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Post by Insidious on Sept 8, 2016 22:37:39 GMT -5
Ordinarily, a father beamed with pride on the day their kittens were moved into the apprentices’ den, but Dimstar’s face was as stone-cold and unflinching as it always was. He scarcely cared that they were his own flesh and blood; it mattered more to him that they were warriors in the making. He took his rightful spot on top of the boulder ledge, but he didn’t immediately call for the meeting. Instead, he took a moment to look through the faces of NightClan that waited to be properly summoned. He had an idea of who he was going to choose to mentor his offspring, and of course, his mate had had her say in the matter. He wanted nothing short of the best for his three kittens, but he couldn’t deny that there were a couple of young, arguably inexperienced cats that deserved the chance.
Besides, it wouldn’t be difficult to replace them as mentors if they didn’t meet his expectations.
“May all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the boulder ledge for a Clan meeting.” Dimstar’s tail flicked idly behind him as he waited for his Clan to gather, eyes trailing towards the nursery in wait of Starlingcry and their kittens. He knew she would usher them towards the front of the crowd, and when she did, he would exchange a look with her to confirm their decision; as the mother of their litter, her opinion mattered, and he wanted to make sure she knew that. If she was second-guessing who they chose for Sootkit, Coalkit, and Ashkit, he would welcome her to speak up in front of the Clan since it was no longer applicable for her to do so in private.
He was the leader of NightClan. He wouldn’t let anyone doubt that his decision and his decision alone was final. However, Starlingcry was his mate. He had chosen her, and in doing so, he agreed to her terms. He wouldn’t deny her the influence she deserved through being their mother; she had undoubtedly been a lot more present throughout their lives than he had ever been. "Ashkit, Sootkit, and Coalkit, please step forward."
Date: leaf-fall two Words: 361 Tags: Fawn (Hollystorm), Hellion (Starlingcry/Coalkit), @dreamer (Juncoflight), @marshymutt (Redcloud), @sparrow (Ashkit), @poptart (Sootkit) |
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Post by Fawn on Sept 8, 2016 23:03:22 GMT -5
 18 Moons. She-Cat. NightClan.No I won't apologize for the fire in my eyes
It was with no small amount of interest that Hollystorm had been keeping an eye on the three oldest kits in the nursery. Not only were they her mentor’s offspring (Starlingcry’s beauty had obviously been passed on to her three kittens, fortunately none of their father’s surreal silvery eyes had been inherited), but they were Dimstar’s offspring as well.
Kits that would need mentors, when they reached their sixth moon.
Though she still carried guilt from Coyotepaw’s accident, she was choosing to selfishly put that emotion on a shelf and let hope take hold of her. Sunpulse was already mentoring her brother, and there was an unspoken rule that family did not mentor family (though if anyone could get a biased opinion of Dimstar, they’d be the first), so that put her in good standing to possibly mentor a kitten. Maybe Sootkit… Or Ashkit… Well I don’t care which one I get, as long as I get one. As long as she got the chance.
Hollystorm took up position beside her father, the broad-shouldered black warrior a veteran of the Clan and even more of a likely candidate for mentorship. Wouldn’t Dimstar want the best for his kits? Obviously that was what her father represented; he’d been Starlingcry’s mentor, after all. Hollystorm couldn’t help the pang of envy, the frustration of being in her father’s shadow as she sat, quite literally, somewhat in his shadow.
Would Dimstar notice her efforts if Blackwolf sucked all the attention onto himself simply by being there? Bonetail, she couldn’t help but see, was one of the last cats to gather under the high ledge, and even then he hadn’t gotten far. Her brother was making it work by sitting halfway between the high ledge and the medicine cat’s cavern, obviously not wanting to stray far if something happened to Coyotepaw. She could see Coyotepaw’s bright blue eyes looking on from the medicine cat’s den, and it sent a thrill of relief through her body to see him sitting up.
Blackwolf uttered a short command to Bonetail. The white warrior curled his lip as if he wanted to protest, but joined them just as Ghostlight took a seat beside Blackwolf. Sans Coyotepaw, the family was all here; some of NightClan’s proudest, finest warriors. She caught Sunpulse’s eye in a glance around her father’s shoulder, and she winked at him, sharing a private smile that the rest of the Clan likely wouldn’t catch.
Dimstar called for Ashkit, Coalkit and Sootkit to step forward. As the three kittens moved in, Hollystorm found herself involuntarily leaning forward, as if hanging on the edge of Dimstar’s words.
Blackwolf snorted, a low mocking chuckle sounding in his throat. ”Be patient, Hollystorm. Don’t get your hopes up for nothing.”
Embarrassed, the black she-cat straightened, feeling a haughty sort of irritation over her father’s ‘advice’. Thanks for the support, Dad.
Let me show you my true colors
It ain't your rainbow
Word Count: 478 Words
Tags: Insidious , BlooRey DVD (Sunpulse mention) |
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Post by Hellion on Sept 10, 2016 1:46:57 GMT -5
 Starlingcry and i tired to hold these secrets inside of me
my mind's like a deadly DISEASE With confirmation from her mate that their kits would be apprenticed. Starlingcry had spent most of the morning grooming each of them. Coalkit was the worst, the thickness of his pelt was showing even at a young age. He groaned when his mother insisted none of them play around. Despite her warning it wasn't until Starlingcry gave him a quick cuff to the ears did he stop. His eyes narrowed on her, but his anger was pushed aside. He wanted to protest having to stay so clean, but her tail beckoned them close and like a diligent son and recently chastised, Coalkit did as he was told.
"All three of you better be on your best behavior. I wont be there to get you out of trouble anymore and Dimstar won't step in either. You are now on the path to be warriors and warriors learn to take responsibility for their actions," She told them, fixing each of them with her bright blue gaze. Coalkit nodded in understanding just as their father's word cut through and alerted the clan. Starlingcry nodded before nudged him forward out of the nursery.
Upon exiting Starlingcry let her eyes travel for a moment to those that gathered. Pride welled up in her chest as she directed her kits to walk proudly but with purpose toward the front. Once they arrived her eyes drifted upwards toward her mate, giving him a short nod. She trusted Dimstar first as her leader and second as the father to her kits. Starlingcry had faith that he would pick only best for their kits. Warriors he saw worthy to teach the next generation of warriors.
Before departing from her kits she gave each of them one last parting lick. Her pawsteps pulling her away to join her sister Cederbranch. The she-cat had helped their mother out of the elder's den to watch the ceremony. Gracklefire seemed tired but joy for her grandkits helped motivate her. Sitting down, Starlingcry squared her shoulders and looked on ahead, doing her best to seem as beautiful as ever. She paid little attention to to those around.
----
Coalkit's ears twitched once his father said his name. Looking up for a moment he felt little compared to him but remained brave. Rising to his paws he let his pale eyes glance toward Sootkit and Ashkit before stepping forward. This was his moment! i'm meaner than my demons. i'm bigger than these bones. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2016 7:29:23 GMT -5
I got a whole list of reasons why I should stop before I start
But the only thing stronger than my head is my heart
ashkit
The young NightClanner sat, his ashen tail tip twitching -- but not out of boredom, for once. Though Ashkit was stuck within the confines of camp, this was a rare occasion where he was exactly where he wanted to be. Word had gotten around NightClan camp earlier that morning that the Dimstar and Starlingcry litter were ready to be apprenticed, and move on in rank within the clan. Word spread like wildfire, and though it was not particularly surprising, as Ashkit and his siblings had reached the appropriate age to be apprenticed, Ashkit had a hard time believing it was happening. Life as an apprentice, where he could freely leave camp as he pleased -- without reprimand, without hiding, without repercussions of any sort -- was something he had always dreamed of. It felt impossible to him that it was finally happening.
However, when Starlingcry arrived, and began grooming them one by one, he finally knew in his heart it was true. Ashkit had even tolerated his mother's grooming, pulling and twisting his gray hairs every which way in an attempt to get them to behave, as it was the clan's ritual to do so upon a kit's transition to apprenticehood.
"May all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the boulder ledge for a Clan meeting"
Ashkit's hackles raised slightly the moment he heard the call of his father -- words he had heard him speak many times before, but never having to do with him. Lead by his mother, Ashkit and his siblings padded towards the meetingplace, his paws quivering with anticipation with each step. His mother left after their arrival, joining his aunt and shortly thereafter, his grandmother, in the audience.
"Ashkit, Sootkit, and Coalkit, please step forward."
The kit gulped, feeling suddenly very small and intimidated by his father, a tom who he should be comfortable with but didn't feel like he knew at all. For the first time in Ashkit's short life, he felt alone. Feeling Coalkit rise to his paws to his left, Ashkit gave a glance at his mother, searching her distant black pelt for encouragement. This is my moment, he reminded himself suddenly, his chest filling with pride. It's everything I've ever wanted.
He rose to his paws, standing side by side with his brother. He waited.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2016 8:24:00 GMT -5
Taking her place among the gathering crowd of cats, Redcloud glanced around her at the faces of her clanmates. A few cats were still gathering, but for the most part everyone was here. She was glad, today would be a very integral part of these kits' lives and she knew how important it was to some young apprentices to have everyone they know and care about see them as they made the transition into apprentices.
As she heard Dimstar call the kits up, her amber gaze landed upon the trio, watching with a pride reserved only for her own clanmates as they stepped forward. Apprentice ceremonies were always of great interest to her, she loved seeing the looks on the youngsters' faces as they stood before the entire clan, being granted access to all the things that they had once only dreamed of when they were still but kits. Now those dreams were real enough for them to be able to experience themselves, they were on their way to becoming strong young warriors.
Briefly, the fiery she-cat pondered who would be chosen to mentor the siblings. Maybe Blackwolf, he was one of the fiercest warriors she knew, certainly he would make a great mentor. Or perhaps Hollystorm, granted she knew that Hollystorm was still grieving over the injuries done to her brother Coyotepaw, perhaps having an apprentice would help to take her mind off of the incident. Well, she was certain that whomever would be chosen to mentor the new apprentices would do a wonderful job. She had little doubt in her mind that her clanmates would do an excellent job of teaching the new generation.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2016 21:53:18 GMT -5
Sootkit had ascertained from the grooming, which could be described nothing short of brutal, she and her siblings were soon to be apprenticed. She knew this was quite an exciting event for many, especially after empathizing with the excitement the rest of the litter seemed to feel over the event. Sootkit didn't seem to be on the same page as many of the cats that had stood in her very place before, and as she heard her name called to step forward she did so in a calm manner unfitting for a kit in her situation. It wasn't that she didn't want to be an apprentice, she was open to new things after all, it more seemed to come down to her sense of self. Sootkit felt no need to prove anything to her clan mates, she would do her best as a warrior but whether they accepted her best was not her problem. In this way she was most likely as numb as her father as she turned her gaze upward to Dimstar waiting for him to finish the ceremony. Insidious
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Post by Insidious on Sept 27, 2016 16:44:56 GMT -5
Dimstar took a moment to look over each of his kittens. They had grown up nicely, and he looked forward to seeing the progress they would continue to make as apprentices. Once the crowd gathered, and the cats him and Starlingcry had discussed to mentor them were present, he settled his pale eyes onto Coalkit. "Coalkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it's time for you to be apprenticed. From this day onward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Coalpaw. Your mentor will be Hollystorm. I expect Hollystorm to pass down all that she knows to you." He paused, waiting for the black she-cat to step forward and touch noses with her apprentice. She was relatively new to her rank, but Starlingcry had trained her personally, and he was confident that she was ready for this responsibility.
Ashkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it's time for you to be apprenticed. From this day onward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Ashpaw. Your mentor will be Juncoflight. I expect Juncoflight to pass down all that he knows to you." Again, Juncoflight was a younger member of their Clan, but this was a test for him more than anything else. He intended to see the responsibility of training an apprentice--Dimstar's own son, no less--motivate him.
"Sootkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it's time for you to be apprenticed. From this day onward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Sootpaw. Your mentor will be Redcloud. I expect Redcloud to pass down all that she knows to you." Dimstar lifted his head in wait of Redcloud to step forward and greet her new apprentice. Recently, Sleekshade had come to him with news of her pregnancy, and she had decided to step down in order to start a family. He planned to announce the new deputy of NightClan soon, but he was giving himself time to come to a decision. His eyes had landed upon Redcloud for far from the first time, and as he watched her greet Sootpaw, his own flesh and blood, he felt that he was ready to speak in front of his Clan. "I have one more announcement that I need to make. Redcloud, please stay where you are."
He skimmed the crowd and spotted Sleekshade with her nose pressed into Spiriteye's neck. He caught her eye, and she nodded. Her decision was final, and so was his. "Sleekshade has decided to step down as NightClan's deputy in order to start a family." He gave his Clanmates a moment to mull over this information. After an allotted period of time, he cleared his throat to silence the excessive murmuring. "I say these words before StarClan so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of NightClan is Redcloud." He tilted his head down to meet the ginger she-cat's eyes in wait of her answer. She shared a number of his viewpoints, and he believed they would be able to work well together.
Words: ### Tags: Fawn (Hollystorm), Hellion (Starlingcry/Coalkit), @dreamer (Juncoflight), @marshymutt (Redcloud), @sparrow (Ashkit), @poptart (Sootkit) |
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Post by Fawn on Sept 27, 2016 19:05:01 GMT -5
18 Moons. She-Cat. NightClan. No I won't apologize for the fire in my eyes
Hollystorm's name fell from Dimstar's mouth, and she rose onto all fours even before she had processed what was said. The surprise lasted only a heartbeat, before a surge of pride and determination had her padding forward to touch noses with the dark-furred kitten Dimstar was allowing her to mentor. Coalkit. Had Starlingcry recommended her? With a new respect for her former mentor rising up, Hollystorm met the warrior she-cat’s gaze and dipped her head in a brief gesture of gratitude.
Gesturing for the young tom to stand aside and allow Redcloud and Juncoflight to step forward to complete their portion of the ceremony, Hollystorm’s green eyes looked lively and shrewd, proud to stand before her Clan as a fine example of what a true NightClan warrior looked like. She caught a glimpse of Blackwolf looking at her, his jaw raised, his mismatched gaze full of pride—he almost looked like he was gloating—and Hollystorm felt a small shock, realizing just how much her father’s opinion still meant to her.
The ceremony took a new direction, however, as Redcloud was honored twice over. With surprise briefly making her whiskers twitch, Hollystorm watched as the mantle of deputy was passed from Sleekshade to Redcloud in what felt like no time at all. At least there will be new kits in the nursery, what with these three in the apprentices den now. This was good news for the whole Clan, and Hollystorm purred quietly under her breath, waiting until Redcloud turned to face the Clan to begin cheering.
”Coalpaw! Sootpaw! Ashpaw! Redcloud!” The black warrioress started up the chant, the rest of the Clan eagerly joining in.
Let me show you my true colors
It ain't your rainbow
Word Count: 274 Words
Tags: Insidious |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2016 18:46:55 GMT -5
Juncoflight
Like all the clan, Juncoflight had gathered when his leader had called, although a bit more sullenly. He had finally gotten a chance to rest between a hunting patrol and a border patrol and now he had to come out here. He quieted when he realized what it was, when his nieces and nephews were herded out of the nursery. Ah, of course, they were ready to be apprenticed. A horrible thought suddenly croseed his mind. Wait.... would Starlingcry have suggested him as mentor? No she wouldn't, he and she didnt get along well enough... but he hadn't had an apprentice yet.
Juncoflight pondered silently for a moment as he watched the young cats jostling for position by their mother. Well they certainly had grown... had he ever actually visited them? A slight twinge of shame and embarrassment was quickly buried with an excuse that he would simply get to know them as apprentices especially if he ended up with one of them. Oh hopefully the one he got would not be slow witted, he had a hard enough time dealing with simple-minded warriors. But then again, maybe he could shape an apprentice to his mindfulness. Ah yes, someone he could have a decent conversation with other than his mother, who happened to be conveniently at the netrance to the elder's den watching with pride.
Dimstar finally called the cats forward, and named their mentors. Since Juncoflight had considered the possibility he might be chosen, he was ready when DImstar called him forward and stood by his apprentice, touching noses with him when it was the appropriate time. But the ceremony was still not done, as Dimstar named Redclod the new deputy... hmmm interesting developments. He looked down at his apprentice appraisingly, he could work with this. Hopefully his understanding would not be ruined as soon as Ashpaw opened his mouth. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2016 6:21:55 GMT -5
Redcloud smiled when she was named as Sootpaw's mentor. She gladly stepped forward, touching noses with the kitten to complete the ceremony. However, when Dimstar requested that she stay where she was, she soon grew curious. What exactly did he have in mind for her?
The news that Sleetshade would be starting a family with her mate was wonderful, new additions to the clan were always a good sign. Yet as she stood there listening to the grey leader speak, she was taken aback when he suddenly named her as the new deputy. It was honestly quite surprising to her, the thought that he would pick her having never previously crossed her mind before.
She nodded in understanding anyways, Dimstar new what was best and if he thought she would be a good fit for deputy then she wouldn't dare to question it. "I promise to continue caring for my clan in any way that I can." She said before turning to face the crowd of gathered cats, she smiled as they started cheering for her. This would certainly be a lot of responsibility but she would do her best to help lead her clan.
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