SkyClan Skyboulder

[The Cannibal]

Originally Posted by Raywood

The journey from SkyClan to the Whispering Cave, then back to SkyClan, had been a taxing one, but it wasn't until his paws touched the familiar surface of the clearing that he realized how deeply exhaustion sunk into him. He partially blamed it on his unpredictable and erratic appetite, since it hadn't allowed him to consume a decent meal before they'd set off, not that he felt any hungrier now. Grousestar, however, seemed as energetic as ever, and Rabbitfluff didn't envy him; he still had to address the Clan and announce his ascension to leadership.

The nod was returned with a weary glance, blue eyes a window to the fatigue pressing at him but despite that, he mustered a faintly encouraging smile. Not that Grousestar needed it, as he appeared to be adopting this lifestyle in stride, embracing it.

Ears tilted forward in interest, Rabbitfluff watched as Grousestar claimed his rightful place atop the Skyrock and began speaking to the Clan. As the announcement proceeded, he kept his tired gaze on the brown tabby, sometimes not even truly hearing what he said but how he said it because there was something mesmerizing and soothing to his words, subtle reassurances that life would move on from the era of Lemonstar and return SkyClan to its former state of glory, and he had no doubt Grousestar had the ability to bring them there. The more he talked, the more comfortable and natural he grew, and it reinforced the idea that he was the right leader for the Clan; it wasn't taking him long to grow accustomed to the position after all. Rabbitfluff merely hoped to StarClan that his acquired duties wouldn't bog him down and cause the tom to lose his external cheer.

When the subject of the deputy was brought to attention, he briefly shifted his focus away from Grousestar and peered through the gathered crowd, wondering who his choice would be -- there were so many suitable warriors up for the task, but he trusted his new leader's judgment. Having never been the best at yowling names at ceremonies or outwardly expressing emotion that tarnished his image as a proper feline, Rabbitfluff offered Auroraflame a respectful dip of his head after it was announced that she would be the next-in-line beside Grousestar, a wise decision on his part.

Once it was determined that the meeting was over and his clanmates started returning to their dens, Rabbitfluff habitually fell in step with other warriors; he was drained after the day's whirlwind of events and didn't understand how Grousestar wasn't collapsing. Pausing, Rabbitfluff cast a glimpse in his direction and turned slightly to face him, expression softening. "Congratulations, Grouse," he murmured, recalling the other's request to address him informally (though he had a feeling he wouldn't remember in the future.) Although compliments weren't necessarily easy for him, he managed, "I have faith you'll be a wonderful leader."

Just as he was getting ready to turn back towards the location of the den he was heading to, he was stopped by a rather familiar voice, the brown tabby's ears perking and his paws stopping in their tracks, his gaze being brought to the tom he had brought with him on the journey, dear Rabbitfluff. Hearing the congratulations from the tom, Grousestar purred, dipping his head slightly in gratitude; of all the cats to congratulate him, he figured that Rabbitfluff wouldn't be one, he knew the tom had to be utterly exhausted from the journey and it likely would have slipped his mind, and yet here he was, offering his congratulations to the new leader, to say in the least, the brown tabby was thankful. "Thank you Rabbitfluff, I appreciate the kind words. Now you should really be getting some sleep, that was quite the long journey and I'm sure that nest of yours is calling your name."
Chuckling out quietly, he would flick the tailless tom's shoulder in a friendly manner, "But if you're not quite ready for bed then I suggest getting a meal, Starclan knows you need it." Really, that wasn't a suggestion but a demand, a glimmer in the emerald depths of the leaders eyes hinting at it before the energetic tom uttered a big yawn, shaking his head a bit.
"I'll be in my den if you need me, if not, then good night." Said the tom with a smile still curled up on his lips and for once since the return journey, there was tiredness written on his smiling face, this tom needed his rest.

[Fawn]

The innocent expression of gratitude wasn't lost on Rabbitfluff, and there was a flutter of hope stirring within him, not just in Grousestar's leadership skills but in how this marked a new beginning for the Clan. For once, his compliments were genuine and had a severe lack of sarcasm attached, something even he wasn't accustomed to. "Of course," he murmured softly, ears tilting back in earnest as he peered at Grousestar. Realizing he had fallen silent for a second or two too long, Rabbitfluff felt himself flush and amended it with a quick, "I wouldn't say it if I didn't believe it to be true." Thoughts shaken from the change in leadership as Grousestar mentioned getting sleep, he shrugged his shoulders and replied a touch huffily, "If it is, I don't suppose I could hear it above the other warriors' snoring."

Retrieving a meal was equally as undesirable as it had been hours ago, but his luck, he would wake up in the middle of the night to his stomach growling. Appearing indignant, he opened his mouth to protest but quieted again at the implication of more than a simple, friendly request. "My demand for squirrel remains," Rabbitfluff remarked playfully while adopting a haughty tone, recalling the conversation they'd had earlier but assuming it still wouldn't amount to anything.

"Need you?" Rabbitfluff rolled his eyes, visibly teasing. "Why, I'd never." However, he was understanding to the reality that they were both exhausted after the journey and plus, Grousestar likely had a busy day ahead of him tomorrow. Something distantly affectionate flickered on his features, and he meowed, "Good night, Grousestar."

[The Cannibal]

@fenic!
@S A G I E
@Moonfang
@Snakekit
Clearing his throat casually as he leaped up onto the Skyrock, Grousestar felt a ripple of excitement pass through him as he realized that this was the first ceremony he has had aside from the announcement of the clan's new deputy.
The sun shone down through the canopy of the tree's dappling the Skyclan clearing with light as the brown tabby look down at the clan before calling out,
"All Skyclan cat's young enough to catch their own meals, may you please gather here beneath the Skyrock for a clan meeting."
Eyes as bright as ever, he would wait for the clan to gather beneath the rock before continuing on, peering at several particular cats in the crowd as he did so.
"There are several young cats here today that have reached the age of maturity and have shown their skills through examination so that they may be named as warriors. Rowanpaw, Jinglepaw, Ferretpaw, Ratpaw, Otterpaw, Mousepaw, and Jaggedpaw, will all of you step forward?"
The leader gazed down with a bright, cheerful smile, his happiness reaching out to the many apprentices below him that would now take their warrior names, pride washing through him as he saw his own apprentice among this group of young cats.
"I, Grousestar, leader of Skyclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn. Apprentices, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?”
He would pause to allow all of the young cats to respond with 'I do' before continuing on with the ceremony.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Rowanpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Rowanflower. Starclan honors your kindness and curiosity, and I welcome you as a full warrior of Skyclan."
There would be a pause to send an encouraging and proud grin to his former apprentice and to allow the crowd to chant the new warriors name a few times before he continued on to the next one.
"Jinglepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Jinglestep. Starclan honors your loyalty and kindness and I welcome you as a full warrior of Skyclan."
Once more Grousestar would pause to allow for cats to chant the new name a few times, the process being continued for the following new warriors.

"Ferretpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Ferretstrike. Starclan honors your speed, agility, and kindness and I welcome you as a full warrior of Skyclan."

"Ratpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Ratfang. Starclan honors your fierceness and loyalty and I welcome you as a full warrior of Skyclan."

"Otterpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Ottertail. Starclan honors your inept swimming abilities and your kindness and I welcome you as a full warrior of Skyclan."

"Mousepaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Mousewhisper. Starclan honors your loving characteristics and loyalty and I welcome you as a full warrior of Skyclan."

"And finally, Jaggedpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Jaggedstrike. Starclan honors your exceptional fighting skills and loyalty and I welcome you as a full warrior of Skyclan."

After announcing all of the new warriors, the brown tabby would have to take a pause in order to catch his breath back, an exasperated but clearly pleased look on his face as he looked down at the seven newly named warriors and in that moment, he couldn't feel more proud to be leader of this clan.
"That concludes the announcement, and don't forget new warriors, you must sit vigil tonight." Reminded the tom gently before dipping his head to his clan and leaping off of the Skyrock, a grin still plastered on his muzzle.

[monfang]

Ferretpaw stepped up as soon as she heard her name, smiling brightly. She listened to Grousestar and felt excitement fill her heart and body, and she was unable to keep still. As the leader said her new name, a grin spread across her maw. "I won't let you down!" she mewed.
Ratpaw stepped up after his sister, and watched the leader carefully. As his name was said, and why, he couldn't help but to smile a bit. Ratfang... He dipped his head respectfully, and looked up. "Thank you, Grousestar." he said.
Otterpaw jumped up with some preppyness. The confident apprentice watched her sibling then looked up as he talked to her. Bowing a bit, she smiled. "Thank you, Grousestar." she mewed.
Mousepaw was last to step up of his siblings. He listened, completely silent like he always was. As he heard his new name, he simply bowed, dipping his head, and nodded his thanks.
--
Ratfang joined Ferretstrike, and all four joined up beside the Skyrock. "We did it!" Ferretstrike mewed, jumping up and doing a backflip. Ratfang and Ottertail chuckled. "Yeah we did!" Ottertail chuckled. Mousewhisper smiled. "Y-Yeah..." he chuckled quietly. Ratfang looked at his brother. "Come on! Now we can run the territory with no escort, and we can tell apprentices and kits what to do, and we can fight!" he mewed, and jumped up into his fighting stance. "We can fight off anyone who dares mess with our clan. No one will get in without having to face me!" he mewed.

[The Cannibal]

Originally Posted by Moonfang

Ferretpaw stepped up as soon as she heard her name, smiling brightly. She listened to Grousestar and felt excitement fill her heart and body, and she was unable to keep still. As the leader said her new name, a grin spread across her maw. "I won't let you down!" she mewed.
Ratpaw stepped up after his sister, and watched the leader carefully. As his name was said, and why, he couldn't help but to smile a bit. Ratfang... He dipped his head respectfully, and looked up. "Thank you, Grousestar." he said.
Otterpaw jumped up with some preppyness. The confident apprentice watched her sibling then looked up as he talked to her. Bowing a bit, she smiled. "Thank you, Grousestar." she mewed.
Mousepaw was last to step up of his siblings. He listened, completely silent like he always was. As he heard his new name, he simply bowed, dipping his head, and nodded his thanks.
--
Ratfang joined Ferretstrike, and all four joined up beside the Skyrock. "We did it!" Ferretstrike mewed, jumping up and doing a backflip. Ratfang and Ottertail chuckled. "Yeah we did!" Ottertail chuckled. Mousewhisper smiled. "Y-Yeah..." he chuckled quietly. Ratfang looked at his brother. "Come on! Now we can run the territory with no escort, and we can tell apprentices and kits what to do, and we can fight!" he mewed, and jumped up into his fighting stance. "We can fight off anyone who dares mess with our clan. No one will get in without having to face me!" he mewed.

After he had leaped off of the Skyrock, the leader would pause, looking at the dispersing crowd to see a group of the newly named warriors conversing with each other rather excitedly, it was the siblings Ratfang, Ferretstrike, Ottertail and Mousewhisper. Smiling, he would listen to them, looking over his shoulder at them before his ears perked up as he heard what Ratfang excitedly rambled on. Surely that's not what the tom thought that being a warrior was about right?
Flicking his tail a bit, he decided to be sure and simply began padding over to the group with a cheerful purr, dipping his head as he approached them.
"Greetings you four. Glad to see that you're excited to become warriors!"
Grousestar paused, looking over each one of them carefully, a smile still on his muzzle.
"But you four do know what it is to be a warrior, yes? It's not just about having authority over the younger cats or having the ability to fight, correct?"
Tilting his head curiously, he would wait for their answer, hoping that they truly didn't think that's what it meant to be a warrior, if not, then he would need to have a serious word for them, and that was certainly uncharacteristic of Grousestar, he was usually the farthest thing when it came to serious. But these cats were the future and backbone of the clan, he needed to know that they knew what it meant to be a warrior of Skyclan.

[monfang]

Originally Posted by Duskflight

After he had leaped off of the Skyrock, the leader would pause, looking at the dispersing crowd to see a group of the newly named warriors conversing with each other rather excitedly, it was the siblings Ratfang, Ferretstrike, Ottertail and Mousewhisper. Smiling, he would listen to them, looking over his shoulder at them before his ears perked up as he heard what Ratfang excitedly rambled on. Surely that's not what the tom thought that being a warrior was about right?
Flicking his tail a bit, he decided to be sure and simply began padding over to the group with a cheerful purr, dipping his head as he approached them.
"Greetings you four. Glad to see that you're excited to become warriors!"
Grousestar paused, looking over each one of them carefully, a smile still on his muzzle.
"But you four do know what it is to be a warrior, yes? It's not just about having authority over the younger cats or having the ability to fight, correct?"
Tilting his head curiously, he would wait for their answer, hoping that they truly didn't think that's what it meant to be a warrior, if not, then he would need to have a serious word for them, and that was certainly uncharacteristic of Grousestar, he was usually the farthest thing when it came to serious. But these cats were the future and backbone of the clan, he needed to know that they knew what it meant to be a warrior of Skyclan.

"Well, yeah! It means we can have more freedom, too!" Ratfang mewed. Ottertail and Ferretstrike shook there heads. They looked at Grousestar and Ottertail piped up. "It also means we get to serve our clan, honorably. Ignore my brother, he's a bit over excited." she said, flicking her head to Ratfang. He stood straight nervously. "I-I knew that too..." he huffed. "No you didn't..." Mousewhisper mumbled. Ratfang growled a bit. Mousewhisper looked up at the leader and smiled shyly. "It could also mean we get to help our clan become better. Of course, we need good authority, which I'm sure you have." he complimented. Ottertail giggled a bit. "Aw, so sweet, Mousewhisper." she mewed, and Mousewhisper ducked his head ever so slightly.

[The Cannibal]

Originally Posted by Moonfang

"Well, yeah! It means we can have more freedom, too!" Ratfang mewed. Ottertail and Ferretstrike shook there heads. They looked at Grousestar and Ottertail piped up. "It also means we get to serve our clan, honorably. Ignore my brother, he's a bit over excited." she said, flicking her head to Ratfang. He stood straight nervously. "I-I knew that too..." he huffed. "No you didn't..." Mousewhisper mumbled. Ratfang growled a bit. Mousewhisper looked up at the leader and smiled shyly. "It could also mean we get to help our clan become better. Of course, we need good authority, which I'm sure you have." he complimented. Ottertail giggled a bit. "Aw, so sweet, Mousewhisper." she mewed, and Mousewhisper ducked his head ever so slightly.

To say in the least, Ratfang's answer sort of worried the leader, but he didn't let it show in the slightest, no, he maintained his cheerful and proud demeanor, his smile never faltering and his purring never ceasing.
"Well yes, warriors do get more freedom, but.. Surely that's not the point of becoming a warrior."
Nodding his head at the other siblings, he chuckled a bit, glad to see that they at least have the right idea about the subject, hopefully they would be able to teach their brother should his little talking to have no effect on him.
"That's exactly right Ottertail! And oh it's no problem, though you did have me worried there for a second Ratfang." Grousestar chuckled out and flicked his tail over the new warrior's ear. "Perhaps it's just your excitement getting to you, I know it can happen to me sometimes too!"
Looking to Mousewhisper now, he tilts his head a bit as the other brother spoke, the leader listening patiently.
"Indeed! You, the warriors, are the backbone of this clan, you are what make it strong and able to function. Without warriors, I would really have no one to lead. You are the ones who protect your family, your clanmates and everyone in this clan, that is your job, you provide for them, you patrol for them, everything you do. Is for them. That is the true meaning of being a warrior. You do this with honor, and in turn, that makes the clan better. Together, we are strong! So never forget the true meaning of being a warrior Ratfang, or any of you for that manner." All the while he spoke, he spoke with a purr, his tone lighthearted and cheerful as it usually was, not wanting to make it seem like they were being scolded, but making sure he got the point across to them because it was a very important point to know.

[monfang]

Originally Posted by Duskflight

To say in the least, Ratfang's answer sort of worried the leader, but he didn't let it show in the slightest, no, he maintained his cheerful and proud demeanor, his smile never faltering and his purring never ceasing.
"Well yes, warriors do get more freedom, but.. Surely that's not the point of becoming a warrior."
Nodding his head at the other siblings, he chuckled a bit, glad to see that they at least have the right idea about the subject, hopefully they would be able to teach their brother should his little talking to have no effect on him.
"That's exactly right Ottertail! And oh it's no problem, though you did have me worried there for a second Ratfang." Grousestar chuckled out and flicked his tail over the new warrior's ear. "Perhaps it's just your excitement getting to you, I know it can happen to me sometimes too!"
Looking to Mousewhisper now, he tilts his head a bit as the other brother spoke, the leader listening patiently.
"Indeed! You, the warriors, are the backbone of this clan, you are what make it strong and able to function. Without warriors, I would really have no one to lead. You are the ones who protect your family, your clanmates and everyone in this clan, that is your job, you provide for them, you patrol for them, everything you do. Is for them. That is the true meaning of being a warrior. You do this with honor, and in turn, that makes the clan better. Together, we are strong! So never forget the true meaning of being a warrior Ratfang, or any of you for that manner." All the while he spoke, he spoke with a purr, his tone lighthearted and cheerful as it usually was, not wanting to make it seem like they were being scolded, but making sure he got the point across to them because it was a very important point to know.

All four smiled and listened intently as the new leader spoke. He sounded like an elder to them, and it made them want to listen longer. As he finished, Ottertail flicked her tail, and smiled. "Exactly." she said. Mousewhisper smiled shyly still, remaining silent. Ratfang smiled widely. "I knew that." he purred. The other three giggled at him.

[The Cannibal]

Originally Posted by Moonfang

All four smiled and listened intently as the new leader spoke. He sounded like an elder to them, and it made them want to listen longer. As he finished, Ottertail flicked her tail, and smiled. "Exactly." she said. Mousewhisper smiled shyly still, remaining silent. Ratfang smiled widely. "I knew that." he purred. The other three giggled at him.

With another goodhearted chuckle, Grousestar would look over them with a small nod, glad to see that they seemed to understand what he had said.
"Alright enough lecturing you, you're warriors now! Go see if Auroraflame needs you on any patrols hm?"
Dipping his head with a grin, the brown tabby would then wave his tail in a form of goodbye before padding away, heading towards the camp entrance, likely about to go out for another one of his walks, he seemed to be taking one every day now. No one really knew what he did on those walks, but knowing Grousestar, it was likely just to burn off some of the energy he had coursing through him.

[Mango]

Cucumberpickle groused," Ugh... Another leader, a young warrior only 20 moons old should have lived through two- three now, leaders."