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Post by Fawn on Apr 28, 2017 22:56:03 GMT -5
Shadowpaw
9 Moons - Apprentice of NightClan ------ It didn't matter if you were Dimstar's apprentice or had a regular warrior for your teacher. All apprentices had to master the art of picking ticks out of elders' pelts and learning how to crack them with their teeth. Shadowpaw faintly wondered if Patchfur had any difficulty killing fleas and ticks. They seemed to have no purpose other than to make the elders even crankier; surely she didn't feel bad, ending their troublesome little lives.
Shadowpaw cracked another one, spitting out the dead tick onto the moss - and getting scolded by Night-tail for spraying him with spit. Ears folding back, Shadowpaw apologized immediately.
"Sorry Night-tail. I'll be more careful next time."
Were the others having as much trouble with this as he was? Shadowpaw swatted the dead tick out of the elders' den, before returning to check Gracklefire for any more unwanted guests. None of his sisters were present; somehow, Darkpaw, Thornpaw and Cobrapaw had avoided tick-hunting duty. Not for the first time, Shadowpaw envied them. Their value to the Clan was clear almost from day one; superb hunters and fighters, his three older sisters almost seemed too good to do something as trivial as this.
It's not trivial, he rebutted softly. These elders have worked hard most of their lives. They deserve to be taken care of. Even by apprentices who were less-than-enthusiastic about it. Wanting to make the unhappy task a bit less grueling, Shadowpaw spoke to a fluffy ginger she-cat nearby, putting on an amicable tone used exclusively for starting conversations.
"Your name is Squirrelpaw, isn't it? How's your training going?"
----- Word Count: 253 Words Tags: Silver , Hellion Notes: Keeping Shadowpaw's mentor vague. I don't know if he's a regular apprentice or MCA yet. |
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GaleClan Medicine Cat
INVENTORY
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Post by BlooRey DVD on May 7, 2017 10:24:26 GMT -5
 Four white socks stepped cleanly through the entrance of the NightClan camp, an intense yellow gaze sweeping the surroundings critically. Within a heartbeat, two familiar figures materialized at her side. NightClan's three sisters moved wordlessly across the camp, each carrying pieces of prey in their jaws. A frog and a thrush hung limp from the reddish-brown she-cat's jaws, swinging lightly with each of her confident steps. From behind the tri-cat wall emerged Nightpetal and Cedarbranch. Darkpaw's mentor Shadowstep had been called out on patrol earlier that morning. As such, the other two mentors had decided to take the three hunting.
Nightpetal had quickly learnt (much to her dismay) that getting Cobrapaw to do most anything was exponentially more difficult when her sisters were not at her side. To say the mentor-apprentice pair got along would be.. Well, a lie. The black and white furred warrior had yet to demonstrate any kind of worth to the young apprentice. And until such time? Cobrapaw fully intended to supplement her training with Nightpetal using her father's immeasurable skill. Was it disrespectful to Nightpetal? Certainly. Did Cobrapaw particularly care? Of course not. She had better things to do than waste her precious time.
Part way to the freshkill pile, however, Nightpetal spoke up. "Cobrapaw, why don't you deliver your prey to the elder's den. I'm sure Night-tail and Gracklefire would appreciate it." Eyeing her mentor with a hint of displeasure, Cobrapaw flicked her long tail before inclining her head just so. Peeling away from her sisters and exchanging reluctant glances with them, Hollowcry's eldest daughter strode toward the elder's den. Even before arriving, a familiar scent drifted across her senses. Her task became immediately more interesting now that she knew Shadowpaw was there. Closing the remaining distance with ease, the sharp-eyed she-cat ducked through the den's entrance and let her eyes readjust to the new lighting.
Depositing the prey at her white-socked fore paws, Cobrapaw focused her attention on her metaphorical prize. "Tick removal duty? Shadowpaw, you should have told me." She meowed, her voice sharp but somehow caring. She considered him a moment with her father's intimidating gaze. "I would have stayed to help."
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INVENTORY
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Post by Silver on May 7, 2017 10:44:38 GMT -5
Warrior Apprentice of NightClanA dainty frame worked quietly alongside the other Apprentices that had gotten roped with what was usually considered one of the worst duties an Apprentice could get. For Squirrelpaw though, it wasn't so much of a bother. The Elders had helped to shape the clan as it was today and she had nothing but the greatest respect for them because of it. Their stories, while sometimes repetitive, had a lot they could teach if one was willing to listen. Being one of the older Apprentices tasked with the duty of cleaning the Elders pelts of fleas and ticks, Squirrelpaw was trying to set a good example for those younger than her that might still be new to the entire Apprentice thing.
She herself had come a long way since the time she'd first become an Apprentice paired with Tinytail. She was more confident now, and much more comfortable in her own skin. It was a good feeling. Delicate ears twitched as she heard grouching from another of the Elders and she merely smiled and kept working with Gracklefire to clear her pelt from the pests that plagued her. Her ears twitched again, this time in acknowledgement, when a younger Apprentice spoke up to her. Dark amber eyes turned as she lifted her head from her task with a gentle purr to the Elder next to her. Her head tilted to the side for a moment before she finally recognized the other Apprentice and could put a name to his face. Her voice was still very quiet and gentle as it had always been, but it lacked the insecure shyness of her younger moons. "That's right, and you're Shadowpaw. My training is going well. I have a new Mentor now with Tinytail unable to train, but that's alright. What about you?"
Her gaze shifted again after a moment as the approach of another hit her ears. It was another Apprentice, Cobrapaw if she remembered correctly. She recognized the younger she-cat's sharper tones. She offered a soft greeted to her as well to show she wasn't ignoring her before going back to her task so the younger two Apprentices could speak privately if they so wished. Still, her ears were turned so that if Shadowpaw wished to still speak with her he could. She wasn't rude, after all.
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Post by Fawn on May 7, 2017 10:59:55 GMT -5
Shadowpaw
9 Moons - Meddie Apprentice of NightClan ------ If you looked past the elders' grumblings, it was peaceful here. Shadowpaw listened, interested as the older apprentice spoke of her former mentor, Tinytail, and that her training was going well. "I'll be an apprentice for a lot longer - Smokefur has so much to teach me," Shadowpaw meowed. Pride had found its way into his voice, and he didn't refuse it; he was a medicine cat's apprentice, that was something to be proud of. His lifestyle was going to be unique, and there were a pawful of downsides, but Shadowpaw believed that the rewarding role of helping and guiding his Clanmates made it all worth it.
"Cobrapaw!" The wiry brown tom-kitten stood up, purring to see one of his sisters arrive bearing prey. It was no doubt a delivery for the elders, and she likely had plenty of other things to do - but he was happy to see her nonetheless. Tail raised, the apprentice strode over with calm contentment, brushing pelts with his kin. Squirrelpaw had greeted her, and that seemed to be the end of the she-cats' interactions.
This didn't bother him. Cobrapaw could be a little... well, a lot like her namesake. More bite than conversation.
"It's fine, Cobrapaw." He soothed. "I know you're busy. Besides, Squirrelpaw has been chatting with me, which helps."
"Less jaw-flapping and more tick-picking," growled Night-tail, his voice raspy and cracked with age. Shadowpaw dipped his head in acknowledgment, unphased by the elder's grouchiness. "We were talking about training," Shadowpaw maneuvered back in position, grooming the elders' fur. "How's yours going?"
It was no secret to the Clan that Cobrapaw and Nightpetal weren't getting along. Shadowpaw did not expect much in the way of progress. Dimstar should have given her a more experienced mentor - didn't he know by now how talented and amazing his sister was?
----- Word Count: 274 Words Tags: Silver , Hellion , BlooRey DVD Notes: |
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GaleClan Medicine Cat
INVENTORY
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Post by BlooRey DVD on May 10, 2017 18:57:32 GMT -5
Her searing gaze swept over the other apprentice in the den, ears pivoting as the she-cat offered a slight greeting. Returning it with a barely observable inclination of her muzzle, Cobrapaw's attention was rapidly recaptured by her brother's excited exclamation. Grinning easily as Shadowpaw bounded forward to eliminate the distance between them, she allowed him to press his fur against hers, even going as far as to purr slightly. She listened to his words, her tail tip twitching almost dismissively as he spoke of her busy schedule. Shifting her weight so she could flick his shoulder with the very same tail, she meowed simply.
"Never too busy to make time for you." Shadowpaw's indication that Squirrelpaw (who's name she'd learnt in the last thirty five seconds) helped him in his duties through conversation dragged her fierce stare back to the ginger she-cat. This time, however, Cobrapaw regarded her with a little less severity. Perhaps she's worth some investigation after all. She thought simply, ear snapping toward the sound of Night-tail's cranky voice. Gritting her teeth hard to stop a blooming retort, the red-brown apprentice bent to collect her prey once more and moved to deposit one at the paws of each elders.
With her official task complete, Cobrapaw took on her next (self-appointed) duty; help Shadowpaw. Padding to Night-tail's other side with a confident grace she'd definitely inherited from her father, Cobrapaw settled down across from her brother and nosed through the elder's fur while doing her best to mimic Shadowpaw's precise gentleness. Which she pulled off excellently, if she did say so herself. A sudden snap hailed the end of another tick's life, Cobrapaw disposing of it quickly and setting back to work. "Training's fine." She replied, though the aggressive nature of her ear flick said otherwise.
"Dad takes me out for extra training now and again. Now that's fun." She continued with a smirk. Shifting focus to the third apprentice in the den, Cobrapaw eyed her a moment longer before inquiring impassively. "So. Squirrelpaw. Your mentor is Starlingcry, right?" Unlike Nightpetal, Starlingcry was a real mentor. Strong, ambitious and serious; those were the characteristics of a true NightClan she-cat. She'd heard that Squirrelpaw had switched mentors recently, and wondered idly if she'd be allowed to do the same. "What do you think of Starlingcry?" Fawn Silver |
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INVENTORY
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Post by Silver on May 15, 2017 1:52:46 GMT -5
WARRIOR APPRENTICE OF NIGHTCLANGolden ears flicked towards the second Apprentice as she was addressed and Squirrelpaw couldn't help but wince at the topic of conversation. Her new Mentor. Well Starlingcry was a good Mentor it was just she was her second Mentor. Taking a deep breath she turned her golden eyes on Cobrapaw and decided to answer the younger Apprentice honestly. "Starlingcry is a fine Mentor, she's very different from Tinytail though. I've been working very hard to be a good Apprentice for her. I miss working with Tinytail sometimes still, but it's alright because I know she's doing what's best for her and I know she's happy."
She went back to her duties for a long moment and let silence reign as she gathered her thoughts. She let out another soft purr to Gracklefire before pausing again to continue her conversation. "It's...different, working with Starlingcry. More is expected of me now because I'm older and should know better what I'm doing. It's a challenge, but I don't mind it. I want to become the best Warrior for this clan that I can be." Realizing that probably wasn't something either of her fellow Apprentices really wanted to know about, Squirrelpaw fell silent again before she worked herself up. She was very passionate about helping her clan and becoming a Warrior let her do that.
She'd been feeling this way a lot lately; ever since the meeting of the clan where the Breeding Regulations were put into place. Ever since her talk with Dimstar. It was like she was different somehow, but now in a bad way. Tinytail and now Starlingcry were helping her become who she needed to be to continue onto the next stage of her life. She held nothing but respect for the both of them. Now though, she let herself be silent and went back to work. @@ ## TAGS | Hellion Fawn |
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Post by Fawn on May 16, 2017 20:56:08 GMT -5
Shadowpaw
9 Moons - Meddie Apprentice of NightClan ------ Shadowpaw listened to Squirrelpaw's response, both attending to the elders' ticks while also keeping an eye on his sister, Cobrapaw's reaction. Is she jealous of Squirrelpaw? The older ginger apprentice had an impressive mentor; Dimstar's mate, the mentor of Hollystorm and the former apprentice of Blackwolf - one of their father's closest friends - made Cobrapaw's inexperienced mentor, Nightpetal, look like a harsh joke.
Or as if Dimstar wasn't taking his sister's talents very seriously.
Shadowpaw's heart panged in empathy for her. Squirrelpaw deserved his attention too, and Shadowpaw smiled after cracking another tick with a clean bite. "I think you have what it takes to be a great warrior, Squirrelpaw." The thin blackish-brown tom looked to both she-cats. "You'll all be warriors long before I get to be a fully fledged medicine cat. But I don't mind. There's so many herbs to remember and healing techniques to master... I'd rather be an apprentice for twelve moons if it means I'll be good at this."
Lives depended on him being good at his job. Yes, it was going to sting a little as he became one of the only youngsters in his age bracket still called a 'paw, but he walked a different path then his soon-to-be-warrior friends and family. Crying over lost prey wasn't going to benefit anyone, and Shadowpaw was keen to accept his role in life. It wasn't as if he didn't enjoy it; he loved being Smokefur's apprentice, and understood how great a privilege it truly was.
----- Word Count: 248 Words Tags: Silver , @poptart (Smokefur mention!) , BlooRey DVD Notes:
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GaleClan Medicine Cat
INVENTORY
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Post by BlooRey DVD on May 20, 2017 10:00:11 GMT -5
Evidently, her comment had caused minor upset to the other she-cat. Staring evenly at Squirrelpaw, Cobrapaw felt no guilt. In her eyes, it had been a simple question. She couldn't fathom why the ginger tabby was so upset, couldn't fathom why some apprentices developed such an intense connection with their mentors. Mentors were not parents, they were not family. They were appointed to spread knowledge, to transfer skill. And in Cobrapaw's eyes, Starlingcry was much better suited to mentorship than Tinytail. The switch in mentors was in Squirrelpaw's best interest. Didn't Squirrelpaw want to become the best warrior she could?
As Squirrelpaw continued, sharp yellow eyes drifted back to Night-tail's pelt. She continued searching through the elder's fur, looking for more ticks. Her ear pivoted when Shadowpaw's voice cut in. To no one's surprise, she was certain, Shadowpaw was much more gentle in his words than she. Cobrapaw saw no need for sugar-coating. Wasn't she, in a way, complimenting Squirrelpaw? With such a fine mentor, Squirrelpaw was guaranteed to at least become an adequate warrior. She would have to work to break through the adequacy into greatness. Figuring Shadowpaw's words were better than anything she might come up with, Cobrapaw bobbed her muzzle in agreement.
Her brother's comment on his own training snagged her attention once more. Intense eyes switched back to Shadowpaw, her tail tip twitching among the elder's bedding. "You walk a path of a different form of nobility, Shadowpaw. It may take longer, but it is just as important, if not more so. I have no doubt you will become a medicine cat NightClan will be proud of. Mother and father, Darkpaw, Thornpaw and I, we are all proud of you." She told him, holding his gaze. Before she could say anything further, Hollowcry's voice cut into the den.
"Cobrapaw, are you preoccupied?" Ears pricking at the thought of a training session with her father, the red and brown she-cat glanced at her brother inquiringly. When he nodded to her, letting her he was okay, the apprentice rose to her paws. "Coming, father." Peering at the other she-cat a moment longer, Cobrapaw flicked an ear. "Having a mentor that challenges you as Starlingcry does is beneficial to your growth. Put in the effort she demands, and I am certain you will become the best you can." Part compliment, part honesty. But it was all about trying.
With a final nod, she glanced to each of them. "Squirrelpaw, Shadowpaw." Pausing on her brother, she looked as though she might say something else, but instead her attention shifted to the two elders. "Gracklefire, Night-tail." Dipping her head respectfully to the older cats, Cobrapaw took her leave, joining her father's side. Fawn Silver |
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