IT'S TIME TO STRAP OUR BOOTS ON ✧ meeting 8.1.23

The Clan’s kits have at last reached the age to begin their warrior training. Blazestar strides to the Highbranch, his leap graceful and exact. “All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highbranch for a Clan meeting!” It’s a joyous occasion, for there are now multitudes of kits joining that demographic. He watches for them patiently as their mothers and caretakers herd them out of the nursery, their pelts groomed and shining, their eyes bright with excitement or nervousness. Blazestar surveys his Clan before beginning. “We have many kits today who have reached the age of four moons. Cherrykit, Glimmerkit, Eggkit, Hiccupkit, Doomkit, Abysskit, Crowkit, Lupinekit, Drowsykit, and Eden, please step forward.” A mouthful, but he relishes every name.

You have all reached the age of four moons and are ready to begin your warrior training.” He looks first to Orangeblossom’s litter, blue eyes shining. “Cherrykit, from this day forward, until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Cherrypaw.” He finds the hulking shadow of his lead warrior and nods. “Slate, you are ready for another apprentice. I trust you will teach Cherrypaw all you know.” He hopes the fierce black tom will teach the girl patience—and in return, perhaps receive some as well.

He waits for them to touch noses. “Glimmerkit, from this day forward, you will be known as Glimmerpaw. Your mentor will be Johnnyflame.” His tiger-striped lead warrior will be a great mentor for the bright-eyed little she-cat, he is sure of it.

Eggkit, you will be known as Eggpaw. You will be mentored by Teaktail. I trust Teaktail to teach you all he knows. Hiccupkit, you will be known as Hiccuppaw, and you will be mentored by Squirrelbreeze.” He waits for the pairings to touch noses before he continues.

Abysskit, from this day forward, you will be known as Abysspaw. Your mentor will be Charlieflight.” Charlieflight is a kind, respectable daylight warrior who is as dedicated to her Twolegs as she is to her Clan. Blazestar trusts her to be a good role model.

Doomkit, from this day forward, you will be known as Doompaw. Your mentor will be Twitchbolt.” He flicks his ear, looking for the frazzled young lead warrior. “Twitchbolt, you had a fine mentor in Daisyflight. I expect you to pass all she taught you to young Doompaw.” It won’t be an easy feat, but he expects the two of them will grow together.

All of Orangeblossom’s brood are named, and so he turns to Bobbie, eager as her counterpart to leave the nursery. Though Orangeblossom wishes to resume her deputy duties, Bobbie’s desire is to learn to become a true SkyClan warrior—and Blazestar admittedly feels comparable excitement to be able to go patrolling through the forest with her. “Lupinekit, from this day forward, you will be known as Lupinepaw. Your mentor will be Dandelionwish.” He beckons the former WindClan medicine cat forward. “I expect he will teach you all he knows.

Crowkit, you will be known as Crowpaw. Your mentor will be Silversmoke.” His last lead warrior without an apprentice now that Chrysaliswing is training one of his own. “Silversmoke, I expect you to teach all you know to this apprentice.

Then, at last, the sleepy smoke-colored she-kit. “Drowsykit, you will be known as Drowsypaw from this day forward, until you earn your warrior name. Your mentor will be Duskpool.” He looks for the black and white warrior. “Duskpool, you were a good mentor to Drizzlepelt. I expect you to teach all you know to young Drowsypaw.

He waits for their Clanmates to cheer for them and for all kits to officially leave their mother’s side and sit beside their mentors’. They don’t realize it, but the cat they brush noses with today will be more influential even than the queens who birthed and raised them.

Now, we do have a warrior ceremony to perform.” Blazestar waits for the Clan to settle and then dips his head to a pale brown tabby feline. “Sparrowpaw, will you please step forward?

He eyes the young cat fondly. They’d learned SkyClan’s ways quickly, and though their heart is gentle, Blazestar knows they are loyal to the Clan they’ve come to call home. “I, Blazestar, leader of SkyClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn.

Blazestar gazes into Sparrowpaw’s eyes. “Sparrowpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?

Ceremonies: @Cherrykit @Glimmerkit @Eggbounce. @HICCUPKIT ! @DOOMKIT @Abysskit @LUPINEKIT @Crowkit. @DROWSYKIT @sparrowpaw!
ACTIVITY SHOUTOUTS THIS MONTH GO TO @orangeblossom @DAWNGLARE @Fireflypaw @SLATE @Johnnyflame @TWITCHBOLT @DUSKPOOL @FIGFEATHER @GREENEYES @MALLOWLARK @Howlfire @CHALK @sparrowpaw! @Falconpaw @bobbie @DOOMKIT @Cherrykit

YOU ARE ALL AMAZING TYSM !!!! just a reminder I am looking at a few lead candidates so keep up that ic and ooc activity :D


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  • blaise . blazestar
    — he/him ; leader of skyclan
    — pansexual ; divorced ; single
    — longhaired flame point Ragdoll with blue eyes
    — “speech”, thoughts, attack
    — penned by Marquette
    — chibi by Mercibun
 
..╭―――――――――――――――||―――――――――――――――╮

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Today was a big day. It felt as though the entirety of the SkyClan camp was buzzing with energy, a low hum of excitement. There would be a meeting today. The kits in the nursery were going to be apprenticed, the crowd moving from one den to another. They knew the queens, although sad to see their kits grow up so quickly, would be happy to return to the life of a warrior.

Sparrowpaw, while excited, was equally nervous.

Auburnflame had unexpectedly taken them out of camp not long ago, informing them that they would be having their warrior assessment. Something they had heard of in passing, but had never quite thought would be something they themself would need to do. It meant that he deemed them worthy of becoming a warrior themself. It meant that they would no longer be trailing behind him day in and out. The thought made them sad, in a way.

Although they had passed, much to their pride and joy, they still found it hard to believe that things were going to change. They would be sleeping in the warrior's den soon. They would be back in the same den as Figfeather and Greeneyes and Howlfire. They would be leaving behind the apprentices as had once happened to them.

They would be getting a warrior name. A new name, just as Sparrowpaw had once been. Somehow, it felt as though the time when they were simply Sparrow was so long ago, and yet not long at all. Little more than a heartbeat, but a heartbeat that had lasted a lifetime. They had gotten used to being called Sparrowpaw. How long would it take them to adjust to their new name, they had wondered? Would it be easier this time, knowing it was coming?

What would their name be? Greeneyes had been named for his eyes. Figfeather had been named for her skill. What about them, then? What were they to expect? After a while of thought, despite their antsy restlessness, they found they didn't really have any at all.

The apprentice had been lounging at the moment Blazestar bounded his way up to the Highbranch, paws restlessly playing with the grass before them. His booming voice startled them into sitting upright, heart leaping into their throat and wide eyes raising to him. One by one cats began to file over, sitting, waiting.

With a trembling swallow, they joined them.

Kits were being named, all turned to 'paws, all given mentors. Excitedly, the Clan erupted into cheers. They found it was easier to be excited for them unlike the days when they had first joined SkyClan. Easier to share the feelings, the joy of the next stage in their life.

The cheer died down, Blazestar's eyes fell to them. Do you promise, even at the cost of your life? he asked them, and the silence seemed deafening as they all waited for their response. The only response. Heart pounding, their blood roared in their ears.

"I d―I do," they said at last, the tightness of their throat drawing it out in a tiny squeak. They swallowed, tried to calm themself, and raised their voice. Admittedly still quiet, but at least they tried. "I do."

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Apprenticeship. He knew it had been coming. The last time he remembered his mother pushing Plaguekit at the time to the meeting in which he would become an apprentice. This time though, he was not alone. Even though he had his mother leading him along with his sister and brother, it seemed almost the entire nursery joined the meeting today. His hazel eyes would glance at Orangeblossom, watching as she lead her own kits to the meeting as well. He couldn't help but trail his eyes over to Cherrykit's form, a faint smile etching it's way across his maw. Eventually all of those who would become apprentices along with their mothers have found their place. Today they were awfully shiny, as their mother's wanted to make sure they were well groomed on this special day.

It's odd. He's never had a reason to be a part of clan meetings before. This is his first meeting he attended. The rest he did not because he didn't quite see the point. Blazestar spoke about things that were too serious. If meeting were about Blazestar telling the clan a story, then maybe he would have attended prior meetings. In any case, he would finally be with his clan. Whiskers twitch as Blazestar goes through the names of all the kits who would become apprentices this meeting, and he knew many of them were going to be apprentices, but he didn't think this many. As instructed he would step forward.

The first one out of all of them to become an apprentice is Cherryki-paw. Cherrypaw is the first. Doom will be mad. He can picture Doomkit being upset that Cherrypaw out of all of them was the first. If it had anyone else he may have not been as petty about it, but Blazestar unfortunately didn't pick Doomkit to be first. Before He remembers that each of them will be receiving a mentor. Figfeather? That is who Cherrypaw wanted as a mentor. He remembers his friend listing said warrior. The name Slate is called to be Cherrypaw's mentor.

Bad. Slate bad cat. Said bad things about mommy. His little nose scrunches, Blazestar's choice of mentor for his friend met with distaste. He can't help but glare at the hulking warrior as they make their way to Cherrypaw. He has half the mind to storm up to Blazestar and demand Figfeather to be his friends apprentice. Anyone but the evil cat! Of course, his mommy had to like dumb Blazestar and he loves his mommy more than the whole world that he would not make a scene today about it. Although, he's starting to question if Blazestar doesn't have feathers for brains because why else would he pair Slate and Cherrypaw. Everyone else he has no real opinion of their mentors, but he does watch with interest each warrior that touches noses with their apprentices.

Soon his brother is called, which causes him to face him. His brother has always taken care of him and he remembers how nervous they were before. That's why he gives Lupinepaw a big smile and nods when Dandelionwish called as his brother's mentors. It's okay Lulu. Then, his brother leaves his side to greet his mentor. Now it's just him and Drowsykit left. And then... It happens.

Crowpaw. I am Crowpaw. He remembers saying he was okay with either Twitchbolt or Blazestar as his mentor, but he is not upset that neither end up as his mentor. In reality, he just thought those were cats that would treat him nicely. He wasn't thinking much about the teacher aspect. That's why when Silversmoke is called to be his mentor, he first of all has one thought. Who is that? The answer comes in a blue spotted tabby with mismatching eyes and scars across his eye. It's kind of amusing how much Silversmoke towers over him, yet he is not afraid of them. He knows little about his mentor other than the fact that he is Silversmoke's apprentice. Maybe it is improper of him to say, but he waddles over to his tree of a mentor and stares them down. "You have a funny face too," he mews to his mentor. It's reminicent of when he first met Fireflypaw, commenting on the medicine cat apprentice's scars. He means no ill will, yet it can easily be taken horribly. It is saved by the fact that the newly dubbed Crowpaw leans forward to attempt to touch noses with the ever so tall Silversmoke, "Silversmoke cool."

His sister is then called and he doesn't care if Silversmoke is bothered by the fact that he would turn and watch his sister become an apprentice and watch as Duskpool pads towards her. Why is Blazestar giving scary mentors? Dandy is softer than Smokey and Pooley. Whatever. He was happy for his siblings nevertheless and would claw their mentors if they ever decided to mess with Drowsypaw or Lupinepaw. The young tom would give his mother a final long glance before he would join Silversmoke's side. He hopes his mother understands that he is not being cold towards her. Today was the first day he will sleep in the apprentices den. Today is a the first day leaving his mother's side. He wants her to see that he is strong. I'll be okay mommy.

The cheers have died down and he waits patiently for the next announcement. A warrior. Sparrowpaw is going to be a warrior. He wonder's what name Blazestar would give Sparrowpaw. It stuns him how much more serious becoming a warrior is. The ceremony is not at all as cheerful. It is as if Sparrowpaw is being tested instead of being given a name easily as they had. Sparrowpaw is nervous and it is easy to see, so he wonders if this warrior thing would make him as nervous when it was his time to be tested.
 
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✿—— she shepherds her kits from the nursery alongside the other queens, her eyes almost as shiny as their well-groomed pelts. she wants them to look good for today, the day they meet the cats who will define their life after her. yes, she's raised them; told them stories, chased away the nightmares, nursed them at her flank, but these are the cats who will determine what kind of warriors they grow into. just as blazestar will for me, she thinks, almost startled by the thought. though it's true, isn't it? the golden tom who now leads the meeting from the highbranch's peak is who will help shape her into a warrior, into someone skyclan can be proud of—into someone she can be proud of, she hopes.

focus on the meeting, bobbie, she thinks with suppressed amusement and a swipe at her watery eyes as she settles down to watch the many ceremonies once her kits step forward. she watches as orangeblossom's kits receive their mentors—glimmerpaw and friendly johnnyflame, eggkpaw and teaktail, hiccuppaw and squirrelbreeze, doompaw and well—twitchy—twitchbolt (what a pairing, she thinks amusedly), abysspaw and kind charlieflight. the first of them, though, is cherrypaw, paired to the skulking shadow of slate; her muzzle wrinkles in distaste, ever so slightly, before she controls her expression. she would sigh if she was alone, in disappointment mostly with herself; she doesn't have to like him, but she can respect him.

finally her own kits' names are called, a swell of emotion filling her chest as she watches the tiny black shapes touch their noses to those of their new mentors. they're leaving the nursery behind, finally; the day she'd long though of is here, when they trade in -kit for -paw and afternoon snuggles for apprentice spats. is she sad? of course, but ... this is the beginning of the next stage of their lives, and she simply couldn't be prouder. they will grow into respected warriors, train to hone their skills, perhaps one day even attain the high ranks as she watches teary-eyed from this same spot. that warmth fills her chest until she thinks it'll simply spill out of her like blood.

that crowpaw is being mentored by silversmoke, of all cats, barely matters on this special day. she doesn't like the silver tom, but she can respect his skills, and hope he'll deliver them to her son without speaking ill of his kittypet heritage. lupinepaw receives dandelionwish, the sweet ex-windclanner with the charming accent; she remembers his kind words when she first ventured out of the nursery, and she's glad to see him mentoring her more gentle son. her round ears perk as drowsypaw receives duskpool for a mentor, and she smiles unabashedly; duskpool had undoubtedly saved her life along blazestar himself when the dog had attacked, had offered her some pointers, and his gruff yet kind nature would be nothing but perfect for drowsypaw, she's sure of it.

of course, she lends her voice to the cheers, calling for both her own kits and orangeblossom's. sparrowpaw is called forward to receive their warrior name, and while she likes the young cat, it would be a lie to say her mind is entirely on their ceremony. her kits are entering the next stage of their lives, as is sparrowpaw, but—so is she. her chest fills with emotion again at the though that she's leaving the nursery behind, presumably forever; after all, she'd sworn a silent vow to herself. this would be her first and last litter, duke would be her last (and only) lover (never mind the rumors around camp, never mind the way her stomach flutters). she will join the ranks of the warriors, move her nest to their den, work from dusk till dawn.

and she's glad of it. she cannot wait for it, for the exhaustion, for the sore muscles and calloused paws. she cannot wait to learn to hunt, to fight, to leap through the trees as lightly as a bird's stray feather; that she will learn them from the kind blue eyes looking down upon sparorwpaw is a gift she cannot repay. she's aware of sparrowpaw answering the ceremonial questions, of crowpaw greeting his new mentor, but she's distracted by one thing.

today, her life changes for the better.


  • ooc: oops long ass post
  • ❀ bobbie — for her kithood love of bobby pins
    she/her ; cisgender female — skyclan — queen — 38 ☾s
    —— bobbie is a beautiful but insecure lilac tabby, dotted with white patches and with pale green eyes. a queen of skyclan, she's sweet and kind if prone to melancholy; the heartbreaking end of a lifelong romance has left her scarred..
    —— smells like sweet lavender & tea leaves ; sounds like sansa stark ; speech in #D64933, thoughts in #B1C797
    —— peaceful / healing powerplay permitted ; attacks/contact in underline ; won’t start fights ; will flee ; will show mercy ; won't kill or maim
    —— pansexual panromantic monogamist, divorced, not looking ; open to friendships, enemies, casual interactions, plotting ; not open to unplanned romance & unplanned battles
    penned by dejavudesklamp9 on discord for plots
  • shhh don't look here (battle info will go here at some point)

 

Chrysalispaw, truly, had been one of the toughest apprentices in the clan to teach. There was a generational disdain there that overcame all attempts of intervention, though the frequent yelling and punishments had likely not helped ease those tensions. Striding forwards to the meeting once more and, very acutely aware that he had not been assigned an apprentice last meeting, it wasn't terribly surprising to the tom when Blazestar turned to him and offered him a new seed to grow. What did cause his head to tilt at a slight angle was the name of the kitten, Crowkit, the brood of an animal he'd only recently had an argument with. He was not subtle in his glare at Bobbie as he walked past the Queen, knowing it must have been somewhat challenging for her to have her child assigned to him. 'What? Aren't you worried I'll teach him to be a WindClanner?' The look said where words could not, his attention slithering away onto the black smoke feline when the former Kittypet had left his bad eye's sight. His expression for the youngster was far subtler, a slight dip of the head, a mouth contorted into the professional neutrality he wore like Daylight Warriors wore their collars.

You have a funny face too... His eyes widened slightly... had he been funny? He hadn't tried to be funny, why did the kit say he was funny? A light pink nose touched the black one as the question burned into the back of his mind. Perhaps Crowki- no, Crowpaw, had meant it negatively, he'd always taken care of his own fur for his own wellbeing rather than the praise of others, but perhaps others found the long tufts of fur on his cheeks gaudy, or the scars that split through his eye ugly. They weren't things he could change. "Yeah, well..." He thought of a comeback far too late, after Crowpaw had admitted he was cool, after the sting of being 'funny' had been soothed. His mouth twisted about like a serpent as he threatened to childish rebuttal before eventually, he let out a sharp sigh of defeat and decided to drop the subject. "We will begin training immediately after this meeting," he promised the boy quietly, waving his tail in a 'hushing' gesture to allow Blazestar to get on with the rest of the annoucnements.

 

At Blazestar's call, he fixed his eyes upon the Highbranch, wide as they were- form trembling, a thoughtful gaze blinked once, twice- and twitched thrice afterward. This was a big day for a lot of SkyClan's kits, and... Twitchbolt could not deny he was prepared for the likely event of receiving his first apprentice today. Lead warrior first, training an apprentice second... it seemed as if it should have been the other way around. Still, Blazestar hadn't yet shown him that he regretted his choice; so, he'd trust in this one too.

Doompaw. Twitchbolt seized for a moment... though it was not as unprompted as usual. In his instinctual irrationality it felt like the name was some sort of omen, a sign of the end-times for his capability as a warrior. His first chance to prove himself a worthy successor to his mentor... and doom. He swallowed down his superstition, though- forced it to a place unseen, and fixed a large gaze upon his new apprentice, attempting to offer him a somewhat-reassuring smile. This one was... was a spitfire, to his memory...

It'd be a challenge, he was sure. "We'll begin as soon as we- as we- as we can," he told his apprentice, his new apprentice, ignoring every doubt that crawled across his body. He was almost numb to it, by now.
penned by pin ✧
 
The tabby’s response is quiet, but full of anticipation, even as they strengthen their voice in response. “I do.” Blazestar holds their gaze for just a moment, knowing that despite the trials Sparrowpaw had faced to get to SkyClan, their presence here in the pine forest is invaluable. “Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Sparrowpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Sparrowsong. StarClan honors your compassion and your patience, and we welcome you as a full warrior of SkyClan.

He leaps from his place on the Highbranch, striding toward the newly-named Sparrowsong with purpose. He gently brushes his chin over the top of their head. “Welcome to warriorhood, Sparrowsong.” When Blazestar draws back, his eyes are warm—and he flicks them to where Bobbie sits, proud and prepared to enter the warrior’s den herself after this ceremony. He meets her gaze for a heartbeat, as if to say, You too.

Blazestar draws back from Sparrowsong, then leads his Clan in a chant to celebrate their warrior name: “Sparrowsong! Sparrowsong!


  •  
  • blaise . blazestar
    — he/him ; leader of skyclan
    — pansexual ; divorced ; single
    — longhaired flame point Ragdoll with blue eyes
    — “speech”, thoughts, attack
    — penned by Marquette
    — chibi by Mercibun
 
anger makes you stupid . stupid gets you killed .
︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

He stared, molten copper narrowing to fine slits at the call of his name, willingly letting him take on another apprentice so soon after Drizzlepelt had become a warrior. Although looking back on it, it was more than a moon ago, when honestly, it felt like days had passed, watched his apprentice with swelling pride for a heart, Duskpool deemed too small for its large, boney prison trapped beneath muscle and flesh.

Duskpool should be proud, and yet, bitterness pooled, seeping into the very pores of his flesh. He had failed, did he not? How could Blazestar trust someone who could barely protect the very clan he swore to protect all those moons ago? No one should have gotten hurt, and yet, his gaze fluttered to Bobbie for the briefest of moments, chest tightening before flickering to stare at Blazestar through hidden lashes, willing the tightness to cease. He had failed even then when WindClan attacked in the dead of night, cooped in camp for wounds too fresh to be of any use. Watching as his apprentice, fought without a mentor against cats with greater knowledge, to watching someone he’d begun to see as a friend walk through with wounds that made his skin prickle.

How could he call himself a warrior, even if he could barely protect them? The large tom frowned for the briefest of moments, brows crinkled until he willed them away, expression smoothing out to gather himself on heavy paws. He had not been there when Drizzlepelt had needed him the most, and that would be his deepest regret for a child he saw as his own much like those outside the border, protected by a fiery brute that possessed more aggressive protectiveness than him, but that was where they fell similar, wasn’t it? Duskpool had a far greater will to hide behind a mask of aloofness, with a voice cold, and unperturbed, but brimming with a hidden warmth to those willing to look, that surprised Duskpool when landing on those he had grown close to.

It was then, that he realized he had broken his promise moons ago. The sudden idealization is eye-opening, but all more bittersweet. He had cats to care for, and yet, he could not help but fear for the future, because life had taught them that the very moment he had cared for others more than the lifeblood pumping through his veins, strife would befall them. After all, who was it, but a cat billowing in a shadow of bad luck?

His breath rattle his lungs, bones rattling like chimes in the wind to raise his head high, staring at Blazestar and then at Drowsypaw with a crinkled brow, dipping his helm towards his leader, his heart shrouded in turmoil, but his head clear. The warrior could not fathom why, but he would give it everything he had, broken bones and all if he must.

The scars along his face crinkled, terrifying upon first glance as he peered down at Drowsy, molten copper calculative, but welcoming. “I will.” He rumbled quietly to the leader. I cannot fathom why you do. He wanted to comment, but kept his maw clenched shut, the statement unworthy on such a bittersweet occasion as mothers watch from afar as their kits move to another chapter in their life away from all they have known. It was as joyous as it was bitter.

He would never experience that, for someone who had lost kits too soon to the gaping jaws of foul beasts, but he empathized, because even he felt bittersweet when Drizzle had taken his first steps as a warrior, no longer did he need a grouchy old crow to teach him, but now he had another relying on him to teach them, and Duskpool wasn’t one to half-ass things, even if it left him feeling raw.

His expression remained passive to the turmoil, merely reaching down to touch noses with the young apprentice. Molten copper flickering to Bobbie as he moved to settle down, offering a single nod, hoping to convey that she need not worry so much and if a time where blood ran, it would be his, and his alone.

Molten copper zeroed in on the newly named warrior, Sparrowsong. Fitting. He thought, watching his clan cheer their name. He did not join but offered a dip of his helm to the warrior in greetings, tail flickering to wrap around massive paws, marred flesh crinkling as he settled heavily into his paws, torn ear swerving, listening to the hum of his clan like waves caressing the sands of a beach.
thought speech
 
Todays the day! Or- Pearl is convinced it was. She'd be apprenticed besides Doomkit and fellow kittens, she’d grow up besides them and then she’d get “Duskpool” as her name EVEN if he said thats not how it works because she liked him and she’d make SURE thats how it worked!

Her chest puffs out as fellow kittens are called up. She sends Doomkit a big smile at his name, slight jealousy coursing through her veins when he got Twitchbolt. No fair... She wanted Twitchbolt! But its okay, she'll get Duskpool and she'll grow up to be big just like him. Her hope is further smushed in to the dirt below when Drowsypaw gets him. Her lip curls and something ugly rears its head, anger burns so fiercely in her chest that it even surprises her. Would she be stuck with a mentor she didn't know? She watches in silent anger, her pelt bristling as desperation becomes stronger and stronger. No fair, no fair- she stares at the back of Duskpool and Drowsypaw as if she could burn holes through them.

She waits for her name with bated breath, and then... It never comes. Blazestar moves on as if he never even considered her to be an apprentice in the first place. Her face falls, surely theres a mistake? Please! Now she’s gonna be stuck in the nursery with stupid Cinderkit, a choked whine makes it way from her throat. Sparrowpaw becomes Sparrowsong and Pearl couldn’t care less as tears make her vision blurry. She puffs out her cheeks, stewing in anger, in embarrassment- before the tears begin to fall. She dips her head so no one can see what a baby she has become, ears pinning back. And its especially painful that Doomkit is leaving. Who will she play with now? Certainly not Cinder and her Eebopaw, she’s eighty percent sure that Cinder doesnt even LIKE rough-housing!

Regardless, Pearl sits there in silent tears as she waits for the meeting to end. This means Bobbie AND Orangeblossom are probably leaving TOO which means it’ll be even MORE lonely. She tries to stop the headache before it comes, but it happens regardless- its not fair, even if she was younger.
"speech"​
 

Abysspaw is his new name. His long striped ribbon no longer drags the ground fully as he walks, the ends occasionally touch the ground and catch under his paws but he remains untangled from it due to much longer limbs now. He had never noticed until this moment when he steps up to his new mentor.
His brother recieves a normal SkyClan warrior and he finds himself facing and subsequently touching noises to a daylight warrior instead. Charlielight is a nice enough cat, he has met her before in passing and it was she who made him question why some cats left at the end of the day; learning what a daylight warrior even was from his peeked curiousity. His green gaze drifts from his new mentor who is happily chatting now about their plans, introducing him to the borders first and exploring the territory, he's unsure how to feel.
He's not bothered to be set to duties immediately, its normal from what he'd seen, but he really feels no strong sensation either way about becoming a SkyClan apprentice. He'd been quiet for most their time in the nursery, partially out of a strange loneliness he could not explain and also to avoid the mischief that Doomkit got into so often.
He wishes he had more to say other than a meek, "I look forward to it." When asked by his mentor if he was excited, if he was ready. She flicks her tail to signal him to sit back down in case more announcements come forth, but if not they would be on their way.
 
Doomkit becomes Doompaw, and he could not be happier. Being stuck in the nursery was a reminder of things he no longer wanted to hang onto—about being motherless, sharing Orangeblossom with the rest of the Clan and with her absolutely horrific brood, about being stuck in place. His pale paws mash the earth impatiently—and then Blazestar names his mentor. Twitchbolt. The warrior twitches in place as soon as he meets Doompaw’s canid green eyes. He frowns immediately. “This guy?

He wants to shout about how Blazestar gave him a loser but gave Cherrypaw a cool, tough, badass warrior like Slate, but he doesn’t feel like getting his ear cuffed. At least he gets to leave camp now and learn cool stuff. Doompaw strides toward his new mentor and aggressively bumps his nose to the other tom’s. “Now?” He asks, eager. “Can y’ teach me to fight first?

His gaze drifts to where Pearlkit sits just outside the nursery, alone—and Doompaw frowns. He wants to go talk to her and tell her she’ll be in the apprentice’s den soon, too, but he doesn’t want to leave his mentor’s side already, and besides, Blazestar is naming a new warrior. He has no positive opinions about Sparrowsong—they sure like to tell him to be nice all the time—but he does think, That’s going to be me someday soon.


  •  
  • doomguy . doomkit . doompaw
    — afab, he/him, apprentice of skyclan
    — unknown sexuality ; single
    — short-haired blue tortoiseshell with white and green eyes
    — “speech”, thoughts, attack
    — penned by Marquette
 

This is a meeting Apple Stem refused to miss. Though her appearances between announcements were unpredictable, she absolutely refused to miss her sisters litter graduate into apprentices. There were so many to cheer and congratulate, she could hardly keep track with all the names Blazestar called out. She can't help but feel a swell of pride when he named Cherrykit, Eggkit, Hiccupkit and Glimmerkit especially.

Pale wide eyes glance to Bobbie, and the Daylight Warrior gave a respective nod to freed Queen. Apple Stem was sure that her, along with Orangeblossom, were excited to dive into their freedom once again. To start watching their kin grow into honorable warriors. She looked at her sister with a wide smile.

"They are going to do great." Apple Stem sounded confident, assured her nieces and nephews would honor SkyClan with as they tapped into their strengths. Training would draw out the very best in them. The pointed molly joined her Clanmates in their cheers, boastful and joyous in her chanting.
 
For once, Cherrykit is there when Blazestar heaves himself upon the Highbranch. The dappled sunshine against the back of his head frames his face in light, and swaying leaves crown the blonde silhouette of his skull. Ocean eyes sweep the kittens lined up before him, each tongue-polished to perfection and placed for his conclusion. For a fleeting moment, she regards him as king in his entirety. Not the oaf who bumbles his way into their games to ask for Bobbie, and not the authority who regards his deputy's litter with a keen eye. He is the powers that be, nine of StarClan's finest, and he is going to make her an apprentice.

The girl doesn't look back at her mother when her name is called first. First. She is firstborn, and so too will she be the first promoted. She steps into the spotlight with seemingly-practiced ease: tail high, ears pricked, chin already tilting upwards. A smile dots her face as she patiently waits for her name to be called, for blue eyes to find marmalade fur and a twisted leg, for...

"Slate." She blinks. "You are ready for another apprentice." Huh? Her gaze swings towards the hulking shadow in the crowd, who, if she were focused on any emotion but her own, might look almost as surprised as she does. This guy? As far as she knows, Howlfire is a decent warrior, but she just—she just doesn't like him! Maybe Howlfire was willing to put up with him since she was gonna be a warrior soon anyway, but she has to spend the next eight moons with him! Eight moons with the boorish, dirt-clod wall of a warrior, who'd so very recently (but indirectly) goaded Drowsykit to tears over a toy. And refused to answer her questions that one time, that was pretty important too.

"Hmph," is all she says. Their noses touch; she wrinkles hers. Then they go their separate ways, one returning as Cherrypaw to her family, the other back to...wherever losers like him sat at meetings. Her smile is restored by the glowing faces of her kin, and she gives Glimmerkit a slight shoulder bump as her larger sister is called forth. The meeting for the rest of Orangeblossom's kittens passes smoothly. Jealousy pricks her paws as the everkind Johnnyflame is assigned to Glimmerpaw, but it's better than someone like Doompaw getting him. Eggpaw, Hiccuppaw, and Sunshinepaw all receive mentors she's not quite familiar with, but then again, the unknown is still leaps and bounds more attractive than Slate.

Doomkit's brother is called before him, and then Doomkit gets Twitchbolt. He gets Twitchbolt? She's mad all over again! Didn't Blazestar know Twitchbolt should go to Crowkit? Whatever regal aura he'd been infused with has since dissipated, and she quietly glowers at him from her tiny vantage in the crowd. Lupinepaw is paired with Dandelionwish—strange-sounding but nice overall, though she hopes Lupinepaw wouldn't pick any of his vocal mannerisms up—and Crowpaw is left with Silversmoke, who, to her limited understanding, had been complicit in the brief nursery entrance squabble. She scrutinizes the silvery beast as he leans forward to touch noses with her friend, tail tip twitching. She gives them both grins, one somewhat pitying. Their sister is paired with Duskpool. Kind of like Slate, but friendlier, if uglier.

Cheers, cheers. Cherrypaw puffs up for them, basking in the shower of names, prideful even if hers isn't the only one called. (It'll hit her later that her warrior ceremony will be like this as well.) They die down too soon, but the hushed affirmation of Sparrowpaw quickly replaces the lost intrigue. Still content in the afterglow of her own ceremony, she pays only the slightest attention towards the coming of age of another SkyClanner—her own is all too captivating.​
 
Dog wandered into the Clan gathering, a little tardy compared to the rest of the cats already assembling beneath the Highbranch. Lines upon lines of cats rested in a large crowd all ears pointed forwards at the center of interest.

The bright sun played tricks on his vision, but he quickly adjusted, finding a comfortable spot to settle down. White paws dirtied from the long trek there and smudged as he tucked them under his chest. This was his first time witnessing a Clan meeting, and he couldn't help but be intrigued by the solemnity and reverence with which the cats awaited their leader's words.

Interesting...

Blazestar, the impressive tom atop the Highbranch, commanded attention with his downy pelt and powerful presence. Dog understood why the Clan held him in such high regard. The hint of a smirk tugged at Dog's maw as he pondered the gravity of the moment and the responsibilities that came with being a Clan leader.

Sounds like a massive downer.

A chuckle was stifled just barely at the thought. His attention soon shifted to the line of kits, each eagerly waiting their turn to be recognized. Orangeblossom's litter stood among them, and Dog felt a twinge of respect for the deputy who had welcomed him into the Clan. He offered a supportive meow as each kit was called. It was nice to start putting names to faces to his new clanmates.

Then the warrior ceremony began, and Dog was entranced by the solemnity and significance of the moment. The cheers that followed new warrior's name filled the air, and Dog couldn't help but join in with his own feeble congratulatory. Despite being an outsider, he felt a fleeting curiosity with Skyclan, and for a moment, the rough life of a rogue felt far away.​
 
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Their words had been spoken, their vow solidified. It felt as though the world were holding its breath in the pause before Blazestar spoke. Themself especially. Sparrowpaw could feel their heart fluttering in their chest.

Sparrowpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Sparrowsong.

They sucked in a belated breath.

Sparrowsong. They... they liked that name, they thought. It was a small change, just as the change from Sparrow to Sparrowpaw had been, but it felt so big, so... monumental, in a way they couldn't describe.

Their gaze had never left Blazestar when he leapt from the highbranch, striding forward until he loomed over them, but it was far from intimidating as they met his gentle gaze. The point leaned down, gently resting his chin upon their head, and Sparrowsong hesitated only briefly before reaching up to lick his shoulder, as they had seen the others do. Welcome to warriorhood, Sparrowsong.

Blazestar stepped back. Sparrowsong ducked their head with a small giggle. Around them, the Clan erupted into cheers, chanting their new name, and it made their heart swell with a mixture of joy and pride. They hadn't quite understood naming and ceremonies in the beginning. Now, they were sure they did.

The pride, the joy, the gathering of the community to celebrate the stages of a cat's life as they grew and matured. They hadn't been born in SkyClan - they had already been nearly an adult when they were given the name Sparrowpaw and taught the ways of the forest under a mentor. Even so, they were glad they got to experience it, if only for a while.

Sparrowsong ducked their head again. "Thank you," they said, even as it was lost to the cheers. For a moment, they wondered if their family was watching from StarClan above. They wondered if they would be proud.

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johnny.png

HE SAID, "WELL MY NAME'S JOHNNY, AND IT MIGHT BE A SIN
BUT I'LL TAKE YOUR BET, AND YOU'RE GONNA REGRET, CUZ IM THE BEST THERE'S EVER BEEN."



Johnny could admit to himself that he'd been a bit bummed out when Plaguepaw had been apprenticed to a different cat. The two of them had grown close in the time since the shelter raid, and if he was honest, a small part of him had almost been expecting Blazestar to make them a proper mentor-apprentice pairing once the other was old enough. Johnny was sure certain he could have made a fine warrior out of Plague, and while he was sure that Thistlebacks old apprentice would do just as good a job, there was still a small twinge of envy he felt at having been passed over- a small part of him that inwardly smirked everytime the little bug openly asked Quillstrike why he couldn't just get a new apprentice so he could train with Johnnyflame instead.

And so when the announcement was made-in the very next meeting mind you- that Johnny would in fact be getting a new apprentice, one could understand the small flash of disapointment he felt over havin just missed his window to be paired with Plague. Still, he wasn't going to let that dampen his mood any farther. At the end of the day Johnny was still a mentor again- and to one of Orangeblossoms kits, no less. The idea of being responsible for the tutilage of his friends child made him extremely proud, and he quickly got to his feet and made his way over, an eager bounce in his steps as he moved to stand before his new apprentice so they could touch noses.

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It's a shame that such a momentous day is undermined by her leg deciding to ache worse than it has in moons, but Orangeblossom can't say she's surprised. If it's not something it's another, and she'd rather tense against the pain in the joint while her kits are apprenticed than do battle against WindClan again in that same timeframe. It just means that she and Eveningpaw wouldn't be able to make a quick escape after the meeting is adjourned.

"Wait here until Blazestar calls your name." As Blazestar calls SkyClan to attention, Orangeblossom turns to the gaggle of kittens clustered at the nursery entrance. They've settled outside the den this time, ready to approach the cream-pointed for his blessing and then their new mentors for theirs. All five are freshly groomed, long pelts puffed out with varying degrees of pride and excitement and nervousness, and Orangeblossom and Ashenclaw both watch their five with soft pride. She watches Doomkit and Abysskit too, who she had extended the offer of grooming to as well; while not her kits they had been her responsibility as their milk-mother, and if any of SkyClan's apprentices as of today would be wont to cause trouble it would be one of them (Doomkit specificially; Orangeblossom hadn't ever had an issue with the surprisingly friendly Abysskit).

She's familiar with the preamble by now, Blazestar introducing every kit to be apprenticed by name, though Orangeblossom suppresses a snicker at the deep breath he's forced to take at the end of the list. It's not very often he has to do that; but, StarClan bless him, he seems to relish the fact.

A blink of surprise and a slight narrow of her eyes accompany the announcement of Cherrypaw's mentor; she'd suspected Cherrypaw would be apprenticed to a warrior with more of a headstrong nature, but she hadn't ever suspected Slate would be the chosen cat. She'd hoped for Figfeather, but again, the deputy is unaware of the conversation that the sun-striped warrior and Blazestar had engaged in after the last meeting. StarClan above ... Slate. Of all cats! Orangeblossom isn't sure why her immediate reaction is rejection of the concept, and she doesn't particularly care; pairing Cherrypaw and Slate is just weird to her. At least she'd be with a warrior who's loyal, and might temper her, well, temper somewhat.

Glimmerpaw's naming makes her heart ache for a reason she, once again, does not know how to name. But she's much more relieved to know that she's being apprenticed to Johnnyflame over any other; the pairing makes the deputy loose a satisfied hum. The two had always gotten along well from her observations, and Orangeblossom knows that he'd nurture her personality while keeping her disciplined on the path to warriorhood.

Eggpaw to Teaktail is another far more normal pairing, expected and reasonable. Teaktail is nice, a respectable warrior. Nothing particularly special, probably wouldn't be deputy someday, but a full-time warrior who would be around to entertain all of Eggpaw's inevitable questions about apprenticeship and the SkyClan territory. Squirrelbreeze to Hiccuppaw is also, in her opinion, a good pairing.

Abysspaw goes to Charlieflight, which surprises her in a normal way; daylight apprentices are often paired with daylight warriors, and Abysspaw is not. This would give him some good perspective though, she thinks. Doompaw is apprenticed to Twitchbolt, and just for a moment, Orangeblossom's world falls apart. Blazestar really had thrown their newest lead warrior to the foxes with this, hadn't he? She'd expected Doompaw to be paired with Slate, or at least someone else who could probably get a grip on his chaotic tendencies. StarClan save this poor warrior.

Lupinepaw goes to Dandelionwish, which is probably good; his time in SkyClan has let him be a good cat, an experience he likely wasn't ever afforded in WindClan. Her nose wrinkles slightly as Crowpaw is apprenticed to Silversmoke; he's a competent warrior, but he's hardly a good cat. She wonders if he'd bother to show up for Crowpaw's warrior ceremony. He hadn't for Chrysaliswing's. Drowsypaw goes to Duskpool, which, again, is a normal pairing; the battle-scarred tomcat has already mentored Drizzlepelt, he has experience, and he would do well with a second trainee.

She doesn't know what Blazestar had been thinking with half of these pairings. She's still shaken by Cherrypaw with Slate. But when Blazestar retreats after Edenpaw's ceremony and SkyClan erupts into cheers, she joins them.

"Cherrypaw! Glimmerpaw! Eggpaw! Hiccuppaw!" How funny that his new name forced a hic! in a cat who meows it. "Abysspaw! Doompaw!" StarClan above, she still can't believe he's been paired with Twitchbolt- "Lupinepaw! Crowpaw! Drowzypaw! Edenpaw!"

With her kittens - born and milk-raised alike - settled next to their mentors, Orangeblossom limps around the side of the still-cheering Clan, and retakes her place in the deputy's spot beneath Highbranch. She nods reassurance to a couple of SkyClanners who catch her eye; but this is not her moment. This moment belongs to her kittens, and Bobbie's, and to Edenpaw alike. She breathes through the pain in her leg, shuffling her paws to be comfortable as possible, and resigns herself to discomfort for the rest of the meeting.

For there is more, as there often is in SkyClan meetings; and with how Auburnflame has been chattering her ear off about how proud he is of his apprentice for passing their warrior assessment, Orangeblossom had known this would come. Sparrowpaw is called forward, and Orangeblossom's eyes crinkle sympathetically. She'd never had a warrior naming ceremony of her own, but the younger SkyClanners were practically shaking apart when they'd had theirs and Sparrowpaw is a particularly nervous creature.

Named for their patience and their compassion, Sparrowsong joins SkyClan's warriors under StarClan's watchful gaze, and Orangeblossom nods her personal approval. What a beautiful name. Fitting, for a cat whose weapon of choice was to talk others out of fighting. Hers is among the first voices to join the chant that Blazestar leads, calling the tabby's new name for SkyClan to hear, to feel, to memorise, to honour.

"Sparrowsong! Sparrowsong!"

 
( tags ) Lupinekit's pelt was buzzing that morning with some combination of excitement and anxiety, not quite fifty-fifty, more like twenty-eighty. Whatever he felt, the day had arrived as quickly as he knew it would. Blazestar stood at his perch, as shining and golden as the imagery his name evoked, and it was perhaps the first time he was able to see the tom as the leader he was—a star-assigned guardian of their clan, and not simply as the serious-looking cat that seemed to orbit around his mother in camp like a bumble bee around a rose.

The meeting commences and Lupinekit's nerves seem to stretch tighter by the second. Cherrypaw is named first, and excitement for her quickly dips into distress as Blazestar names Slate to be her mentor. What was Blazestar thinking?! He thought that after the—surely accepted as—completely ridiculous reaction he had at Drowsykit over some brightly colored toys, Blazestar wouldn't let him talk to the young cats anymore, much less let him mentor one of the new apprentices! He hoped that the dark and nasty-tempered tom wouldn't dampen the bright personality of his calico denmate, and he wondered if Cherrypaw was as disappointed by her assignment as he was. If her face was anything to judge by, wrinkling her nose after touching it with his, she was. Lupinekit's stomach fluttered with anxiety, heightened by the surprise of Blazestar's first mentor-apprentice assignment. Was he going to be assigned someone as sour-tempered as Slate, too? He fretted about what he would do for the next 8 whole months of his life if he was paired with someone who was mean or didn't like him, wanting to crawl back to the nursery with dread.

He was so wrapped up in his own whirlpooling thoughts of worry that he almost missed hearing his own name being called. He hoped no one else noticed his slight jump as he rose to his paws when it was his turn. “Lupinekit, from this day forward, you will be known as Lupinepaw." His heart fluttered with fear and anticipation, "Your mentor will be Dandelionwish.” The former-kitten, now-apprentice blinks in surprise, head swiveling to find the tall brown and cream cat in the crowd and back to his side, where Crowkit—almost Crowpaw—was sitting, offering a rare grin of encouragement toward him. Lupinepaw is filled with a renewed sense of enthusiasm and he pads over, hopefully not looking as awkward as he felt with his brief moment of attention, to meet his mentor. He knew fairly little about the ex-medicine cat of Windclan, with only a vague memory of meeting him briefly as a small kit just leaving the nursery, but he at least seemed to appear more outwardly friendlier than the likes of Slate and Silversmoke. Lupinepaw touches his nose to Dandelionwish's and offers a polite, if meek, "Thank you for having me."

He sits primly next to his new mentor, resisting the urge to cast sidelong glances back at the chocolate tom as if assessing his appearance more would offer insight into his character. His focus is quickly pulled to his siblings' namings, Crowpaw and Drowsypaw are called by name and assigned to Silversmoke and Duskpool respectively. Duskpool he knew little about besides the fact that he had helped his mother when they were attacked by a dog, which leaves him in Lupinepaw's personal good graces but he twitches his nose with distaste at Blazestar's choice for his brother. The youth doesn't miss the glare that the grey tabby tom shoots Bobbie, narrowing his eyes slightly, who did that guy think he was? What a-! What a... dirtface! And Lupinepaw didn't think such things lightly. He hoped that guy didn't give Crowpaw a hard time as his mentor but... he had a bad feeling about it. Whatever happened, he hoped Crowpaw would let him know if Silversmoke was a bully or anything so Lupinepaw could... tell someone, probably.

Cheers were heard from all around and Sparrowpaw's ceremony was up next, it was a serious affair, but one that must feel special for him, being that he's the only warrior named today, it seemed like a special honor. "Yayy, Sparrowsong!" Lupinepaw cheered alongside the crowd. The brown tabby was a friendly face to see around the nursery, and he was glad that Blazestar had given him a nice-sounding name, too. He'd only been Lupinepaw for a few heartbeats, but he couldn't help but wonder what name was waiting for him as a warrior... Lupinesong, Lupineblossom, Lupinewish...
"SPEECH"

 
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Slate pads into this meeting with a sore feeling weighing in his gut, as if he's been told devastating news. It wasn't expected that Blazestar would address SkyClan about anything depressing today, like clanmates stolen by twolegs or warriors lost to a battle, but Slate was dreading today's agenda for whatever reason. One could see it on his face, as a grimace plastered onto his broad maw and eyebrows furrowed with concern. His paws felt heavy as they carried him to the gathering spot beneath the Highbranch, like giant stones that weighed down.

It seemed that Blazestar was intent on getting the worst news out of the way first. “Slate, you are ready for another apprentice. I trust you will teach Cherrypaw all you know.” The Maine Coon nearly winces at those very words; he knew it was coming, as the leader had approached him about this assignment prior, but it still doesn't make it easier to hear. Instantaneously, he can hear some hushed murmurs falling across the crowd with judgmental stares boring straight into him from all angles. Even Slate knew that this decision was controversial; he had never been great with children. In fact, he had ( inadvertently ) made one of the little ones break out into tears not too long ago. Why Blazestar trusted him to teach the deputy's daughter was beyond him, and certainly beyond other members of the clan.

The massive brute rose from his seated position to meet Cherrykit — now Cherrypaw. Slate can tell that the she-cat isn't very receptive to this news either based on the soured look upon her features. Let's just get this over with. He thinks before quickly touching his nose against hers and briskly making his way back to his spot. Stars help him; what was he in for?

The other apprentice ceremonies fly by like a breeze, mostly because Slate is too preoccupied stewing in his own dread to really care. He was expected to train Orangeblossom's daughter. While Slate would be willing to do a lot of favors for the orange and white she-cat, he wasn't sure how this would work out.

He snaps back into reality once Blazestar announces the naming of a new warrior. Slate didn't know Sparrowpaw all too well, aside from the time when they helped detangle his chest fur much to his protest.

The names of Sparrowsong and the new apprentices are chanted by cats all around Slate, though as usual, he opts out of vocalizing his support. Needless to say, Slate has a lot running through his mind at the moment.
 
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𐀔​ GONNA BE AT LEAST TEN MINUTES LATE 𐀔​

eggpaw & 04 moons & male & he/him & skyclan apprentice

eggkit is more than a bit excited as he waddles forwards, blue eyes wide. And then suddenly he's no longer eggkit, but eggpaw, beaming up at his mentor as they touch noses. "I do!" he chirps cheerfully, tail flicking in excitement. He's an apprentice now, and though he'll be sad to not sleep beside his mom every night, he's excited to get to explore the territory, and learn to hunt and fight and- well, whatever else it is that apprentices do all day.

  • Actions && "Speech," && ' Thoughts/Quotes '

    ooc: —
    tw/cw: —
  • a round faced and slightly pudgy boy, with long legs and too-big paws. his pelt is pale eggshell and cream, and he has dull grey-blue eyes. he wears butterfly wings and flowers in his fur, and seems to be growing at an exponential rate.

    physically easy && mentally easy
    non-violent powerplay allowed && healing powerplay allowed && minor injury powerplay not-allowed
    please attack using [b][color=#108297]action here[/color][/b] and tag account