[williams]

» BRIARTHROAT

The tall warrior never thought he'd get an apprentice quite so suddenly after such a series of events. Two loner kittens joined their clan, glad to be reunited it appeared, and one became his to mentor into a clan cat. Pinestar's words were strong during the ceremony, but the quiet threat still spoke loudly to him. They had to prove their loyalty, dedicate themselves to this clan. If they chose not to, they would be allowed to leave, but never return. It was a tall order, Briarthroat thought. Putting it so much time to a cat who might not even stay. He had yet to train a cat too. The worry he felt sat in his belly alongside the mouse he had for breakfast. What if he wasn't a good mentor? What if Scrap-paw refused to listen and their training days ended in tears and frustration that ended in hatred for one another. He had heard the stories the patrols shared. Scrap-paw was a fiery she-cat, which he could appreciate. But he had yet to train anyone, could he handle her? With a large shake of his pelt, Briarthroat pushed all the thoughts aside. I was chosen for a reason, he nodded to himself. I will make her into a great warrior, for me. For Applewhisker. For Pinestar.

He padded softly to the apprentice den, peeking in to check for his apprentice. "Scrap-paw, are you here?" He called into the den. His amber eyes caught her figure, and he smiled gently in her direction. "Would you like to start today with a quick tour of the territory? Then I can show you some hunting moves, to perfect those you already have." The compliment came easy and was completely honest. Hunting was in a cat's blood, and she already had the makings of a clan cat there.

notes: so it begins!!!
words: 355
Fawn

[Fawn]

What doesn't kill me had better start running.

The last few days had been a nightmare. A whirlwind of actions and ceremonies and other foxdung she didn't understand. It had taken Scrap-paw every ounce of restraint she had not to mouth off during her own apprenticeship ceremony, but with Briarthroat announced as her mentor, Scrap-paw had felt a tiny inkling of relief that the vengeful fox of a leader, Pinestar, wasn't going to mentor her personally.

Scrap-paw had been dreading the days up to the ceremony. She hadn't even been able to eat until it had passed, and a bunch of cats she didn't really know or care to know were chanting her name. Some didn't bother, and she had looked at those cats in particular, making hostile eye-contact with anyone who acted like she was some sort of charity case or mistake.

I'll show all you pieces of crow-food. Scrap-paw wouldn't say she belonged here, she wasn't Clan born and these frog-eaters cared a lot about blood purity, but she would say that she was just as worthy of calling herself at NightClan cat as they were. Scrap-paw had a rough grasp of the Warrior Code, but she got the basic gist of it.

Don't murder each other and don't steal prey, everything else was something she'd pick up at a later date.

The calico kitten had been trying to sneak to the fresh kill pile to snatch a few mice before her mentor (a tom she didn't know that well) would eventually drag her away to train. Her dull yellow eyes had narrowed, watching the mild traffic of warriors passing by, waiting for her opportunity. And then there was Briarthroat, smiling as if they were old friends or something. Scrap-paw bristled, uncertain of what to do with that kind of friendliness.

These cats were weird, and if it weren't for Snakepaw, she wouldn't have anything to do with them.

But they couldn't survive by themselves. Not yet.

"Would you like to start today with a quick tour of the territory? Then I can show you some hunting moves, to perfect those you already have."

Scrap-paw narrowed her eyes, feeling a sharp stab of resentment sink it's claws into her heart. Why, so you can ditch me at the border?" Are you trying to get rid of me already? Ha, I'm not going anywhere, you mangy old bonebag! Scrap-paw's expression burned with defiance, tail lashing. She wasn't going to be abandoned again. Not by anyone.

6 Moons | Apprentice | NightClan

ScraPaw

williams 407 Words

Notes: xD She's so suspicious, sorry. Her mother ditched her shortly after abandoning Snake.

[williams]

» BRIARTHROAT

The hostility was a surprise, but not entirely unexpected. It must be hard to be in a place so unfamiliar, he thought, while the shock of her words settled over him. Who would leave her kits? "I would never abandon anyone at the border, Scrap-paw." Briarthroat said seriously, shifting himself to look more eye to eye with the small apprentice. Their height differences would be extreme while she was young, he noted. "Nightclan has a beautiful territory that will, one day, become as familiar to you as your paws are. I only offer a tour as a way to familiarize yourself, make you feel more safe here."

The warrior matched her gaze carefully, knowing her fire would not be easily contained. Nightclan would use her fire well though, if she is willing to give it. "Does a tour sound good?" He asked again. "If it doesn't, what would you like to do?" Keeping her options open felt best Briarthroat decided. Let her find something to be interested in and roll with them. It would make for an interesting apprenticehood but it would be worth it in the end. Scrap-paw had to get used to clan life first. Eventually she will open up to his suggestions.

notes: haha it is totally okay! she's had a hard life and Briarthroat's ready to make it easier.
words: 205
tag: Fawn

[Fawn]

What doesn't kill me had better start running.

Briarthroat was all patience and kindness. Yeah, well, Scrap-paw didn't trust that one bit. Cats here were either hostile, ignored her existence, or they actually smiled at her from time to time. It's the ones that smiled at her that she distrusted the most. It was so easy to lie and hide your feelings from others. Her mother had. Her stupid, traitorous fox-hearted mother.

The tom asked again if a tour sounded good. What was the point of walking around all day? Scrap-paw had walked around for ages, looking for Snake. She was certain she'd probably seen most of the territory during her search; she didn't want to have to follow around Briarthroat and pretend to be interested in this.

'Cause she wasn't.

"I want to hunt and fight. I don't care about territory." Scrap-paw announced, her tail sweeping back and forth with pent up energy leftover from her constant need to argue. That he was being so agreeable meant all that energy was going nowhere. Scrap-paw's pelt itched. She wanted to leave this stupid cave. Stretch her legs. Maybe a tour wouldn't be so bad... Hunting is better. Then I can learn how to take care of myself. Then all she had to do was convince Snakepaw they were better off on their own.

That they didn't need this stupid Clan with it's stupid rules and stupid, aggressive leader.

6 Moons | Apprentice | NightClan

ScraPaw

williams 229 Words Notes

[williams]

» BRIARTHROAT

"I want to hunt and fight. I don't care about territory." Briarthroat flicked his ear, the only outward sign to show his laughter. He laughed at himself for assuming she would behave like a clan cat. Of course the territory wasn't that interesting to someone so young, who hadn't lived in a home that was stationary. Alright, hunting moves it is then.

"Okay, let's start with hunting moves. You will need to provide food for yourself, and others, before you will be asked to defend them." He replied, spotting her tail swish in unspent energy. "On the way to the clearing, I can point out spots of the territory best suited for hunting in. You don't want to get stuck in the ponds before I show you how to get through the landscape!" Briarthroat's words were gentle, as his voice always was, but there was a slight warning. He wanted her to be safe, and he knew it wouldn't be easy to achieve that. He almost thought about using Snakepaw against her, to not be rash and hurt herself and leave him behind, but kept his jaws shut. It would be unkind. "Let's go!" Getting to his paws, Briarthroat gestured towards the camp's entrance with his tail as he started that way.

Before he got too far, a thought tickled his ears. She would run off most likely, unused to an elder giving directions, and he would need to help curb that urge with a different tactic. "You were searching for your brother on Nightclan's territory, right? Show me what you know. There is a clearing beneath the pines,straight from camp. Can you find it?"

notes: finally, the forest!
words: 276
tag: Fawn

[Fawn]

What doesn't kill me had better start running.

Her belly grumbled at her like a fox with a toothache. Scrap-paw grimaced, throwing a hostile stare at the fresh kill pile they were leaving behind, as if threatening it not to go anywhere until she got back. There'd better be something for me in there! At least they were getting the chance to hunt, and that meant food. Scrap-paw's success on her own had been... admittedly more to do with luck than actual skill.

No one had taught her anything. She'd taught herself a little, through trial and error. 'Triarl and error' meant a stomach gnarled by hunger and a weakness in her body that she hadn't been able to shake. Those things scared her. Made her feel unsafe.

The kitten's splotched ears swiveled to catch the tail end of her mentor's comments - something something ponds - before he enthusiastically led the way up the slope to the cavern mouth. Scrap-paw raced after him, holding her head proudly as she stalked past an incoming patrol. They barely acknowledged her. Scrap-paw huffed. I bet you'd notice me if I bit you right on your stupid smug hides. Oh if she could just get her claws into their tails...

"You were searching for your brother on Nightclan's territory, right? Show me what you know. There is a clearing beneath the pines,straight from camp. Can you find it?"

"Huh?" Scrap-paw forgot he was there, and she stared at him blankly until Briarthroat's question finally reached her so she could process an answer. In truth, those days of searching for Snakepaw had been a little foggy - made difficult to recall by the desperation, fear, hunger and thirst she'd felt back then. It was nearly three moons ago, and she had only been through the territory once since then.

But Scrap-paw wasn't about to tell him that. "Piece of prey," she announced, and took the lead. A clearing beneath the pines, straight from camp. Great. Shouldn't be too hard to find. There were only eight thousand stupid pine trees in this stupid forest.

Scrap-paw, rather than try to spot the clearing as she walked, began to look at the ground instead. Maybe it was a well-trafficked area? In that case, there'd be signs of cats walking to and from there. Noticing some of the flattened ground, Scrap-paw trotted a few foxlengths ahead, the convergence of so many Clan cat scents making it hard to concentrate.

A clearing. A clearing. A clearing.

6 Moons | Apprentice | NightClan

ScraPaw

williams 414 Words Notes:
xD She's gonna be a handful!

[williams]

» BRIARTHROAT

The older tom let his apprentice take the lead, forcing his long legs to keep a slow pace to give her space to search. Well, she's trying at least without arguing. He watched her journey with a light frown, mostly at himself again. I might have overestimated her memory. She searched through sight, which wasn't necessarily incorrect. It would help when she had to track prey in just a little while, little paws leaving different marks than the stalking of Nightclan cats. With a sense of finality, Scrap-paw led the pair to a clearing, which also wasn't correct. However as he caught up, Briarthroat realized his mistake. Pine Clearing would be a horrible place to hunt from. The constant battle training that took place there had already warned away all prey from building their homes nearby. This clearing, though incorrect from his original plan, was a better choice. He took the change in stride, cataloging the decision away for future days of training. Perhaps I can ask Honeywhisker where she's taking Snakepaw. He thought to himself. We can be each other's mentors for training these loner-born cats.

Catching up, Briarthroat examined the clearing they ended up in. His ears twisted, catching the gentle sounds of prey. Perfect! Now, to own up to his mistake. "I led you a bit astray Scrap-paw, I apologize. Pine clearing is where I wanted to take you, but we would not be successful there." He apologized in a soft voice, mostly to keep the prey from running away. "There is prey here though, which is our goal for the day. You led us well, thank you. Now, what can you smell? Open your jaws and breathe evenly. Soon all those cat smells will be familiar to you, but we're focusing on what's underneath. Can you smell the mice near by?"

notes: n/a
words: 305
tag: Fawn

[Fawn]

What doesn't kill me had better start running.

Despite her hunger and her belligerence, Scrap-paw felt the claws of anticipation scratching at her heart, leaving behind little marks of worry. Had she made a mistake? Already? No, of course not. She could handle this apprenticeship foxdung with one paw tied behind her back; I bet none of those featherheads ever had to survive on their own for four days. Thought Scrap-paw darkly, turning her unwanted anxiety into what she always turned her emotions toward - anger.

The calico kitten's fur bristled, appearing more like a pinecone than a cat who had once tried to fight Pinestar to prove her worth. "Tch, do you even know what you're doing? Am I your first apprentice?" Great, juuust great. Pinestar really didn't want her here, did she? A mentor who was as new to this as she was. Still, when that first flare-up of temper had receded, Scrap-paw had no choice but to notice Briarthroat's politeness.

So far, he was the first adult who had ever owned up to making a mistake. He'd even apologized to her. Scrap-paw, for that reason alone, parted her jaws to start scenting around for mice as Briarthroat had instructed. While the peacekeeping warrior stood by, Scrap-paw had trouble keeping utterly still; she moved a few paw-steps here, a few paw-steps there, slowly working her way further into the clearing in search of an invisible trail.

Splotched ears swiveled, twitched, then swiveled again as the confusing whirl of sounds made it difficult to concentrate. She shut them out, and her tail whipped in triumph as the taste of mouse made her mouth water. Scrap-paw's stomach clenched pitifully, and she hissed beneath her breath. "Found one," said Scrap-paw, trying to keep her excitement at a minimum.

She didn't want this old bone bag to know she might actually be looking forward to learning how to hunt properly. And for fox's sake, she was starving.

6 Moons | Apprentice | NightClan

ScraPaw

williams 316 Words Notes

[williams]

» BRIARTHROAT

"Tch, do you even know what you're doing? Am I your first apprentice?"
Her words were harsh, Briarthroat flicking his tail in response unable to find the words immediately to respond with. He already knew her words were going to remain harsh for quite a while, but the personal attack left him off-kilter. Even if you are my first apprentice, he thought, watching Scrap-paw start to explore, you deserve an honest teacher. How can one learn to survive without that? It was a bit surprising to watch the apprentice start to explore, eager probably to catch something for breakfast, which Briarthroat realized they had absolutely forgotten to do. He had his own breakfast of course, his own excitement for the day unable to overpower his hunger. But he had forgotten to ask if she had eaten. No wonder she's grumpy at me.

"Found one!" He smiled, spotting what she had found with a quick inhale. "Good! Sneak up on it, make sure your paw-steps are light. Keep your tail still to avoid rattling the leaves." His instructions came out quickly, hoping to share some basics before the mouse ran away. Scrap-paw deserved a meal before he would adjust her techniques.

notes: love how she keeps calling him an old-bone bag lol
words: 216
tag: Fawn

[Fawn]

What doesn't kill me had better start running.

"Good! Sneak up on it, make sure your paw-steps are light. Keep your tail still to avoid rattling the leaves."

I KNOW what I'm doing! Quit lecturing me! Ugh, he was worse than a crow stuck in mud. Scrap-paw couldn't think beyond catching that mouse; she was so hungry she felt like her stomach was trying to stick to her spine, it had shrunken so much. Despite her griping, Scrap-paw made sure to tip-toe, using her lean weight and delicate steps (though if anyone called her delicate, they'd get a faceful of claws) to creep closer to it.

As it always did, Scrap-paw's determination to triumph bubbled up in the form of a gleeful shout. "YOU'RE DEAD!" Launching herself forward, Scrap-paw kicked up a few dry, brittle pine needles as she landed on the mouse in a messy kill. Mouth watering so much she thought she might drool, the kitten's history as a loner made itself obvious.

She tore into the mouse with gusto, eating as much - and as quickly - as she could reach, as though afraid a bigger predator (or that rat-faced NightClan cat) would come by to take it away from her. Only after the third or fourth bite, did the calico remember Briarthroat. With a bloodied muzzle and proud eyes, Scrap-paw glanced over her shoulder. "Do I have to share, or something?" She didn't really want to, but since her belly was no longer snarling at her, Scrap-paw supposed she could let him have a bite.

6 Moons | Apprentice | NightClan

ScraPaw

@medusa #234 Words Notes:
Manners are for losers!

[williams]

BRIARTHROAT

"YOU'RE DEAD! Briarthroat winced at her shouting, keen ears able to hear the prey that was close by skitter away out of fear. They would have to move to somewhere else for their next catch. ...After she finishes her meal I suppose, the tom thought as he watched his apprentice devour her catch with swift bites. "Do I have to share or something?" Ah, there's some manners.

"Typically, yes." He replied, treading carefully with his words. "It is easier for a cat to survive when you have a clan to help support you. We, as warriors and apprentices, go on hunting patrols to provide for those you cannot for themselves, like our queens and elders. We don't eat on these patrols until we get back, then we can take something from the pile. But, I think a good reward for your technique is your first kill. Finish your meal."

He curled his tail around his paws while he waited for her to finish. No sense trying to talk to Scrap-paw while she was concentrated on eating every last bit of her catch. When she was done, he stood up and crossed to her, speaking as he did. "You have solid technique, but the shout gave you away. Listen, can you hear anything close by?" He didn't need an answer, already knowing it was negative. Her shout had successfully cleared out the prey around them. "While celebrating is good, keep it in your head, then you can catch more than a single meal" good humor filled his words, reminiscing on his own early apprentice days. Every cat he knew celebrated out loud at least once as an apprentice, even some as warriors during the harder months. It was thrilling to catch something!

With that said, he crouched, mimicking the technique he saw from his apprentice but with a fluid grace that his moons of training brought him. "With a full belly, are you up to try some pouncing techniques? While you caught your prey, you landed poorly, and I believe with some practice, you'll be even more successful and nothing will escape your paws." The praise was easy to say, never a lie. Scrap-paw had natural skill that would only grow as she aged and grew strong under the clan's care. Hopefully her temper will become subdued too...

387 | Fawn | new table!

ulla

[Fawn]

What doesn't kill me had better start running.

While Briarthroat explained the innerworkings of Clan life, Scrap-paw cocked her head in some confusion. So they all take care of each other? Why bother feeding the elders? They were just fat lumps who didn't do anything. Scrap-paw opened her mouth to let some of these questions into the open, but the white-throated tom wasn't done.

"You have solid technique, but the shout gave you away. Listen, can you hear anything close by?"

Splotched ears flattened. No, she didn't hear anything. Because I scared off all the prey. Well fine! They should be afraid of her, if she caught them she'd eat them - what kind of flea-brain wouldn't run from a predator like that? Her belly was full (for now), why should she care about bringing something back to camp?

Briefly, Applewhisker's soft face appeared in Scrap-paw's mind, and she growled beneath her breath, annoyed at how guilty she felt for disregarding the tom-queen who had taken in her and Snake. He obviously wasn't their mother, or even a she-cat, but Applewhisker had been nice to them even when no one else had - and he/she seemed to dislike Blackwolf just as much as Scrap-paw did.

Alright, fine.

She'd catch something for Applewhisker. Just to say thanks. Nobody could go accusing her of not settling her debts.

Scrap-paw tuned back in when Briarthroat asked her a question directly. Blinking mulishly at him, the apprentice started wiping her muzzle. "I didn't land poorly," she argued back. Who cares how I pounce?
I caught it, didn't I? "Your eyesight's just bad." With a haughty sniff, Scrap-paw finished cleaning herself up, and stood nearer the tom. "Show me how it's supposed to be done then, since you're such an expert."

Her tongue was going to get her into trouble one of these days - as sure as sparks caught fire. But Scrap-paw didn't give a wet dead frog right now. Right now, she wanted the world (and everyone in it) to know she wouldn't be bossed around or beaten down again.

6 Moons | Apprentice | NightClan

ScraPaw

williams #324 Words

Notes: She's difficult and disrespectful and RUDE. I am so sorry!
Don't give up on her Briarthroat! She just really needs a nice stable Dad figure.
Also awesome table!

[williams]

BRIARTHROAT

"I didn't land poorly. Your eyesight's just bad." His ear flicked at the insult, shifting out of the crouch. Briarthroat knew he still had time before his eye sight failed him. And even then, he was born a clan-cat. He could train cats with failing eyes due to the techniques practically being ground into his bones. The she-cat in front of him sniffed, her words still biting. "Show me how it's supposed to be done then, since you're such an expert." He was an expert, technically speaking. He was a senior warrior, and had trained even as a kit to provide for his clan with his skills. His long limbs made it easier to traverse the territory, and to leap over any surprise bodies of water while hunting. But, Briarthroat knew from his siblings, that giving into the implied insult behind the word expert was not the way to go about this.

"Scrap-paw." He started, his voice still gentle."Do you want to learn right now? The question was not accusing. It was geniune, asking for some honesty in return. "I cannot force you to take my teachings, that would make me a bad mentor. You have the makings of a strong hunter but I will not force you to listen to me. The best learning is done when both parties are interested." Briarthoat wanted to finish with a suggestion, but held himself back. This was a question that needed to be answered without a distraction.

258 | Fawn | i am so sorry that this took forever

ulla

[Fawn]

What doesn't kill me had better start running.

Why was he so gentle and patient with her? Even when she gave him her unique brand of fire and venom? Scrap-paw's ears twitched, flattened and straightened in an effort to process the infallible kindness of this old tom. You're so annoying! Stop pretending to actually like me, I know you don't! She had given him no reason to.

Finding it hard to reply to his question with vitriol, Scrap-paw broke eye-contact immediately. Suddenly the pine trees became very interesting to the calico kitten, and her uncertainties were hidden under a mask of nonchalance. "Yes. I want to hunt for myself." She would learn, but Scrap-paw intended to make it clear that she wasn't out to do this Clan any favors.

Was she grateful they took Snakepaw in? Sort of. He might've died otherwise.

Scrap-paw scowled. She'd have to repay her debt to NightClan somehow, and then she'd get outta here. They were investing a lot of time and effort into two abandoned loner kits, and Scrap-paw had a dark feeling in the pit of her stomach that it wasn't as altruistic as they were all pretending it was. What do they want from me?

"Teach me." Scrap-paw stood, the fire blazing in her muted yellow gaze rekindled. No matter what NightClan was planning, she had to be ready for it. "That's your job, right? I'm ready." Briarthroat was her mentor. She was slowly beginning to see why Pinestar had given her this old bag of bones for a teacher to begin with; he was obnoxious, but not in a way she couldn't stand.

6 Moons | Apprentice | NightClan

ScraPaw

williams 221 Words

Shall we start wrapping up the thread so we can get fresh ones going? I still want her to come to him with a problem. Not sure what, though.

[williams]

BRIARTHROAT

"Yes. I want to hunt for myself." A weight Briarthroat didn't realize he was holding onto suddenly lifted from his chest. Thank Starclan. He had a suggestion on what to do if she hadn't wanted to hunt, but he didn't want to continuously fight for their tasks. It would wear both of them out and they wouldn't even learn anything. "Teach me." The warrior could see her straighten up to her full height, a new determination in Scrap-paw's jaw. Her own thoughts were unknown, but he could work with this. "That's your job, right? I'm ready." Yeah, they would be just fine.

"It is," He said with a small laugh, not at her but at the general situation. He was ready too. "Let's go through all the different techniques. They may seem similar, but each type of prey requires their own technique for maximum success. I'll do a crouch, and leap, then you can copy." Briarthroat settled easily into the first move, starting with the prey Scrap-paw just caught, a mouse. Now with an agreement found, he felt his confidence grow. They could do this.

198 | Fawn | short and sweet end?

ulla