Ask to Join Claws in Formation

"You're a star in my sky!"

⚝──⭒─𖣂.ೃ࿔ ✈︎ *:･𖣂.ೃ࿔ ✈︎ *:･─⭒──⚝

Despite trying to allow herself to enjoy the warmth of the sun on her pelt, it was evident that Cedarpaw was anxious. She always had mixed feelings about combat training after all. While she absolutely loved the adrenaline and thrill that came with sparring, the anxious part of her feared hurting others. She trusted herself to only ever use her skills in self-defence. But despite it, the molly couldn’t seem to shake the feeling. Even if they were completely safe.

When her mentor started to speak, the apprentice looked up at her, her own golden eyes looking into Basilflame’s green ones for the most part as her mentor spoke, eyes occasionally darting away before she would look back at her mentor. The molly mimicked her mentor’s stance, ears taking in the sounds around them as she felt a slight, cool breeze against her pelt, nose not picking up any other scents.

When Basilflame’s muscles relaxed, so did Cedarpaw’s. She nodded slowly as her mentor spoke, trying to relax herself. She wasn’t sure why she was so uptight today. “Blocks… Okay.” she responded blanky, nodding her head slowly. “Um upward block…” She was silent for several heartbeats, trying to figure out what it could look like. But she struggled to have anything coherent come to mind. “Is it like when you’re defending yourself against something from above you?”

I’d rather bear the weight of others than let others carry pain alone.

━✺━🌿━✺━

Basilflame gave a nod to her apprentice, a small nod to keep her encouraged, at least she hoped. "To protect against strikes aimed at your head. That's good." She responded as she kept a steady core before giving her a nod to approach closer. "I will show you how to perform the block, then you can try it yourself." She offer with a soft smile. She'd hate for her apprentice to be ill-prepared, so physical examples and appropriate criticism would be the best course of action, and as much as it made her discouraged, feelings come after survival.

Cedarpaw was easily gaining height on her, but she was still smaller than her mentor. She would have the advantage if she used to high paw block, but she wanted to make Cedarpaw remember that. "You're still growing and you've nearly caught up with me, a block like this will do well for you in a real battle." she emphasized 'real battle' to remind her apprentice lightly about 'soft paws' after all, she didn't want either of them to get injured for something she had suggested.

"Whenever you are ready," Basilflame prompted, giving her form a bit of rigidity, "You may aim a paw strike at my head, any you think would work to stun or disorient me in a real battle." she finished, steadying herself once more, more deliberately to show her apprentice that she was ready whenever she was. Giving a sturdy nod. "Give it your all."