Welcome to Gaia! ::

The biggest Deep Woods minder enclave was busier than usual tonight. The smallest hatchlings had been tucked away and were currently entertained by the less important Minders of this enclave, with some help from older fledglings. The more senior Minders preened and fussed over the almost adults that would soon become true members of the clan.

Windflower, the Sergeant conducting the ceremony, was a large Mist with dangerous looking talons and three grey chevrons on his wing. He scratched his head with one of his feet, waiting for an indication that all the soon to be adults were present. It was not a small ceremony, but it was far from the huge celebration when all those new adults joined the clan last winter. The destruction of the central platform during the violent spring storm had made it necessary to split up the graduations since then. This was the third ceremony Windflower conducted, and it was his biggest to date.

The graduates were all placed in the middle of the biggest platform and watchers were scattered in the trees surrounding it. He couldn't see Fletcher, but knew that she must be watching. She always was. Other Sentinels had also travelled to the enclave to watch and most of them perched in the surrounding trees. Some were probably parents or family, but there were almost always others who were just there for the celebration too.

Someone had apparently convinced Roguefeather to part with some of his delicious Skurri since the tall Wildtype was sitting over there in an empty nest guarding his fat, freshly killed delicacies. But the feast would have to wait. First he had some new adults to welcome to the Clan.

He searched for the Watchers in the crowd and gave each of them a small nod as he met their eyes. Everything appeared to be ready so he straightened up and coughed discretely to let everyone know that it was time to settle down.

"This is an important day," he rumbled, trying to sound formal enough for the occasion, "Today we are welcoming these new members into the Clan."

He paused and scanned the graduates, trying to meet the eyes of each and every one of them before continuing.

"Please step up and tell me how you would like to serve your Clan."


OOC notes: Anyone with a RP-approved fledgling that grew in January can drop in and join this graduation. This will be done on a casual opt-in basis just like last time, and the Herald will respond as the Sergeant whenever appropriate. Others are welcome to post their adults or non-graduating fledglings as guests of the ceremony.

Watchers can step in after a graduating fledgling has posted and nod to the Sergeant to tell him that the fledgling's choice of task is appropriate. In such cases the post order will be Herald-fledgling-Watcher-Herald. If no Watcher responds within reasonable time the Herald will use a NPC Watcher to approve the fledgling's choice.

Watchers are also free to use NPC fledglings if we run out of player played fledglings... But don't be greedy. One fledgling per Watcher, please!

Osprey was practically wiggling with excitement. Her own graduation had not been this large, it had been more of a small and quiet affair. At this point, she was secretly glad of that. To have to speak before such a large crowd of older sentinels must be unnerving to the new graduates.

The perch that the young scout had chosen wasn't anything prestigious. It was a little ways back, but she could still see each and every young adult, and many of them were familiar from her nights in the Enclave. She couldn't seem to find the particular fledgling she was searching for, though. She gripped her talons deep in the bark beneath her paws and leaned forward in a curious head bobbing motion as she tried to pick out the Mist male. He was graduating with this lot, right?

And then she saw her friend. Bravely, he was the first to step forward.

The reddish hued Deep Woods was not early, but he was not late, either. He wished, for decency's sake, that he had arrived at just the right time...

But that didn't seem to be the case. At least t he first fledgling hadn't announced a task yet, so he would be there to see each and every one of them. The male took a decent spot, not far from the platform, and mingled with the other Watchers that had perched themselves along the thick, old, gnarled oak.

He preened and placed his feathers as he waited for the first fledgling to come forward...

And the one that did didn't surprise him whatsoever. The young Mist that strode bravely forward (though he could definitely note a healthy nervousness in the young male), was none other than that Mist he had seen further North, in Typhoon's enclave. The Mist was as sharp as a tack, despite being a little... Different. And he had almost killed the old Minder's mus... But he definitely had the mindset and the instincts.

Knowing he, himself, had made a proper decision, the Watcher gave an obvious nod.

Such an exciting moment! This Wildtype wouldn’t stop preening. He was so full of energy he wanted to chat with the other young adults, and tell them how happy he was to put his strength to the service of the Clan at last! Oh Noctus, not having to rely on the other Sentinels was so cool!
Ashton stopped touching his feathers compulsively when he heard Windflower. His straight stance proved he could appear serious and composed when needed. He better had to; he was sure his mother, or anyone else he knew, was watching the ceremony. However, he didn’t recognize the other graduates immediately. There was this Mist who reminded him of someone, but he wasn’t sure… Snowpeak, that’s the name! When did he get so serious and scarred? Though Ash thought he’d played with him not too long ago, he eventually shrugged off his doubt. He must have met many other fledglings who are now present. He shouldn’t focus on a comrade, but on his own graduation.

By the way, what had he planned to say? There was no doubt about his job, he wanted to be a Scout, and defy the canopy while catching the occasional prey. He wondered what kind of wonders he would find this way (probably not too many, let’s be realistic, but the game would make up for it). However, he hadn’t decided how to phrase it. Well, improvisation wouldn’t hurt. He stepped forward, radiant, but dignified, and spoke up with a hint of happiness on his face: “I decided my abilities would serve best if… my eyes scrutinized the woods. I’m not afraid of loneliness, and I shall bring news… and maybe even food, from the darkest parts.”
Oh right, he almost forgot the most important part. Part of his serious mask slipped, and he beamed at the Sergeant, barely containing his desire to be a full-fledged member of the Clan. “I want to be a Scout, sir!”
The Wildtype shut up immediately, still grinning, but fearing he would put his foot in his mouth should he say another word. The excitation was truly overwhelming.

A short pause followed Windflower's words, and Stormteller looked anxiously around at his fellow graduates to see if anyone else was going to step forward. He hadn't wanted to be one of the first to speak, nervous about the biggest event in his life so far and the possibility, however small, of being denied his choice in front of so many others. But somebody was going to have to break the lull, and before his brain had quite caught up with what was happening Storm was jostling his way through the others to the front of the group to do just that.

"I-" His voice cracked a little, and he coughed, starting again more loudly. "Sir, I would serve the Clan as a Watcher, sir!"

Storm's beak shut with a clearly audible snap, and his eartufts bobbed a little sheepishly at the sound. Still, he kept his gaze firmly focused on the Elite, trying to look worthy of protecting the Clan. By now it was obvious that no explanation like Ashton's would be forthcoming - and in fact, the young Shadow wasn't entirely sure what his reasons were. He'd thought long and hard on it in the past few days, and though he had great admiration for some of the tasks, somehow Storm couldn't imagine himself doing any of them. At the worst, this way he could spend a few seasons as a Watcher figuring out what he wanted to do next, and enjoy himself in the meantime. Right?

Foxfeather's judgmental golden orbs washed over the ever eager Ashton, who the Watcher deemed worthy. Another combatant would be useful, especially in future times, and how he loved seeing youngsters wanting to work to better the entire clan. His tan beak offered a slight smile as he nodded his head in acceptance of the young Wildtype.

The Shadow that pushed his way up to the front also caught the eye of the Deep Woods male. While he appeared ready and he addressed Windflower with the respect the Sergeant deserved, he couldn't help but disprove of the elaborate night sky that adorned Stormteller's wings. Then again, Foxfeather rarely approved of dyes in the first place, so others shouldn't take it personally.

The Watcher once again nodded, ready to accept the young Shadow into his own ranks.