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A light breeze rustled against his feathers as he craned his head, turning it around slowly in all directions as the chatter and plethora of conversations seemed to drown out the afternoon. The uproar of activity had grown with the joys and excitement of what was soon to come and still it felt as if there was much work ahead of him. Yes, so many fledglings were being prepared soon for Graduation; a day where they would prove themselves as their time had come for them to take flight upon their own wings and venture out into the world of Noctua with their knowlege and their abilities. Songwood let a small smile curl upon his beak while his talons gripped upon the thick pine branch as his wings unfuled slightly, stretching them out as the cogs of his mind mulled over the grand event. But in the midsts of so many thoughts, somehow his mind began to replay his own memories of his days as a fledging which caused him to chuckle moreso to himself as he closed his eyes.

Back when he was in their same position, Songwood himself was a rather quiet and a meek sentinel whose excitement had been vaugely hyped by the idea of such a great festivity and event that would come. It wasn't due to a lack of respect to such a day nor due to the fact that the adult Sentinel was a stick in the mud- moreso it was due to him often being quiet and not very talkative. Yet never the less it still was enjoyable!

From being under the care of Minders to soon having freedom and flying wherever his wings would take him, or at least to places that were in bounds and safe, it seemed that out of his hazy memory that his own Graduation was a day that could not be forgotten.

It seemed a time where one was to come of age was looked upon as capable of the tasks and expectations that many of the adult Sentinels held. One was to learn and grow in tasks that were fitting or appealed to them in order to serve the community and each other. After losing that 'cute' and 'innocent' look and unable to be taken care of by a Minder, reality would set in and the time did come for when the individual would have to learn to fly on his or her own two wings. Graduation was a time where lives would be changed and ones own path would open doorways to each and every individuals future.

"It will be the dawn of a new life for them," the Sentinel mused to himself, tucking his wings close to his body. "But a time where they will come to understand themselves more than they think they do. Graduation will help them see and learn what they are capable of and, in time, they will find themselves."

His eyes slowly opened and seemed to gaze out towards the boughs and branches of the trees that seemed dotted with an assortment of familiar faces and friends. Songwood not only was convinced that it was a blessed time in ones life but, also, he had experienced it.

The once quite and casual fledgling had always found himself lured and drawn to the work of the Hunters yet there had always been a part of him that had the unceasing desire to teach others his own knowledge. His own understandings of Noctua and the world around them could perhaps aid others in developing a better sense and feel for the world around them. Though aside from that image of being brave and a little rough around the feathers, Songwood always enjoyed teaching those who were willing to listen and learn from him. Or perhaps it was the opportunity to take a few under his wings and guide them into becoming something more?

In all honesty there were too many answers and reasons behind Songwoods' desire but it best be known that it was all in good and pure intention.

Stretching his neck upwards and turning his head around, the Sentinel clicked his beak together and tapped his talons upon the branch. Already the idea of teaching was sinking deepre and deeper into his mind as a task that he would enjoy once again and perhaps it was a time to shift his role and endeavour in two duties. Though he did have a companion there certainly was that ever present desire to help acquaint the fledglings with the world around them. There was much to learn and much to be understood! And this upcoming generation would be made sure that they would be prepared and made ready for whatever was to face them.

As the idea certainly had molded itself over his thoughts and seemed unmovable, Songwood knitted his brows as his orbs of a purest, bronze hue settled off towards the collected social gathering nearby.

"I must prepare as well," he noted to himself, his voice rather meek and quite while his eyes focused to where few fledglings nestled along a branch with their Minders closeby. "I think it is time for a change- a change for the better for myself, that is. But only for a while," he coaxed himself, walking along the thick branch of the tree towards what appeared to be a voided hole within the tree.

Stepping up and inside, Songwood chuckled to himself.

"What will I be getting myself into this time?"

It was hard to deny the energy in the air that hung like the static charge before a large storm. Auburn eyes calmly followed the outlines of several Sentinels as they flitted about the group keeping themselves busy as they fussed over this and that. The young ones looked as if they channeled the raw sensation as they chattered quickly amongst eachother in eager voices. Some looked as if they'd burst like a ripe berry in a fit of anticipation while others looked brighted, though under their feathers shook with nervousness.

Oakbeak was content to watch all the happenings from the safety of a rather substantial limb of a tree on the outskirts of the buzzing creatures. From the looks of thinks he almost seemed bored of the observation but it was hard to keep the positive sensations from penetrating his quiet, stiff composure. In truth Oak wasn't used to being so close to such a crowd of Sentinels, let alone a bunch that seemed unable to shake a bad case of the winter jitters. Even the few companion creatures his trained eyes could spot looked unable to focus their sporadic attention on one task. He could only muse at their reactions.

Graduation was indeed a great event, he had to admit. The ending of the Longest Night brought inexplicable wonder and definite promise of new adventures to fledgings who had seen nothing of the real world. It was hard to tell if they were prepared at all for what they'd see, hear, touch. The Forest was a provider and life-giver, but it was also harsh and dim. The trees held secrets only they would share with one another and a young one would eventually learn, even if it took his or her entire lifetime. Perhaps he could lecture the young ones, caution them on their outings and their actions to ensure that they never had to experience anything beyond a sheltered, happy existence. He also knew words and expressions were nothing compared to first-hand experience-- and that was possibly the cruelest but most efficient way to learn any lesson that can be taught. He certainly learned his share when he was around their age.

Oakbeak found himself smiling slightly, watching one particular fledging resist the persistent preening from a local Minder. His eyes looked determined to free himself, to fight and take flight wherever and whenever he pleased. Such strength in little ones.

The ranger seemed startled as he came out of the reverie, realizing he'd been silently sitting -and smiling to himself- for quite some time while lost in thought. He rustled his feathers and felt the dampness of the air for merely a moment before he settled again. He'd have to stick around for a little while longer, if not to see just a glimpse of the Ceremony. It was a silly thing in his mind, so official and over-the-top but he accepted it as being important to some, at least. He wouldn't stay for the entire thing, he had to get back to his duties as patroller. His role in the world was already chosen for him, and theirs would be too quite soon.