Apprenticehood

There is something terrifying about sitting there, looking at your leader, and wondering what she will sentence your life too. Her green eyes go from cat to cat. Will it be Coyotesong, their wisdom is something that could help her out? Make her a more rounded cat. She remembers the stories. Is it going to be Petalwish? She’s a no-nonsense cat, grew up and trained with Grackleshade’s kids herself. She would have great knowledge and stories? The stories would be the best part for sure. She loves it when her parents tell the stories about Cavern creating Caveclan. She doesn’t dare assume she would get Grackleshade as a mentor, let alone any of her children.

Vulturekit worked so hard though, her parents say she deserves it. She deserves the best, they say, but is she sure she does?

She hopes so.

The grey-blue molly has watched many of her friends walk off towards their own mentors. Even her own sister takes a hesitant seat next to Ratbite, fighting off a yawn that would normally have her laughing. But not now, she’s in the public eye. Puma’s on the other side, smiling wide and offers a wave. Fly and Eagle smile widely, eyes glassy with tears and pride. But also expectation. Her spine straightens out, and it’s likely everyone can feel the nervous fear emanating from her. It’s probably what all the apprentices went through.

Her eyes however are focused on Grackleshade, especially as she meets her own gaze. Smiling as she mutters “Vulturekit, you are beginning your path to becoming a full warrior. Your days as an apprentice are important, and the choice for a mentor even more so. But I know one who will complement and raise you up into becoming a true warrior.”

As their leader pauses, she all but leans forward. Enthralled and entranced by her vernacular. The AURA her leader exudes as she passes her judgments. This is one of the moments where Vulturekit understands just what her parents are saying. As the leader begins speaking, Vulture waits with bated breath.

“Through careful consideration. I have decided that your mentor will be Juncojaw.” Her heart leaps into her throat. She…she got one of her children as a mentor? Her eyes go to her parents, whose smiles go wide with joy. And then to a blur of brown as the tom in question approaches. He looks…odd to her. Strong and bulky. Taller than her by a good way. Though there’s something else about him that seems off, he seems…nervous? That sparks her interest immensely, who would he be nervous. Maybe it’s because he got some no-name cat as his apprentice? Someone who may never amount to anything?

It doesn’t help as they move close, moving to stand next to her as Grackleshade continues. “This will be a journey for both of you. It won’t be just for Vulturekit to grow and become a warrior. But for you as well Juncojaw. To understand the responsibility of raising a new warrior to their fullest potential.”

He nods, and Vulture feels that dark thing in her head says that it’s pretty stiff. He offers her an “I promise to raise this cat to her fullest potential.” And then meeting her gaze, as she realizes what she needs to do and stutters out “I promise to take the teachings of this warrior to heart, and grow to my fullest potential.”

The smile that grows across her face, is nothing short of blinding. And Vulture stares in awe and hope. If she can help her smile like that, then Vulturekit would do her best. “With this promise, Vulturekit ascends and becomes Vulturepaw. May this change be an honored one.” And then she crouches down, along with the other spectators. So Vulturepaw…Vulturepaw now! With her back straight and slightly scared. Her mentor, who seems so much like a pillar already looks down to her and smiles, mouthing a quiet “This is the fun part. Don’t worry.”

Her head cocks to the side, especially as she begins to hear the murmuring. For the longest time, she’s only been in the sidelines. Watching the others and murmuring along with her parents and her siblings. Watching the others stand there smiling wide, and so SO happy. Now it’s her turn, and she feels it in her bones. And it's indescribable for a while.

It rattles and shakes her to her core as they murmur “Vulturepaw”, the acceptance at it curling and weaving and ascending up and up and up. It fills the space, soft and loud and gritty and sweet all at the same time. A cacophonous noise that is eerily beautiful. Especially as she stands there with the person who is going to be there for the next 6 moons. And maybe longer, they always say that it creates a bond thicker than mud and stronger than rock. Chancing a glance up to this new mentor again, who is so inattentive to her focus. It’s nice when someone…doesn’t care to look at her like she holds their whole world on their shoulders. It’s…nice so her head tilts to the side and she smiles widely.

Yeah…maybe she can see what they all mean.