Larkkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Even Raventail had to admit it was almost too late in the day for a Clan meeting. The sky was only a few shades lighter than his fur, and though the breeze wasn’t half as bitter as it had been in leaf-bare, the lack of shelter at the Tallrock’s top ensured it dug its claws into him anyway. He wrapped his tail around his paws. ”Let all cats old enough to run the moor gather beneath the Tallrock!” He didn’t truly know the kit due to become a ‘paw tonight, but he doubted she would appreciate having to spend an extra night in the nursery. That was how he’d been, anyway. He could only hope Larkkit was the same. Raventail squinted down at his Clanmates as they began to move toward him, trying to distract himself from the cold by searching for Larkkit's brown-striped pelt.

The small kitten yawned, fluffing her short pelt out against the tiny bit of wind that still remained. Larkkit blinked blearily up at the Tallrock. It is my ceremony, right? Yeah, think so. The brown tabby padded beneath the Tallrock. Her gaze flitted to a passing butterfly before snapping back to Raventail.

A few kits shuffled, a few warriors uncurled from their naps, a few apprentices abandoned the bits of fresh-kill they’d been eating to join the crowd below. Until she came to stand before the Tallrock—though he hadn’t called her forward, she clearly had a hunch who this meeting was for—Larkkit’s small frame was nearly hidden by those of her older, taller Clanmates. At least she was still awake; after this, she’d have a mentor to meet and a nest to move. Unwinding his tail as he got to his feet, Raventail stepped up to the Tallrock’s edge. He stifled a shiver. ”Larkkit, step forward.”

Once she had done so, he continued with the familiar words of the ceremony, keeping his eyes on hers. ”You’ve reached the age of six moons, and it’s time for you to be apprenticed. From now until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Larkpaw.” Only then did he turn his attention outward, this time looking for Larkpaw’s mentor-to-be. Some time had passed since Petalpaw’s apprenticeship had been brutally cut short; though Raventail was certain Crowspirit hadn’t forgotten—as if forgetting something like that was possible—he hoped Crowspirit wouldn’t mind being a mentor again. ”Your mentor will be Crowspirit. May he pass everything he knows down to you.”

Larkpaw looked around, searching for the dark-pelted warrior. Her gaze eventually found him, and she trotted over, tapping noses with him. A small purr rumbled in her throat. We'll be great together, I'm sure! She quietly whispered, "I'll do my best."

Crowspirit grinned, tail flicking as he bumped noses with his newest apprentice. The first since Petalpaw. “I have no doubt you will, Larkpaw. We’ll have fun together. You’ll be like one of the family.” The dark warrior purred, making no effort to hide his own exuberance.

ooc: want to make a training thread?