Bloodkit's Apprentice Ceremony

One by one, the kits in the nursery were nearing apprenticehood. Today, he was here to announce the mentor he'd chosen for Bloodkit - his only son. Wolfcall had thought long and hard about it before making his decision, and as he crouched to spring to the Tallbranch, his fur spiked with excitement. Another of his and Blossomstep's children, out into the forest to stake their claim on the clans, on the world, and he got to watch them do it.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Tallbranch for a clan meeting!"

Bloodkit heard his father's voice and sprung from his napping spot among the leaves. He galloped full tilt toward Tallbranch and slid to a stop beneath it. This is it! It had to be his turn today! He plopped his haunches down on the ground and he stared up at his father, barely containing his excitement and his hopefulness of being made an apprentice. Who would his mentor be? He didn't have a clue. He did his best to be patient, but his claws jabbed into the leaves beneath his paws over and over again as he waited. I want this... I am ready for it!

The young tom's excitement was contagious, and Wolfcall had to remind himself that a deputy was supposed to look composed and certain, to stop himself from grinning like an idiot in return. He cleared his throat, though a smile was evident in his voice as he went on. "Bloodkit, step forward! You have reached the age of six moons, and as such it's time for you to become an apprentice. From this day forward, until the day you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Bloodpaw." Wolfcall hesitated there, the name sounding bizarre even though he'd been the one to dub the kit at his birth. "I will be your mentor, and I will do my best to pass on to you the knowledge and expertise that Foxfire taught me." Finally allowing himself to relax now that the official stuff was over, the deputy dropped down to touch noses with his son and new apprentice.

(On phone so no color, sorry!)

Bloodpaw.... his name was Bloodpaw now... The best part about all of this? His own father was his mentor. Bloodpaw's eyes widened in shock, though not at all negatively. His smile spread and he stood up, unable to control himself as much as he could a moment ago. He touched noses with Wolfcall, his tail lashing a few times as his bubbling excitement boiled over his mental control for a moment. Still, he was much like his father and took in a breath to calm himself. He wasn't a kit anymore and he would vow to stop acting like one. No more emotionally charged outbursts or movements unless it was for battle or hunting. That said, Bloodpaw never behaved much like a normal kit anyway.

"Thank you fath-" Whoops. "Wolfcall... He corrected himself, unsure of whether or not he could address his father as father still now that he was an apprentice. Wolfcall or Deputy may have been more appropriate. "I will not disappoint you, I swear by Starclan." Another deep inhale to keep his emotions under wraps and he stood up straighter. The pride was shining in his eyes, but he did his best to maintain a stoic, mature expression.

From a little way off, hidden within the congregation of cats (just as she liked it, of course), Firekit gave a quiet murmur of approval, her mouth twitching into a faint smile as she observed the proceedings. Bloodkit- well, Bloodpaw now- had more than proven himself ready to be an apprentice, and his enthusiasm was almost infectious; and the way their father doted on him, she'd had an inkling who the mentor might be long before the ceremony. It made sense, of course- like father, like son- and if leadership ran in the family... well, she could see the reign of Bloodstar in the far future. But for now, her brother had ascended to apprenticeship, and Firekit inclined her head slightly, giving Bloodpaw an approving nod. I can't see this dampening your enthusiasm at all, but congratulations. You've earned this.

Mistpaw saw her brother Bloodkit—Bloodpaw, being apprenticed to her father, Wolfcall. She nodded silently, spotting her other sister, Firekit, joining the crowd. “Congratulations, brother. I’ll see you in the apprentice’s den soon!” Her usually quiet voice turned enthusiastic as she purred towards her newly-apprenticed brother.