Post by chickenbatnana on Nov 7, 2018 1:53:22 GMT
Stream had been busy since the tribe's attacking forces came back. She'd darted around camp trying to heal as many cats as possible, as was expected of her. She was learning more each day, but with so many injuries and wounds, it seemed she had gained a lot of experience in just a few days. Maybe that's why Firstspeaker told her the other day that she was to do the ceremonies. The she-cat was surprised, honestly. Allowing her to do something like that, maybe he didn't hate her that much after all. It wasn't that Stream hated him either, he was just stupid when it came to 'traditions' and stuff. She still couldn't help but feel some sort of awe when he healed big wounds with blood gushing out like it was nothing. So, when he appointed her to rank up all the cats that needed to be ranked up, she got right to work.
The to-be's were easy. Going up to the older ones' mentors and asking whether they were ready wasn't hard, after all. But the kits were another story. Now, concluding they were old enough was something any beetle-brained cat could do. The real thing that mattered was what they would become, and who would help them to do so. Prey-hunter or home-guard, it seemed so simple, but how did Firstspeaker choose that? Did it just kinda... Come to him? Luckily for Stream, he already told her what they would become, but their mentors she had to figure out herself.
With confidence, Stream sat in the clearing. She figured the Ancient Ancestor wouldn't be quite appropriate for a to-be healer, so this would do. ''Cats of our Tribe, gather before me!'' Her voice rang through Stonehome, and soon enough, her Tribemates had gathered. She looked around for a moment and then moved on. ''Thank you for coming, Firstspeaker has asked for me to do the ceremonies. Please come forward, Ice that Cracks the Ground and Fire that Scorches the Sky.''
''Ice, you have trained for many moons now, your mentor tells me about your dedication to the Tribe, and I am sure you are ready to join the prey-hunters.'' She moved on to the nearly identical-looking other to-be.
''As for you, Fire, you are smart and have trained hard and well to protect those you love. The home-guards welcome you among their ranks.'' She nodded at them and waited for the newly-made prey-hunter and home-guard to move back into the crowd.
''Moving on to the new to-be's, please step forward, First Ray of Dawns Light, Skull of Downed Eagle, Brittle Bark of Dry Tree, Owl hidden in Mist, Petal of Black Rose and Rain that Never Falls.'' After listing of the kits, she started with the oldest ones.
''Ray, you're energy is seemingly endless, and I believe Snake that Strikes Swiftly will teach you to put that energy into good use as a prey-hunter. He is young, but I trust he will ask advice from the more experienced mentors so that it will be a learning experience for you both.''
Stream turned her head to the light tabby beside Ray. ''Skull, you are quiet and clever, this will make you a strategic home-guard. Your mentor will be Flight of Restless Sparrow, who will teach you this skill. Because she is inexperienced, she too should talk with older mentors.''
Now that the older kits had their mentors, she looked at the younger ones. ''Brittle, you aren't weak like your name suggests. Fang of Striking Snake is a wise home-guard and is fierce when fighting. He will teach you to defend Stonehome and everyone inside.''
''Owl, you too show great potential,'' She said. ‘’Screech of Mighty Eagle will be your mentor. May you learn from his devotion and skill to become a great home-guard just as he is. I’m sure he too will admire you, in a way.’’
Stream paused a moment to collect her thoughts, but quickly went on. ‘’Rose, though you are quiet, you are smart and confident. You will be mentored by Storm that Shatters Sky. She has proven to be a great prey-hunter, and so will you soon.’’
‘’And last but not least, Rain that Never Falls. Some may call rebelliousness a bad trait, but I believe it will aid you to show your tribe-mates a fresh view on things. Fox that Screams in Wind will teach you the ways of a prey-hunter.’’
Though her voice had stayed cold all throughout her talk, Stream was honest about each kit. Even if some were overly traditional and indoctrinated, they would still feed and protect the Tribe, something heavily demanded after the losses of the battle. Oh, the losses of the battle, she nearly forgot! ''But... I'd also like to address the battle that took place with the other Tribes- the Clans. I want to remind you all that this was not a victory. Not for them, nor for us. Everyone suffered heavy losses, and too many died. It was bloodshed over nothing. I want to tell you that... I'll be working on something. There's gotta be some way to make peace, but I am not alone in this battle. If any of you have any ideas, I'd like to hear them, please.''
''That was all, thank you.''
The to-be's were easy. Going up to the older ones' mentors and asking whether they were ready wasn't hard, after all. But the kits were another story. Now, concluding they were old enough was something any beetle-brained cat could do. The real thing that mattered was what they would become, and who would help them to do so. Prey-hunter or home-guard, it seemed so simple, but how did Firstspeaker choose that? Did it just kinda... Come to him? Luckily for Stream, he already told her what they would become, but their mentors she had to figure out herself.
With confidence, Stream sat in the clearing. She figured the Ancient Ancestor wouldn't be quite appropriate for a to-be healer, so this would do. ''Cats of our Tribe, gather before me!'' Her voice rang through Stonehome, and soon enough, her Tribemates had gathered. She looked around for a moment and then moved on. ''Thank you for coming, Firstspeaker has asked for me to do the ceremonies. Please come forward, Ice that Cracks the Ground and Fire that Scorches the Sky.''
''Ice, you have trained for many moons now, your mentor tells me about your dedication to the Tribe, and I am sure you are ready to join the prey-hunters.'' She moved on to the nearly identical-looking other to-be.
''As for you, Fire, you are smart and have trained hard and well to protect those you love. The home-guards welcome you among their ranks.'' She nodded at them and waited for the newly-made prey-hunter and home-guard to move back into the crowd.
''Moving on to the new to-be's, please step forward, First Ray of Dawns Light, Skull of Downed Eagle, Brittle Bark of Dry Tree, Owl hidden in Mist, Petal of Black Rose and Rain that Never Falls.'' After listing of the kits, she started with the oldest ones.
''Ray, you're energy is seemingly endless, and I believe Snake that Strikes Swiftly will teach you to put that energy into good use as a prey-hunter. He is young, but I trust he will ask advice from the more experienced mentors so that it will be a learning experience for you both.''
Stream turned her head to the light tabby beside Ray. ''Skull, you are quiet and clever, this will make you a strategic home-guard. Your mentor will be Flight of Restless Sparrow, who will teach you this skill. Because she is inexperienced, she too should talk with older mentors.''
Now that the older kits had their mentors, she looked at the younger ones. ''Brittle, you aren't weak like your name suggests. Fang of Striking Snake is a wise home-guard and is fierce when fighting. He will teach you to defend Stonehome and everyone inside.''
''Owl, you too show great potential,'' She said. ‘’Screech of Mighty Eagle will be your mentor. May you learn from his devotion and skill to become a great home-guard just as he is. I’m sure he too will admire you, in a way.’’
Stream paused a moment to collect her thoughts, but quickly went on. ‘’Rose, though you are quiet, you are smart and confident. You will be mentored by Storm that Shatters Sky. She has proven to be a great prey-hunter, and so will you soon.’’
‘’And last but not least, Rain that Never Falls. Some may call rebelliousness a bad trait, but I believe it will aid you to show your tribe-mates a fresh view on things. Fox that Screams in Wind will teach you the ways of a prey-hunter.’’
Though her voice had stayed cold all throughout her talk, Stream was honest about each kit. Even if some were overly traditional and indoctrinated, they would still feed and protect the Tribe, something heavily demanded after the losses of the battle. Oh, the losses of the battle, she nearly forgot! ''But... I'd also like to address the battle that took place with the other Tribes- the Clans. I want to remind you all that this was not a victory. Not for them, nor for us. Everyone suffered heavy losses, and too many died. It was bloodshed over nothing. I want to tell you that... I'll be working on something. There's gotta be some way to make peace, but I am not alone in this battle. If any of you have any ideas, I'd like to hear them, please.''
''That was all, thank you.''