Spottedkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Frostgaze made his leap onto the Jaggedrock once again, looking down at the cats milling about in camp below. The light of the moon shone down on the snow that blanketed the camp, causing a sparkling that could only be described as... visually appealing. Nevertheless, there was an apprentice to be named, and the deputy did not want to keep the clan waiting for him to gather them. "All cats old enough to silently stalk in the shadows, gather in the shadow of Jaggedrock for a clan meeting." His voice rang throughout the camp, clear and cold as the ice that had formed in the marshes, and he began watching for Spottedkit to appear.

Ratpaw walked out of his den, stepping lightly over the snow. Frostgaze’s voice was clear and commanding — somewhat like Murkystar’s, now — but not urgent, for which Ratpaw was thankful. Hopefully it was for something brighter. The dark-furred tom took his seat beside the Jaggedrock, waiting for their deputy to speak.

Swiftheart heard the call of a meeting and walked towards Jaggedrock to see what was going on. She saw Ratpaw and grinned happily, she liked him, he was quietish but very thoughtful and strong.


She sat next to Ratpaw and waited to see what the meeting was about.

Nightstalker padded into camp and padded over to the growing circle of cats. Choosing to sit next to his sister, taking a moment to lick his paw clean. He wondered what this meeting was about.

Spottedkit was inside the nursery when she heard the familiar words that summoned the clan to gather beneath the Jaggedrock. She came outside and gathered beneath the Jaggedrock with the rest of the clan, and waited for the clan meeting to progress.

As Spottedkit arrived, the tom spoke once again. "Shadowclan! I have gathered you here to witness the naming of a new apprentice. Spottedkit, step forward." His silent gaze watched and waited for Spottedkit to approach. "Spottedkit, 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 Spottedpaw. Duskflight will be your mentor. Though he is still a newer warrior, I trust that he will pass on his selflessness and skill to you." Frostgaze watched for a moment longer, before leaping down from the rock, landing with a soft plume of snow. Someday he was gonna get buried by accident, he just knew it.

Duskflight casually made his way through the crowd, settling down at an empty spot. He felt more thankful for his decently thick coat than he ever has now, as the chills of leaf-bare continued to grow harsher over the days. Though as Frostgaze's voice rang, he blinked, optimistically looking up in wait for an announcement. A certain young cat has caught his attention as she stepped forward. Then, his name was suddenly called out.

"Wait, him? Himself, as a mentor?"

His maw opened to express a delighted, welcoming grin. Perhaps he'd only seen her around camp sometime before, though hardly have ever gotten a chance to interact with her. He didn't mind that, though. He'd make sure to keep the young apprentice accompanied later on, during their lessons together. "We'll start training tomorrow at dusk. Though for now, you should go get some rest. I look forward to our lessons together!" Duskflight offered Spottedpaw a smile, lightly touching her nose with his before pulling away. The memory of first encountering Emberleap when he was still just a newly-appointed apprentice was ingrained in his mind, and he strived to be able to do the same.

Ratpaw gave Swiftheart a brief smile, as the molly sat beside him. Ratpaw remembered when she and her brother were young; first, as kits and then apprentices... they were certainly grown now. (And accomplished.) Given their parents, it was unsurprising that they made warrior so quickly. Perhaps it did make him a bit more... aware of his own training, but the twin littermates were clearly exceptional.

His ear twitched. And Ratpaw thought of the tiny scars across his cheek; the times he'd wander out into the territory, only to later be herded back by a warrior or his mentor. (Sometimes his mother.) Ratpaw... perhaps would be a good warrior, soon. But more time wasn't bad, especially since... he hadn't been in a battle since the border skirmish, and even Webshadow seemed to sense something in practice. Against another warrior, or apprentice...? But then Frostgaze began to speak, and Ratpaw's ears perked, shaking free of his thoughts.

Spottedkit padded forward, into view, and he remembered being that young. It made him smile, softly; releasing the bit of doubt. And then -- once Frostgaze continued -- Ratpaw's eyes flashed toward another dark figure in the small crowd. His heart lifted; Duskflight was friendly and would make an excellent mentor, he thought. And for being a young warrior, it was an honor -- so it seemed Frostgaze thought so too.

After the ceremony, the dark-tabby approached his friend, giving him a small smile. "Congratulations, Duskflight! I'm happy for you," and he was. Then he turned, looking at young Spottedkit. "And for you, too. Hi Spottedpaw, I'm Ratpaw. Your mentor helped me a lot when I was younger, so you're very lucky. And I'd be happy to show you your new den, if you'd like."