Birdkit's Apprentice Ceremony

The sun was brightly shining on the earth below.  The grass was green and healthy.  The plants were coming back to life, making the once dead landscape of leaf-bare now looking very vibrant and full of color.  Ashstorm climbed Tallbranch.  "Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather at Tallbranch for a clan meeting!" She exclaimed to the clan.

Beechfang's pale pelt stood out in stark contrast to the vibrant greenery that had taken over the camp with the late newleaf weather. She'd been sitting near the nursery, grooming Birdkit's pelt in preparation for the ceremony she had known Ashstorm would be calling soon. Spotting her sister climbing onto the tallbranch, Beechfang smiled. She gave Birdkit a final lick between the ears, then sat back as the clan was called.

"Thank you, mom." Birdkit's purr rumbled up through her throat. She had been still while Beechfang groomed her, not putting up the same fight most kits did. She wanted to– had to –look her best for the ceremony, so she sat still and purred along until Ashstorm appeared on the Tallbranch. One last scrape of Beechfang's tongue against her ears, then the kit stood up and ambled forward to join the front of the growing crowd. She found a spot in clear sight of Tallbranch and sat down as gingerly as possible, taking care to hold her tail neatly when it wrapped around her paws, to keep her chin raised high. If I'm going to be SkyClan's best, I can't sit here slouching at my own ceremony!

Briarthorn, whiskers twitching in some odd combination of anxiety and annoyance, pushed her way to the front of the gathering crowd. She was unsure about this, it felt wrong to her, especially because this was Beechfang’s kit. But she knew that she had a duty, both to the Clan and to do what she was told. So, she leaped to the Tallbranch and cleared her throat. ”Birdkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day onward until you earn your warrior name, you shall be known to all as Birdpaw. I will be your mentor. It is my hope that my moons as a warrior will translate well into your training. Thank you.” From there, Briarthorn leaped off of the branch back to the clearing below. That was… Awkward. At least she didn’t trip over her words.

ooc; I apologize for the delay in this ceremony ;;

Another warrior emerged from the crowd, and Birdkit's whiskers trembled at the sight of her. She'd only seen the she-cat in passing, and had watched Mother glower at her a few times... but she looked alright. With the announcement of her new name– and Briarthorn being her mentor –Birdpaw let her chest swell with pride, trotting to meet Briarthorn where she leapt from Tallbranch.