Bubblekit's Apprentice Ceremony

Loonwhisper stretched out his individual limbs and pounced upon the Willow Branch in one pointed bound. The height was not so foreign to him anymore. There was a rhythm to a ceremony. It was always the same; it was a formula and an itinerary. He liked how it felt so natural and unassuming. He wondered if his clanmates noticed the brighter aspect of his eyes as he spoke the words: "Let all cats who can fish in the river gather under the Willow Branch for a meeting!"

At the sound of Loonwhisper’s voice, Bubblekit squeezed through the tightly-woven reeds that protected the entrance of the nursery. Once out, she pelted to the center of the camp, where her other Clanmates were already gathering for the ceremony. Today was the day she would become an apprentice! She couldn’t wait to get a mentor of her very own and see the world with her new friend. She would learn to hunt for her Clan and collect moss for the elders. She wanted nothing more than to grow up big and strong so she could provide for all her RiverClan friends.

Loonwhisper's eyes twinkled briefly as Bubblekit approached. He enjoyed her attitude—loud personalities attracted his attention, being a very mild mannered and low-key tom himself. He was especially excited to announce her mentor. He had given it a great deal of thought, and decided it might be appropriate to give her a helping paw as she grew into the clan, after being born and bred in such a tumultuous environment.

"Bubblekit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is now time for you to become an apprentice. Hoo, hoo. From now until you have learned the ways of a warrior, we will call you Bubblepaw."

He turned to face her new mentor, cocking his head slightly. Flashlight, you will take Bubblepaw as your apprentice," he hummed. "You are powerful and resilient. A silent strike in the dead of night. You have suffered greatly, and yet you rise from the ashes of the Asylum unscathed. Teach Bubblepaw to swell like a great wave." It was a gamble to give an apprentice to their own mother, so he had been told, but Flashlight was not the coddling type.

And both of them, the deputy and his sister, had bent under the burden of their loss. Loonwhisper was never good with these things, not in himself, and not in others. But this way, he could entrust Flashlight with some feeling of protection over their kin. Shrikefrost had slipped from their paws so easily, while their backs were turned. The deputy felt occasional misery, that if he had not been so forgiving and so non-combative to the Asylum, they would have not gotten so comfortable. They would not have taken risks. They wouldn't have taken his Shrikefrost from him. Perhaps, Loonwhisper thought, by watching his sister train her daughter, protecting and nurturing her, he could find solace from the deep grief that threatened to swallow him... and keep from dragging his sister down with him. "That is all.

Flashlight watched her daughter step forward with a quiet sort of curiosity, her gaze lingering on Loonwhisper. She had no reason to doubt his judgment, but she did wonder; who would he entrust her daughter's training to? She looked over the gathering of her clanmates, wondering which of them she would be made to keep a closer eye on - she wouldn't see any of her kits hurt, if she could help it, and the world was a far more dangerous place than any kit realized; nor would she be able to tolerate it should their training be found lacking in some way.

When Loonwhisper spoke, though, and Bubblekit was Bubblepaw, his next words surprised her more than any of the options she had considered. Though his praise warmed her heart, her initial response was to protest - she wasn't especially experienced, she didn't know what she was doing, she was a mother and not a mentor - but something made her stop before she started. Maybe it was the lingering sense of grief, or something in her brother's expression, or just simple pride, but...

"Bubblepaw," she murmured, touching her nose to that of her daughter and apprentice. "I'm so proud of you, but don't think for a moment that I'll go easy on you. We begin at dawn."

It was an interesting duality, what he was asking of her, and a gift she had never dared to wish for. It was herself, then, that she'd be watching closely - to push her, but not too far, to care for her, but not to coddle her. Love and responsibility, a balance she would have to find for herself.

As the Clan deputy began the ceremony, Bubblekit couldn't help but sit up tall and proud, nearly trembling with excitement in her seat as she stared up at him with large, eager eyes. He announced her new name, and she let out a soft squeak of excitement. Bubblepaw, she repeated in her head. My name is Bubblepaw!

Loonwhisper continued on with the ceremony, and Bubblepaw realized that he was about to assign her a mentor. She couldn't help glancing over the rows of warriors sitting beneath the Willow Branch, all staring up expectantly at the deputy. Who would be her new mentor? Egretstorm? Honeytongue? Streamtail? Or maybe even....

"Flashlight!" Bubblepaw's eyes sparkled like the brightest stars of Silverpelt as she echoed the name Loonwhisper had announced. Her mother was going to be her mentor! This was the best day ever! She stood up and met Flashlight halfway as she approached her, touching noses with the most amazing queen in all the Clans. She wasn't at all deterred by her mother's brisk words, but she still nodded enthusiastically, eager to show her how amazing a warrior she would become.