[Rani]

Bleedingpaw
Shadowclan Apprentice | He/Him | 11 Moons

Just a Scratch | Shadow Fiend | Hulk SMASH!

Time healed all wounds. Except it didnt. Time turned wounds to scars, never as it was before, harder, tenser, tender, maimed, but not open. Metaphorical mental wounds itched.


The apprentice was more stable now however. He no longer walked with wide flashing eyes like everything was a hidden claw, a threat. He no longer seemed as if he expected the worst out of everyone. He still did, of course, but it was hidden now from view a thought in the back of his mind not screaming in the front.



So trust was a work in progress, but he'd made some choices. He'd talk to his siblings too, wrangle them all together for one fell swoop in a way the group just didnt and confront the shared specter (not Darkfall, heh) haunting them. That'd decide who he wanted to continue to take a chance on out of that group, though for now he could enjoy their company, even if they ended up just as bad as Her.

Similarly he could do the same with the others who'd gathered his esteem, enjoy what he saw even if he no longer trusted what he couldnt. Rookfire, Hawkbite, Brairsplash, Scorpionpaw, Grottopaw, they could betray him, but he'd expect it, always expect it now so it wouldnt hurt as much. It was something the bengal could live with.


Dawnstar however? She wasnt allowed.
The pretty tom was well aware he was possibly being downright irritating in the time since their talk, ghosting around her near every time she was in camp but he just couldnt help it. He needed to know she wasnt a liar, a betrayer and words werent enough anymore, even if he trusted hers more then most. That too was slowing as time and unchanging behavior proved Dawnstars character, though now it was hard to not appear a suck up given his near instinctual reaction to her emotions. Oops.





Suppose that was part of why the tom was so keyed up as they headed into the territory. What was ones warrior assessment if not the most clear and important test of an apprentice, their proof to the leader they were worth all the effort put into them. Bleedingpaw was a lot of effort, a lot of chance for a clearly lifelong disabled cat. He HAD to be worth it, more then, he had to be valuable.


But he'd prepared, taken every lesson available and done advanced battle and hunting training on top of a myriad of extras and was as ready as he ever would be. So now even as he wobbled, only slightly slower then most as his tall lean adult form made up for the disadvantage of his impeded movement, and even as he near tripped over a sneaky root, he kept up reaching the clearing and standing (shakily as always) at attention.
"Im aware of the usual methods of a warrior assessment." He'd interrogated Hawkbite "But would you desire a demonstration of my swimming, healing and extra knowledge or is that not a necessary factor."


@Undertaker