Post by Fawn on Jun 10, 2018 14:07:44 GMT -5
Mockingbird & Lionstar
The scent of rain was in the air, humidity resting on her tongue like the last drop of dew. Mockingbird fastidiously groomed her brood, keeping one gleaming golden eye on the ancient stump. Lionstar had promised an apprenticeship ceremony for her three, and she would see that promise fulfilled. His prejudices and unease were not lost on her. In fact, they were frequently a source of amusement, one she would manipulate in an attempt to decrease or increase his suspicions in a way that would make her mate, Magpiewing, chuckle with pride.
However, it was paramount that her father's infamy not spill over into the lives of her youngest kits, in a way that was detrimental to them. Lionstar's distrust would get them nowhere and she, as their mother, only wanted what was good for them - considering the best-case-scenario (a TreeClan led by her Owlstrike) was not yet within reach.
"It's time, my darlings." Said the gray-furred queen, her dense charcoal coat as clean and well-groomed as her offspring. Appearances were important, after all. It was all part of crafting the perfect front.
Lionstar appeared from the Ancient Stump, leaping to its summit and waving the Clan together with a few broad sweeps of his tail.
Mockingbird made sure to afix a look of pride upon her face, acknowledging her grown kits in the gathering crowd with a low, approving purr. She nudged the three kits into a seated position in front of her; Yewkit, Adderkit, and Hemlock-kit at the end. "Pay close attention," she crooned. "Today is yours."
"Cats of TreeClan, we're going to usher in the new season with one of my favorite duties." Lionstar's golden gaze rested briefly on Mockingbird's, and she privately enjoyed watching the subtle tensing of his shoulders. His discomfort was so amusing.
"Yewkit, Adderkit, Hemlock-kit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Yewpaw, Adderpaw and Hemlockpaw. Yewpaw, your mentor will be Finchcloud. I hope you and your mentor will walk the path of learning together. Hemlockpaw, your mentor will be Amberwing; I trust Mockingbird will approve of my choice."
Mockingbird purred her consent, though the calculating heart beneath the charcoal fur had turned hard with displeasure. Finchcloud? Of course Lionstar would reserve more experienced warriors for his precious kits, and let her own become fodder for fumbling, new warriors. The she-cat's smile remained fixed, hollow and unimpressed. With a little cunning, perhaps Yewpaw could follow in Owlstrike's footsteps - and string their mentor along under a guise of obedience and loyalty.
"Adderpaw," Lionstar's gaze found the last kit. "Your mentor will be Silentsong."
Ripples of surprise overtook the crowd. Mockingbird's tail-tip twitched. It was all the displeasure she could express, though inside, she seethed. He was wasting her kit's talent on a mute featherheaded warrior?
"How will she learn all she needs to know?" Mockingbird called up to their 'faultless' leader. Lionstar, who did not enjoy being interrupted, seemed to have expected this.
"Silentsong is a brave, skilled warrior. Do not treat her muteness as a handicap. Besides, I'm certain I am right when I say Zephyrfang will also assist in training. The Clan now has three new apprentices with bright futures ahead of them. Let's welcome them to the Clan properly."
Zephyrfang had finished Ravenstorm's apprenticeship - to somewhat satisfactory results.
Mockingbird feigned a relenting nod, but did not look at Silentsong. Instead, she shared a look with her mate, a flash irritation revealed in that simple glance, while the cats all around them chanted their kits' new names.
Taxx @zen @esko BlooRey DVD Justice Silver However, it was paramount that her father's infamy not spill over into the lives of her youngest kits, in a way that was detrimental to them. Lionstar's distrust would get them nowhere and she, as their mother, only wanted what was good for them - considering the best-case-scenario (a TreeClan led by her Owlstrike) was not yet within reach.
"It's time, my darlings." Said the gray-furred queen, her dense charcoal coat as clean and well-groomed as her offspring. Appearances were important, after all. It was all part of crafting the perfect front.
Lionstar appeared from the Ancient Stump, leaping to its summit and waving the Clan together with a few broad sweeps of his tail.
Mockingbird made sure to afix a look of pride upon her face, acknowledging her grown kits in the gathering crowd with a low, approving purr. She nudged the three kits into a seated position in front of her; Yewkit, Adderkit, and Hemlock-kit at the end. "Pay close attention," she crooned. "Today is yours."
"Cats of TreeClan, we're going to usher in the new season with one of my favorite duties." Lionstar's golden gaze rested briefly on Mockingbird's, and she privately enjoyed watching the subtle tensing of his shoulders. His discomfort was so amusing.
"Yewkit, Adderkit, Hemlock-kit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Yewpaw, Adderpaw and Hemlockpaw. Yewpaw, your mentor will be Finchcloud. I hope you and your mentor will walk the path of learning together. Hemlockpaw, your mentor will be Amberwing; I trust Mockingbird will approve of my choice."
Mockingbird purred her consent, though the calculating heart beneath the charcoal fur had turned hard with displeasure. Finchcloud? Of course Lionstar would reserve more experienced warriors for his precious kits, and let her own become fodder for fumbling, new warriors. The she-cat's smile remained fixed, hollow and unimpressed. With a little cunning, perhaps Yewpaw could follow in Owlstrike's footsteps - and string their mentor along under a guise of obedience and loyalty.
"Adderpaw," Lionstar's gaze found the last kit. "Your mentor will be Silentsong."
Ripples of surprise overtook the crowd. Mockingbird's tail-tip twitched. It was all the displeasure she could express, though inside, she seethed. He was wasting her kit's talent on a mute featherheaded warrior?
"How will she learn all she needs to know?" Mockingbird called up to their 'faultless' leader. Lionstar, who did not enjoy being interrupted, seemed to have expected this.
"Silentsong is a brave, skilled warrior. Do not treat her muteness as a handicap. Besides, I'm certain I am right when I say Zephyrfang will also assist in training. The Clan now has three new apprentices with bright futures ahead of them. Let's welcome them to the Clan properly."
Zephyrfang had finished Ravenstorm's apprenticeship - to somewhat satisfactory results.
Mockingbird feigned a relenting nod, but did not look at Silentsong. Instead, she shared a look with her mate, a flash irritation revealed in that simple glance, while the cats all around them chanted their kits' new names.