles - ♂ Quiet Warrior
Robinkit - ♀ Cautious Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN
Clovershine - ♀ Optimistic Queen
FROM RIVERCLAN
Goosesong - ♂ Stoic Warrior
OUTSIDERS
Sushi - ♀ Naive Domestic
Out with the old - In with the bold
‹‹‹‹ ››››
Boldstar waited, somewhat impatient with the excitement of the rare thing he had the opportunity to do this morning. Medicine Cats were rare compared to warriors, and a leader may not ever have the honor of naming one. Once the gathering members of the clan settled he began.
”Nettlepaw,” Boldstar began the ceremony somberly, careful to keep the words true to the infrequently used ceremony. ”you have been found worthy by your mentor and StarClan. The time has come for you to receive your name and be recognized as a Medicine Cat in your own right.” The traditional acknowledgment of the reason they had been gathering was made. No leader was without a sense of flair, and Boldstar gave the words a long moment to sink in. He knew that Nettlepaw’s relatively short apprenticeship, Willowfrost’s failing sight, and the novelty of the moment deserved it.
”I Boldstar, leader of RiverClan, call upon my Warrior Ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has already been found worthy by you, and I commend him in his turn. Nettlepaw: do you promise to uphold the Warrior’s Code and the Medicine Cat’s Code?”
rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
↫ ⭒ ☽ ⭒ 〄 ⭒ ☾ ⭒ ↬
Nettlepaw lingered for what he knew to be the ceremony that would follow. He had prepared long for this advancement into his training, and he knew he'd still be willing to learn further. He had to hone his craft, and eventually, he'd become the most talented Riverclan medicine cat who ever existed if only he never tarried from his focus. As he watched the bodies of cats react to the summons, Nettlepaw stood exactly where he had been - although one in particular stood out to Nettlepaw. The deputy, Coldgaze, approached him, and his pale eyes flickered towards the large brown tabby.
There was a hint of familiarity in his gaze, but he was still an apprentice. Perhaps once he became a fully fledged medicine cat he'd be more willing to reciprocate - or at least be a bit more talkative. Without keeping the deputy waiting too long, he gave him a small nod, expression stern. "Come find me later." Nettlepaw mewed softly, barely a whisper before he reacted towards Boldstar's call as he was summoned to his side. Standing in front of the imposing, yet greying form of Boldstar, Nettlepaw's voice spoke clear.
"I do."
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettleplume, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat
Merrykit, ♀ Contented Kit
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlepaw, ♀ Selfish Apprentice
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, ♀ Striving Warrior
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
Heatherkit, ♀ Sweet Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Emberdust, ♀ Artless Warrior
Murkkit, ♂ Opportunistic Kit
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Disturbed Rogue
Mistykit bounced from the nursery after Otterwhisker, odd eyes bright and curious. She had reached down to steal a small bite of the chipmunk the queen had been disemboweling and checking the stomach contents, before getting distracted. She spied Thornclaw emerge from the warrior's den and eyed the older she-cat's tail. She had begun to sneak up on Thornclaw's tail and was about to pounce when Boldstar spoke up and she blinked at the clan leader.
The little lilac kit listened with perked ears at Boldstar's words, eyes glowing as she remembered some of the lessons Otterwhisker had taught her about the ceremonies and Starclan. It clicked that this must be one of those ceremonies and it must be for Nettlepaw!
Mintpaw was just rousing himself from sleep for the day, wanting to get some of his more rigorous chores done in the cool of the morning so he could take it easy during the heat of the day. He had begun to give himself a bath and had just finished washing his face when his ears perked at Boldstar's call to gather. Something must be up!
Standing up and stretching, the cream apprentice gave himself a shake and trotted out towards the Twinwillow, blinking in surprise as he saw his brother nearby. Did Nettlepaw discover something else? Was it more to do with what was happening with the prey? But then Boldstar started speaking and, while Mintpaw was pleased for his brother as he listened to the ceremony, Mintpaw couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. He had worked just as hard as Nettlepaw! Why was Nettlepaw getting his medicine cat name already and Mintpaw wasn't getting his warrior name yet?
But as fast and hard as that thought hit him, he quickly shook it from his head. He was proud of what Nettlepaw had accomplished, even if their personalities did clash a bit. They were littermates after all and the only kin they had now. It shouldn't be long before Mintpaw earned his own warrior name. He just had to be patient.
But oh, was it hard to be patient when it felt like he was the main one cleaning dens and clearing ticks from everyone, as well as hunting, patrolling and feeding the elders.
Coldgaze:
Coldgaze resigned himself to waiting but still brushed alongside the apprentice as a silent congratulations before hailing his leader's call, taking up a place next to young Mintpaw. The apprentice was watching his brother - Coldgaze couldn't help but wonder how much of that was admiration, and how much as jealously.
"Your time will come." He didn't make eye-contact as he watched the proceedings. "Keep an eye open, and ear to the ground." Mintpaw just needed the opportunity to be great. He had no doubt about that. His mother and his brother were- well... had been- excellent cats; and Mintpaw, while quieter, had the same potential in him. Perhaps.... he would have to ask Boldstar about Sunningrocks sooner than later. Especially with the cold setting in.
Kill 2 birds with one leap, as it were.
Sturgeonkit:
A ceremony? Sturgeonkit had been loafing quietly at the entrance of the burrow, dozing in the sun as he imagined himself as the Deputy of Riverclan... or had it been Starclan? Either way, his musing didn't have to make much sense to be fun!
He has been spooked out of his dream by the Medicine cat Willowfrost - he didn't know her very well. Whenever he had to go to the Med. cat den, he had always been talking to that cream cat - Nettlepaw. Not that he didn't think she was important! She just...wasn't familiar.
He shook out his longer coat before standing. It wasn't as long as his sire's but he took some pride in the fact they looked similar. He had his tufted ears, his broad shoulders... Sturgeonkit hoped he looked more and more like his sire as he grew. His sisters were also gathering so he took the chance to intercept Mistykit, and attempt a friendly cuff on her ear.
"I want to be up there." He nods towards Nettlepaw. "2 Moons is too long to wait! Maybe, we could go practice later?" He wasn't sure how she would feel about maybe getting in trouble for sneaking around - but she had been outside the camp before! She could totally keep them out of trouble.
Characters:
Coldgaze: (M) Stoic Riverclan Deputy
Gingerthrash: (M) Arrogant Thunderclan Elder
Lawn Gnome: (F) Motherly Semi-Feral Shecat
Piperpaw: (F) Meek Windclan Medicine Cat Apprentice
Redkit: (M) Confident Shadowclan Kit
Sootpaw: (M) Bubbly Shadowclan Apprentice
Sturgeonkit: (M) Sleepy Riverclan Kit
Sunstrike: (F) Anxious Thunderclan Warrior
NPCs:
Quailcall: (F) Fierce Thunderclan Warrior
Out with the old - In with the bold
‹‹‹‹ ››››
Boldstar’s voice was thick with a purr as he continued: “Then by the powers granted by StarClan, I give you your medicine cat’s name. Nettlepaw, from this moment forward you will be known as Nettleplume. StarClan honors your unwavering focus, and we welcome you as a medicine cat of RiverClan.” Gently he awaited the customary bow of the head and brought his chin to rest between the cream striped ears.
”We are all proud of you.” Boldstar’s voice had dropped to a barely there whisper, meant only for the young tom.
rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
↫ ⭒ ☽ ⭒ 〄 ⭒ ☾ ⭒ ↬
Pride welled in his chest as the newly named Nettpleplume followed the customary ritual and bowed his head for the large tom. The soft weight was only a feather, but he couldn't be more aware of it. His expression lightened into a smile as his face dipped. Maybe it wouldn't be seen, but in this moment he couldn't care. He was a medicine cat of Riverclan and he couldn't wait to start diving head long into whatever took to his fancy. Already there would be so much to do. Herbs needed to be gathered and dried before the warmer weather transitioned into leaf-fall. But first on the agenda would be a well earned nap.
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettleplume, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat
Merrykit, ♀ Contented Kit
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlepaw, ♀ Selfish Apprentice
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, ♀ Striving Warrior
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
Heatherkit, ♀ Sweet Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Emberdust, ♀ Artless Warrior
Murkkit, ♂ Opportunistic Kit
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Disturbed Rogue
