Fall of Dusk || Roseclan | Open

Chervilpaw sat at the base of the curving path up to the highledge, solemn enough to be sitting vigil. “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Highledge for a clan meeting!" A shiver ran through her body at the sound of Echostar’s voice. Could it be today? She sent a silent prayer up to star clan for the half-light. Without it her shaking body and pounding heart would be clear as day and Echostar would never make her into a warrior then.

She took a deep breath and ran battle tactic after battle tactic through her mind; she had to calm down before her fear scent soured the air. As cats gathered she started skimming the crowds searching for Kestrelpaw’s bulk and Flutterpaw’s scrawny form. When she couldn’t spot them immediately a fresh wave of nerves tousled her belly.

Calm down. They’ll be here soon. Chervilpaw dragged her eyes up from her clanmates and up to her leader and mentor. Normally Echostar’s calm was infectious, soothing Chervilpaw’s fears the way Secretsong never had, but tonight she seemed wary. A new bolt of fear rushed through her. Had something gone wrong? Disaster or no disaster a warrior didn't stink up the camp with fear. At least that was what she kept telling herself.

The dusky scent of mouse filled Kestrelpaw's noise as he trotted back to camp.  His outing had been successful, two plump mice were clenched in his jaws.  His stomach growled, the result of an afternoon turned evening trekking through the forest hunting.  Hoping it wouldn't be too long before he was devouring a piece of fresh-kill, Kestrelpaw paused and looked up at the darkening sky before plunging into the crevice which was the entrance to his clan's camp.  It had become something of a ritual for him, heading out and watching the light fade as the first few stars of silver pelt came out.  There was a serene sense of peace he found by pausing for a moment each day, reflecting. 

His reflecting was soon interrupted by Echostar's voice calling, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Highledge for a clan meeting!"  A shiver ran down the back of his spine, all the way to the tip of his tail.  Would tonight be the night?  Kestrelpaw and his siblings had been apprentices for quite a while now, their move to warriorship had to be close.  They were ready, Kestrelpaw knew it.

Quickly, he shoved through the gathering crowd beneath the highledge over to the fresh-kill pile where he dropped his take for the day.  His stomach growled once more, it seemed he wouldn't be getting to fill it for a little while yet.  Tiptoeing around cat's tails and toes, Kestrelpaw searched the crowd for one or both of his sisters, Chervilpaw and Flutterpaw.  It wasn't long before he spotted Chervilpaw glancing around, a smile quirked onto his face.  He slipped over to her and nudged her shoulder before sitting by her.

"Hey, did I miss anything?"  He questioned, his calm clear voice betraying nothing of the knot of nervousness that had replaced the hunger in his stomach.

Beneath her paws, the edge of Flutterpaw's nest had been reduced to shreds. Dried moss clung to her fur, and she flicked it away irritably, even as her limbs shook with tension. I knew this was a bad idea. She had been a bundle of nerves ever since their assessment earlier that day. It had gone well overall, but her fur still prickled with embarassment at the thought of her measly catch. A squirrel and a vole might have been an admirable feat. Unfortunately, both were remarkably scrawny, as if leaf-bare had not long since given way to greenleaf. Regardless, it hadn't been a good idea to hide away in the den. Alone in the quiet, her thoughts had rolled and festered.

A sharp, familiar tone bounced off of the cave walls, sending a horrible jolt through Flutterpaw's belly. Before, the thought of her ceremony had brought nothing but excitement. On the very day, however, she couldn't seem to dig herself out of the hole of anxiety she was stuck in. Her claws skittered shakily on the cool stone floor. She tok a deep breath, forcing down the fear, and emerged. The moist air and soft scent of the forest eased her further. Echostar stood on the highledge, and cats were already beginning to gather below. Flutterpaw immediately spotted her sister, already sitting beneath the rock. Flutterpaw darted forward, paws carrying her quickly for fear of arriving late.

When she reached Chervilpaw, Kestrelpaw had appeared beside her. "Hi guys," She offered, surprised that her voice didn't shake. Indeed, her fear had left somewhat, eased by the soft evening light draping onto the cave floor. She could feel the beginnings of excitement again.

~ ~ ~

As a throng of cats gathered on the stone below, Echostar forcefully banished any doubt. Danger or not, displaying such feelings to her clanmates would do them no good. Instead, she let that familiar feeling of pride and excitement brew in her belly. She watched as the clan, her clan, formed below her, gazes turned curiously upward. Chervilpaw had already arrived (she seemed to have been waiting). Echostar sympathized; she remembered just how terrifying waiting for such a moment could be.

It wasn't long before Kestrelpaw arrived, depositing his kill with the rest. She smiled as he ventured to his sister's side. He would make a fine warrior; all of them would. Roseclan needed as many dedicated warriors as it could get. Starclan knew these apprentices were strong; Secretsong's decision had been a shock to the entire clan, but her litter had coped astoundingly well.

Flutterpaw arrived last, pelting through the crowd to stand beside her littermates. It was time, then.

"Tonight is a night of celebration." Echostar called, her voice ringing across water and stone. "Greenleaf has been plentiful, and Roseclan had thrived, healthy and strong." Indeed, the past few moons had gone well. Aside from the recent darkness that hung about the forest, no troubles had arisen in the wake of leaf-bare. "Tonight, we may also celebrate the welcoming of three new warriors into our ranks." Her eyes drifted over the crowd. "Ryetail, Berrymist. Your apprentices have trained hard under your direction. Do you agree that they have earned their warrior names?" The words of tradition flowed easily from her tongue.

(I’m not sure if Berrymist is around. They haven’t logged in since the start of this month I sent a message but I say we just give it a few days.)

Chervilpaw began to sit a little steadier with each familiar scent and friendly face that mingled into the crowd. With so many cats here already could the news really be that bad? The only bad news was it was becoming harder and harder to keep an eye out for her siblings. Finally her gaze settled on the big solid cream pelt weaving up from the fresh kill pile. How had she missed him? Her lump of a brother was already as big and as broad as any warrior. A purr rumbled through her chest but she kept her eyes on Echostar.

“Just Echostar climbing up to the ledge.” Her nerves carved the edge of her tone into an icy point.
A wave of guilt warmed her cheeks and then their sister was upon them. “Hi, Flutterpaw.” She mewed carefully. “Do you think—“ The rest of her words fell away, Echostar was speaking.

With every word excitement chased the nerves further from her belly. This was it. She twisted her neck to look at her siblings, full of pride. They’d worked hard for this and it was finally happening. Now all there was to do was keep from tripping over their paws on their way up to highledge.

---

Ryetail slunk into camp, sides heaving and breathing ragged. The strange dog scent he’d crossed while hunting clung to him making it impossible to get the hairs along his spine to lie flat. All wasn’t well in the forest but all the more reason to have this ceremony and all the more reason to give Kestrelpaw this last show of support. Carefully he slipped through the crowd, desperately hoping that Echostar (or worse, Kestrelpaw) wouldn’t notice his late arrival. He settled down somewhere near the front and wrapped his tail close around his paws. He barely had time to gather his breath before it was his part in the ceremony.

“Kestrelpaw has proven himself an asset to the clan.” Ryetail yowled. “I’ll welcome him as long as he promises not to take up all the room in the warrior’s den.” Perhaps it was too serious a time for jokes but the way he saw it the clan couldn’t keep bouncing from tense fear to solemn ceremonies; a cat’s heart would snap in two going on like that.

(Sounds like a plan to me.)

Kestrelpaw dipped his head to Flutterpaw, as Echostar had begun to speak again.  His eyes glistened with pride as Echostar announced that three new warriors were to be accepted.  All of them had passed their assessments!  He purred his delight.  

"Ryetail, Berrymist. Your apprentices have trained hard under your direction. Do you agree that they have earned their warrior names?"  Echostar meowed from the ledge.  Kestrelpaw looked to the crowd around him, trying to find Ryetail, the grouchy old mentor that he had become incredibly fond of over the course of his apprenticeship, though he'd never tell him outright.

Ryetail's voice soon informed Kestrelpaw of his mentors location.  “Kestrelpaw has proven himself an asset to the clan.” Ryetail yowled. “I’ll welcome him as long as he promises not to take up all the room in the warrior’s den.”   A smirk formed on Kestrelpaw's face, and he almost barked a snappy reply back but, he bit his tongue as he remembered himself.  It certainly wouldn't be a good first impression as a new warrior.  So, instead, he let out a long and low purr, softly kneading the ground in front of him.

(What do you guys want their warrior names to be? It's not listed on their profiles)

Echostar's brow furrowed as her gaze was automatically drawn to movement. Ryetail had joined the ceremony, and was clearly agitated. She eyed him worriedly, but the warrior responded his confirmation. Ryetail was hardly the type to mitigate his words. If something had happened, she would know.

A smile tugged at Echostar's muzzle upon Ryetail's exclamation. She could appreciate her clanmate's easygoing disposition at a time like this. Both mentors gave their consent, and she smiled. "Chervilpaw has worked diligently in her training, and proved herself in her warrior assessment. She is ready to become a warrior."

As she took a step forward, Echostar fancied the reaching shadows of late day seemed to brighten. Fiery sunlight pooled on the far wall as the last rays of light struggled to touch the fur of Roseclan's newest warriors. "I, Echostar, leader of Roseclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained earnestly to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn."

Echostar's eyes swept to her own apprentice, and pride warmed her pelt. "Chervilpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

(Chervilstorm, I think I told you –fur in the PM but I changed my mind. It’s been )

Beside her Kestrelpaw’s purrs and Flutterpaw’s form swam away from her; leaving her icily calm despite the blood pumping in her ears. This is it. This is it. This is it. Chervilpaw weaved her way up to where Echostar stood. She was shocked by how steady her steps were but moons of training to be a warrior had them strong and agile; they were legs that wouldn’t fail her.

Looking down across her clanmates Chervilpaw felt a rush of warmth in her belly and found her voice. “I do.”

---

Well, thought Ryetail to himself, if nothing else I’ve certainly managed to teach him some self-control. The prickling along the back of his neck was gone; instead he was puffed up with pride. He watched as the larger of the two she-cats made her way upwards with swollen ranks they could face whatever the seasons threw their way.

(I believe I'll go with Kestrelheart, don't remember what I said earlier.  XD  This post is so terrible, forgive meh.)

Kestrelpaw watched with glowing pride as Chervilpaw paced forward for her part in the ceremony.  She was strong, her training had served her well, and Kestrelpaw couldn't be more proud of the cat she had become.  Chervilpaw glanced around the camp before turning back to Echostar, "I do."  was her solumn reply.  

Kestrelpaw shivered with nervous energy, what would her warrior name be?  He had amused himself for hours over his apprenticeship trying to think up what he and his siblings names would be when they became warriors.  Now that the day was finally here, his past guesses were leaves in the wind and he looked up to Echostar with awe.

Echostar smiled warmly. "Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. Chervilpaw, from this moment you will be known as Chervilstorm. Starclan honors your initiative and determination, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Roseclan."

Echostar stepped down to meet her (past) apprentice and exchange the customary gesture. A purr thrummed in her chest, unquenchable by the reaching darkness. My first apprentice, a warrior of Roseclan. Chervilstorm.

She took her place at the highledge again. "Flutterpaw."

~ ◊ ~

"Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Paws shivering, Flutterpaw stepped forward. She fought to keep her ears from lowering, but when her voice rang out, it was startlingly clear. "I do."

"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name." Echostar responded. Flutterpaw felt a little dizzy as she stared up at their leader, who was rimmed in blinding sunlight. Or maybe it was because she couldn't seem to get her breathing under control. "Flutterpaw, from this moment you will be known as Fluttershine. Starclan honors your kindness and loyalty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Roseclan."

Fluttershine somehow managed to move with numb paws, and within seconds was back by her siblings' sides. She took a shuddery breath, elation swelling in her chest. It seemed like forever ago that the three of them were kits in the nursery... We did it!

~ ◊ ~

For the final time, Echostar spoke. "Kestrelpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Kestrelpaw watched as Chervilpaw received her warrior name, Chervilstorm.  He whispered it under his breath as he watched Flutterpaw, in turn, go to Echostar.  He purred with delight as she received her own warrior name, Fluttershine.  Then it was suddenly his turn.  The camp fell away as Kestrelpaw stepped forward walking slow and deliberate steps up the slope to Echostar.  Blue eyes met blue eyes as Kestrelpaw met his leaders gaze.

"Kestrelpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"  Echostar asked.  It was the moment of truth, the last moment before he was a warrior, this was the moment he had been waiting for his whole life.  Here he would become what he had always wanted, here he would live and die by the warrior code.  Without breaking eye contact, Kestrelpaw spoke the words forever binding him, "I do."

Chervilstorm.  The sound of the name coming from Echostar’s mouth made her swell with pride. She was a warrior. Thank-you Echostar… For everything. Next it was Flutterpaw’s turn and Chervilstorm followed her sister with her eyes as she took her last steps as an apprentice. When she received the name Fluttershine, Chervilstorm purred loudly and ran the word through her mind. She couldn't wait to say it aloud. Two down, one to go. Kestrelpaw looked much sturdier than she had felt when she had felt approaching Echostar and he spoke the words that would draw him into warrior hood as if he had been born to do so. Tomorrow the rest of their lives would begin.

Echostar felt pride thrill through her at the intensity of Kestrelpaw's gaze. The three of them would make brilliant warriors. "Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. Kestrelpaw, from this moment you will be known as Kestrelheart. Starclan honors your dedication and spirit, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Roseclan."

With that, it was over. Echostar stared down at the newly named warriors below her, all nearly radiating joy. As the clan began to cry the three new names, Echostar let her gaze turn to the sky behind her. The sun had set, and darkness swelled between the trees. Even so, she didn't feel a trace of fear.

~ ◊ ~

Fluttershine was nearly vibrating with excitement. She waited with bated breath as Kestrelp-heart received his warrior name. It suits him. Finally, the intensity brought about by Echostar's words was over. Cries rang out in the air, making her ears twitch and heart swell. We're warriors! Roseclan's newest warriors! I can't wait to hunt with Kestrelheart and Chervilstorm in a patrol, and go to gatherings!

She rushed over to her siblings, nuzzling them fondly even as she could hardly keep her paws still. "We did it! I can't believe it!"

(Leopard, Kai, I totally forgot about this, sooo sorry.  Do you want to call it good?  I dunno how much else there is to do other than to send them out to sit their vigil.)

As he received his new name Kestrelheart dipped his head, his new life had begun.  Chest swelling with pride he made his way down to his siblings while the clan started to chant their warrior names, softly at first and then growing in both volume and excitement.  He touched noses with Chervilstorm and Fluttershine, speechless at this paramount moment of their lives.

Kestrelheart grinned at Fluttershine, who was practically dancing with joy.  "We've got a long night ahead of us yet," he reminded her, a twinkle in his eye, "but yes, we did do it!"  His tail twitched back and forth, his paws kneading the ground as he fed off of his sister's excitement.  It would be a long night, but he would have his sisters by his side and Starclan with his mind.  He looked to the crack and it seemed to him that Sliverpelt was shining the brightest it ever had.