[ti]Open[/ti]Green But Not Unqualified

[LupTacco]

Bearstar flicked her ears, crouched low with her front legs hanging off of the stone perch. She had been debating a few fine details of her speech tonight, but she believed it was ready- and regardless, it was definitely time. Silver light shimmered on the waterfall and cast the cave in pale liquid stripes. Standing, she let out a commanding yowl, "May all cats old enough to cross the waterfall come forward for a clan meeting!" Sitting as her clan assembled, she looked over them, eyes neutral but with a certain glint caught by that pale grey light. 

"Times are changing. We are in uneasy moons this green-leaf, with the threat of rogues rising among other events. But I know something that no-one outside these walls knows- that in the body of every MistClan cat beats the heart of the truest warriors in the forest. I know my clan to be the most loyal, the bravest and most selfless. I am so proud of you all, and I will continue to be the leader I believe my Clan deserves. I will be the best I can be, and I know the rest of you will, too, in your own unique ways," she paused to catch a breath and move her gaze to the young cats in the crowd, "Now, I believe we have some apprentices who have proven worthy of their final names. Pricklepaw, Crowpaw, Indigopaw, and Sleetpaw- step forward."

"Pricklepaw, your kindly nature has earned you much love from your clanmates, but I know you are not without the thorns your name suggests- you are a fine fighter in practice, and I'm sure your friends can trust you to fight at their side should the need ever arise. From now on, you will be Prickleberry." 

"Crowpaw, you are a bit of a lonesome one, but no less capable than your peers. It is not how many friends you have, but how tight a bond you forge. Always there in times of need, you will be Crowtail."

"Indigopaw, I am aware that your claws are not the most keen in the clan, but there is no shame in that. Diplomacy and morale are just as important as power in a fair battle. I know your clan can count on you in every season when the going gets tough, Indigoleaf." 

"Sleetpaw, you too are more cunning and mindful than directly strong. You have learned much, but must still learn to trust yourself. With the name Sleetwind, I trust you will listen to your heart and your mind to know the truth when it comes to you. Do not doubt your own judgement." 

She paused to let the new warriors' names be repeated a few times, blinking with quiet contentment. Yes, her Clan was always one to be proud of. Shifting her attention back to the larger group in general, she began again, "You may remember that just a few moons ago MistClan was blessed with two large litters, and tonight they will take their first steps towards warrior-hood. Let's first start with Firekit, Frostkit, Icekit, Ashkit." 

"Firekit, you're becoming quite difficult to handle in the nursery I hear. The gentle but spirited guidance of Gingerbrook will keep you on the right path as Firepaw." 

"Frostkit, I suspect you will be a natural leader among your peers- consider it a challenge from me personally. I know you can do it, and I know Sootheart can help you as your new mentor, Frostpaw." 

"Icekit, you are more subtle and distant than your siblings tend to be. This can be an asset, but you must take care not to become isolated. Sorrelfin is one of the friendliest cats I know- she will keep you company and impart her knowledge to you as Icepaw." 

"Ashkit, you may be idle but I know you are not lazy. You and Swanfur may learn diligence and self-reliance from one another, as well as all the skills you will need as a warrior, young Ashpaw." 

She allowed a brief pause for the newly named litter to tease and greet each other while taking their places besides their new mentors, before continuing on with the final ceremonies. "Now, let's address our other group of young ones, including a very special case. Silverkit, Minnowkit, Mosskit, Cloverkit, Cinderkit, and Oakkit- each of you, come forward. New apprentices, make some room for them- there's many of you this moon." 

"Silverkit, you are a playful young tom, but perhaps easily distracted. Icethorn is one of the most responsible cats in the clan, and I trust he will impart his dutiful nature to you in training, Silverpaw." 

"Minnowkit, you are commendably mature for your age, and an excellent choice for any young warrior to train. Foxflight, I know you have had a rough time since his passing, but I know Robinpaw will be watching you train Minnowkit, now known as Minnowpaw, and he will be as proud of you as I am, if not more. 

"Mosskit, you're quite well known in the nursery. You may be teased, but I have faith you will be just as good a warrior as both of your parents. Bonefire is skilled in the more serious aspects of warriorhood, and may do a fair job of balancing you out- as you may do for him in turn, Mosspaw." 

"Cloverkit, your mild manner is commendable, especially having three rambunctious brothers to call family. Your quiet nature may compliment Honeycurl, and as for the warrior himself- it will do you well to train this young cat in our ways. I have the utmost confidence in both of you, Honeycurl and Cloverpaw." 

"Cinderkit, you take life at your own pace, and I admire your level-headed nature. However, a warrior needs to be quick on their feet mentally and physically in the heat of battle or when under threat. Tigertooth is quick of foot and of mind- pay attention to his teachings, and you may well become one of the best warriors in the clan, Cinderpaw." 

"Oakkit, your journey here was surely difficult, and whether it was StarClan's will or just a stroke of luck, you are one of us now. A kind and motherly guidance may be what you need to come into your full potential, and I trust Beebreeze to care for you and provide you with the assurance you need. You can do this, Oakpaw." 

This time she paused longer, lifting her head to stare at the ceiling and let the names of each cat echo around her and her home. As it quieted down some, she leapt from her perch, her brown coat almost grey in the lighting. "Tonight's meeting is now closed. Pay your welcomes and congratulations to our new warriors, but don't keep them up too long- it will be a long night for those not sleeping." 

[silverfang218]

Firekit and Mosskit bounce up together; they didn’t walk all the way up to the leader quite yet, but they call out the new warriors’ names along with their clanmates. Once Bearstar moves onto calling out the first litter’s names. Moss and Fire share a sad look as Fire is called up first without his friend, but Firekit works his way to the leader while Mosskit grins up at him.

Firekit’s chest puffs up in pride as he is given his new name and a mentor. He beams up at Bearstar before turning to lock eyes with his mother, who is sitting in the back of the crowd trying her best not to cry. She is failing miserably, and Firepaw will make a point to comfort her after meeting his new mentor. His gaze once again sweeps over the crowd of cats as he takes a step back, looking for Gingerbrook.

Sootheart also takes a step forward, giving a smile and respectful nod to Bearstar just before turning his smile towards his new apprentice. Frostpaw. He’d seen her spend a lot of time with Silverfang, and he knows that the medicine cat loves the little kit. This kit is the reason that his adoptive mother is able to walk with her head high again, to laugh again. He purrs to his apprentice, unable to come up with the words to tell her how honored he’ll be to teach her. Silverfang is also watching this, from where she sits in the entryway of the medicine den. A massive grin splits her face, though there are unshed tears of happiness in her eyes.

Then, Mosskit is called up. He takes a step up with his siblings and Oakkit. He lets out a small purr as Bearstar gives him his new name and his mentor. His mossy green gaze searches out his mentor quickly and, with a joyful purr directed towards his siblings, he heads toward Bonefire. His eyes search the crowd once more to find Meteorfall, already planning on visiting her just as soon as he meets his mentor.

[foggy]

♚♚♚♚♚♚♚♚♚♚♚

The large fluffy tom had to bow down to slip out of the nursery, having just visited his mate and kits. They were still so young, they were sleeping when he visited, but still squirming. He wondered if they were dreaming, but what could they even dream about? They knew of nothing but milk and the warm fur that kept them warm. The tom pushed the silly thoughts out of his head, his paws taking him towards the brown-furred leader, as he mentally steeled himself for another meeting. there would be a lot of ceremonies to perform today, it would be a miracle if Bearstar didn't lose her voice by the end of it.

The meeting started of rather ominously with the addressing of the rouges, but he felt that Mistclan had escaped their cruelty lightly, with Ivyclan and now Mothclan being directly affected by the anti-clan's actions. It progressed into the regular ceremonies afterwards, four warriors and ten apprentices. Smokeshade gave a congratulatory nod towards any of them who happened to glance his way, but otherwise stayed where he was, even though the urge to step back inside to his litter was strong. He knew that Nightfur's litter was among those starting their official warrior training, and he was rather fond of the motherly queen, perhaps that's why he gave the respect to the new apprentices.

[Ringtail]

"Ashpaw! Ashpaw!" Swanfur called from her place in the middle of the crowd. The quiet snowy white girl seemed to smile. Her first apprentice. She could only wish what a great honor Bearstar presented her, to have an apprentice to mentor. The fluffy she cat purred, a smile crossing her face. Gosh she was so proud of herself. Hopefully she could get advice from her father, Rushfeather, or maybe another warrior. Get a tip or two. She gave a nod to Ashpaw before calling out to the other apprentices' names. And of course the new warriors. 

[karambito]

Prickleberry

Ears pricking as Bearstar called his name up, along with the other 3 apprentices he had been training alongside, Pricklepaw felt his body tremble with excitement. He'd been waiting so long for this day and here it was! Raising his head up to face her, chest puffed out proudly, he embraced his new name with pride and excitement. Prickleberry. He thought it suited himself very well. "Thank you, Bearstar" Prickleberry dipped his head in thanks, his stubbed tail quivering happily, his round amber eyes shining brightly as he chanted his clan mates names. Bouncing on his paws, he let out a small squeak and some laughter as he nudged Sleetwind who was standing beside him. "We're warriors now!" He laughed, bouncing about.

---

Sorrelfin

The young warrior was surprised when Bearstar had appointed her an apprentice, Icepaw. Gazing over to the young tom, she greeted him and touched her nose to his. "I'm glad to be your mentor, I know we'll have lots of fun!" The warrior mewed brightly, smiling and purring. Sorrelfin as always was oblivious to the tom's shyness and quietness and then began to chant his and his siblings names, prodding him out of happiness for him. This was a big day for him! 

[GnawingOnIce]

Ashkit and Cloverkit hurled their way out of the nursery with their littermates as soon as they heard Bearstar's voice echoing around the cave. Both their faces were bright with grins and sparkling eyes, skidding to a stop in front of Bearstar. Needless to say, all the kits were probably ecstatic with excitement.

Meteorfall made her way out of the nursery behind the stampede of kits, smiling after them. They had all grown a lot in the past short moons, and Meteorfall couldn't be prouder. She took her spot, sitting not too far behind her kits in the middle of the crowd.

Ashkit and Cloverkit both waited impatiently for their new names to be announced, shifting on their paws and flicking their tails back and forth, until the time finally came.

"Ashkit, you may be idle but I know you are not lazy. You and Swanfur may learn diligence and self-reliance from one another, as well as all the skills you will need as a warrior, young Ashpaw."

Ashpaw grinned, glancing at her mentor, Swanfur, and at Bearstar, of course. She called out her sibling's new names when they received them and the other kit's names that had grown up to this point with her. Cloverkit's ears perked as suddenly, she was getting her apprentice name.

"Cloverkit, your mild manner is commendable, especially having three rambunctious brothers to call family. Your quiet nature may compliment Honeycurl, and as for the warrior himself- it will do you well to train this young cat in our ways. I have the utmost confidence in both of you, Honeycurl and Cloverpaw."

Cloverpaw smiled as much as any kit would getting their apprentice name. Just imagine what it will be like when she gets her warrior name! And she had gotten a great mentor, too, Honeycurl.

While the kits were all happy and giddy, Meteorfall was trying her best to hold back tears of joy. Her kits, her sweet babies, were becoming apprentices. This must be what Nightfur had felt like seeing her kits become apprentices and then warriors. What a feeling. The gray she-cat was immensely proud of all the kits in the nursery, not just hers. She called out their names, now unable to hold back her tears.

((OOC: SORRY IT TOOK ME THIS LONG TO REPLY))