Swankit's Apprentice Ceremony

Perchstar leapt onto the Willow Branch to conduct another ceremony. Poppyshine had come down with a very minor sore throat, but since that made it difficult for her to speak from the branch, that made all apprentice ceremonies once again Perchstar's duty for the forseeable future. Thankfully it was nothing major. Apprentice ceremonies were not difficult to do, and she had discussed mentors previously with the deputy. Dovepaw had received his mentor, and it was time that many of his siblings did, as well. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own fish gather for a Clan meeting," she called out.

Since her brother's ceremony, Swankit's eyes often strayed toward the willow branch. Her siblings or she would be apprenticed soon enough, though she had to stifle a flicker of disappointment when it was Perchstar who called the clan together. It was another ceremony probably, but the leader performed those for apprentices becoming warriors, not kits. Still, the pale she-cat sat outside the nursery with her pelt carefully groomed, gazing up at her leader curiously.

Perchstar scanned the crowd until she saw Swankit. With a blink, and a wave of her tail, she beckoned the fluffy she-cat forward. "Swankit, you have reached the age of six moons and are ready to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Swanpaw. Your mentor will be Drizzlepool. I trust that she will pass all her knowledge onto you." It would be a bit different to have the mute warrior as a mentor, but she knew all the things that the other warriors did, and she would still be able to train and offer a unique perspective. With the ceremony completed, the leader leapt down from the Willow Branch, offering a brief nod to the newly named Swanpaw.

--

Dovepaw was glad that all the apprentice ceremonies were happening--even if Poppyshine wasn't the one doing them. He hadn't been sure why, but after walking past her and hearing a very quiet, strained greeting, he got why the leader was probably doing ceremonies for now. Either way, it wasn't important. He went up to his sister with a warm purr. "Welcome to the apprentices' den, Swanpaw!"

Her own name being called had Swankit eagerly bouncing forward, unable to hide her excitement. Her apprentice ceremony! Hers! Finally! That meant she would rejoin her siblings in a new den, and she'd have a mentor and be able to go out of camp. She could hunt for prey and learn to fight and work towards her warrior name...

...With Drizzlepool as her mentor. Swanpaw, so excited with her new name, felt it all come crashing back down. Her smile faltered as she turned, finding the pretty she-cat's familiar pelt in the crowd. It had been moons ago that they interacted, but now that interaction came rushing back with a flood of deep embarrassment. Embarrassment that Swanpaw very much did not want to admit to. She would have to suck it up and be nice, however. Maybe she could apologize, smooth things over...

Her brother's warm purr was a blessed interruption to her thoughts, and her smile returned in force. "Thanks, Dovepaw." She purred back, "Maybe we can patrol together!"