Yarrowkit's Apprentice Ceremony

With a small grunt, Ivystar pushed herself up, leaping onto the Willow Branch. Today, her son would begin his training as a newly appointed apprentice. She'd spent much time mulling over who she'd choose to be his mentor, but after a while, felt like she'd come to an appropriate conclusion. "All cats old enough to catch their own fish, gather beneath the Willow Branch for a Clan meeting!" Ivystar mewed with a hint of pride in her voice. Hopefully, Yarrowkit would pick up on what was going on. She'd attempted to teach him about apprenticeship and ceremonies- today, she would simply have to hope it stuck.

Dewlight joined the gathering crowd quietly, lingering on the edge of the group. Were they getting a new warrior or apprentice today? She hadn't ever trained an apprentice, and though she admittedly hoped that someday she would, she wasn't sure just how ready she was for it. Ivystar and Loonwhisper would know best, though.

Yarrowkit twitched with excitement from the edge of the crowd. Though Ivystar’s words were lost on him, he understood what was the purpose of today’s clan meeting: he was becoming an apprentice! He was overjoyed; finally, Yarrowkit can prove himself to his clanmates! But, hiding just under his joy was a thick layer of nerves. Yarrowkit never got to truly bond with any of the other cats, save for a few like Cloverkit and Ivystar, and he had a reoccurring nightmare of all of the warriors refusing to train him, leaving him all alone. He was determined, however, and refused to show his hesitance outwardly.

Once her son had made his appearance, Ivystar gave a short, gentle smile, and officially began the ceremony. "Yarrowkit, please step forward." With her paw, she beckoned him forward, keeping her eyes set on the little tom so he'd know she was speaking to him. "You have reached the age of six moons and it is time for you to become an apprentice. From this day onward until you earn your warrior name, you shall be known to all as Yarrowpaw. Your mentor will be Dewlight. She may be young, but I trust that her kind nature and energetic soul will lend well to helping you train." Leaping from the branch, she padded up to Yarrowpaw and smiled brightly, nuzzling him with her muzzle.

Dewlight smiled to herself as a kit was called forward to become an apprentice. Not just any kit, but Yarrowkit - Ivystar, Honeytongue, and Stormbringer's newest adopted son. She listened patiently while the ceremony continued, but her ears perked when she suddenly heard her name. Wait, she was being chosen to mentor Yarrowpaw? She stared up in surprise at Ivystar before rising to her paws and walking over to the new apprentice. She had heard of the kit's lack of hearing, and she was scrambling to figure out how to communicate effectively with him, not only for this moment but through his training. When she stood in front of him, she smiled, shoving the hesitation down. She would think about the how later, for now... She had an apprentice to meet. Leaning her head down to touch her nose to his, she purred, her chest rumbling. When she pulled away, she gestured with her tail towards the sun, then straight up in the sky. "I look forward to training with you. Training begins at sunhigh tomorrow. We'll meet at the camp entrance." She gestured with her tail to the entrance to camp in an attempt to get her point across. This would certainly be a challenge, for her first apprentice. Was Ivystar certain that she was the best mentor for Yarrowpaw?

Yarrowkit- no, it's Yarrowpaw now- happily accepted his new mentor's nuzzle, joyous that his nightmares didn't come into fruition. He'd never met this cat before, but she seemed as welcoming as ever; Dewlight, he saw his mother mouth. Bright eyed and clearly new, Yarrowpaw could see her joy bursting out of her face from being picked. But, watching her wordlessly mouth to him his first instructions as an apprentice, Yarrowpaw began to worry. Does she know he can't hear her? How will she train him, then? How will he ever learn how to become a warrior?

Yarrowpaw could sense the hesitation in Dewlight's eyes as well. Instead of disheartening him even more, it strengthened his willpower.

We'll make it work. Dewlight can train me to become the best warrior, I know she can! Ivystar would have never picked her otherwise!