Poppykit's Apprentice Ceremony

How strange it was, that life carried on; in Nightstar's absence, apprentices had been named, and after his return they continued to be. The fact that ShadowClan's nursery was far from empty was a mixture of blessing (that there was a next generation to pass things on to) and curse (that they were living here, for now, far from their home). As she sat in her usual gathering-spot at Highstones, she noted that she needed to ask Nightstar about making plans to teach these apprentices the layout of the marsh once they finally returned home. If they were made warriors here, they would be at quite a disadvantage.

"ShadowClan! All cats old enough to silently stalk in the shadows, please gather around me for a Clan meeting!"

Poppykit padded forward, anxiously gazing around the growing crowd. He didn't know why Leopardsun called them for a meeting, but he thought it was probably him or someone else becoming an apprentice. Rookfire always said that the deputy usually only called for clan meetings when they appointed kits to apprentices, and he had seen a couple himself. Because of this, he was cautiously optimistic that he could become one soon.

rookfire is also here but i do not have muse to write him atm

"Poppykit, please step forward."

Leopardsun wasn't surprised at how quickly the kit she was looking for had appeared- everything was much closer-knit here, for one thing, when their space was split in half; but even setting that aside kits were naturally excitable, especially about their apprenticeships.

"You have reached the age of six moons and are ready to become an apprentice. From this day until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Poppypaw. Murkyhope will be your mentor. I trust that she will pass on everything she knows to you."

Murkyhope had been rather distant to her clanmates recently, for no real reason, even if it seemed impossible considering the circumstances. So imagine to glint of surprise in her eyes when she heard her name during one of the apprentice ceremonies. Suddenly taken back to reality, she turned to see the tuxedo tom kit at the front of the crowd. She slowly moved to his side, a kind expression on her face. "I'll try to train you the best I can."

... Although she felt incredibly unprepared.

“Poppypaw!” Lighttail was quick to cheer for the new apprentice. She padded over to Murkyhope and gave her a pleasant smile. They’d never really been close, but the two she-cats had grown up at around the same time. “Congratulations, Murkyhope,” she purred.