Rimepaw's Warrior Ceremony

Smoky tendrils of faint clouds drifted across the rapidly darkening evening sky, rapidly dissipating fingers of light grey occasionally obscuring the newly laminated dusk. Though the day had been wrought with chilly gales that had buffeted the forest and moorlands with an unrelenting force, a late afternoon snowfall had effectively smothered down the worst of the bitter winds. Features kissed softly by the damp touch of more snowfall that weighed on the still twilight, Brindleface gave herself a rigorous shake in hopes of brushing away the lingering drowsiness that hung heavily in her veins. It had been a difficult past few days, but there was a hopefulness budding in the air alongside the slow approach of spring- several Apprentices were close to completing their training, with Rimepaw the latest in the batch, which would hopefully reverse their luck in the coming moons.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Tallrock!"

Rimepaw brushed a moistened paw over his ear, making sure he looked as pristine as he could manage before padding out of the apprentice's den to hear Brindleface's words. He knew he was due to be promoted to warrior soon, and he wanted to make sure he didn't look like a fool for his ceremony, if this was it.

The sea of stiffening grasses that unfolded endlessly upon the moorland before them twisted and curled under the faint urging of a barely evident breeze. The chill arose from both the stone beneath Brindleface's paws and descended from the darkening evening sky. The clumps of downy snow stirred faintly within the tendrils of the cold breeze, sending flakes of brilliant white raining down upon the gathering crowd. Shifting her weight atop the smooth, practically frigid stone, the pale molly blinked as cats were slowly dusted with frost. "We gather here today to bestow the title of Warrior upon one of our Apprentices." She eventually mewed, watching as the young Rimepaw gradually moved through the amassing crowds, very meticulously groomed and thoroughly prepared in event of the spotlight being cast upon him. "He has proven himself worthy to climb the ranks of WindClan and receive his Warrior name." Gaze remaining trained upon the masked young tom, who likely had some inclination of what was about to happen, the low rasp of her voice was laden with authority as she finally spoke the highly anticipated words.

"Rimepaw, please step forwards."

Rimepaw had to physically restrain himself from bursting from excitement. He'd finished healing up from the encounter with the fox, and finally, it was his time to shine for his own merit. He was more than a little bit happy about no longer having to report to Spiderspark, as well, but he would deny it if ever asked. He padded forward to the front of the gathering group of cats, head held high, icy eyes meeting with Brindleface's.

"I, Brindleface, Leader of WindClan, call upon my Warrior ancestors to look down upon this Apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble Code, and I commend him to you as a Warrior in return." Light gaze nothing more than two ashen puddles of reflective light, Brindleface's poised demeanor carefully grazed the various expressions of those who were settled below. Downy flakes of powdery snow hung heavily on the chilly air, brushing softly against the marred surface of the Tallrock with every occasional current of a chilly breeze. Paws, rightfully numb from prolonged contact with the stone itself, shifted expectantly as she continued to gaze at the young tom who was gazing back with a palpable sense of excitement.

"Rimepaw, do you promise to uphold the Warrior Code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

The lanky tom blinked snowflakes from his eyes, crystals catching in his whiskers and in his creamy off-grey fur. "I do," Rimepaw meowed, the words full of all of the purpose and commitment that he could inject into two syllables. He couldn't help but hope that his father would finally lay off of him a little bit now that he was finally ascending to the status of warrior. Rimepaw caught his eyes, blue gaze mirrored by his father's. He could see the smallest glimmer of pride in Spinestalker's normally emotionless gaze, and Rimepaw relaxed a little, finally just a tiny bit satisfied with himself.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I shall grant you your Warrior name." Pale gaze directed towards the starkly colored evening horizon, Brindleface's voice resonated softly atop the chilly air. Features momentarily vanishing within the tendrils of smoky breath, the molly allotted herself a moment or so to peer upwards at the flinty chips of barren starlight before them. "Rimepaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Rimefang. StarClan honors your determination and level head, and we welcome you as a full Warrior of WindClan." Feathered tail brushing softly against the well-worn stone she stood upon, Brindleface was quick to abandon her position atop the Tallrock and instead join the mingling celebration that bunched together around the newly-named Rimefang.