Irisdream's ear twitched with irritation again, but she refused to allow this welp to goad her into an argument. Only kits thought of reporting as "tattling", but that was neither here nor there. He was following, and that was good enough for now.
Perhaps...for the other lessons I can bribe him somehow. This was a good plan. Sometimes, toms needed a little...extra motivation. She'd have to ask Duskleaf or Sunheart for ideas, although the amount of time Riftpaw spent with Beaverpaw, Rainpaw, and Ravenpaw was not lost to her. Perhaps...therein lies the key to getting this apprentice to get his training done.
Something to consider. For now, swimming.
Irisdream led Riftpaw to a pond she had discovered was thawed. Thank StarClan. Not being able to fish or train apprentices in swimming and fishing had been
quite the annoyance. She turned to Riftpaw, considering him for a moment. Trying to decide if he would learn best by example, or first-paw experience.
I'm going with...experience. That decided, she held his gaze to be sure he was paying attention.
"We'll go in together." She explained.
"The water will be cold, so I would suggest going in up to your bellyfur and then allow your body to adjust." She did hope he took this advise.
"Going slower will only make the adjustment take longer."
To be a good sport, the silvery feline found a place where they could enter the pond slowly from a shoreline, and start to pad out. She continued until she was in the water up to her bellyfur, and turned, waiting for Riftpaw to join. This way, at least they were equally cold. And stars above, this was cold. Having not eaten as much fish lately, due to the waters having been frozen, her fur lacked its usual protection from the water. But soon, after the biting cold, she no longer felt it. And she knew, that if Riftpaw was patient (or at least determined) he would be able to get through it as well.
@
korok - Riftpaw - get in there! >3