Flashkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Dawnhawk had decided on a mentor for this next kit as well. He'd had the patience this time to wait until closer to sunhigh when the temperatures were at least a little bit warmer. He padded over to the leader's den and stood in front of it. Some cats were already gathering, aware of what he was doing. Good. They would slowly accept his new position over them. Once that happened, perhaps he would ask his superiors to be more lenient with his clan. "Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather before me for a clan meeting!" He called out across camp. He sat and patiently waited for enough cats to gather, especially the two cats he wanted to see the most.

Flashkit had thought he had wanted to be an apprentice. But he knew the cat that was holding this ceremony. His mother had told him enough about him that Flashkit did not like him one bit. Leafkit had had her ceremony, and he knew that he would not have a choice but to attend this one, whichever of his siblings was next. So he came, and begrudgingly he sat down. While he was not around during the takeover, and these Asylum cats were as normal to him as any other cat, his family that was around had laid an impression on him.

His fur was a bit unkempt, but he himself was not about to clean it. If his mother felt the need, she could do it. But Dawnhawk was not a cat he felt the need to impress. So with his chin held high, and his eyes narrowed, he waited for the traitor, as his mother called him, to get on with it. He wanted this done as soon as possible.

Dawnhawk noted Flashkit's appearance and for just a moment, considered suspending his ceremony for a few moons. Then again, it meant that he would have to remember to get around to naming this kit an apprentice at some point, and the future was uncertain. He had other matters he needed to attend to, and if he was going to convert more cats, he needed to act as a deputy would. Bloodstrike probably would have teased Flashkit, albeit jokingly. Dawnhawk was rarely in a joking mood.

"Flashkit, step forward. You have reached the age of 6 moons and are ready to become an apprentice. From today and this day forward, you will be known as Flashpaw. Your mentor will be Flowerthorn." Bloodstrike usually had something good to day about each and every mentor, but Dawnhawk's mind was elsewhere. He didn't know Flowerthorn that well anyway, only what she thought was secretly whispered behind Dawnhawk's back. Why was he giving his mother her own kit to mentor? He had his reasons.

"Congratulations to you." He said, though his tone was flat and his eyes held a certain level of coldness to them. His eyes went to Flowerthorn as well... and a tiny half smile tugged up the corner of his lip. The frigid air of approaching leaf-bare held more warmth than his smile did...

As quickly as she was named mentor Flowerthorn stepped forward collecting her kit, and following regular standards as if it was a normal ceremony. But as soon as she turned to Dawnhawk, she was completely unfazed by the smile he had given her. If this was an attempt to unnerve her or make her feel hopeless or weak then he was wrong. She didn't care if he heard the things she said. She would say it to his face as well. The glare she fixed him only served to return the cold he attempted to give her. "Come on Flashpaw. We have a lot to cover." Her tail tip was touching her kit as a sign of safety and affection, to make sure he was put first before her.

Another of Flowerthorn and Foxfire's kits would become an apprentice today, under the eye of Dawnhawk, the traitor. As he'd done at Leafpaw's ceremony, Wolfstar lingered in the back, angry eyes boring a hole into his grandson's pelt. The moment Flowerthorn was named Flashpaw's mentor, to his surprise, the pair greeted each other and turned away. Wolfstar met her gaze, his expression flashing from fury at Dawnhawk, to gratitude for her loyalty, in an instant. He didn't expect any less from the parents of these kits, but he hadn't expected them to openly detest the Asylum cats, either... it was a dangerous move, but one he appreciated nonetheless.

Moving forward to put himself between Dawnhawk and Flashpaw, he gave the white-and-cream tom a pointed, you're not welcome here look, and then turned his back to him, lowering his nose to nudge Flashpaw's shoulder. "Congratulations, Flashpaw, I know you'll do well." The leader flicked his tail against Flowerthorn's flank, a quiet murmur to her under his breath, "Be careful out there." And then he turned and moved away again.

Flashpaw couldn't help but feel a tinge of relief. Flowerthorn was his mentor. A cat he loved and trusted and respected. His own mother. And although he hated Dawnhawk with a passion, he was grateful that he had not been given to an Asylum cat. As he touched noses with Flowerthorn, he whispered to her, ever so quietly. "I'm glad it was you."

As Wolfstar approached, he blinked gratefully. This was yet another cat he had heard numerous stories about, just as he had with the Asylum cats. The difference was, Flowerthorn seemed to like Wolfstar. He was leader before these cats took over, and they say he still was, but it didn't seem like he had much power. Flashpaw figured he would like this cat if he had been able to see more of him. Perhaps he would.