High Rank Announcement [#hrannouncement]

**Pitou** · #**7791** December 1st, 2021, 11:17 PM

**Codpaw**

Nothing from Kestrelstar's announcements stuck out to Codpaw. It was concerning that something could happen that would bring the Thunderclan's deputy to Snakeheart for healing. But none of it seemed to concern him at all, it seemed so far removed from him. But the rule that apprentices weren't allowed to be out of camp, under the threat of postponement of his warrior ceremony, hit Codpaw in the pit of his stomach. He lowered himself to the ground without taking his eyes away from Kestrelstar. He'd so far done nothing wrong yet he felt like he was being punished. His warrior ceremony wasn't even a moon away, if he could get his mentor to expedite the last of his training. He was already under the threat of falling behind on his warrior ceremony due to his disastrous early apprenticeship and flaky mentors. The only way he could go back to exploring the territory then was to become a warrior.

**shaded shadow** · #**7792** December 2nd, 2021, 09:21 AM

What! thought rainingpaw she coudent leave camp without a warrior with her! cyotes they would have probably left by now why should they still worry about them she knew her mentor wouldent take her out anyway to train her she had never even met her mentor.

**EnderStorm** · #**7793** December 3rd, 2021, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spade

High Rank Announcement [#hrannouncement]

The sounds of his Clan gathering underneath him usually brought him anxiety, but this time a rush of relief flowed through him. If he had been less careful, if Dogbark hadn't been there... all of this could've been ripped away from him. Slipping through outstretched claws grasping for a paw hold. Kestrelstar took a moment to just let pride fill his gaze as it swept over the Clan.

There were a few that seemed to see right to his heeling wounds despite the effort he had made in cleaning them. It wasn't something he could hide from his Clan - if he didn't tell them now, it would only serve to fester as a rumor, and rumors usually only held a sliver of the actual truth. A few eyes prodded him - Whispershine, Silvernight, Sorrelhawk - but the most notable was the glare shot to him from Snakeheart. He knew the medicine was must be furious with him still, but that was a topic to discuss at a later time.

One cat's face in the crowd stood out to him, one that he hadn't spoken with since being back. Truth be told, Kestrelstar knew the two could go moons without speaking and the friendship would remain; Junipersong. The crab culprit, his best friend (the realization just now hitting him). His yellow gaze met her own, attempting to draw strength from the large molly.

Taking his attention away was his former apprentice, Nightleap. While he wished that she would just come into his den and ask instead of speaking at events, meetings, he directed his voice to her. "A meeting is not the time, Nightleap. You're welcome to come to my den afterwards." With that situation handled, Kestrelstar cleared his throat to begin.

Just as he was about to speak, yellow eyes noticed Coldpaw and Hazepaw on the edge of a scuffle, but Kestrelstar didn't have the energy to try to break it up. Instead, he shot the two apprentices a hard glare in the hopes that it would toss water onto the small fire.

"I wanted to address something before rumors start flying around. Some of you may have noticed that we had a visitor here last night and early this morning, as well as a few new scars on my pelt." Oh, stars above he hoped this went over well and that cats didn't start blaming him left and right. "While on an outing to Smallpines late last night, I came across Dogbark at the border, and shortly after, two skinny coyotes found us and attempted to make snacks out of us both. After the dust settled, he was gravely injured, and needed a medicine cat's attention. He would've gone back to ThunderClan... except that Dogbark has informed me of Icicleripple's unfortunate passing." The leader had been going back and forth about whether or not to reveal this, but he figured there would be more questions about why Dogbark didn't simply return to ThunderClan. He held a moment of silence for the fallen medicine cat, unable to ignore the small trickle of relief in the fact that for once, he didn't have a claw in a ThunderClan high rank death.

Kestrelstar felt silent for a moment to allow this to sink in. He didn't want to alarm anyone, or be silent long enough for chaos to ensue, so the gray tabby lifted his head just a bit. "Snakeheart generously agreed to heal him, and he has since been escorted back to the border. However I want this to serve as a warning for all."

Making sure his voice was heard, he continued, "Leaf-bare is fast approaching, and the predators that normally find food elsewhere will be coming closer to our camp. A reminder that kits are not allowed outside the camp walls under any circumstance, and apprentices are only allowed out with a warrior to accompany them. Any kits and apprentices found outside of camp breaking these rules will have their respective ceremonies delayed." Another beat, then, "I would prefer if cats traveled in groups of three at least. Keep an eye out, and report any alarming scents or sightings."

That was about it for the coyote situation, and hopefully the Clan would not break out in panic. Kestrelstar had remained level-headed and calm throughout the lecture, and he could only hope for his Clan to do the same. He would allow a moment or two before he moved on to ceremonies.

Slykit listened with his full attention, gthen, when it was over, went back to the nursery and went to sleep.

**spade** · #**7794** December 4th, 2021, 02:49 AM

High Rank Announcement [#hrannouncement]

It was clear as day the fear his Clanmates felt as he announced the return of the coyotes. Kestrelstar made a note to gather the shields later to discuss possible courses of action. Going into leaf-bare was already a daunting challenge, he didn't need to worry about vicious mutts on top of it. Hopefully the colder weather would scare them away at least for now while he and his Clan both regained their footing.

One cat leaving caught his attention, and his heart twisted in sympathy. Junipersong. It was still quite a fresh memory, the fateful day on the predator patrol. The strong she-cat had risked her life for his, driving back the coyote in his place as he fell. He had been grateful to her then, just as he was now. They hadn't talked one on one since he had been back, but Kestrelstar made a note to change that.

Piping up above the crowd was young Birdkit, and Kestrelstar was unable to hide a twitch of his whiskers in amusement. While he only participated nowadays in slander against other Clans in the privacy of his own den, it wasn't surprising to see that the nickname so often used for ThunderClan had gotten to Birdkit. "Yes, all of ThunderClan are cats, as are the other Clans." A small smile stretched across his face as he watched her briefly before moving on.

Kestrelstar stepped forward and lifted his tail for any chatter to die down. "With that out of the way, there are a few kits who are ready to begin their warrior training. Birdkit
[ @poppy. ], Dawnkit [ @Whirlpaw ], and Minnowkit [ @Angelique ], please step forward."

**Singing Jay** · #**7795** December 4th, 2021, 04:13 AM

| Both open |

~ Silvernight

The silvery molly could feel her muscles thence up as her leader mentioned the soon-to-be apprentices. She had never had an apprentice of her own, since she mostly spent her time with other things, but maybe this could be her lucky day?

Three apprentice who needed mentors. Dawnkit, Minnowkit and Bridkit. Birdkit? Ah, that was the kit who had thought everyone meant squirrel literally. Funny little thing. If Silvernight would have to chose one to be her apprentice she would have to go with that little fuzzball. But of course she'd be happy with anyone.

She examined the three kits as her brain got to work. Lets see. All the shields have an apprentice each except Fierceroar who is still rather young. Duckslip and Ravenspalsh have two appretnices each so they cant get any more. Other than that no one other than maybe Kestrelstar and Splashleap (well and Snakeheart two but anyway) everyone else could still get an apprentice...

It wasn't worrying, if someone other than her deserved an apprentice they'd get one and there was nothing she could do about the mater. Just hope.

~ Goldenpaw

Her usually calm facial expression now sunk in to a deep frown. Coyotes... AND Thunderclanners This wasn't good. She didn't doubt for one second that the squirrels across the border would try their little coyote-trick again. Maybe Aspenstar had cooked up some plan and not told Dogbark, who just so happened be there at a bad time. No, that was dump. If someone in Thunderclan it'd either the dog himself or a ragtag group of warriors behind their leaders back.

Other might have blamed everything with the war on Kestrelstar be they forgot who had started it all. Thunderclan and Buckstar had been the ones at fault. Now Eveningstar and Thunderclan had paid for that but it still wasn't enough. Goldenpaw wasn't a murderer like them but if she got the chance she'd haply make sure they knew they were in the wrong, not Riverclan.

But that wan't something to bother with now. Something that did concern her was what Kestrelstar had said about only going outside in groups. She didn't want to be forced to be around some warriors. Especially since far too many were disloyal of out right dump. She had no intention of braking the rules but she sure didn't like them.

**~whirl~** · #**7796** December 4th, 2021, 09:15 AM

Dawnkit smiled in excitement. Stepping up, she watched Kestrelstar. She was so excited today! It was her apprentice ceremony, after all. And she couldn't wait, YAY! The little she-kit (Well, soon to be she-apprentice) beamed excitedly. Dawnkit didn't mention that she was, like, SO excited today, did she?

**Madelaine** · #**7797** December 4th, 2021, 09:48 AM

Minnowkit stepped forward.

**Akira** · #**7798** December 4th, 2021, 01:00 PM

Reedpaw let out a little sigh. At least something good was happening now. The dark gray tom watched closely, remembering his own ceremony and giving the soon to be apprentices a comforting smile, even if they didn't know or see him.

**poppy** · #**7799** December 4th, 2021, 07:50 PM

Birdkit looked up at her 'buddy' as he informed her of the actual species of the bordering Clan. She blinked. Well that made a LOT more sense then her theory about Kestrel being able to speak squirrel. It was like her whole life in the Clan was rewritten, as she hadn't been able to fathom eating anything but fish, horrified that RiverClan was preying on their neighboring groups. She had remembered Dawn feeding her squirrels when she was a outsider and once she heard that one of the Clans was made completely of squirrels... she was overcome with guilt, because she was so sure that eating enemy Clans was frowned upon in this new home of hers. And the toads and slugs of ShadowClan were actual cats too? And ThunderClan wasn't squirrels and WindClan weren't rabbits? How could anyone come up with those nicknames? Unless..... maybe ThunderClan cats had red fur and poofy tails and WindClan had giant ears and ShadowClan cats were absolutely hideous, if cats mistaked them for toads and slugs.

Or maybe it was just not nice nicknames, there was that to. She had heard one of her denmates call their sister a mouse-brain, which was probably just an insult since mice were pretty stupid, and while some cats did really dumb things, if they were mouse-brains all they would do was sleep and eat. Which wasn't too far off from what some of the cats did around here, but she couldn't really judge. She didn't do much either.

Preparing to sit back down, she didn't register her name being called by Kestrel. Instead she looked around for this other Birdkit, who she was very upset with because she had gotten her name stolen. Wait, wasn't she the only Birdkit around here? Yeah, she was. If she wasn't, she would have certainly met the other kit, right? Yeah, and then the could be best buddies. (well, second best buddies. she didn't want to make kestrel sad! he was number one best buddy!) She chortled a bit when she imagined what their interactions would be like. 'Hey Birdkit!' 'How are you Birdkit?' 'I'm doing just fabulous, Birdkit. How are you?' They would probably have to refrain from using each other's names to prevent any confusion. But when no future second best buddy came forward, she looked up at Kestrel with wide eyes. Pointing at her chest, she mouthed, 'Me?'. Of course it was her!

Scampering forward to try and stand by Dawnkit and Minnowkit (who one of them had the name of her not-mom, Dawn, which was COOL but also sad) she went too fast and when she was ready to stop, she accidentally tripped herself! Her left paw TRIPPED her front right paw and she faceplanted in front of the Streamstone. Immediately sitting up, her face all dusty, the ragdoll gave her left paw a perplexed look. Stupid thing. Then, she looked around. No one noticed. Probably.

But she couldn't help it, she burst into a fit of giggles. That was so silly of her! But then, she noticed (after a awkward moment of silence), that she probably shouldn't laugh, so she stuffed her left paw in her mouth, stifling her giggles until they stopped. It was the perfect punishment for that traitorous little trippy paw. Settling down beside Minnow and Dawn, she gave them both huge grins. WOW, this was so exciting!

Looking around again, she saw someone smiling at her! She forgot his name, but he looked nice, she she pulled her paw out of her mouth and waved enthusiastically at him. ''HI!'' She whispered loudly. ''I want you to know that you have a nice smile and.... that was random but I just thought that you should know that so you're welcome.'' She smiled cheesily at him, then turned back to Kestrel.
@Kyrieknight (just a mention of reedbabysweetiepie

)

**spade** · #**7800** December 5th, 2021, 12:01 PM

High Rank Announcement [#hrannouncement]

Proud to see that all of the kits had stepped forward, Kestrelstar looked each of them in the eye. He hoped they were ready to become apprentices - Birdkit appeared to be the most enthusiastic, and the RiverClan leader's whiskers twitched in amusement at her stumble. She appeared to be fine though, so he continued with the meeting.

"From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Birdpaw, Dawnpaw, and Minnowpaw. Train well, learn all you can, and you will make great additions to the Clan."

Casting his gaze out towards the Clan, he already had a few warriors in mind. "Birdpaw
[ @Poppy ] your mentor will be Silvernight [ @Singing Jay ]. Dawnpaw [ @Whirlpaw ] you will train with Rosyfrost [ @mystical ]. And Minnowpaw [ @Angelique ], your mentor will be Dragonflyfrond [ @Kade Clock ]."

With the new apprentices done and out of the way, Kestrelstar gave them a moment to find each other and touch noses. He knew this was an important step in their ceremony, and wanted to give them adequate time to do so. There were plenty of apprentices who's mentors were missing, and that would need to be fixed. Both of his apprentices had vanished - his heart ached for Tumblepaw - but that was something to focus on another time.

"Rainingpaw, Goldenpaw, Batpaw, Ivypaw, Nightpaw, Honeypaw, and Reedpaw," Kestrelstar began, realizing that for a brief moment there would be two Reedpaw's in the Clan. Hopefully not much longer, as he had plans for the older tome. He made sure to look at the younger Reedpaw, that he was indicating, nodding to her. "Your mentors have not been seen around camp, and therefor your training will need to continue with another."

"Rainingpaw [ @shaded shadow ], your new mentor will be Nightleap [ @Kunaiskrill ]."

"Goldenpaw [ @Singing Jay ], your new mentor will be Streampelt [ @~Fierce~ ]. You have trained Morningpaw well, and as she is ready for her assessment, I trust you to complete Goldenpaw's training."

"Batpaw [ @Playtime! ], you will continue your training with Ryebelly [ @vcrdant ]."

"Ivypaw [ @Whirlpaw ], your new mentor will be Ravenflight [ @Pidge ]."

"Nightpaw [ @Jae ], your mentor will now be Troutberry [ @soggyfruuit ]."

"Honeypaw [ @/Jae ], your training will continue with Bearwind [ @Cat Bee ]."

"And lastly, Whitepaw [ @WinterMara ]," Kestrelstar added, choosing to do this reassignment since he had not seen her mentor around camp too often. Perhaps once or twice in the past few days, certainly not enough to mentor two apprentices. "I have not seen Duckslip for a few days. While the scent in his nest indicates that he is not missing, I want your training to continue with a warrior who I know will not leave us. Sunsetbloom [ @Rani ] will continue your training."

There was one last apprentice that he had not assigned, and this one was a bit special. Looking towards Reedpaw [ @Nixey ] - the younger one - he grinned. "Snakeheart has told me that he wishes to make an announcement, so I will give the floor to him," Kestrelstar called, casting his gaze towards his brother. This would be exciting to watch, indeed.
@/Rani