Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞
Returning from a quick trip to make dirt, Cloudflare felt himself tugged in the direction of the apprentice's den which only had one occupant. Brightpaw. His sister was denning with Rowanglade in the medicine cat's den, so no doubt he was feeling a bit separation anxiety without others his own age, not to mention all the tasks of an apprentice was shouldered solely on him - although Cloudflare was willingly to help out, but now was a time for training. It was a pleasant day; not too warm, and on the morning of the Gathering. He followed Brightpaw's scent, before calling out to him with a telling smile, the kind of purposeful grin that might reveal his mentoring intentions. "Brightpaw -! Let's get some training in today."
14
Cloudflare & Brightpaw
Some combat training in camp
Middle of camp
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
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, ♂ Disturbed Rogue
Brightpaw had been distracting faithfully 'guarding' the camp from the safety of the den, although in reality it was more cat-watching then any actual apprentice duty. He noticed movement through his half-lidded eyes, someone who had a determined destination instead of just wandering through the camp. He stood to greet Cloudflare, tailing raising with him to point upright, betraying the feelings of happiness at his mentors presence. "More training? What did I do to deserve this?" He let out a groan that was laced with sarcasm. It was an apprentice's job to learn but that doesn't mean he couldn't act a little cheeky about it. "Finee, I think I can manage a break in my schedule." He followed up with a chuckle, clearly not taking his own words very seriously. "What's on the menu then? Chasing some food, being beat up, or walking the border for the gabillionth time this moon?"
Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞
Upon spotting his half-brother and apprentice, the classic colored tom gave the younger tom a friendly murr. Greeting with the upturned flag of his tail tip before he fully made his way over to where he seemed to guard the den. Keeping tabs on other cats going about their day, he suspected, as Brightpaw didn't seem like he was knee deep in any sort of work. If there was nothing more to be done, then he was glad that he caught Brightpaw during a moment of leisure, but now would be a time to discuss something rather serious.
"Well, I certainly hope you don't beat me up!" He joked with a bit of lightheartedness, but he cleared his throat, and spoke softly, some seriousness returning. "You've been my apprentice for some time now, Brightpaw. It's time I teach you some more... advanced techniques. Combat is a serious measure, and while attacking and keeping up pressure is good when facing your opponents, avoiding strikes and knowing when to counter is perhaps the most important of all!" His ears were straight, attentive to his emotions, and while he drummed up the experience, he wanted Brightpaw to be absolutely certain of this endeavor.
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
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, ♂ Disturbed Rogue
Brightpaw seemed taken aback, visibly hesitating. "I mean, I don't want too." The implied idea that he would need to fight someone - to hurt them - honestly scared him. He knew that there were fights but this was different from hearing about some border skirmish or elders tale. The reality that he would need to fight was daunting. Imagined scenes of him having to keep some enemy from his sister flashed through his mind, cornered in a camp overrun by cats who would only be satisfied when blood was spilled. "But I can't exactly say no to that, can I? It's something that will need happen." His mew was uncertain but resolved, as if he had accepted his fate. "I'll probably have to fight eventually so I guess it would be better if I knew how to handle that." He looked down, away from his half-brother dejected.
Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞
As Brightpaw let loose his doubts, Cloudflare couldn't help but lower his tail, deflating little by little until only the tip remained high. Who knew what kind of fearful scenes played behind his eyes, and his brother's eyes remained kind as he padded up besides Brightpaw.
"I don't think any cat enjoys fighting - at least any sane cat. It's a warrior's duty, and a unfortunate one that our borders must benefit from. If only every cat could talk or delegate peacefully, but sometimes hunger, desperation, or even insanity might cause a cat to strike. Let alone a predator. Warriors must be prepared for anything." Cloudflare shrugged his shoulders, feeling an added weight threaten to sag them. He needed to be strong for Brightpaw's sake.
"And we need to be at our best. Even in times of peace and plenty. So show me a prepared stance." His head lowered, hoping to catch the young tom's eye and gave him a smile.
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
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, ♂ Disturbed Rogue
Brightpaw couldn't help but laugh. "You're right. You always are." Of course, Cloudflare was right. It is better to be prepared for a situation for to never come to fruition than to be lacking the skills to deal with a situation when it does happen. He nodded, a renewed sense of determination taking hold thanks to his mentor's reassurance.
He turned so that the side of his body was facing the older tom's, muscles stiffening as he sidled the other cat. His weight rested on the legs that were furthest away from Cloudflare, so that the paws closest could have the maneuverability to respond with a dodge or a swat. "Is something like this okay? That way if you try to hit me, you only get my flank or back instead of something important like my face." He briefly broke the eye contact he had restored as a moment of uncertainty crept back into him, fearful of the embarrassment failure might bring. "I mean fighting is just whacking each other a bunch, it can't be that complicated."
Love is just a cloudy sky as far as I can see
⤝ ⥈ ⥈ ☁ ⥈ ⥈ ⤞
Cloudflare had become aware that Birghtpaw was a very sensitive cat, even as a kit, and a part of him wanted to encourage that, but also show him the confidence he needed to succeed. His stance showed promise, and his explanation was uttered out loud which made it easy to tell what his apprentice was thinking. He started with a defensive posture that would work in a one on one, mediated duel, for sure, but the world was unexpected and an attacker could come from any direction. "It's a bit more complicated then that, otherwise cats wouldn't have to mentor others in how to do it properly." He teased lightly, but kept it light. Cloudflare took his own stance, finding his form that complimented his stockier form. Brightpaw was a bit more leggy, so he began with a lunge forward, momentum carrying him towards the young cat while a paw aimed low, a paw strike to catch the cat off guard.
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
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, ♂ Disturbed Rogue
