New beginnings or old ends?

[Nightpool]

Goldstar stood in his den in the tree hollow, stretching and shaking moss from his pelt. Judging from the light that was beginning to filter in through the waterfall, and the steadily brightening Glowmoss, the sun was starting to peek over the horizon to symbolize the coming of a new day. As he walked out onto the branch jutting below his den, he briefly considered what needed to be done for the day. Last night, the moon had been almost completely gone, it would be time for the clan to visit the Jagged Rock very soon for a Gathering. The four kits, too big for the nursery now, would nee to be apprenticed soon, though not necessarily today. However, he knew that quite a few warriors in camp were not only ready to have them out of their fur and being watched by their mentors, but ready to receive their first apprentice, or, in others' cases, their last. He glanced down briefly at the fresh-kill pile. He would need to send out a couple of patrols to restock it, it was getting low. And, of course, he would need to send out patrols to check the borders. Since there were no other clans to compete with, it was merely a formality. However, occasionally, a badger or fox would wander into the territory that would need to be chased out, or a rogue would try to make it's territory there and would need to be warned away,so he supposed that they were of some use. He turned his eyes down onto the camp, watching it show the slow signs of waking.

"Falconkit! Falconkit! Wake up!" A tiny voice squeaked in the golden tabby kit's ear. "Go 'way," he batted at the noise with his paw. "Mm sleepin." he grumbled, turning over and ending up laying on top of a long haired gay tom. Graykit got up and scowled at Falconkit. "Leave me alone," he stalked off into a corner to resume his sleep. Rosekit rolled her eyes at Falconkit. "Now that you've woken up Graykit, let's go!" Falconkit glared at her, his amber gaze probably meant to scorch her pelt. It didn't work. The tortoiseshell she-cat just huffed and stalked off. "Fine! I'll go explore by myself!" She batted at Shiningkit's ear playfully. The silver tabby she-cat had been sitting outside of the nursery, daydreaming again. "Hi Shiningkit!" Rosekit chortled before running off. The small she-cat kit sent an amused look in her sister's direction before going back to pondering the state of...well, everything.

Much to Rosekit's surprise, she ran into a sleek black she-cat before getting more than a few fox-lengths. "Sorry, Nightpool!" the kit cried before jumping up and racing off. The medicine cat purred. "Ah, kits. If only they would stay that way forever." She returned her gaze back to camp. Today, she would need to go out and find honey. Late new-leaf and early greenleaf was the best time to collect it, and they were definitely low on the sticky stuff. "Let's see...To obtain honey, we need..." she paused considering. "A warrior, or an older apprentice, to distract the bees, and moss, to collect the honey." Of course, since Streamclan had no older apprentices, she was going to need to take time out of a warrior's busy schedule, which she felt slightly bad about. However, it needed to be done, so she continued her surveillance of camp for the bee's victim.

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[Smokeleaf]

Specks of loose dirt flitted down from the low ceiling of the warrior's den, landing directly atop Whiteash's nose. He snorted and opened his eyes quickly, stunned out of his peaceful sleep. The den was quiet for the sleeping warriors around him. "Stupid mousebrains," he sighed, standing up and stretching his legs. Some cat yelped in annoyance when his back foot landed in their face, and more still complained when he shook his pelt loose. "Aw, you hush!" he grunted. "You wouldn't have that problem if you woke up earlier, like some of us here." He thrashed his tail in slight annoyance, purposely smacking the mousebrains in the face, and trotted out of the den. Some would call it karma that he hit his head on the rock covering the burrow, but Whiteash was a senior warrior, and karma did not affect senior warriors.
He strode forward a few tail-lengths and suddenly plopped down, flicking his tail this way and that for the sheer thrill of it. A few cats were already out and about, their pelts silhouetted against the brightening glowmoss. Not much was happening around camp now, except for Rosekit exploring. He was glad that he was one of the first awake; he was a senior warrior, after all, and senior warriors always woke up first; unless they were tired, in which case they could sleep in as long as they wanted. Whiteash took advantage of that yesterday...

[Nightpool]

Shiningkit laughed slightly when she could hear the loud noises of Whiteash emerging from the den. Probably scolding younger warriors for no particular reason. However, when he hit his head on one of the few roots hanging from the rock that was the warriors den, her amusement turned to worry. Was he okay? Was he hurt? Shyly, she tip-toed up to him. "Whiteash?" she asked, a little nervous. "Are you all right?"

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[Smokeleaf]

Whiteash nearly jumped out of his fur when a voice aroused him from his thought. "Hrm? Oh, yes. Yes, of course. Hard head, you know...." He cleared his throat. He was being far too informal with the kit. "Thank you for asking, Shiningkit, but really, you mustn't sneak up on cats! Not only is it annoy- er, alarming, but slightly disrespectful. No, no, I know you didn't mean any harm. Just try not to do it again."

[Darkie]

Falconheart rose to his feet and stretched his jaws in a huge yawn. From the sound of it, Whiteash was up, and already well on his way to annoying everyone from here to StarClan. Turning his head, he quickly washed his pelt, dislodging the moss that had clung to it. He padded silently out into the main clearing, surveying the area to see which cats were already awake. Goldstar was up, as were Whiteash, Shiningkit, Rosekit , and Nightpool. He hadn’t seen Silverstorm in the warriors’ den, so he supposed that she was already out on patrol. Noticing that the Fresh-kill pile was slightly depleted, he moved quickly toward the entrance, intending to go hunting.

[[[ShAdYCaUStI]]]

Cadencepaw woke with a start from a dream. It was a strange dream; she had been chasing Nightpool up the river, swimming against the current. She sniffed disdainfully. Swimming. Huh. What self-respecting cat swims in the river? But the thought of the funny dream dissipated a moment later, and she looked over to see if Nightpool was awake yet. The thin black medicine-cat wasn't there. With a cheerful lick to her right forepaw, the pretty little white cat bounded out into the pleasant morning sunlight.

Ah - there was her mentor, looking around camp with an air of nonchalance, but apparently searching for something. Some others were up as well - some kits, Goldstar, and grumpy old Whiteash, one of the warriors she didn't much fancy. She padded over to Nightpool, her ears picking up the morning songs of the birds and her mind sorting the scents she picked up half-absently.

"Good morning Nightpool," she mewed brightly, coming up beside the older cat. "It's a beautiful morning - what shall we do today?" She waited expectantly.

[Nightpool]

[Shiningkit crouched down slightly at Whiteash's scolding. "Sorry," she mumbled, feeling bad that she had startled him. Unlike a lot of cats, Shiningkit looked up to and admired Whiteash, and hoped to be a warrior a lot like him someday. Without the grumpiness, of course, she laughed silently to herself. But with the dedication to his clan and all. She straightened. "I won't do it again, Whiteash, I promise," she meowed brightly.

Nightpool's ears flicked back as she heard her apprentice approaching. "Good morning, Cadencepaw," she greeted her apprentice. "Today, we need to go collect honey. However, honey is rather hard to collect, because someone needs to distract the bees while we get it..." she surveyed the camp. "So we need a brave warrior or two," The only cats up that were capable of this were Goldstar, Whiteash, and Falconheart. Of course, she didn't want to use Goldstar, not because he was leader, but because he was getting old, and would be in the elders' den if he wasn't leader. So, it was Whiteash or Falconheart then. Suddenly, Nightpool realized something. "Tonight, after the sun sets, we will head to the Moontree. Isn't this your first visit?"

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[Smokeleaf]

"That's quite all right. Apology accepted." Whiteash cleared his throat. He rather liked Shiningkit, probably more than her siblings. Falconkit and Rosekit were hyperactive and rowdy (in his opinion), and Graykit was grumpy and unsocial (in everybody's opinion). Shiningkit, on the other hand, was chipper without being obnoxious and respectful without being distant. And she listened to him. He liked that in a kit.
"So, Shiningkit. How are you feeling this morning? Your mother is doing well, I assume. Eager to get out of the nursery as usual?" And away from Graykit, he added to himself, but it was simply not dignified to say so, so he didn't. He stared down at her, refusing to look her in the eye, and waited for a response.

[[[ShAdYCaUStI]]]

Honey... Cadencepaw liked honey very much. But bees - bees were another thing. Normally unafraid of most things, the cat was terrified of bees with their cruel stingers and angry buzzing war cries. A warrior would have to distract the bees though; that was good in two ways. First of all, she was not a warrior and therefore could not be chosen; and second, the bees would not be after her. She gave a tiny sigh of relief and nodded happily, and then, as Nightpool finished, she began to tremble with excitement.

"Yes," she mewed in a voice that gave all the anticipation away. "It will be my first." The Moontree - this was important. This was very important indeed. She twitched her ears, whiskers and tails as she thought about what it meant and how it would go. She couldn't imagine. She hoped that in the course of the night she might do nothing to displease or disappoint her dear mentor.

"How will - I mean - what is - what will - will it -" she broke off in the middle of her broken thoughts. Embarrassed at her stammering, she glanced away and licked at her forepaw, a habitual movement.

[Nightpool]

((Oh, yes. Everyone thinks Graykit is a grump. =) *huggles Graykit*))
At the thought of getting out of the nursery, Shiningkit tensed up in excitement. She was going to be an apprentice soon! She nearly started bouncing with excitement, but contained herself, and was able to stop kneading the ground once she realized that she was starting to make a serious dent in it. "I am!" she told him. "I can't wait to be an apprentice! The ceromoney is today or tommorow, right?"

Nightpool narrowed her eyes in amusement at her apprentices excitement and nerves. "Don't worry," she purred. "The ceromoney is very simple. We take the journey to Moontree, and Starclan should accept you as the medicine cat in-training of Streamclan." She purred at the cream-colored cat. "So, who should we take to distract the bees?"

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[Smokeleaf]

ooc: Uhhh is the ceremony today or tomorrow? But we still need the Apprentice Ceremony song!!! *tries to think up ideas just in case, even though I'm not too good at it*

bic:
Whiteash was blown aback. Their ceremony? Already? Why, it seemed like only yesterday that they were born! Could the kits be six moons already?
"I remember when I first got out of the nursery," he meowed slowly, trying to cover up his hesitation. "I was very excited! And when they told me Oakears was to be my mentor, that only made it all the better!" He purred. What adventures he had had. Now he was a senior warrior, spreading his wonderful advice to everyone in the Clan! That sure made life worthwhile. "Now, as for the date of your ceremony, I am not sure. I would ask Goldstar, or your mother, if you are more comfortable doing that."
He wanted to tell her she would make a wonderful apprentice, and an even better warrior, but he bit his tongue. He shouldn't swell her head so young; she had so much potential as a good, kind, humble warrior (much like himself). There would still be time for praise. Her mentor would be very generous with it; of that, he was certain.

[[[ShAdYCaUStI]]]

ooc;; Ugh. I'm sitting back on that one, Smoke-luffle. Sorry. Have fun with the song thingie. I'm just a poor lil ol' medicine-cat apprentice. Not even really official, since StarClan has to accept me still. Haha! And ugh. Whiteash is being marvelously played, but I'm glad I haven't got him around in the [[real]] world. I'd be getting homicidal. =) Good jobs, dearies.

bic::

Looking around the clearing, she tried to think. Who would they take? Her mentor had said "one or two" warriors necessary. So would she be more pleased with her apprentice if Cadentpaw gave one name or two? And which names? The leader was obviously out of the question. Cadentpaw stood too much in awe of the aging leader to even suggest something such as sending him to divert bees. She supressed as shudder at the thought. Besides, Goldstar was quite brave, but old. She got the impression they needed someone else. There was Whiteash. He would, she thought, love a chance to show the kits (and everyone else he always tried to impress) how brave he was, going and deliberately attracting the attention of honeybees. But on the other hand, he would drive them batty the entire time. She looked around again and saw Falconheart.

"Falconheart," she said at once. "Falconheart would be the best." She liked Falconheart, and he was neither too old nor to pompous. She looked up eagerly at Nightpool, hoping she'd given a satisfactory answer. Would her mentor be pleased with her? Had she shown proper perception in choosing Falconheart? She hoped she had done well. She hated to be scolded or set down, no matter how gently.

[Nightpool]

((Ha ha, Shiny here has an interesting hero. Of course, she sees everything and everyone in an innocent light. Seriously. If wild dogs were attacking the camp, she's probably say something like, "Maybe they're hungry!"))
At the mention of asking about her ceremony, Shiningkit nearly leaped to her feet to race under the Highbranch and yell at the top of her lungs, "GOLDSTAR! HOW LONG 'TILL WE'RE APPRENTICED?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?" However, she remembered in time that she was sitting next to Whiteash, and resisted temptation. "No, I kind of enjoy the surprise," she told him, not entirely lying.
Nightpool nodded in approval. Yes, Falconheart would be good. She had been tempted to take Whiteash, too, but was unsure. Not only would he talk their ears halfway to Starclan, but, though he wouldn't admit it, Whiteash was getting old. She wouldn't be surprised if he was moved to the elder's den within the next few moons. "Falconheart is a good choice," she purred. She then rose her voice so it could be heard over the stream and across the cave. "Falconheart!"

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[[[ShAdYCaUStI]]]

ooc;; Since Smoke already PMed me about this, I thought I ought to clarify for everyone - I originally made Cadencepaw as Cadentpaw, changed the name for Night, and have since been regretting it. It is simply more what I had intended and much simpler as soon as I have to change her name again, if I use "cadent" instead of "cadence." So I will from here on out be writing "Cadentpaw" and I shall change her bio. If I get time I'll try to modify all the posts before now and change every direct reference, just for clarification. Sorry about any confusion.


bic::
Pleasure coursed through her small body. She had done correctly! She had chosen well, and Nightpool was pleased with her! She was certain she had the best mentor any apprentice could have. Now what? Would they leave immediately? What if - horrors! - what if Falconheart refused? No, Falconheart would never refuse. What would the bees do? How much honey would they get? How would they collect it? Would she do well and please Nightpool again? What if she embarrassed herself or did something wrong or somehow ruined the entire outing? Of course she wouldn't. She hadn't ruined the entirety of anything yet, though in her overeagerness she often made mistakes. She hated making mistakes; hated seeing disappointment or disapproval in her mentor's eyes, hearing the rebuff in the voice. She longed for acknowledgement and affirmation. She wanted to make her mentor proud of her. She wanted to be the best medicine-cat apprentice StreamClan had ever had! Lofty goals, of course, but she could dream, couldn't she?

[Smokeleaf]

Whiteash said: "Fine. Suit yourself."
Whiteash thought: What is wrong with this kit?
He didn't mean it badly, of course, but kits were meant to be playful and rambunctious. Shiningkit was much too quiet and respectful for a kit; Graykit was the same, minus the respectful part. He sort of wished she would rush off to ask Goldstar right now and ask him 'til she annoyed his pelt off. And besides, he was pretty curious, himself. When /would/ the kits be apprenticed? And who would be their mentors? Spotting their leader right outside his den, he rose to his feet and stretched his legs, muttering, "But I'm going to find out."
With a brief yawn, he padded over to the tree. Goldstar was sitting on one of its sturdy branches, clearly contemplating something. Whiteash cleared his throat and began to choose his words. He had to be respectful, of course - not just because Goldstar was the leader, but because he was older than even Whiteash, and age was greatly respected in StreamClan. Shiningkit understood that, he realized, and suddenly wondered if the kit had followed him, stayed where she was, or wandered off somewhere. He shook the thought away and called up to his leader, "Goldstar? It was brought to my attention that the kits will be leaving the nursery soon and I wondered when that time might be. Have you decided?"
He didn't know if Goldstar would tell him or not, but he certainly hoped; after all, he was a senior warrior.