"O-Okay... okayokayokay..." Berrypaw mumbled the words to herself as a feeble attempt at self-encouragement. The river rushed in front of her, cold and clean, a daunting force to be reckoned with. She could easily picture herself flailing around, getting caught up in the current and pulled under the waves. Berrypaw had never seen something like this, with such power — she'd only ever lapped at the puddles or wetted moss balls around camp.
She shuffled her restless paws, a nervous habit she'd had ever since kithood. Her eyes flicked to her mentor, giving her a bright smile amidst the nerves wracking through the young cat's body.
Mistyshard's in there... you won't get swept away. Just... step in...
Berrypaw slowly lowered one paw into the water, finally mustering enough courage. Immediately she flinched, instinctively jumping back with a hiss.
"Stars — that's cold!" She squeaked, shaking out her paw. Then her cheeks burned underneath her fur like a blush, embarrassment creeping through her.
"Heh... sorry..."
The new apprentice slowly ambled back towards the river, having to hype herself up once more.
"Okayokayokay...." She whispered to herself, probably sounding like unintelligible garble to her mentor.
After some grueling moments, Berrypaw managed to step fully into the river with two paws, flinching as they met the cold, muddy ground. The current tugged at her and she instinctively flexed her claws, trying to cling to the river floor. But it was fruitless, the misshapen rocks offering no solid ground.
She quickly glanced at Mistyshard, noting her strong stance, and copied it as best she could — at least, for the front two paws. Slightly angled to offer more stability. After some unsteady pawsteps, Berrypaw finally regained her balance, though her legs shook from both fear and the cold.
"Ah... I... got it...?" Berrypaw breathed. The stance was certainly rigid and overcompensative, but she still stood unmoving nonetheless. She was a bit daunted at the thought of going all the way in, the waves lapping just below her sensitive belly. But for now, she looked to her mentor for approval.
/ @
starry [they're so cute
]