Deerpaw battle training! (P)

[Morrigan]

Quietraven
Shadowclan warrior
Purrks: Mind reader(permanently active) and Shadow fiend(inactive)

The sky had just started transforming from an inky black to a pale display of multiple warm colours. With the sun just peeking above the horizon, that was Quietraven's sign it was time to rouse her apprentice for training. Dawn was best for typical teaching, anyone with sense knew that.

Traipsing towards the apprentices's den, Quietraven popped her head inside to locate Deerpaw before slinking her way around her other slumbering denmates and to her side. Lifting a pale grey paw, she moderately prodded her apprentice's shoulder to wake her. "Come, we have training to do." she ordered, voice barely rising above a whisper before making her way back towards the mouth of the den.

(So sorry this took so long! ^^')

@Luna16

[Luna16]

Deerpaw felt jolted at the prodding to her skinny shoulder, blinking up blearily at the cat who woke her. It took a moment before her eyes adjusted and she recognized her mentor, and the speckled feline scrambled out of her nest in a panic. "R-Right!" She mewed, earning glares from her still drowsy denmates. Yarrowpaw in particular hissed in frustration, reminding Deerpaw to keep her voice down. Deerpaw shrunk back, following Quietraven from the den quickly before shaking scrapes of most from her thin pelt. "Wh-What are we doing to-today?" She asked, a timid but excited smile on her maw as she looked up at her mentor.

{ @Morrigan - Quietraven - no worries! I'm sorry for the delayed response. }

[Morrigan]

Quietraven
Shadowclan warrior
Purrks: Mind reader(permanently active) and Shadow fiend(inactive)

Someone was antsy today. Quietraven resisted the temptation to roll her eyes at the panicked display of Deerpaw as she emerged. As soon as her apprentice had reached her side she started moving towards and out the exit, not sparing a glance as she answered her question.

"Combat. I'll teach you the basics unless you already know them." The dark warrior told her younger counterpart. Deerpaw wasn't expected to learn solely from her, so it wouldn't be surprising if she already had knowledge on a topic she hadn't taught her.

As they reached their destination, Dawning woods, Quietraven halted and turned to Deerpaw. "Now that we're here you can show me what you know. Let's start with a battle stance." Cold gaze awaited inspection as there was no doubt that Deerpaw would follow her command.

Though dull it was essential that she knew the positions and moves before she initiated a spar between hem like she planned. It had been a while since she had fought and though she would like to have a proper fight she couldn't be too brutal on her apprentice...best to keep to the necessary extremes for now.

@Luna16

[Luna16]

Deerpaw followed Quietraven wordlessly as she waited patiently for a response. She was used to the...er...more reserved demeanor of her mentor by now. She didn't take it personally. But when the dark gray warrior mentioned combat training, Deerpaw couldn't help the anxiety that prickled at her paws. She struggled to swallow it back, but failed to keep it from her face entirely. "O-Oh. I see." She mewed, her voice losing some of it's chipper. But she knew this would be critical, combat seemed to be particularly stressed as a skill for ShadowClan. Resisting the urge to hunch or gulp, Deerpaw followed Quietraven to the Dawning Woods.

Demonstrate the...battle stance? There's a stance? Deerpaw nodded, determined, and attempted what she thought the battle stance might look it. Which...was pretty much her hunting stance. Looking up at Quietraven, she could already sense that she'd failed. "I-I'm sorry...I-I d-don't know it..." Her voice trailed off, but she didn't leave the stance she'd taken. Instead trying to adjust it to what she thought it might look like if she were facing an enemy that could pounce on her.

{ @Morrigan - Quietraven }

[Morrigan]

Quietraven
Shadowclan warrior
Purrks: Mind reader(permanently active) and Shadow fiend(inactive)

So Deerpaw didn't know a battle stance? Alright then, more work for her. "It's fine. I would've been more annoyed if you hadn't attempted it at least." Quietraven shrugged off her apology. Why was this apprentice so mousy? Nerves didn't do much good for anyone, especially in this situation

"What you're demonstrating is a hunting crouch. I'll show you a battle stance." the dark molly immediately positioned herself into said stance. Claws slid out from their sheaths, head dipped down to shoulder level and paws rooted into the ground. Personally she'd take on a more form that would allow for more movement but this was just the basics and Deerpaw would decide her own fighting style in time. Frosty gaze urged her apprentice to copy.

@Luna16

[Luna16]

Deerpaw's large ears flattened in the face of her failure. She swallowed, but...it was okay right? Quietraven said they'd be more annoyed if she made no attempt at all. So she wasn't...a complete disappointment then...right? Deerpaw nodded when her mentor said she'd demonstrate the correct stance, adjusting her paws and head position accordingly. But she didn't unsheathe her claws right away. She looked between her paws and stance and Quietraven's, checking it over and readjusting until she had the stance perfectly mirrored. Then she uncertainly unsheathed her claws, looking at Quietraven for approval. "L-Like that?"

{ @Morrigan - Quietraven }

[Morrigan]

Quietraven
Shadowclan warrior
Purrks: Mind reader(permanently active) and Shadow fiend(inactive)

"That's better. Unsheath your claws though otherwise you won't to much damage." Quietraven's unwavering gaze momentarily locked onto the fact that Deerpaw's claw weren't out but quickly moved on with the more important focus. Actually lerning how to fight against and opponent. Deerpaw could find someone else to deal with her anxiety, she wasn't suited nor did she want to be an emotional support to anyone.

Leaving her claws unsheathed, the dark warrior decided on which move she would teach first. "Frontpaw blow - bring your paw down in your enemy's head. Hard. Most keep their claws sheathed" Deerpaw might grew most fond of that one as it didn't involve any claws or fangs. Quietraven demonstrated it on an imaginary foe, perfectly excuting it, not to her surprise.

"Frontpaw strike or slash as it's undecided - slice downwards using your front paw with your claws out. Target sensitve areas : Face, throat, belly and wherever else which will cause serious damage. You should focus on taking your enemy down quickly, be ruthless" An explanation, a demonstration some encouragement to stop being a coward. Wasn't she a great teacher? "You try." Once again Quietraven say back and waited for her frightful pupil to copy.

@Luna16