Marshkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Murkystrike bounded up Jaggedrock, paws shaking as she strode forward to stand on the edge of the stone overhanging ShadowClan's camp. In speaking with Marshkit, she had requested Fangsnap as a mentor... Something that twisted her stomach into knots. Her claws flexed, scratching against the cold stone underpaw as she thought about entrusting another of the clan's youth to the warrior's care, after what had happened to her son... She sighed, taking a deep breath before calling the clan together. "ShadowClan! Gather in the shadow of Jaggedrock." Her voice rang out over the camp, and she took the time to think about it some more. Condorpaw's death still weighed heavily on her, still very fresh... But it wasn't the same for others. It never would be, he wasn't their flesh and blood the way he was to her. She had trusted him to Fangsnap's care, only to have lost him to a fox, the warrior nowhere near. She would be lying if she said that she had forgiven him, because she hadn't - but perhaps this time would be different. Perhaps he could redeem himself. She had to give him the chance to, at least.... He would know she was watching closely, though.

Marshkit emerged from the nursery after being cleaned roughly by her mother, after stepping outside, still confused why Soottail wanted her to join the meeting- and be all clean, too. She sat at the edge of the crowd, she looked back, but Soottail had stayed inside. She was a little confused but shrugged it off, looking back at the deputy- wait- deputy? Wasn't the leader usually up there? The deputy is usually only up there for apprentice ceremonies... Wait a second, was this her ceremony? She flicked her ears upwards, paying close attention to what Murkystrike was going to say, her tail wiggling in an excited manner.

Marshkit emerged from the nursery, and Murkystrike kept an eye on her as she joined the crowd, seeming to recognize what would be coming. She smiled softly at the young cat, giving a few more heartbeats for the clan to gather. Once a sufficient number of them stood beneath her, she continued with the ceremony. "ShadowClan! I've gathered you all here today to witness the apprenticing of one of our kits. Marshkit, please step forward." Murkystrike paused to allow the she-cat to step forward before continuing. "Marshkit, you have reached the age of six moons and are ready to become an apprentice. From this day forward until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Marshpaw." She paused, tail tip flicking back and forth as she braced herself. Her voice sounded a bit strained as she continued. "Fangsnap will be your mentor. I trust that he will train you with care and great attention to detail." With those final words, she jumped down from Jaggedrock.

Fangsnap joined the crowd with a feigned interest. Apprentice and warrior ceremonies meant little to him, all dulling in comparison to his own ceremony - one that hadn't even been done truly for himself. As he settled into the clearing, his tail flickered back and forth mildly. Even though his green gaze had turned towards the jaggedrock, his gaze was glossed over, all of this merely performative and a duty he did not want. But it was his name spoken from above that drew him back. He was to mentor none other than Marshpaw. The kit had been very interested in him during their prior encounter, and admittedly he had found her amusing even if a growing desire to stay away from younger cats had threatened to send him in another direction.

The desire to protest was strong and burned in the renewed depths of his gaze. But to speak freely in front of the whole clan was something he had interest in doing, nor would it look good for a warrior to be fighting back against sworn duties. Resigned for now, Fangsnap realized he couldn't argue with the will of the clan's deputy. He tried to find Murkystrike's gaze but dropped the effort as she leaped down to depart from the crowd. Instead, it was time to find his apprentice. Even the thought soured his moon. Grumbling lowly to himself, the russet warrior sought out the young she-cat. His eyes met hers with less enthusiasm than most warriors likely had in this same situation.

"Looks like you're stuck with me after all, mouser. Get some sleep. We will train tomorrow. I want you well rested." There was no congratulations of ceremony, just resignation and the exhaustion of a tom who'd known loss far too many times. Hopefully it did not dampen Marshpaw's spirits too much.