Vinekit's Apprentice Ceremony

It was calm, cloudy, and just after sunhigh when, for the second time in his life, Raventail found himself standing behind the Tallrock instead of before it. WindClan’s nursery was almost empty now. The last kit—at least, the last kit whose name Raventail remembered—was Grousefrost’s daughter, Vinekit. In some ways, her father's practical tendencies showed; still, he had to wonder what the chances were of her heading in the other direction and turning out to be a pawful. She definitely had energy to spare... Maybe the day she’d “hunted” him was coloring his thoughts a bit. Soon, Vinekit would be hunting real rabbits, and Raventail’s pelt would be out of danger.

At least getting up here was easy. Raventail hoisted himself atop the Tallrock and settled into a sitting position, tail resting across his front paws. ”Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Tallrock!” This time, he knew he had the right words, and the rush of cats in his direction startled him less. A little less.

Vinekit was practically vibrating with excitement, her fur beginning to prickle in pure anticipation. Finally, after moons of efficient practice and hard, honest work, she had been allowed this honour. It had taken many mouthfuls of fur, yowling and batting to get to this point, and she couldn't be prouder of herself. Although Windclan was practically bursting at the seams (you would have to be a blind kit not to see how stuffed the apprentice nests were at night) Raventail had found it fit for her to be added to those ranks. Vinekit hastily dipped her head once more, attempting to smooth down the parts of her floofy pelt that had perked up again. She glanced to her mother as the call to meet sounded, and cast another glance at her dear father.

With an uncharacteristic lightness, Vinekit padded out into the wider clearing, making sure her tail was tucked firmly and steadily beneath her form. She slowly lifted her head up toward Raventail, and attempted to hold herself still.

As stiflingly formal as these ceremonies seemed to be, with words that didn’t fit right on his tongue and probably never would, the look on each kit’s face as they realized it might be their turn to leave the nursery eased Raventail’s nerves. Vinekit was no exception. She made a noble effort to hide her enthusiasm once she’d emerged into the main clearing and padded to the foot of the Tallrock. Still, Raventail couldn’t help his grin as he meowed, ”Vinekit, step forward.” He could practically see her bristling from here!

”It’s time for you to become an apprentice. From this day until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Vinepaw.” Not for the first time since he’d had the idea, Raventail hesitated. He didn’t want to keep either of Cloverpaw’s parents too busy while Cloverpaw was recovering, especially after what had happened to Quailpaw, but… ”Graybriar will be your mentor.” Graybriar already had an apprentice—Puddlepaw, older and more experienced than Raventail himself despite what her suffix suggested. He wasn't close to Graybriar, but what he knew about her made him certain she could handle Vinepaw’s energy alongside Puddlepaw. ”She’s a skilled, determined warrior, and I'm sure she'll pass on all she knows to you.” When he leapt down to join his Clanmates in congratulating WindClan's newest apprentice, he was careful to keep his tail out of biting range. Just in case.

Goldenpaw had just come in from a hunt when she saw the crowd gathering and joined in, sitting near Grousefrost and her father. Raventail had taken on his duties quickly, and while he had seemed hesitant at first, with each heartbeat he seemed to have a better paw on things. She cast a glance around, her blue eyes landing on Vinekit, who looked so excited. She had grown so much, it must be almost time for her ceremony. When her thoughts were confirmed throughout the ceremony, she smiled up to Grousefrost, quickly flicking her tail to his shoulder as his daughter received her new name and mentor. As her own mother was named the mentor, she nodded slightly, trying to meet Graybriar's eyes. A good choice in mentor, and maybe it would help keep her mother's mind off of Quailpaw's disappearance, even if only a little bit. She nudged Grousefrost with her nose and purred. "I can't wait to see her in action, she'll be amazing." Raising her voice with her clan's, she called out Ivypaw's new name to the sky.

The kit who has just been made apprentice started to chant. "Vinepaw, Vinepaw" And laughed a little when Raventail flinched away from Vinekit. Baykit was very happy for the younger kit's ceremony. I'll have a friend now, even if I can't train with her. The young cream colored tabby simled, even if it was very slight, and retreated to the apprentice's den.

Graybriar automatically padded out at the summons, curling her tail around her paws tightly when she sat as if it would protect her from the inner emotions tearing her apart. She absentmindedly noted the excited young kit preparing for her ceremony, noted Raventail climbing atop the Tallrock to name a mentor. Nothing out of the ordinary, though it was strange to see the young black tom performing the ceremony instead of the older brown cat. Words floated around her, and she was ready to pad back into the medicine den to visit Cloverpaw when she heard her name. Graybriar will be your mentor. Astonished, the senior warrior blinked, trying to make sense of it. She... was being given another apprentice? All right, she supposed. Vinepaw, did he say? Stumbling out of her dazed state, the tabby padded over to the young apprentice and touched noses with her. "I'll start your training tomorrow," she said, struck by how familiar the words were. Frozenpaw... Rabbitfrost... She blinked the old pangs of sorrow away and instead nodded at the young she-cat, caught Goldenpaw's eye for a moment and then turned to the medicine den once more.

Vinekit stepped forward as her name was called, stifling a purr that had already started to rumble deep in her throat. Not yet, mousebrain! She tried to sit up straighter as Windclan's deputy continued speaking, ears pricked and eyes darting around, trying to guess who exactly her mentor would be. She hoped her mentor would be strong and fast, a perfect teacher who in turn could help her become the perfect warrior. The name was announced, and Vinepaw immediately cast another searching glance around the camp, eyes locking on the senior warrior. What an honour!

A familiar buzz swept under her pelt as she touched noses with the she-cat. This time, she allowed her fur to prickle, too taken away in the moment to really care. Vinepaw nodded enthusiastically at her mentor's words. "Of course!"