Pumpkin's Apprentice Ceremony

This one... was going to be interesting.

Minkstream's paws touched the familiar surface of the High Rock, his gaze turning out over the clearing. A new cat, a little older than the others, coming in to live with the rest of the Clan. A lop-sided smile touched his face for a moment, the memory of his own "apprentice" - more like an initiation-into-ThunderClan - ceremony flashing through his mind. Guess we'll have to see what this kittypet can do. And he had an idea in mind for who could show it to him.

Opening his maw, he called, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the High Rock for a Clan meeting!"

Nettlestar watched from the crowd as Minkstream called the clan together for the apprentice ceremony of the former kittypet who had recently joined ThunderClan.

She was glad the tom had readily agreed to undergo apprentice training, and she was curious to see how he would handle it. And though she had wished he had also agreed to take on a clan name instead of opting to just remain as "Pumpkin", she understood his reasoning as to why he wanted to keep his old name. Anyway, she was glad he had joined-- ThunderClan could always use more members, and she valued the fact that his experience was different than the rest of his clanmates. He would have stories, ideas, and experiences that none of the rest of them did.

She watched with interest as the clan gathered, waiting for the ceremony to continue.

Kitepaw joined the crowd, gaze flickering between the deputy and their new kittypet friend. She was a cautious creature but her disdain towards other clans hardly extended to the mild pity she regarded twoleg cats with. Pumpkin seemed determined enough. Hopefully he would prove himself a valuable asset to the clan, just as every other apprentice had to do. While her expression was a neutral mask, the she-cat's eyes glistened with a quiet curiosity.

Pumpkin waited anxiously. He could feel many gazes boring into him, as cats began to gather in the clearing. He shuffled around, not quite sure how they did things in the clans. Being stared at was starting to make him feel very uncomfortable, ‘Come on, snap out of it pumpkin. Show them you aren’t afraid!’ a voice inside of him said. He exhaled, and looked up to face the cats with a cold, fearless gaze, his muscular shape an almost auburn in the winter sunlight

Minkstream's eyes flicked over the cats gathering, quickly spotting the brown tom's pelt as he fidgeted, his face settled into a determined look despite the nervousness of his movements. I know how you feel, The wry thought ran through his head a moment before he opened his maw again.

"Pumpkin, step forward."

Minkstream held his eyes, waiting until the other had done so, keeping his stance casual. Despite the fact he barely had any idea what words he was meant to use for this ceremony. "Pumpkin -" Stars, it felt strange not to have the suffix "kit" on the end - he had to struggle not to inadvertently add it "- you uh, have asked to join the ranks of ThunderClan, been accepted, and as of today start your training to become a part of it as a warrior. From this moment until you earn your warrior name -" Which will be exactly the same as the one you have now... The thought flashed through his mind "- you will be known as... Pumpkin," He finished, letting only a hint of dryness into his tone at that last, a half-smile quirking at the corner of his maw. "Your mentor will be Pinefrost."

Jumping down, he shook his pelt, calling his congratulations with the others and finally letting the wry smile break free. Great StarClan, it's interesting to have another cat who came in from outside, but stars is it confusing!