Jaypaw's New Mentor Ceremony

Blizzardshine leaped onto the Highrock, knowing very well the reason behind this ceremony, which caused her to sigh deeply. Mothstrike’s loss was still fresh in her mind and heart, but even on her grieving state she had to carry on with her duties while Darkstar recovered and keep the clan strong “All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather under the Highrock for a clan meeting!”.

Jaypaw came from the apprentice den. Sorrow and grief still weighed on the apprentice despite Mothstrike being her mentor she happened to also be her mother and that didn't help her grieving. As she has heard the call the gray blue tabby apprentice padded forward through the crowd pawsteps falling heavy against the ground. She quietly sat down and let her gaze look to Blizzardshine.

Bitterly, Blacktwig padded up to the Highrock to watch the ceremony. His heart swelled with denial, piercing hatred directed to anyone who dared mention the loss of Mothstrike anymore - the only exception if it was for a good reason. Silently, he sat down, tears in his eyes. The huge tom seemed weak like this... fury towards the subject of Mothstrike's death, sorrowful in silence... Blacktwig felt like he could barely be taken seriously anymore. He couldn't look up.

Looking down at Jaypaw, she couldn’t help but lower her ears. She understood the pain of losing a mother and if this wasn’t a formal ceremony she probably would’ve leaped off the Highrock in an attempt to comfort the apprentice “Jaypaw, please, step forward”.

Jaypaw blinked ears slightly laid back as she heaved herself to her paws. Letting her ears lift a little the grieve stricken apprentice stepped forward keeping the sorrow from her eyes.

Blacktwig wanted to acknowledge the apprentice, yet he couldn't bring himself to do so. Looking up, and seeing the grief-wracked she-cat would just bring back more memories of his daughter. He curled his tail tightly around himself, tears staining his face. He only caught a glimpse of blue fur as Jaypaw slowly stepped up.

Blizzardshine gave a weak smile at Jaypaw before continuing “Under circumstances that I won’t touch at this point, Jaypaw was left without a mentor and a new one must be assigned to her as soon as possible” She tried to be as brief as possible and avoid touching the still open wounds directly, as even herself was still trying to fully accept and get over the fact that Mothstrike was gone. There was no need to claw at the still open wounds that she, Jaypaw and several clanmates still had open. She had to shake her head and clear her throat to be able to continue “Jaypaw, Mottledwing will be your mentor, I trust she will be able to pass down all she knows on to you”.

Her decision was risky and she was aware of it, as both cats were still grieving the loss and both were related to Mothstrike. She, however, felt that for this same reason this could be a risk that she would need to take, knowing that they would be able to help each other out as family more than anyone else. As she climbed down from the Highrock she looked at Blacktwig and padded towards him with her weak smile. She had considered to give Jaypaw to him, but unlike Mottledwing he was way more unstable and couldn’t help but think it wouldn’t be wise. However, she was more than willing to help him out and always be there to help him if he ever needed her “Do you want to talk, Blacktwig?”.

Jaypaw blinked and slowly she nodded. She looked towards her new mentor and family member.

Mottledwing looked up. There were tears, too, in her eyes, but she had to take this burden upon her. Mothstrike was still watching over her, right? She padded up to Jaypaw, her fur matted slightly. The red-and-white she-cat felt like she should be proud - it was her first apprentice, after all - but under these circumstances, when the ceremony was conducted, she felt weak. She walked up to Jaypaw, her adoptive niece, and touched noses very briefly with her. She then turned away. "I'll... I'll try..." she said quietly, leading the blue she-cat down. She had nothing against her, but she just... wasn't in the mood to speak at all. She winced.

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Blacktwig looked at Blizzardshine, hearing the familiar voice, and trusting her enough to gaze upon her. "No." he blurted coldly, although he didn't mean to sound so harsh - especially not to Blizzardshine. He just... couldn't help how he was feeling. "No-" he corrected quickly. "I mean..." Blacktwig trailed off, whimpering. He was so silent, he could barely even be heard. He balled himself up tightly, shrinking back. He felt like a kit... again. He was starting to think that he was turning back into one.

Jaypaw looked to Mottledwing her adopted aunt but to her an aunt nonetheless. She followed after quietly."I..um..when do...we start training?"the blue gray tabby apprentice asked her voice soft and cracking just a bit.

Mottledwing turned around, facing Jaypaw. She wouldn't refrain from talking to her any longer. Voice cracking as well, she blinked her eyes. "T-Tomorrow," she stammered with declaration, beckoning the tabby, greyish-blue she-cat after her.

ooc;; I'll make the topic!

Ooc: okay :)

Jaypaw nodded slowly and didn't say anything else as the blue gray apprentice went with Mottledwing when she beckoned her to come with her.

Blizzardshine nodded, not offended at all by Blacktwig’s reaction and actually understanding it fairly well. Without thinking it twice, she placed her muzzle on his shoulder as a comforting action “You need some time alone, I understand that…but if you even need to talk with someone you know I’ll be there for you” Her voice was soft and almost motherly, trying to help Blacktwig to calm down.