Cloud's Apprentice Ceremony

The black and white loner who had made the journey to WindClan a few sunrises ago still held a place in Finchstar's mind. Her words were wise, and her history intriguing. Most of WindClan had been quick to accept her into their ranks, but some stood wary. The leader contemplated for a long while skipping the formalities and giving her a warrior name. She certainly had the experience, and was just as wise as any cat. But Cloud had learned to hunt and fight like a SkyClan cat, and while that didn't define her character, it did define her skill. Finchstar knew she would love the wind in her fur once she reached the moor, but perhaps she needed to learn first how to run with it. How to bring down a rabbit of her own. How to observe the territories, and how to sleep under the stars. "All cats old enough to run the moors, gather beneath the Tallrock for a clan meeting!"
It felt almost wrong, to apprentice a cat who held such wisdom, but Finchstar had his heart set on his decision, and her mentor as well.

At least two cats in camp were talking about the new arrival, Cloud, at all times. They weren't always the same cats, but it seemed that she had sent a bit of a wave through the already readjusting Clan. She slipped into cracks which had been made during the flood, and Barleytuft, for one, was eager to accept her officially into the Clan. He had learned from his mate, Graybriar, that heritage didn't decide loyalty: everyone decided their own. Cloud had chosen to be loyal to WindClan, and after a long talk Finchstar seemed to see it fit to give her the chance to learn it and earn a name there. Barleytuft made his way to the meeting - which he suspected to be the loner's warrior ceremony - his mind distracted with thoughts of his and Graybriar's newborn kits in the nursery. Soon, they'd be getting names too.

What was all that noise outside? Goldenkit's curiosity got the better of her as she bumbled her way out of the nursery, her blue eyes gazing around at the Gathering cats as she poked her head out of the entrance. Perhaps she would just watch from here, her tail tip twitching hidden by the inside of the nursery. This looked like much more fun anyway.

Cloud padded shyly through the crowd, her clear blue eyes trained on her paws and her black tail-tip twitching. No matter how uncomfortable it made her, she knew that she had to go out into the open and talk to a few cats. After all, she wouldn't be accepted by Windclan if she stayed hidden all day. Ceremonies seemed like a good place to start. They happened fairly often, and she was sure that nobody would notice if she just watched a few...
Are these ceremonies different from the ones in Skyclan? It had been a while since she'd seen any type of ceremony, Skyclan or otherwise. Cloud sat down near the front of the crowd, her ears twitching. There was only one way to find out, she supposed.

The black and white she-cat arrived, sitting towards the front of the group, and Finchstar watched her curiously, wondering what she could possibly be thinking. The excitement of knowing that soon, she would join the ranks of WindClan ate at his pelt. They were growing, with new kits being born, and apprentices becoming warriors. It seemed a testament to better times, that even the starkissed loners would decide to pledge their loyalty to their small clan. Finchstar closed his yellow eyes for just a moment, taking a deep breath. "WindClan. As you are aware, Cloud has joined our ranks not but a few sunrises ago. She carries an honorable heart, one that I am proud to know." He smiled, catching the loner's blue eyes. "Today is the day we grant her a clan name. Before, she was Lilypaw. And now, she is Cloud. But from this day forward, until she receives her warrior name, she will be known as Puddlepaw." The leader directed his attention solely towards the newest apprentice now, giving her a sly smile. "You are not the first to journey to another clan. Graybriar, who was also born a SkyClan cat, made the journey here, to the moors. I believe she will make a fitting mentor for you, Puddlepaw. Graybriar, teach her the ways of our windblown territory, your experience will forever be valued." The tabby queen was still recovering from kitting, but Finchstar felt that it would be wrong to assign Puddlepaw any other mentor than her. It seemed almost perfect, that they should be with one another.

Barleytuft listened attentively as Finchstar called the meeting to order, addressing his Clan as well as reiterating briefly what he knew of Cloud. She had come from SkyClan where she'd been born with the name Lilypaw, but that part of her had been left in SkyClan. Similarly, she had been named Cloud as a loner and now she was leaving it behind to seek solace in Clan life once again. It was an interesting situation, one which Barleytuft was curious about but grateful to have never experienced. WindClan had always felt like his home and his true Clan. He hoped that, after some time here and with the right guidance, Cloud might feel the same as she was hoping. Didn't they all deserve that kind of closure?

Renamed Puddlepaw, the young she-cat was given the best possible mentor for reasons everyone in the Clan must know: Graybriar. Immediately Barleytuft's eyes sparkled to hear his beloved's name and his eyes scanned for her in the crowd. If any cat could help a former SkyClan cat see the beauty in the moors, it would be her. Eagerly the pale tom cheered for his new Clanmate; he hoped she would know she always had an ally in him if her heart was truly in WindClan.

Graybriar was able to sit outside for the ceremony, for the first time in what seemed like a while- her kits were starting to get old enough that she didn't have to constantly supervise them herself. Not that she would have missed this ceremony for the world! Moons after Brindlestar's rejection, Lilypaw- Cloud?- was back, ready to join WindClan at long last. As a former SkyClanner herself, the gray tabby queen couldn't be happier. And she was proud of the apprentice- warrior aged, now- for following her dreams. A giant grin spread across her face when the former loner was given the name Puddlepaw. She had resolved within herself to help the she-cat however she could... however, she wasn't expecting what Finchstar said. She was going to mentor her? Graybriar blinked slightly, then looked back towards where her four kits were playing in the sun. How was she supposed to mentor, with those little beautiful disasters to look after? But she would do her absolute best. The queen walked forwards to touch noses with Puddlepaw, smiling slightly through her surprise. "I'm a bit tied up at the moment," she joked, "but I'll be glad to help you with whatever you need! And when my kits are apprenticed, I can show you around. I know what you're going through, don't worry. Welcome to WindClan."

Ah, Lilypaw. Swiftstep remembered when he had first met the young'un. She had been through so much but had also come far. She, no doubt, had grown wise from her travels. Swiftstep had a feeling that she'd fit right in. Graybriar was a great choice to be her mentor. They had been Skyclanners in their early years and would certainly bond well. Swiftstep got up and began to walk to the newly named apprentice, ready to congratulate her.

"Puddlepaw! Congratulations darlin'! I'm certain that you'll do just fine with your training. You'll make Windclan proud. Graybriar has been an amazing mentor to apprentices so you're in good paws." Swiftstep offered the she-cat a warm smile before facing Graybriar. "Windclan is lucky to have someone like you. You've been amazing ever since you got here and I thank you. Take care of yourself, your kits, Barley, and Puddlepaw. I'm always open to talk so if you need anything, please don't hesitate to come find me." Once he finished speaking, the tom nudged the queen gently before padding away.