Private Thread A Merry Song?

"Respect is won in silence. Power is taken in patience."
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Ashsong pushed his way out of the medicine cats den. To any cat who had been listening he was merely making conversation with Nettleplume but he had actually been trying to find out any information he could that would give him a edge. Unfortunately he had learned nothing of importance. 

He spotted Merrypaw as she returned to camp with a fish in her jaws. His mouth watered slightly, seeing the bluegill. His whiskers twitched as an idea began to form. What if he got close to the young she-cat? Maybe that would get Coldstars attention. 

Padding over to the Warriors den. He sat and curled his tail around his paws, watching the young apprentice stare at the elders den. Worrying about her sire, no doubt, he thought to himself. He waited patiently until he could catch her gaze. Maintaining his mask of calm indifference. 

Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
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Merrypaw lingered a heartbeat longer, her ears flicking toward the elder’s den before a prickle on the back of her neck drew her attention elsewhere. She blinked, realizing Ashsong’s gaze was fixed squarely on her. For a moment, her paws shuffled as if she’d rather busy herself with checking the fish pile again, but there was no slipping away from the steady look he gave her.

Her tail tip twitched as she forced her whiskers into a polite curve. "Ashsong." She greeted, her voice carrying the careful weight of someone unused to speaking to him. She dipped her head faintly, still uncertain why he might be watching her at all. She took a few steps towards him, curiosity outweighing any hesitance.

"You just get out of the medicine den?" She asked, her tone light but expectant as her aqua eyes flicked over his body for any indication of her answer. Yet she didn't need a confirmation of what her nose already smelled - a tang of sage and lavender, herbs of Nettleplume's trade.

"Respect is won in silence. Power is taken in patience."
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For a single heartbeat a smirk graced Ashsongs face. This was his chance. Get close to the apprentice, get close to Coldstar. His calculating gaze ran across the length of the you she-cat. "Merrypaw. I wanted to check in with you. How goes the training? Coldstar isnt being to hard on you I hope." 

He reached up and, giving his paw a quick lick, ran it over his ear. She just needs to like me. No more, no less. 

Standing up he flicked his tail in a silent order to follow and padded towards the fish-pile. He made sure to select the blue-gill that she had brought in, making sure she saw him. Then he stepped aside to allow Merrypaw to grab her own food.

Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
༻❁༺

Merrypaw’s whiskers twitched as she trailed him, but her paws faltered when she saw which fish he reached for. A faint wrinkle formed between her brows, though she smoothed it quickly before her expression betrayed too much. Of course he had to pick that one. She’d caught the bluegill with her parents in mind, wanting them to have something fresher than what was left in the freshkill pile.

Her tail gave a slow lash before she reined it in. "Actually…" She hesitated, aqua eyes narrowing slightly as she weighed her words, the polite response pressed against the sharper one she really wanted to say. At last she settled for something in between.

"I was planning on bringing that to the elders’ den." Her voice was careful, almost casual, but the underlying edge was there. She padded closer and dipped her head toward the pile, forcing her whiskers into something that resembled a patient curve. "Boldstrike, Otterwhisker and the others shouldn’t have to wait until the best’s already gone."

Her gaze flicked up at him then, not quite challenging, but certainly not meek either. She added after a heartbeat. "There’s plenty to choose from." She waited a moment, looking to see if the warrior would comply. Then maybe she'd give him a proper answer.

"Respect is won in silence. Power is taken in patience."
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Glancing at Merrypaw, Ashsong could see how serious she seemed to be. Steeling himself, he nodded and marched over to the elders den. Once he reached the entrance he sat the fish down gently and called out, "Otterwhisker? Boldstrike? Merrypaw caught some prey for you." Making sure that it was known the fish came from the apprentice

He waited for the elders to make their way out for the prey. He glanced at Merrypaw happily. He needed to up his game. Merrypaw liking him was an integral part of his plans. He needed to stop with the inane blunders. You've got this. Just breath and do whatever needs to be done.

Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
༻❁༺

Merrypaw’s ears pricked at Ashsong’s words, a small flicker of surprise showing in her aqua eyes. She hadn’t expected him to follow through so smoothly and certainly not with that kind of respect in his tone. Her whiskers twitched, the edge of her earlier irritation softening as Otterwhisker’s familiar shuffle sounded from the den.

The she-cat emerged with her usual measured steps. Shee blinked at the bluegill, then at Ashsong, then toward Merrypaw with a flash of pleased recognition.

"Well now, isn’t this a fine catch... Thank you." Otterwhisker rasped warmly, her tail flicking in thanks. She bent to grasp the fish, offering Merrypaw a brief brush of her cheek before retreating back inside to eat in peace.

Merrypaw dipped her head, a quiet swell of satisfaction rising in her chest at her dame's approval. She cast a glance toward Ashsong, her whiskers twitching into the faintest of smiles as she made her way across camp towards the willow roots. "That’s more like it." she murmured, tone lighter than before, though her eyes still held their sharp watchfulness. "Now...you wanted to know how my training was going?"

"Respect is won in silence. Power is taken in patience."
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Nodding, Ashsong padded alongside side her after bidding farewell to his former mentor. Hearing her words, he almost smirked, but he managed to maintain his composure. 
"Yes. I know Coldstar can be quite... Strict. I was curious as to what kind of training he was having you do. I know you are quite capable and maybe knowing his training style could help me when I become a mentor." He turned his golden eyes on her slowly. Reaching the willow roots he layed down on all four paws and curled his tail neatly. So far, so good, he thought to himself.

"Has he taught you any special hunting moves?" He was hoping to keep the conversation light. At least for the moment.

Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
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Merrypaw blinked at him, aqua eyes widening before she baulked quietly at the question and onservation, her whiskers twitching with amusement. "Special moves?" She echoed as she made her way back towards the fresh kill pile to take a small something for herself before she joked. "Oh, you know. Coldstar’s got me leaping off trees into rivers and balancing on willow branches while catching fish mid jump. You know, the usual stuff."

As she hooked a water vole that had been caught earlier by Cottonbright, she leaned closer, lowering her voice into a dramatic rasp that half mocked her mentor’s deeper tone. But there was nothing but respect for her mentor. "'Riverclan is our top priority. That is the hard truth of the matter.'" Merrypaw straightened with a purr of laughter, eyes gleaming with mischief. She probably was even better at speaking like Coldstar than even he was at this point."Honestly, he just enjoys seeing if I’ll try it. And I do - because who wouldn’t want to see the look on his face when I actually pull it off?"

She tipped her head at Ashsong, the corner of her mouth curving. "What about you? Did Otterwhisker ever have you wrestling eels in the shallows for training?"

"Respect is won in silence. Power is taken in patience."
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A mrow of amusement managed to sneak up through his throat at the memories of training with Otterwhisker. He flicked his tail playfully, "Otterwhisker was... tough." 

He ran his tongue over his paw before brushing it over his ear. "I did throw her off one time when I caught a fish with my tail. I couldn't believe it myself when it happened" He paused and looked at the young she-cat, attempting to surmise her reaction. Hoping this would ease his company for her.

His eyes flicked over to Coldstars den briefly before returning to the apprentice in front of him.

Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
༻❁༺

Merrypaw froze mid–bite of the vole, aqua eyes widening at his words before they narrowed in delight. A bubbling laugh spilled out of her, bright and unrestrained. "With your...tail?" Her whiskers quivered as though she were trying to picture it. It would be risky...a lean cat could easily get pulled into the river with a strong yank.

She gave her paw a playful swipe through the air, mimicking the ridiculous movement, then shook her head, clearing her throat and blinked back her surprise. "Maybe you should show Coldstar how you do it."

Her gaze darted toward the leader’s den with a mischievous gleam before returning to Ashsong. "But...you might have to get through me first. You should show me sometime, or else I won't believe it wasn't just a lucky splash."

"Respect is won in silence. Power is taken in patience."
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Ashsong nodded emphatically, "Swear to Starclan." He sat up and laid his tail on the ground behind of him, pretending to lower it into the imaginary water. He waited a few moments and with a quick flick of his tail, pretended to watch a fish fly over his head and land on the ground infront of him. 

"Was the biggest minnow I ever saw." He laughed enthusiastically, this is it. Tell her stories and jokes like this and she will keep coming back. He then pounced where the fake fish had landed and delivered a swift killing bite. 

"It's easy. As long as you don't expect to catch anything. I don't know if I could do it again but we could see if you have better luck." His golden eyes slowly making there way back up to meet her blue.

Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
༻❁༺

Merrypaw’s shoulders shook with a barely contained giggle, rolling her shoulders as she began tearing into the vole in a manner that would make it easier to eat. Starting with the fluff. "The biggest minnow, huh?" About as enthused as a parent entertaining a kit.

"You’d better watch out. If I try it, I might show you up." Merrypaw sat back with a smirk, whiskers twitching, clearly relishing the thought as she soon was relishing her first bite of vole. She wasn't much for competition, but the thought of learning a new technique was appealing.

"Respect is won in silence. Power is taken in patience."
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Ashsong forced a purr as he flicked his ears at the young apprentice. "Indeed. Largest one I have ever seen. Whiskers to Starclan." Again he glanced at Coldstars den, a frown momentarily darkening his face before being quickly erased. 
"Anything bigger than a minnow and you might go under." His tail twitched in feigned amusement. She was definitely a formidable apprentice. That much he knew.

Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
༻❁༺

Merrypaw flicked an ear at him, chewing thoughtfully before licking her whiskers clean. The vole was a hearty meal, and despite her larger than average size (she was her sire's kit after all) it was satisfying. "Whiskers to StarClan, huh? Then I suppose you’ve earned something for your troubles."

Taking another small bite so that she wouldn't keep him waiting too long, she tipped her head in his direction. "I've been climbing a lot recently on whatever I can dig my claws into - Trees mostly. Big ones with lots of twists and branches and leaves to manuever around. Might even be as good on a trunk as I am in the water." Before adding with a flick of her tail and a sideways swipe of her teal eyes. "And I’m already pretty good there."

Her eyes shone as though daring him to be impressed. "Ever tried climbing trees, Ashsong?"