- Jun 1, 2023
- 135
- 28
- 28
Just as quickly as the meeting had been called and he had been named Luckypaw, it was over, and after regrouping with the rest of his family outside of the spotlight called upon them all, he now stands in the middle of camp simply taking it all in. It's not an uncommon sight, seeing him casting his gaze about camp, but this time he's trying to discern if it feels any different from normal. Truthfully, more than anything, he feels out of place - an apprentice in name and nothing else, since he hadn't yet had a chance to even leave the camp. There's still the burning embers of his excitement, of course, and some anxiety surrounding his first outing, but seeing other cats bustle about with purpose leaves him feeling lacking, like he should be doing something important, too. Maybe he should seek out Cygnetstare, ask about what they'll be doing together first, though the idea isn't thrilling - despite the fact that he'll be spending many moons in the tunnels with them, he's not quite tripping over himself to seek her out on his own just yet. Surely there's something he should be doing...something that he's forgotten during the transition from -kit to -paw...
As an apprentice trudges by, laden with moss and heading to the elder's den, it suddenly hits him - he needs to pick out a new nest! No longer can Luckypaw consider the nursery his hidden sanctuary; from now on, he'll sleep out under the stars alongside his fellow apprentices. Even though he's glad to have something to do, his pawsteps are far from light as he squeezes into the nursery, surveying the chamber that had housed him and his littermates their entire lives up until now. It's not really something he wants to give up, that feeling of security sleeping in an enclosed den, but it can't be helped, he supposes; at least he'll be closer to the stars, though that hardly feels like a consolation. One last glance thrown around him, Luckypaw pads forward to retrieve what he really came here for - a piece of his nest, still smelling like Scorchstreak and the rest of his littermates, and a slightly-crumpled butterfly wing kept from their group butterfly hunt. Where Scorchkit - well, Scorchpaw, now, he has to correct himself - had worn hers proudly behind one of her ears, he had safely tucked his away, not wanting to damage it (and truthfully, he's not sure it suits him so much as his sister, perched awkwardly upon his head).
Haul held firmly between his jaws, Luckypaw slips out of the nursery and back into camp, instinctively searching for his siblings. Had they already found somewhere to place their new nests, or were they, like him, still looking? They should all settle near one another, he thinks, though a sudden uneasiness grips him at the thought. Tunnelers and moor runners didn't have separate sleeping spots, did they? It's hard to tell in the sea of nests, especially since they weren't really occupied at the moment. Worse yet, what if they didn't want to have their nests next to each other? After all, they'd all had to share close quarters in the nursery - what if Scorchpaw or Frostpaw or Rumblepaw were tired of that? It wouldn't be the end of the world - Luckypaw would still see them, of course - but the thought of no longer being so close to his siblings at night makes him wilt just a bit. Regardless, he still has to pick out a spot for a nest, and nest materials, at that, though as he edges closer his steps begin to falter. It's not like he's done this before - should he just...stake a claim in an empty spot near the edge? Is that where new apprentices go? Stars, he's starting to wish he'd paid a little bit more attention to the trivial details last time new apprentices were named.
As an apprentice trudges by, laden with moss and heading to the elder's den, it suddenly hits him - he needs to pick out a new nest! No longer can Luckypaw consider the nursery his hidden sanctuary; from now on, he'll sleep out under the stars alongside his fellow apprentices. Even though he's glad to have something to do, his pawsteps are far from light as he squeezes into the nursery, surveying the chamber that had housed him and his littermates their entire lives up until now. It's not really something he wants to give up, that feeling of security sleeping in an enclosed den, but it can't be helped, he supposes; at least he'll be closer to the stars, though that hardly feels like a consolation. One last glance thrown around him, Luckypaw pads forward to retrieve what he really came here for - a piece of his nest, still smelling like Scorchstreak and the rest of his littermates, and a slightly-crumpled butterfly wing kept from their group butterfly hunt. Where Scorchkit - well, Scorchpaw, now, he has to correct himself - had worn hers proudly behind one of her ears, he had safely tucked his away, not wanting to damage it (and truthfully, he's not sure it suits him so much as his sister, perched awkwardly upon his head).
Haul held firmly between his jaws, Luckypaw slips out of the nursery and back into camp, instinctively searching for his siblings. Had they already found somewhere to place their new nests, or were they, like him, still looking? They should all settle near one another, he thinks, though a sudden uneasiness grips him at the thought. Tunnelers and moor runners didn't have separate sleeping spots, did they? It's hard to tell in the sea of nests, especially since they weren't really occupied at the moment. Worse yet, what if they didn't want to have their nests next to each other? After all, they'd all had to share close quarters in the nursery - what if Scorchpaw or Frostpaw or Rumblepaw were tired of that? It wouldn't be the end of the world - Luckypaw would still see them, of course - but the thought of no longer being so close to his siblings at night makes him wilt just a bit. Regardless, he still has to pick out a spot for a nest, and nest materials, at that, though as he edges closer his steps begin to falter. It's not like he's done this before - should he just...stake a claim in an empty spot near the edge? Is that where new apprentices go? Stars, he's starting to wish he'd paid a little bit more attention to the trivial details last time new apprentices were named.
[ PENNED BY HIJINKS ]