It seemed like more and more often these days petulant apprentices were approaching him for training. A victim of his own success, he couldn’t say no to them. Why that would make him look awfully bad, instead he’d grit his teeth and bear it. It almost didn’t come as a surprise the oddly coloured youngster approaching, a sigh graced his lips.

”Owlthroat.” The tom mumbled a gruff introduction. ”What training? Never the one to beat around the bush, he certainly didn’t have much patience for that and his maw soon folded into a grimace. Enthusiasm was great, but Eveningpaw seemed entirely too cheery. Their pelt hurt his eyeballs, it looked like they’d been split in two. A discordant jumble of blue and gold hues.

If the apprentice was to prove their worth however, that might become a different story. Owlthroat had certainly enjoyed training Magpiepaw as of late, the young molly had an undeniable spunk about her. Alongside this it had been quite easy convincing her to be just as manic about the art of battle as he was. He pessimistically wondered how many moons it would take Eveningpaw to lose the spring in her step.

[​​ @Starphobia ]

Owlthroat’s ear flickered idly, still smiling Eveningpaw. Nervous energy seeped from the youngster, the way they paused, the awkward smile. It almost made the tom chuckle, his reputation preceded him, that was a good sign of course. But of course the temptation of a good sparring session always tempted him, perhaps one of the few things he remained truly passionate about.

The inky splotches shifted as he rose from his position, ”Battle is fine with me, do you know anything yet?” It was a genuine query, Owlthroat wanted to know what standard he was working with. But as always it came out quite discordant, like some sort of insult that spilled from his maw without a second thought. Who knew he was so tactless?

He found himself shaking the remainder of the dust out from his pelt, idly grooming a paw as he awaited Eveningpaw’s response.

[​​ @Starphobia ]

Most mentors seemed to be useless nowadays. Well Owlthroat supposed his own apprentice might brandish him under that same category. ”Well, we can soon change that.” The tom purred a lot more pleasantly this time, soon he’d see what they were made of.

”We’ll head out, there’s a spot not far from camp”, with that he didn’t leave much room for time. Pawsteps already making their way forward, exit stage left.

It would be interesting, was an appetite for a fight something that could be nurtured? Or something that came intrinsically to a cat? Owlthroat wasn’t sure what category he fit in.

[​​ @Starphobia ]

Eveningpaw was rather chipper, bubbling and overflowing with what seemed to be excitement. At least this way they’d apply themselves to the task at hand. He came to a halt once he reached the shaded hollow, branches and tendrils eerily overlapped. It was a somewhat sacred place of his, not many others came here. Despite it being close to camp it proved somewhat awkward to reach through the thickets, but if you knew the right way through them it was simple. Not even a snag in his fur as he curled into the shaded hollow.

”You won’t get better battle tuition than me”, Owlthroat boasted. A soft grin beginning to creep onto his face, ”Today I’ll teach you the basics, if you’re good enough you can have more lessons with me.” Wasn’t like he was about to waste more time on someone who was a drag to learn, he’d had enough of that for one moon.

”How’s that?” His yellow eyes slitted daringly, willing Eveningpaw to question him. Dare defy him or make some stupid retort. He was most certainly testing the waters.

[​​ @Starphobia ]
[ Don’t ever sweat it lovely <3 ]

Where to start to cultivate a warrior, that was the true question. He gently shifted his weight paw to paw before he began to speak. ”The basics, areas to target are the ones which produce the most bloodshed. Things which will debilitate the enemy.” Owlthroat’s voice rasped low. ”Belly, throat and flanks. Anywhere soft and pudgy. You must be light on your feet, dodge and duck attacks and think on the go.”

”Whilst training with me, I’ll allow you to use your claws. But mind not to sink them in as if I were an enemy.” He paused, the best way to learn was through doing. No use a cat reaching battle only to be scared by blood or simply batting at a seasoned warrior. By far the best way.

He let Eveningpaw sink the information in for a second, before his first testing move. Owlthroat would keep his own claws sheathed, he knew the damage they could cause. The large tom swung a hefty paw in their direction, obvious and clumsy. Aiming straight at their shoulder, enough to knock Eveningpaw to one side if it hit.

[​​ @Starphobia ]

Eveningpaw lurched forward and he let the blow land. A tuft of fur ripping from his chest, the big beast shrugged it off and darted at the youngster.

Aiming for a light bite to scruff them on the back of the neck. Easy dodged but this was a warmup and a teaching lesson after all.

[​​ @Starphobia ]
[ sorry short post ;o; ]