RiverClan Skyridge

[Captain]

High Rank Announcement [#hrannouncement]

⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ ✧ ⋅ PIKESTAR ⋅ ✧ ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

From atop the Streamstone, where he now silently sat, the large dark-furred oriental tomcat closed his eye and slowly inhaled a breath of cold air through his nose, then exhaled it even slower through his slightly parted jaws. He listened to Fawnlight as she explained her unfortunate situation to the rest of RiverClan, her terrible accident and her cruelly-burnt paws. Something about hearing their sister reign her status as the clan’s medicine cat brought a deep pain to their soul, one that Pikestar could not truly explain. Like a unsheathed paw reached into his chest and tore apart his heart. He felt horribly unwell, nauseous to the very core, as he continued to listen. Pikestar began to wonder if they were truly capable of getting through this clanwide meeting, and faking a strong face for their clanmates. His eye would soon reopen, as he'd lift his muzzle to the sky. The tall RiverClan leader sought StarClan for their guidance, but only seconds later, that desperation in his gaze would turn to unbridled aggravation.

You could have warned her. Pikestar thought irritably, his sharp claws sliding out and scraping quietly against the ice-cold stone surface, You had the power to hear her cries of agony, and send her the hope of a successor, but not any signs of warning? He would then fight back the desire to scream, to curse out the stars and disown his ancestors for their unwavering torture they bestowed upon him, and those he loved. Lynxfall, his mate, was dead, almost all of his children were dead, and now his sister was crippled for life. It stirred an unseen darkened emotion that often laid dormant within Pikestar. Damn you. You have abandoned me time and time again, so I will abandon you. And it was on that cold, foggy morning in leafbare, that the long-furred RiverClan leader finally abandoned his faith. No longer would he look to the stars for help, for comfort, no, only pure hatred and resentment. It was his own choice, and he would spare that from those who sat before him. StarClan had turned their backs on him, and RiverClan, far too many times for his liking, but he would not force this view on anyone―not now, at least. He returned his partial gaze to the crowd below him.

"RiverClan has been gifted with a wonderful medicine cat for many moons now, and we shall be eternally grateful for those you have healed and saved within your time as our healer, Fawnlight." He remarked, his voice a forced calm as if to hide the indescribable emotions that stirred within the large clan leader, "I have no doubt that Stonepaw shall one day become as skilled as you were as RiverClan's medicine cat." His steady gaze would then find the young grey-furred tom, being congratulated and praised for being chosen as the next healer of his clan. Pikestar held no praise or congratulatory emotion within his one eye for the now medicine cat apprentice though. Was it resentment? Anger? Bitterness? Even the oriental tomcat himself did not know, but it was far from happiness. He wasn't taking it well that his sister was being replaced. But Pikestar remained professional, albeit it a firm stature of intimidation, and continued forth with the RiverClan meeting.

"I expect you all to show the same respect you have shown to Fawnlight to young Stonepaw as he grows into his new responsibilities." He said, allowing his single blue eye to sweep over the many RiverClan cats present, "If you have any issues about these changes, then you will discuss it with me in private after the meeting." A simple warning to his clan that he would not hesitate to implement accordingly. Several seconds of silence from the clan leader before he moved on, not wishing to dwell on this any longer. "Blizzardwind has decided to step down as a RiverClan shield for personal reasons." Pikestar would inform the clan ever so casually, before resting his watchful gaze on the familiar form of a black-and-white marbled she-cat, "It has also come to my attention that Bluebellcrackle has now returned to RiverClan. You may retake your rank as one of my shields, if you wish." Pikestar silently awaited her answer, not continuing the meeting until they got one. The tip of his long bushy tail flicked back and forth as he sat there.

⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ ✧ ⋅ ✦ ⋅ ✧ ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

 

@Estelle @daenerys @x ghostie @lane. @perseus. @dino. @jupiter @Dirtfur @lonely.lilyx @Silverfur & Co @maple. @Kat @SpiritedWarrior @Poprock @Cherry~ @vellichor @~Eclipse_Lake~ @Angelique @Ashie da WindClanner @Spotty @IvyHasSpirit @NinjaBloss @Apollo. @~CherylBlossom~ @Beamheart @Shinestripe @BEAR. @Willowfern @Emo Rat @WinterMara @Leafspeaker @Peerless cucumber @Oceanflower @candy hearts. @Caspian @Oasis @Mosin @Erebus @Ghostee @WhiteDawn @banjokazooiey @Goddess Hestia @Pluto! @The_CatLady @Larissa @Rabbiteye @Quasar @Neso @Abyssopelagic @~*Luka x Yuki*~ @rye_bread @Willow_Tree @INEVETIBLEFAMINE @Fallenstars- @_Emberfall_ @ThatAnnoyingDog @Artsy_Croissant @Moonpaw! @y0ur_l0cal_crypt1d @Brightstorm☆ @~Half-A-Witch-Ace~ @Sp00k3z @Streamtail @Sklee @Beanzi @~Silvershine~ @Wingnettle @Birdspirit @Darkclaws @H3ous. @Celestial_Sky @Amber2010 @Ravensong @~_Lumity_~ @Snowy Red @PINEGREEN @Chromatikat @WafflesAndSunflowers @Peachy Wolf27 @Pheasantflight @Apricute @dizzy @DelM33 @Archbone @Ilovecheese @BirdieChirp @gs29513 @Cupidity @val @Cinderspirit @SqurrelTail @Rapid

[bubble[error].]

*Bluefang smiled at this*

[Toya Todoroki]

Sunspirit sat silently and smiled at the med cats

[*longfire*]

Cinderpaw yawned while listening

peachpaw watched* i wish i was a high rank but starclan knows whats best* she thought

[taillow]

Everything else had to be blocked out. Fawnlight was already battling back waves of bubbling anxiety and she could practically feel the distaste her Clanmates held for her decision. Steppin down, the injury, StarClan choosing Stonekit. Part of her wished to flatten her ears, to drown out the sound of laughter she didn't hear physically but was positive was echoing in the heads of her Clanmates. How jovial it must be to watch another fall, losing everything they had ever worked for. But she would not cry. She would steel her nerves - for Stonekit. He did not deserve any of the distrust she had received upon first stepping into this position, and if needed she would wrap around him and take every single verbal assault flung his way. It was the least she could do.

Stonekit stared up are her in awe, and for a moment Fawnlight wanted to yowl to the stars. But what would that say about how she had been selected? She hadn't been much older than the kit before her when Pikestar had received word from StarClan of her anointment. All she had wanted back then was for someone, anyone to believe in her until she had enough courage to believe in herself. She would be that for Stonekit, the rest of the world be damned. "You will do well. I know it." Whispers of encouragement and a smile. Lifting her voice once more, she nodded to Stonekit. "Warriors of StarClan," she called, lifting her voice for it to be heard, "I present you with this apprentice. He has been chosen by you to walk the path of a medicine cat. Grant him your wisdom and insight so that he may understand your ways heal his Clan." Blue eyes softening, she added, "From this day forward, until you receive your full medicine cat name, you will be known as Stonepaw."

A beat, and then Fawnlight moved her head forward to rest her chin atop Stonepaw's head. She closed her eyes, willing all of the strength and confidence she had gained in her moons of being the Clans medicine cat into the young tom. He would do well, and he would succeed; she would make sure of it.

Soon enough her brother carried on with announcements, and though his praise was heard she didn't look at him. Instead she watched Stonepaw, smiling lightly as she stepped back. Taking a seat next to the tom, she nudged him playfully with her shoulder before turning her head up towards the Streamstone to listen to the rest of the meeting. Blizzardwind had stepped down, and Bluebellcrackle seemed to be offered her rank back. Would her aunt take it?

[ @Pheasantflight - I'm just gonna pretend Fawn said this before Pike started speaking otherwise it makes no sense. Also, apologies if your cat reacted to Fawnlight or asked a question; this is kind of difficult for me with how much she means to me so I only focused on Pheasant's post. Thanks for understanding. ]

[sol.]

BLUEBELLPAW

She listened with a small air of annoyance. Fawnlight's paws... shake? She frowned, disbelieving. Medicine cat duties were harsh, that much she knew. But Stonekit? Her cousin's friend? The one from the herb lessons? He was barely eligible for apprenticeship, and now this is being piled onto him?

So. That was it. Just, letting Stonekit do it? Starclan was just going to- just take Fawnlight's job and coordination away from her? Like that? They could do something like that? Had Fawnlight been the wrong choice? Was Starclan upset? Why? What-?

Her mind was so, so, dizzy. Starclan... they were good, right? But, taking away Miss Fawnlight's paw coordination just like that? With a rock? And... that was that for her?

She shook her head, daring to believe maybe she had it all wrong. But for the first time in a while, another crack in her faith in Starclan chipped its way into her heart.

[SpiritedWarrior]

Reedwhisker

@daenerys @Pheasantflight

None of what happened so far made sense to her. If StarClan had wanted Fawnlight to be the medicine cat, why have her paws get burned so badly she couldn't do her duties the way she needed to? And Stonekit- Stonepaw now wasn't even six moons old yet. StarClan, in Reedwhisker's thoughts, was turning their backs on promises and letting Fawnlight go against the code in regard to training a kit under six moons. At least he's nearly six moons old... still... I wonder what made Fawnlight choose Stonepaw. He'll be an excellent medicine cat regardless.

"Fawnlight, I do hope your paws feel better. I can't imagine having to give up my role for such an injury and I hope recovery finds you well." she dipped her head, respecting the medicine cat's choice to step down and looked at Stonepaw. "Despite your young age, I know you'll be an excellent medicine cat. You are a bright one. Just know Fawnlight and Marigoldleap are both here if you have any questions. If you feel like learning something about warriorhood such as how to defend yourself, you can always ask. Same goes for you, Fawnlight... now that you'll be a warrior, when you feel up to it I can teach you how to fight in water."

Pikestar's announcements were next. More upsetting news has made its way into the meeting, but it was just another self-demotion. Blizzardwind was a good shield and is a good Clanmate to have. The young warrior dipped her head in respect to the tom's choice and listened as the one-eyed leader explained that Bluebellcrackle had finally returned to the Clan and was free to resume her duties as a Shield- if she so wished, of course. Welcome back home, Bluebellcrackle.

[Silverfur & Co]

Featherspirit chanted the new apprentice name "Stonepaw Stonepaw."

[Spartan-117]

Tumblefox raises his eyebrow as the tom shakes his head as he lays down and listens. He can tell that Pikestar - despite his... Obvious attepts at hiding it - is angry at StarClan. The only reason he knows this is because he feels the same way. His faith has been shattered since the day someone he loved was killed.

[Cinderspirit]

Beechkit watched as his denmate was made into an apprentice. "And he's not even 6 moons yet." Jealousy welled in his heart, "All because StarClan chose him." He lifted his own muzzle to the sky, just as Pikestar had done. Faint stars twinkled down at him, as if they were mocking him.
"You just aren't good enough, little kit." They seemed to say.
Clenching his muzzle, Beechkit stared resolutely into the heavens, "You're wrong." He mewed resolutely, "I will be the best warrior. No matter what I have to do to get there."
As if in answer, a cloud drifted across the sky. Scowling, Beechkit turned away. Even his ancestors wouldn't listen to him. He was nearly 5 moons old. He would show the Clan that he was worthy of getting his apprentice name now, just like Stonepaw.
"Why aren't you the nursery, little kit?" A passing queen ran her tail over his flank, which he shrugged off angrily, "It's cold out here you know." As she walked off, Beechkit hissed quietly at her back. This was the problem. Everyone treated him like a kit, but if they could see that he was worthy of apprenticeship...