Otterkit's Apprentice Ceremony

The ice-encrusted branch chilled Perchfall's paws. The amount of kits in RiverClan would normally be considered a good thing, but with the harshness of this leaf-bare, she was worried that soon the amount of cats would outnumber the amount of fresh-kill in camp. Predators were prowling, and she had received numerous reports of skirmishes at the border... perhaps another apprentice to strengthen their ranks would be a positive rather than a negative. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own fish gather for a Clan meeting," the deputy called out, her voice as emotionless and neutral as ever.

Marching out if the nursery with pride, Otterkit boasted a wide grin and a puffed out chest, slightly-too-big paws sending snow flying out to each side of him as he walked. A knowing smile painted his face, gazing up at Perchfall on the branch. One day, he’d sit up there too. He’d make sure of that.

Perchfall nodded at the kit as soon as she saw him emerge, and wasted no time beginning the ceremony. "Otterkit, you have reached the age of six moons and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Otterpaw." As for his mentor... The deputy glanced towards the newest named warrior. Normally a cat wouldn't be given an apprentice this early into their warriorhood, but RiverClan needed all the able paws it could get, and every other warrior had an apprentice. "Your mentor will be Ashflight. I trust that he will pass all he knows down onto you."

Ashflight had been watching the ceremony with a neutral smile, simply happy to see new young lives begin down the path of warriorhood, when his own name suddenly left Perchfall's mouth.  Wait, what?  Already?  Uncertain for a moment but quickly recovering from his shock, the gray-furred warrior got to his paws and trotted forward to greet his new apprentice, a spunky little brown tabby and white tom.  Memories flooding back from his own early apprentice days alongside Stormbringer, a broad and bright smile overtook Ashflight's face as he bent to touch noses with Otterpaw, excitement barely hidden in his purr.  "Hey buddy, it's nice to meet you!  We'll start training tomorrow morning, for now though go meet your new denmates!"

Birdsong settled in the crowd, though didn't stray far from the nursery where three of her kits still remained. Otterkit had been called forward, and she watched with a warm smile as the kit received his new name and mentor.

Otterpaw’s charming smile grew wider as Perchfall announced his ascent to the rank of warrior. Ashflight… That was to be interesting. Otterpaw was hoping for Jaystar, or Perchfall herself, that way they could teach him how to be like them one day. Ashflight was so new to warriorhood, though… And Otterpaw had heard enough rumors. He seemed to be kind, though. Otterpaw would make do. Besides, he didn’t intend to remain and apprentice for very long. He simply nodded back to his mentor in respond to beginning training tomorrow. ”Actually, I’m gonna go see my mama. She’s kinda more important than them, I can meet ‘em all later anyway.” Padding over to where Birdsong sat near the nursery, Otterpaw looked up to her with a genuine smile. ”Look at me, I’m Otterpaw now, ma!”