Stoatkit's Apprentice Ceremony

ooc: will update with his code later, connection is icky

Stoatkit perked up once Sootstorm called the Clan together, having been poking his head into the apprentices' den to pick out a space for his future bedding. It was time! He rasped his tongue against his chest a few times to smooth out the fur there and scampered towards the Tallrock. Finally! He pushed his way to the front of the gathering cats, sitting tall and proud, ears swiveling towards his father. This had to be about him, he was certain! Sootstorm said his time would be soon, so soon had to be now.

Galestorm

Galestorm heard his deputy's summons as he was finishing up his shift of repairing the gorse wall around camp. It had been so busy since the clan had returned to the moor. The place was beginning to feel like home to him. With all the effort he and his clanmates were putting in to reinforce the camp, his bonds with each cat were steadily growing each day and his heart swelled with pride for them all.

Very soon upon returning, many pregnant queens had kitted in the new nursery. Galestorm had been so busy with repairs and patrols that he hadn't had much free time to spend with them, but he would always ensure the queens had the first of whatever freshkill he brought back.

Now as he watched his clan gather once again, Galestorm had a good idea that this involved the apprenticing of some of the kits overflowing from the nursery. He padded forward quickly to take his spot next to his sister, Cloudypetal, as it had become sort of a tradition for him. They had been together since they were kits, apart their feud at the lake, which had thankfully healed. He nudged his sister fondly as he settled beside her, his amber eyes wide with anticipation.

"I wonder which lucky kit will be apprenticed today," he mewed softly next to her, as he turned to watch Sootstorm. "They are all quite impressive, don't you think?" he purred as he watched the young cats gather nearby.

As Sootstorm began to speak, Galestorm's eyes found the handsome Stoatpaw. What a fine-looking kit, he thought. Surely he will make a great warrior one day, just like his father. Surprisingly, Sootstorm announced that he would be Stoatpaw's mentor, and Galestorm purred loudly.

"Stoatpaw! Stoatpaw!" he cheered as the ceremony drew to an end, his voice rising up among the chorus of the ever-growing WindClan.

As the cheering faded away and cats began to disperse, he padded forward to meet the young apprentice face-to-face. Giving the tom a friendly blink, he meowed, "Congratulations, Stoatpaw. What an honor to be mentored by the clan deputy, and your father. You will make WindClan proud." He rested his tail on the apprentice's back briefly and dipped his head to Sootstorm. "Congratulations on your apprentice as well, Sootstorm," he purred. "I can't wait to watch his progress!"

---

Dandelionkit

Dandelionkit was pushed forward by his overbearing mother to attend his first clan meeting. Don't want to! he compained inwardly as she shoved him toward the gathering group of kits. Too many cats! His golden eyes were huge as he looked up at their massive bodies. He didn't dare meet any of their eyes.

Dandelionkit attempted to settle himself at the very edge of the group, as far away from the others as he could manage without being snapped at by his mother. His gaze fixed downward, tiny paws shifting in the snow as the whispering voices of gossiping cats seemed to build in his ears. In an attempt to drown them out, he pinned his ears back, allowing the events of the meeting to pass him by in a blur.

With Galestorm's nudge, Cloudypetal returned the gesture with a soft purr. It's nice for everything to be normal. There were so many of these lately - and she couldn't help but feel relieved with the influx of kits despite her crawling anxiety that one day, maybe soon, she'll be called up to be a mentor. However, their question was soon answered. Stoatkit! It felt like yesterday they were born. "Stoatkit, apparently!" She joked, whispering to Galestorm.

She watched the ceremony unfold with a mixture of pride and warmth. She could imagine how Stoatkit was feeling. It was a great feeling that every kit here deserved. She quickly joined in with the cheers, her voice blending in with the loud celebration. Stoatpaw! Stoatpaw! Stoatpaw!

Deputy choosing himself as his mentor was an interesting choice. Was there something I didn't know? Well, yes, obviously, he knows a lot! But why not any other warrior? Herself, or Galestorm? She shook her head - just hoping that the deputy would have enough time to dedicate to his son, too, on top of everything else. That's all! She rose to her paws, following in suit of Galestorm.

"Congratulations, Stoatpaw!" She purred, her eyes reflecting genuine happiness for the little tom. "You have the best mentor you could ever ask for - and WindClan is lucky to have you!" She echoed her brother, but still meant every word. Good luck, little guy.