the streak in the cosmos (naming ceremony)

[✦dreamy]

COSMOSPAW Hear me once more, and show me your smile. This time, for sure, I’ll see the truth hidden inside your tears. But I know you're gone. So I will go on, howling and HOLLOW. TAG jackelyn andromeda Scarlet [:ripples:] chill WORDS 554 count LOCATION Highstones NOTES  Assuming that cosmos doesn't know asterpaw at this point. xD Cosmos smelled the scents of Tide and Rip, since Rip was last seen roaming RC terra looking for his sister.

The quarter moon was at full height in the dark, black and blue sky. Stars dotted the sky here and there, and Cosmospaw was sure that he saw a falling star, streaking through the sky and blinking out of existence within seconds. His straw-colored eyes had to be ripped away from the sky so that he could watch where he was stepping.  The four of them had left around sunset, bellies full and herbs to keep them going until they reached home once more. At first, he had been worried about letting them all come along but now he was glad for it. It would have been a boring journey if he'd brought no one and an unsafe one. After Heatherstar had been taken by the twolegs and they had come across the scent of badger, lacing the grass (along with other, unfamiliar feline smells), he knew he made the right choice. He led the group across the bridge, up the river, and finally came to a stop near the Thunderpath. His fur had prickled at this destination of theirs, thinking of how Heatherstar might have suffered at the paws of a the monster that hit her.  He was thankful to have Ottersnarl there in that moment, the other warrior - his mate - giving him the strength to move his paws forward on that black darkness. In the light of the moon, it seemed to glow like a river, with the only difference being that he could feel the ground rumble under his paws. Luckily, there hadn't been more than one monster and he was able to safely lead them across the Thunderpath. From here on, the journey would be easier and they could rest. They might even see Wintersky on the way here.  He had asked the older she-cat to meet with him for the occasion since his own mentor had since gone missing. He'd missed Natureheart dearly, but he couldn't wait around for her to come back for the rest of his life. He had to take action, even if that meant taking her place as a full-time Medicine Cat of RiverClan. He wondered briefly if the ShadowClan Medicine Cat was currently teaching her own apprentice, worried about the day he would need to teach someone as well. He had so much on his mind as it was, along with all that was happening in RiverClan ... how would he ever be able to teach someone in the process as well? He stumbled a little and caught himself, shaking his head. He had to focus and keep his head on straight. He hadn't even realized that he had become quiet since crossing the Thunderpath. He looked over at the others, smiling softly. He was more than just glad he'd made the decision to invite the three of them. This was his family. He focused back on what lay ahead, the peak of Highstones visible as they moved. "We're almost there." He said, turning back to them. "Thank you again, for coming with me." He looked at each of them, straw eyes falling first on Daisychase, then Fastflight, and then Ottersnarl, a burn on his skin. He gave the calico tom a playful grin and then took off into a run, heading towards the mouth of the cave where they would wait until Wintersky arrived.  "Last one there is a shrew!"

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[Scarlet]

OTTERSNARL

Warrior && RiverClan
IMAGE & BIO

My life is like a rolling river, so muddy and absurd
And although I might be mistaken I know that I will be heard

---

It was a cold, beautiful and clean evening. He padded silently with his mate, Cosmospaw, and his friend, Daisychase, and the returned warrior Fastflight. The four of them were neatly inseparable (Ottersnarl was still working on getting over his issues with Fastflight) but tonight was a good one to have all of them together.

For tonight, his mate would become someone new.

Oh sure, Cosmospaw would still be the cat that Ottersnarl knew and loved. But he would be different. A new name, responsibilities and duties. Ottersnarl wasn't sure if he was fully ready for it...

Suddenly Cosmospaw streaked off into the night toward the mouth of Highstones. "Oh no you don't!" Ottersnarl growled. He bolted after the medicine apprentice and soon overtook him. Did Cosmospaw really think he could beat Ottersnarl in a race-

*WHOOMP*

Stars seemed to circle his head and he blinked blearily into the sky. He spat out a mouthful of gritty dirt and shakily climbed to his feet. He'd stepped in a hole and (presumably) tumbled head over tail until he landed at the mouth of the tunnel entrance. "O-o-ohhhh..." He carefully shook each leg and rolled his head. He was fine.

words: 192
tags: ✦dreamy [:ripples:] chill
notes: short post because this is all about Cosmos <3

---

And I find the second I try to pull away
I am thrown back in line, oh, this time

[chill]

fastflight ☾

she couldn't help but wonder why cosmospaw had chosen her as part of the group accompanying him to highstones for this occasion. it wasn't as if he shouldn't have chosen her, that wasn't it. it wasn't as if she didn't belong among this motley crew. but in this instance, fastflight didn't feel as if she was deserving of the moment. of course ottersnarl should be there; if she were in the silver tom's place she'd never think of not bringing daisychase. and just as daisychase was there for cosmospaw, so would thistlepaw be there for her. how funny, she realized, that she mirrored the medicine cat in this way. just rearrange a few pieces and everything would be nearly identical. and when it came down to it, perhaps that was precisely why she was here with them, beneath the light of the moon. because while she and cosmospaw didn't always see eye to eye, had taken what felt like a lifetime to mold a friendship, lived through the pettiest of childhood dramas... some things about their lives would always remain identical.

fastflight smiled, sweeping the self-doubt away with a flick of her tail. it was such a beautiful night, under the clear sky with her mate, her friends, her chosen family. they trotted across the thunderpath after a brief pause, and her heart clenched as she thought of her former mentor, former leader. but no, this night was about cosmospaw. perhaps, if he were lucky, he would even meet her tonight in the stars, she hoped. the tabby noted a long pause from the younger tom leading them, but before she could point it out- "last one there is a shrew!" cosmospaw's eyes were full of mischief, and she felt ottersnarl take off running in a flurry of cool night air next to her. grinning, the tabby dug her claws into the dirt, gave daisychase a wink, and bolted after the toms.

for a moment she wondered if she should let cosmospaw win. she could easily overtake him if she wanted. ottersnarl on the other hand... no, the two warriors so prone to racing were often neck in neck, but he already had a head start. as she watched him streak straight past cosmospaw, however, she knew she could at least put some effort to it. grinning widely, fastflight flattened her ears and raced forward toward the cave ahead, only to be treated to the sight of ottersnarl's multicolored pelt tumbling into highstones. she wanted to bite her tongue, act as if she'd never seen it, but the laugh that escaped her was cacophonous. "ottersnarl, every time i see you you've gotten worse at racing. and in front of starclan no less!" knowing the tom was still not her biggest fan, she flashed him a kind smile and tilted her head in a playful, joking manner. he'd come around.

✦dreamy [:ripples:] Scarlet

[jackelyn]

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Well, she had made it, what a miracle. She and Asterpaw had left very early, even though Highstones was close to ShadowClan territory (compared to the others) Wintersky's pace these days meant it would be a long, long trip. In fact... she racked her brains... it was probably one of the longest trips she'd taken in several moons... maybe since she'd taken Asterpaw to the flower fields. To be honest she hadn't been expecting to go anywhere else after that, but, no time like the present eh? And, she wasn't about to turn down an invitation like this, it was the highest of honors.

Tucked out of the windchill in a cave Wintersky dozed, she had asked Asterpaw to keep watch for the RiverClanners. She'd had some doubts about whether she'd be able to make it all the way to the Moonstone, Asterpaw hadn't said much but she knew her apprentice probably felt the same, but, to her relief besides a greater than usual exhaustion she felt fine. Tomorrow would probably be another story but, she'd made sure she had nothing going on tomorrow just in case.

She wasn't sure how long they waited but, she scented the RiverClanners before Asterpaw even said anything. She went to get up and her joints protested, locking in place. "Oh dear" she mewed dryly "I seem to be stuck. Help an old gal up please, would you Asterpaw?" Once she was standing she continued to lean lightly on her apprentice, "It seems like I'll be needing your support the rest of the night, thank you, Asterpaw" she said softly.

Squinting her eyes she peered at the approaching patrol. She felt a smile cross her face as she spotted Cosmospaw in the front, for Asterpaw's sake she put names to faces. "That's Cosmospaw there, and behind him is a warrior, Ottersnarl... And the she-cat is Fastflight..." Wintersky hesitated as she watched them, she took in their clear comfort with each other and, more than anything the way Cosmospaw yearned towards them and they yearned back...

Now part of being a medicine cat was being able to pick up on the subtle unspoken relationships between individuals just by watching, it was an invaluable skill that could sometimes make the difference between somebody accepting treatment or rejecting it. Or, in darker cases being able to figure out victims and perpetrators without ever having it disclosed... and, not to brag but, Wintersky was very good at it. Now the group in front of them was not tangled in anything that dark but, Wintersky wasn't born yesterday. She narrowed her eyes. Well she was old-fashioned in the sense she supported the rule about medicine cats not having mates but, to be fair StarClan had never said anything about polyamory, she had to give Cosmospaw that one...

Then the group moved and, Wintersky spotted the fourth figure. "Ah" she said several pieces falling into place. "And that's Daisy...paw? No he must be a warrior now. But, I don't know his warrior name I'm afraid, we'll have to ask" She smiled at the group, feeling her pride grow. Cosmospaw hadn't actually been her apprentice but, she'd helped train him and more than that, he had worked hard for this moment, maybe harder than any one Wintersky knew.

She glanced at Asterpaw. "Watch closely, this will be you soon" she said, she was teasing him but, there was truth to it too. She'd made it out here for Cosmospaw and, didn't regret it, but whether or not she'd have another trip left in her after this? Well the mind might be willing but that wasn't all that mattered. When the time came Asterpaw might have to make this journey on his own. But, that was the subject for another time.

For now the two ShadowClanners waited in anticipation for the RiverClanners to see them.


TAGGED // ✦dreamy, Scarlet, chill, [:ripples:], andromeda, + JAMIE Wintersky Post
WORDS // 636
NOTES // I realize, I might be jumping ahead in the narrative, if they are not at the cave yet xD But, I wanted to post Wintersky now, before I forgot! You can ignore her until you're ready (but, Wintersky's thoughts about polyamory, those were mine until I realized Daisychase was there xD). And, I'm assuming, they've never met Asterpaw yet and vice versa because he is still new
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[[:ripples:]]

♥ Daisychase of riverclan

THOUGH THE NIGHT WAS DARK, his pride was like the brightest sun, beaming from within him. Cosmospaw, his brother, was about to become a medicine cat! His excitement knew no bounds, and as he made eye contact with the cat who he had grown up with, who he had shared his whole life with, he felt the joy fill him even more. He could not imagine a happiness greater than this- his brother, the cat he loved, and his dear friend Ottersnarl, all on a journey together to help Cosmospaw realize his true destiny as a medicine cat. Sure, his brother was young, but he had taken up the mantle like no one else and Daisychase had never been more proud.

AS HIS BROTHER PROPOSED A RACE and blasted off, he looked over at Fastflight, who threw him a wink before taking off herself. She still made his heart dizzy with glee, now that she was back, for real. Honestly, there was nothing in his life that he could really hope to change. He had his friends. He leaped forward, not sure he had any intention of trying to beat Cosmospaw- it was his night, after all. He loped over the ground, mostly just wanting to look like he was putting in an effort, as Fastflight shot forward, always faster than he was (he had never beaten her in a race, and he imagined he never would.) When she came to a sudden stop before the finish line, though, he had no time to react- he careened into her, causing a pile-up beside Ottersnarl, who seemed to have stuck his foot in a burrow.

HE LAUGHED ALOUD. “Seems like StarClan is going to have to forgive us for our imperfections.” He mewed, looking at the others. He sobered a bit as he looked into the distance and saw the elderly ShadowClan medicine cat, Wintersky, and a young tom beside her. He stood up and dusted himself off, best he could.

“GREETINGS, WINTERSKY.” He mewed, dipping a bit and trying to seem a bit more sophisticated than he looked having just flopped over another young warrior. They were adults, now. This was adult stuff. Look serious!

words ♥ 365
muse ♥ good!
other ♥ ✦dreamy, chill, Scarlet, jackelyn, andromeda, OK DAISY IS HERE SORRY FOR THE WAIT

i'm high on believing that you're in love with me

[andromeda]

ASTERPAW

somewhere in the desert, there’s a forest, and an acre before us
but i don't know where to begin

In normal circumstances, Asterpaw is not someone who paces. He never found kinesthetic awareness helpful for the flow of his thoughts, and he preferred to sit still, so still that he would seem to be ossified in the permanence of time. But tonight, he dismissed the company of his thoughts, and he found he wanted to move his legs so as to keep his mind clean and light. He shuffled back and forth across the comically short width of the cave in which his mentor crouched, his paws making lilted, careful steps. He shivered. It was cold, and the purpose of the trip didn’t demand the kind of adrenaline that warmed his bones. Though he had been nervous about the prospect of meeting the RiverClanners, he became gradually less nervous as time passed and the occasion drew nearer. He was mostly worried about how he would be perceived and whether he would be required to keep conversation. He had little information about Cosmospaw on which to judge the social energy he carried or, for that matter, the social energy he required of others. The thought of his supporting role in tonight’s affair calmed him. It would be okay, even preferred, if he simply faded into the background. Tonight is Cosmospaw’s night, and by extension, RiverClan’s night.

His mentor stirred, and Asterpaw sensed the movements of her whiskers sending microscopic ripples through the otherwise still air. The grass outside the cave swayed ominously in the moonlight, their swishing loud in Asterpaw’s ears. "I seem to be stuck. Help an old gal up please, would you Asterpaw?" Asterpaw rushed over and squared his body next to Wintersky’s, and he felt the shake in her bones, as if they were going to fall apart at any minute. He could tell that she had not put as much of her weight on him as she probably would have liked. He was strong for an apprentice. Even so, he was uncertain whether he would be able to provide the physical support that Wintersky would need throughout the night. He only hoped that he could signal somehow that she didn't need to withhold her physical demands, that she could feel fully at ease with him by her side.

He followed Wintersky’s gaze. Four figures were tumbling towards them, their energetic meowing inaudible over the swishing of the grass. Silvery moonlight had washed out all the color in their furs such that they appeared almost indistinguishable. Only the glint of their eyes, when caught at the right moment, gave them away. Asterpaw admitted to himself that he had not paid quite enough attention to the warriors at Gatherings, though he did recognize Cosmospaw’s watery herbal scent. He would memorize the faces and scents of the others later. The RiverClanners approached, now looking more business-like. Asterpaw’s golden eyes stretched wider so he could take them in. Wintersky’s comment advising him to watch closely skimmed the surface of his mind, then dissipated into the air. He couldn’t bear to think about the day when he would make the same journey. It would mean many things, but it would most likely mean one terrible thing, and even the thought of thinking about it devastated him. He gulped and took a deep breath. The moon beamed down steadily on the prairie. Something extraordinary was about to happen, and he concentrated on that with all the energy he could muster.

tags
✦dreamy Scarlet chill jackelyn [:ripples:]

ooc
sorry for the wait!

[✦dreamy]

COSMOSPAW Hear me once more, and show me your smile. This time, for sure, I’ll see the truth hidden inside your tears. But I know you're gone. So I will go on, howling and HOLLOW. TAG jackelyn andromeda Scarlet [:ripples:] chill DELAWARE + JAMIE WORDS 330 count LOCATION Highstones NOTES sorry for the wait guys!!

He expected to lose regardless, knowing full well that he wasn't fast enough for Ottersnarl, let alone Fastflight. She'd already shown him that she was faster than he was, even with adrenaline running through his system. It was why she was given her name after all, or part of it.  He pushed harder as Ottersnarl got closer and closer, then slowed down as the orange and black tom went hurtling down the hill and stopped at the mouth of the cave. Cosmospaw smirked and shook his head, starting to jog down the rest of the path to his mate. "Are you alright?" He asked as him, rubbing his cheek against the other tom's own before helping him up.  He nearly snorted at Fastflight's reply, the she-cat catching up to them with Daisychase in tow. A smile crept on his face, but he wasn't sure if she saw it or not because Daisychase - who apparently lost control - slammed into her, the two tumbled slightly past Ottersnarl and himself. "I don't StarClan will mind four friends having a bit of fun together." He said with a chuckle, glancing at Fastflight encouragingly. At Daisychase's greeting, Cosmospaw turned to see Wintersky and her apprentice making their way down the slope to them.  His eyes lit up at seeing her as a kit might to a parent. "Wintersky. Thank you for coming. I hope you don't mind, I brought some of my family with me." He flicked his tail to each cat respectively. "This is Ottersnarl, Fastflight, and Daisychase." He looked to the apprentice that was with the she-cat, dipping his head to him. "You must be Wintersky's new apprentice. My name is Cosmospaw. It's nice to meet you." He purred, glancing over to the ShadowClan medicine cat. "You have a magnificent mentor." Something in his chest tightened, remembering why they were all here. Tonight. Tonight was a special night, and soon ... A shiver ran down his spine at the idea, becoming a medicine cat, a full one.

MADE BY VEL OF GS, WW + ADOX 2.0