High Rank Announcement [#hrannouncement]

**Weekend-Wondering** · #**18921** July 29th, 2022, 03:48 PM

Winterkit took in a deep breath, and then exhaled gently. After several moments, he took another. And he exhaled once again.
This went on for a bit, until Winterkit finally stopped and smiled up at Ashpaw.
“Thanks.” He told the apprentice, and shook the tears off off his cheek fur. He hoisted himself up, and glanced around the den.
“I’m gonna take a nap.” He told Ashpaw, and padded over to his nest.
“See’ya later, Ashpaw!”

{ @Wingnettle }

**dino.** · #**18922** July 29th, 2022, 04:49 PM

>Bumblebreak<

Bumblebreak flicked an ear, largely disinterested in the rabble going on behind her, and turned to lap at her hind leg. Ouch, that stung. Rats were just assholes, apparently. With a breathy sigh, she turned her attention back to Cinderstar.

**Robin feather** · #**18923** July 29th, 2022, 05:21 PM

“I dunno. Maybe we could go visit the apprentices?” he suggested timidly. He never liked getting very mad with other cats. It didn’t make him feel good. He hoped his sister would be okay with his idea.
@silentstalk @NinjaBloss

**Estelle** · #**18924** July 29th, 2022, 05:49 PM

Initially a bit startled as she suddenly heard her name, Flamepaw was relieved to find Cinderstar was referring to the other Flamepaw, not her. She sigh a small breath of relief as she glanced over to the other apprentice, curious as to what caused this public repercussion... Before blinking and quickly looking back at her paws. Staring watching was perhaps a bit rude, she shuffled her paws. It didn't concern her so.. She shouldn't look. She should just, like, concentrate on the meeting and nothing else. That was more polite. Yeah.

Moving her yellow-green gaze back up at the bengal leader, when her name got called again. And this time really her name, not the other one. She intently watched, name change. Right. Right. She knew of that. What would her new name be...?

Dandelionpaw.
Shyly, Flamepaw, now Dandelionpaw, returned the leader's smile. It was such a pretty name... The renamed apprentice shuffled her paws on the ground again, though this time more flustered and happy by the new pretty name she got.
Hm... She felt less upset about no longer being Flamepaw than she thought she would be... It felt strange, of course, and missed her given name. It was the only thing that kept her connected to her siblings, after all. But... The other name was nice. Less... Scary in it's official form.

The older apprentice looked back up to the leader, then over the crowd as she caught the name of her new mentor. Spiderleap. Brrr spiders. Strangely though, she couldn't exactly recall who that was. She had no memory of there being a Spiderleap before... Or had she been gone for so long she forgot?? Oh stars that was very well possible.

Bless the fact the tom spoke up. She heard her new name, eyes turning to a young warrior. He looked about her age. Was that... Her mentor...?
After hesitating for a while, and swallowing thickly, the bengal apprentice finally decided she should maybe... Ask... Oh how embarrassing. regardless of whether this young warrior was her mentor or not. it would explain why she didn't recognise the name, as they would've been apprentices at the same time (although, her mind was a bit foggy on some names and appearances). Still, she perhaps had expected to be mentored by someone a bit older. But... She couldn't complain. That'd be mean. He seemed nice. She was nice... Probably. So, perhaps being trained by someone of a similar age could be nice too? Still a bit embarrassing, but she brought that onto herself. This was the consequence, and she was already immensely happy to have been let back home.

"Uhm- You... Must be Spiderrrrleap..?"
Oohhh noo. Why did she drag that R out so long? What was wrong with her? her paws began to shuffle a bit nervously, awaiting hopefully a positive response. that would just be best at this point.

[ @cloudivity ]

**taillow** · #**18925** July 29th, 2022, 07:03 PM

High Rank Announcement [#hrannouncement]

Cinderstar
As mentors and apprentices newly assigned to each other began to meet and touch noses, Cinderstar was glad to hear several of the mentors she'd chosen voice their commitment to seeing the training through to the end. Hopefully they would soon be able to put forth action to the words they spoke and provide newly named warriors to the Clan.

One warrior spoke up about her decision to not assign Flamepaw a mentor, and Cinderstar turned to look towards Fireflyheart. She could understand the warriors concern - however it did confuse her considering that apprentice training, more often than not, was not handled by the mentor but instead by several warriors. There was no point in scaring the young cats, and a flash of disappointment in the choice of words shot across her expression.

"Flamepaw will not be assigned a mentor, however if you are concerned with her training you are more than welcome to take her out for some," she replied, trying to recall if she had ever seen the warrior take out an apprentice for training. "I never said Flamepaw would not become a warrior, and I do not believe they are going to die at all," she continued, keeping her voice level. "Most of the time, an apprentices training is completed by several warriors - most of which aren't even the apprentices' assigned mentor."

Hopefully that would appease Fireflyheart, as there were really no points left to argue. But if she wished to continue, Cinderstar was resigned to giving her a glance and nothing more. She would always hear out her Clanmates opinions and thoughts, but when they were unfounded and baseless, she saw no point to it.

Her expression saddened a bit as she decided to move the meeting along. "This moon is also not without its trials. Robinflight was killed earlier by a rogue. He was a wonderful warrior, loyal and steadfast. He will be missed." After giving the announcement, she bowed her head for a moment to offer her silent respects for the fallen warrior. There had been no body returned, and by now whatever had happened to it, it would be in no state to bring in for a formal grieving process. Still, the leader figured she would go have a sniff around the area that it had been reported.

After a fair amount of time had passed, there was one more death that they had to get out of the way. And this one... would sting. Her gaze sought out on cat in particular; Bumblebreak. She tried to will her with her eyes alone to ready herself. To brace herself. Stars, she knew the young warrior would be disappointed - but if Cinderstar could absorb that and avoid any future conflicts with RiverClan, she would do so.

"As many of you know, at the last gathering it was revealed that Skystar had kidnapped Cinderpaw from the heat of battle at Firefly Cove and chose to keep her for over a moon without informing us. He demanded that we exchange prey and herbs for her instead of simply giving her back, to which I told him we would do no such thing. ThunderClan no longer bows to any Clan." A firm edge lined her voice as she spoke. She made sure to single Skystar out in particular, as after her discovery it had become clear that this was a decision he had made alone without much support.

Sweeping her gaze across, the leader continued. "I took a patrol out to the border to meet with him, however it was not Skystar I ran into but two RiverClan warriors who seemed just as angry as we all were at her kidnapping. They told me that Skystar had left on some journey to find new territory, and that Cinderpaw had not been seen in their camp." She knew that would arise some anger, so she continued on as quick as she could. "We tracked a scent trail from RiverClan territory that eventually led to the outskirts... and discovered that Cinderpaw... had been killed by some sort of predator."

News that would surely ripple through the Clan and cause uproar. "Before anything is said: while I am just as frustrated as you all are at RiverClan's obvious neglect, I do not believe they had anything to do with her death. There was no RiverClan scent on her body, but there were obvious signs of wounds that no cat could have created. Because of this, I went ahead and buried her body in Willow's Rise. Tonight, I will help lead a mourning party out so that we can all pay our respects."

Chaos would surely come as it did every Clan meeting, but this was different. Cinderpaw had been a pillar for her fellow apprentices, despite her fiery personality and spitfire snark. She would be missed. "In our anger and our grief," Cinderstar concluded, "let us not forget what has happened; no matter who is to blame, the life... of a warrior was lost. We will mourn as a Clan, together."

And with that, she let a few moments pass so that the Clan could process the fact that not just one death had occurred, but two. A moment of silence would be well deserved.

**Estelle** · #**18926** July 29th, 2022, 07:09 PM

Hm Hmm Hmhm Hmmmmm.
Crowy was difficult. They kept blocking her path! Each time she tried to turn left or right something came in front of her and it was difficult. How would she ever find her mama if they didn't let her pass? Or worse -- Where they going to keep her there forever? A shiver of worry suddenly ran up her spine and the colours would've briefly drained from her face was it not covered in fur. She wanted out! The appie den was stinky and sweaty!! Slightly panicked eyes turned to Crowpaw, which quickly changed back to her pouty face when she realised they were talking to her. A glare is all the apprentice would be greeted by until Vixenkit turned around a sat down, frowning. She turned her head to look at Crowpaw briefly before quickly turning back again. Hmpf. Silly didn't understand a thing.

"Bvecauve--"
Oh this was getting difficult. BLEH she dropped the petals at her feet, protectively leaning over them.
((Also did they just say she was going to ruin the petals? BLEH would the kitten have stuck her tongue out at that) But,, she didn't want to ruin them either,,).

"Because mama's been gone for, I don't know, SUUUUPPERRRRR LOOonnngng. And her name is Foxflower and flowers have pretty petals and mama was pretty SO! Pretties special pretty petals will bring mama back home! Like-- A Guide!!"
The spotted kitten exclaimed, most of the previous irritation and pointedness gradually leaving as she explained. Even, after a few heartbeats, the clear pout that had graced her features fell when she poked the dropped petals between her paws.
"Well. Since these petals were found, AND pretty like mama, then they must be the best ones to bring her back!! Right?"
Finally turning to face the apprentice, big round eyes and an innocent look seeking for confirmation. Truthfully, she was already certain these petals were going to bring her mama back. BUT!! Crowpaw was, like,, A biggie cat! And biggie cats are always right. SO that means if Crowy said petals would bring mama back, then they really really would! And they already said they were special!! So double confirmation!!

[ @lumina ]

**lucidense** · #**18927** July 29th, 2022, 07:11 PM

Acornpaw's mouth hung open at the double death announcement. A warrior killed by a rogue.. and- Cinderpaw? His heart plummeted. All of the stress and arguing.. and Cinderpaw was dead. Acornpaw eyes got watery, imagining all the apprentice had gone through. He dipped his head, staring at the ground.

**Juniperbean** · #**18928** July 29th, 2022, 07:24 PM

Violetpaw shifted her tail *Cinderpaw is dead, and riverclan did kidnap her.* she thought then sighed *so many deaths.* she thought as her ears lowered a bit but kept her focus on cinderstar

**SpiritedWarrior** · #**18929** July 29th, 2022, 07:28 PM

Flamepaw hung her head low during the meeting, knowing it was best to keep quiet in order to prevent a possible argument. Her nose was almost buried in her white chest fur. However, it shot up as soon as Cinderstar had mentioned the death of Robinflight. This'll be the first time Snowpaw hears of this! Oh, I hope she does okay... Flamepaw couldn't help but whine a little in sympathy for her friend. And the next part of the meeting wasn't any happier- Cinderpaw had been killed by an animal. Luckily it wasn't RiverClan. Cinderpaw was her former denmate. And even though Flamepaw never spoke a word to her, the apprentice's heart ached with grief and anger. That piece of mouse-dung Skystar caused this! If he had never kidnapped Cinderpaw, this would have never happened! she wanted to yowl those words out loud but knew it would only cause yet another scolding by Cinderstar. The next words brought respect to Cinderpaw in Flamepaw's eyes. She's right... Cinderpaw was a warrior. Not an apprentice. She should have a warrior name! But who knows how long ago she died... she's already in StarClan. She entered StarClan with an apprentice's name.

-----------------

Mapleleaf breathed in as Robinflight's death was mentioned to the Clan. She had just helped Thunderblaze be able to move on, and she feared that his brother's name would spark that hatred for whoever killed the tom. And then came the rescue patrol's mention. She had been asked to go back to ThunderClan and not speak anything of it, so she had no idea that Cinderpaw had been killed. Rage coursed through her fur, making the tips of her ears hot. Though she guessed it was a good thing she wasn't there, otherwise she would have lost all the respect for RiverClan she had.

"May StarClan light their paths and may they find happiness," she pinned her ears back in sorrow for her lost apprentice Clanmate and family member.

**puppeteer** · #**18930** July 29th, 2022, 07:33 PM

Spiderleap looked at his new apprentice. She looked slightly familiar. Maybe they had trained together when he was an apprentice, before he was (then) Spiderpaw. "That I am! It's nice to meet you, Dandelionpaw!" He smiled and touched noses with her briefly. "You look familiar, we must have trained together when I was a 'paw."
@Estelle