Elkkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Bloodstar could hear Ashfall snoring even from inside the leader's den. The harsh leaf-bare was taking a toll on everyone... Bloodstar himself felt alright, albeit far more moody than normal. With this realization, he decided to do his deputy a favor. There was no need to bother her over something he could do himself.

"Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather beneath the Tallbranch for a clan meeting!" He called out from on top of the Tallbranch. He scowled at all of the snow around camp. Too much more of this and they'd need to scrape it out of the entrances of the dens every morning.

There was a newfound tone of reassurance present in the muscles, a shading of resonance overwrought with a natural comfortability slipping through the veins. The soft, wispy fur that had once framed the wide ridges of Elkkit's round features had given way to a firm and thick coat, irrefutable evidence of her precarious treading between youth and adolescence. Skipping with enough force to kick up the soft sludge of sand and snow, the young molly's pale paws seemed to glide across the soft earth as she hurriedly settled herself within the heart of the unfolding commotion.

It wasn't often that she got to see Bloodstar in action, unless one discounted that fateful and faulty attempt at escaping from camp. Rounded swell of her chin easily slipping skyward as she cast an eager glance in the direction of the dark-furred tom, the blotched young Elkkit couldn't help but give an overly impatient wriggle against the dirt in a weak bidding for staunch control of herself. Not even the copious amount of snow and bad weather could trod upon her tail!

Well at least someone was still in good spirits. Bloodstar tried to calm himself and reminded himself that this was a big day for Elkkit. "Elkkit, step forward. You have reached the age of six moons and it is time for you to become an apprentice. From today until the day you earn your warrior name, you will be called Elkpaw. Crickethop will be your mentor." Hopefully he wouldn't teach Elkpaw anymore bad habits... like sneaking out. With that, the meeting was concluded. He gave Elkpaw an encouraging smile and leaped off of Tallbranch. He'd allow the mentor and apprentice to speak alone.

It had been some time since the gaggle of apprentices had snuck out, accompanied by their young companion. Now, it seemed like another lifetime. He'd been a warrior for what? A whole moon now? Crickethop felt like with each passing day he was a more realized warrior. But sometimes he would forget this was his new name - it was so strange. Occasionally when the clan's leadership called a meeting, he'd have a moment of excitement, only to realize that he'd always been named. This was one of those moments but he quickly settled back on his haunches with the rest of his clan.

Elkkit bounded into the clearing. It appeared he was not the only one with an enthusiasm for this moment. Bloodstar spoke, announcing the ceremony was for Elkkit; it all made sense now! She was going to be an apprentice, meaning they'd actually be able to leave camp together now. A grin crossed his maw at the thought and he begun to consider everything he and his young friend could explore outside of camp. Even if leafbare was miserable, at least it was beautiful. Not even the cold and weakness could dampen moments like these.

And then his name was called. He was supposed to mentor Elkpaw? Somehow, the smile grew broader and he padded over to touch her nose as soon as it was time, perhaps even a moment too early. After their noses collided in a motion that was perhaps a bit too abrupt, his expression grew a tad sheepish before pulling away. Crickethop quickly meowed a congratulations, "You're finally an apprentice, Elkpaw! I can really show you the whole forest now. We could even go out right now. And tomorrow... whenever. We're going to see everything, I promise."