A Prosperous Morning {Apprenticeship Ceremonies!}
Sept 11, 2019 12:52:00 GMT -5
♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟, KARAZHAL, and 1 more like this
Post by Fawntastic on Sept 11, 2019 12:52:00 GMT -5
Lionstar
The crown is getting heavy
But they've written my name in the stars
But they've written my name in the stars
"May all cats who call this forest home, gather to me!"
Somewhere in the course of greenleaf's end, Lionstar had lost track of the Clan's youngsters. There were four who needed to be made apprentices. Lionstar wasn't one to make excuses; he had been distracted, plain and simple. The trouble with NightClan had rankled him deeply, but the vicious attack and loss of life from Demon had done far worse.
Even now, as the tom sat proud upon the Ancient Stump, silver flecking on his muzzle that spoke of moons' of service, Lionstar wore the ropey scars of Demon's claws across his body.
Lionstar's gaze found Appleshade, even as she was fastidiously and obsessively cleaning her snow-white trio just outside the nursery. He smiled; the preening mother likely hadn't got an ounce of sleep last night after he'd told her of this morning's plans. He could practically hear her fussing from the stump. Appleshade shot him a furtive glance, and he tried to reassure her with a calm, firm expression in return - but the queen still seemed frazzled.
The future was riddled with uncertainties. TreeClan hurtled toward war. He could delay their apprenticeship no longer. It was more important now than ever that they keep the influx of new warriors and new apprentices going - even if one promising young tom just so happened to be deaf. Asterkit's path would be riddled with difficulty and would require some creative solutions from both his parents and his mentor - but Lionstar put his faith in the cat he had chosen. Foxfur was peaceable and friendly, and he'd display the patience necessary to make Asterkit into a warrior.
Or as much a warrior as a tom with Asterkit's handicap could be.
"The ceremonies I will be performing this morning are overdue," he spoke to the gathered bodies, as Appleshade ushered her brood forward. "TreeClan's newleaf and greenleaf were difficult, to say the least. Let today be our Clan leaving our troubles in the past and taking a step towards further prosperity. It is time for four new apprentices to join the Clan." Lionstar whisked his tail, commanding them forward.
"Snowkit, Birchkit, Asterkit, Glacierkit - step forward. From this moment on, you will go by Snowpaw, Birchpaw, Asterpaw and Glacierpaw, until you have proven yourselves warriors in your own turn. Fawnspring!" Lionstar's words hooked the petite she-cat by the ears, and she stared, wide-eyed and startled, as he called her forth. "Maplebrook taught you well, and you have been a steadfast, loyal member of the Clan. Snowpaw, you will be mentored by Fawnspring. Ivyclaw," Lionstar addressed his daughter next, suppressing a rumbling purr of support. "Gorsetail embodies so many of TreeClan's best qualities, and just as he passed on those principles to you, I am expecting you to pass them on to an apprentice of your own. Birchpaw, Ivyclaw will be your new mentor."
Now for Asterpaw. The alabaster tom would never recognize his new name, but his siblings and parents were giving him enough visual cues to help him understand that this was important. That he was the focus right now. "Foxfur, you have the patience and the creativity needed to help guide Asterpaw to warriorhood. Thus, I am leaving him in your care. Foxfur, you will mentor Asterpaw."
"Pumafang," Lionstar addressed his deputy last but not least, surveying the expression on the huge black-brown tom's face as he called upon him to take on an apprentice. Glacierkit had come to them through mysterious means, but TreeClan had opened their hearts to the young, gangly looking tom. Mistylight was fussing over her two remaining kits, but Lionstar chose to believe Glacierkit's surrogate mother was proud of him. The tom was young and serious and thoughtful, and reminded Lionstar of the cat he had chosen to fill Gorsetail's pawsteps.
Having more cats like TreeClan's new deputy wouldn't hurt. Golden eyes zeroed in on Pumafang. "As my deputy, I expect much from you. As Glacierpaw's mentor, I expect even more. I believe you have the discipline and the fortitude to balance deputyship duties with your new role as a teacher. Do not let me down."
The Clan stirred, eager to begin chanting their new names as the apprentices and mentors paired up, performing the customary greeting. Lionstar held them off with a raised tail, adding. "Fawnspring, Foxfur, Ivyclaw; your apprentices are a season behind in their training. I have faith that you'll embrace this as a challenge and not a setback."
The dainty she-cat, Fawnspring, hadn't lost that shell-shocked expression the whole ceremony, and he could practically see the gears in her head turning, desperate to come up with a clear, concise training plan for young Snowpaw. I hope I didn't burden her with too much too soon. Time would reveal the results of their matchup; all Lionstar could do now was join in with the chanting, and put his trust in his Clanmates.
I've been building up all these kingdoms for so long
It's good to be king
It's good to be king
105 Moons || TreeClan || 815 Words ||
Zeneka (Ivyclaw)
Ginger (Foxfur)
♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 (Asterpaw!)
@rachii (Birchpaw)
Bloodrose (Snowpaw, Skyfall)
KARAZHAL (Glacierpaw)
@jet (Pumafang)
Date: Leaf-fall 2 The sun is hidden today behind dense clouds, cooling the entire valley a significant amount.
Year #7