Zephyire woke up to frosty morning air that stung his nose and pads. As he yawned, his breath swirled in front of him. Dovepaw and Robinpaw lay curled together for warth, but his coat was a bit thicker than it looked. His ears shot up in excitement because he realized today was his apprentice ceremony, the day he'd get his name and begin to train with Mistflower. He looked down at his pelt, bits of moss lay embedded and his fur stuck out in all directions. He hastily licked it free of moss and soon it was sleek. Zephyire lifted himself from the hard ground and started to pad to the middle of the clearing, snow stinging beneath his paws. "Zephyire!" Mistflower called, "Dawnstar is going to start your ceremony." He nodded in thanks just as Dawnstar began to yowl at the Tall Stone. Cats gathered all around him.
"Zephyire" she mewed kindly. He tried to still his twitching tail as he stepped out from the crowd. "From this day until you recieve your Warrior name, you shall be known as...Foxpaw!" she finished, smiling. He felt his blood run cold, freezing in his veins. Does she know? Impossible, it's just a coincidence... Foxpaw reassured himself. He snapped back to reality and just in time too, Dawnstar was announcing his mentor.
"..your mentor will be Mistflower! She will teach you well in the ways of loyalty and the Warrior Code" Dawnstar said, a hint of satisfaction in her choice. Foxpaw mulled over this a second.
Mistflower must've asked...but it seems Dawnstar approves anyway "Congratulations!" someone cheered. Foxpaw turned to see Dovepaw smiling at him, "Foxpaw fits you well."
He dipped his head to her, but stumbled when she cuffed him lightly, but still with some force on the ear.
"You don't have to be so formal with me, after all, I'm an apprentice too" she snorted. He returned with an awkward smile, pelt dusted with snow. "Here, let me help you lick that snow off of your pelt. Come to our Den" she mewed, amused.
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Mistflower licked her apprentice's shoulder and dipped her head. She waited until Dawnstar had finished speaking and then padded over to Foxpaw.
"Your new name fits you well." She admired, her eyes glittering in the sun. She narrowed her eyes as the tom gave a look of... was that fear? But she ignored it and smiled kindly.
He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. "I...I'm sorry it's just...that name brings back memories. Ones I'd not like to share" he whispered softly. He broke out of his quiet mood as suddenly as a leaf from a tree in Leaf-fall. "So, when are we going to start training?" he asked her, more upbeat than usual.
She was slightly amused by his enthusiasm as his eyes flickered from her to the fluttering leaf. She knew that he would be a good apprentice. They should train as soon as possible.
"We can practice some battle training now if you'd like." She suggested, flicking her tail in the direction of the tunnel that lead out of camp. "Now'd be the perfect time while it's still warm."
"Sure! Can't wait to try out all my special moves on you" he mewed and maliciously scraped the earth, but his gaze was warm and proved he meant no offense or disrespect.
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