Littlekit's Medicine Cat Apprentice Ceremony

ooc; just a lil note for you've ive been writing canonically littlekit is a bit overgrown in terms of apprenticeship given how long he's been baby! he was overdue to ascend by the time he was appointed mc iirc LOL

After speaking with Sandyshell, Littlekit has found his mind swimming with a myriad of conflicting thoughts. On one paw, he was wracked with a growing anxiety about all of the many things that he had to learn. As it was, the kit could hardly remember the herbs used to treat his eyes. In fact, there wasn't a single one that he could name. Most of what ran through his thoughts were worries that kept him stewing in his own head. He'd considered talking to Cindersky or Egretswoop but found himself unwilling to stray too far from the nursery. Despite the fact nights here had been cold and queenless, there was something comforting about the lack of a future weighing across his pelt.

One paw had raised to cover his eyes, blocking out the light, and soothing him. Littlekit allowed his mind to drift to the more awe inspiring elements of this new position. Starclan was out there, waiting for him. Maybe, in the most fanciful of dreams, they would lead his paws to help cure what had ailed the clan for so long. The mere idea of such a thing caused his chest to tighten. This was why he was willing to turn his paws to a new path, one he had never contemplated before. The cool air drifting through the mouth of the den touched his pelt and soothed him.

Littlekit let out a soft sigh. He needed to stop fretting over these things so much. As soon as Poppylight's voice reached his ears, the kit dropped his paw and lifted his head. A soft chirp of greeting came as a natural response. Immediately, the young tom knew why she was here. It was time. Remembering the pebble he'd brought the deputy not too long ago, his heart stilled and a smile crossed his maw. Renewed sense of purpose pushed away the doubts as he stood in the shadow of the elder cat, "I'm ready, Poppylight. I'm ready for whatever Starclan has in store for me."

It completely escaped the young tom that he had managed to utter the wrong name. As present as he was in the moment, his thoughts were also drifting up to the stars. Ancestors above had been looking down on Littlekit after all. The idea of so many wise and experienced eyes boring into his pelt was overwhelming, so he tried to push that away as he followed after Poppyshine. They headed in the direction of the medicine cat's den which made Sanyshell's words echo in his mind once again. His paws stopped suddenly, rooted in the ground. Glancing back over his shoulder, the kit peered into the nursery.

Pondering the fact that would no longer be his den was such an odd thing. For moons, all he had wanted was a way to help the clan, to be of service, to make one cat's day a little brighter. This future ahead was everything that he had ever wanted. Sandyshell was passing everything to him. His whiskers twitched as he wondered why now his paws hesitated to dive into the very thing he longed for. Perhaps it was the part of him that was being left behind in that nursery, memories he'd made with clanmates, denmates... that would continue ahead. But his role would be new this time, intentional. His tail flicked and he turned back to Poppyshine, heading into what would soon be his den.

As the deputy spoke of highstones, he felt a longing for something that he'd never known. The clan's will to return to their true home was something that he had felt and grown to dream about. Starclan had followed the clans to these lands, trekking the skies as their kin faced peril below. He was grateful for the reassurance that they were here for him now. When Poppyshine settled down, he mirrored her position, wrapping his tail over his paws and focusing on her words. This ceremony wasn't meant for the clan, it was for him and Starclan. The realization caused his eyes to shine, anxiety transforming into hope as his name was declared. Littlepaw.

Squeezing his eyes shut, Littlepaw gingerly returned the gesture by pressing his nose to Poppyshine's. He pulled back and blinked a few times, digesting the instructions. It was time to meet them now. Most apprentices had to wait for their moonstone journey. Starclan was here to welcome him the moment he became a 'paw. Now, just to pick a nest and meet the ancestors. The newly named apprentice wanted to protest for just a moment, long enough to run back and grab the hare pelt made for him by Egretswoop. But now wasn't the time for that. Pushing away the selfish desire, Littlepaw meowed, "Thank you, Poppyshine. I hope they like me, too." As the apprentice settled down into a nest, he laid his chin on his paws with his tail resting over his nose. Sleep threatened to stand at bay rather than come easy. Until he remembered Cindersky's words. He pictured walking up to great stones that stretched into the sky... a proper trip to the moonstone with clanmates at his side.
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Blinking the young tom found himself fully immersed in a star-speckled landscape. This was unlike anything he had every dreamed before. The ethereal plains were bathed in a silvered light. The whole world was reflective of a forest he was far too young to remember. His eyes widened in awe, mouth falling to accompany them in a similar manner. Everything was so clear and vibrant in contrast to what he normally saw. The tiny tom let his gaze rake the beauty of Starclan for several minutes. Each new sight helped to fuel the fantasies of Riverclan territory. It was as if he could hear the sound of the river babbling behind the reeds and taste the water on the air. Innately, it felt like home.

"I thought you'd like it here." There came a pleasant meow causing his left ear to swivel. Turning, his eyes settled on the pelt of a grey and white patched she-cat. Her lithe frame and long legs reminded him of the stories of Windclan cats. As he met her gaze, he realized the green pools of light nearly reflected his own. Littlepaw smiled at the unknown she-cat as she did towards him, "My name is Sageleaf, a former Windclan medicine cat here to welcome you to the stars."

"T-thank you." Littlepaw sputtered out. It was near impossible to find the right words to address Starclan. Aside from the shimmering of her form, and the non-Riverclan stature, she appeared to be a cat just like any other. He dipped his head to Sageleaf as if remembering it to be a formality, "I'm still trying to process this. I-I, uh, I mean this is everything I've ever wanted. The opportunity to help my clanmates, make a difference. But-" The words died away.

"You're wondering how you'll be able to do this all on your own, when the medicine cats you knew weren't able." Littlepaw confirmed his fears with a nod. She offered a sympathetic smile and whisked her tail in a broad arc to gesture to the world around them, "The stars are always watching, guiding your path, little one. There's a reason we sent you to Sandyshell. You brought her hope and you will bring the rest of your clan hope too." As the Starclan cat spoke, he felt his own fears melting away. He was hope. Warmth filled his pelt from his pawpads to his ear tips. Closing his eyes, he relished in the sensation of this moment while she continued to ease his worries.

"This sickness is painful, all the clans have suffered greatly. Your time is now, and life will continue on no matter if you fret or not. An unexpected friend will help to guide your paws on this new journey. Good luck, Littlepaw. Let the light lead you forward."