Goatpaw's Apprentice Ceremony

"Let all cats old enough to gathering their own prey gather beneath Tallrock for a clan meeting!" Smokepelt yowled, jumping up to the Tallrock. Although him and his mother shared their differences, the two cats had managed to make decent amends, and now it was time for him to rank up the newest member of the clan, Goatpaw. Although it was evident that her presence wasn't exactly welcomed among some of his clanmates, the deputy's feelings towards the she-cat weren't going to change anytime soon and he couldn't wait to start training with her, even though she was technically warrior aged.

Goatpaw gingerly padded out into the clearing. Her stomach churned, waiting for piercing gazes to meet her white pelt. She hunched over, trying not to let her face be seen. Despite this, cowed eyes peered out from the eerie shade, darting around. She finally saw Smokepelt, and though her posture jeopardized her by urging her to straighten up, she stayed. She licked her pad anxiously, tail-tip jerking with uncomfortable thoughts. Goatpaw knew she wasn't welcome here; this wasn't the WindClan she knew.

"Ghostpaw, please step forward," the deputy started, looking down to Goatpaw. It hurt the tom to see her in such a nervous state, with more than half the clan looking at her, but she would get used to it, and hopefully they would too. "Although you are over the age of six moons, you have taken an absence from the clan and thus, must continue your apprentice training like any other six moon old member of WindClan," Smokepelt mewed, a small smile growing on his muzzle as his tail flicked back and forth in anticipation.

"From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will keep the apprentice title of Goatpaw. I shall be your mentor and hope that I'm able to pass down all that I know about your former clan onto you," with that, the tom jumped down from the great rock to greet his new apprentice. Touching noses with the white she-cat, he then leaned forward to gentle nudge her cheek with his muzzle. "I can't wait to start training," he spoke softly, lifting his head so that their gazes met. Goatpaw had finally returned and although things hadn't been going as smooth as he'd originally hoped, he couldn't have been happier.

"Welcome home."

Goatpaw hopped up, partially glad that no one had jeered at her... yet. Her ghostly white fur was more slovenly and frowzy than most at their apprentice ceremonies. She raised her head to touch noses with Smokepelt, grateful that she had gotten a mentor who understood her. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment, since, as some might have realized, she enjoyed Smokepelt's company... a lot. She was afraid to show it, but she was excited for the training, and was vying for something else, too. Her tail waved, hearing the words in her ears. 'Welcome home.' Smokepelt's vocalizations warmed Goatpaw, but at the same time, her spirits fell. She licked his shoulder with respect. But she could only muster two words, strangely colder than she had intended, and more curt.

"I suppose."