Mikael's Apprentice Ceremony

Gazing around camp, Ivystar thought about the little kit she'd recently taken in. He was quite obviously older than all the other kits in the nursery, and she was well aware that it was nearly time for him to take on the name of an apprentice, train as a warrior, and eventually, earn his warrior name. However, there was still a bit of apprehension in the pits of her chest. She wasn't quite sure why- maybe it was that he was caked in blood when she found him, yet hardly had any injuries. He'd already seen so much, and what if it corrupted him? Kind of like... Shaking her head, she cleared any of those thoughts. This kit was entitled to the same things any RiverClanner was, and he was going to get them. Leaping onto the Willow branch, she called out, "All cats old enough to catch their own fish, gather beneath the Willow Branch for a Clan meeting!"

Mikael heard Ivystar call out for... a clan meeting? He got to his paws, wondering if he fell into the category of old enough to catch his own fish. When he saw kits younger than him scamper forward, clearly excited about something, he padded after them. If he was asked to leave then he would just go. He sat among the other kits, a good head or so taller than the others and waited patiently for... whatever was about to happen.

Once she spotted Mikael's unique pelt amongst the crowd, she nodded slightly and mewed, "Mikael, please step forward." Once he did, her whiskers twitched slightly, and she continued the ceremony. "Mikael, it is time for you to become an apprentice here in RiverClan, and train to become a warrior. From this day onward until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Bearpaw. I will be your mentor." She mewed, leaping off of the branch and padding toward the tom. She touched her nose to his gently and meowed quietly, "Tomorrow, we'll start training. Move your nest to the apprentice's den and get some rest."

Mikael blinked and... visibly withdrew into himself a bit when his name was called. Only a moment later, he stepped forward, now looking... very uncomfortable. When Ivystar continued to speak, he slowly straightened back up, hearing that the news wasn't bad. Become an apprentice... so it was happening to him now? His new name was announced... and he thought about it for a moment. Mocha had told him stories about bears...

"Neither cat, nor dog... yet can kill both with a swipe of it's unretractable claws. As heavy as mountains and as tall as trees with a voice like thunder. Truly, the king of beasts."

Mikael.... now Bearpaw... nodded once as the memory vanished. He liked it. He'd never seen a bear, but from the image he had in his head from his uncle's stories it was a compliment. Can kill a dog with the swipe of it's claws... Bearpaw let that phrase run through his head again. He straightened himself up and stood proudly.

"Thank you, Ivystar." Wait... did she say she was his mentor? The leader of Riverclan? She dropped to the ground and approached him... Oh... okay. Wowyou'reclose... And then she touched her nose to his. On reflex, he had shrank back a bit, not used to the contact from anyone outside of his family, but he accepted the touch regardless.

"I look forward to it! Thanks again!" And with that, he looked toward the apprentice den. Hopefully Sweetkit would be there with him soon... as Sweetpaw.