Mistykit's Apprentice Ceremony

"All cats old enough to climb a tree gather beneath the Tallbranch for a clan meeting!"

The end of the day had come, and while he knew plenty of warriors were tired from the day's heat, this ceremony was necessary. Falconmoon waited atop Tallbranch for the clan to gather.

A long black coat isn’t the best in hot weather. Mistykit barely managed to drag herself to join the others, the heat wearing on her every step. She looked up at Falconmoon, hopeful.

"Mistykit, step forward." He called out after the clan had gathered below. "You have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to become an apprentice. From today until you earn your warrior name, you will be called Mistypaw. Creamsky will be your mentor. They are an experienced Skyclan warrior and they will instruct you well." Falconmoon gave a nod to Creamsky in the crowd and let them have a moment to acquaint. Once it was done, the meeting concluded.

Oh. Oh a senior warrior. Ooh, hopefully they wouldn’t be some fun-hating stick in the mud. Mistypaw stepped forward to touch noses with her new mentor, her golden eyes meeting the older cat’s blue ones. “When do we start?”

Creamsky hadn't been the same since Crookedlight and Rainfrost had disappeared - along with a handful of other Clanmates. More cats abandoning the Clan - abandoning them. He had thought... He had thought he was at least worth a goodbye, not that it would ease the pain festering in his chest. In the end, he had reacted the same as of when Blackbear had left him, to withdraw and focus on his duties. Patrol as needed, focus on keeping himself sharp and the Clan fed - all with withdrawing from his Clanmates.

Duties were his only focus... Which meant in some sense, he wasn't the most thrilled to get an apprentice as his name was called. His eyes flickered up, a soft huff escaping him but he quickly hide his displeasure. He didn't want another cat to hang around him - another cat who would just... He caught himself taking in a sharp inhale as Mistypaw came bounding up, dipping his head to meet her nose. "Tomorrow," he answered automatically as he pulled away, flickering his tail. "Get settled in the apprentice's den, take the rest of the day to relax - and go to bed early, we'll be starting at sunrise," he added.

An apprentice... Truly this was the last thing he wanted, but he would accept it nonethless. After all, he was focusing on his duties to distract from...Everything and this was now his duty. He would swallow his pride and perform it with nary a whine. He just hoped Mistypaw wouldn't be too clingy, he didn't... He didn't want another Juniperheart.