[o] There’s Something in The Water...

[GnawingOnIce]

Dogstar lay in his den, listening to the distant thrum of rain outside the cave. If he was being honest, he wasn’t sure what to do with MistClan’s current situation, what with their numbers being lower than usual... Murkdusk troubled him, also. Dogstar had a bad feeling about that cat. He supposed they just needed to take it a day at a time, and do the best with what they had.

He padded out of his den, stretched his legs, then jumped up onto the rock cliff jutting out of the cave wall. He called the summons and started the ceremonies without delay.

”This moon, we have a new warrior to name and quite a few new apprentices to name. First, Nutpaw, come forward, please.” as the young tom made his way forward, Dogstar gave him a smile. ”Nutpaw, from this moment onward you will be known as Nutberry. Your kindness doesn’t go unnoticed, use it to serve MistClan well in these difficult times.” he bowed his head to him, and waited for the Clan to finish chanting the tom’s new name before moving onto the kits.

”Flamekit, Mistykit, and Lionkit- it has come time for you three to become apprentices. Flamekit, from this moment until you receive your warrior name you will be known as Flamepaw. Meteorfall will be your mentor.”

”Mistykit and Lionkit, from this moment forward you will be known as Mistypaw and Lionpaw. Stoatwhisker will be your mentor, Mistypaw, and Buckleap will be yours, Lionpaw.” as soon as the chanting had settled down, Dogstar announced that this moon’s ceremonies were concluded. He jumped down from the rock ledge and immediately made his way toward a certain split-faced cat sitting at the back of the crowd.

”Murkdusk.” his voice was dangerously close to a snarl. ”Come with me.” Murkdusk followed his leader out of the camp and into the forest without objection, a smirk creeping along his face.

Tags;; Dragon, gingersnapsdacat, Fireflake, Broadwaykat
Notes;; sorry for late ceremonies (again). cant believe i listened to Truth Hurts while writing this.

[Broadwaykat]

Nutpaw had trained hard for this; and over the past few moons he had grown exponentially. Clearly he was taking after his father; with long legs and a massive body that made him tower over some of his clanmates. His teeth still peeked down over his jaws, and the entire experience was...frightening. Until the moment he opened his jaws, or one was close enough to see his bashful expression, how he ducked his head and did everything in his power to look smaller than he was. He was a sweetheart, and the closer he got to his warrior ceremony the more he hoped that Dogstar would pick a name for him that reflected this.

Of course - they could just as easily pick a name for him that was more...intimidating. Nuttooth, Nutstrike. Something strong and violent. He didn't want to say he was worried of this, per say - but he was. He didn't want to make other cats, even those from opposing clans, fear him. He wanted a name that reflected him.

He needn't worry - as Dogstar called him forward, he reflected on the work he had given for his clan, and gave him his new name: Causing Nutberry to grin a rather frighteningly wide grin, gastly if not for the light and joy in his eyes disconnecting with the sharpness of his long fangs. "Fanths, Dogthar!" He grinned, and almost playfully butted his head against the older tom before he remembered the solemnity of this event.

---

Gullhop, watching the young warriors, couldn't suppress a shiver as he leaned closer to Websong. "I know he seems nice...but that cat's always given me the creeps." He whispered to her. "He's just, well...huge." A cat like that could go, well...nuts. And what hope would the rest of them have?

[Fireflake]

Buckleap looked up from his half-eaten mouse and padded to the front with a briskness that bordered on competitive. His most recent apprentice had died not long ago, and he'd been pushing away an itch of dread about what the clan's dwindling numbers meant for their future, so a new young cat to train was just what he needed. Silvermist's son, no less. This kind of occurrence was one of the few things that could disrupt his rough and indifferent attitude. While the tom's tone stayed calm as he greeted Lionpaw, it was far from dull.

From the back, Pebbleshade was watching his own apprentice become a warrior. His ears perked gently at the sight of Nutberry's wide grin. It was objectively frightening, yes, and the warrior couldn't say that it had been a smooth transition from training Nutpaw's short-legged brother Thornpaw straight into training him, but that was okay. He couldn't help his own small smile when the tom enthusiastically lisped his thanks to Dogstar. The latter's low hiss as he passed by Murkdusk startled Pebbleshade, and he turned his head to watch them leave the cave, but he quickly looked back and tried his best to catch Nutberry's eye.

[Broadwaykat]

Nutberry could have floated on air - honestly: jumping easily from cloud to cloud. He found himself meeting eyes with Pebbleshade and beaming; looking for approval one last time for his mentor. He didn't have a mother or father there to give him recognition, but then again - he never really had. Mistclan was truly his family; ever single one of them. But if he had to pick a parental figure, then Pebbleshade was the closest thing to it. He was the reason they were there, after all.

"Thankth tho much, Pebblethade." He lisped, greeting his mentor warmly. "We can thill go hunting together though, right?"

[Fireflake]

Pebbleshade purred, though it felt almost unfamiliar in his throat. His training in the past had frequently gone... less well. He'd probably try to attribute this time to Silverspots' portion of his training, or Nutberry's natural talent, or the luck of the draw. But, for now, he was just proud. "Of course, Nutberry. Anytime you like."
It's difficult to think of a cat as a familial figure when one had never been in a family, but the younger tom was certainly important to Pebbleshade. "How about tomorrow? You can pick a spot, now that you've proven your expertise."

[fortsumter]

The new warriors and apprentices were being named, and a lot of them, which meant that MistClan was prospering. But Aspencrest felt a little nervous about everything. Especially how Dogstar had called Murkdusk over. The tom had always made her fur stand on end when he passed by. He appeared menacing, although Aspencrest didn't want to assume anything about him. But there was a tension between Murkdusk and Dogstar that Aspencrest didn't fully understand.

The tortoiseshell and white deputy began to move into the crowd to hide from Murkdusk as he followed the leader outside. Her heart jumped as they disappeared outside. What was going on?