Galekit's Apprentice Ceremony

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Willow Branch for a clan meeting!" Scorchclaw's powerful cry rang throughout the camp. The fluffy deputy was standing on the Willow Branch, the glow of his green eyes just visible among the sparse leaves. At the summons, cats from the ages of apprentices to warriors began to crowd towards the central willow. It was time for another ceremony--Galekit's, this time. The dark-furred tom was ready to join his littermates in the Apprentice Den, feeding RiverClan's already great forces.

The significance of an event such as an Apprentice Ceremony still did not weigh too heavily upon Galekit's mind, hardly holding more than a mere shred of importance within his limited attention span- it was just like the eclipsed red smear in the sky, dull at best. Shaking away the scraps of downy debris that clung heavily to his dark coat, the young tabby's deep gaze was frothing under the weight of faint curiosity. He'd prefer to stay within the Nursery as long as possible- at least then, cats wouldn't turn their noses upwards as he happened to pass by.

As he turned his green gaze upon Galekit, Scorchclaw's features were devoid of emotion. There was no distaste in his expression, but no particular encouragement either. Behind an impassive mask, he regarded the young tom with mild curiosity. As much as he disapproved of letting outsiders into the clan, Galekit and his littermates had been kits only a couple of moons old when they were found. There had been no way to cast the kits aside without breaking the Warrior Code. In addition, he wasn't cruel enough to ignore their plight. As a result, he did not hold the hostility towards them that he might have. "Galekit, step forward." He mewed, voice soft but clear. "You have reached the age of six moons and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day onward, you will be known as Galepaw and your mentor will be Jaystar. I have no doubts that he will train you well." There was no way for Scorchclaw to know that the two were father and son. Nevertheless, at that moment, putting the two of them together only felt right.

As soon as the ceremony was over, he bounded off the Willow Branch.

The leader, who watched the ceremony from his place next to the Willow Branch, was kind of shocked when his deputy put him as the mentor of Galepaw. What an irony... Scorchclaw had no idea that he was his son and neither did the young cat. Yet it seemed that fate wanted them to be together... was this Starclan's will?

Jaystar stood up and made his way to the dark-furred tom. He looked into those green eyes they both shared and for a second, he feared that one day would find out about his sin and that his kits would have to pay for that. What would happen to Galepaw then? He had promised himself that he would protect all of his kits but he wasn't entirely sure how was he going to do that.

However, it was not the time to think about it. The tall tom leaned his body and touched the apprentice's nose, as a way to start their new bond as apprentice and mentor. Jaystar then moved backwards and smirked a bit. "It will be my pleasure to train you, Galepaw... You may now rest and make yourself comfortable in your new den for today. Your training will start tomorrow." Deep inside, the tom wished that this time Galepaw wouldn't end like his other son, Cinderfall, who was also his former apprentice... He couldn't bear the loss of another member of his family...

Peering up at Jaystar with a gaze that was eerily similar, the newly-named Galepaw blinked at his freshly assigned Mentor. It wasn't much of a shock, considering the fact that Jaystar had always been moderately involved in his life thus far- but he had always assumed it was merely due to the fact that he wanted to ensure the fact that they were adapting to their new life within the Clans. Nodding slightly at the tabby Leader, Galepaw's thick fur framed his deceptively innocent gaze as he peered after the tom. Starlord was not going to be happy about this!

It was only a mild interest in occurances that drew Starlord from his place within the medicine cat's den. He lingered just outside the entrance as he looked up at Scorchclaw with a passive disinterest. Hearing Galekit's name called caused his mind to immediately snap to attention. He was to begin training to be a part of Riverclan like his siblings. Unfortunate as it was, with his influence and traits that could only be attributed to their mother, the rest seemed to have kept some of their sense regardless of the nonsense they were fed here.

That was the only thing that kept a budding hope within his chest as he watched Gold's kit stand before the watchful eyes of many clan cats. The ginger patched tom let out a low breath that he didn't realize he had been hold. It caught in his throat as the mentor was announced. Jaystar. Immediately the fur on his shoulders raised and he forgot all attempts to settle his frustration. Has the deputy and leader planned this? Hopefully Galekit, or rather Galepaw now, would have more sense than to pick up the cowardly nature of his birth father.

After cats had cleared away, and the rot-brained leader had said his piece, the loner picked his way across the clearing until he stood before the apprentice. He stuck distasteful words to the back of his tongue and meowed lowly, "I suppose a congratulations is in order. If you need any... further training than what Riverclan can provide, come to me. Consider the words Jaystar says, for they may be misleading." His usual cheer momentarily died away and the tone of his voice was flat. In his eyes shone something akin to an apology flickering among the mixture of other emotions. Jaystar would not ruin this kid. He couldn't.

occ: mobile. enjoy angry son ;)

That didn't take long.

Large ears twisting downwards in an uncharacteristic display of sheepishness, Galepaw shifted slightly as Starlord quickly converged upon the unfolding scene. It was difficult to not feel a bit embarrassed during times such as this, especially with others watching. As he grew older, he was quickly discovering the complexity of his developing relationship with his pseudo-father figure. Starlord's attitude towards Galepaw's new lifestyle, barely ever hidden beneath a guise, was often a bit disheartening- but how could you love somebody if they were anything but who they truly were? The heart within Starlord's chest was evidently not made for Clan-based life, a sentiment proved with every last pulse. Bristling spray of whiskers twitching slightly as he listened to Starlord's quick words, the dark tabby only offered a hesitant simper as he studied his paws. Finchstream had said this moment was supposed to be a joyous one, so why did he only feel that same sense of loneliness?

"You know I always will." Galepaw eventually reassured, taking great care to monitor his tone as he spoke to Starlord.