COULD BE, WILL BE, STILL AM ✧ apr meeting


-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ- Passing his assessment hadn't been the easiest thing he had done, but the way he had looked at it? Falconpaw knew it had been easier then surviving yellowcough. He knew it had been easier then traveling into the mountains, a trial by fire- vision shifted towards a familiar calico pelt, even if his eyes squinted slightly at Cherrypaw. She had his respect in that manner, but even so, Falconpaw didn't like her. She picked too many fights.

Not like he was much better. That spar had been dicey- thoughts churned as the rest of the meeting went on, settled not too far from his mentor and his siblings. Moving to slam Cherrypaw onto her haunches, the teeth close to his skin? He inhaled gently. Vision shifted as Orangestar began to call for new warriors- he cheered each name as it came it went with a vigor he hoped others called his name, but Falconpaw wasn't sure he would recieve the same honor. That was fine. He was used to it, after all.

"Ekat! Moonseeker! Eggshellbloom!" He called. Three figures he didn't know very well, besides Eggshell perhaps, but he wished them well all the same. After all, they were all Skyclanners here, right?

Falconpaw's stomach twisted nervously as his name was called. He pushed to his paws, his last shoulder bump to his mentor before he became a full warrior. He ignored the fact that Cherrypaw was called alongside him, he ignored the fact his throat felt like it was full of food he hadn't swallowed. Forcing a breath, he listened intently to how Orangestar asked him a question. Do you promise to uphold the warrior code? To protect and defend Skyclan, even at the cost of your own life?

Orangestar's vision shifts between them all, and Falconpaw can finally breathe as he decides. Skyclan had protected him in times of need. Kept him alive when he was dying of yellowcough. Shuffled him away from rogues, brought him back here. Back to home. "I do." He promised. And it was as swift as that that Falconpaw became Falcongaze. It was shock, from his ear tips to his pawpads, to his tail- surprise, then acceptance, because that was who he was now.

Falcongaze lowered his head, licking Orangestar's shoulder. "I won't let you down." He promised to her, to Skyclan, to the masses of cats about to cheer his name. He steps aside, watching the proceeding ceremonies with soft eyes. Cherryblossom. Fitting, considering what he had thought about just minutes before. Glimmersun. Yes, that would do, wouldn't it?

Falcongaze turned to face his clan now, grin spreading wide on his face. It wasn't often that Falcongaze was happy outwardly, beyond the moments where he was genuinely gifted something good. He exhaled softly, murmuring Cherryblossom's and Glimmersun's names to them, then a soft congratulations- he was standing right beside them, after all.

When he returned to the crowd, he turned to watched the rest of the ceremonies. Eggpaw, Owlpaw, Orchidpaw- Orangestar's own. And their names were just as special as his own, Eggbounce, Owlheart, Tawnyclaw. He cheered with Orangestar, with the rest of his clan. "Eggbounce! Owlheart! Tawnyclaw!"

The next set of cats were ones that he knew well- he padded after one of them, after all. He inhaled gently, settling down and lowering his tone so that they could recieve their names in earnest. Crowpaw was first. Falcongaze had mixed feelings about the cat, after all, he wasn't the easier to get along with. To be fair, though, perhaps Falcongaze was all the more similar. Crowsight. Lupinepaw recieves her name next, and pride burns through it all. He inhales sharply, eyes pricking with tears curiously as she gains her name. Lupinesong. Oh, how that rolled off the tongue.

Drowsypaw is next. If anything, Falcongaze believes the spook-natured apprentice deserved it. Above all, anyways. A grin splits on his face as all three become full warriors alongside himself, alongside Cherryblossom, Glimmersun- Stars, there was too many names to repeat all of them. "Crowsight! Lupinesong! Drowsynose! " And a final naming, it if were to be- Edenberry. He added that to the list of names he had cheered for today, his throat nearly hoarse. "Edenberry!"

Then the ceremonies are over, and Falcongaze finds his paws swiftly- finding Drowsynose first to bump shoulders with him, then finding the one he called his, allowing Lupinesong space with her siblings if she wished first, but soon moving to press his flank against hers.
  • "speech"
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  • FALCONPAW 🌧 he/him, apprentice of skyclan, thirteen moons.
    LH chocolate lynx point with deep blue eyes, and a long scar on his left cheek down under his jawline. pushes his 'hair' back. very long legged, half oriental moggie.
    mentored by greeneyes / / mentoring no one
    padding after lupinepaw / / brother to spottedpaw and sagepaw
    peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / / underline and tag when attacking
    penned by dallas ↛ dallasofnines on discord, feel free to dm for plots.

 
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Ekat thinks there perhaps has never been a time she felt less like a warrior than she does now, standing beneath the Highbranch at the side of determined, capable Clanmates who deserve the title much more than she. She finds herself too nervous to truly process the words that exit Orangestar's mouth, her anxiety stuffing her mind with cotton that seems to pour out into her ears, muffling the sounds around her. Ekat's only consolation, if it can be called such, is that the other cats about her are similarly shaken by the sight of the sun disappearing moments before. It really isn't much of a comfort at all, actually — and the sight of SkyClan riddled with panic and uncertainty as though it were a disease she had infected them with actually makes her skin crawl, her fur rise with fear. Still, misery loves company, they say.

It's why Ekat can pretend the trembling pawsteps she takes as she steps forward at the sound of her name is caused by the strange sighting within the sky and not her overwhelming uncertainty in that moment. But as more newly-named warriors are declared and her Clanmates shout their bestowed names in pride, the more the tension surrounding her seems to ebb, and then Ekat no longer has an excuse for the way she shakes and struggles to take solid breaths. Is she truly ready? Does she deserve to be called a warrior beside the others, knowing she doesn't feel an ounce of bravery? Ekat casts a quick glance towards Eggshell beside her, thinking about the way the tomcat makes her feel less alone in her anxiety. If he can do his best to be courageous, she can try, too. More importantly, Ekat thinks she would defend SkyClan even at the cost of her own life, as Orangestar had asked.

It wasn't a concept she had initially understood when she and her father stood at the border two moons ago, seeking only a better chance at their own survival. For a while, the she-cat had thought it wasn't something she'd ever truly feel. But she thinks she does now, even if battling enemies for the sake of protecting SkyClan in the future very well could be the last thing she did. But with Eggshell at her side, Dogbite and her father somewhere in the crowd, and even the rest of their Clanmates that Ekat isn't close with yet, the thought of all of those cats makes her uncertainty fade away as though it were being washed away in the newleaf rain. She still isn't sure that she truly deserves to be called a warrior, but if what she needs to do to be called such is dedicate her life to the Clan, Ekat will. "I do," she responds, even when the celebratory shouts of their surrounding Clanmates is overwhelming.​
 
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After the apprentices, come the ceremonies for SkyClan's newest warriors. Howlfire knew they had a lot of apprentices ready to receive their warrior name, but she hadn't realised just how much that looked like until Orangestar called them all forward. "Ekat! Moonseeker! Eggshellbloom!" Howlfire cheers for the first group to be named. "Falcongaze! Cherryblossom! Glimmersun!" Follows soon after, wondering if Orangestar is proud of her kits at this moment.

"Eggbounce! Owlheart! Tawnyclaw!" She yowls for the third group, her voice beginning to feel hoarse from all this cheering. "Crowsight! Lupinesong! Downynose! Edenberry!"

Finally, it was done and SkyClan was blessed with many new warriors to swell their ranks. At Figfeather's comment, Howlfire chuckles. "Perhaps we'll have to build another den with all these new warriors?" Howlfire suggested, shoulder bouncing in laughter.
 
Oh, it's about that time isn't it? Ceremonies. Lords, above. He'd nearly forgot about the new warrior's ceremonies. So caught up with the moon swallowing the sun and.. other things. He'd nearly forgotten, that today was the day that Crowpaw and Owlpaw would be leaving the apprentice's den. His copper gaze shifts to the older apprentices and his partners with a twitching tail. The pale patched calico looks at all the bright eyes and smiles, with a neutral expression on his face.

His eyes glanced at the new apprentices, who would be joining him in the now dull apprentice's den. At least he isn't alone. "Horsepaw! Cometpaw! Spicepaw!" He chants for them. Maybe he'll make some friends with the new apprentices. Hopefully. Next, Pollenpaw and Peachpaw are called forward with their mentor reassignments, he drowns out the rest of the meeting until Orangestar announces the warrior ceremonies next. "Ekat! Moonseeker! Eggshellbloom!" He chants for the first three newly made warriors. He watches from his spot, as the nest set of to-be warriors are called. He wasn't close to any of them, but he chants their name out too. "Falcongaze! Cherryblossom! Glimmersun!" He feels nervous, as he watches the third set become newly made warriors and get their forever names. Though he raises a brow, at Cherryblossom's name. Wasn't that... whatever, not my business.

He perks up at the next set of soon-to-be warriors with just a few words, spilling from Orangestar's maw. Greed gnaws at his stomach, as he watches Owlpaw be renamed Owlheart. It's such a lovely name, it's perfect for her. How he wants to run up to the molly, who stole his heart, and kiss her in front of everyone. He cheers louder for his partner than anyone else, what can he say he has a bias. "Eggbounce! Owlheart! Tawnyclaw!" His mouth curves up in a smile.

In the next set, he watches as Orangestar grants them their new names. He joins along with the chorus of his clanmates, with a beaming smile on his face. "Lupinesong! Crowsight! Drowsynose! Edenberry!" He wasn't close with he other two, nevertheless was he happy. He cheers the loudest for Crowsight, he has a favorite. He quiet likes their new names touching upon their different skills, he lets out a sigh of relief he was nervous about Crowpaw's name. What if he was named Crowfur? Crowpelt or Lords forbid Crow... foot. Crowsight is a wonderful name for his dark knight.

It was the last and final set of apprentices, turned warriors. He's glad Edenpaw became Edenberry, he thinks he's a nice name for them. He feels a hoarseness in his voice later from all the cheering. But, gosh he does NOT feel one bit bad about the packed-up den the new batch of warriors are going to be in. He lets out a snort under his breath at that. He lets his copper gaze, lingers on both of his newly named partners with his heart thumping in his ribcage. It feels bittersweet, that he won't be sharing a nest with them until he gets his warrior name. Owlheart, Crowsight. I'll join you soon.
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  • ﹒⋆﹒♡﹒⋆﹒( beware of the silliness!! ) ODDPAW.
    HE / THEY, fine with gendered terms. ; 11 MOONS & AGES EVERY 7TH.
    apprentice of skyclan | formerly a rouge
    bi-pan / single? / polyamorous / padding after crowsight & owlheart
    pretty, long-legged medium furred sliver-cream calico with copper eyes.
    battle notesthoughts ; "Speech, ac7d88" ; attacks only
    may powerplay minor harm ╱ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted
    smells like caramel frappe & chilled stone
    — all opinions are ic

    biography / @ on discord for plots
    — penned by calzone
 
————————————————————⊰★★★⊱———————————————————
She was proud, of course she was, but she also felt a little sad about it truthfully. No longer being a mentor meant Edenpaw-Edenberry would fight their own battles now. It meant no longer swooping in to defend, it meant no longer fighting vehemently in their honor. It was scary letting go in a way, she wondered if this is how queens felt sending their kits to be apprenticed, knowing their time raising them was done and they would never return to the nursery safely at their side again. Despite her fears and apprhensions Hazelbeam smiled, grinning brightly at her namesake to the cats named, all of them. Bobbie's first litter moving to the warrior's den as her new one begins to explore further from her side, Daylight and clanborn alike rising up side by side. Maybe she was naive but it was a hopeful prospect to see her apprentice named this way. Alongside cats born in the clan.
The black and blue molly lifted her head and cried out every name in turn alongside her clanmates, but of course Edenberry's was the loudest, it had to be. They'd fought hard for this, she had almost considered holding them back out of fear, worry, fretting over their hunting skills not being perfect despite everything else. But she was glad she didn't. Maybe some of it ws spite, maybe some of it was acknowledging that some skills improved at their own pace; but overall today was a good day and she would bask in it.
She wanted to greet her former apprentice afterwards, but noticing them wandering toward Cherryblossom's side she smiled wryly and decided to do so later. After all, there was time.

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    Hazelbeam
    —⊰⋅ Daylight Warrior of SkyClan
    —⊰⋅ She/Her
    "SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
    —⊰⋅ SH Black/Blue Chimera w/blue eyes
    - Does NOT wear her witch hat while hunting or on patrol.

 
*+:。.。 //please excuse the spelling errors, had to rush this a lil </3

Name by name, cat by cat, new warriors are welcomed into Skyclan's ranks.

Ekat, a new face among Skyclan but has felt like a cherished soul since her joining. He doesn't know her well, but he can confidently say that, despite the trembling in her paws, her fierce loyalty to her father makes her one of the bravest cats he knows. After all, you cannot call a cat a coward for stepping into the dark unknown, especially to accompany a loved one. Although now, with his own heartache burning holes into his chest more massive than the one blown into the sun, he finds himself hoping she forges a path from here on out, just for herself. After all, what will she do if someday she...doesn't have a father to walk beside her?

Harmony is next, renamed fittingly to Moonseeker. It fits their cold, ethereal personality. Another cat Orchidpaw has only ever noticed in passing. He wonders what they're thinking, behind those dull, almost grey, eyes that seem to glow with a light wholly unique to themselves. A light all their own and no one else's.

Eggshell is honored with the name Eggshellbloom. If Orchidpaw could read the boy's thoughts, he would've patted him on the back and told him that his nervousness wasn't to be ashamed of. They'd all faced the same omen of death, they'd all panicked, in their own way, but what matters most was that Eggshell had stayed. The boy was a constant mess of shot nerves, yet he returned every time. When he promised to try his best, Orchidpaw believed him. Eggshellbloom's name was fitting - there was a flower full of heart just waiting for its chance to spread its petals in Eggshellbloom. He'll find it one day.

Tic, tic, tic

Falconpaw, Cherrypaw and Glimmerpaw stepped forth. He felt his heart seize for a moment, hearing his siblings' names, the passage of time sounding so much louder in his ears tictictic

Falconpaw becomes Falcongaze. It fits him, though Orchidpaw would've chosen the name Falconglare with how rough around the edges the tom seemed. But as a brother himself, he could respect the way Falcongaze grew up so quickly for his own littermates. Skyclan was lucky to have him.

Cherrypaw...was now Cherryblossom. He blinked in surprise, gaze focusing on his elder sister. Named after their mother, huh? It...made Orchidpaw smile. Cherryblossom had so much potential in her, so much of herself to be, that the honor felt less like Cherryblossom was walking on Orangestar's footpaths and more so walking step-in-step beside them. Orchidpaw envied that about her, but more than that he admired his sister for it.

Glimmerpaw was lastly of the trifecta bestowed the name Glimmersun. A wonderful name for them, Orchidpaw thinks. Although lately, it seemed like his sibling had become shrouded with the shade of intruding clouds, he knew they'd find their way out. Once they saw how bright of a cat they were, nothing in this world would be able to stop them.
Orchidpaw's chest swelled with pride for his siblings-

"Eggpaw, Owlpaw and Orchidpaw. Step forward.”

The ticticticTIC came to an abrupt halt, plunging Orchidpaw into an awful, awful silence.
The last boy in Orangestar's brood would stiffen tighter than a branch bent to snap. This was it.

"“Do you promise to uphold the warrior code? To protect and defend SkyClan, even at the cost of your own life?”
Her words boomed all around him, trembling the ground beneath his paws-
or where his paws just trembling?
"I do" he feels his mouth move, but the sound doesn't reach his ears as the scars beneath his fur burn.
Even at the cost of your life?
He searches his mother's ochre gaze, so unbearably unreachable.
If it means I die before you, then always he wants to promise her. He wants, so badly, for her to promise him.


He tries to focus on the here and now, though only managing to pull himself back just enough to live in a parody of this timeline where dads don't die without warning and moms don't exist with a target on their backs and-

Eggpaw is renamed to Eggbounce. Orchidpaw has to bite the urge to bark out a laugh. It's just - it fits him, so well! For an excitable, happy brother, he couldn't imagine a better name! He hopes his sibling never loses that endless energy of his.

Owlpaw...becomes Owlheart, and Orchidpaw feels his smile widen just that much more. Owlheart, for a girl who's full of nothing but. To say he's proud of her would be a complete understatement.

"“Orchidpaw. ”

He stiffens, a rabbit caught in a fox's snare. He feels it coil around his throat, pulling him by the jugular closer and closer to the ground. He smiles as wide as he can to hide the sudden inability he has to breathe.

"“StarClan honours your determination and strength of will.”

What strength of will? What determination? He feels like a charlatan among his peers, the only one among his littermates to irrevocably not deserve this honor. He shouldn't be here. He wishes he wasn't here.

"“From this moment on, you will be known as"

For a moment, heart lodged hard in his throat, unmoving, he wonders if she'll ignore his request. For this moment, and this one only, he promises he won't question it. If she gives him a suffix alongside Orchid-, he swears he'll pretend like their conversation never happens. Even if the bad feelings stay, even if the green still feels heavy in his own eyes, he won't complain.
He just-
If she could just -
Please just-

"“Tawnyclaw.”"

It's over and done with. No more Orchid-, no more ties to the past, no longing looks over the river, no loving gaze upon a wiggling child full of potential. Just him, and his future, a true individual, named for the golds in his fur and...and...

He still can't breathe.
Why can't he breathe?

His new name rings in his ears as the chants of his clanmates fill the air.
Tawnyclaw!
Tawnyclaw!
Tawnyclaw!

Ashenclaw.

His stomach lurches so harshly that he has to bite down hard on his cheeks to keep the contents from spilling out.
Ashenclaw.
Ashenclaw.
Ashenclaw.
They're still shouting, but he can't hear anything else.
For what else is there to hear?

His eyes, more green than brown, lift to meet his mother's, but she's already focused on the next line of names. He can't say he's able to join her.
Crowsight, Lupinesong, Drowsynose, Edenberry are all named next, but they may as well be the roar of rainfall to his understanding. He shouts their names alongside all the other dutiful warriors of Skyclan, but his eyes never leave his mother's proud, dignified form. Perhaps it's a good thing that she's so distracted.

It'll keep her from noticing the hatred that has taken root in the green of his eyes.





  • GENERAL:
    Orchidpaw
    DFAB— He/Him — Unsure
    11 moons — Ages 1 moon every month 28th
    Skyclan — Apprentice
    Son of Orangeblossom and Ashenclaw
    Brother to Cherrypaw, Eggpaw, Glimmerpaw

    COMBAT:
    Physically medium | mentally medium
    Attack in bold #bf8924
    injuries: None currently
 
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Meetings bored Slate — this batch of wide-eyed, loud-mouthed youngsters are now apprenticed to these poor souls, or Fluffykins, your new name is Fluffykinsheart, or anything along those lines. Sure, they may have been achievements in their own right, but he himself did not have the energy to care about them. There were so many cats in SkyClan as it was; every meeting was a blur, sounding almost exactly the same each time.

Today, however, was a little different. Today was the day he lost a trainee and SkyClan gained a new warrior — thirteen, in fact. It did not occur to Slate that a majority of the apprentices would be receiving their names all at the same time. He remembers when they were all tots in the nursery; hell, even Cherrypaw had hounded him with questions as a kitten. Was he really that old?

Cherrypaw is beckoned pretty early on, standing before her mother alongside Falconpaw and Glimmerpaw. A watchful amber stare follows, mangled ears perked. It's strange — meeting after meeting, Slate has never known the feeling of his own trainee being named by the clan's leader. A peculiar sort of pride swells in his chest, and it isn't as if Slate doesn't deserve to feel that way, after all. It's just... new.

After Falcongaze, the hopeful tortoiseshell is officially deemed as... Cherryblossom. Slate blinks, letting the name sink in for a moment. She would carry Orangestar's legacy with that name — would she honor it? Slate had crafted a capable young molly out of her, but only time would tell if she would achieve greatness in her career as a warrior. Cherryblossom would have large paws to fill, that was for sure. Orangestar was, well... She was

One by one, the other gossiping, drama-loving, angst-ridden teenagers are called forth to graduate into adulthood. Their names aren't half bad, Slate had to admit — Ora had done a good job at picking them. The lead warrior had never really considered what his own name would be should he choose to take one on, but now that Ora was leader... he wondered what kind of name she would give him. Hm. Maybe he'd ask her sometime.

Finally, all of the ceremonies are wrapped up. He had never caught onto the tradition of chanting names — there were far too many today, anyhow, and he'd spend his lungs by going down the entire list. Instead, should Cherrypa—Cherryblossom—look in his direction, he would offer her an affirming nod. She'd done it. His job was complete.

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    slate
    he/him; lead warrior of skyclan
    a hulking, scarred charcoal-black colored maine coon with amber eyes
    "speech", thoughts, attack
    link to full tags; @ on discord or dm @beaaats for plots!​
 
I'M GONNA BE THE SNACK THAT SMILES BACK
I'M GONNA BE THE KIT TO YOUR KAT
eggbounce & 12 moons & male & he/him & skyclan warrior

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When he's called forwards, he goes on unsteady paws - head held high with a confidence he isn't really sure he feels.

'Do you promise to uphold the warrior code? To protect and defend SkyClan, even at the cost of your own life?' his mother asks, and he's never felt the answer to be so easy - even with guilt gnawing his insides, he knows there's no other answer than the one he gives. " I do, " he all but breathes, excitement finally starting to creep in as the moment settles in. This is really it - his warrior ceremony. No loner will he be eggpaw but...

'Eggpaw. From this moment on, you will be known as Eggbounce. StarClan honours your liveliness and your hard work.'

Eggbounce. That's his new name. That's him. Smile widens into a sunny grin, and he eagerly touches noses to his mother - to his leader - and he can hardly stand still as voices rise around him, calling out his name alongside the others. For today at least, Eggbounce can put aside the truth - put aside his secret[, and just enjoy this moment.

actions & " speech, " & 'thoughts/quotes'

( I ' M G O N N A B E T HE O N E Y O U U N W R A P )

 
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✧ . Orangestar’s promise follows his own assurance to his sister, and while Greeneyes is still uncertain, there’s a firmness in the leader’s demeanor that allows him to believe in his kin’s safety even further. He doesn’t know if Figfeather can say the same, but he doesn’t blame her for her worries. He could never.

And then, it’s time for warrior ceremonies. The lead warrior straightens his shoulders as their incoming warriors are called forward in groups, their joiners first. “ Ekat! Moonseeker! Eggshellbloom! “ he chants with the crowd. He doesn’t have to wait long for Falconpaw’s turn, and his smile grows as the pointed tom steps forward, even with Cherrypaw at his side. Soon, his apprentice is no more, and a SkyClan warrior stands in his place. Falcongaze.

Falcongaze! “ he cheers the loudest for his apprentice, a similarity in name that leaves him bursting with pride, whether intentional or not. “ Cherryblossom! Glimmersun! “ The middle’s name is not lost on him either.

Eggbounce! Owlheart! Tawnyclaw! “ the tom cheers for the remainder of Orangestar’s children, and then to Bobbie’s first litter, to Fireflypaw’s step-siblings, “ Crowsight! Lupinesong! Drowsynose! “ They carry strong names, the lot of them.

And still, after countless ceremonies, there’s one more — one he’d been uncertain would be made this moon with all that had happened, an assessment he’d been tasked with watching over. “ Edenberry! “ he cheers for the daylight warrior, nearly as loud as he had for Falcongaze — and perhaps loud enough to scare off prey had they been in the forest, he'd tease. He’s proud of them as well, for their hard work, for passing their assessment in the end.

As the meeting is called to an end, Greeneyes watches on as chocolate pointed fur heads toward his peers with a smile. He’ll congratulate him later — for now, the new warriors can take in the moment, and celebrate amongst themselves. ​
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    GREENEYES AMAB. He / Him. Lead Warrior of SkyClan.
    ✧ . A red tabby and white tom with bright green eyes.
    ✧ . Daisyflight x Raven Ramble
    ✧ . Mentored by Sheepcurl ; Former mentor to Falcongaze
    ✧ . Peaceful and healing powerplay permitted!
    ✧ . Penned by Abri@_abri_ on discord, feel free to dm for plots!
    ✧ . " Speech " ; Attack
 
don't raise your voice . improve your argument .
︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶
He quietly sat beside his clanmates, sweeping his tail around massive paws, submerging himself within the fray of familiar scents with a rumbling sigh, mangled ears flattening against a scarred helm in melancholy. A familiar feeling bubbled within the pit of his stomach — pride and bitterness. It felt surreal, standing in the crowd to watch Orangestar give Drowsypaw’s warrior name, no longer a paw but a full-fledged warrior, and Duskpool couldn’t have been prouder. He smiled tenderly beneath his fur, hidden by the downward tilt of his head, molten hues staring at Orangestar, mangled ear twisting upon his helm. It doesn’t get any easier, watchin’ em become warriors. He thought with a quiet chuff, memories resurfacing when Drizzlepelt had been nothin’ more than an apprentice.

The older warrior sighed, stretching sore muscles with a quiet, satisfied groan. His helm swiveled on broad shoulders to peer at the sky, hues softening around the edges despite its hardened interior. I ain’t yer mentor anymore, but I ain’t goin’ anywhere. He thought fleetingly, stubborn as it came and went with the seasons. Honest. It was a heavy promise, made for his ears and his alone, but still just as true when Drizzlepelt had become a warrior. They could still rely on him, warrior or not, Duskpool would never stop lookin’ out for ‘em even when — if — he became an elder, silver in the muzzle and rickety bones.

At the call of their names, Drowsypaw amongst them to receive their warrior names, Duskpool kept to himself, never finding it within himself to join the cheering crowd, but offering an affirming dip of his helm toward Drowsynose’s direction. His darkened lips curled in a hidden smile while pride oozed off of his bulky frame. Proud of ya, kiddo. After seeing his apprentice, injured and incoherent — it had struck something inside of Duskpool so hard that it had burned viciously, carving a hole in his bones and festering with anger. The anger of a parent. A familiar feelin’ he’d admit. Nothin’ more than it rearin’ its ugly head at the sight of his bloodied apprentice, but despite it all, Duskpool couldn’t be prouder.

He breathed, ridding himself of such thoughts to focus on the newly named warriors, molten hues crinkling in welcome. The warrior’s den ain’t gonna feel good, bein’ cramped, but better bein’ cramped than losin’ any more clanmates. He bluntly thought, wooly tail flickering.
thought speech