qualkit's apprentice ceremony

Stars, was she ever going to tire of doing apprentice ceremonies? Probably not. It meant that she got the chance to interact more closely with her younger clanmates, while also getting to enjoy the enthusiasm every kit displayed. While it was a duty that usually rested in the paws of her deputy, Mottlestar was more than happy to take over as Acornstem needed rest. If anything, it only provided a good example for all clanmates. She wanted them to know it was okay to lean on one another when it felt like too much to handle. They were all on the forest to walk for such a short time, or perhaps a long time if lucky, but making the most of it was a lesson she hoped to teach. Sometimes, it meant taking a step back, and letting someone temporarily step forward. She was more than okay with doing that for her deputy, or for any of her warriors.

She hoped this group of apprentices would learn to lean on each other in such a similar way. She'd heard whispers of their foreign tongue, one that she had managed to pick up on a word or two from. The back of her mind pricked with the idea to begin truly learning it from her clanmates that were familiar, its use not lost on the leader. But for now, as she sat on top of the Highrock, she called out to her clan. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting!"

Sageroot was once again among the first to join the gathering crowd, eyes shining with hope. Maybe she would get an apprentice today! Life was so exciting lately!

Quailkit was huge for a kit, but only due to her feral blood. Proudly, she strode to the high rock where the leader stood upon it. Her parents didn't understand these ceremonies, really, but it mattered to her. She could fight and prove herself just by her name being changed.

Had her clanmates not been paying close attention, it would have been easy for them to mistake many of their new kits as apprentices. The blood that they had been gifted with no doubt showed interesting features from the start, and Mottlestar found herself particularly interested how it would shape them in their futures. Part of that curiosity drew her to certain kits in the litters, and as the kit that so happened to be the subject of the current ceremony appeared, she felt that flicker once more. Her tail swished just once behind her, before she called out to her Clan.

"We gather today to see one of our younger clanmates step into the role of an apprentice. Quailkit, please step forward." Her voice was strong. Certain. She'd done many of these ceremonies before. "As a member of Thunderclan who is now six moons of age, it is time you become an apprentice and train in the ways of the warrior. As such, from now on until I bestow you your warrior name, you shall be known as Quailpaw. I will be your mentor, and teach you all that I know." Her words held a warmth to them. A promise of knowledge and care.

"Thunderclan, give Quailpaw a warm congratulations!" She called to dismiss her Clan, leaping down to go greet her apprentice. "Take the evening to get settled. We'll start in the morning, yes? Congratulations."

Quailpaw held her head high as the cheers errupted around her. Her pale eyes turned to her mentor- the leader of the clan. Vinepaw should be jealous. With Mottlestar as her guide, perhaps Quailpaw too would be the most ferocious cat to live. Touching noses, the apprentice nodded. Yes, she would love to settle in for the evening.