[Phoenix]

[atrb=border,0,true]	sincerely, noblepaw the road i walk is paved in gold to glorify my platinum soul
[CS=2] Well, Noblepaw thought to himself, I'd say that I can pass any climbing test they can give me. He was quite proud. Throughout the past few moons of his apprenticeship, the tom had taken to lingering in the branches of trees, enjoying the feeling of importance it gave him. When resting up in the boughs of these perches, he could look down across the territory and feel as though he ruled everything. It was the same feeling, he imagined, that came from standing on top of the Ancient Stump and addressing the whole clan. He loved it. And the climbing itself had gotten easier the more he practiced it, just like anything else. Though he relaxed now toward the middle of the tree, the apprentice had made it near the top of the Great Maple before. Yes, I can pass any climbing challenge they can throw at me. Speaking of challenges, Noblepaw's mind drifted back to the set of challenge that Lionstep had given the apprentices as a whole. Those thoughts frequently visited his mind nowadays, and the prospect of winning seem sweeter and more realistic than it had the day he'd announced them. Duskpaw and Foxpaw were some of the more competent apprentices currently residing in the den, and if Noblepaw had been picking the teams, chances were that he would have picked these two. True, the three of them did not interact much, all of them choosing to go their own way, but that would obviously have to change. Noblepaw was pretty convinced that they could manage to do that, if only for the sake of winning and not for any love of each other. His tail flicked as the tom became lost in thought, enjoying the brilliance of the leaves around him. Amusement flickered through him at the thought of how he must look, a patch of gray and white - a very handsome patch, of course - amidst the bright tones of red and orange. Noblepaw was fairly noticeable in these branches, and he realized it; however he kept returning to this perch for two reasons. One, he loved the height of the tree, and two, it was deep in TreeClan territory. Anything or anyone that saw him would mostlikely be friend instead of foe, or a TreeClan cat at least. Though he was always conscious about it as any competent cat was, Noblepaw did not have to be on his guard the whole time while resting in these branches. It was nice.
[CS=2] Words: 424 Notes: --
[CS=2] i am the closest thing to god so worship me and never stop [style=font-family: palatino linotype; text-transform: lowercase; text-align: center; font-size; 5px; margin-top: -20px;]credits: don't stop by innerpartysystem cat: here

[Fawn]

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[STYLE=font-family:Almendra SC; font-size:42px; line-height:45px; color:#fac564; text-align:center; text-shadow: black 1px 0px 1px; margin-top:-30px; letter-spacing: -1.5px;]DUSKPAW[/style]

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Practice, practice, gotta practice! Normally she would've bounded on over to Dawnpaw and asked to spar or hunt with her, but the fact that they were on opposite teams - which both saddened and gladdened the tortoiseshell and white she-cat - had Duskpaw keeping her distance. Still, the separation wasn't going to stop her from wishing her sister good luck, but until Lionstep gathered them all together for the start of the hunting challenge, Duskpaw was looking to do a little 'last minute cramming'. The approach of Leaf-fall was the most apparent in TreeClan's territory; every where you looked, the leaves were changing from green to gold, red and orange, and were gently falling down to the ground, as though now that their job was done, they could finally relax. Careful not to make too much noise, Duskpaw traipsed off in the direction of the Great Maple; There should be a bird or a squirrel here or somethi--

Duskpaw froze. That was not the scent of a squirrel she was smelling. No, that was someone else, and they were most definitely not a piece of prey. "Noblepaw," she muttered under her breath, pretty face turning up instinctively in search of the gray and white tom amongst the tree tops.
There!
The act of spotting the cat she had grown so enamored with lately was giving Duskpaw a few good reasons to scuttle off into a bush, but she stayed where she was. Talking to him was like being put out on a thunderpath with no fur - she felt naked, foolish, and a humongous nuisance to the cat with about as much patience as a rapid raccoon.
"Hi Noblepaw!" She blurted out, feeling her skin burn beneath her mottled pelt, tail wrapping around her paws as she sat daintily, ears and ear-tufts on full alert. Oh StarClan, I hope I'm not bothering him too much. But we're teammates now, so we should practice together, maybe...

He was probably going to say 'don't bother, I'll win this thing by myself', so Duskpaw silently braced herself for the rejection even before she'd given the invitation. They weren't friends, after all, and after what he did to her sister, by all means they shouldn't be, but... Duskpaw couldn't really help it this time, using the golden deputy's challenge as an excuse for the time being.

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[STYLE=font-family: courier; font-size: 9px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; margin-top: -15px;]template by tammeh[/style]

[Phoenix]

[atrb=border,0,true]	sincerely, noblepaw the road i walk is paved in gold to glorify my platinum soul
[CS=2] It was movement that gave the other figure away, more than anything. Convinced of his safety, Noblepaw had not truly expected to see anyone, and that mindset had completed half the job for him; he saw no one until that no one moved. Immediately, green eyes focused on the area, keenly picking out the mottled fur from the leaf-strewn ground of varying shades of brown. Tilting his head slightly, he tried to name the other cat, before recognizing her as one of the other apprentices. It was Duskpaw, one of the other felines on TigerClan, and she seemed to have not noticed his presense. That was fine; the tom was content to watch for now, as she sniffed around the base of the maple. With interest, Noblepaw noted that he could tell exactly when she noticed his presense. Her body stiffened, visible from his height, and she turned her face to look up at him. Noblepaw unconsciously raised his head, thus looking down on her even more. An ear flicked as the clear voice carried the greeting to him, and it seemed as though Duskpaw had no intention of going anywhere, as she daintily sat down with her tail wrapping around her paws. "Hey Duskpaw," Noblepaw called down to her neutrally. The contrasting appearances and personalities made it very easy for him to fool himself into thinking that this she-cat was not related to the other, frailer one. Duskpaw addressed him almost eagerly; she cowered away from him like a little kit in a pathetic display of weakness. Duskpaw had some talent, he had noted; she, on the other hand, had none. Duskpaw would be of some use to his team, a productive member with whom he could at least hold a conversation. She would have only dragged them down. But his thoughts carried off on a tangent; perhaps they should try to find Foxpaw. It would be beneficial if the first time they really met was before the actual competition, and it would allow them some time to get to know each other's styles a little more thoroughly. From observation, he knew that Foxpaw preferred her independence and tended to stay off by herself. Duskpaw did not seem adverse to working in a group. And he? Well, Noblepaw was willing to provide the leadership and be a key factor in the glue that would hold them together. He was capable of that, and so much more. "You ready for Lionstep's competition?" The gray and white tom asked, nodding at the patterned she-cat on the ground. "The hunting is first. Think you can handle it?" He flicked his tail and green eyes stayed latched on her, voice holding a hint of a challenge. "I'm assuming that the goal of this will be to catch the most prey. Any ideas on how to go about that?" Of course, Noblepaw had his own ideas, but the competition provided a good conversation piece. And who knew? Duskpaw could prove to be a valuable tactition, though it was doubtful. If she was anything like her sister, it was very doubtful.
[CS=2] Words: 540 Notes: He's not really acting jerkish >.> I think he's to fixated on winning to be jerkish xD
[CS=2] i am the closest thing to god so worship me and never stop [style=font-family: palatino linotype; text-transform: lowercase; text-align: center; font-size; 5px; margin-top: -20px;]credits: don't stop by innerpartysystem cat: here

[Fawn]

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[STYLE=font-family:Almendra SC; font-size:42px; line-height:45px; color:#fac564; text-align:center; text-shadow: black 1px 0px 1px; margin-top:-30px; letter-spacing: -1.5px;]DUSKPAW[/style]

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Her joy over him actually speaking to her without the same disdain that he addressed her sister with was short-lived, her eyes flashing at the challenging tone he called down to her with, content with not moving from his lofty perch. Think you can handle it? He had asked. Duskpaw snorted, somewhat taken aback.
"A whole day of hunting?" mewed the mottled she-cat, looking up at him as she momentarily broke through the lovesick fog she was usually suffering from, "That's not going to be tough. As long as we stay out of each other's way, stay out of the other apprentices' way, and don't forget where we left anything. And don't waste time."
It seemed a little bit up to chance, however. Having that many cats hunting the same prey that was already in limited numbers, preparing for leafbare. It really would be a race against time and each other in order to pull out ahead.
But she was ready.
As long as I'm not hunting right next to him, I should be fine. It was difficult to get over the nervousness that came with being in close-quarters of Noblepaw, and she sure as heck couldn't concentrate if she knew he was watching her.

Determined not to get off to a bad start, Duskpaw's thoughts flew to Foxpaw, their other, currently absent, teammate. Should we work on some kind of strategy before we start? They didn't even know the terrain yet... So perhaps it was best to be prepared for everything.
"Has Bloodtalon said anything to you about the challenge?" She asked, curious as to whether or not the mentors would offer any last-minute advice for their apprentices. Hers hadn't said anything, yet.
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[STYLE=font-family: courier; font-size: 9px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; margin-top: -15px;]template by tammeh[/style]

[Phoenix]

[atrb=border,0,true]	sincerely, noblepaw the road i walk is paved in gold to glorify my platinum soul
[CS=2] So she has some fight in her. Noblepaw had not missed the flash of indignation that had shone in her eyes at his comment, since he had been watching for it. The apprentice had long-since made his opinion on the worth of other cats very plain and clear, but that did not mean that he stopped testing them. It was the same thing he had done with Bravepaw: provoke him enough to cause a reaction and then form an opinion based on that. His brother had simply laid down and accepted the taunts and insults, making no move to defend himself or showing any hint of pride at all. Duskpaw, at least, had ability to be confident in her own abilities and become irritated when they were challenged. That quality alone gained her some points in his eyes. "Turns out Dawnpaw's sister has some sense in her," Noblepaw responded, tail tip flicking lightly. "Glad to hear that. I expect success from you then, when the challenge begins. As you so confidently stated, it's 'not going to be tough.'" He truly expected results from the she-cat that would help the team on their path to a sure victory, regardless of the fact that she was facing her sister. A thought struck him, and his demeanor changed, eyes narrowing at his companion. He would never consider doing it to any of his siblings, but what if Duskpaw decided to take it easy on the weaker apprentice? It filled him with an icy cold, and his voice was frigid as he spoke, "You know that I expect the best effort from all three of us in order to carry TigerClan to victory. If I catch you slacking off or working as hard as you can, then I'll make you regret it. Dawnpaw does not need your sympathy, and we have no need of it on this team. After this competition is over, you can go back to treating her however you like, but during it, Dawnpaw and the rest of her team are the enemies." Intense green eyes pinned Duskpaw with a look, unblinking as he got his point across. Relaxing slightly after making that important point, Noblepaw considered his answer the follow-up question about his own mentor. "Bloodtalon has said nothing to me about the challenge," He reported, sounding slightly put out about it. "I'll ask him if he knows anything the next time I see him." He probably hasn't said anything because he knows that I can handle the competition on my own, Noblepaw finished in his head, giving his chest fur a lick as pride filled him. It'll be like defeating a kit. "What about you? Has anyone told anything?"
[CS=2] Words: lazy Notes: --
[CS=2] i am the closest thing to god so worship me and never stop [style=font-family: palatino linotype; text-transform: lowercase; text-align: center; font-size; 5px; margin-top: -20px;]credits: don't stop by innerpartysystem cat: here

[Fawn]

[STYLE=background-color: #eaeaea; width:420px; border: 10px solid #fac564; padding-top: 10px; padding-bottom: 10px;]
[STYLE=font-family:Almendra SC; font-size:42px; line-height:45px; color:#fac564; text-align:center; text-shadow: black 1px 0px 1px; margin-top:-30px; letter-spacing: -1.5px;]DUSKPAW[/style]

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Surprise registered on the dappled she-cat's pretty face at the sudden lecturing tone he was dishing out like sunlight in greenleaf. Wrapping her tail around her paws, Duskpaw's whiskers twitched with amusement; "Threats won't get you anywhere, bossyfur!" She replied with a lighthearted tease. His line I'll make you regret it sounded a lot more ominous than she wanted to admit. He wouldn't hurt them if they messed up, would he? Eying Noblepaw with a slight sense of caution, she was quick to follow up her words with reassurance; "I'll do my best. Dawnpaw's gonna try her hardest too, and I'm not going to lose to her!" Though their sibling rivalry had never been stronger than their sibling love, that didn't mean it was tiny in comparison. Duskpaw was actually looking forward to the prospect of going toe-to-toe with her sister in something that wasn't a battle.

Though the second event, the battle between LionClan and TigerClan promised to be just as exciting. Speaking of battles... Maybe I should ask him about Dawnpaw... Duskpaw swallowed dryly, frowning. If he really had hurt Dawnpaw on purpose, then this battle was just going to be an invitation for him to lash out at Dawnpaw to his heart's content.
A cold chill passed through Duskpaw's heart just then, momentarily distancing her from her attachment to Noblepaw.
"Noblepaw," she mewed, looking up at him with eyes that were far from their usual softness. "...During the battle of LionClan versus TigerClan, if you aim for my sister's face again, I don't care what team I'm on, I'll tear you to shreds."

There were certain things not even Duskpaw could allow, and her crush injuring or maybe even blinding her sister was one of them. Though she hadn't wanted to use such a harsh tone with Noblepaw, she had always strove to show him what she felt was the most appealing aspects of her, her kindness, her strength, her skills... But this was the only way she knew to get through to him.

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[STYLE=font-family: courier; font-size: 9px; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; margin-top: -15px;]template by tammeh[/style]

[Phoenix]

[atrb=border,0,true]	sincerely, noblepaw the road i walk is paved in gold to glorify my platinum soul
[CS=2] Noblepaw found that he did not really care how she felt about his words as long as she put in her best effort against Dawnpaw. For the most part, she had responded jokingly, sound for all the world amused. Irritation lit inside him; she had obviously not understood the seriousness of his message from his voice. A look must have crossed his face, perhaps a deepening frown, for she hastened to reassure him that she would not lose to her sister. "See that you follow through with that." After eyeing her for another moment, he let it drop. And then just as she had said that threats would not get him anywhere, it was her turn to threaten him. Her tone had turned dangerous, and looking into her eyes, he saw the same change there. "Threats won't get you anywhere, bossyfur," The tom responded slowly and with considerably less amusement than its original sayer. His face remained, for the most part, expressionless as he considered her words. He did not appreciate her threatening him, and it filled him with ice. The tom's tail flicked sharply as he finally spoke, speaking just as slowly as before, "I don't take orders from you." He pinned her with his gaze again. "However, I will make you a deal, since you seem adamant on your point, and I know how serious I am on mine. You will not go easy on your sister, and I will not intentionally aim for her face in battle. Agreeable?" Noblepaw stilled as he waited for her answer, completely unbothered by the reminder that he had wounded one of his denmates. It was a good lesson for Dawnpaw, and no one seemed to realize it but him. If she couldn't handle him, then how would she fare in a fight against enemy warriors? Pain and scrathes were very likely, practically garuanteed, in battle, and Dawnpaw obviously needed to learn how to handle her's.
[CS=2] Words: 339 Notes: --
[CS=2] i am the closest thing to god so worship me and never stop [style=font-family: palatino linotype; text-transform: lowercase; text-align: center; font-size; 5px; margin-top: -20px;]credits: don't stop by innerpartysystem cat: here