Muddykit’s Apprentice Ceremony

The idea of standing up in front of the entire Clan to conduct a ceremony sounded like Dayspring’s greatest nightmare. However, kits needed to become apprentices... that was a Clan custom, and there was only one way for that to happen. She wasn’t about to shy away from her responsibilities because of a simple fear. The view that she had of her Clanmates below her calmed the she-cat’s nerves only the slightest bit. Today, another kit would be joining the apprentices’ den, and Dayspring was excited to see that kit’s potential.
“May all cats old enough to run the moor gather beneath the Tallrock for a Clan meeting!"

Muddykit bounced outside of the nursery, certain that today was the day! Sure, he had told himself the exact same thing since for the few sunrises since he had reached the mythical six moons old but today he truly today! The kit was bounding in a circle, tail lashing as his boundless energy was getting the better of him - only to come to a sudden halt the moment Dayspring's voice echoed across the camp. Yes! This was it!

...Or...Or it was Sunnyki-No, it was his! He couldn't have doubts now! He raced forward, only to force himself into a casual (it wasn't casual at all) walk as he tried to find a place to sit. He didn't want to sit but he knew it would be rude to pace around while there was a ceremony going on, even if it was most likely his. So, he found a suitable spot and crouched, tail thumping against the ground as e held his breath and waited.

Come on, let it finally be his ceremony...

Dayspring couldn't help but smile once the kit of the hour came into view.
"Muddykit, please step forward," The deputy began, not letting her smile waver.
Once the young tom had followed the instructions, she recited the words that she had spent many heartbeats rehearsing in the warriors' den, "Muddykit, 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 Muddypaw. Your mentor will be Amberfluff."
Once she was finished, Dayspring quietly made her way off of the Tallrock and down into the crowd to join her Clanmates in congratulating the Clan's newest apprentice.

Young Silverkit had been watching the ceremony unfold with wide, awe-filled eyes. It was the first ceremony of any kind that he had the pleasure of witnessing. He was entranced with the words being spoken by the deputy and tried to inscribe them into his mind. He needed to be prepared for when it was to be his turn, of course! The tabby tom-kit was also bubbling with pride and happiness for his half-brother. It was Muddykit's apprentice ceremony!

All through the ceremony, Silverkit had been trying to guess who'd be Muddy's mentor. He tried to see if Dayspring's eyes would give anything away but alas, it wasn't that easy. He soon gave up once he realized that the mentor was just about to be announced and he hadn't realized he had spaced-out a few moments. The kit held his breath as he awaited the reveal.

Silver grinned widely when Amberfluff's name was called. One of his moms was going to train Muddy! How exciting and fun was that? The tom-kit scrambled up onto his paws and hurried over to congratulate Muddy as soon as it was all over.

"Hey! Congrats on becomin' an apprentice Muddypaw. Ain't it neat that Amberfluff is your mentor? I know you'll be a great warrior with her training ya. Momma's super cool." he purred with a hint of playfulness, shoulder bumping the apprentice's. "Maybe we can all train together once everyone else's an apprentice?" The young tom sounded as hopeful and eager as he felt. He was sooo ready to start his training!

Muddykit straightened up as his name was called, racing forward to stand at attention as Dayspring went on. He was... Muddypaw. It wasn't a huge change but it was still an important one! He was an apprentice, he could leave the camp now! He could learn how to fight and hunt and all that important stuff! And Amberfluff would be his mentor. Oh, that was good! He knew Amberfluff...  Kinda. Well, he had seen her in the nursery a few times when she was checking up on Quailkit and Silverkit and she seemed nice enough so he was excited anyways!

He raced over to greet her, bopping noses with her before a new voice caught his attention. He turned just in time to see Silverkit bump shoulders with him, grinning at his half-brother's praise...Before questioning if they could train together once they all had their apprentices. "Wh-that's a silly question... Silverkit, of course we will train together! You, me, our sisters - I can't imagine not going out with you guys on...Whatever apprentices do once we all have our names! We are buds, family!" he wrapped a paw around Silverkit's shoulder, pulling him in close with a purr. "We got to stick together!"