[Apprentice Ceremony] Willow and Elm

[thistle.]

Elmpaw jumped back up onto his feet and shook bits of dirt off his pelt. "Tired? Not in a mill'on years!" At the moment, it was true. The brown tabby felt like he could climb a mountain, touch the sky, fight a whole Clan single-pawed, go around the world in one -- well, you get the idea. He was simply bursting with energy, and the urge to run around like an excited kit was very tempting. But, he reminded himself, he wasn't a little kit anymore. He was an apprentice, and he would be the best!
A few feet away, he thought he heard his name, but he didn't express any interest in that. When the time came, he would be able to pin anyone down, even his sister. And ironically, Willowpaw was thinking (and speaking) almost the exact same thing.

"I honestly don't know, but I'm pretty sure the territories are all about the same size. It's only fair." "Well, if ya say so... but what if we're starvin' to death 'cause our terr'tory's so small we dun' have 'nough to eat? Can we get some more terr'tory? Maybe one of the other Clans won' need a lotta terr'tory at that time. Then it's fair for us, righ'?"

Elmpaw was virtually skipping around Loonstep while he spoke. He wanted to talk, because talking with his mentor was interesting, but he would prefer them to chat while they explored PineClan's land. And so he added, "Can we getta move on, Loonstep?" He almost said 'loonystep'; not because he though he was loony, but just for the fun of it. After all, who could call the black-and-white tom 'Loonystep' and not collapse in a fit of giggles? Fortunately, Elmpaw held his tongue.

[Cloud of Diamonds]

Loonstep laughed gently, again. Elmpaw was the very image of an eager apprentice. However, he frowned, then his face relaxed. It was only natural of the brown tabby tom to favor PineClan; it was where he was born and raised. Still, the black and white warrior would have to teach him that the other Clans were just as important and were PineClan's equal. Well, maybe not equal...FogClan certainly wasn't, sorry, Cranetail. But StreamClan was good, and MeadowClan was probably okay.

"I doubt that will ever happen, Elmpaw, and even if it does, we would have to think very carefully before invading another Clan's land. It's a painful and complicated thing, never good for either Clan no matter who gains or loses."

He doubted he could ever invade another Clan...he'd be okay with it, if they absolutely had to, but he wouldn't want to. Just thinking of Duckstripe, Goosefur, and Cranetail made him uneasy at the very idea. He could rationalize it...but only if he didn't battle the other Clan.

Then he smiled again, trying to drive his unwelcome thoughts away.

"Sure." Saying so, he padded off toward the camp entrance, just glimpsing a gray tail before it moved out of sight. He chuckled. Apparently Ashstorm and Willowpaw had a head start on them. Not that it mattered, but he wondered if he would be thought slow by his apprentice.

Now, which border to go to first...he might as well show him the north and west borders first, since there were no enemies on the other sides of those. And the north one was very close by. North...then the MeadowClan border, then west. Then, they'd rest for a bit, maybe he'd show Elmpaw some techniques, and then the FogClan border. That was where he wanted Elmpaw to pay the most attention, so he wanted everything else done by then.

[thistle.]

Elmpaw wrinkled his nose in concentration, obviously thinking as deeply as his mind would allow him. "Yeah... I s'ppose it might be a lil painful, with all the fightin', but whaddya mean, it's not good for either Clan? The winner would get lots more terr'tory and prey, so isn' it just the losers that have all the bad luck?" He looked up at his mentor, his face genuinely mystified.

As he spoke, he padded through the camp exit. And what he saw made him almost forget what he had just said. Was it just him, or was the forest bigger than it had been when he was a kit? He saw trees, lots and lots of trees. And although he couldn't see them, he could smell little prey animals as well. The scents and sounds and sights were nearly overwhelming. Nearly. Elmpaw managed to keep a clear head and listen to Loonstep's response.

ooc: -headdesk-

[Cloud of Diamonds]

OOC: Once you finish your post, Thistle, I'll start a new thread in the Borders sub-board. :3

[thistle.]

ooc: it's seriously short but at least it's done. ^^;