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Old June 6th, 2025, 02:32 AM
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Wingnettle Wingnettle is offline
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Default Re: RiverClan Territory

 
Quote:
Originally Posted by squidz View Post
— STAGHEART —

very large, muscular, & scarred light brown tabby tom with stark blue eyes and a torn ear; killer aptitude t3 | just a scratch | dreamwalker

[ riverclan warrior | tomcat | 58 moons | gruff & battle-hardened, heart o’ gold; loyal to a fault ]


Stagheart was quiet as he watched Starrypaw, placing his dead fish down on the bank and observing. The apprentice was patient, he noted. That was good. Especially for an art like fishing, one needed much patience; it seems he wouldn't have to coach her much on that.

When her first couple attempts slipped from her grasp, he let out a sigh into a chuckle, nodding knowingly. "I feel it. Those fellers like to be quicker than snakes 'n slippier than slugs. Y'just gotta make sure y'can get a hook grip with yer claws — if y'can manage to snag 'em on anything, the fish is yours," he meowed, keeping his voice low so as not to disturb the other fish swimming by.

Finally, that last fish was the kicker. Stagheart's eyes widened a bit in pleasant surprise as the frustrated apprentice finally managed to hook her prize. It landed on the bank, briefly stunned, and she was quick to nip its spine. A rough purr of approval rumbled in the back of his throat as he nodded, eyes gleaming. It was always fun to watch a young cat catch their first fish.

"That's it! Good job, kid," he huffed, giving her a nod. "It takes awhile to get used to, but y'got the technique down now 'n know y'can do it. Usually I gotta teach 'paws more patience 'n timin' before they can catch their first, but yer a natural."

He meant the praise; many apprentices could be gung ho about the process and find themselves lashing out too early. Or, some others would overthink it and wait far too long. Starrypaw seemed to be a near-perfect moderation of the two.

Stagheart padded over and gently prodded the fish, letting out an appreciative hum. "This one's a good size, too. We'll make sure you carry this one nice 'n proud on our way back to camp." His blue eyes flicked back to her, grinning at the excitement he could still see in her eyes. "Let's try for another one, yeah? If yer up for it. It's good to get yer muscles used to the feelin' as much as ya can. We'll see if y'can manage to get the next catch in one or two tries this time."

He didn't have much to critique her on, really, which was a nice surprise; so he'd simply watch her closely this time to help fine-tune any minor details she may have to clean up her form or technique. But the large tom had a good feeling that he wouldn't need to correct too much.

For not being RiverClan-born, Starrypaw seemed right at home in the water.



[ @Wingnettle - Starry ]



Starrypaw
#thestarswithin
Riverclan | 12 moons
Mind Reader, Lucky Duck III, Monkey’s Paw


Starrypaw smiled genuinely at the muscular brown tom. She felt so at easy with him... that for a moment, a thought bolted through her and her expression clouded. She wished Stagheart was her real father. Wait, where did her real father end up?

She knew she'd seen him before coming to Riverclan, and maybe even before the before that, but... she didn't remember. He wasn't nice, that was a feeling she had... a strong, curious feeling. Oh, if only she'd been born in Riverclan... things would've been different. Easier.

"T-thank you.." She replied, trying to get a grasp of her thoughts again. She needed to concentrate, now. Focus, focus starrypaw!
The thin fish were passing in the flowing waters, though it did take them a while to appear again after she'd taken one out of the river. They were so shiny, so beautiful.

She lunged again, this time missing. She did it again, again and again, but she knew she wouldn't be able to catch anything if she didn't focus.
Breathe. She breathed. Slowly, calmly. Waited. She waited a few minuted, then ten again. She liked the silence, and didn't feel at unease with Stagheart even if they didn't talk.
He respected her time and her silence, and that meant the world for her.

She closed her eyes.
Then her paw, claws outstretched, hooked a small fish and took it out.
She did it again, missing lots of times in the middle, but when she was tired there was a small pile of glimmering scaled-creatures at her side.

She looked at Stagheart, in search of approval. Curious eyes waited patiently with an expectative look.

@squidz
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