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Post by Dawn on May 21, 2011 22:00:17 GMT -5
B L I Z Z A R D T A I L * I just got lost
Every river that I tried to cross [/size][/font]
Blizzardtail padded up the slope that led to the moon cavern, his movements stiff with age. He was getting on in moons, and he wondered why he had not made this journey before now. The journey that would change his young apprentice Streampaw, into a full medicine cat.
It was about time, she had been ready for a while. Things had just been hectic he supposed. What with all the near warish drama amongst the Clans. StarClan if only his joints weren't so stiff, he would be able to make his way up this hill so much faster!
"Just a little bit farther."
[/color] He meowed outloud, more to himself than to his apprentice. This trip had never seemed so long to him before, and he wondered vaguely if he would manage his way back to the camp alright. The last thing OakClan needed right now was their aged medicine cat collapsing with exaustion halfway between camp and the moon cavern. That would leave him smack dab in the middle of MarshClan territory, truly one of the last places he wanted to be right now. "Sometimes I wonder how things have gone so terribly, terribly wrong."[/color] He sighed quietly. "Hawkstar was always such a good little tom, a dedicated warrior and loyal deputy. A true leader until he..."[/color] He broke off, not completely sure what he had meant to say. Another token of old age - you forget stuff. It irked him endlessly, but it was happening more and more lately. He had even forgotten what you use on a wound to keep it from getting infected when Acornpaw had come in with a wound from tripping over a rock. It had been very embarassing, staring blankly into space while the pretty brown she-cat had paniced, thinking that there was something seriously wrong with her. "Oh Blizzardtail,"[/color] He sighed. "Everything changes, doesn't it."[/color] He meowed quietly, then looked around with some surprise. They had reached their goal and he stood facing a wide mouthed cavern. "We're here."[/color] He announced, as if it weren't obvious, and walked inside. The darkness covered his pelt the moment he entered but it didn't spook him as it had when he had first entered this place. It was more peaceful than anything, and it almost felt like coming home. He stopped when he reached the middle of the cavern, beside the edge of a small pool of shimmering water. He could hear the waterfall which was the source of the river thundering outside, perhaps even right over them. He knew that this cavern stretched beneath it's crashing water. "Streampaw, step forward."[/color] He meowed to his apprentice, indicating the water's edge, parallel to where he stood, his pelt shining with the reflections from the sparkling pond. "I, Blizzardtail, medicine cat of OakClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help she will serve her Clan for many moons."[/color] He recited the words, passed on to him from the medicine cats of the past. He then turned to his apprentice. "Streampaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan an to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?" He asked, staring down at her.
Song:
[/color] Lost by Coldplay [/blockquote][/blockquote][/size][/right] |
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Post by Rachel on May 21, 2011 22:30:04 GMT -5
Streampaw remained a few paces behind her mentor. His steps seemed to lack the spring they used to posses, and she could sense that he was stiff and tired. Part of her heart ached to wander up and help the old tom, allow him to lean upon her shoulder, however she did not think that Blizzardtail would appreciate the gesture. If she had learned one thing, it was that Clan cats drew invisible lines in the dirt. There were cats you could help, and there were others that you must just stand by and watch them bleed.
The lithe she-cat had been distant from her mentor since MarshClan had attacked DustClan. It seemed every night Blizzardtail's refusal to help the injured cats echoed in her ears. Even now it sat in the back of her mind, a mosquito bite just out of reach. Still, she tried to focus her mind on other things as she trekked to the Moon Cavern.
Her light blue eyes stared at the ground, and she counted the steps to pass time. She listened to Blizzardtail talk to himself, not really finding to anything to add. The tom was full of worry, and she sensed he was not looking for an answer from her.
After what seemed like forever, the roar of the waterfall pounded in her ears. She shivered as her paws stepped upon the stone floor of the cavern, moisture hung in the air and the cold penetrated her thin coat easily.
"Streampaw, step forward." Streampaw did as she was told, stepping to the edge of the water until she was next to her mentor.
She listened as he recited the words that would make her a medicine cat, paying special attention to the words "...to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?" Is that what you did, Blizzardtail, when you refused to help the cats of MarshClan and DustClan? Did you step away from the rivalries between Clans to help cats in need? Streampaw though in her head, Where you failed, I will not.
Streampaw's eyes hardened with determination. It seemed as if her calling had been renewed, and her words were reinforced with steel determination. "I do."
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Post by Dawn on May 21, 2011 22:39:11 GMT -5
"I do."
Blizzardtail nodded slightly to himself, feeling the words from his apprentice echo around the cavern. He knew that she was still not happy with him after he had refused to run straight into the DustClan MarshClan battle, but she would understand in time. She would need to, for now she would be a full medicine cat, no longer an apprentice.
Few cats truly realized what responsibility came with a full name. He remembered that it had just been an improvement for him, a change for the better. He had never truly realized what new burdens fell upon his shoulders, but he had learned, and so would Streampaw.
With a small twinge of worry, he realized that she would need to learn this lesson quickly, for his was not destined to remain in this world for much longer. Lately he had heard the call of his ancestors, growing louder and louder each day. He wondered how Streampaw would react if she knew that, but he had a feeling that she would be glad of it. She thought he had failed, he knew it. But it didn't matter, he supported his own actions as he would support her from StarClan in the moons to come.
"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your true name as a medicine cat. Streampaw, from this moment you will be known as Streamheart. StarClan honors your determination and your enthusiasm, and we welcome you as a full medicine cat."
[/color] He meowed, dipping his head to rest it upon her shoulders. "Now, drink from the pool and fall into dreams where StarClan will welcome you."[/color] He told her, smiling slightly as he turned to face the pool once more and drank himself. He could feel the darkness sliding over his eyes and allowed it to sweep him off into dreams. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/size] |
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Post by Rachel on May 21, 2011 23:23:07 GMT -5
As Blizzardtail's head touched her shoulder, a shudder ran down the length of Streamheart's body. The new name was an oddity, it would be weird to be rid of the -paw, however she was excited. With her new name came new power. She could help shape the future in the Clan in the best way possible. She would not misuse or waste any of the time she possessed.
Finally, after the older tom finished the ceremony, it was time for her to drink the water. For a moment she looked at the pool as it shimmered slightly. This would allow StarClan into her dreams, something she had wanted since she had been saved. However, fear nagged at the back of her mind. What if the prejudice of the Clans was shared with StarClan? No. No, she would stay strong. She would fight for what was right.
She lowered her maw into the freezing cold water, and lapped up a few mouthfuls. Nothing felt immediately different, and she pulled her face up so she was face to face with her mentor. Carefully, she reached forward to touch noses with him. "Thank you, Blizzardtail. You taught me well." She would not allow her anger at his actions blind her to the knowledge he passed down to her.
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