After signing up to be a potential, Mercure was told he could meet the kits. He met a group of them, and talked with them for a while. Many were fascinated by what he did for a living, and he spent the next several days speaking and interacting with almost more kits than he could count. There were a few that he saw more often then others, including a pair of Askan kits whose mother was an amniomancer.
He spoke with them the most, a male named Tenaso and a female named Featau. They told him about their mother, and things she had taught them, as well as a breeder of something similar to the hunting cats. He was completely taken by the kits and was glad he didn't have to make the choice of which he would have liked to bond. He didn't think he would be able to choose just one.
In less than a week, a bonding ceremony was called, and while he wasn't completely sure it was for him, as there was at least one other candidate who had been there longer than he had, it was widely assumed that he was the lucky one. He scratched Talve behind one ear.
"Well, tonight we find out who decided to bond me, if it's my ceremony. I wonder which one it is?"
Mercure picked up the cub and headed to the ceremony dinner. The wolv was surprised and pleased to see the special dish prepared for Talve, and he enjoyed his own meal, trying a little bit of everything until dessert tapered off. Then, Lady Aloia stood up.
"Mercure, please stand." The wolv did so, and turned to look at the kits. Two were stepping away from the group, the pair of Askans, but only one held a scroll. Featau.
As they passed the table, Tenaso stopped, looking a bit dazed. An array of emotion flashed across the young female's face as she approached Mercure. When she came to a stop in front of him, she spoke. "Well, we couldn't decide which one of us would bond you, almost, but then Tenaso said I was better at the amniomancy stuff mother's taught us, and, and, well... Talve likes me better anyway," she finished strongly, looking at the wolv. She held out the bonding scroll, her small, velvety paw trembling slightly.
Mercure looked her in the eyes and took the scroll. All the other kits cheered as the bond was made, then the party continued. Mercure and Featau were congratulated by many, and enjoyed the rest of the party.
After a little while, the other kits began to head to their dorms, ready for some sleep. When only a few were left, Lady Aloia approached the newly bonded pair. "Mercure?"
When he looked her way, she continued to speak, offering him an opportunity to stay a while longer and see more of Avengaea. She realized that the speed in which he had been chosen meant he may not have seen as much as he would have liked. She told him they were welcome to stay and explore as they adjusted to their bond.
Mercure was surprised, but after sharing a glance with Featau, he looked back to the bonding mistress. "Thank you, Lady Aloia. We'll consider it."
After promising to let her know their decision, they headed to their own dorm room. Before going to sleep, they discussed the offer.
"I would like to stay a little while longer, get to know more of Avengaea's customs. But I'd like to know what you think. You've lived here your whole life. Do you mind staying here a bit longer? I really can't do much with the hunting cats if we go back to Malnev now."
The pale green pigmented female gazed sleepily at her bond. "I don't mind staying a while longer. Then I can see if Tenaso bonds, assuming more interested novos show up before we leave. I hope he gets a good bond; he deserves one. And I can show you some of the best places to visit!" She drifted off to sleep before she was able to name any of these great places, but Mercure didn't mind. They would have plenty of time to explore them. He checked on Talve, then let himself drop off to sleep.
The next morning, on their way to breakfast, the pair found the bonding mistress and accepted her offer. Lady Aloia seemed pleased that they were staying, and Mercure wondered, just for a moment, why she was so interested in them spending more time at the bonding complex. He promised they wouldn't overstay their welcome, and they headed off to find food before going on their first exploration.

My version of the bonding ceremony adapted from the Official Bonding Ceremony by JKatkina

Continued...