Private Thread On the Rise

Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞

Cloudflare let out a short, amused breath, his whiskers twitching at the apprentice’s dry comment. It was the kind of tone he could appreciate. His copper eyes flicked to Fallpaw with a glint of approval. "Those kits were born healthy and strong, so that's good."

He paused a beat, then added with a half grin. "But I get it. If I were in your paws, I’d feel the same. When you start something with a mentor, you want to finish it with them." He stretched his forelimbs forward into a deep, slow arch before straightening again, tail flicking lightly behind him.

"But hey - doesn’t mean you’re getting shortpawed. I’m not here to walk you to your ceremony and call it a day." His gaze sharpened slightly. "We’re going to make sure that when you stand before the Clan, no one questions your place among the warriors...So. You’re doing fine, you say. Let’s test that. What’s your strongest skill right now?" He tilted his head, tone curious but not demanding. "And more importantly - what still trips you up?" He had some idea from Aspenberry herself, but it was very important he got his input.

Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞

Cloudflare respected the honesty. "Speed’s no small thing in WindClan..." He said after a thoughtful pause, voice steady. "If you can outpace your prey, that’s a huge edge."

He gave Fallpaw a small nod, one that conveyed more approval than his words alone. "Not having real battle experience isn’t a flaw. It’s a reality. We train for it, hope it never comes to that - but if it does, you need to be able to trust your paws and your instincts."

His tail flicked through the grass, considering how best to proceed. "We’ll work on it. I’ll show you what a real fight feels like - without the claws, for now. Come on. There’s a slope not far from here, good cover and some soft ground for sparring. Let’s see how you move."

Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞

Cloudflare heard the sigh loud and clear. He didn’t call Fallpaw out on it as they padded toward the slope, grass brushing their legs and the sun beating gently on their backs. But he wasn’t going to let the mood stay heavy either.

Once they reached the slope and the ground leveled out a little, he turned, giving the younger tom a sideways glance, eyes glinting with a touch of mischief. "Alright." He planted his paws firmly. "Tell you what. You manage to land a clean hit on me, and we do whatever you want next. Training or otherwise." His grin widened just enough to show he was enjoying this. It could even be...take a nap, or...stare at clouds.

He crouched slightly, tail tip flicking. "But fair warning I don’t go easy when a deal’s on the line."

His tone was playful, but the challenge in his stance was real. It wasn’t about pushing Fallpaw harder than he could handle. It was about giving him something to aim for and a reason to try. Cloudflare wasn’t interested in making battle training a chore. He wanted to see what the apprentice would do when given a stake in the fight.

Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞

Cloudflare’s eyes tracked Fallpaw’s movement with the quiet patience of a hawk. He didn’t move immediately and just let the apprentice circle, his copper eyes half lidded as if relaxed. But his muscles were ready beneath his sleek pelt, coiled beneath the surface like a spring.

As Fallpaw launched forward, fast and confident, Cloudflare pivoted sharply on his hind legs. The apprentice’s paw grazed one - maybe two hairs, just enough to ruffle fur but not quite enough to count.

"Close!" Cloudflare called, his voice bright with challenge. Instead of pressing the advantage, he sprang away and landed lightly a few tail lengths off, flicking his tail in invitation. "Try again."

Fallpaw wasn’t hesitating. And for a first strike, it was bold and clean. That was something to build on.

Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞

Cloudflare braced as Fallpaw lunged again, this time with sharper intent. The apprentice’s paws hooked into his scruff, clinging for a heartbeat of triumph. Cloudflare gave a bark of laughter shaking his head but not enough to fling him off right away.

"Better!" He praised, voice rumbling as he shifted his weight. With a quick roll of his shoulders, he loosened Fallpaw’s grip and twisted free, stepping out from under him.

Cloudflare flicked his tail, eyes gleaming. "Use that size to get under your opponents to throw them off balance like you almost did with me." He paused, the tip of his wave giving a extended wave.

"So, have you had enough of sparing since you landed a strike? We can do something else if you'd like."

Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞

Cloudflare’s whiskers twitched at Fallpaw’s answer, a pleased warmth settling in his chest. That spark of energy was exactly what he’d hoped to see. "Good." He said with a nod, his copper eyes gleaming. "A warrior (rarely) quits early." He gave his chest a quick shake to settle his fur back in place, then stretched out his limbs with a grunt.

After a couple more exchanges, Cloudflare paused. "Alright. We’ll call it a good start for today. You’ve got spirit, and spirit’s worth more than a lucky blow any day. Keep that drive, and you’ll surprise more than just me." With a flick of his tail Cloudflare began padding toward camp "Let’s get something to eat. You’ve earned it."