Clan Meeting [finally, right?]

[Meerful]

F-F-F-Flail,,

i've realized there's no right way to go;
so what if i'm a sinner?
i've got black spots on my liver
and cancer grown on both my lungs;

[eek i'm so sorry, i lost all my like,
preparations, so i'm wingin' it, kay?]

Flailstar walked out of his den, enjoying the warmth of the sun of his pelt, relishing every bit of it. New leaf had finally begun, and sooner or later it would be green leaf, and all the clans would be full fed once again. His paws were itching, and a certain feeling of urgency was causing a pit of anticipation to roll around inside of his stomach until he nearly felt sick.
He needed to do something.
He glanced around the clearing, and almost instinctively, he leaped onto the highrock to summon his clan.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the highrock" His voice rang out across the clearing. He'd spoken to mentors a few sunrises ago, and hopefully he had everything organised and ready to go.

[urg, bad, i know. it'll get better as it progresses, i promise ;D]

[Blackie]

"Let all cats old enough . . ."

As the ancient traditional words rang in his ears, the mottled warrior stretched his jaws in a massive yawn. He blinked open drowsy eyes and grumbled softly to himself. Hadn't he just been out on patrol, and he was being woken up again? Smokefoot flexed his sore muscles and moved out of his nest. Pine needles fell of of his pelt back to the ground with a soft rustle. Then, with one last irritated moan, the warrior stepped out of the den and into the light.

He blinked his amber eyes and glared in the general direction of the highrock and Flailstar. Just give me a moment to wake up.



Unlike her senior, Ryepaw was ecstatic about the meeting. The long-furred apprentice raced out of her den into the clearing. With her bronze eyes bright and attentive, the young cat planted herself in the middle of the clearing and looked up at her leader with admiration. Where is Lizzardpaw? she thought nervously. We've got to do this together!



As her Clanmates bustled around in the camp, answering Flailstar's call, Dawnkit sat still in her nest. Only the cat's old enough to catch prey were allowed at meetings, but would that ever include her? This might be the very day her brothers become apprentices. Would she be allowed beside them. Dawnkit glared sightlessly at the ground, her fur bristling with anger. A blind kit could never be a warrior.

[/size]

[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

((this will be short, since I have little to no muse left in me))

Lizzardpaw's dull yellow eyes flashed open with a start. She wasn't surprised by the darkness that greeted her, but then again she didn't care, either. Flailstar's call had rung in her ears, causing the little femme to get to her paws. This Clan meeting only could mean one thing, that she was finally going to get her mentor. Immediately the calico fae struggled to her paws clumsily; she almost looked like a newborn fawn standing up for the first time. The joy she felt was unmatchable by any aspect. Lizzardpaw raced out of the den, nearly running into a senior warrior as she did so.

She picked up her best friend, Ryepaw's, scent immediately. Taking quick steps, Lizzardpaw joined her fellow apprentice in the center of the clearing. She didn't care that she normally sat in the back, now wasn't a time for that. Lizzardpaw's sightless eyes moved to Ryepaw, a happy glint in them for once. "Yes! I think we're getting mentors today," Lizzardpaw mewled, sounding like she did when she was first made into an apprentice.

[Ferny]

Ghostkit

Like a gift from the heavens it was easy to tell...

A bright blue eye flicked open as the large siamese cat woke. Shaking his head he licked his paw and wiped it over his face to give himself a quick wash. His long gray tabby like tail whipped to the side as he stood and lost his balance. He froze and glanced over his shoulder, luckily it didn't seem that many cats were in here. Not many in here. Mousedung. Glancing around the den he realized that not much kits were here. He darted out of the den and looked around the clearing, luckily cats were just beginning to gather. Breathing a sigh of relief he strolled to the left of the crowd and sat by himself near the front. It was about time he would get a mentor, hopefully. With apprenticeship perhaps he would get more friends. Who knows.

...it was love from above that would save me from hell

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[~All I Need]

{ I WALK THIS EMPTY STREET ON STREET

[/color] }
{ ON THE BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS[/color] }[/center]

The chaos of a Clan meeting reached Magmakit's mind and ears. Mutters and mews of excitement and worry were not so fascinating, but the thoughts and feelings of all of ShadowClan pushed against his skull. It made him want to push his paws against his head and scream until there was no life in him. But that didn't matter; compared to what was to happen, nothing much did. That was what made Magma not dare glance at those pathetic excuses for living beings. They worried about the pitiest of stuff such as StarClan while Magma looked beyond their borders. Soon, he would encompass that Earth with his power. With Scorpion at his side.
But the stupidest of stuff such as the Clan had to get in the way...
Notcing Dawnkit not sitting far away from him, staring at the ground with hurt etched in every whisker and hair, Magma could tell that her ailness was getting under her skin. Flailstar had no choice but to apprentice her; there was no exception. They were the children of Fireice and Tanshadow, no doubt the most loyal warriors there ever was in ShadowClan. Though his littermate didn't show her pain, Magma felt all of the emotions boiling inside of her. It was so powerful it was scorching his pelt. The scent of burnt fur was rank in the den.
As he walked past his sister, Magma's tail trailed lazily but reassuringly on her shoulder. Without glancing at Cavernkit--the one he learned to hate and loathe and reject--Magmakit strolled out of the nursery. He wasn't ever going to look back at this place ever again. A journey was waiting for him.
" Come on Dawnkit, our future awaits. "

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

...Consumed by hate...

[/color][/size]

{ AND HELP ME BELIEVE IT'S NOT THE REAL ME[/color] }
{ SOMEBODY HELP ME TAME THIS ANIMAL[/color] }[/center]

The ancient words were like a ritual in Cavernkit's head. For once, his mind was quite sane from the temporary leave of absence of The Hate. For a while it seemed that he would get no peace at all, no sense of freedom. But just like that, it vanished. Yet still leaving a message of foreboding that made the tom's spine quiver with apprehension. He hoped with all of his corrupted heart that it wouldn't seize control of him during the Clan meeting and make him attack his brother. As much as he hated Magma, Cavernkit couldn't bring himself to hurt his brother at such an important time of his life. Maybe--just maybe--if he were to have the foundation of protecting his Clan, concentration would be brought to his mind and all of this horrible memory and trauma would be erased. But of course, all goods things must come to an end.
Blinking his gray eyes, the muscular tom watched his siblings near the nursery entrance. It seemed that everything that used to matter to him were just evaporating right before his eyes; the oasis in the desert. He was dying of thirst and when he reached the water he needed, it just disappeared right before his incredulous gaze.
Heaving himself to his powerful paws, the dark tabby groomed himself really quickly and walked slowly out of the nuresry, feeling sort of sheepish. He didn't look at his brother or his sister as he passed them, as if they were just mirages next to him. But the tension between him and Magmakit crackled in the air like lightning. Nothing was going to be left unfinished.
" Today might be my day, " he muttered to himself. " Carpe diem... "

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

{ ELECTRIC BLUE EYES ALWAYS BE NEAR ME

[/color] }
{ ELECTRIC BLUE EYES I NEED YOU[/color] }[/center]

It's about time for a Clan meeting. Good for Flailstar, he's a new leader and has already hopped to it. Many kits need to be apprenticed. And many apprentices need to be made warriors.
The black tom's gaze slid over all that was gathered, greedily drinking in the ShadowClan's leader's words. A few kits sat near the front, the once evident signs of youth now maturing into adulthood. A smile lifted the corners of his mouth. Life always found a way to go on. No matter what.
I might get an apprentice... Dragonflyeyes thought as the noise turned to a caucaphony. There were the three; Magmakit, Dawnkit, and Cavernkit of Tanshadow and Fireice. Mystery and a sort of darkness seemed to envelope them, sealing them from the reality and comfort. What kind of thoughts were running through their poor minds at this moment? agony? a sense of apprenhension? The tom lifted his purple gaze to the young cat that was now leader. Flailstar must've had enough sense to apprentice these poor children. Didn't he? Who would be his apprentice?

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Blackie]

Ryepaw gave Lizzardpaw a gentle nudge with her nose. She was quivering with excitement. "When it's our turn to get mentors, we have to go up at the same exact time, alright? This is going to be so much fun!" The fluffy gray apprentice purred, looking up at Flailstar with more eagerness than she had ever given any cat. Suddenly, she felt a presence behind her and eyes boring into her spine. Turning quickly, Ryepaw caught Smokefoot's bright stare before he quickly looked away again. She glared at him. "Smokefoot is watching us." she murmured to her calico friend. "I don't like him, he's crazy. He never, ever laughs. He's so weird."


Woken from her thoughts by Magmakit's gentle touch, Dawnkit blinked a few times and sighed. Whatever happened, she still had her brothers, right? Using Magmakit's scent as a guide, the tan she-kit followed her brother until she could brush her muzzle against his flank. "Thanks," she murmured, not caring if he knew what she was thanking him for or not. Really, she wasn't quite sure what she was thankful for either. She just was.

Totally aware of her surroundings now, Dawnkit was quick to notice Cavernkit pass his littermates without so much as a word. Excitement came off of both her brothers in different types. Magmakit was confident while Cavernkit obviously felt some sort of tension and discomfort. Remembering the dream in which Fireice had visited her, Dawnkit recalled her mother's dark words. Could Cavernkit really be evil? No. I'll help him. I'll always be here for him.

"Come on." she mewed authoritatively to Magmakit. "We're going to sit together, all three of us. No excuses. Fireice would want us to. And can we talk after the ceremony? I want to tell you something." Without waiting for his answer - but expecting him to agree to her requests - Dawnkit bounded on to Cavernkit. She hadn't realized just how big her brother was until she was next to him and putting his body together with her broken senses. Fireice should be pleased with him, not worried!

"Cavernkit," Dawnkit mewed. She addressed him differently than she had with her brother. She could feel something within him that she understood but didn't know. Softly, trying to express her love without overwhelming him, she told him "We're going to sit together today. Fireice would want us to. Don't you think she'd be so proud to see us waiting together for our apprentice names? All you have to do is not fight with Magmakit." her blind orbs sparkled with amusement and she nudged Cavernkit playfully. "I'll sit on both of you if I have to."

[/size]

[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

Lizzardpaw nodded. "Yep, the same time. Oh I can't wait! It's about time my training really got a good jump-start." She grinned at her friend once, before she allowed her mind to wander. What if her mentor didn't approve of her? What if they thought of her as weak because of her sight loss, and therefore just refused to train her all together? Though she'd act like it wouldn't, Lizzardpaw knew that if that happened it'd hurt terribly. She sighed, gaze becoming crestfallen for a moment before she forced herself to smile again. This would be a great day, and her mentor would be a wonderful and great cat. Ryepaw's words suddenly brought Lizzardpaw to attention. Yet what she said made her suddenly feel uncomfortable.

"Smokefoot is watching us." she murmured to her calico friend. "I don't like him, he's crazy. He never, ever laughs. He's so weird."

Lizzardpaw felt her eartips turning red. "Oh, come on now, he's actually really nice..." she replied softly. "I talked to him a little." Lizzardpaw vaguely remembered the butterflies she often felt when she thought of Smokefoot. The feeling was so foreign to her that she didn't know how to react. Still, she felt the urge to defend Smokefoot, though she had no idea why.

[~All I Need]

{ I WALK THIS EMPTY STREET ON STREET

[/color] }
{ ON THE BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS[/color] }[/center]

"Come on. We're going to sit together, all three of us. No excuses. Fireice would want us to. And can we talk after the ceremony? I want to tell you something."

[/color]
Magma looked at his sister with a look in his eye. He knew she couldn't see, so his hatred to his brother was hidden. The tom was glad Dawnkit didn't have his ability to feel others' feelings and hear their minds. That would soon rub his fur the wrong way. Blinking his orange eyes, the tom followed his sister, contemplating what she just said. What would she know about Fireice? Magmakit barely ever talked about her because he had the horrible feeling that she would try to stop the prophecy and destroy his love for Scorpion. That couldn't happen, it just couldn't.
" Very well then. See you in a moment. "
The tom quickly--like a shadow--skirted the throng of cats and waited outside Shrewspots's den. He already knew who his mentor was going to be, no one else. A smile shadowed his lips. This was going to be a memorable day.[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

...Consumed by hate...

[/color][/size]

{ AND HELP ME BELIEVE IT'S NOT THE REAL ME[/color] }
{ SOMEBODY HELP ME TAME THIS ANIMAL[/color] }[/center]

Cavernkit heard his siblings talking behind him as he went to the front of the cats. Well, actually, Dawnkit was doing all of the talking. She wasn't the talkative sort; indeed, she was sort of shy. Bits and pieces of their conversation made him c o c k his head to hear better.
"Fireice would want us to... Can we talk after the ceremony...?"
"...Very well then..."
The dark tom's fur bristled slightly at the thought that Dawnkit didn't care for him anymore. It wouldn't surprise me... Since nobody cares anymore...

[/color] His thoughts were broken off as he noticed his sister's prescence beside him.
Cavernkit. We're going to sit together today. Fireice would want us to. Don't you think she'd be so proud to see us waiting together for our apprentice names? All you have to do is not fight with Magmakit. I'll sit on both of you if I have to."[/color]
The shocked tom tried to hold back his emotions as he stared at his sister. Overwhelming love was in her voice. His eyes narrowed as she brought up Magmakit. But this was Dawnkit that was asking for a favor, he would do anything for her.
A ghost of a sad smile tilted the corners of his mouth as he noticed the amusment sparkling in his sister's gaze. The tom bumped his broad muzzle into her small shoulder. It was then he realized how small she was compared to him and his brother. Just how old are we, exactlly?[/color] he thought to himself. [/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

{ ELECTRIC BLUE EYES ALWAYS BE NEAR ME

[/color] }
{ ELECTRIC BLUE EYES I NEED YOU[/color] }[/center]

Dragonflyeyes thought quietly by himself as he noticed what was going on around him. There were the two female apprentices, Ryepaw and Lizzardpaw. Maybe he would enjoy taking care of the energetic gray apprentice. Or maybe the blind one, the calico. It would be a pleasant challenge for both him and Lizzardpaw. The black tom shrugged his shoulders. He might be getting an apprentice or not. It was Flailstar's choice.
Dragonflyeyes glanced at the forest colored tom as he continued to ponder. Flailstar was strong and confident, but he was so young. Almost too young. The tom shivered. Would Flailstar be strong enough to take the weight of his Clan on his shoulders?

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Blackie]

Smokefoot's fur lifted hotly from Ryepaw's accusing glance. He forced himself to look around the camp instead of at his paws. That would only serve in demonstrating his embarrassment. Which was something he did not need. If he wanted to demonstrate his potential as a warrior and mentor to Flailstar, then he needed to be able to endure the silly looks of young apprentices. Even Lizzardpaw. Smokefoot shivered. How could her blind eyes be so piercing? As if they could look straight into his heart. Mentally, he abused himself with angry words. The calico apprentice was only half his age with little to no experience in the cruelty of Clan life. It was selfish of him to direct any feeling toward her. He didn't deserve her and she would never want him. It was hopeless, this life. Every day he was finding something else to pain him. First the total destruction of his family and now denied love. The mottled warrior dug his claws into the ground. His eyes darkened. Maybe it would be easier to just die.


"Smokefoot? Nice?! But he never says a word!" she looked back over her shoulder as if she couldn't believe Lizzardpaw knew who she was talking about. "Look at him. Oh no, sorry. Let me tell you what he looks like: he's very ugly with the worst scowl in the WHOLE world. His ears are chopped off; no, really! It looks like he let a fox chomp on his head. He looks as if he were sitting on top of a really stinky hedgehog. He looks so mad." By now, Ryepaw was completely amused with herself, turning back around to snicker. "Anyway," she mewed, attempting to take control of herself. "Who do you want to mentor you?"

[/size]

[Burningwing]

Crowpaw rose hesitantly from her nest as she heard Flailstar's call from highrock. Her glazed blue eyes stared blankly through the entrance, then was frankly replaced by an austere expression as she clawed her way out into the sunlight. It absorbed quickly in her jet black fur, and she stretched leisurely before padding quietly to the edge of the crowd of cats that had gathered. Her gaze drifted over the mass of cats before it was drawn to Flailstar. She stared at him, taking in his forest-coloured fur, his stance, his voice. It had changed, she thought, from when they were younger. It held more authority, more strength. She couldn't help but feel a tinge of melancholy as images of her old mentor, Dogstar filled her mind. Then, pushing them away, she turned her attention back to highrock, ears pricked.

[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

"Smokefoot? Nice?! But he never says a word!"

Lizzardpaw glared at her friend, resisting the urge to hiss furiously. She had no clue why she was so defensive of Smokefoot, but she was. The tom had done nothing wrong, though, and it practically infuriated her that Ryepaw was judging him for no reason. "I told you, I've talked to him," Lizzardpaw growled quietly. "He's nice, and so what if he doesn't talk? Give him a break. You don't know him." Lizzardpaw wanted to say more, but Ryepaw wasn't done speaking.

"Look at him. Oh no, sorry. Let me tell you what he looks like: he's very ugly with the worst scowl in the WHOLE world. His ears are chopped off; no, really! It looks like he let a fox chomp on his head. He looks as if he were sitting on top of a really stinky hedgehog. He looks so mad."

Lizzardpaw rolled her eyes. "Oh come on, you're not being fair to him! Or me, either. I can hear you snickering," Lizzardpaw mewed, feeling her pelt begin to bristle. She wanted to drop the subject, yet the urge to defend Smokefoot was still strong. Lizzardpaw half wanted to look back at him and invite him to sit with her and Ryepaw, but deep down she doubted he wanted to. Instead, Lizzardpaw looked back towards Smokefoot's scent and shot him a quick smile before turning her head again.'

In response to Ryepaw's question, Lizzardpaw shrugged. "Anyone, really. Any good warrior, it'd be great if I got Flailstar though!" Even though Lizzardpaw was still angry at Ryepaw, her excitement about getting a mentor outweighed that. "What about you?"

[Blackie]

"Oh come on, you're not being fair to him! Or me, either. I can hear you snickering,"

Ryepaw cast her friend a quizzical look. As far as she was concerned, Smokefoot wasn't a bad cat. He was just weird. It was even weirder, though, to hear Lizzardpaw growling in his defense. He must have done something complimentary to Lizzardpaw; Ryepaw couldn't imagine any reason why the calico would want her to be nicer to the warrior. It was weird.

"Anyone, really. Any good warrior, it'd be great if I got Flailstar though! What about you?"

Ryepaw shrugged. "I'm not sure, actually. Flailstar would be a really fun mentor to have. I at least want one of the more adventurous warriors. I hate being stuck in camp caring for the elders!" Ryepaw wrinkled her nose. A warrior who liked to be outside camp would be much better for her. An amused glitter slipped into her eyes. Glancing side ways at Lizzardpaw, she gave the blind apprentice a playful nudge. "Know what?" she mewed in a teasing voice. "Betcha Smokefoot's your mentor, since you seem to like him so much!"



She smiled at him! Smokefoot flinched, shocked. What had prompted her? Lizzardpaw's silly friend was still jabbering. A typical youngster. Smokefoot could remember his apprentice days with Leopardpaw and Emberpaw. They were constantly telling jokes and laughing at each other. But Lizzardpaw didn't look like she was laughing. Was Ryepaw being rude to her? Smokefoot frowned, not believing that the gray apprentice would be purposely mean. Weren't they best friends? Yet, Lizzardpaw looked upset and Ryepaw amused. Something was wrong.

[/size]

[Eelstreak]

Eelpaw popped his head out of the apprentice den and looked around. Flailstar was on the Highrock and had given the call! Clan meeting time. "Finally!" the apprentice hissed and ducked back into the den to wake his still-sleeping sister Ferretpaw.

"Ferret!" The gray tom flicked her ear with his tail. To his surprise, she reached out with a forepaw and batted him away. "Ferretpaw!"

The small she-cat raised her head and blinked groggily at him. "Oh. You're right. Of course." Her brother looked at her through narrowed eyes. "What was that all about?"

Ferretpaw sat up and began bathing with a shrug. "Finishing a conversation." Eelpaw, eager to get down to the meeting, but also curious about her strange statement, sat down and asked, "With who?"

"Someone in a dream."

The answer was very cryptic and started Eelpaw thinking. "What was the dream about?"

Ferretpaw smoothed a paw over her ears and replied, "Oh, nothing important." Eelpaw fixed her with a baleful stare.

"Ferretpaw, you know how important dreams can be to Clan cats. They can mean anything. They can even be sent by StarClan."

Ferretpaw sighed in exasperation. She stopped her bath and returned her brother's stare. "Alright, if you must know. In my dream you were explaining to me how you would much rather be female from now on. Then you walked away with Magmakit while Flailstar did a two-step in the middle of the Thunderpath."

"Then again, there are times when dreams are simply ravings of the mind and should be completely ignored as nonsense," Eelpaw meowed quickly.

While Ferretpaw nodded smugly, Eelpaw went on, "Anyway, we need to go. There's a Clan meeting on!" Ferretpaw sprang to her paws in excitement.

"Finally we get new mentors!" She dashed out of the den, leaving Eelpaw to trail behind, muttering, "Or maybe we could be made warriors, there's that too, you know."

Eelpaw caught sight of Stormingpaw still sitting in her nest, staring out at the center of the camp. "Come on, Storm," he said gruffly. "You can't sit in here forever. Let's go see what's up. Who knows, you might get to be a warrior today."

"I'll bet," growled Stormingpaw as she dragged herself out of her nest. "I hate ceremonies." The two gray cats entered the clearing together and sat down next to each other to watch the proceedings.

[Meerful]

F-F-F-Flail,,

love is a shadow;
how we lie and cry after it;
listen, these are its hooves;
it has gone off like a horse again

Daylight was beginning to lick greedily at Flailstar's fur and adding a tint of honey hues to his forest-coloured pelt. It relaxed his muscles as he nervously awaited for his clan to rouse themselves from their dens and hear to his meeting.
Today just had to be the day he carried out some of the many important tasks he had as the leader of Shadowclan. A hint of remorse stabbed into his heart as he recalled always admiring his leader from atop the rock upon which he now was sitting; a gargoyle himself, possibly a part of the rock. He felt stone-like and his haunches were becoming stiff from waiting. An aching anticipation was begging him to leap and yowl the summons once again so he could tell his clan how proud he was, how excited he was. His heart swelled as he thought of calling out their names in the presence of Starclan so that they may know and understand that Shadowclan was thriving... And they were strong. They were warriors.
Almost instantly he leaped to his paws and began to pace back and forth, no longer conjoined to the stone he now trod on. His paws, hard from use, easily slithered over the rough contours of the rock, impatient and eager to begin. He waited even more as his clan settled below him, already beginning to speak to one another just as he longed to speak to them, and tell them all of his new plans. His eyes fell on certain cats in particular, and most defnitely, [xxxx].
For moons, Flailstar had been contemplating on which cat he would like to mentor. As leader, he knew he would have to get used to such a time consuming position, but now that he was accustomed to his responsibilities, he felt he was ready to take on another apprentice. After inconspicuously observing the kits as he got older, he had become fond of [xxxx]. Flailstar's patience was steadily being lapped away like sand on the shore into the mouth of the ocean. He had to start. Now or never.
"As leader, it's about time I got around to performing the duties I accepted responsibility of in the eyes of Starclan. One of those falls under naming new warriors, and as the leader of Shadowclan, I couldn't be more proud of the apprentices that have trained so hard, and I believe more than ever, that they deserve their warriors names." Flailstar's voice rang across the clearing, hoping he wasn't sounding too self-imposing. He wanted to earn the respect of his clan, not demand it. Straightening up a little, he scanned the crowd for his apprentices.
"Crowpaw, Fragmentpaw, please come up here."

[eww flail is so OOC, but whatever. ;p]

[Ferny]

Ghostpaw

Like a gift from the heavens it was easy to tell...

He started to shuffle his paws, then stopped, his new motto raced into his mind. Don't let any sign of weakness show. If you do you will be shot down. He pulled his long stripped tail neatly over his paws and lifted his head up. He turned and looked over towards his den mates. Any normal cat would be able to see the kits and the warriors surrounding them, but because of his one eye his vision was restricted to normal on one side and lines on the other. Darkness seemed to be falling. He flicked his ears back and faced Flailstar again.

Taking a deep breath and closed his eyes. One day. One day you can prove yourself. Until then keep your head low. He opened his eyes and gazed up at the Shadowclan Leader. Head low. Would he get special treatment? He hoped not, if he did he would be beyond angry. Flexing his claws he glanced around the gathered group looking for the called apprentices. Who will be my mentor? He shuffled his back feet slightly and sat up straight and gazed directly at Flailstar. He would wait his turn, in truth he was excited, but he didn't show it.

...it was love from above that would save me from hell

[/size][/color][/i][/right]

[Badgersoul]

{ YOUR PRESENCE STILL LINGERS HERE }
{ AND IT WON'T LEAVE ME ALONE }

Fragmentpaw's sandy silhouette made her way to the bottom of Highrock. Her forest green eyes stared up at her leader. Fragmentpaw had a slight crush on the powerful tom; but she didn't know if it was because of him or because of how much power he possessed. Shaking slightly, Fragmentpaw sat down and waited for her leader to speak.

[ooc= I need a better picture of Fragmentpaw ]

[Meerful]

F-F-F-Flail,,

i'm still flyyy :]

Looking into Fragmentpaw's eyes, Flailstar searched them for the cat that had arrived here so long ago as a loner, wanting to become a part of clan life. He wondered if she was sure about what she was getting ready to promise to him, and just how much this promise meant. After a moment, it occurred to him just how loyal Fragmentpaw was, and it made his heart swell to know he had such an amazing clan. Taking a deep breath, Flailstar spoke the ancient ceremonial words;
"I, Flailstar, leader of ShadowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Fragmentpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?" His head was raised proudly, enjoying the feeling of being able to direct this she-cat from an apprentice to a warrior. The pride in his heart could not equal anything he'd ever felt in the world.
[short post xD]

[Badgersoul]

{ YOUR PRESENCE STILL LINGERS HERE }
{ AND IT WON'T LEAVE ME ALONE }

Fragmentpaw's forest green orbs stared up at Flailstar with eyes full of amazement. She wasn't expecting to become a warrior already, of coarse she wanted it. It was just; she wasn't born a clan cat. Though now a days things weren't as bad as they once were, it still took longer for a nonclanborn to become a warrior then a clanborn. Surprise and amazment turned into pure excitement. This was what she wasn't more then anything else in the whole forest

Getting up from where she sat; Fragmentpaw padded forward slowly. Her green gaze shifting, hoping to see the reactions of the other cats.

"I, Flailstar, leader of ShadowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Fragmentpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Moving her gave back onto her leader; the sand-colored she-cat bent her head down. " Yes "

[Burningwing]

As Crowpaw walked stiffly to stand directly below the highrock, it took all her strength to avert her eyes from Flailstar's face. If she did, surely her face would crumple and fall, and the false look of calm on her facade would become furrowed and pockmarked, like footprints in smooth white sand. But her eyes were like moths, and Flailstar was like a lantern. Although she knew she would perish and burn, she could not keep herself from drifting into the light. Finally she gave way, and her light blue gaze flickered onto her leader's face. It rested on Fragmentpaw beside her, and instead of the sorrow she expected to feel, she could feel jealosy pumping through every strand of black fur on her body.

She shouldn't feel that way, but old habits die hard, and it seemed she was not strong enough the slaughter those emotions within her. She instead kept them caged, barred up within her, and each time they rattled against the bars of her mind, she could feel a streak of pain shudder through her, involentarily. And so she watched the tan apprentice get her warrior name, while she sat, a dark umbrage among the others.

//sorry i took so long to post x)//

[*-*Winterfrost*-*]

((OOC: Wow, should have been here a LONG time ago. Sorry, all, for being late. Ignore me.))

Torchwhisker popped his head out of the warriors' den. Mouse dung. He hadn't even heard Flailstar's summons, he'd been so asleep. He pulled his head back in and cursed again before hastily ridding his coat of moss and leftover tidbits from his nest. As quietly as he could, the tom slipped out of the den and made for the back of the crowd. Flailstar was doing a warrior ceremony. Mouse dung. No, not mouse dung. Badger dung. This was really embarassing. He was supposed to have been out here earlier, not sneaking in late right in the middle of one of the Clans' most important ceremonies. Please, StarClan, just let me get my furry butt over there and get sat down like like a good warrior so nobody will be too angry.

Either StarClan was listening or he was just very, very lucky. Torchwhisker sat down as far back in the crowd as he could get, and tried to be as far out of Flailstar's line of sight as possible without missing the ceremony. Of course, that was impossible, but he had to try anyway. Nope, no such lucky. The warrior, or so they called him, even though he felt more like a kit who had stolen fresh-kill from an elder, stopped moving around and sat stock-still, listening to the ceremony and behaving himself. Just please, please, please let me not get in too much trouble for being late and interrupting....

[Meerful]

flail [/color][/font][/size]

the flowers you gave me are rotting and still
I refuse to throw them away

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Taking a deep breath, Flailstar continued, ”Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name: Fragmentpaw, from this moment you will be known as Fragment[shardfillsintheblankD<]. StarClan honors your dedication and your fidelity, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan.” Stepping forward, Flailstar rested his muzzle on Fragment[D<]’s head, waiting for her to lick his shoulder so she could go join the warriors before her silent vigil.
Once that was finished, his eyes fell upon a feline not so unfamiliar to him. The sun that was touching his pelt earlier and soothing his nervous-tense muscles now made his pelt too hot and caused him to be even more nervous than before, but then again; Crowpaw had always made him nervous. Ever since the day he met her and ran with her like the forest would go on forever, she had caused his whiskers to tremble and his skin to crawl. He had loved her. Maybe he still did.
”We still have one [or are there more?] cat to make a warrior. Crowpaw!” Flailpaw called her name with forced intense ease, already unsure of what the situations outcome was about to be.
Claws quietly scraping against the rock, Flailstar watched her approach, no longer comfortable with his position as leader, because in his mind, he was a shy apprentice all over again, looking at the most beautiful she-cat for the first time. His eyes mournfully glanced away from her, trying not to think too hard about what he might see in them if she saw what was in his.
”I, Flailstar, leader of ShadowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Crowpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?" He recited the words, looking at her with guarded eyes.

some of the bulbs never opened quite fully
They might so I’m waiting and staying awake

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tag shadowclan!
word count like 400 ;P
lyrics regina spektor
muse decent
notes gahh sorry this took sooo long!
©Thunder loves Michael J. Fox!

[ςrystaℓ]

Raventail sat at the edge of the crowd, watching silently, his eyes staring at apprentice after apprentice becoming warriors. He was bored, that was clear. Clan meetings were useless to him. His thoughts about them were along the lines of 'Just give them their names, you don't have to make every cat watch.' He could care less, if he hadn't already reached that level. His eyes wandered around the clearing, resting on each cat for less than a heartbeat, then moving on to the next. His claws sheathed and unsheathed, glinting silver in the warm rays of sunlight. His black pelt warmed quickly, sucking up all the light, as it attracted more warmth than the tom wanted.

He flicked his ears, hating the feeling of boredness; he wanted to hunt, run out of camp and into the pines, the wind rushing all around. He wouldn't feel so hot then, unlike now when his ears were burning. His tail swept the ground, shoving dirt from side to side in rhythm. His stared at Crowpaw as the she-cat quietly approached the HighRock. Raventail waited, growing more irritated by the minute, as the day's precious time ticked away, slowly, as he just sat there, awaiting something interesting to happen.

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--------
Word Count: 205
Character(s) Used: Raventail
Completed

[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

Lizzardpaw

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Somewhere weakness is our strength...

[/color][/left]

... And I'll die searching for it.

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Lizzardpaw's fur grew hot at Ryepaw's words, and she found herself ducking her head in embarrasment. She did not like Smokefoot! If anything, she respected him as a warrior. Her calico pelt bristled with discomfort, and she glared with sightless eyes at her friend. "Do not," she hissed under her breath. "He's a great, loyal warrior. That's it. No, I wouldn't mind having him as a mentor." She couldn't help but tilt her ears back toward Smokefoot, wondering whether he had heard Ryepaw's words. Surely it didn't matter if he did, especially because what Ryepaw said was untrue. Or was it? Lizzardpaw lashed her tail, confusion giving her a serious headache. Luckily, she didn't have to ponder it for long, for the ceremony had finally begun.

Fragmentpaw and Crowpaw were called forward first, each of them earning their warrior names. Lizzardpaw could only imagine their faces, most likely filled with the joy of how far they had come. She shuffled her paws impatiently, glancing up toward Flailstar by following the sound of his voice. Would she be next to get a mentor? For a moment she really hoped that she would get Smokefoot, but she dismissed the feeling. That would only prove Ryepaw right. Of course she liked Smokefoot, but more in a respect sort of way. But did that explain the butterflies? She sighed when she realized that it indeed did not. Even if she did have feelings for Smokefoot, which she did not, it wouldn't last. Lizzardpaw didn't care for finding love. All she wanted was to prove herself.

((blech, museless))

[Burningwing]

”I, Flailstar, leader of ShadowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Crowpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Strange. Strange how, Crowpaw had never imagined that it would be the tom who she had fallen for who would recite these words to her. Sure, she thought that maybe, one day, Flailpaw might be a leader, standing tall and proud upon the highrock and granting warrior names. But she also imagined that she would be standing close to him, beside the rock, long since given her warrior name. She had also imagined it would be Dogstar, her beloved mentor that would be looking down proudly upon her as she was finally becoming a warrior. As she stepped timidly up towards Flailstar, she could feel a twinge in her chest, like stiches being ripped from a not yet healed wound. Flailstar had grown so much, his brown fur thicker, muscles more developed, and yet Crowpaw still saw a faint ghost of the lanky, withdrawn apprentice he once was. Then the image was gone, eye contact broken.

The lithe dark she-cat hated the twinge of hope that was ignited as Flailstar looked away. If he had really gotten over her, why would he need to look away? But hadn't Crowpaw already told herself she was long since over this tom? But nothing truly disappears does it? Emotions, like memories, could be pushed back into the shadows of your mind over time, but they never really left you, always waiting for the right string to be pulled, the right string to stir them up. " I do." Crowpaw meowed, a bit more forcefully then she meant for when the words threatened to catch in her throat.

[Meerful]

flail [/color][/font][/size]

I know you’re feeling bitter;

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Unwanting, or more, unable to look into her eyes, Flailstar looked toward her, but avoided her deep gaze, terrified of what he would find or what he wouldn’t. Sucking in a large gulp of air, Flailstar continued making the she-cat who stalked the confines of his mind the warrior name she should have earned long ago. He’d gotten his before Dogstar had died, but Crowpaw hadn’t received her’s yet, and he’d delayed this moment far too long. His claws felt frayed from the anxiety attacking him, and his whole body tensed.
”Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name: Crowpaw, from this moment you will be known as Crow[__]. StarClan honors your bravery and your strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan.” Flailstar nearly choked on the words, wanting to say something along the lines of Starclan honors everything about you… your beauty and your love…. His stomach felt uneasy when he realized that he’d thrown that away due to his own irrationality and fears. Then, once again, he had to snap back to reality and finish the ceremony, even though no one else would notice his moment lapse of attention.
Flailstar stepped near her nervously, his breath catching in his throat when he could smell her sweet fur. Resting his muzzle on her head, he tried to put as little pressure into the notion as possible. He barely paid attention as she licked his shoulder and he stepped back to finish the ceremony.
And there are two more cats who I have neglected in making warriors: Eelpaw and Ferretpaw!” He called them forth and gave them their warrior names, Eel[?] and Ferret[?]. He still felt uncomfortable after his encounter with Crowpaw, but tried to shrug it off as he got to a more exciting part of the ceremony, the part he was most anxious to perform. Assigning apprentices.
”Smokefoot, Lizzardpaw. From this moment, until she has earned her warrior name, this apprentice shall be known as Lizzardpaw. Smokefoot, you will be mentor to this apprentice. You are a noble and brave warrior, and I hope you will pass this knowledge to your new apprentice.”
”Dragonflyeyes, Ryepaw. From this moment, until she has earned her warrior name, this apprentice shall be known as Ryepaw. Dragonflyeyes, you will be mentor to this apprentice. You are a strong and trusted warrior, and I hope you will pass this knowledge to your new apprentice.”
"[Stormie], Magmakit. From this moment, until he has earned his medicine cat name, this apprentice shall be known as Magmapaw. [Stormie], you will be mentor to this apprentice. You are a gifted and talented medicine cat, and I hope you will pass this knowledge to your new apprentice.”
"Eel[?], Dawnkit. From this moment, until she has earned her warrior name, this apprentice shall be known as Dawnpaw. Eel[?], you will be mentor to this apprentice. You are a clever and loyal warrior, and I hope you will pass this knowledge to your new apprentice.”
"Raventail, Cavernkit. From this moment, until he has earned his warrior name, this apprentice shall be known as Cavernpaw. Raventail, you will be mentor to this apprentice. You are a dependable and intelligent warrior, and I hope you will pass this knowledge to your new apprentice.”
Finally, as Flailstar let the other warriors meet their new apprentices and touch each other’s noses, he was about to name his own apprentice. Suppressing a flicker of excitement, Flailstar boldly and proudly called out the name of the cat he was going to mentor.
”Ghostkit. From this moment on until he has earned his warrior name, this apprentice shall be known as Ghostpaw. I will mentor you myself, and I hope to pass on my knowledge to you.” Flailstar stated, unsure if he was saying the words correctly, but still reveling in the feeling of them. He waited for Ghostkit to come up so he could press noses to his new apprentice.

but darling, what I said last, I didn’t mean

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tag shadowclan!
word count 665
lyrics the kooks
muse decent
notes k, now we get this thread going ;’D
©Thunder loves Michael J. Fox!

[Ferny]

((this is going to be bad I think. x.x))

Ghostpaw

Like a gift from the heavens it was easy to tell...

His one clear blue eye bore into Flailstar's pelt as he named Fragmentpaw. The young Siamese's tail swished slowly back and forth until it finally rested over his feet. Swallowing nervously he finally looked away and around the clan. Everyone seemed to either be congratulating one another or sitting silently waiting for their turn. Each kit's name was slowly called in turn. Lizardpaw...Ryepaw... Ghost closed his eyes and turned his face towards the ground. I'm foolish. Flailstar will never make a half blind cat an apprentice. I'm as good as a queen gathering moss. It wasn't a good comparison but it was the only one he could come up with on such short notice.

His tabby striped paws slowly shifted his weight back and forth, from his seat at the back of the crowd he was nearly invisible. Magmakit....Dawnkit... Ghostpaw felt saddened, a few kits that had been called were younger than him. His hopes dropped lower and lower. He was about to stand up and leave when a large pause took place, his blind eye shone with crestfallen tears. But they caught as Flailstar called one last name. His name. Shocked Ghostpaw stood and looked towards Flailstar, his bright blue eye gazing at his proud leader with admiration and hope. Turning he pushed his way past Lizardkit with a quick nod and trotted up towards Flailstar. His whiskers twitched with excitement as he stopped in front of his leader and mentor and dipped his head down in greeting.

...it was love from above that would save me from hell

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[~All I Need]

I'm sick of the tension, sick of the hunger
Sick of you acting like I owe you this

I can feel you all around me
Thickening the air I'm breathing

Family has tried, to heal all my addictions
Tragic it seems, to be alone again

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The thoughts of his fellow Clanmates became a din in Magmakit--paw's--head as he stepped forward to recieve a piece of his destiny. The two young warriors who were sitting at the back of the group hated it that nonpurebloods were being made apprentices.
I can't believe those blind kits were made into apprentices!!!
What's the deal here?! Those three kits--I believe they are Magmakit, Dawnkit, and Cavernkit--are the children of a ThunderClan warrior and a soft kittypet!! What is Flailstar doing? Even a Clan born kit would know that it is not right to keep kittypets in their ranks.
The powerfully muscled tom grinded his teeth together with an audible sound and stalked forward until he was face-to-face with his mentor. A small, infinitely small pang of sorrow wrenched Magmapaw's heart as he thought of Shrewspots. She disappeared without a word.
No sign. No scent. No goodbye.
She was the only one who truly understood his power. Would his new mentor understand this, also?

The sound of Flailstar's summoning rang clear and loud in Dragonfly's ears. Just that one sentence drove the tom to his feet and to the front of the crowd where he would meet his apprentice. A smile flickered on his jet-black face as the truth swirled around and around in his mind. Dragonflyeyes, Ryepaw. From this moment, until she has earned her warrior name, this apprentice shall be known as Ryepaw. Dragonflyeyes, you will be mentor to this apprentice. You are a strong and trusted warrior, and I hope you will pass this knowledge to your new apprentice.
" My new apprentice, " the ShadowClan warrior whispered to himself. Oh, how he would enjoy watching the energetic apprentice grow to be a loving and powerful warrior, living to protect her Clan and those she loved. The heartbroken tom closed his luminous green eyes for a moment. Goddesspaw, if only you knew that it still hurts to think of you. I am a kind being... What about me wasn't enough for you?

[/color]

A flicker of pride made Cavernkit's chest swell as his sister was given her mentor. The tom looked at Dawnkit with his eyes alight with love and happiness. He was glad that she wouldn't be held back because of her being blind. Even the other apprentice, Lizzardpaw, was continuing with her training.
" Congratulations, Dawnpaw. " the young tom mewed as his sister passed by.
Immediatly turning his attention away, Cavernkit looked over at Crow[___]. Sadness and heartbreak made his eyes glimmer with fresh tears. He thought she could mend him, heal him. But her feelings still lied with Flailstar, so Cavernkit was left to rot as always.
" Raventail, Cavernkit. From this moment, until he has earned his warrior name, this apprentice shall be known as Cavernpaw. Raventail, you will be mentor to this apprentice. You are a dependable and intelligent warrior, and I hope you will pass this knowledge to your new apprentice. "
Cavernkit looked up at Flailstar, fury in his gaze. He hated the tom with a passion. He had refused to apprentice them until now, looked at them with scorn, and kept Crow[___] in misery. Never, ever, would he look at his Clan leader with respect.
As he stepped forward to see his mentor, Raventail, Cavernpaw wondered why he was ever brought into this world.[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

Characters magmapaw, cavernpaw, dragonflyeyes
Songs a place for my head--magmapaw
all around me--dragonflyeyes
giving in--cavernpaw

[/size]

[ςrystaℓ]

Raventail's surprise was clear in his orange eyes. His own apprentice?! It was shocking to the black tom, as he stepped forward towards Cavernpaw. He looked up at Flailstar, his mind whirling with questions.

"Raventail, Cavernkit. From this moment, until he has earned his warrior name, this apprentice shall be known as Cavernpaw. Raventail, you will be mentor to this apprentice. You are a dependable and intelligent warrior, and I hope you will pass this knowledge to your new apprentice.”

The ShadowClan leader's words greeted Raventail's pricked ears, and he bent down to touch noses with Cavernpaw. His eyes shone, with pride, and maybe a touch of welcoming. He stared at the apprentice, his apprentice, and held his head high.

--------
Word Count: Eh, too lazy to check.
Character(s) Used: Raventail
Completed

[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

Lizzardpaw

[/color][/center]

Somewhere weakness is our strength...

[/color][/left]

... And I'll die searching for it.

[/color][/right]

”Smokefoot, Lizzardpaw. From this moment, until she has earned her warrior name, this apprentice shall be known as Lizzardpaw. Smokefoot, you will be mentor to this apprentice. You are a noble and brave warrior, and I hope you will pass this knowledge to your new apprentice.”

Lizzardpaw blinked once, twice, and suddenly found her ears flattening with embarrasment and excitement at the same time. Smokefoot was her mentor! The thought of being able to spend more time with the tom was thrilling, but it also made those strange and annoying feelings return again. Still, she couldn't help the tiny smile from making its way to her lips. The young calico fae stood up and awaited Smokefoot's arrival, her mind racing. Did he want her as an apprentice? Was he as happy as she was? The thought of spending time with the tom was appealing. Lizzardpaw felt that she'd really gotten through to him last time.

She wished that she could see at that moment. She wanted to see his reaction, to know whether he was disappointed in Flailstar's choice or as joyous as she was. Lizzardpaw tensed, awaiting to touch noses with her new mentor, her paws itching with anxiety. She could imagine Ryepaw's proud smirk, and Lizzardpaw rolled her eyes at the thought. She wouldn't hear the end of this.

((museless))

[/blockquote]

[Eelstreak]

Eelstreak strode back to his place and sat down beside his sister again. A mighty feeling of pride swelled in his chest. A warrior! He had always known he would be made a full warrior someday, but in his personal opinion, Flailstar had been too danged long about doing it! So caught up was he in his own feelings that he almost missed it when Flailstar named Dawnpaw as his apprentice. "What?" he stammered quietly as several others nudged him forward to touch noses with the young she-cat. An apprentice of my very own? Train her? I barely know her! he thought, panic like a tide replacing his earlier elation. What if I mess up? What if I train her wrong? What if... ooooh, StarClan help! He flicked his tail to his new apprentice, beckoning her to his side. Now if not sooner seemed to be the best time to start getting to know the cat he'd be spending much of his time with from now on.