Stoatkit's Apprentice Ceremony

A bright day for a bright kit. Minkstar leapt onto the High Rock with a new perfect freedom he still couldn't quite get over - and didn't really want to, anyway. While Bat was sick, he had every intention of not making her do anything that could possibly make her feel worse. I know how it feels; I won't make her go through that.

Besides, I made a whole point of memorizing everything. Not that it was too hard since the little guy was his own grandson, but still, better not to risk his name slipping at all. Opening his maw, he called, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the High Rock for a Clan meeting!"

Stoatkit trotted out with his head high and tail waving leisurely behind him. The action was not one of show, as he cared little for being the center of attention, but rather out of a genuine enthusiasm for what was about to occur. Finally, he would be able to start training and see the forest at large. Despite being an unimposing brown and white scrap, the young tom's bright gaze was filled with hopes and dreams of all the things he would know and discover. He planned to do better than other cats and excel in what all he could know. The kit's poor mentor that would be determined in this very ceremony would likely be condemned to the many questions his inquisitive nature demanded.

He spotted the little guy almost immediately, the bright look in his eyes bringing a smile to Minkstar's face. As soon as he'd joined the crowd, he went on, "Stoatkit, step forward."

When he'd done so, Minkstar continued, "You've reached the age of six moons - old enough to join the Clan as an apprentice, and that's what we're here for today. From this moment on until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Stoatpaw." His gaze flicked to another pelt, a tinge of regret pulling a shadow over his expression for the barest flicker of a heartbeat, his smile gaining a hint of melancholy. "Your mentor will be Waterlily. She will train you well."

Giving a subtle dip of his head to her, he leapt down, calling the new apprentice's name with the rest of the Clan and watching as she moved forward to touch noses with the newly-named Stoatpaw. I really need to have a talk with her, sometime....

Most cats gazed upon a clan's leadership with an awe-inspired gawking. Stoatkit did not prescribe to this type of mentality. While Minkstar stood before the clan, a distant presence separated from them not just physically but also due to the 'star' attached to his name, the young kit merely saw him as just another cat. It was something he had considered early on - the ideal that no cat was particularly above another because of title. He hoped to surpass them all in the ever-growing quest to gain whatever knowledge this life and forest had to offer. But in these pursuits, a thoughtless reverence would never be offered. Respect had to be earned and kept.

He decided he liked Minkstar, though, even with whatever reservations other cats might have. Unless the ginger tom never joined a patrol or condemned their clan with mousebrained decisions, Stoatkit would be contented. It was a strange thing to consider when standing before the clan, this judgement of a young kit, and especially amid a ceremony. But to the brown and white tom, it was crucial to consider these things. Without a bit, the kit padded forward when his name was called and a new name bestowed upon him. Waterlily. That was the name of his mentor.

Stoatpaw sought her out, prying green eyes scanning the she-cat's pelt. The nursery had been a tad restrictive when it came to meeting the warriors, who were often out on patrol, and who he was not supposed to pester when they were resting. His tail flickered mildly back and forth as he went to greet the young warrior. She lacked experience, that was obvious enough in her youthfulness, but it did not attest to her skill. With a satisfied twist of his head, the newly named apprentice meowed to his mentor, "I look forward to training with you soon, Waterlily. Do we start now?" His voice was as sincere as it was guarded.

Waterlily heard Stoatkit get called up.  She began to enjoy watching the little cats be called up and earn their apprentice name.  She loved to notice the excitement on most of the new apprentices face's as they received there warrior names and prepared to learn what it took to be a warrior.  She sat, blending in with the crowd, with her tail lightly resting on her paws.

Then she heard Minkstream call her name, she was getting another apprentice.  She didn't know Stoatpaw well, in fact she didn't think she had ever met the young tom.  She walked up to the new apprentice, not really looking at Minkstream on her way.  She looked at Stoatpaw, trying to decide if the he was happy or not that she was his mentor.  Quickly, she touched noses with the little apprentice.  Her quiet nature caused him to be the one to speak first.  Honestly, she could not tell much about this cat, but she hoped she would get to learn.  "Nice to meet you Stoatpaw," she said kindly.  She didn't think that the apprentice would be ready to train right then, but she was willing to anyway.  "Yes, we can start now if you wish."