alien blues & . meeting, apprentice ceremonies

[MUDPELT]

Mudpelt sits near the nursery, by Icesparkle. Like his mate, he is nervous about their kits' apprenticeships. They're so small, so young and awkward - were they too little for this? Maybe he should have asked Cicadastar to hold them back another moon? He isn't sure. Even still, he forces a giant grin onto his face, feigning excitement as he knows this is a big day for the four of them. They each get their new names, their childhood names being replaced with the names of students, apprentices. He is named Fernpaw's mentor, a welcomed surprise. His fake grin suddenly becomes very real as he glows with pride. Giving his mate an elated look, he gets to his paws and strides forward to meet his son, who unceremoniously snuggles up to him. Mudpelt lets out a chuckle and leans down to nuzzle him with his muzzle, trilling, "This will be so great!" Darkpaw goes on to be assigned to the newly named Reedrunner, a choice the father is quite happy with. Reed had swiftly become one of his best pals in the clan, so he's happy to see them mentoring his other son! The good news doesn't stop there - Steep-paw and Iciclepaw are each assigned to one of the clan's lead warriors, a huge honor! Not a single one of these choices disappointed the now-contented chocolate tom.​

 

[Steepsnout]

WE'RE TAKING OVER THE WORLD, A LITTLE VICTIMLESS CRIME ➳​

Steepkit's unruly tail was bridled to her side, its blackened tip twitching with excitement. Despite her aversion to the task, the kit had also spent some time trying to groom her pelt into submission. It had been deeply ineffective, with tufts sprung aloof wherever her unpracticed paws couldn't reach. Maybe I should have just dunked in the river by the nursery...

Soon enough, all her worries were swept aside by the call of her name- Steep-paw! She had to rhythmically pat her snow forepaw atop a nearby pebble to halt her wobbling haunches, dawn eyes rapt upon their leader's face. As Willowroot's place as her mentor was announced she jolted, shoulders atwist to catch sight of her new teacher. '...train you both.' Bluntly, like a boulder dropped onto her stomach, Steep-paw registered Cicadastar's final words.

Her nose wrinkled, mind scraping back through the seconds that had just slipped by to decode the phrase. Oh- Ashpaw? They were to be apprenticed together huh, well that would be cool. Another training partner, the perfect competitor. After climbing the nursery, the clementine kit had proven to be an adventurer like her. Confusion forgotten, she skipped towards Willowroot, offering up her night-blazed snout. ​

 

[DARKWHISKER]

Most kits dream of the day where they become warriors. Darkkit is content to dream of laughter and the warmth of his family tucked close within the nursery. It isn't so bad to be a kit, he'd say to those complaining about the limitations of childhood. But why would they focus on those perceived negatives which muddy their souls, when they could focus on the true positives which allow them to shine? Sharing a nest with family, first pick of prey, little responsibilities. It's a perfect life, Darkkit tells himself.

All young cats, please step forwards. Oh? Darkkit's head pops up with a curious tilt of his chin. That's him. He's a young cat! What does Cicadastar want, he wonders? (Darkkit had missed the meeting last night, tucked away and snoring within the nursery.) The young tom plucks his pebble from where it sits at his paws and trots after his littermates and his friend, Ashkit.

The meeting starts off with a couple of warriors receiving their shiny new names. Darkkit stands on his tiptoes and beams at each one, a muffled yet gleeful, "Yaaaay!" following the conclusion of the ceremonies.

And once the warriors have been named, it's time for... mentorships. A strange pit opens within Darkkit's stomach, and the kit feels clammy all of a sudden. Him... Training? Oh... But he likes his life as it is right now...? His jaw clenches, teeth tightening around the pebble until they begin to ache. Take this feeling away, he silently begs the stone which he foolishly believes has such power.

No... Wait... This feeling, it must be excitement. Everyone else is excited, so he is, too. Even if it feels different than the excitement which jolts limbs with energy and lights a smile upon his face. It's a different kind of excitement, a stronger type of excitement. Yes. Yes, that's what it is.

Right?

Darkkit makes himself smile as Cicadastar calls his name, and he tells himself that it's only hard because of how excited he is. Darkkit becomes Darkpaw, and Reedrunner is announced as his mentor... Dual-toned eyes find the chocolate smoke, who appears nervous... No, no. They must be feeling the same type of excitement that Darkkit- Darkpaw is. Not nervous, excited. Everyone is excited, everyone is happy. Reedrunner fumbles with words, but Darkpaw simply smiles, accepting the touch of their nose. "We're going to have lots of fun together," Darkpaw whispers, and he tells himself that he isn't trying to convince anyone, and especially not himself.​

 

[HOUNDSTRIDE.]

( ᴛᴀɢs. )  ❝  How strange this life's become. From the freedom of the marshes has grown structure and division. It'd meant to be a family, but with each passing day it feels more akin to– to a warrior's life. To a life lived in war. They'd never truly escaped it, had they? This moment, one that's meat to be momentous and warm, is made grim by that realization. He takes to it without hesitation, well-prepared to follow Cicadastar to anything that followed. It seems that not all mentors feel the same. More than one voice stumbles over their greeting. Least with him, he knows his apprentice. An' all that she's capable of– the good and the bad. Azalea to Lakepaw– another strange thing to think of.

"Well then, Lakepaw." He tries out the name, and finds it odd on his tongue. It'll take some gettin' used to, though in his twisting voice maybe he'll find it easier to say than Azalea. "Looks like you'll need to listen to me. Better'n you do now, anyway." With light humor, he nudges himself into the younger molly's shoulder. And Cicada would be looking after Fox. He finds himself soothed with that, at least. They would do well together. He'd make sure'f it.

†  ooc notes information †

• 
  ooc: —
• ──── houndsnarl. trans male, he/him pronouns.
  ──── approximately 30 moons old, or 2.5 years.
  ──── bisexual with firm male preference; single.
  
  ──── a chocolate tabby with ( stylized ) low white and intense lime eyes. lean and lanky,  with whiplike musculature and a long, quick stride. hound's notable features include his impressive height, the long scar across the left side of his face from nose to jaw, his very deep, dense fur, and the confident manner with which he conducts himself.
• "speech"

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