Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night
✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧
She appreciated his willingness to listen without interrupting, though she knew that questions would come eventually - just as they should. The warrior code often sparked curiosity, especially in young minds, but she respected his decision to remain quiet for now.
"Good." She meowed, flicking her tail in approval. "There’s plenty of time to learn the deeper meanings behind the code, but today we’ll focus on something more immediate."
She motioned with her tail for Redpaw to follow her as she padded toward the edge of the camp, her paws light on the frost-hardened ground. The nearest marsh lay not far beyond the camp’s border, a place where prey could often be found even in the cold grip of leaf-bare.
“Nearmarsh is a good place to practice.” Palestar explained as they walked, the cold air carrying the faint scent of water and damp earth.
As they approached the marsh, Palestar slowed her pace, ears pricked for any sound of movement in the reeds or undergrowth, the loamy earth a bit squelchy after yesterdays rains. She turned to Redpaw, voice lifting. “Hunting requires patience and precision. You need to move quietly, watch your surroundings, and anticipate where your prey might go.”
She lowered herself into a hunter's crouch, demonstrating the smooth, controlled movements that every apprentice would need to master. “Try to copy my stance and we’ll see if we can find something for you to practice on.”
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, Anxious Warrior
Nettleplume, Cynical Medicine Cat
Merrypaw, Steadfast Apprentice
Otterwhisker, Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlespice, Selfish Warrior
Bravesong, Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, Striving Warrior
Wildcry, Fierce Elder
Rimekit, Rowdy kit
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, Ornery Elder
Heatherkit, Sweet Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, Stern Leader
Honeyglow, Reserved Elder
Emberdust, Artless Warrior
Duskpaw, Opportunistic Apprentice
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, Visionary Feral
Montgomery (Monty), Sentimental Semi-Feral
Redpaw carefully lowered himself onto his belly, tucking his paws beneath him as he studied Palestar.
He did try and copy her stance, and succeed to some degree. However his legs were - understandably - shorter than her's so his 1:1 prowl didn't so much as teach him how to hunt as compleatly unbalance the apprentice has he tried to match her stride as well.
"Do I have to uh. Bring my feet closer?" His tail flicked with apprehension as he narrowly avoided tipping over into a pile of frozen mud.
Characters:
Coldgaze: (M) Ruthless Riverclan Deputy
Lawn Gnome: (F) Motherly Semi-Feral Shecat
Redpaw: (M) Thoughtful Shadowclan Apprentice
Sootbounce: (M) Bubbly Shadowclan Warrior
Sturgeonpaw: (M) Altruistic Riverclan Apprentice
Sunstrike: (F) Anxious Thunderclan Queen
NPCs:
Quailcall: (F) Fierce Thunderclan Warrior
Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night
✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧
Palestar bit back a chuckle, her whiskers twitching in amusement as she watched Redpaw struggle to match her longer stride. She had to remind herself that every apprentice went through this learning phase and it was her duty to guide him. His enthusiasm and willingness to correct his mistakes were good signs.
"Yes, exactly." She meowed, tone encouraging. "Your legs aren’t as long as mine, so adjust your stance to what feels comfortable for you. The key isn’t to copy me exactly, but to find balance in your own way."
She took a few steps back to give him space and added, "Keep your paws light and make sure your tail stays low but off the ground - so it doesn’t rustle anything."
With a nod, Palestar motioned toward a nearby patch of reeds where the faint rustling of a small animal could be heard. "Now, what can you smell over in those reeds there?" Her eyes gleamed with quiet pride as she watched him adjust, hoping the young tom would trust his instincts and let his natural abilities take over.
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, Anxious Warrior
Nettleplume, Cynical Medicine Cat
Merrypaw, Steadfast Apprentice
Otterwhisker, Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlespice, Selfish Warrior
Bravesong, Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, Striving Warrior
Wildcry, Fierce Elder
Rimekit, Rowdy kit
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, Ornery Elder
Heatherkit, Sweet Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, Stern Leader
Honeyglow, Reserved Elder
Emberdust, Artless Warrior
Duskpaw, Opportunistic Apprentice
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, Visionary Feral
Montgomery (Monty), Sentimental Semi-Feral