Closed Thread Mint & Nettle Grow Stronger (2FF20 - Mintkit & Nettlekit Apprentice Ceremonies)

rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
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Nettlekit hadn't done much in his spare time besides counting down the days until he was called to be apprenticed. Few things kept his interest, but he managed by inquiring after the local fauna that frequented the camp. Ants, beetles, moths... he studied them quietly as they went about their business, trying his best to keep out of the way of busy bodies in camp.

From inside the old rabbit warren, Nettlekit paused in his study when his ears perked to the call of Boldstar from the Talking Spot. Could it be today, he wondered, brows furrowing with deep seeded concentration. Calmly he peered out of the warren, and after a moment, allowed himself to settle near the outskirts of the gathered crowd, chest expanding with building excitement.

A small smile crept over the mist colored she-cat as Boldstar's voice rang out across camp. It hadn't been long since she'd brought up her proposal to make Nettlekit her apprentice and she couldn't help but feel that today would be the day. 

Leaving the pile of projects she'd been working on, Willowfrost followed her nose out into the clearing and towards the slowly growing group of cats. Settling herself just a bit to the right of Boldstar's position, the RiverClan medicine cat waited calmly, her tail wrapped carefully around her paws. 

What I dream, the day might send. Just around the riverbend.

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Otterwhisker was in fine spirits. She suspected it would be any day now that the two growing cats would gain their apprentice names. Licking the scarps of fresh kill from her paw, her ears turned towards the cry of Boldstar's voice summoning the clan. Perhaps it was time.

Without the urgency in her step, she wasn't an expectant kit, after all, the mink point cat casually made her way from the elder's hollow, padding within eye shot of their bulky leader. Otterwhisker shot a friendly smile towards Willowfrost and couldn't help but settle herself a foxlength or so near her, lowering herself onto her haunches as she awaited the announcement.

She remembered when she was called before the clan to receieve her apprentice name, and she couldn't be more proud.

Out with the old - In with the bold

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Boldstar watched as the clan assembled amounts the roots under the raised perch he stood on. However many times they rallied to his voice he would never not feel the wave of pride that came in seeing them gather.

"Today I have called you together because two of our own are ready to receive their apprentice names." Boldstar would also never tire of the thrill that ran through him at moments like this. Moments when his service to StarClan was at its most obvious. Sure, he wasn't a medicine cat who served them every day, but he was still a leader who served them by guiding the clan. "Come forward Mintkit and Nettlekit!"

rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
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This was it. Everything that had culminatied to this moment. From their fateful conversation between Boldstar and his brother and the insight of Willowfrost that deconstructed his dreams in hopes to figure out what Nettlekit was truly capable of.

As his name was called it felt like his fur was grazed with electricity. He jumped to his paws, tail tip twitching with eagerness before he made his way through the twisting boughs of camp to stand beneath the huge shadow of Boldstar, the excited glint in his eyes betraying his measured steps. He may be the biggest cat he'd ever seen, maybe even the biggest in the whole forest, but Starclan was bigger than any cat and any clan.

And it was his moment to shine.  

Out with the old - In with the bold

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Boldstar knew that it would be an interesting and important ceremony today. He didn't waste time letting the situation linger longer than required.

"Cottonbright, you will be mentor to Mintpaw. Cottonbright, you are patient and deliberate." He paused before the traditional closing, giving the gravity a moment to sink in. "Pass on all you can to this young apprentice."

Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
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  Cottonbright had been minding her business in the warrior's den, half in her nest and the other half hung a bit awkwardly as she was busy bathing herself, swiping her tongue here and there. Paw held close to her face, she lapped at the fur before swiping it over her small triangular ears.

They, however, perked instantly when she heard the boom of Boldstar's voice, and hopped to her paws, half stumbling over nest as she made her way out of the den. There was purpose in the air, and her eyes were drawn to the smaller forms of Nettlekit and Mintkit, one looking eager as ever and the other hesitant. Her suspicions were confirmed as they were called forward and Cottonbright let loose a soft purr as she had settled herself next to Willowfrost, a she-cat whom she was most comfortable with.

Yet the white she cat barely had a moment to blink as her gaze rose to Boldstar as she heard her name on his lips. Cottonbright...? A mentor? Her whiskers ticked with unease as a warmth slowly crept over her. If a cat could flush with color she would have. Half stumbling over one of her paws, she no doubt, stepped forward, each step heavy - but as her eyes caught Mintpaws her steps became a little lighter.

She'd need to be strong in front of Mintpaw now that she was to be his mentor, and the large she-cat humbly lowered her head so that she may touch noses with him. "Take a deep breath." She encouraged him, her voice merely a whisper. It had always helped her in times when her anxiety was highest.

Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
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A soft kitty smile spread across her face and nodded, mimicking the action as Mintpaw inhaled. After a moment, Cottonbright exhaled slow, the tip of her tail giving a flick of appreciation.She couldn't believe she would be a mentor to this small ball of fur. 

Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa. Pressure that'll tip, tip tip 'till you just go pop, whoa.
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 Cottonbright's thoughts were racing. As she exhaled she found herself counting. Calming herself... until. Eyes widening, expanding lime meeting Mintpaw's own. Shouldn't he have followed? Breathe in, breathe out! If she had to instruct how to properly manage calming menthods... "Exhale." She whispered, eyes flashing up towards Boldstar with a sheepish smile, hoping the large leader was about to announce Nettlepaw's mentor, who at this point, shifted his gaze skyward.

Out with the old - In with the bold

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Boldstar couldn't keep the purr from his chest. The strength of RiverClan was always in the future. It was a joy to participate in preserving that future.

"Willowfrost feels it is time for her to pass what she knows to the next generation and ensure a Medicine Cat and RiverClan’s future." He let the rare ceremonial words ring for a moment, so that the gravity of the event could sink in. Apprentices were common enough, but Medicine Cat's apprentices only happened a few times in a lifetime unless something was going very, very wrong. "Willowfrost, you will be mentor to Nettlepaw. If it is StarClan’s will, teach them all you know."

The pair would have to make a journey to Highstones today, so that the new apprentice could meet with StarClan and either be welcomed into the world of the Medicine Cats or sent away to be re-apprenticed as a Warrior. But, Boldstar had done his part. He fully trusted in Willowfrost's choice for the kit. He believed StarClan would find her worthy.

The pale gray tabby slide forward on silent paws, approaching her newly appointed apprentice. Willowfrost stretched forward to meet the kitten nose-to-nose in the traditional touch. They had much ground to cover today. The pair would need to start soon.

rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
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The severity of the scene was like gravity, crushing... The antisipation of finally leaving the mundane world of boring warriors behind. Starclan willing. And then, as Boldstar spoke he felt the tension in his shoulders lift. Freeing... The young tom puffed out his chest, Boldstar's words and Willowfrosts silent steps giving him strength.

Without a word, his stern glower of acceptance enough in his eyes, touched noses with his new mentor. He was merely following the tug he had felt his whole life, it was only recently that he was given the oppertunity to see it for himself. He would make his clan proud.