Earthkit's Apprentice Ceremony

Pallid shadows crept somberly across the soft sandy earth of the gaping cavern, lanky and disfigured against the soft light of the stifling late season sun. The unpleasant warmth of the shady cavern air was wet with humidity and soft, clipped conversation- curious onlookers, who had at last acquiesced to Coal and the presence of her litter, drifting together to observe the ceremonial proceedings. Swallowing down the tendrils of ever present, entirely unyielding and entirely too uncomfortable, discomfort, Acornpetal's mottled features were graced with a hastily practiced expression of confidence as she shifted atop the ceremonial seat.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather here beneath the High Ledge for a Clan meeting!"

Earth, or Earthkit, he didn’t really know what he was supposed to be called anymore, was in the nursery. He had become foe accustomed to his new surroundings, but he did miss Shadowclan. And some of the looks some of the cats shot at him made him feel like lashing out at them with his small kit claws. But some, like Breezebranch were kind, and although he tried not to show it, he didn’t mind the, as much. Lionflame, his father, was one of the cats he wasn’t sure about yet. He had absolutely no reason to like him so far, except for the fact that his mama loved him. He was on edge about it. But today he rushed toward the ceremonial area, hoping to be an apprentice. He wanted to be Earthpaw badly. He hoped today was the day that would happen.

Neatly winding her tail around her paws in hopes of further concealing her anxious shifting, Acornpetal turned an apprehensive eye down upon the palpably excited Brightkit- tearing across the cavern as though a fire was hot on her heels. It felt like only a few sunrises ago whenever she had her ceremony, back before the nonsense with the rogues and ShadowClan. Only when the last stragglers made their way to the loosely formed ring of cats did she finally raise her voice once more. "Earth, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to find your place among the Clan." She began, voice carrying a sharp and determined undercurrent that was so unlike her emotional state, ”From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Earthpaw. Hawkflight shall be your mentor and I am confident that she'll pass down everything she has learned."

Leaping off of the looming stone, the Deputy was quick to congratulation her fellow Warrior and her latest apprentice.

Earth listened intently, his suspicions being confirmed. He allowed himself to flash a genuine smile, a rare sincerity from him as he became Earthpaw. He turned to look for Hawkflight. He hadn’t really known her at all so far, but she was a warrior and he was glad to be training under her no matter what. He walked up towards her, touching noses with the unfamiliar she-cat. Inwardly, he hoped she wouldn’t shun him as some of his clanmates had already.