Beaverkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Perchfall ignored the seeping chill of snow as she hopped onto the branch, hoping that the motion might warm her up somewhat. The endless white fields and long nights of leaf-bare were beginning to take its toll on her. However, the season wouldn't end for moons yet. Sighing, the deputy focused her attention on the matter at paw. Another one of their many kits was becoming an apprentice. One more set of paws to hunt and fight for the Clan. "All cats old enough to catch their own fish, gather beneath the Willow Branch for a Clan meeting," she called, breath puffing white in the frosty air.

Not a thought went through Beaverkit's head. Not a single one, besides noticing that the cats of RiverClan we're gathering. With a happy squee, the bobtailed cat furiously shook her little stub. What a happy day, all of her friends in one spot. Beaverkit bounced around, greeting everyone as they came and sat down.

Perchfall glanced down at the crowd of cats, nodding once she saw the kit whose turn it was to hear the ancient words directed at them. She had begun to get practice with ceremonies... they were no longer terrifying. Just another duty. Just another ripple in the water. The words flowed easily from her mouth with little thought, already-decided-upon words in her normal neutral tone. "Beaverkit, 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 Beaverpaw. Your mentor will be Hollyleaf. I trust that she will pass all her knowledge down to you." Again, it was not normal in a Clan to give a newly appointed warrior an apprentice, but the balance of warriors and apprentices they had necessitated that the she-cat who had not long ago been an apprentice herself be the next one to receive one to train. Perchfall leapt down from the branch and swiftly finished the ceremony, nodding towards the new apprentice-mentor pair.

Beaverkit jumped with a start. Wait, this was her apprentice ceremony? She was Beaverpaw now? How in the world would she ever remember that? And who was Hollyleaf? Glancing around nervously, Beaverpaw finally settled her eyes on a cat trotting to her. Reluctantly, she touched noses with her new mentor. She didn't want to be an apprentice, she wanted to stay a kit!

With her ears swiveled up as per usual, Hollyleaf sat among the crowd, listening to each announcement that Perchfall has made. Though, suddenly, her name was called out. She was caught off-guard then, though quickly shook it off, flicking an ear towards the newly-named apprentice and giving her a nod. Lifting herself, she padded towards Beaverpaw, lowering her head just enough so that she'd be able to touch noses with the young molly.

"We'll start early tomorrow, so take your time to get used to your new den and get enough rest. Hunting will be the first thing we learn." With that said, she pulled back, offering Beaverpaw a soft smile. Even if the apprentice's attitude was.. slightly off, that didn't mind her. She'll make sure to be able to provide the most she could in their apprenticeship and so on.