[Taxx]

Just like fire, burning out the way

Lynxfire had probably only felt this kind of pride a few times- when she'd become an apprentice and when she'd been given her warrior name. Getting an apprentice, though, was something that lasted. Having a younger cat to shape into a warrior, in training that took moons, lasted longer than the brief ceremony where she was at the center of attention. Briarpaw was enthusiastic, and Lynxfire equally determined to prove herself as a mentor. She hadn't started out with a boring run of the borders, like most warriors seemed to do; no, she'd gone right into teaching the basics of hunting and fighting.

Today was more of the same, despite the overcast skies. It wasn't raining, and there was no reason not to continue Briarpaw's instruction. Lynxfire trotted to the center of the Clearing and then turned to her apprentice, meeting the younger's eyes with a gleaming green gaze. "I've taught you the moves you need to know- how to preform each one. I hope you remember them, because you and I are going to spar. This won't be some holds-barred spar, either... though I suppose we ought to keep our claws sheathed." Her voice dropped to a grumble at the concession, but she didn't feel like having to deal with questions and accusations if Briarpaw got hurt. The older warriors worried too much, in her opinion.

"We'll fight until one submits or we reach a draw. Ready yourself." Lynxfire took a couple steps back, shaking out her thick fur, and laid back her ears. In a slow stalk, she circled around Briarpaw, waiting for an opening to dart in and deal the first blow- or if the apprentice started, braced to react and defend herself.

LynxFirE

lightningclan warrior

If I can light the world up for just one day

Katara

[Katara]

BRIARPAW

SHE QUIETLY EXPECTED GREAT THINGS TO HAPPEN TO HER, AND NO DOUBT THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THEY DID.

E ven though Briarpaw was determined to have as little respect for older cats as possible, not even she could refuse to conjure up a flame of admiration for her mentor. Lynxfire, on her very first day with the young apprentice, had showed her the basics of hunting and fighting before anything else, which Briarpaw had been told wouldn't happen until a quarter-moon into her training at the very least. She thrilled at the idea that someone had finally, finally made an exception just for her, and she'd drank in every word Lynxfire had told her since. It was, immediately, enough to make her look forward to each training session she had with the warrior. This morning it was overcast and chilly, the wind intensified by the lack of trees on the moor, which made Briarpaw's fur fluff up against the cold. She frowned, not too pleased with this Look, but didn't complain as she followed her mentor out to one of the clearings they did battle training in. She sat down, wrapping her tail neatly around her paws as she listened to Lynxfire begin to speak. The young she-cat's blue eyes gleamed brighter with more excitement as the older cat went on. "...though I suppose we ought to keep our claws sheathed."  Her heart thrummed with anticipation. Finally! Something like a real fight. Despite Lynxfire's words, she felt her claws sheathing and unsheathing anyway, pressing into the earth and out again. "I won't hold back," she promised, inwardly praying she wouldn't make a fool of herself. Lynxfire had taught her a number of moves that would play to her advantage, considering her size and frame put her at a general disadvantage to others. She watched as the other she-cat began to prowl around her, twisting her body to meet her head-on, all the while thinking of what her first move might be.  Briarpaw was impatient, and her pelt itched with the excitement of it all. She made the first move, darting forward lightly, and pushing all her strength into the power of the blow that was aimed at her mentor's left foreleg to attempt to knock her off balance. As soon as she landed the blow, she hoped to dart away just as quickly and lightly, using the momentum from it to launch herself away, but if Lynxfire retaliated just as quickly, she might be in trouble.

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