Hopekit's Apprentice Ceremony

"Let all cats safe from the bramble's thorns gather for a Clan meeting!"

The deputy stood on the Highrock, her tail swishing with nervous energy as her eyes were focused on the nursery. She had spoken at length with Sleepycloud about what they would do for young Hopekit, to try to figure out how they would go about training a kit who couldn't hear. In the end, it was agreed that they - that she - would try, that Hopekit deserved a chance to be an equal and not look down upon for how she was born. She was a bright kit - she could easily be the bringer of her namesake if she was given the opportunity to flourish. So she waited for Sleepycloud to usher out the kit - having already been informed that it was Hopekit's time to gain her apprentice name. There was always the question of how they would express such a change, what it would mean for Hopekit but...

Well, it was a challenge that the deputy couldn't deny that she was excited for - to find a new way to meet a cat halfway in a situation she never considered.

Mother had not stopped grooming her. Hopekit swore that her pelt was sopping wet from Mother's tongue. It took all her effort to squirm away from her mother's paws and towards the forms of her siblings, who seemed to be enjoying seeing her under the scrutiny of Mother. It was only a moment later that the ears of her family perked up as if something had caught their attention. Hopekit blinked a few times, then turned her head to look toward the entrance to the nursery. Was Father here? He brought a great rabbit last time!

Instead, Mother ushered her out of the den. Most of the clan was gathered under the high rock. Hopekit wasn't sure why they did this, but it seemed important if everyone was there. Curious blue eyes watched the faces of her clanmates, trying to see what sort of information she was missing. Just like He Who Rescues From Snow (Flickerpaw), information was being passed somehow, and she had no idea what it was! But, Hopekit was usually certain she could pick it up from their faces and movements. What was it today?

Acornstem smiled softly at the sight of Hopekit being ushered from the den by her mother, her siblings in tow. Waiting for them to all take their seats, she lifted her head with a deep breath. "I've called you all here as we celebrate another ceremony - for a cat, who sees life differently but will be offered the same chances as everybody no matter the challenges." With that, she suddenly leapt down from the rock - breaking the normal way the ceremony was structured but it felt needed as she turned to look at Hopekit and motioned for the young kit to approach her, knowing the standard order would not be heard.

Once Hopekit had been ushered from the crowd, the deputy lifted her head to address the Clan. "Young Hopekit has reached the age of six moons and its time for her to be given her apprentice name. From this moment on, until she has received her warrior name, she will be known as Hopepaw. I will mentor her, to help her blossom into the fine warrior I know she can be," she meowed, before she turned to look at the newly named apprentice. There was no easy way to explain this change without words - did Hopepaw even understand what was happening? She approached, coming to a stop to rest her paw gently on top of Hopepaw's head before she motioned at herself with a smile, then directed the apprentice's gaze towards her new den with a wave of her paw.

Hopefully Hopepaw had an idea of what being in said den would mean - that she was no longer a kit but it was hard to say. This wouldn't be an easy change to let Hopepaw know about, the new freedoms and what it all meant but... It was a challenge that Acornstem was looking forward to.