Private Thread On Our Merry Way

Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
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Merrypaw padded beside Coldgaze, her sturdy frame moving quietly over the familiar terrain of RiverClan, though she’d never been this far out before. She took in the sights with wide eyes, her green gaze flicking between the flowing river and the distant edges of the border. The steady rush of water was a comforting hum in her ears even as the chill of Leafbare seemed finally here, but there was also something exciting about seeing the edges of their territory.

When Coldgaze stopped and gestured toward the distant land, her ears perked up at the mention of Trespass Point. She squinted across the river, taking a moment to study it before answering. A part of her was curious about its history - what had happened here to earn it such a name?

“Maybe because it’s where cats come onto our land?” she guessed, her voice quiet but thoughtful. “Or... where the borders are so close between them, there might be fights?” She wasn’t sure if that was the whole story, but it made sense. Borders always seemed to be places of tension, and she imagined their rivalry with the clans was no different.

Her gaze drifted back to Coldgaze, eager for his thoughts.

Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
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Merrypaw absorbed Coldgaze's words, her teal eyes widening slightly as she learned about Trespass Point's importance. The idea that such a place existed where their territory overlapped with ThunderClan and WindClan felt like walking a fine line between diplomacy and conflict.

Following Coldgaze closely, she nodded at his explanation. "That makes sense." She murmured thoughtfully, her gaze sweeping the surroundings. "It must be tense during gatherings, knowing other clans are that close." The idea of other clans walking through RiverClan territory, even under the safety of a truce, gave her pause. She’d never considered how their borders intertwined so tightly in some places.

As they neared the edge, Merrypaw felt a shiver of excitement prickle through her. The gorge lay ahead, vast and daunting. She slowed down at Coldgaze’s unspoken cue, her paws moving carefully over the ground. Her mind raced with the possibilities of what might come next - this felt like more than just a sightseeing trip.

She glanced at Coldgaze, wondering what he had in mind. "What do you want me to do here?" She asked quietly, her voice tinged with anticipation. This was her first real lesson, and she was determined not to disappoint.

Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
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Merrypaw blinked as Coldgaze positioned himself near the gorge, closer than she dared to venture just yet. Her heart fluttered in her chest from the sheer height of it, but she remained steady, keeping her paws planted on solid ground. She marveled at how calmly her mentor approached the edge, clearly comfortable in this place that intimidated her. His confidence was something she hoped to mirror one day.

At his mention of the warrior code, her ears perked. "Otterwhisker has mentioned it - she had little stories to break down some of the major meanings." She admitted, lowering herself into a sitting position as he motioned for her to do so. The idea of rules shaping the way they lived had always intrigued her, but it felt distant - more of a guideline she’d be molded into over time rather than something she understood completely. Now, it seemed, she was about to learn firsthand how crucial it was to a warrior’s life.

When Coldgaze mentioned not telling her the code, Merrypaw's whiskers twitched, taken aback by the unexpected twist. She'd assumed that becoming an apprentice meant memorizing these rules, following them strictly. Wasn't that the point? But instead of being frustrated, she found herself more curious even if her brows furrowed. Why wouldn’t he just tell her?

Her teal gaze followed his movements, lingering on the scars of his missing talons. It was clear Coldgaze had experienced something deeply.

"I guess you're right..." Her tail curled around her paws, her voice thoughtful. "Being told rules isn't the same as understanding them. But how will I know if I’m following the code right if I don’t know it all yet?"

Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
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Merrypaw's ears twitched at Coldgaze’s words, her teal eyes widening as his challenge began to unfold. A mission? Her heart raced a little, the excitement of having something unique and personal to focus on, something beyond just following orders, filling her with energy. Coldgaze had set a test for her, rather than being paw-fed the answers.

The idea of discovering the warrior code piece by piece through watching her clanmates felt... exciting. It made her feel as if she were being entrusted with something important, something deeper than just her training. And Coldgaze wasn’t simply testing her knowledge; he was asking her to look beyond the surface of things, to truly understand the code.

She gave a small, determined nod. "I'll do it." she said, her voice laced with a mixture of anticipation and focus. "I’ll watch carefully and learn all I can." Her tail twitched slightly in thought as she processed his words.

"But… how will I know when I've found something that’s part of the code? Of should I just see what feels right?" Or if she got something wrong in translation. There was a note of worry in her question, though it was clear she was more concerned with the idea of letting herself down than disappointing Coldgaze. This challenge felt more like an opportunity to prove something to herself.

The idea of a "secret mission" also tugged at the corners of her thoughts, and she smiled slightly. It did feel thrilling, like she was embarking on an adventure hidden in plain sight.

Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
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Merrypaw’s gaze flickered with uncertainty as Coldgaze echoed her fear of making mistakes, but she listened intently. The thought of disappointing him had been nagging at her from the moment he issued the challenge. His words about Boldstar, their leader, caught her off guard. She blinked, her ears pricking at the mention of the dog fight - a story she had heard more than once, but never with this kind of weight behind it.

Boldstar, her leader and sire had made mistakes in his lifetime. The idea seemed impossible, yet Coldgaze spoke of it as if it were just a fact of life. The image of that battle played out in her mind, but she realized how easily things could have gone wrong. Boldstar could have been injured, or worse, and RiverClan’s history might have changed entirely.

Merrypaw shifted on her paws, absorbing the lesson. The challenge wasn’t about getting everything perfect. It was about learning, moving forward, and finding her path through those inevitable missteps.

Her tail slowly swished behind her as she took a breath, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "Mistakes are part of learning." She murmured, looking up at Coldgaze with a renewed determination.

"Learn boldly." There was something empowering about that phrase - permission to stumble, but also the push to rise again each time. Coldgaze’s challenge wasn’t just about discovering the warrior code; it was about learning what it meant to truly be a warrior. She squared her shoulders, feeling more prepared for the task ahead. "I can only do my best. And also, I'm gunna say that too. 'Learn Boldly'. I hope that's alright." As impressive as Boldstar was, she knew he wouldn't be around forever. It'd be a nice way to remember him.

Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
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Merrypaw smile was soft, feeling the warmth of his words settle in her chest. She had worried that her own uncertainties might disappoint him, but it seemed that her mentor believed in her potential. His confidence in her - expecting nothing less than her best - spurred her on, solidifying her determination to rise to the challenge.

She flicked her ears at his nod of permission to adopt his phrase, feeling an odd sense of pride. And maybe, one day, it would serve as a reminder of, not only of Boldstar, but of Coldgaze too.

As Coldgaze rose to his paws, indicating they would continue their movement through the field, Merrypaw stood as well, shaking off any lingering nerves. The thought of returning to camp armed with newfound resolve. It made her eager to face the rest of the day, whatever it held.

With a final glance at the gorge, she turned her attention back to her mentor her teal eyes bright with anticipation. "What was your apprenticeship like? Was your mentor vague and mysterious too?" Her eyes narrowed a bit mischievously, even if her question was offered casually enough.

Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
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Merrypaw let out a soft, exaggerated gasp, her teal eyes widening as if Coldgaze had just revealed some grand secret of the universe. "You became vague and mysterious all on your own?" She echoed back, her voice laced with playful awe. "That's incredible!"

She glanced up at her mentor, teasing grin apparent but behind her eyes was layered with sincere admiration. The seal mink she-cat gave a soft purr of affection, appreciating the rare glimpse of humor in his usually composed demeanor. Even as a kit she knew that there was more to Coldgaze than what met the eye.

"Guess I’ll have to add that to my list of things to learn, too..." She meowed as her eyes briefly swept the borders as they continued onwards. She didn't allow herself to get too distracted by their banter. "I've been working on my Coldgaze side-eye, if you wanna see. It's only right that you'd be the best cat to compare it to."

Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
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Merrypaw’s eyes lit up as Coldgaze’s rumbling purr confirmed her success in drawing out a bit of his humor. Her tail flicked with excitement as he stopped and gave her his full attention, issuing his playful challenge.

“Of course you'd put me to the test!” She settled herself, lifting her chin with exaggerated composure, then squinted her eyes just so, doing her best to imitate the sharp, piercing gaze Coldgaze was so known for. It wasn’t perfect, but she managed a fair attempt at his usual intensity, adding a bit of her own mischievous flair. Once she held it for a solid few moments her smile broke through, giggling softly as a paw rose to her face.

“How’s that?” She gave her tail an eager twitch. “Not saying its worth a hunt, but probably worth two since you already said we would hunt!”