nettlekit's apprentice ceremony

Already, yet another one of the kits in the nursery was ready to join the apprentice's den. It would have been overflowed with cats of an average size, but with the larger apprentices, already Mottlestar was having to make a note that they'd have to expand it. Alternatively, she pondered even making a second apprentice den. It could make for being a good overflow den in general, where warriors, apprentices, elders, or whoever necessary could have a place to rest when the other dens were too full. Flickering her tail, the tortoiseshell made her way to her place upon the ceremonial slab of stone. It was rather easy to get to when her nest was just inside its hollowed cavern.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting!"

Perseverance. That was the first thing that the tortoiseshell leader saw as she looked down upon her gathering crowd. In particular, she saw it in the faces of her oldest warriors. They had weathered a storm far greater than was ever truly expected of them, ever promised during one's time in warriorhood. However, she also saw it in the face of one of her newest clanmates. The forest had its odd ways of dealing obstacles to its members, and as much as she wished she could fight the process, it was not one she could intervene with. So there was young Nettlekit, having such a tumultuous kithood, yet still now standing strong and ready in her Clan. Warmth radiated in her chest in a deep, rumbling purr, one she hoped would be heard by the ears of those who needed it most.

That perseverance came to her mind as she knew just who to apprentice the young tom to. "Thunderclan, I have gathered you here to witness another kit step into the rank of an apprentice, and begin training in our noble ways. Nettlekit, please step forward." Her gaze stayed right upon the ginger tom, but there was kindness to them ever yet. "From this day forth, until you pledge to be a warrior of this clan and earn your warrior name, you shall be known as Nettlepaw. Acornstem will be your mentor, as she is a molly with great strength and an even greater heart. You will learn well under her guidance." Mottlestar's head dipped to conclude the ceremony, leaping off the Highrock to join in the celebrations.