caracalfang
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Post by caracalfang on Feb 28, 2009 20:58:49 GMT -5
*Dustypaw's anxiety melted away a little under her mentor's understanding tongue. When she heard her mention the forest and training, she lifted her head, eyes shining to gaze at her mentor.* Really? We finally get to train! Oh, yes! Thank you so much Ebonystare! I promise I won't be too much of a bother! Is it just us, or is Redhawk coming too? *She wondered if she should reign it in, but she was just too eager to start being useful to her clan. They couldn't ask her to leave if she was useful, could they? In any case, she hoped Redhawk would come. For one, he could watch her be an asset to her clan and not a burden. But also, he was well known as the best, most fun mentor in the clan, and she was looking forward to the prospect of training with him.*
*Redhawk smiled on as Ebonystare began to relax a little and Dustypaw came alive. They would be a good pair once they got off the ground.* Yes, I'm coming. I can't wait to see what you can do. I am sure you're going to be a natural. *He didn't lie, but he was making sure the little apprentice knew he had confidence in her. That was what she needed most of all to get over her abandonment issues.*
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Post by sunpelt on Mar 1, 2009 13:53:13 GMT -5
Ebonystare was eternally greatful for Redhawk's help. Letting him know this, she brushed him gently with her tail. "Ok, Dustypaw. You have a choice. Do you want to learn to hunt first or do you want to learn how to fight first?" Ebonystare hoped that she was making a good decision, giving her a choice. She didn't really know how to be a mentor... This was her first time. Ebonystare was slightly overwhelmed by the thought of having an apprentice. A young mind was in her control. One bad move and it was done. The thought made her shiver. Ebonystare gave Redhawk a nervous look, hidden from the curious Dustypaw, and then walked over to her apprentice.
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caracalfang
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Post by caracalfang on Mar 1, 2009 14:39:01 GMT -5
*Dustypaw considered her choices, then looked to her mentor with bright eyes.* Well, since it's leaf bare, the clan could use another hunter. Oh, but what if I am not a very good one! And, what about other clans attacking us because they think we're weak? Maybe we should do battle practice...Um, can we do both? The clan needs both. *The brown apprentice eyes shown with hunger to be accepted.*
*Redhawk acknowledged Ebonystare's tail with a small smile. He knew what she was saying before she said it. It was all in her body language if one read it right. He tipped his head as he watched the two figure out what should be done and suppresed a laugh at listening to Dustypaw's reasoning. He normally would have let it go, but the look in her eyes told him she was serious. He saw Ebonystare look at him with worry, but kept his face the same, with a small smile and blinked twice at her, not giving anything away. She need confidence in a different way, and this was best. He suppresed another chuckle as he realized that while he wasn't an official mentor at this time, he had two apprentices.*
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Post by sunpelt on Mar 7, 2009 20:46:53 GMT -5
Ebonystare suddenly felt more confident after Redhawk's blink of encouragement. "Ok, Dustypaw. We'll do both. I think we should start with hunting." Ebonystare was hoping that she was doing the right thing with her apprentice, who seemed to have major abandonement issues. "Well, we should get a move on... No time to waste." The black she-cat began walking back to the forest, not quite sure where to start, but thinking it through so she wouldn't look like an incapable mentor.
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caracalfang
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Post by caracalfang on Mar 12, 2009 0:20:52 GMT -5
*Dustypaw launched to her feet to stride behind her mentor. She would finally start being useful. She smiled to herself as she thought about how great it would soon be to never have to worry about her place again. But that was a ways to go. She was still an apprentice after all, and the smile turned into a frown of concentration.*
*Redhawk coughed and quickened his pace to catch up to Ebonystare. Two sessions in a day? Oh, no, no, no! He whispered to her out of ear-shot of Dustypaw.* Umm, you might want to rethink that last choice. If you drill her twice in one day over two different things, think about what will happen. Sure, she'll feel like she acomplished something, but she won't really retain anything or learn enough before being hustled to the next session. I would suggest battle practice. You can teach her to hunt, but with two of us here, she will be able to practice against two different opponents. We'll wear her out with that so she doesn't question why we aren't going to work on hunting, too. And she'll get a better feel for why we take these things one day at a time.
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Post by sunpelt on Mar 24, 2009 18:25:49 GMT -5
Ebonystare's eyes widened as she took in what Redhawk had just said. He was incredibly right. Blinking away her feeling of stupidity, she brushed Redhawk with her tail to let him know she got his message. Slowing down to walk with her apprentice, Ebonystare allowed Redhawk to take the lead. "Dustypaw, there's been a slight change of plan... Instead of hunting today, we're going to learn to battle. There's already a couple hunting patrols out today, so let's take advantage of the opportunity and learn to fight. It's not everyday that you'd get to train with two different cats!" Ebonystare tried to sound as convincing as possible, even though she felt bad on the inside. "We'll hunt all day tomorrow if you like..." She added for Dustypaw's ears only.
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caracalfang
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Post by caracalfang on Mar 27, 2009 11:12:09 GMT -5
*Dustypaw almost skipped a step. She forced her paws on, refusing to show weakness, though inside her head was a beehive of activity. What had she done wrong already that they couldn't do both? On the outside, she smiled and said,* Oh. Ok then. Whatever you want to teach me, I am ready for. *She resolved to train as hard as she could, then insist on the hunting today and tomorrow.*
*Redhawk took the lead when Ebonystare dropped back. That was good that she was willing to let her apprentice know of the change of plans. Communication was key. But he knew she wasn't happy, indeed Dustypaw was nervouse. Most cats would miss it, but the tilt in her mouth that was supposed to be a smile was off. And the glint in her eye was a scared determination, not easy to see because of the smile. His paws carried him into the training area for battle practice, and soon the apprentice's followed, though she was still speaking to Ebonystare. Without warning, Redhawk pounced on Dustypaw, bowling her over on her back. He smiled from his position on top of her.* Lesson one: always be aware.
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Post by sunpelt on Mar 28, 2009 19:02:39 GMT -5
Ebonystare gave her apprentice a friendly nudge with her nose, hoping that Dustypaw could tell through this that she had done nothing wrong. Feeling her way to the training place rather than seeing, she was brought back to reality by Redhawk pouncing on Dustypaw. She was very happy that Redhawk was guiding her, but reminded herself to be careful not to let him become a type of crutch. "As Redhawk has just demonstrated, lesson one is always be prepared. So stand and we shall start." After saying this, Ebonystare walked over to her apprentice and prepared to swipe her paw at her, claws sheathed, but allowing her a chance to get off of her back.
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caracalfang
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Post by caracalfang on Apr 1, 2009 21:08:36 GMT -5
((Sunpelt, check my post. If Dustypaw is on her back, how is she supposed to get away from your strike? I would edit that a little. And once again: Read what I post. I constantly refer back to what was said to make sure I have it right, so don't feel shy about doing that too.))
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Post by sunpelt on Apr 4, 2009 22:00:39 GMT -5
((I'm sorry about that, Caracal. I fixed it though. And thanks!))
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caracalfang
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Post by caracalfang on Apr 16, 2009 1:56:46 GMT -5
*Dustypaw was, at first, taken aback by the sudden jerk to the ground, but relaxed and even smiled when she saw it was Redhawk. The big red tom was smiling with amusement and happiness at the apprentice under him. He winked at her, brought his paw up to ruffle the fur between her ears, then leaned close and whispered. The little brown she-cat's face broke into an even bigger grin. The large tom got off her, and she jumped to her paws happily. He gave her a reminder, and she gave a sharp nod, then bounded over to Ebonystare to await her first move and get ready to react.*
*Redhawk knew she would need even more encouragement, but the fact that she had taken his sudden lunge with a smile and understanding was a good sign. He decided to reward her with a different trick. The warrior winked and ruffled her ears to show approval, then whispered his idea in her ear. When she smiled, it made the plan worth it. She was a very pretty little cat, and he liked her. Her improvements were just making his like grow. Keeping his voice between them, he let her rise.* Remember the plan.
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Post by sunpelt on May 9, 2009 17:41:30 GMT -5
Ebonystare saw that there was something going on between her apprentice and her friend. Narrowing her eyes with suspicion, she began to pace back and forth in front of Dustypaw. "Okay, Dustypaw. I want you to make a move toward me. I am going to show you how to block an attack, seeing how Redhawk has shown you an example of an attack." As she spoke her eyes flashed in a mischevious way. Ebonystare was hoping she wasn't playing right into their "plot". She glanced and Redhawk to try and pick up any signs of what was going on. Not a thing. She glanced at Dustypaw. All she saw there was the eagerness to learn more. "Okay, Dustypaw. Hit me with your best shot." She tensed her whole body and awaited the attack.
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caracalfang
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Post by caracalfang on May 10, 2009 21:41:57 GMT -5
*Dustypaw's eyes twinkled, but her face was all seriousness. She danced in front of Ebonystare, drawing her attention and looking for an opening...until the red blur carried her mentor to the forest floor! She erupted into laughter, she couldn't help it!*
*Redhawk was carefull to look interested, but not interesting, and was rewarded when the black she-cat turned her focus on her apprentice. Using legs powerful from lots of climbing, he sprang and barrled into her, knocking her over, but gently. He grinned down as he loomed over her.* A further example of lesson one, Dustpaw, my helpful accomplice! *He jumped off of her, laughing, and went over to ruffle Dustpaw's fur again. He was pleased she was laughing and enjoying the lesson.*
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Post by sunpelt on May 12, 2009 21:01:01 GMT -5
Ebonystare was slightly irritated with Redhawk. She felt as if he was taking over the lesson when she only asked for a little help. However, she did find it quite comical that they had planned this out and it relieved her and irritated her at the same time. Ebonystare got up and shook herself off. "Ha ha ha. Thank you for that comic relief, Redhawk. Now, back to our lesson... And that just backs up lesson one. I should've known you were planning something. Thank you, Redhawk."
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caracalfang
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Post by caracalfang on May 13, 2009 13:13:58 GMT -5
*Redhawk could hear the irritation in her voice. He stifled a few more chuckles and curled his tail around to the side. He tipped his head and said,* Oh, come now, Ebonystare. It was all in good fun. And, if an apprentice likes anything, it's to have fun while learning. Your's is no different, that I promise. Though she does have an intense want to learn. And by the way...Now Dustypaw! *He hoped she wouldn't get madder. He was just having a bit of fun and teaching apprentices was one of his favorite activities. He would step back and watch after this, but 'lesson one' was one of his favorites, too.*
*At Redhawk's signal, she began the 'real' trick and pounced on her mentor, knocking her over again. She was having so much fun! And, she was learning to help her clan in battle. This was why Redhawk was the favorite mentor for any TreeClan cat. He made learning one big game, but he was still really good at getting his point across. She laughed again, not remembering the last time she had laughed so much.* Lesson one, Ebonystare! *Her eyes were lit up and she was having the best first training session ever, as far as she was concerned.*
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