Redkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Flintshard sat perched on the Jaggedrock, gaze focused on his paws. It wasn't hard to recall the day that he, along with Thornstar and Cardinalcry, had found Redkit in the marsh - of how quickly Cardinalcry had decided to take the kit under her tail...And now Cardinalcry was gone - having abandoned her Clan and her kits in a fit of anger over the death of her eldest kit. Even now, the deputy had trouble wrapping his head around the feelings that had driven the she-cat to make her choice and what remained in the Clan as an aftermath. He had no strong feeling on the matter, Cardinalcry had made her choice and he couldn't even start to make assumptions on any feelings that others felt when he had none of his own. But what did stand out to him was that Redkit wasn't...Happy. Her mother had left, she had grown deathly ill and had just barely recovered. Perhaps being an apprentice would do her good, he couldn't guess - he hated that he couldn't understand other's feelings, what drove them and how they could respond. It would make so many things easier...

Ah well, there was a ceremony to start.

"ShadowClan! Gather beneath the shadow of the Jaggedrock!"

Redkit, now over most of the effects of the poison and cleared to leave the medicine den, laid in the shadow of the nursery, head bowed and body curled up. When Flintshard called out the summons, she almost didn't move, only at the last moment forcing herself to stand, padding over on slightly shaky legs.

Flintshard scanned the gathered cats, seeking out Redkit until he finally spotted her fumbling from nearby Mothglow's den. His whiskers twitched, quietly wondering if he had chosen to do this to soon - Mothglow was certain that Redkit would survive her sickness, that she would recover but perhaps he could have waited until she was more steady on her paws... Hm. "I've gathered you all here today for another apprentice ceremony," he said, turning his gaze away from Redkit to focus on the Clan as a whole. "Redkit, please step forward."

He watched her from the corner of his eye, not fully turning his attention back onto her until she had managed to make the steps and now stood before the Clan. "...Redkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Redpaw. Your mentor will be Ravenmist. May she teach you all that she knows."

The newly named Redpaw could hardly believe that she was finally being named an apprentice, and she felt a little bit of excitement for the first time since Cardinalcry had left. She stepped forwards, towards Ravenmist, and lifted her head to touch noses, a little twinkle in her eye again.

Ravenmist nodded, a flicker of pride in her chest at getting the chance to train a second apprentice, as she waited for Redpaw to come and touch noses with her. The blind she-cat smiled, tail curling in pleasure. “The previous cat who held your name, Redpaw, was one of the strongest, bravest deputies I knew. I’ll do my best to help you grow into the best cat you can be.”