goldenkit's apprentice ceremony

A ground still marred from falling debris and long-settled snow had been a welcome sight for the molly, finding the aching knot of anxiety slowly unravelling and allowing her a sense of freedom and stability once more. Breathing in the cold air softly, exhaling it out into a puff of visible air, the deputy made her way to the top of the rock she had not stood upon in moons, beaming with slight excitement. With that, Thistlemask called out the first ever summons she had learned, "All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting!"

Goldenkit took a deep breath, forcing her body to stop shaking as she stumbled forward. Oh Starclan, please don't let anything happen...!

OOC: for the sake of the timeline, Sunkit is already an apprentice

Sunpaw stood a few tail-lengths away, his tail raised in encouragement as Goldenkit stepped forward. She looked really nervous, even downright terrified, and the ginger tom wanted nothing more than to run to her side and comfort her. He settled with digging his claws into the ground as he watched the ceremony continue.

Heeding her deputy's summons, Mottlestar brought herself from her den. It'd been cleared out of all the debris that had made its way in, once again being the cavern she had come to be so familiar with. Taking a seat, she looked around with curiosity as to who the next apprentice would be.

Blazefang sat near the nursery, watching as another of her kits stepped forward to be apprenticed. Goldenkit had always been the shy, hesitant one and Blazefang had to admit she hadn’t expected her to be the first of her daughters to reach this milestone. Still, she was proud of her little family. Mudfern, they’re doing great. You’d be proud.

It only took a few moments for a crowd to gather, eager eyes gazing up at the deputy, her twitching tail-tip betraying that the molly may have had the capacity for feeling anything but neutrality. Taking in a deep breath, she sought out the focus of today's ceremony by sight, moving forward on the stone as she did so. "Goldenkit, step forward." The deputy allowed the visibly trembling kit a moment, thinking on her next words. "You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to become an apprentice. From now until the day you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Goldenpaw. Your mentor will be Mottlestar, as I could not think of a more courageous and kind molly to guide you to warriorhood." Thistlemask bowed her head as she dismissed the meeting, allowing her friend and the new apprentice to meet.

Mottlestar stepped forwards upon hearing her name, dipping her head to the newly-named Goldenpaw. Her small stature certainly made her appear much less intimidating than some of her other clanmates, and it made it much easier for her to be welcoming. "Congratulations, Goldenpaw. Go set up your nest in the apprentice's den and enjoy the rest of the day. We'll begin tomorrow, yes~?"

"Goldenpaw! Goldenpaw!" Sunpaw jumped to his paws and loudly cheered his sister's new name. With Mottledstar as her mentor, the tabby was sure Goldenpaw would soon outgrow her shy and fearful personality.

Goldenpaw's eyes widened as she heard who her mentor would be. The leader? But what if... what if Mottledstar didn't like her? However, as the tortoiseshell she-cat stepped forward and congratulated her, Goldenpaw felt herself relax. Mottledstar was a gentle warrior, she would teach her all she knew. She didn't have to worry.

Blazefang’s eyes widened in surprise. Mottlestar would mentor her daughter? The ginger purred, a deep contentment settling into her chest. ThunderClan had truly accepted them. Everything would be okay.