It hadn’t been a terribly eventful moon, something Aspenecho was very grateful for. The last few had been… so much… that it was a breath of fresh air that he relished every moment of…
Harepaw has been learning how to hunt and fight under Milo and Flax. They really enjoyed fighting, almost to a concerning degree. However, they weren’t causing any issues, so he couldn’t complain. That’s probably why they wanted to join the clans. They’ve told me how clan stories go around here.
They spent a lot of time playing with Redkit, giving him plenty of time to nap and catch up on moons of missed sleep.
Flax… well, some have started calling him Flaxstar as of late, mostly Harepaw and Redkit, but it was catching on. He doesn’t seem to mind, and states that he’s fine with being called Flax or Flaxstar.
Speaking of Redkit, the little guy was 3 moons now! Which meant that he wasn’t as needy anymore, and even expressing how old and independent he is. I vaguely remember being that young. I thought I was sooo mature! He’ll realize sooner or later, so I’m not gonna burst his little bubble. He’s not mean about it, so there’s no issue.
Faiththorn had been distant as of late. Can’t say I blame her. I think they wanted to leave clan life completely behind at first. They seem to be warming up to having clanmates again, but it’s certainly not easy. They broke her faith in the clans with that decree. But this doesn’t have to be like that. We can be what a clan is meant to be… a place where cats care for and teach each other. Believing in Starclan, but not taking one cat’s interpretation of what a message means as the only truth.
Yeah… that sounds good.
.
.
.
“Uncle Aspen! Wake up!”
Aspenecho was jolted from sleep, feeling tiny paws push his side, urging him to get up. Eyes bleary from a deep slumber, he glanced over and saw Redkit. “What is it?” He groaned.
“The gathering is starting! Come on!”
Oh yeah, Flax wanted to do gatherings… although it’s just a special clan meeting, no meeting other groups. Still, he brought himself to his paws and peered out from behind the tree.
The full moon was low in the sky. The night is still young. He was going to be the last out in the clearing, as Redkit had already bounded ahead of him, joining the rest of their clanmates.
Flaxstar’s frame was rimmed by moonlight. His features couldn’t be made out at this distance, but his shoulders were relaxed, tail by his side and lazily draped over the log he sat on. His ears were perked forward.
He gave his chest a few quick laps, remembering that he had to sit in front of everyone. He looked for Faiththorn and saw her sitting on the edge of the group. Her back was to him, but he could notice that she was occasionally turning her head to look at their clanmates. Her fur was a little unkempt, proving that he was not the only one who didn’t prepare for this meeting.
As he began to make his journey across the clearing, Redkit squeezed himself inbetween Bella and Harepaw despite having plenty of space to go around. Harepaw’s ears swiveled back, and the moonlight caught a glint of teeth before Bella batted at their shoulder. Harepaw paused, going back to their initial position, only a forcibly flicking tail indicating anything was wrong.
He instead trotted around the group, nodding briefly at Milo before sitting at the base of the log. Despite Flax having the height advantage on being on top of the log, he was still only slightly taller than him. So, it made it easy to whisper, “Any plans as to what you’re going to announce?”
“Well, we’re always doing our own things, so this is a chance for everyone to be together and chat! But also, to vote for a clan name, and because Milo and Bella want to announce their warrior names.”
“Warrior names?”
“You remember warrior names, right?”
“Of course I do!”
“Hey! I’m just messing with you. Well, they’ve both picked new names. Milo is going to come up itself and reveal it. And Bella is going to have a more official warrior ceremony, since she’s 12 moons now.”
His eyes widened, “12 moons?! I thought she was a young apprentice!”
“Either you’re mistaking Harepaw and Bella, or you’re overestimating how big domestic cats get.” There was a brief pause before he asked, “12 moons is when a cat becomes a warrior, right?”
Aspenecho nodded, “I’ve seen cats graduate as late as 24 moons, which is when we’re fully grown. Menders graduate around 18 moons. But yes, 12 is the usual age.”
“Alright. Thanks. I remember how the words go. So I’m going to start.” Aspenecho looked over at the crowd, adjusting his posture and sitting up taller. Flax cleared his throat and yowled.
He could see Redkit paw at Bella, urging her to be quiet. Cats finished their sentences before turning their gazes over to the two. Flax slowly blinked, before beginning.
“Hello everyone! Thank you all for coming. Every full moon, I hope that we can meet here to announce promoted cats, and to all spend an evening all together, as a group. But first, we have a few things to go through.”
“First things first, I’d like to do an official vote for what we’re going to call our clan. About half a moon ago, I, Aspenecho, Faiththorn, and Harepaw came up with the name Dawningclan. But Milo, Bella, and Redkit, we want to hear your input too, along with if Hare, Faith, or Aspen changed their minds.”
Redkit meowed, “But aren’t clan names from the first leader of the clan? So wouldn’t we be Flaxclan no matter what?”
“We could—but I don’t think I would want a group named after me. Plus, we don’t need to follow old tradition if we want to. We like the name Dawningclan because this is the ‘dawning’ of a new era for the clans.”
Redkit tilted his head and scowled, “But what are the other clans going to think?”
“I wouldn’t worry about that.” Faiththorn cooed before turning back to Flax and Aspen, “I like the name Dawningclan.” Bella, who was nearby, nodded. Milo meowed, “I like it!”
Palepaw muttered, “My mind hasn’t changed,” and he replied, “Neither has mine.” Turning to Flax, “I think it’s unanimous.”
Flax purred, slow blinking, “Wonderful! It’s settled then! We are Dawningclan!”
Briefly pausing, Flax motioned Milo over, “But that’s only one of the things we’re doing tonight. Milo would like to make an announcement to you all. Go ahead.”
Milo stood in front of both Aspenecho and Flax, and began to chatter, “Well, I didn’t want to make it a big thing, but I’m changing my name to a warrior name. You guys can call me Lichenstreak! I chose it because my fur is sort of the color of lichen, and I’m a tabby, which means my fur is in streaks. Plus, it sounds cool!”
“I don’t mind you all still calling me Milo, but that’s sort of an official name if you prefer calling me that. Call me one, call me the other, call me both, for me, a name is just a noise you use to get my attention… and both will work just fine.”
“I didn’t mean to ramble this long, so I’m going to sit back down. Thanks everyone!” As he went to sit back down, Redkit began chanting, “Lichenstreak, Lichenstreak, Lichenstreak!” Soon, Bella, Faith, and Harepaw all joined in.
After things died down a bit, Bella expectantly walked to the front. Flax gave another yowl to silence Harepaw and Redkit.
“We have one other cat changing their name tonight. You wanted this to be official, correct?”
Bella nodded. “I want to only go by this name.”
Flax smiled, “Alright! In that case, I, Flax, leader of Dawningclan, call upon—Aspen and Faiththorn’s warrior ancestors—” Faith, Lichenstreak, Bella, Harepaw, and Redkit all laughed at that. “—to look down on this apprentice. She understands the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn.”
“Bella, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?”
She nodded, and meowed, “I do.”
“Then, I give you your warrior name. Bella, from this moment on you will be known as Paleice. We honor your initiative, curiosity, and skill at hunting. We welcome you as a full warrior of Dawningclan.”
This time, the cheers were louder and more enthusiastic. Paleice grinned, looking around and eventually settling on Harepaw, who walked over and affectionately bumped their head against hers.
Aspenecho felt a purr erupt in his throat. This really was beginning to feel like a clan.
Event: Milo (officially) changes his name to Lichenstreak! Paleice becomes a warrior!
Brashtounge, one of my wc ocs that honestly doesnt contribute much to my main story plot basically at all. He's the father of one of the important secondary characters, Houndpaw.
But Brashtounge himself isnt meant to play a big role. He's a grumpy and often strict warrior with his sweet and beautiful wife Honeymoon.
However very early on i did decide his brother was Flaxstar. Flaxstar was known as a wonderful leader, friends to many and well liked by the other clans leaders.
Until the day he died after trying to overthrow and take over Gloryclan in the old and outdated idea that Gloryclan show belong to Loyalclan as their clans first leader was mother to Gloryclans first leader and before Gloryclan established itself as its own clan Loyalclan had owned the territory before leaving, finding it too hard to live in.
Flaxstar died in his secret battle against Gloryclan and was known as a disgraceful leader in death.
Many of the younger generations of cats dont know Brash and Flax's relationship growing up or most dont even know Flaxstar had a brother, as after the events that lead to Flaxstar's death Brashtounge refused to speak about his brother or mention his name ever again, showing especially cold personality to the topic.
“And no, i think i am just too tired. It’s been so long since i last saw my mate, I wonder if Redback is even my daughter.’
Flaxkit - Flaxpaw - Flaxtail - Flaxstar
Mother: Deadperch (d)
Father: Kalerush (d)
Sister: Charredyowl (d)
Mate: Fernsmog (d)
Daughters: Redback, Squinteyes
Current Clan: SnitchClan
Current rank: Leader
Nine lives: 1. Fishstar, 2. Hazelstar, 3. Charredyowl (killed in battle), rest unknown. She mentioned receiving lives from these three cats at different points.
She’s the oldest SnitchClan cat. She was born to Turtleperch and Kalerush with Charredkit, but 4 moons later, Turtleperch was hit by a monster and paralyzed, renamed to Deadperch. Due to this, she was apprenticed early. She got herself into a relationship with a RusherClan warrior named Fernsmog, and had two kits with him. She kept Redback, and Squinteyes went to the father’s clan. So far, the only cat who knows their father is Flintfur, who found out accidentally. Deadperch was put to sleep using deathberries, and Kalerush died via drowning.
