RiverClan Floodstone

[Jesse]

Originally Posted by Venus

@BILL. @xeno

"Today's the day!"

Bearkit stumbled out from the nursery, darting straight for the Streamstone. "Today's the day! Today's the day!" The kit chanted as he pushed through the gathering crowd. He took his seat near the front, beaming up at Lionstar with squirming excitement. Scanning the clearing, he specifically looked for Lotusheart and Jasperpelt, hoping they'd be here for his ceremony. Surely they'd remember, right? But as more and more cats blocked his vision, Bearkit sighed in defeat and returned his gaze to the Streamstone. With his giddiness returning, he leaned over to the nearest cat and whispered. "Today's the day!"

Beetlekit was quick to follow, scrambling to keep up with her brother who, much to her dismay, had far longer legs than she did. "Hey! Slow down, you stupid furball!" she protested, trying not to trip over her own paws. There was absolutely no way she'd let him show her up. Surely Lionstar would see her, beaming with potential and completely look over big dumb Bearkit. Maybe he'd totally forget to even assign him a mentor. She was already grinning at the thought. Mother would be so proud. Beetlekit barreled through the crowd, shoving whoever was unlucky enough to sit in her path. "Get out of the way, stink-brains!" She crowed, bursting out of the swarm of cats to slide to a stop next to Bearkit. She plopped down and sneered in her brothers direction, giving him a sharp nudge in the shoulder. "I bet you'll end up getting the most good-for-nothing cat in the clan as a mentor." Wouldn't that be a sight to behold? Hey. Wait. Where was their parents anyway? Beetlekit craned her neck around, trying to peek through the legs of her clanmates. She noticed a very strange looking cat with ears too big for his head- which she couldn't help but snort at- but no sign of either of their parents. Her heart sunk a bit. Yeah, well.. who needs them anyway? she thought scornfully.

-----

To say Sunblaze was excited would be an understatement. He was absolutely ecstatic. In fact, he could hardly stop shaking in his fur. The cats flanking him were not so amused, however. "An apprentice. I'm going to have my very own apprentice! Can you believe it? I can't either. I've always wanted an apprentice.." The fidgety ginger tom babbled on to any one unfortunate to be in speaking distance. It was about time! He'd be the best mentor ever. He was sure of it.

[BEAR.]

With a good portion of cats gathered, Lionstar began. "Today marks an important even in RiverClan's history: ceremonies! We have a lot of young cats ready to become apprentices, and even more in need of mentors. But.. before I jump into those, we have a few things we need to address.

"Most importantly, the border. One of our patrols was found to have started a fight with ShadowClan today. Allegedly, ShadowClan had hurled some insults our way-- but we are RiverClan. We stand as the strongest Clan in the forest and the words of these rogues will not change that. Under no circumstance are we to stoop to their level if they have not stepped a paw over our border. That is the only time fighting without direct permission from me is allowed, and I will hear no objections on that matter.

"Because of this event and the attitude I received from our patrol 'leader', I have decided to enact punishment. For the cats on the patrol-- Springtail [ @sunflowerseed], Eveningpaw [ @Starstruck], and Rosenose-- none of you will be punished. Only two of you raised a paw, and one was to support your idiotic Clan-mate that started the fight. But Vixensong [ @Nebby]," he spoke her name with a sneer, muzzle twisted with disgust. "You are hereby stripped of your warrior rank and name! From this moment forth, you will be demoted to an apprentice under the name Skunkpaw until you have proven you are mature enough to take up the mantle of a warrior. Frostflight [ @Dust], you successfully concluded the patrol in her stead, so I am entrusting her training on good behavior to you. Before she qualifies to become a warrior again, she will need to participate in several patrols using behavior you deem acceptable. If she steps out of line in any way, all her progress will reset to square one. We will not tolerate this poor behavior. I know that entitled piece of crowfood isn't here yet," these words were to Frostflight, "and I frankly don't care. When you see her, make sure Skunkpaw knows of her new position within the Clan. She has apprentice privileges from this point forward and should not be outside of camp without a warrior."

This was just the beginning, as Lionstar's gaze lifted to scan the crowd. "But that's not all. A few nights ago, two apprentices were caught near the border without a warrior by a ShadowClan cat and escorted to our camp. This is unacceptable. While they have been punished with duties, I do not trust their mentors have been keeping an eye on them. That is why I am changing their mentors.

"Angelwing [ @Fuzzyfeline], you have failed to reign in Gaypaw and from now on will no longer be his mentor. Instead, I am granting you Pigpaw [ @CasperCreates] in his place. She seems meeker than her pesky brother, and should be less of a challenge for a cat of your abilities. A surprise, given she seems to have driven her old mentor, what was his name, Rainface off...

"His name matters not. I haven't seen that neglectful furball in moons. Gaypaw [ @Venus], in Angelwing's stead you will be mentored by Buckfrost. Buckfrost, you have proven yourself to be resourceful and stern, and I trust you will keep this oversized ball of hair in line."

Lionstar wasn't nearly done, but he paused to give the Clan a chance to process these changes.

[Dirtfur]

Originally Posted by BILL.

With a good portion of cats gathered, Lionstar began. "Today marks an important even in RiverClan's history: ceremonies! We have a lot of young cats ready to become apprentices, and even more in need of mentors. But.. before I jump into those, we have a few things we need to address.

"Most importantly, the border. One of our patrols was found to have started a fight with ShadowClan today. Allegedly, ShadowClan had hurled some insults our way-- but we are RiverClan. We stand as the strongest Clan in the forest and the words of these rogues will not change that. Under no circumstance are we to stoop to their level if they have not stepped a paw over our border. That is the only time fighting without direct permission from me is allowed, and I will hear no objections on that matter.

"Because of this event and the attitude I received from our patrol 'leader', I have decided to enact punishment. For the cats on the patrol-- Springtail [ @sunflowerseed], Eveningpaw [ @Starstruck], and Rosenose-- none of you will be punished. Only two of you raised a paw, and one was to support your idiotic Clan-mate that started the fight. But Vixensong [ @Nebby]," he spoke her name with a sneer, muzzle twisted with disgust. "You are hereby stripped of your warrior rank and name! From this moment forth, you will be demoted to an apprentice under the name Skunkpaw until you have proven you are mature enough to take up the mantle of a warrior. Frostflight [ @Dust], you successfully concluded the patrol in her stead, so I am entrusting her training on good behavior to you. Before she qualifies to become a warrior again, she will need to participate in several patrols using behavior you deem acceptable. If she steps out of line in any way, all her progress will reset to square one. We will not tolerate this poor behavior. I know that entitled piece of crowfood isn't here yet," these words were to Frostflight, "and I frankly don't care. When you see her, make sure Skunkpaw knows of her new position within the Clan. She has apprentice privileges from this point forward and should not be outside of camp without a warrior."

This was just the beginning, as Lionstar's gaze lifted to scan the crowd. "But that's not all. A few nights ago, two apprentices were caught near the border without a warrior by a ShadowClan cat and escorted to our camp. This is unacceptable. While they have been punished with duties, I do not trust their mentors have been keeping an eye on them. That is why I am changing their mentors.

"Angelwing [ @Fuzzyfeline], you have failed to reign in Gaypaw and from now on will no longer be his mentor. Instead, I am granting you Pigpaw [ @CasperCreates] in his place. She seems meeker than her pesky brother, and should be less of a challenge for a cat of your abilities. A surprise, given she seems to have driven her old mentor, what was his name, Rainface off...

"His name matters not. I haven't seen that neglectful furball in moons. Gaypaw [ @Venus], in Angelwing's stead you will be mentored by Buckfrost. Buckfrost, you have proven yourself to be resourceful and stern, and I trust you will keep this oversized ball of hair in line."

Lionstar wasn't nearly done, but he paused to give the Clan a chance to process these changes.

Poor Graypaw, Angelwing, and Vixensong- now Skunkpaw- Dirtfur thought, he had never seen so many punishments from Fallenstar. He hoped his actions won't angered Lionstar. He listened to the others murmuring about this. As he waited for the leader to continue, the brown tabby scoop up some more dirt and rub it on each paw.

[Fawn]

Movement in the corner of his eye caught Fawnpaw's attention, and he squinted. Was that... some warrior rubbing dirt on himself? "Uh.." he muttered with a wrinkle of his nose. Well, that was weird. But he couldn't exactly question it since Lionstar's announcements were beginning. Tuning in, it was as he expected: a rundown of the incident with ShadowClan.

Or... incidents. Fawnpaw frowned when certain apprentices were mentioned, craning his neck to find Graypaw and Pigeonpaw among the crowd since he remembered Graypaw saying something similar. He had no idea that was what'd happened, though. Fawnpaw was sympathetic, having been out without an escort many times himself but never faced such severe punishment for it. Granted, he'd never been caught by an enemy and escorted back to camp either, but he still felt for his friends and figured he'd try to approach the topic after the meeting's conclusion.

[Pepperkins]

Raccontail shook her head in disgust. Cats these days don't know how to keep to their clan and follow the warrior code was her opinion on the matter. Even though she wasn't fully aware of the situation, if Lionstar was handing out this many punishments, they had to have done something horrible. Glancing around, she wondered what everyone else thought of the matter before directing her attention back to the leader.

@BILL

[Doom]

Wait. Did he just...GAYPAW? Oh no. Oh nonononononono–

Graypaw grew hot with embarrassment. His whole pelt fluffed up without warning, making him stick out like a sore thumb behind the crowd. The murmurs and comments of his fellow Clanmates burned his ears, growing louder and louder within his mind. Stop pitying me! Yes, he was gay, but that wasn't what bothered him. It was the public humiliation. Not even waiting to meet his new mentor, Buckwheat, Graypaw ducked his head and darted straight for the apprentices' den. He wanted to leave camp – he wanted to leave RiverClan and disappear altogether, but what was the use? Where else would he go? Maybe he just had to accept the fact that everyone hated him and that's exactly how it should be. He deserved it...

Settling himself in the very back of the apprentices' den, Graypaw collapsed in a nearby nest and covered himself. "Why me?" He groaned, pressing his paws so hard onto his muzzle it began to hurt.

[Dust]

Frostflight sucked in a sharp breath once Lionstar announced HE would now be in charge of Vixen- er... Skunkpaw. Agitation itched beneath his pelt, but he simply dipped his head. "I'll be sure to tell her, Lionstar." His voice was tight, ending his sentence with a quiet wince. Now... how in StarClan's name would he train both Blazepaw.. and Skunkpaw? Especially when she was incredibly hotheaded.

I'll figure it out...

@BILL.

------

Rosenose's entire demeanor changed as the news reached him. No punishment!? The tabby nearly leapt for joy, a gracious smile plastered across his maw. Absolutely excellent!

[BEAR.]

"Since not everyone has arrived, we'll be continuing with those that are here." Lionstar straightened his posture, a gleam to his eyes as his gaze fell on Fawnpaw.

"Fawnpaw, come forward!"

This was the ceremony he had been waiting for. The one he was so eager to do. Once the naming portion was complete, there was something important he needed to propose to his friend-- something that'd ensure Fawnpaw would never leave him.
@Dipper

[Fawn]

Fawnpaw's expression mirrored a deer in the headlights, abruptly caught from his attempts at sneaking through the crowd to see if Graypaw was alright. Head raising, he blinked at Lionstar, wide-eyed and puzzled as his name was called.

Then, it occurred to him in a panicked flash. His warrior ceremony. Lionstar... when they'd been out, and he'd claimed he was ready, he didn't know it was going to be today! That seemed too soon! Several moments of astonished gaping passed before he forced his paws to move toward the Streamstone in rigid steps. "What are you doing?" he hissed under his breath when he was close enough, but tried to maintain an outwardly positive appearance for the sake of the rest of the Clan. "Earlier-- you meant now? Are you sure about this?" Fawnpaw wasn't. His heart was drumming a mile a minute, breath coming out in stilted puffs as he realized this was it, he was becoming a warrior whether he liked it or not.

@BILL.

[BEAR.]

Lionstar couldn't contain his excitement, paws kneading the stone as he beamed at his friend. "Of course you're ready," he quietly assured him. "And I'm sure you are. If I wasn't, you wouldn't be coming up here."

Chest puffed with pride at his friend's success, Lionstar's voice boomed. "I, Lionstar, leader of RiverClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in his turn.

"Fawnpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Say I do. Say it. Say it. Don't back down on me now, Fawnpaw.
@Dipper