Featherpaw's Apprentice Ceremony 2.0

It had only been a few moons since she'd had the kits, but Ivybrook was more than ready to get back to her duties as soon as she possibly could.

Padding out of the nursery, she squinted her eyes as the sunlight momentarily blinded her. She hadn't performed an apprentice ceremony in moons, but she was well aware of a particular apprentice who was in need of a mentor, and perhaps a new ceremony. She'd never had to deal with a situation like this before, but Torrentstar had left her in charge of the situation, so she'd handle it the best she knew how. Looking back at her two kits asleep in the nursery, Ivybrook turned and leaped up to the branch, wincing as she forced down a cough. "”Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Willow Branch for a Clan meeting!” She called out, her voice still slightly raspy from the cold.

This felt so strange.

Ivybrook's cry reverbrated around the clearing, resounding in Featherpaw's twitching ears. She had not overlooked the hoarseness to her tone, and glanced up, face vaguely furrowed with concern. The she-cat had already perched herself by the riverbed encircling camp, glazed water swirling leisurely around her paw, awaiting the announcement. And finally, it had come.
Her feathery coat sleek after a meticulous grooming, she rose from the ground and edged towards the Willow Branch. Her pelt was already beginning to warm as she felt the gazes of the RiverClan cats boring piercingly into her skin, and she lowered her head to avoid any awkward eye contact. She knew this must be her ceremony, she knew this must be her time, but she couldn't help but feel that she was only sinking. Sinking in this perpetual gushing of waves, the crashing of grief, only brought her further and further down each day. And Featherpaw was alright with that. If this was StarClan's way of punishing her, then so be it.

Shame prickling at her fur, she took a seat near the back of the crowd. There was no way she was going to push her way to the centre, even if this was her time to shine.

Shine? No, that definitely wasn't the right word. More like, my time to make a fool of myself all over again.

She just wanted this all to be over.

Ivybrook from the corner of her eyes as Featherpaw inched closer and closer, and when she finally came to a stop and enough cats had gathered, she officially began the ceremony. “Featherpaw, step forward.” She said shortly, looking down at the she-cat below. “Featherpaw, you have traveled great lengths to be reunited with your Clan, and you have been formally welcomed back to RiverClan to complete your training as an apprentice. Your mentor will be Mudfrost.” The she-cat was young, so having an apprentice who already knew most of what she needed to would be an excellent place to start.

It was undeniable that Featherpaw had been part of RiverClan. She’d crossed the river using an imitation of the swimming technique Mudfrost had been taught, and according to Torrentstar, every name she’d rattled off upon entering the camp had once belonged to a RiverClanner. Faced with that much proof, Mudfrost had been forced to reevaluate her opinion of the silver she-cat in the moons since her return. A danger to RiverClan—maybe not. A traitor—perhaps. No real warrior would leave their Clanmates out to dry. And so, though the specifics of Mudfrost’s feelings toward Featherpaw had changed, her general opinion had not.

She watched the ceremony from her spot near the back of the crowd, tail folded neatly over her paws. Her ears twitched as Ivybrook asked Featherpaw to step forward. There were no new suffixes to give today; the only change would be Featherpaw’s mentor. Probably one of RiverClan’s older warriors, maybe Ivybrook or Torrentstar himself. Or else—

”Your mentor will be Mudfrost.”

Mudfrost straightened. Her eyes darted up to meet Ivybrook’s, full of confusion. Of course she was ready to take on mentorship—but Featherpaw? After a heartbeat, during which she realized RiverClan was quite possibly looking at her, she managed to push her bafflement down, letting cool neutrality take its place. RiverClan had asked something of her. She wouldn’t let them down. If it came down to her to determine where Featherpaw’s loyalties rested, so be it. Rising to her paws, she strode forward to meet her new apprentice. ”Training starts at dawn.” That would give Mudfrost enough time to wrap her head around her newest responsibility…and to figure out a lesson plan.