Cream ears flattened and hazel eyes turned almost hurt at the tone his brother used when Nettlekit decided to respond to one of the questions Mintkit had asked Boldstar, but when Boldstar gave his own answer, those same ears began to relax again. At first, he had thought it was a stupid question, even if he had blurted it out, but now he thought it was a rather fair question. Just because Starclan had given Boldstar his nine lives, it didn't mean they might have not have still scolded him for not having been more careful or something.
Then Boldstar elaborated on what happened when he lost his life to the dry-drowning and his eyes went wide with awe and respect. Wow, he and the medicine cats must have a lot of stuff to learn and remember. Oh, speaking of learning, that was a good branch to start down, and hopefully Nettlekit liked these questions and added his own! "I-is swimming something we'll learn right away w-when we become apprentices? H-how much longer do we hafta wait?" He had stood and began to shift from foot-to-foot in growing excitement. "D-do you know what our apprentice names will be? W-who you're gonna make our mentors? W-will we be able to go to the gathering r-right away?"
rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
↫ ⭒ ☽ ⭒ 〄 ⭒ ☾ ⭒ ↬
Nettlekit seemed undeterred by his own tone. In his mind, his answer was valid. Perched like a tiny beige predator on the roots of Twinwillow, he lapped at a white paw as he finalized his meal. His bath was slow, half listening to the conversation half focusing on keeping tidy.
A curious glance settled on their leader when the line of questioning turned towards the future of their mentorship, in which, Nettlekit was solemnly quiet. Mintkit had asked a question that he had wanted to ask. Huh.
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettleplume, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat
Merrypaw, ♀ Steadfast Apprentice
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlespice, ♀ Selfish Warrior
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, ♀ Striving Warrior
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
Heatherkit, ♀ Sweet Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Emberdust, ♀ Artless Warrior
Duskpaw, ♂ Opportunistic Apprentice
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Visionary Feral
Montgomery (Monty), ♂ Sentimental Semi-Feral
Out with the old - In with the bold
‹‹‹‹ ››››
"When you learn swimming will be up to your mentor. and I haven't decided whose going to be your mentors yet. I have ideas, but I don't like to decide until right before the ceremony. It lets StarClan have a chance to guide my paws." Boldstar spoke honestly to the kittens. Sometimes StarClan let him see something late in the process. It was best not to decide for sure until the ceremony. Sometimes that little moment made it clear exactly who the mentor was meant to be. It wouldn't do to put the wrong kit in the paws of the wrong mentor, waiting gave him more opportunities to know and see where the match was.
Mintkit nodded, trying to shift his expression into a serious one as Boldstar spoke, curiously wondering why Nettlekit hadn't asked anything and a little surprised his brother had remained quiet so far. Then his expression brightened a little and he repeated the one of the questions that hadn't been answered. "H-how much longer do we hafta wait? A-aren't we close enough?" He really wanted to be an apprentice so he knew who his mentor was and what his name would be. He couldn't wait any longer! Weren't they old enough yet?! "I-I can't wait to start hunting a-and I'm gonna one day c-catch the BIGGEST fish R-riverclan's ever seen! J-just WATCH!" Hazel eyes gleamed and he lifted a paw to try to keep from dancing on the spot, his tail lifting and curling in delight at the thought.
rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
↫ ⭒ ☽ ⭒ 〄 ⭒ ☾ ⭒ ↬
Excitement churned in his belly, a sort of warmth that seeped into his muscles. He would have been more animated, but he didn't want to risk losing his balance again, especially not in front of Boldstar again. "What do you mean by that? Starclan guiding your paws? Would they send you some sort of sign? Like a dream?" It was especially fascinating to him that Starclan could be so close, but so far at the same time. He wondered what Starclan might say about him...
"You can catch the fish, Mintkit. And I'll see if Willowfrost can use it!" His brother eagerness was contagious, it seemed, as his claws kneaded the root underneath him.
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettleplume, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat
Merrypaw, ♀ Steadfast Apprentice
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlespice, ♀ Selfish Warrior
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, ♀ Striving Warrior
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
Heatherkit, ♀ Sweet Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Emberdust, ♀ Artless Warrior
Duskpaw, ♂ Opportunistic Apprentice
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Visionary Feral
Montgomery (Monty), ♂ Sentimental Semi-Feral
Out with the old - In with the bold
‹‹‹‹ ››››
"It's more like just seeing something you hadn't seen before. Noticing something special that answers the question of who." Boldstar began slowly, trying to think of how to answer the barrage of questions he was being subjected to. "You'll have to be six moons old before I apprentice you. You're only five now, so once the moon changes it'll be time." At least that was the easiest question that the pair had given him so far. Best to let a kit be a kit until it was the proper time. These two were so full of questions and dreams. It was always refreshing to see how enthusiastic kits became as their apprenticeships drew closer. Even the shyest never seemed to balk at the idea of getting out of the nursery.
"There are big fish out there, Mintkit. Ones bigger than you can imagine. I've seen salmon in the river longer than a cat is, so big I don't think anyone could pull it out of the water."
Mintkit growled softly in his chest as his claws dug into the root under his paws. "B-b-but it's already taken FOUR SEASONS f-for the moons to appear for this Gathering ! I'm g-gonna be in the ELDER'S den before I'm even m-m-made an apprentice!" The little cream tom wanted to toss his head back and yowl in frustration and despair at having to wait still, but instead he just settled for a dramatic sigh after his outburst and settled down to twitch his tail, trying not to appear as though he was pouting. But he was totally pouting.
rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
↫ ⭒ ☽ ⭒ 〄 ⭒ ☾ ⭒ ↬
Nettlekit was aghast at his brother's behavior. From shell-shocked to a loud flair for the dramatics. Pursing his kitty lips together, he tried very hard to not lash out at Mintkit again.
Very hard.
With a paw swipe, he began to collect the scattered mouse fluff from his meal and molded it into a ball. A fitting distraction lest he go on the verbal offensive in front of Boldstar. He'd have a few choice words for him on their way back to the nursery, but for now, he merely seethed a cool mew.
"Our sixth moon will be here before we know it. Like our fifth moon, you only get a moon once." When he said it, the phrase sounded wise enough, but it could have just been distracted rambling.
Fluff ball assembled!
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettleplume, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat
Merrypaw, ♀ Steadfast Apprentice
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlespice, ♀ Selfish Warrior
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, ♀ Striving Warrior
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
Heatherkit, ♀ Sweet Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Emberdust, ♀ Artless Warrior
Duskpaw, ♂ Opportunistic Apprentice
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Visionary Feral
Montgomery (Monty), ♂ Sentimental Semi-Feral
Out with the old - In with the bold
‹‹‹‹ ››››
"Calm down, Mintkit. The moon will have come and gone before you know it. You're not old enough yet, and I won't be Bloodstar and apprentice you early to be taken by Twolegs." Boldstar's voice was stern as he mentioned the legend that gave good reasons to never apprentice a kit early. His tailtip twitched with impatience when Nettlekit put on a show of being willing to wait. That was one that would bear watching. It would have to be ensured that she learned the code letter perfect and began to live it. Thankfully, a problem for her mentor instead of for him.
Instead the big tom stood up. "Now that you're both done eating, why don't we clean up and get you back to your mother's fine care." Kits were a handful at this age. Physically ready for more, but not mentally prepared for the challenges of being an apprentice yet.
Mintkit looked at his paws when hid brother spoke, his bobbed tail twitching, totally pouting. He gave the slightest of physical flinches when Boldstar scolded him. He was actually hoping he and Nettlekit would be lucky enough for Boldstar to do exactly that. But then a thought struck him at the name of Bloodstar and he perked, hazel eyes sparkling as he hurriedly gather the remains of his meal to clean it up. "If D-duckfeather is still napping, do you think Otterwhisker w-will tell us a story if I bring her some freshkill?" He chirped enthusiastically. The story of Bloodstar was always a good one and he had no doubt Otterwhisker would be an awesome story teller!
rise from the smoldering pyre of wormwood and weeds
↫ ⭒ ☽ ⭒ 〄 ⭒ ☾ ⭒ ↬
Nettlekit was already a good deal finished in cleaning up his space, but his ears were keen, still wary of both cats. Wary of the wisdom Boldstar spoke of. Being stolen by Twolegs was a horrid thought - away from the clan and family.
When Boldstar announced that they would go back to the nursery, and napping Duckfeather, Nettlekit gave a sigh. Yet his eyes widened at his brother's prompt suggestion, uttered in a timid question towards him.
Why didn't he think of that!
With a purr, the cream ticked tomkit sprang onto his paws. "Ooh, I bet she'd like that!" A purr and a tail wag, and he was on the ground, mouse fluff on his claws before he peered hard at the fresh kill in the pile. "What do you think she likes most? Do you know, Boldstar?"
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettleplume, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat
Merrypaw, ♀ Steadfast Apprentice
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlespice, ♀ Selfish Warrior
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, ♀ Striving Warrior
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
Heatherkit, ♀ Sweet Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Emberdust, ♀ Artless Warrior
Duskpaw, ♂ Opportunistic Apprentice
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Visionary Feral
Montgomery (Monty), ♂ Sentimental Semi-Feral
Out with the old - In with the bold
‹‹‹‹ ››››
"She might be willing to tell you a story, but you should ask her if she's hungry before you go dragging fresh-kill around." Boldstar's voice was full of laughter as he spoke. Otterwhisker tried to be as little of an elder as possible. He suspected that she'd already gotten her own meal. "As for what Otterwhisker would like most... When it comes to food a cat has moods. You'd be foolish if tried to guess when we can just ask."
Boldstar shifted, stretching his paws out in front of himself, drawing his spine long and stretching luxuriously. He'd been loitering long enough already. He made his way down in a single jump, then turned to supervise the progress of the pair of kits. Duckfeather would shred his ears if he just stood by and let them fall.
Mintkit was just as bumbling getting down as he had scrambling up. With a couple of sliding steps, he finally just went 'plop!', landing on his belly with a bit of a splay before gathering himself up. "I'll m-make sure to ask first!" He chirped excitedly before scampering off to discard the remains of his dinner and hurried to make his way to the elder's den afterwards, eager to ask Otterwhisker.
