Quote:
Originally Posted by Clover
No matter how much Juniperpaw tried to hide it, Geckoleaf could see the carefully concealed waves of guilt and determination rushing through her. Lips pressing into a thin line, the fiery tabby forced herself to abstain from crying; she felt intensely sad that her apprentice's first steps into the world of medicine would not be as magical and exciting as Geckoleaf's were. Even the gentle shoulder-bump felt fake, forced; whether or not it actually was, it felt sad and remorse. She swallowed slightly and turned back towards the crystal. It was shining and beautiful; she was always shocked by the purity of it. The gentle glow had turned both of them a faded color, even looking ethereal.
Geckoleaf cleared her throat, and began speaking; "Juniperpaw, is it your wish to enter the mysteries of StarClan as a medicine cat? (It is.) Then come forward. Warriors of StarClan, I present you with this apprentice. She has come to chose the path of a medicine cat, and all that that entails. Juniperpaw wishes to understand the art of healing and medicine. Please, grant her your wisdom and insight so that she may understand your ways and heal her Clan in accordance with your will. Allow her the foresight to discern how to best treat the patients she encounters. And mostly... allow her safety in all things." The last sentence was uttered very softly; it was the one thing she most desired for.
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A lot of Juniperpaw's joy was forced, her attempt at keeping herself from breaking down right then and there. It seemed the entire clan was against her, and she was helpless to do anything about it. She could've denied Geckoleaf's offer to be apprenticed by her, and maybe gain her clanmates' approval as a warrior apprentice, but her pride and determination convinced her to take the harder path, just to prove herself to everyone who said she couldn't... including Geckoleaf, and Russetstar, and probably every other cat in all the clans who knew Cricketpaw.
Juniperpaw stood tall as Geckoleaf spoke, staring at her mentor, searching for even the smallest amount of regret, for some sort of sign that she didn't exactly want Juniperpaw as her apprentice. And then she reminded herself that ignorance is bliss, and she quickly put an end to her search, instead focusing on the fact that she was receiving StarClan's approval - or disapproval, based on how things were going. Juniperpaw's gaze softened when Geckoleaf wished for her safety, taking the ginger she-cat's words as a sign that she wanted her as her apprentice. Purring, Juniperpaw found herself gently whispering, ``I'll fight with all I've got to remain at your side. Just - don't give up on me.``