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Post by Fawn on Jun 11, 2017 19:54:02 GMT -5
Brookfall 25 Moons Tom RainClan Warrior Yesterday had been eventful, to say the least. The satisfaction of having his first apprentice had been overshadowed just a little by Silverfrost's deputy announcement, but Brookfall couldn't find it within himself to begrudge his brother his moment. He had passed by a certain spot outside of camp briefly, and noticed the contents of Silverfrost's stomach hidden in the ferns.
Brookfall hoped his brother had gone to see Swanfeather afterward; nausea was hardly a fun symptom to deal with.
"Good morning, Silverfrost. Am I assigned to a patrol?" The pale-coated tom drew level with his silver-tabby brother; when the answer came back as a no, Brookfall wished him luck on his 'first day on the job' and went to the apprentices' den. "Wake up, Wrenpaw. I have something important for you to learn, today." It was something every RainClan cat needed to know.
While he did not put to question Ashfoot's paternal duties, or even Sandfalcon's mentoring abilities, it was for Brookfall's own sense of caution that he was going to test Wrenpaw's swimming skills. Moonshine was entrusting him with her son, and Wrenpaw would stay as safe as Brookfall could make him - by giving the young tom the tools he needed to survive. To thrive.
Of larger frame and heavier weight than Wrenpaw, he had an easier time withstanding the currents. Brookfall drew upon old memories of his own apprenticeship to supplement his teaching strategies, but this proved a trap for the young warrior, despite meaning well.
He was transported back to what he wouldn't call a simpler time, but a moment in his life when he had told far less lies than he did now. Darkrose's fur had gleamed in the sunshine, and she swam beautifully; the ginger and white patches in her coat gleaming under the water's surface, especially in the shallow ends. He had missed a few fishing opportunities because she had been such a distraction.
It's been 8 moons, and she's still getting the better of you. A sobering thought.
Brookfall released the breath he'd unconsciously been holding, and found his apprentice blinking sleepily in the sunlight beside him. With a patient smile, the silvery warrior led the way to the river bank. "We're going to perfect your swimming, Wrenpaw. And make sure you can cross the river in an emergency if you need to." Good things to know, especially if a Clanmate was (StarClan forbid) drowning. We all eat lies when our hearts are hungry. 401 Words || @minxxy Justice (Silverfrost mention!) || Notes
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2017 11:04:21 GMT -5
WrenPaw I SAY I AM STRONGER THAN FEARElEven Moons, Apprentice of RainClan,
It had been a long night for Wrenpaw, a notion that showed across his body as his mentor awoke him. For many nights the apprentice had found himself unable to sleep, taking solace in the company of Berrypaw, another apprentice, albeit older, plagued with similar thoughts. He couldn't help but feel pity for the apprentice, whom was now 15 moons of age, and not nearly ready to become a warrior, and yet he couldn't help but also admire the apprentice that had survived near death. Wrenpaw lost his father and his mentor, and yet this apprentice had survived through her own trials, perhaps she would make a strong ally yet.
When Brookfall woke him up, Wrenpaw found himself looking over at the tortoiseshell sitting next to him, flashing her an apologetic smile; It was clear that she hadn't slept soundly since returning from Starclan's paws. Berrypaw had noticed Brookfall first, and diverted her attention from the warrior only once Wrenpaw was awoken. The brown pelted tom couldn't help but notice a small glimmer in her eyes as Berrypaw returned his sympathies. Curious.
Wrenpaw sighed and stood, shaking the soreness from his limbs as he stretched out of his nest, following after Brookfall meekly. A pang of jealousy hit Wrenpaw as he walked tiredly beside Brookfall, still slightly sour as his mother Moonshine over the choice of his mentor. When she had said the finest that Rainclan had to offer Wrenpaw had thought that maybe he'd be given to Stormstar to train him, and yet, here he was alongside a warrior who had never had an apprentice before. Wrenpaw sighed, on the bright side he knew he'd be an impossible act to follow, afterall he had Ashfoot and Moonshine in his blood.
As the reached the riverside, Wrenpaw couldn't help but groan. While it was Greenleaf, the water would still cling to the sleek tom's fur, a thought he was less than enthusiastic about. The apprentice sat himself down on the River bed, his golden eyes flashing towards his mentor. He flicked his ears slightly in annoyance as Brookfall spoke, unwilling to be the first cat to jump in the water. "Okay, you first." Almost dismissive the apprentice spoke and then turned his head to look at the water's surface, following the current with his gaze.
The rush under the surface sent a ripple on unease through Wrenpaw, one that he couldn't help buy try to suppress. He added, "I mean, I could go first, but who's to say I would have perfect technique, mentor." He was cordial and spiteful, making note to have a conversation with his mother about her choices when it came to his future as a warrior of Rainclan.
466, Fawn , Oh the Sass. xD
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Post by Fawn on Jun 21, 2017 10:44:43 GMT -5
Brookfall 25 Moons Tom RainClan Warrior Brookfall was an expert at picking up undertone. Wrenpaw was about as pleased with this arrangement as a rabbit in a bird's nest, but Brookfall would not allow his confidence to be undermined by adolescent attitude. The silvery warrior, with that same tone of kindness, laid his gaze upon Wrenpaw. "I'd prefer you going in first, Wrenpaw. If you do not open yourself up for failure, you can't succeed, either. I don't expect perfection right away."
Wrenpaw's being more than just belligerent. Brookfall had noticed the slight twitch beneath the brown tom's coat. Is he frightened? To the inexperienced, the river must have been intimidating; he had heard of the near-drowning experience of Squirrelpaw, Crowblaze's apprentice, last season. How easy it was to panic, to lose all sense of safety and calm when the water was rushing in on all sides.
"Look in front of you, Wrenpaw. The water near the bank, here, is choppy. Shallow. A good place to enter, if you want to be sure of your footing." Wrenpaw didn't have to take his word for it; the river did not lie. Brookfall, his focus still on the spot he had indicated, could see the different colors denoting the different depths; deeper water was darker, and moved both quickly and smoothly - a fast-flowing current with little resistance.
The shallow areas were lighter, and hints of the riverbed could be glimpsed if the sunlight was particularly strong. In Greenleaf, when the water levels were lower, the shallow parts could even be warm if they didn't have any shade. Brookfall remembered as an apprentice ardently wishing the shallow parts would stay warm all the way to leaf-fall - when the temperature would drop, and a warm dip in the river would chase away the chill.
Careful not to allow the beckoning call of the past distract him again, Brookfall watched Wrenpaw, anticipating more back-talk -- perhaps even an argument -- from Moonshine's only kit. However, if Wrenpaw decided he wanted to learn something after all, and Brookfall's patience proved to be a sound strategy, Brookfall was more than happy to continue the lesson.
If Wrenpaw didn't want this lesson to go well, then it wouldn't. Brookfall refused to let himself panic, or let the younger tom get the better of him. Brookfall wasn't going to bend over backwards to keep his apprentice motivated. He wanted do perform his new role well, but he also knew the importance of discipline. How would Wrenpaw's perspective change, if he thought he could walk all over him?
Brookfall intended for that to remain a hypothetical question only.
We all eat lies when our hearts are hungry. 429 Words || @minxxy || Notes: Don't forget to update Wrenpaw's age on his table! I believe he's eleven moons now, according to the FateDex.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2017 12:01:01 GMT -5
WrenPaw I SAY I AM STRONGER THAN FEAREleven Moons, Apprentice of RainClan, "I'd prefer you going in first, Wrenpaw. If you do not open yourself up for failure, you can't succeed, either. I don't expect perfection right away." Wrenpaw looked over at his mentor dubiously, his golden eyes filling with new found doubt over his given mentor. The apprentice turned his attention away from his green warrior of a mentor, eyeing the waters with a new found delicacy. He had gone swimming before, Ashfoot had made sure of that while he had been living, but it had been at least a moon since he'd felt the river through his fur, a thought that now left him a little queasy,
The water called to Wrenpaw, and despite the rise of oncoming attitude, he decided to simply shake it off and jump into the water. The current rushed forward around the apprentice catching him almost off guard for a quick moment before managing to balance himself precariously, allowing the water to carry most of his weight. The sleek tom, now drenched in the warm waters, looked up at the bank, a brilliant grin spreading across his muzzle as he made eye contact with Brookfall. "Nothing to it.. 'Af-fraid?" The apprentice let out a small shiver as the water surrounded him, trying not to let it get to him.
In an attempt to cover up the discomfort he was feeling, Wrenpaw lifted his paws up deliberately, kicking through the currents, feeling the water slip between his toes as he swam. The apprentice made a short awkward circle through the water, before putting his feet back down, the slimy rocks sending a pang of unease up his spine, that he quickly dismissed.
"So, Is this lesson going to be me doing all the work? That's quite hardly fair." While Wrenpaw meant the words to come out with a sheer spite, he couldn't help but appreciate the situation. The water surrounded him and comforted him, much like his mother might, and Wrenpaw found his mood elevating with every passing wave of water.
#348, Fawn , And the sass continues.
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Post by Fawn on Jun 25, 2017 6:12:43 GMT -5
Brookfall 25 Moons Tom RainClan Warrior Brookfall found himself wearing a private, encouraging smile - despite Wrenpaw's repeated back-chatter. The young tom had gone in without grace, throwing himself into the river like a cat whose fur was on fire, subsequently drenching Brookfall's paws. Like mother like son... He thought, half amused, half exasperated.
He doesn't seem certain of himself, observed the tall, silver warrior. Wrenpaw was still getting used to the river, and gradually the unease written all over the younger cat's body-language began to ebb away, as if carried downstream.
Good, Brookfall praised. The best way to handle fear is to confront it. Brookfall wouldn't call it courage or bravery, those were words used in regards to legends or heroic feats, but he would call it resiliance. Wrenpaw would need that, if he was going to become a master of the river.
"So, Is this lesson going to be me doing all the work? That's quite hardly fair."
And there it was. Though delivered with a grin, Wrenpaw's attitude was still rearing its angsty, adolescent head. Brookfall went to the edge of the bank, letting go of his thoughts of water patterns and channels to respond. "Well Wrenpaw, of the two of us here, one of us has already done the work. I've been an apprentice, and learned all I needed." Brookfall smiled, his sunlit eyes glinting wryly. "Now, watch the surface of the river. Do you see how it becomes faster and smoother towards the middle? That's because it's deeper. We'll get to that in due time." Brookfall narrowed the focus of this lesson down to the basics.
Footing.
"We're going to concentrate on your footing. You may unsheathe your claws for traction, but be careful. You could rip a claw on the rocks." Brookfall had had an advantage, when he'd first learned how to move through the river without too much difficulty. With an extra toe on each foot, it had been easier for him to grip the rocks and find stability.
"Keep your tail touching the bank, Wrenpaw. I want you to move two foxlengths down river. Go with the current, and see if you can keep your balance." Brookfall stood still, prepared to observe and offer pointers as they were needed.
We all eat lies when our hearts are hungry. 379 Words || @minxxy || Notes: They're fun!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2017 22:23:33 GMT -5
WrenPaw I SAY I AM STRONGER THAN FEAREleven Moons, Apprentice of RainClan, Wrenpaw felt the river churn around him, welcoming the heavy waters into his thoughts and against his body. The apprentice stood still for a moment, his eyes closing as he listened to the whispers of the current, getting lost in the undertones of the river's song. The sounds began to mesh into words and for a brief second Wrenpaw couldn't help but imagine his father's voice, calling to him, beckoning him forward into the water's depths. Like a bird hunting a minnow, Brookfall's words found Wrenpaw, pulling him back into the present, back into the cold river.
"Well Wrenpaw, of the two of us here, one of us has already done the work. I've been an apprentice, and learned all I needed." The apprentice, found himself biting his tongue even before Brookfall spoke, a part of him still focused on the anger he held towards the green warrior his mother had assigned him . However, as soon as Brookfall dared to open his mouth the apprentice couldn't help but retort, engaging in the back and forth that he had slowly felt rising since he had first seen his mother and this tom flirting in the very waters that now surrounded him. "One of us being myself, correct? At least I'm not being a kit about it."
As if almost momentarily disappointed in himself that he had stooped to calling after his mentor Wrenpaw turned his focus back on the task at hand, Swimming. Brookfall's words echoed through Wrenpaw's mind, mention of the depths piquing his attention and sparking an idea deep within his mind. Unsheathing his claws allowed the apprentice some traction, something which he was secretly grateful for, taking a quick second to adjust himself in the waters. A second passed and then another, and then all at once, using all his muscles, Wrenpaw pushed himself forward into the depths of the river.
The water surged, pulling at the apprentice's fur like a hundred thorns, and quickly dragged him under, water filling his nose and mouth. The Apprentice kicked off the river's bottom in an attempt to reach the surface, breaching momentarily with a huge breath of air. The repose was brief and in another whirl Wrenpaw was ripped back under the water. Using quick thoughts the apprentice unsheathed his claws and buried them into the mossy rocks, holding in place precariously as if the smallest movement might once again dislodge him. With gentle deliberate movements Wrenpaw inched his muzzle towards the surface, his mouth and nose peeking over the river's cusp.
The apprentice took a deep breath, and let out a sharp yowl of panic, somehow still managing to lace his terrified speech with an obnoxious amount of attitude. "Help! What kind of mentor drowns their apprentices on Day one!"
475, Fawn , Instructions are Hard for Wren
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Post by Fawn on Jun 27, 2017 21:13:56 GMT -5
Brookfall 25 Moons Tom RainClan Warrior It was fortunate for Wrenpaw that his mentor's complete bafflement lasted only a few heartbeats. He just hurled himself into the deep end. What was he thinking? It was as Brookfall quickly submerged, letting himself drift towards his apprentice as the current carried him, that it occurred to him that Wrenpaw might've done that on purpose.
Either to ensure his mentor did not spend any time, standing comfortably on the bank — or to make sure he had something to complain to Moonshine about later. Brookfall would have sighed aloud if a small wave hadn't lapped against his muzzle. He lifted his head higher, paws no longer making contact with the river bottom as he forded the deepest ends. It was easy to panic when you couldn't feel the ground, but Brookfall was not the kind of tom who spooked easily.
Just as he was about to slip past Wrenpaw's flailing paws and grip him by the scruff, an idea lapped over his consciousness. "Listen closely. Kick with your back paws, and use your front paws to steer yourself towards the bank. Your back paws will keep you afloat. Relax your tail, let it float behind you." It was hard work going against the current, but Brookfall demonstrated by moving in a circle around Wrenpaw. His powerful hind legs kicking in slow, measured sweeps to keep himself aloft, his front paws, the dense silvery white fur now plastered to his toes, kept churning in a quick, even rhythm.
Obviously he would not let his apprentice drown. A pettier cat might have used this as a 'told you so' kind of moment, or even tried to lord their superiority over the flustered 'paw —but Brookfall didn't care for those things. He's a fool, but even fools can learn. Though he tried to think of any positive adjectives to describe Wrenpaw, Brookfall changed the subject when he failed to do so.
Better to focus on the areas where Wrenpaw could improve, instead of dwell on the tom's inability to follow (what he'd thought) simple instructions. Brookfall stayed on Wrenpaw's right, prepared to push him towards the bank if the young tom was really struggling. Yellow eyes stayed focused, and though his body was relaxed—the waters were like home, to him—his mind was sharp and prepared for the next step.
It wasn't a stretch to picture Wrenpaw having even more attitude. However, maybe he'll be too tired to talk back after this? Brookfall could only hope.
We all eat lies when our hearts are hungry. 413 Words || @minxxy || Notes
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2017 23:55:24 GMT -5
WrenPaw I SAY I AM STRONGER THAN FEAREleven Moons, Apprentice of RainClan, Wrenpaw couldn't help but focus on his stillness, trying very hard to keep himself still, his face still for the most part submerged. In the darkness that ensued from his lack of vision, the apprentice heard his mentor break the water, sending a series of strange sounds through the waters, chilling Wrenpaw even more than he already physically was. For a brief fleeting thought, Wrenpaw couldn't help but be a little smug, bit he didn't show it, fear being the primary emotion rippling through his body.
The apprentice felt his mentor approach his sides and with a quick attempt to hear what sounds Brookfall was saying, he pushed himself forward on his feet, stretching his muscles to the point of pain, unwilling to loosen his tight and terrified grip on the rocky riverbed. Although the words were a huge scramble from under the water, Wrenpaw managed to make most of it into cohesive thoughts, opening his eyes to the river's current. At first he couldn'thelp but wince as he looked around, the water all around him blurry full of kicked up debris, probably from his stint of panic.
To his left Wrenpaw saw the bank of the river, a steep incline out onto dry land, which he eagerly visualized in his mind. A second passed, maybe more before Wrenpaw let go of the rocks, pushing himself off with all of the force that he could muster. With a rocky and messy splash, the apprentice turned himself towards the bank and did as Brookfall instructed, kicking furiously with his hind legs, sore already from the overexertion of the water against his limbs. None the less, despite his urge to complain the apprentice kept his mouth closed, half of the reason being the water that surrounded him, and slowly made his way to shallower waters. As soon as he could, Wrenpaw found his footing in the shallower waters, his head bobbing up from the water with a heavy breath.
With a shaky step even closer to the bank the apprentice turned his head to look at his mentor, his yellow eyes wide with fright. Without thinking he sputtered forward a short string of words, stopping himself before he got too sentimental. "Th-Thanks. I owe y-you one. J-just you wait, one d-day I'll save your l-life." With his words the apprentice pulled himself up onto the bank, a heavy sigh of relief escaping his body as he tumbled forward onto the solid surface. He was still for a moment as if to recollect himself before adding on, in a slightly sharper tone. "So when's the training begin?"
448, Fawn, Notes-Oh noes.
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Post by Fawn on Jul 2, 2017 14:45:03 GMT -5
Brookfall 25 Moons Tom RainClan Warrior That hope had been all for naught. Though Wrenpaw had managed to reach the bank and haul himself out of the water on trembling limbs, the muscles in his jaw seemed far from tired. Unexpectedly, however, the first thin out of Wrenpaw's mouth had been a thank you, and as Brookfall gazed at the exhausted, shivering kitten, he could gauge the sincerity in his voice.
Brookfall managed a low purr. That was a surprise. The silver warrior climbed onto the bank with much more ease, no trace of fatigue in his body - though his silver coat was hugging tight to his large frame - and gave Wrenpaw a wide berth so he wouldn't get sprayed with water.
"So when's the training begin?"
He suppressed a snort, instead exercising patience with the young would-be warrior whose spirit burned brighter than his body could keep up with. "Tomorrow, if you've recovered sufficiently. Otherwise, in two sunrises from now." Next time, we will practice in the willow stream. I should not have expected so much of him. Wrenpaw was an older apprentice. Brookfall had incorrectly assumed he had more training than Wrenpaw actually did; he couldn't speak to Sandfalcon to confirm this.
I will not make that mistake again.
Sensing that Wrenpaw would start arguing with him again, Brookfall gave the brown-furred tom a nudge to the shoulder with his nose, steering him away from the river. "Walk with me, you'll dry quicker." And you may not be as sore tomorrow if you give your muscles the chance to cool down. Another lesson from his youth; do not sleep right after battle training or swimming practice. Instead, go for a short walk, to both allow his mind to settle and his body to slow down. To begin the recuperation process.
He'd found that this mitigated some of the fatigue in the morning.
As Brookfall guided Wrenpaw deeper into RainClan's territory, his thoughts took an amusing turn. He's going to have quite the story to tell Moonshine. We'll see if I end up the hero or the villain?
We all eat lies when our hearts are hungry. 342 Words || @minxxy || Notes: Finished! <3
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