Private Thread Tell Me, What do you See?

Merrypaw’s interpretation wasn’t wrong – she had good examples and had clearly watched her clanmates carefully to see how they embodied the code. Speaking of which…  “Hm. I will have to speak to Nettleplume.” He mused, flicking tail revealing his discomfort. Nettleplume shouldn’t be sacrificing his sleep for that. If he needed help – especially with his mentor’s fast deteriorating health – he was supposed to ask. Perhaps from a certain brown tom…

“Riverclan is our top priority. That is the hard truth of the matter. The code gives us stories, mantras and beliefs to follow. But at its core is keeping the clan safe, fed and cohesive.” He settled.

“You have done well Merrypaw.”  Coldgaze wasn’t one to hand out empty praise. He hoped his apprenticed understood that he meant it.

From his loafed seat, he looked out at the relatively open patch of frozen dirt. “… I showed you a few battle exercises. Run through those while we speak.” Keeping her body warm was a good idea during this weather, and this would help her learn to multitask.

“Some pieces of the code are not immediately apparent in everyday life. I’m going to share another piece of wisdom.” His eyes drilled into his apprentice’s multi-toned pelt. “You tell me – what is the moral of this story? Answer correctly... And we'll learn some proper offensive moves.”

OOC: Coldgaze probably showed Merrypaw some basic battle moves, namely defensive ones and reversal attacks in anticipation of Thunderclan. These were in a choreography to practice and condition her body. Maybe he also threw in a more advanced move, just for funsies and to see if she notices. It’s entirely up to you.

Coldgaze took a moment to study her form, the puffs of snow sparkling up in the noonday sun. She had grace that could not be taught – and he intended to teach her to use it. “Stiffen your shoulders and relax your forelimbs.” Her swipes were that of a kit. But she would get better.

“The vagueness of the code is something to operate in. It allows for situational awareness.” He didn’t feel like elaborating on that, but with time she would understand what he meant. Nothing was to be given. Everything had to be earned. “Memorization leads to complacency.”  

Still, there were things that average clan-life didn’t cover. So, he would have to provide additional information.

“This is an old story, told many times with many names and in many forms. This is the version my dame told me.” Merrypaw had stilled and he waited till she had gone back to lunging at the air.

“Back when the clans were young, when Riverstar ruled with patience, there was a queen of Riverclan known as Ashbark.” He stood, circling around Merrypaw. “Mind your centre of gravity –Despite being loyal to Riverclan, Ashfur had struck a deal with a cat from Windclan. A tom named Birdfall. He had approached her with the concept of half-clan kits; something to keep them together even as the clans grew further and further apart.”

“Ashbark was hesitant. ‘Half-clan kits have been shameful since the time of the Great Clans. They could grow wild, unruly. Resentful.’ She cautioned Birdfall. Nevertheless, he insisted – forcing the issue when they saw one another at the gatherings. Threatening to tell her clanmates about their friendship. So eventually, she relented.”

“Ashbark’s litter was one of the first in the clan since the split and would be one of the first to be raised as apprentices. But Ashbark herself was not so lucky. Bleeding out from a litter she didn’t want – she cursed the tom who did this to her, and her two kits with a lifetime of suspicion from their clanmates.” He tapped her back foot, which had begun to slip out of alignment with her haunches, with his paw as a gentle reminder.

“Those cats, named Russetkit and Waspkit, grew up knowing of their mixed heritage. Throughout their apprenticeship Russetpaw strove to prove that he was loyal to the clan. But Wasppaw, she found herself staring over the border at Windclan. Longing to join her sire and leave behind the suspicions of her peers. All she needed was an in.”

He paused for dramatic effect. Sue him; he liked storytelling. And this was one of his favourites from his own days in the nursery.