[ apprentice ]

[Crowzerplorodon]

It was a nice day, Cloudstar decided, watching his clan from a top the rock he used to make announcements. His short white fur was blowing around in the surprisingly strong wind, sending a little chill down his spine. But other than that, the day was gorgeous. Sun shining down with very few white wisps to block out its bright light. The trees were a mix of green, gold, and red, the strongest sign of Leaf-Falls hold on the forest. And the river, which could be heard in the background, was pleasantly lapping at the stone pebbles in its bed.

Cloudstar got to his paws, green eyes searching the camp for the two cats in particular he needed to see today. Gingerkit, and Redtail, namely. The small she-cat had reached apprentice age and Cloudstar had spent the better part of the morning deciding which warrior would do best for the ginger she-cat. Redtail came to mind a little later than some other cats, but, in his mind, they'd be a good match.

"May all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather around high rock for a clan meeting." Now he would have to wait as cats gathered. Already he could see a few trickling in to the meeting spot, but many cats were out hunting, and he felt this would be a rather empty apprentice ceremony. Oh well, as long as Gingerkit and Redtail (in afterthought, he realized probably only Gingerkit knew what this was about) showed up, it would be fine.

[Cloud of Diamonds]

The large tabby tom padded into camp with a shrew dangling from his jaws. His amber eyes looked up as he noticed Cloudstar calling a meeting. Was he going to report danger? Had the badger that those two foolish MeadowClan warriors chased into their territory causing trouble? He'd probably have to be on his guard even more. Going only to drop his shrew on the edge of the currently-being-replenished fresh-kill pile, he moved in his thudding way over to the center of camp and sat down, slit eyes affixed on the white leader, waiting for news.

[Puddyluff]

Gingerkit bounced up and down, excited for the news. She just knew this as going to be her apprentice ceremony. Who's going to be my mentor? thought Gingerkit. Then she shivered with the thoughts of her being mentored by a very strict and grumpy cat. Gingerkit shook her head and thought to herself, Cloudstar won't give me anyone like that. He'll give me the mentor that fits me best. She looked around and fixed her eyes back on Cloudstar, and thought of her mother. She would be so proud once I get my name, she thought as she continued to bounce up and down.

[Crowzerplorodon]

As more and more cats gathered around the rock, Cloudstar kept an eye open for the two cats in specific he was looking for. Redtail approached first, his ginger tabby coloring catching Cloudstar's attention immediately. Next was Gingerkit whose equally ginger coat make the leader smile at how they matched. He was a little surprised that Stripedpelt wasn't here to watch the ceremony, but thought not much of it, instead flicking his tail at Gingerkit, signaling her to come up closer.

"Gingerkit, you have reached the age appropriate for you to become an apprentice. StarClan watch as from this moment on, until she has earned her warrior name, this apprentice shall be known as Gingerpaw." He paused, fixing Redtail with a stare before nodding slightly at the young warrior. "Readtail, you are ready for your first apprentice, I trust you to mentor Gingerpaw well. You are a true and ready warrior, and I hope you will pass this knowledge to your new apprentice." With that said, Cloudstar took a few steps back, and waited for the clan to finish the ceremony on their own.

[Cloud of Diamonds]

His dark eyes opened wider than they had been for ages. Mentor? Him? Was Cloudstar serious? With what he thought, and knew...how could he mentor an innocent young she-cat? But something in him thought that perhaps having an apprentice would be good for him, help him learn to be truly happy again. He looked at the newly named Gingerpaw. She looked a bit like him. Well, time to finish the ceremony. He padded over to touch noses with Gingerpaw, accepting her as his new apprentice. He then gazed back at his leader."Thank you, Cloudstar. I shall do my best, as befits being entrusted with this honor."

[topaz]

ooc;; Poo. The ceremony ended without Stripedeplt xDD
I don't really regret it anyways. :3

[Puddyluff]

Gingerpaw bounced one more time and stepped up to touch noses with her new mentor. Redtail is my new mentor. But before she could turn back to do anything else, she fixed her eyes on Redtail. Gingerpaw envied Redtail's glowing pelt, and she fixed her amber eyes, trying to avoid eye contact. For the first time in her life, she felt so shy. I shouldn't be like this. I looked forward to this since I knew about StreamClan. She then wished, I wish that we could start training today. It would make me more comfortable, being his apprentice. She continued to bounce up and down, thinking her legs would get sore if she didn't do that for even just a second. Stripedpelt would be so proud of me, thought Gingerpaw as she waited for Redtail to say something.

[Cloud of Diamonds]

Um...why was his new apprentice bouncing up and down like....like.....well, he didn't know what. But it was something Redtail had certainly never seen before, except in his distant memories of playing with his brother as a kit. She seemed shy, though, avoiding his eyes. Well, isn't she barely more than a kit? She just became an apprentice, Redtail thought, of course she's excited. It's probably what all Clan kits dream of, this day. But he wouldn't know for sure, having grown up as a rogue. Speaking of which...would he know how to be a good mentor? Of course he knew other cats had come here as rogues and were mentors, but... And this apprentice...what if she never listened, or broke the rules? Gingerpaw's happiness was almost palpable, though...seeming to not be tainted with any dark thoughts. But she was young. Give her time. But...what if he could prevent it? No, no cat could prevent evil from growing. It was impossible. Yet she was so young, so innocent...maybe he shouldn't be so suspicious. He reminded himself that whatever happened, he was still her mentor, and that was that. Get back to reality, Redtail! And he did, snapping out of his thoughts and back into the present. He noticed that most of the other cats had cleared off by now, leaving just him and his still-bouncing apprentice. So talk to her, you mouse-brain. "Let's go hunting near the river, Gingerpaw. I can begin to teach you some basic hunting techniques today." Yes, that was a good way to start, work off some of that boundless energy she seemed to have.

[Puddyluff]

Yes! thought Gingerpaw she stopped bouncing, and with all her courage, she gazed and got eye contact with her mentor, Redtail. She shook her head and meowed, "Sure." Our first training session, thought Gingerpaw. I am going to make sure Redtail doesn't regret having me as his apprentice. I'm going to prove that he couldn't have a better apprentice. She thought about telling Redtail that her father was a great fighter, so she was going to be the greatest warrior in all four clans, but she didn't. This wasn't the time. She had never hunted before. She could fail. Who knows? Then she snapped into the real world. What if I fall in the river? thought Gingerpaw. I might die. But then she realized that it wasn't going to happen after all, because Redtail was there to protect her. I won't get hurt. It's a mentor's job to teach and making sure that his or her apprentice doesn't get hurt. Gingerpaw calmed down after realizing that.

[Cloud of Diamonds]

Noting she was looking him in the eyes, he nodded, saying "Well, let's go then." And began to pad towards the entrance, assuming she would follow. Now, what to teach her first? Probably not catching fish, he mused. If she slips, which she very well could, she doesn't know how to swim yet so that could be a serious danger. Redtail had to stifle a mrrrow at the thought of a drowned cat never swimming again. Oh, the ironical thoughts that came to him sometimes. Rodent stalking techniques would most likely be a good idea. No danger of drowning or miscalculating a jump and crashing to the ground. He hoped his apprentice proved more adept than he in this area, for Redtail was not the world's greatest hunter. And the river would be a good place to start because of its healthy population of water voles. Relieved that he could actually think like a mentor, Redtail let his paws automatically lead him to the wide band of water that ran through so much of his territory.

OOC: You can start a thread in Hunting if you like, or should I do it?