Hailkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Pleased to be naming yet another apprentice, Mistyrain leaped energetically up to the Tallbranch. So many kits being named apprentices was a good sign - it could only mean that the Clan was growing. "Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather beneath the Tallbranch for a Clan meeting!" she called loudly. This kit, Hailkit, was particularly late to receive his apprentice name. She recalled naming his siblings the previous moon. 'I'm sure he's more than ready now,' she though, trying to spot the kit among his gathering Clanmates.

Hailkit padded over the the Tall Branch and sat down waiting for the ceremony to start. He was finally going to join his siblings in the apprentices den.

After a few moments, she called out again. "Hailkit, please step forward. You have reached the age of 6 moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed." She smiled at the kit, who seemed confident and prepared for his ceremony, unlike some kits she had apprenticed. "From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Hailpaw. Elmcloud will be your mentor, and I hope that he will pass on to you everything that he knows." At this, she leaped down from the Tallbranch to congratulate Hailpaw.

Hailpaw grinned and bowed his head to Mistyrain. He then turned to find his mentor and when he did he bowed his head towards them. “I hope you will teach me all you know”

Nicked ears swiveling forward at Mistyrain's ceremonial words, Elmcloud's gaze remained trained upon the slender stature of the Deputy for a brief moment. Although it shouldn't really come as a surprise that yet another Apprentice had been bestowed to him, he was surprised that he would be given one before Clearpaw received his Warrior Name. At least he could trust the older Apprentice in terms of handling himself while he dealt with the newly-named Hailpaw. Hauling himself across the clearing, the tom's narrow features creased slightly as he gazed down at the grey tabby.

"I hope you're ready to begin your training." Elmcloud mewed, ears twisted flat against his skull as he briefly touched noses with the young tom.