Mallowpaw
40/100
Mallowpaw laid on the branch, bark rough against her belly fur, aching claws sunk into the wood. She heard Redhawk's instructions on what to do next, and she glanced down at the ground, noticing how hard it seemed. Swallowing, she slowly shifted her position so she was facing the side of the branch. Her claws hurt, and Mallowpaw wondered if she'd wrenched one.
She hesitated for a moment to watch some of the other apprentices try, and she felt a cruel satisfaction when Copperpaw failed his landing. She knew it was wrong, but it wasn't like she could fight her feelings, so Mallowpaw embraced them.
But Copperpaw's failed landing definitely made her more nervous. Mallowpaw tensed her muscles to prepare to leap, but her claws wouldn't release from the wood; her paws wouldn't lift. Nervousness fluttered in her chest, and fear lodged a hard ball in her throat.
No, you have to do this. There are Hornets watching. You can't be a coward in front of them. Mallowpaw's heart thrummed rapidly against her ribcage, but she gritted her teeth, retracted her claws halfway and leapt.
Her claws came out fully as she fell. She swiped at the air and, just before the ground met her, tucked her chin. Her flank slammed into the ground and she rolled a couple of times before coming to a stop. Winded, Mallowpaw lay there, paws trembling, claws aching and fear slowly subsiding until she could sit up, looking at the Hornets for approval.
( @
BEAR. @
talle @
nyx - for the mention)