First Day [RC]

It was to silence that Flutterpaw awoke. The quiet was undisturbed but for the soft purrs of deep sleep and the occasional swish of fur on moss. The homely scent of mildew hung in the air, and Flutterpaw opened her eyes. Dawn light filtered into the cave that formed the apprentice's den, washing the walls in a watery glow. The new apprentice was wrapped in a sense of peace, and it felt nearly cruel to disturb it.

It was with that though that Flutterpaw climbed to her paws, making as little noise as possible. The cream-coloured apprentice wove her way through the den, careful not to bump any splayed paws or tails. When she finally freed herself from the cluster of sleeping apprentices, Flutterpaw scampered across the cave, pawsteps light with morning energy. She was immediately drawn to the pale light shining outside the cave. As cozy and peaceful as the camp could be, Flutterpaw had found herself taken with the beauty of the sky since the first time she laid eyes on it.

The little fae had not expected to find Chervilpaw right outside the entrance. Flutterpaw had always been an early riser, even as a kit, and rarely had company in the early morning, exempting the dawn patrol. Secretsong hadn't been the most attentive denmother, so Flutterpaw had found she could wander through the camp as she pleased in the early mornings. She had made a habit of exploring every nook and cranny, further astounding herself with every wonder there was to be found.

She giggled as she watched Chervilpaw snatch up the ball of moss. "Morning." She chirped, trotting over to her sister's side.

Chervilpaw sprung to her feet as soon as she heard the gentle footsteps. She dipped her head in shame and looked down at her paws; already flecked with dirt. She looked a sight with her fur sticking out at odd angles and a sliver of moss matted into the paw on her flank. Don’t ask me to mouse-bile the elders. Don’t ask me to mousebile the elders. Chervilpaw closed her eyes and mouthed the words with the fervour most cats reserved for thanking Starclan. Then a brush of scent, a soft, familiar mew and a warm glow sprang up into her chest.

"Flutterpaw!" Chervilpaw said brightly as she ran up to touch noses with her sister. A soft purr rumbled in her chest. “I thought you were going to order me back into camp for a moment there.”

She laughed nervously and shot a glance back at the mossball, discarded against the frosty stone, discarded in her haste. Heat flushed to her cheeks. I wasn’t playing if that’s what you think. She thought it with all the power she could muster, as if that might make Flutterpaw understand without Chervilpaw having to argue her case.

Flutterpaw returned her sister's affectionate greeting, a purr of her own mirroring her sister's. "I wouldn't dream of it." She replied with a smile. "Though, it feels like we have that much authority now, doesn't it?"

Yes, their apprenticeship had been a truly wonderful feeling. It was long-awaited for the entire litter, and it took quite a while, considering there were so many kits to name. Quite a few of them, Flutterpaw felt, had reveled in the opportunity to distance themselves from their mother.

Flutterpaw followed her sister's gaze to the discarded mossball. She chuckled, trotting over to it and swiping at it with a paw. It rolled back over by Chervilpaw, and Flutterpaw gave an enthusiastic bounce. "Can I play too?"

Chervilpaw bit back a soft mrrow of laughter, the thought of timid Flutterpaw ordering anyone back into camp (nevermind ruining Chervilpaw’s fun) was absurd. Chervilpaw stepped back and took in her sister properly; scrawny and kit-eyed as ever. She couldn’t have expected her sister to look any different today than she had yesterday but it was still disappointing how kit-like they must all seem.

The mossball rolled over and Chervilpaw’s eyes followed the motion. Before she realized it she was half leaning forwards one paw outstretched. Behind her voices rose from the softly slumbering camp and abruptly she sat down tail wrapped over her paws. What if a warrior saw them acting like kits? “I wasn’t playing!” She mewed indignantly. “I was… umm practicing my killing bites.”

As soon as she said it she wished she had really been practicing her killing bites; Echofrost was the deputy and Chervilpaw would not let her down.

Flutterpaw's tail sank in dissapointment. I guess I should have expected it. Not everyone wants to stay a kit forever. Mustering up a smile, Flutterpaw continued, "Well, why don't we practice then? I'm sure it would make Aspenleaf and Echofrost happy!"

She dropped into a lopsided crouch. The litter's ceremonies had only taken place just yesterday, so they hadn't had time to practice their skills. Flutterpaw based this move off what apprentices had shown them as kits. Even so, it felt odd, and Flutterpaw was quite sure she wasn't doing it right.

She focused on the mossball abandoned before Chervilpaw. Wiggling her haunches slightly, Flutterpaw pounced, her landing accurate but clumsy. She wobbled slightly, then straightened, giving a proud smile. "Look! I got it!"

It was as if her body was submerged in icy water. Chervilpaw let out a soft little huff, she hadn’t meant it like that, not that it melted the guilt brewing inside. “Flutter-“ She began, little more than a whisper but the moment was gone, a false smile played on her sister’s lips and Chervilpaw found herself echoing it. “Okay!” She dredged up a healthy dose of false enthusiasm to help sink the guilt.

It didn’t help much. She ducked into a crouch, mimicking her sister’s movements but her stance was every bit as off as that of her sister’s. But maybe all hunters looked like this? After all they’d never seen more than nervous apprentices running through crouches hoping to appease their mentors.

“Well done!” Chervilpaw purred and then with a glance over her shoulder at the still camp she just couldn’t help herself. “Ohh Flutterpaw! On this day I name you Flutterpounce for your grace and agility and hunting... wellness! I ask our ancestors to watch over you as you take your steps as a warrior.”

Chervilpaw grinned. What was one more game?

Dissapointment instantly gave way to excitement as Chervilpaw's voice rang with humor. Flutterpaw quickly unhooked her catch from her claws, scampering over to stand before her sister. She lowered her forelegs in a bow, a happy smile playing on her lips. "I thank you for your generosity... Chervilstar!" She purred.

This reminded her of the games they played as kits. Though, those were usually darkened with the weight of Secretsong's glowers. Right now, there was only the two of them, and the fresh morning air. Maybe it was for the better.

"I will be taking on Kestrelpaw as my apprentice!" Flutterpaw continued, imagining the indignant look on her brother's face. If anyone was to be the apprentice of the litter, it would be her, which made it all the funnier. "I will train him well in the ways of hunting... wellness!" She grinned. "I will make you proud!"

Chervilpaw’s heart swelled when she saw the way her sister’s face lit up. Chervilstar! She could get used to the sound of that. She tried to remain all still and solemn, looking down on her sister with what she imagined to be a look of haughty grace but it was hard to pull off when your whiskers twitched with amusement.

When Flutterpaw mentioned Kestrelpaw as her apprentice Chervilpaw lost it completely, she rolled onto her back and had to force the words out, her sides ached so much. “Kestrelpaw!” When she’d laughed herself out all signs of dignity had escaped her; her pelt was ruffled all over and flecked with dust, there was even a twig clinging to behind her ear. She tried the dignified leader pose again, chest puffed out, stance proud, chin so high in the air she would be shocked if Flutterpaw could make out more than her neck and the underside of her chin. “You shall, for who wants to disappoint such a proud and dignified and… leaderly leader.”

"What?" Flutterpaw piped indignantly to her sister, who was still caught in the throes of her amusement. "I could be a mentor!" She puffed out her chest, which gave her an altogether comical appearance which probably only added to Chervilpaw's amusement. She was as scrawny as a twig, after all.

When Chervilpaw finally composed herself, she was thoroughly ruffled. How different she looked just a few minutes ago, Flutterpaw though with glee. "Well, my wise and respected leader... you've got a little something..." She batted a paw at her sister's ear playfully, simultaneously ridding her of her twig accessory and batting her ear. "All better!"

“Of course you could!” Chervilpaw, nudged her head at her sister’s shoulder. “I just think Kestrelpaw would love being stuck cleaning nests when we’re both good and warriored.” It would be something to see, that was for sure but then, nearly everything was funny on a bright, brisk morning such as this one.

At the touch of her sister’s paw to her ear Chervilpaw bounced back on the balls of her feet, a soft play growl rumbling in her chest. She lunged forwards, batting at her sister’s lower legs with her paws and throwing her entire body at Flutterpaw in the hopes of unbalancing her. “Let’s see how your fighting skills hold up Flutterpounce.”

"He'd appreciate it more than Jaggedpaw." She chuckled in reply.

Chervilpaw's sudden retaliation elicited a startled yelp from the apprentice. Flutterpaw's twiglike legs offered her no support against her sister's onslaught, and she toppled over beneath her weight. "No fair!" The young apprentice complained with a smile, even as her soft paws better her sister's belly. She squirmed to the side, freeing herself from her sister's clutched and scrambling back a few steps.

Giving a playful growl, the ginger molly dropped into a crouch. She eyed Chervilpaw for a few moments, thoughtful, then pounced.

Chervilpaw cringed at the yelp; was that really necessary? She made no comment and followed the motion, batting at her sister’s ear even as the paws drew across her belly. Her sister struggled beneath and Chervilpaw bounced back as she squirmed free; allowing more distance to form between them. In a circle she paced around her sister, eyes flattened to her head doing a strange sort of puffed up dance as if trying to intimidate a real opponent.

This time it was Chervilpaw’s turn to let herself be carried by the momentum, her sister’s weight hit her shoulder hard and she rolled over onto her side kicking out with her paws in the hope of forcing her sister back.

Flutterpaw had to admit, Chervilpaw did look more intimidating with her fur puffed up and her body arced like that. She looked bigger. Maybe I should try it sometime. Her pounce carried them both onto the ground, and Flutterpaw batted her sisters ears as her next "attack". She immediately felt paws shoving her away, and she scrambled backwards, waiting.

She couldn't help but smile. This was so fun! She had been worried that everyone would abandon the kitlike notion of play the moment they got their apprentice names, especially Jaggedpaw and Purepaw.