~ RiverClan ~ Clever and Strong |☾☼ ϟ ≈ ☁|

As the meeting drew to a close, Snowflower found her gaze lingering on the kits a while longer. After so much tension in the camp, between Earthstar being away and the threat of the prey-maulers, it was nice just to see the kits playing. There was still much for the clan to worry about, but it was great to see the young ones thriving. It made her wonder...

She glanced at Iciclestep, flushed, then looked away. It was still a little too soon to start thinking about that.

Clearing her throat, she returned to their previous conversation. "It looks like Earthstar might want to talk with Alder, but we can't forget to mention the twoleg when we get a chance."

Finkit quickly opened her eyes, rushing off to try and nose aside as many of the nests as she could. Rosekit was more careful, taking his time to send a small smile to Smallkit, before he hummed thoughtfully. He knew that the shell wasn't going to be right near them, so he started by padding to the far corner of the nursery. He frowned, unable to find it here. He looked around, watching Finkit for a while.

(Oop sorry I spaced they were hanging out! Would’ve had him say bye!)

(no worries, sheeppaw doesn't take, well, anything personally. chillest dude ever XD)

Here's some starters for anyone ^.^)

Nightflame padded over to her kits after the meeting had ended, purring a congratulations to them. "All three of you have done well to earn your names." She mewed, looking at them proudly. "I know that you'll make RiverClan proud now that you're warriors."

Silentshade lifted her head at her mother's praise, glad that she and her littermates had finally become warriors. "Thank you, Nightflame." She mewed, her eyes shining.

Arcticflower dipped her head, smiling at her mother and siblings. "We won't let you down." She promised with a purr.

Petalcreek moved off to a secluded corner of the camp as the meeting ended, sitting down and starting to groom her pelt. She was happy for the new Warriors and apprentices, although she did wish that she had been appointed an apprentice of her own as well. Petalcreek gave a small shake of her head, not sure if she was even ready to train an apprentice just yet anyways.

Thawfrost padded towards the nursery, carrying a fish for Orchidnight. Now that the ceremonies were over, he wanted to visit with his mate and kits.

Puddlepaw watched Silentshade from afar, his eyes bright knowing that she had earned her full name. Even so, his heart ached knowing that she'd no longer be in the apprentice's den with him, and their nightly talks wouldn't be a thing anymore until he too became a Warrior. He ignored the sharp sting in his tail where Brinetail had dragged him under the water, yet inwardly he reminded himself that now he knew how to hold his breath longer, and feel when cats were moving in the water. Feeling stronger than ever, he lifted his chin and waited for a chance to congratulate her.

Orchidnight sat at the mouth of the nursery, keeping her eyes on Finkit and Rosekit as they played with Smallkit. She glanced back at Thawfrost, mewing steadily. "I see you've brought me something. You'll be happy to know that our kits are having a good time playing with their new friend."

Owlwhisker continued to assist Smallkit in their game, shifting to make it look like the shell was near him again, but he quickly focused on Littleshadow's reaction to their kits. He excitedly poked his head next to his mate's, gasping. "Look! Oh, how pretty your eyes are!" He excitedly watched their three kits with wonder, noticing Pondkit's eyes were open too as he quietly looked around him. The tom sniffled with emotion. "They're the most perfect things to ever exist!"

Diamondheart noticed Sproutpaw scampering about. Now that Earthstar had ended the meeting, and the deputy was content that all of his daily tasks were done, he approached his apprentice and mewed. "Up for some battle training, Sproutpaw? I want to teach you some new techniques that your mother taught me at your age." 

"Yes! I did know that! But you look like me too. Because you're adorable, and your mother calls me that all the time." Owlwhisker boasted as he leaned down to nuzzle Iriskit affectionately. He tapped each kit's head with his muzzle as he mewed. "One for you. One for you, and one for you."

"One more for me! Two for me!" Pondkit squeaked suddenly, his voice soft and sweet as he ate up the affections. 


"If I were too busy for you, I wouldn't be able to be your mentor." Diamondheart humored, before he nodded. "Of course, Sproutpaw. I organize patrols the day before so they get out faster and give me more time for training and tasks. I've been doing this a long time, and Thawfrost turned out fine, so will you." He assured, nodding for Sproutpaw to follow him out of camp. "Would you like land training, or water training today?"

"What do I think? You've got the coolest name a Warrior could have. Silentshade? You're like a ghost! Who can kick tail." Puddlepaw complimented with a smirk as he tapped her shoulder with his tail. He hid his disappointment in having to see her leave the den as he mewed. "So. You gonna miss me in the Warrior's den?"

"I am. Just a little bit." Orchidnight admitted, often finding herself lying about how much she wanted to eat. Sometimes, she felt like prey just sat in her belly, aching with all her guilt and sadness that she tried to work through. She smiled at her mate, wanting to not ruin any mood. "Thank you, love."

“I’m the silliest.” Owlwhisker promised, moving to nose Iriskit gently as he watched her move around on her newfound shaky paws.

“Two from you!” Pondkit decided as he accepted his mother’s affection with a little purr. The young tom tried to lift his head up to poke her nose back.

“That can be done.” Diamondheart agreed, glancing around. “You’re right. It’s starting to get warmer, thank Starclan. Swimming can start back up in full swing soon.” He mewed excitedly, already having plenty of ideas for group training with the apprentices. “I’ll teach you the underwater hook today.”

Owlwhisker gave a bright grin, shifting so he could roll on his shoulders and land on his back. He leaned his head, now upside-down, right over towards Iriskit. "Now we're both upside down. You know, I like to look at clouds like this some days. Soon, when you start getting strong enough to leave the nursery, we can watch the clouds just like this." He promised.

Pondkit giggled as he was pulled closer to his mother, curling up like a small ball to keep as close as possible to her. He liked the attention, and liked being hidden away at the same time.

"No move is a hard move when you put effort and care into learning it. I know that you're capable of learning it, too. More than you might think." Diamondheart mewed confidently, yet with his usual calmness. He smiled encouragingly at Sproutpaw. "Come prove me right, got it? No worrying, I won't quit on you, ever." 

Silentshade gave a small purr, giving him a small nudge, "Of course, but I'm sure you won't be that far behind me." She said with a grin, glad to hear that he liked her warrior name. "You and your siblings are the next oldest apprentices after all, so I expect you to join me in the Warrior's den soon, alright?"

Thawfrost smiled and gave her cheek a loving lick, "Of course. I made sure to grab the best fish on the pile for you too, so eat up, okay?" He mewed, watching her closely. Even though Orchidnight had seemed to be feeling better, he couldn't help but feel worried that she might slip back into the same darkness that had clouded her before. "You must be proud, seeing Silentshade finally become a warrior. I thought you did an amazing job with her, even when you're in the nursery. That isn't something most queens do when they move into the nursery." Thawfrost continued with a purr.

(sorry for disappearing, I was grounded.)(Moonblazer, wanna do rippleshine and stonegaze?)

(It's all good! Sure, we can do them!)

Stonegaze was grooming his pelt, having been watching the ceremony that had just ended. It was nice to see that Ospreystrike was getting her first apprentice. He had just finished training Mintpaw for the day himself before the ceremony had started, and now he was enjoying some time to relax. He looked around, eyes catching on Rippleshine from afar.