Vines can slither up trees(Private)

**gs29513** · #1 September 16th, 2024, 02:13 PM

It wasn't exactly a normal Windclan skill, but Deadmoon was fairly alright at it anyway. That seemed to be the way it went. She was useless at all the proper Windclan stuff, running and catching rabbits, but better than most of her clanmates at all the other things. Though perhaps that was simply how those unable to run made themselves useful around Windclan. Crowtooth had done the same thing by becoming a tunneler, and that had worked out quite well for him. Unfortunately Deadmoon didn't get much of an opportunity to use her odd skills besides stealth hunting, as trees to climb and water in which to swim were rare. But she did want to try her paw at teaching some cats how to climb.

If you knew, might as well pass it on so some poor future soul could fall out of a tree and break a bone! Her first thought had been Owlpaw, but the young molly was most certainly the type to launch herself out of the tree with aplomb and subsequently end up in the medicine cats den. Plus, Deadmoon wasn't entirely sure her skills were terribly sharp, and she didn't want to get laughed at by her totally-not-daughter. So the next cat she had in mind was Vinepaw. He was far calmer and had taken to stalking quite well, so he might have similarly steady paws for this task. She'd found a tree which had nice, broad, low branches the day before, and now stood in the clearing, looking for the apprentice. Ah, there he was! Vinepaw! she called, heading in his direction. How do you feel about trying out a bit of climbing? Stars above she really hoped she didn't fall and injure herself, that would be SUPER embarrassing. He was probably to nice to laugh though, so it was fine! @Tallstar

**Tallstar** · #2 September 18th, 2024, 11:22 AM

Vinepaw
9 Moons
He/Him
Vinepaw had been sitting in the clearing mulling over his recent nightmare what had Gorsefur intended to do with him what moves would he be learning..what possibly could a dark forest cat teach? one who torments him at that.
He was snapped from his thoughts at the mention of his name ah it was Deadmoon! He had warmed up to the she-cat quite well considering he didn't have much family. He quickly trotted over ah so climbing he had been out with Watertail the older grouchy tom though he knew he needed some work "Of course Id love to learn some more considering my assessment is soon I can use all the practice I can get."
@gs29513

**gs29513** · #3 September 30th, 2024, 10:17 PM

Ah, Vinepaw was agreeable. As he always was, to be fair. Deadmoon wasn't sure she'd ever seen any sort of annoyance or resistance from him. That was definitely hyperbole, no cat was perfect, but he was far from the reticent rat she'd been as an apprentice. So in her eyes, basically perfect. Then again, that was an issue with a lot of cats Deadmoon came to care about. They were fantastic, amazing, wonderful. Flawed only in their kindness, or joyfulness, or excessive youthful zest. And then she was.....here, just sort of mucking along trying to do her best. She supposed she'd not thought of Wolffang as so wonderful. He'd been a nasty part of her kithood, after all, along with her mother and sister. But regardless, most of the time, she was the problem.

MOVING ON! Stop having existential crises, Deadmoon, it's really getting old at this point! Ah, your assessment is soon! she purred, forcing a bit of enthusiasm. It was deserved, to be fair. You'll be a fantastic warrior! He would. He definitely would. Four working legs and everything. Right, let's go then! she added, starting off at a decent trot. Soon enough they reached her favorite tree, a nice oak that had low, friendly branches. The bark was groovy too, so she could stick her claws into it as needed.

Right, this is my favorite tree! she mewed, with a bit of uncharacteristic verve. Tree! A nice tree! Deadmoon liked nice trees, she might as well make the whole 'not really a proper Windclan cat' thing official. The bark is nice to grip and whatnot. I'd say we start by going to the first layer of branches, and then maybe hopping from branch to branch. Just...general balance practice which I reckon'll help with climbing and fighting. With her instructions sort of given, she scrambled up as best she could. It took her a bit of awkward effort, seeing as she only had one font paw to really pull herself up with, but with a strong push from her hind legs she was able to reach the first branch. After a moment of wobbling she jumped, landing on a nearby branch with a slight skid that forced her to dig her claws into the bark again. Another hop, another sinking in of claws, and she was safely on a third branch, leaving space for Vinepaw to join her in the trees. @Tallstar

**Tallstar** · #4 October 15th, 2024, 07:21 PM

Vinepaw nodded he had already learned how to climb with water tail but he was excited regardless he launched himself up climbing harshly though he pushed down any fear he felt..he definitely perfered being in the funerals then in the trees but this was his learning chance he had to take it “Now what?” He asked his mom-Deadmoon!
@gs29513

**gs29513** · #5 October 17th, 2024, 08:47 PM

Ok, so Vinepaw was clearly a natural. A natural or had been scaling tries on his own for some nonsensical reason, Deadmoon couldn't decide. Or maybe it was just....easy enough to learn if you had four functioning paws. She didn't think that could be the only cause though, she had been SO much worse when she'd started. Though, she supposed, he was already used to something besides running, being a little tunneler and all. Maybe that was it. Whatever. She would have to actually put a bit of effort into this, if she wanted to make it interesting for him.

I'm going to get a few branches over she began, lunging forward a bit wildly (this particular branch was kind of far away) and digging her claws into the branch. Then she reached her front paws upwards, almost dragging herself up with a bit of a hop from her hind legs. and then you can practice jumping between branches a bit. Getting used to not being stuck to the branch all the time. Then we'll practice going down. That was truly the hard bit. Going down. She'd been stuck jumping from a bit of a height and hoping for the best for far longer than she cared to admit. You had to go backwards. And it was horrible. But at least she could safely go higher now? @Tallstar

**Tallstar** · #6 December 17th, 2024, 09:12 AM

He didn’t hesitate long, though. He’d been practicing and knew the basics. It wasn’t that different from tunneling, right? Just with more open space and less dirt. Vinepaw padded forward, his claws clicking against the bark as he moved closer to the branch Deadmoon had just left. He took a breath, feeling the wind against his fur, and with a quick crouch, he pushed off the branch, letting his body follow the motion with ease.

For a moment, he felt the rush of air under him, the branches blurring in his peripheral vision, and then—thunk—he landed on the next branch. His paws slid for a second, but he caught himself, his tail flicking out to stabilize his balance. It wasn’t as graceful as Deadmoon’s, but he didn’t topple.

"How was that?" Vinepaw called up to her, a little breathless but grinning, his eyes shining with excitement. He could feel the adrenaline still buzzing through him, and despite the shaky landing, he felt a little proud.

"Next?" he added, eager to try again, and already eyeing the next branch ahead of him.

**gs29513** · #7 December 18th, 2024, 10:30 PM

(It's never too late I'm the latest person in the world)
Look at Vinepaw, hopping about without a care in the world! Deadmoon was, inexplicably, quite proud of the young tom. Foolish, seeing as she'd contributed absolutely nothing to his skill or kindness, but a present emotion nonetheless. Generally how she felt about Snowybreeze. There was something about seeing young cats grow up better than you had, she supposed. Watching them figure out so swiftly how to be good and useful and strong, when you were still in the process at a grand old 40 moons.

That was great! she purred, tail waving about almost without consent. When she realized where it was snaking (towards his shoulders, with the intent of a bit of a parental hug) Deadmoon quickly retracted it, leaving it resting on the branch below her. If you want to do a few more jumps between branches I certainly won't complain, Starclan knows I could do with a bit of practice myself. In the name of said practice, Deadmoon lunged for another branch, a bit higher. Her uneven front paw grip had her sliding perilously for a moment, but once her strong hind legs caught the branch, she was up and safe.

Another hop and she was even higher, branch starting to bend and wobble as her weight was applied. A final hop took her to the point where she was fairly certain any more forward progress would result in a sudden downward plunge she was ill prepared for, and Deadmoon edged out slightly on the branch. She'd leave a bit of space for Vinepaw to follow if he wished, though he could probably go even higher. Being young and all, he might be light enough to traverse where she could not. That, of course, was up to his own discretion. She didn't know how heavy he was, how much he trusted his balance, all that stuff. For her part, this particular branch was as far as she dared go. @Tallstar