Spotkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Sunhigh had come and gone by the time Raventail approached the Tallrock again. Another of Foxspirit’s kits was ready for the apprentices’ den. Just in time for the foxes, he thought, steps faltering. That took some of the joy out of the recent ceremonies. His own apprenticeship hadn’t been the most stable, but at least the lake hadn’t been infested with predators; until the dogs, it had been a relatively peaceful place to grow up (according to his memory, anyway). He couldn’t imagine trying to train now, one ear to the lessons and the other to the breeze, always waiting for a fox’s war cry. Then again, most new apprentices probably didn’t worry about that. Raventail hoped they didn’t.

The short deputy crouched, then sprang onto the Tallrock, claws slipping against the stone. He righted himself at the top with a slightly breathless yowl: ”Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Tallrock!” Once settled, he scanned the camp for the fluffy calico kitten who would be receiving her new name today—Spotkit, right on her brother Pheasantpaw’s heels.

Ever since Spotkit had heard that she would be an apprentice soon filled her up with excitement. It filled her even more excitment when Phesantpaw became an apprentice. Spotkit knew that she would be an apprentice soon.
At the call of Raventai's call Spotkit padded eagerly up front. While Spotkit was mostly calm about important stutions she just couldn't hold her excitment. But Spotkit managed to dial it down a bit enough to sit down and looked up at Raventail.

Cloverpaw's ears perked at the sound of the deputy's voice; he lay yawning in the sunlight of the sandier part of camp, sunning himself the best that he could in the cold weather. Thanks to the birth of his nephew, Crowpaw, the apprentice had been aware of the other kits in the nursery. In fact, he had met the kit in question after a patrol a while before. With that in mind, the silver tabby tom quickly got to his paws to go join the Clan beneath the Tallrock, first looking up at Raventail with an expression of acknowledgement and awkwardness before looking for Spotkit. Wouldn't she be excited to get to learn about catching prey herself?

Partway through his search, Raventail caught Cloverpaw’s eye. It was a brief, slightly uncomfortable thing, as interactions that happened with him on the Tallrock tended to be, but he managed a smile before the apprentice looked away. Right about then was when Spotkit emerged. Unlike Pheasantpaw, she didn’t charge through her Clanmates, but stepped up to the front with relative patience, trying to hide some of her enthusiasm. It was an admirable effort, even if it didn’t completely work. Not worried at all. Glad for an excuse to brush his thoughts about the foxes aside, Raventail grinned. ”Spotkit, step forward.” Spotkit seemed to know what this ceremony was about; no reason to make everyone wait.

”You’ve reached the age of six moons,” he began with a flick of an ear. ”It’s time for you to be apprenticed. From this day until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Spotpaw. Goldengale will be your mentor.” His first apprentice. She’d trained Ploverpuddle well despite her youth; with any luck, Spotpaw would be as skilled a warrior as both of them by the time her training was over. Raventail met Goldengale’s eyes for all of a second before Grousefrost’s threat flashed through his head, and he turned back to Spotpaw with a slightly dimmed smile. Hopefully Spotpaw didn’t mind the assignment. That was what mattered, really—that she and Goldengale could work together. ”May she pass down all she knows to you.” Raventail shook himself, then made his way to ground level and the new mentor-and-apprentice pair, tail bobbing behind him. ”Congrats, both of you.”

Spotkit listened as the ceremony went on. Spotkit let out sqeuaks of excitement as she became Spotpaw and when she gained her mentor Goldengale. Spotpaw imeadtly bounded over and did the ushal when apprentices met their mentor. "I promise I'll make you proud." Spotpaw whispered.

Goldengale lingered at the edge of the group, purring as Spotkit was called forward. She recognized the kit from when she had been younger, while Crowpaw and herself were still in the nursery, but the sound of her name surprised her. Looking up towards the deputy, her eyes flashed with unidentifiable emotion before she padded forward to meet Spotpaw, touching her nose to her new apprentice's gently. Eyes softening, she purred in response. "I know you will. Training begins tomorrow, so make sure you get plenty of rest, Spotpaw."

As Raventail approached, Goldengale met his gaze stonily, a Curt nod in response to his congratulations. His reasoning had been questionable... But she would be lying if she said she wasn't happy to have him back home, even if she didn't agree with all of the details. She understood Grousefrost's anger, and shared it in certain areas... But the tom had still been her mentor. She had once wished to travel beyond the horizon, and had even asked if he would accompany her. Flicking her tail to his shoulder lightly, she mewed calmly. "Thank you, Raventail."

Cloverpaw beamed with happiness for his young friend as the she-kit became a 'paw, and much to the tom's pleasant surprise he learned his sister, Goldengale, would be their mentor. The ceremony concluded as Raventail left the Tallrock, and his sister stepped forward to greet Spotpaw ceremonially. When they'd exchanged gestures, Cloverpaw yowled, "Spotpaw! Spotpaw! Spotpaw!"