Nettlekit's Apprentice Ceremony

Amber eyes tracked a kit who was called out by his previous summons. He smiled at Nettlekit, her long grey tabby pelt reminded him so much of her mother. As he watched, he realised how less-groomed she looked. Probably from her pelt catching on roots or brambles from the nursery. He should have groomed her first, but there wasn’t exactly a lot of time.

It’d have to do. He sighed to himself, resigning that she might look a bit messy, but his heart swelled with joy for her. At least she and Mistkit wouldn’t be cramped into a tiny space.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath High-rock for a clan meeting!" He yowled, catching some cats off guard as they heard it for a second time. He wanted to make sure every cat had gathered, so the ceremony could begin proper.

Nettlekit smiled back at her father, her eyes glittering with excitement and pride. It's my turn now, isn't it? she thought, feeling more than ready for anything. She stepped forward a little more, feeling confident and determined to make her family and her clan proud. She looked back at her father expectantly, waiting for the rest.

Marshstorm chuckled to himself as Nettlekit inched forward paw by paw, as if he didn’t notice. His attempted neutral expression falling flat.
"Nettlekit, … no need to step anymore forward. That will do..” Amusement coloured his tone as he watched her reaction. Then began the formal ceremony in earnest to the cats gathered around.

"Nettlekit, you have reached the age of six moons. It is now time for you to become an apprentice. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Nettlepaw." He declared with a bit of a smile on his maw. Trying to mask his concern towards his daughter leaving the nursery into the big wide forest beyond.

He struggled to think of a mentor that would be good for her. Then, he glanced towards Dustcloud and Mistpaw. The answer seemed clear as day. He hadn’t had an apprentice in moons, and it was finally time for him to take one once more. He doubted the clan would mind.
"I will be your mentor." He smiled down at her. "I will do my best to make sure you are raised to be a successful warrior ThunderClan can be proud of." He declared before he leapt down to finish the ceremony with a smile.

"Congratulations." He purred in amusement.

Nettlepaw looked up at her father-- and now, her mentor-- and then back at her mother and brother. In that moment, everything felt right, felt perfect. She was surrounded by her family, who she loved more dearly than anything in the world, and she could not wait to train alongside them. She smiled at her father again, straightening herself up with pride.

"Thank you, father," she purred happily. "And I promise I'll make you proud!"