Plumpaw's Medicine Cat Apprentice Ceremony

The issue of Medicine cat in skyclan had never been settled, but with everything that had been happening lately it made sense that it kind of was an after thought. Dovefrost filled in where he could, but they needed to do something, to appoint someone officially. After some discussion with Briarthorn, the two had determined that two of his kits would make excellent medicine cat apprentices. Plumpaw and Fogkit had shown some promise in the area despite one of them being trained more so for warrior duties. Plumpaw would be going to the Moonstone first. Being more ready for the trip than the other in the tom's opinion.

The large white tom approached the apprentices den, and poked his head inside. "Plumpaw? Come with me please."

Plumpaw opened her eyes blearily at the sound of her father's voice, dragging herself from her nest with a yawn. Why did cats always insist on waking her up at unreasonable hours? She blinked, confusion evident in her eyes at the sight of Dovefrost, but understanding slowly trickled in, followed by an uneasy nervousness. Tonight, she'd be going to the moonstone to become a medicine cat apprentice. The decision to abandon her warrior training had been an easy one. She'd always enjoyed helping others, and she knew that the path of a medicine cat was right for her. But now that the consequences of her decision were in front of her, she wasn't so sure she was making the right choice. She shuffled to the mouth of the den, meeting her father's gaze with worried eyes. What if Starclan didn't accept her?

"I'm ready." She wanted to say more, but she didn't want to burden Dovefrost with her insecurities. Instead, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for the journey ahead.

Dovefrost nodded. Appreciative of his daughter's willingness to go to the moonstone. He was glad she accepted the role when she did. She would be following a path very similar to his own, and he couldn't have been more proud. He just hoped she would be happy down the line, and live her life well.

He pushed a bundle of herbs forward, having eaten his own already knowing he would be going on this journey with his daughter. "Eat these and then we can go." Once the travel herbs were gone, he lead Plumpaw out of camp.

--

It didn't take long to reach the Moonstone. Though it had been a while since he had been here, the dark tunnel and everything still felt familiar, even the warning of sticking close rolled off his tongue with ease. Dovefrost approached the Moonstone, the stone feeling colder than normal. As much as he loved Starclan, he knew he broke the code.. so the connection he once had before wasn't there.. and he knew it. The stone showed it. Maybe the Moonstone would be more kind to his children. He could only hope.

Dull green eyes focused on Plumpaw, giving her a moment to take in the stone before speaking the words of the ceremony, as he had done many times before. ""Plumpaw, is it your wish to enter the mysteries of StarClan as a medicine cat apprentice?" He asked.

Plumpaw quickly gulped down the herbs, wincing only slightly at the bitter taste. She followed her father out of camp, trailing behind him wordlessly as they journeyed. Dovefrost's familiarity with the situation helped to calm Plumpaw's racing nerves, though it was hard to imagine her father as a medicine cat when he'd been a warrior her whole life. Briefly, she wondered if it had been hard for him to leave his clan behind to be with his mate and kits. It seemed like a difficult decision, but Plumpaw was glad he'd made it nonetheless. As they entered the tunnel, she tried not to think about how dark it was, or how the walls felt like they were closing in on her, able to crash down on top of her at any moment. Thankfully, that part of the journey was short-lived, leaving Plumpaw gazing upward in awe as the tunnel opened up and a dazzling light assaulted her. The moonstone, in all it's glory, stood before her. She was so awestruck that she had almost forgotten why she was there, and when Dovefrost spoke, she was jolted out of her trance.

"Yes." She responded evenly, though her eyes were wide with excitement.

The next words were just as easy as the rest. Something he had done three times before. This time he turned to the cold stone, speaking to their ancestors instead of to his daughter. "Starclan, I present you this apprentice. She has chosen the way of the medicine cat. Please grant her your wisdom and guide her along this path so that she may serve her clan for many moons." Green eyes looked down from the stone to the ground.

He knew what came next.. something he wouldn't be apart of anymore.. Knowing how it felt.. The words almost caught in his throat. He steeled himself. Green eyes turned back up to Plumpaw. "Come, press your nose to the stone. Starclan will meet you in your dreams." He told her. He would be there when she woke up, but he no longer had a place in this anymore.

Plumpaw stepped forward on shaky legs, pressing her nose to the stone and closing her eyes. She had no idea what would await her when she opened them, but she was ready... or at least, she hoped she was. In any case, she was eager to start this new chapter of her life, and maybe one day she'd even make her parents and her clan proud.


[ooc: sorry this is so short!]

The speed at which Skyclan seemed to have lost its last medicine cats had troubled the starry tom from above. However, it seemed those worries would be quenched. It was Starclan's wish to summon him to speak with the next generation chosen to be a medicine cat for Starclan, and the fluffy tom found himself with a smile on his maw as he approached the young molly. "Greetings, Plumpaw. I am Myrtledove, I was the medicine cat of Skyclan before your time, while the Dark Forest still reigned." His tone was friendly, certainly. "You have been chosen to take the place as the next medicine cat apprentice of SkyClan, and your ancestors accept you into that role. Lean on the other Clans in times of support and learning, but also, do not hesitate to have those around you help." He spoke kindly. It certainly was stressful to not have a mentor, and the starry tom found himself feeling much more thankful for Muddythorn than ever. "We welcome you as a medicine cat apprentice, Plumpaw. Congratulations." He then stepped towards the young she-cat, pressing his nose to the top of her forehead. It was his gesture to affirm her place, before she would be whisked away back to reality besides the moonstone.