swan lake [O]

Silverkit

It's your first day out of the nursery. Make a good first impression. His mother– Meadowlark's words echoed in his head as Silverkit stood at the mouth of the nursery. Meadowlark had fallen asleep, even though he'd asked her to come with him, and the other queens were absent. He turned to look back at the dozing queen, and his ears folded back against his head. No, no, it's fine. I have to make a good first impression. Shaking his head, Silverkit returned his attention to the world just beyond him. Mo– Meadowlark wants me to be independent. I can do this! He was going to be a good kit, and he was going to be independent and brave! He was going to focus on how excited he was to see what their actual camp looked like, and not worry about the nerves prickling at his paws.

With a sharp inhale and a puffed chest, Silverkit lunged out of the den. As soon as the tip of his tail was clear of the den, he ground to a halt. There were no den walls to muffle the bustle of camp now, just the raw sounds of chatter, pawsteps, assignments, apprentices training. Though he still wished Meadowlark had come with (and found himself looking over his shoulder once more, just to make sure she wasn't following), Silverkit's fears washed away. There were so many cats here, all of them so much bigger than him, and he was bound to get stuck under all their massive paws. In a fit of giggles, he bounded forward into the heart of it, careless of how many warriors tripped over him or of any tails he stepped on. The world outside the nursery was moon-lit and loud and beautiful, and he was going to make the absolute most of the few hours of freedom left in the day.

Iceheart

Iceheart arrived back with her latest catch just in time to see a new kit escape from the nursery. She glanced at the kit and dropped off her prey and then heard startled yells and quick snaps from behind her. She turned in time to see Nightstar approach and it seemed that the kit upset two apprentices. One of Leopardsun’s kits—who seemed far less well-mannered than Moonpaw—and the kit that Nightstar had brought back. She frowned and approached to stand at Nightstar’s side.

“Lashing out in such a way to any clanmate is not very worthy of an apprentice,” Iceheart added as she settled at her leader’s side. “Do you own all of ShadowClan’s ground, Tigerpaw? Will you chastise anyone who steps a toe in your way?” She offered Batpaw a disapproving look in addition to her verbal chastising of Tigerpaw. She had not seen what caused Batpaw to yell after Silverkit, so she had no stern words for him, but she was in agreement with Nightstar that berating a kit who had done nothing more than walk through camp was incorrect behavior.

As she awaited responses, and for anything additional Nightstar wanted to say to the apprentices, she looked to the kit who had become the sudden target of their disdain. She had yet to meet the little one, although she’d heard of a new birth in the clan. He barely looked old enough to be out of the nursery…it was probably his first time out. All the more reason these apprentices should be better mannered and not snap at a kit barely old enough to leave his mother’s side.

Silverkit

No sooner than his wild charge had begun, it was drawn to a halt. One voice made his ears swivel backwards, though Silverkit hadn't had the mind to come to a stop yet. It wasn't until paws connected with his side, making him lose his stride for a few steps, and a much angrier voice barked out after him. Immediately, Silverkit's paws ground to a halt and he spun to see who he had offended. The sight of the fuming tabby– although a bit funny, with mud dripping off his cheeks –made his entire body stiffen, fur rising along his spine. The calico trotting up did nothing to ease his tension. Only moments out of the nursery, and he'd failed his singular instruction. Silverkit could already imagine the frown when he told Meadowlark about his day. He'd only just squeaked out, "I'm sorry, I–" when a shadow fell over him and a large, dark form stepped between him and the apprentices.

Immediately, Silverkit was dazzled. Green eyes went wide and his head craned back to fully take in the scarred tom. Even though he hadn't seen their leader yet, he knew immediately that the cat that had come to defend him was Nightstar. Awe flushed through him, warming his entire body. Whatever havoc he'd caused, their leader felt it was important enough to come to his aide! Silverkit couldn't keep the beaming smile that grew over his features. And not just Nightstar, either– another warrior had come to his rescue as well, one he didn't know by name but he could appreciate the presence of. Shuffling behind the second cat that had arrived, Silverkit peered between her legs at the apprentices, sticking his tongue out at them for good measure.

Then another voice joined– Cinderpaw! She'd only just left the nursery, and Silverkit recognized her immediately, greeting her with an excited wag of his tail. "Yeah!" He chirped excitedly at her offer, hopping away from the pair of warriors to stand nearer to her. In a voice that was meant to be hushed but had not softened at all, he added, "I think I made those two mad... but Nightstar and that other cat showed up to protect me, so its okay now! I'd have a lot more fun with you than I would getting yelled."