The helpful Stag brings the withering Daisy to the sun. (Daisypaw training)

**_Nacht_Mango-_-** · #1 January 18th, 2025, 03:25 PM

Ahhhhhhhh. Morning time! Gosh Daosypaws training had been held up, well...her last two leaders and brother died....so the little Molly needed and appricated the break. But now her biggest sissy was pregnant! And papa Stag could...well hopefully start training her soon! Daisypaw stretched her aching limbs. She'd done exercises out of kit hbit. Her muscles lean yet in pain. She was proud of her lean figure at her age. Her strength was no joke to the other apprentices. If only she didn't get bruised and in pain so easily by creating these muscles....but hopefully if she started training soon. Daosypaw would be in pain less! Padding from her den the long tailed Molly went to find Stagheart. Upon finding him, Daisypaw silently padded up. Snuggling her muzzle against his shoulder in a small yt affectionate greeting
@squidz

***squidz*** · #2 January 19th, 2025, 04:35 PM

— 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 | 56 moons | gruff & battle-hardened, heart o’ gold; loyal to a fault ]

—

Stagheart sensed Daisypaw's approach before he saw it. Giving her a nod of greeting, the tom grunted as she pressed her muzzle to his shoulder. He lightly booped it back with a nudge, a half-smile on his maw.

"Heya, Daisy." There was a warm note of subtle affection in the warrior's usually-gruff tone, something that very few ever heard. He was happy to see that she looked collected and prepared, as if she'd done her stretches and exercises that she and Berryshine had gone over. Glancing around the clearing, the battle-scarred tom saw that it was a fairly average day — yet cold. At least they'd be able to stick to the sheltered camp for her training, he noted to himself; Daisypaw's Caretaker role was unlike anything he'd ever had to train, but Stagheart certainly wasn't opposed. If anything, it seemed like the perfect way to keep the young she-cat active and involved. He was silently thankful to StarClan that Owlstar had agreed to Fadingstar's original plan.

Giving her another once-over to make sure she looked alright, Stagheart twitched his whiskers as he faced Daisypaw. "You ready to start trainin' today? I finally got some guidance from Owlstar. She's fine with goin' the same route that Fadin'star was talkin' 'bout — y'know, you bein' a Caretaker 'n all. How's that sound?"

He tilted his broad head, trying to read the young cat's expressions. Hopefully, she'd be happy even if this meant she'd never become a warrior like perhaps her dreams may have been. Or perhaps not. Either way, this should be alright, he hoped. The young cat had been waiting patiently for moons, and he hoped to do the best he could to get her situated. With the Clan in tumult the last year, it'd been hard to keep things on track. Then again, with all their losses... maybe the break had been what she'd needed.

**_Nacht_Mango-_-** · #3 January 20th, 2025, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squidz

— 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 | 56 moons | gruff & battle-hardened, heart o’ gold; loyal to a fault ]

—

Stagheart sensed Daisypaw's approach before he saw it. Giving her a nod of greeting, the tom grunted as she pressed her muzzle to his shoulder. He lightly booped it back with a nudge, a half-smile on his maw.

"Heya, Daisy." There was a warm note of subtle affection in the warrior's usually-gruff tone, something that very few ever heard. He was happy to see that she looked collected and prepared, as if she'd done her stretches and exercises that she and Berryshine had gone over. Glancing around the clearing, the battle-scarred tom saw that it was a fairly average day — yet cold. At least they'd be able to stick to the sheltered camp for her training, he noted to himself; Daisypaw's Caretaker role was unlike anything he'd ever had to train, but Stagheart certainly wasn't opposed. If anything, it seemed like the perfect way to keep the young she-cat active and involved. He was silently thankful to StarClan that Owlstar had agreed to Fadingstar's original plan.

Giving her another once-over to make sure she looked alright, Stagheart twitched his whiskers as he faced Daisypaw. "You ready to start trainin' today? I finally got some guidance from Owlstar. She's fine with goin' the same route that Fadin'star was talkin' 'bout — y'know, you bein' a Caretaker 'n all. How's that sound?"

He tilted his broad head, trying to read the young cat's expressions. Hopefully, she'd be happy even if this meant she'd never become a warrior like perhaps her dreams may have been. Or perhaps not. Either way, this should be alright, he hoped. The young cat had been waiting patiently for moons, and he hoped to do the best he could to get her situated. With the Clan in tumult the last year, it'd been hard to keep things on track. Then again, with all their losses... maybe the break had been what she'd needed.

"She did? Yay! " Daisypaw purred. Her long tail sticking up as she mewed. "Can we see Berry and Willow before we go? Pretty please even. I need Willows advice on how to handle you as a mentor" Daisypaw purred teasingly. Daisypaws expression was happy and soft. Though her eyes had a gentle glimmer of longing. "Willowtail... told me that Brightnight was able to send her off on her first day of training.....thats... why I wanna see Berryshine. Willowtail was there as well...but most of my kithood was with Berryshine" Daisypaw mewed softly.

***squidz*** · #4 January 22nd, 2025, 01:16 PM

Stagheart's eyes softened as Daisypaw explained her desire to see her sisters to wish her off on her first 'official' day of training. Who was he to deny such a wholesome request? At the mention of most of her kithood being with Berry, his heart clenched; that reasoning was because the young 'paw had been even weaker and frailer back then, where a simple stretch could pull a muscle. Not to say she wasn't still precarious now—it's why she was being called a Caretaker instead of training to be a warrior, after all—but the reminder of her rough start in life ached in his chest.

"Of course, kid," he assured gently, glancing around the clearing. Berryshine was outside of the medicine den, adjusting some of the coverings to the entrance that helped keep out the cold. Stagheart jerked his muzzle towards her to the medicine cat with his apprentice, briefly pausing near the warriors' den to call out, "Willowtail! You in there? Come on out." Then he led Daisypaw to the medicine den, his voice low but warm. "Heya, Berry."

Berryshine turned at the familiar voice of her foster father, the comforting scent of family touching her pink nose a moment later. Turning, a smile graced the small she-cat's maw as she saw Daisypaw with Stagheart. "O-Oh, hello! Today must be your first day of training, I'd guess?" She mused, green eyes flicking to Stagheart for confirmation. When he nodded, she let out a little purr and gently touched her cold nose to Daisypaw's ear. "Y-You're going to do great. Stagheart told me all about your role, a-and I think you're going to be a huge help around here, even for me. Maybe you can even entertain the kits for me if they get sick in this weather."

**_Nacht_Mango-_-** · #5 January 22nd, 2025, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squidz

Stagheart's eyes softened as Daisypaw explained her desire to see her sisters to wish her off on her first 'official' day of training. Who was he to deny such a wholesome request? At the mention of most of her kithood being with Berry, his heart clenched; that reasoning was because the young 'paw had been even weaker and frailer back then, where a simple stretch could pull a muscle. Not to say she wasn't still precarious now—it's why she was being called a Caretaker instead of training to be a warrior, after all—but the reminder of her rough start in life ached in his chest.

"Of course, kid," he assured gently, glancing around the clearing. Berryshine was outside of the medicine den, adjusting some of the coverings to the entrance that helped keep out the cold. Stagheart jerked his muzzle towards her to the medicine cat with his apprentice, briefly pausing near the warriors' den to call out, "Willowtail! You in there? Come on out." Then he led Daisypaw to the medicine den, his voice low but warm. "Heya, Berry."

Berryshine turned at the familiar voice of her foster father, the comforting scent of family touching her pink nose a moment later. Turning, a smile graced the small she-cat's maw as she saw Daisypaw with Stagheart. "O-Oh, hello! Today must be your first day of training, I'd guess?" She mused, green eyes flicking to Stagheart for confirmation. When he nodded, she let out a little purr and gently touched her cold nose to Daisypaw's ear. "Y-You're going to do great. Stagheart told me all about your role, a-and I think you're going to be a huge help around here, even for me. Maybe you can even entertain the kits for me if they get sick in this weather."

Daisypaw purred gently. "Silly. Willowtails in the nursery now, remember?" Daisypaw meowed. "Willow!" Daisypaw called as they padded psst to get to the medicine den. Daisypaw looked at Berryshine. Purring brightly at her words, "Great!!! I'd love to help out...and it's kinda my job now" Daisypaw joked, though her joke seemed to have a gentle hint of negatives in it. Pushing the thoughts away Daisypaw felt Willowtails unnaturally long tail brush her blank. "Willow" Daisypaw purred. Turning to Willowtail as her sister placed her muzzle on Daisypaws ears. "I'm proud of your Days. Do good." Willowtail purred, by day her words had been getting a bit motherly. Willowtail sat down gently, a small grunt escaping her as she looked at Stagheart. Her shoulder gently brushing him. Willowtail looked at Staheart and Berryshine. Willowtail nudged Daisypaw proudly, "You've grown a lot...were all very proud of you. And I promise were all going to be the first to say your warrior name" Willowtail meowed gently, the motherly tone returning.
Daisypaw looked at Willowtail, "Im not your kit" Daisypaw pouted, letting the amusement in her gaze show as she walked past Berryshine. "Shes kinda old now~" Daisypw teased as Willowtail was the oldest of the girls. Seeing Willowtails scowls Daisypaw purred. "Stagheart, " Daisypaw mewed. Looking outside. "Let's go. I'm gonna be the best Caretaker ever! Oh wait. I have to be" Daisypaw purred. Seeing Willowtail roll her eyes at Daisypaw and her sassy antics. "Get outta here before I scold you like a kit to"

***squidz*** · #6 January 24th, 2025, 12:10 PM

Stagheart snorted at himself as Daisypaw teased him; of course Willowtail was in the nursery. She'd moved in there after announcing her pregnancy. He still wasn't used to that. He watched as Daisy responded mostly positively to Berryshine, although he could detect that faint hint of bitterness, which panged his heart. Of course part of the she-cat would always want to have become a warrior or something else, but StarClan hadn't decreed it to be. He flicked her shoulder encouragingly, a small bit of comfort as he listened to the other she-cats go back and forth.

Berryshine had also caught onto the slight bitterness, but decided not to say anything about it. She didn't want to ruin the moment, and knew that it was only natural after the cards that Daisypaw had been dealt. But she did snicker as Daisy called Willowtail 'old', and when she declared she had to be the best Caretaker; she was the only one, after all.

"You'll be making history," Berryshine half-joked, giving Daisypaw a purr and giving an amused glance to Willowtail. Technically, it was true — Daisy's new role in the Clan could open up future possibilities for other cats like her, ones who might not be able to become a warrior due to their ailments, yet could still prove a use to their Clan. "Good luck!" She called as Stagheart rose to his paws, gently nudging Daisypaw with him.

"Alright, kid, c'mon — let's get to it. We'll run through the expectations first that Owlstar told me." He gave a warm blink to Willowtail and Berryshine, nodding his head in farewell to them for now, then headed back to the clearing. There were a few things he'd thought of, and on a snowy day like this, it at least made sense that they'd be staying in camp for most of it. Clearing some of the powdery flakes from the stones around them, he settled down on his haunches, waiting for his apprentice to waddle her way over.

"Now, I know there's been a lot goin' on these past few moons, so the answer is likely nothin'. But I always go over what my 'pprentices know 'n don't know just so I can figure a good place to start." Although this wasn't warrior training, and they'd be mostly focusing on what Daisypaw would be doing in camp today, Stagheart also bore in mind Owlstar's offer to help train Daisypaw on some other things such as self-defense, and wanted to see if the younger cat had any sort of experience from events or otherwise. "So, tell me whatcha know. 'N if it's nothin', that's fine. But have ya gotten any training on anythin' before? 'N how'd it go if so?"

**_Nacht_Mango-_-** · #7 January 24th, 2025, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squidz

Stagheart snorted at himself as Daisypaw teased him; of course Willowtail was in the nursery. She'd moved in there after announcing her pregnancy. He still wasn't used to that. He watched as Daisy responded mostly positively to Berryshine, although he could detect that faint hint of bitterness, which panged his heart. Of course part of the she-cat would always want to have become a warrior or something else, but StarClan hadn't decreed it to be. He flicked her shoulder encouragingly, a small bit of comfort as he listened to the other she-cats go back and forth.

Berryshine had also caught onto the slight bitterness, but decided not to say anything about it. She didn't want to ruin the moment, and knew that it was only natural after the cards that Daisypaw had been dealt. But she did snicker as Daisy called Willowtail 'old', and when she declared she had to be the best Caretaker; she was the only one, after all.

"You'll be making history," Berryshine half-joked, giving Daisypaw a purr and giving an amused glance to Willowtail. Technically, it was true — Daisy's new role in the Clan could open up future possibilities for other cats like her, ones who might not be able to become a warrior due to their ailments, yet could still prove a use to their Clan. "Good luck!" She called as Stagheart rose to his paws, gently nudging Daisypaw with him.

"Alright, kid, c'mon — let's get to it. We'll run through the expectations first that Owlstar told me." He gave a warm blink to Willowtail and Berryshine, nodding his head in farewell to them for now, then headed back to the clearing. There were a few things he'd thought of, and on a snowy day like this, it at least made sense that they'd be staying in camp for most of it. Clearing some of the powdery flakes from the stones around them, he settled down on his haunches, waiting for his apprentice to waddle her way over.

"Now, I know there's been a lot goin' on these past few moons, so the answer is likely nothin'. But I always go over what my 'pprentices know 'n don't know just so I can figure a good place to start." Although this wasn't warrior training, and they'd be mostly focusing on what Daisypaw would be doing in camp today, Stagheart also bore in mind Owlstar's offer to help train Daisypaw on some other things such as self-defense, and wanted to see if the younger cat had any sort of experience from events or otherwise. "So, tell me whatcha know. 'N if it's nothin', that's fine. But have ya gotten any training on anythin' before? 'N how'd it go if so?"

Daisypaw purred to her family. Flicking her tail in farewell as she followed Stagheart. Sitting down as he stopped, Daisypaw gave a gentle Hmm of thinking. "Oh! I went hunting one time....for an event. And uhh.... I've mainly only been hunting. But I know how to change nests and calm down crying kits...." Daisypaw offered. Her gaze a bit apologetic a she had feeble offerings of knowledge. Daisypaw's flicking tail showed her embarrassed and gently frustration. She was almost 9 moons and she still couldn't do normal things

***squidz*** · #8 January 27th, 2025, 03:05 PM

Stagheart nodded sympathetically, sensing the younger cat's frustration. He flicked her shoulder with his tail, his eyes showing no judgement of the few things she'd listed.

"Ain't no problem at all. And you've been huntin'? That's good." He was a bit surprised to hear it, but figured he shouldn't be. It made sense that Daisypaw would've moseyed around camp and joined an event like that. He was just glad it seemed it hadn't overextended her. To the rest, he nodded again.

"Good. Caretakin' is gonna be a lot of the latter, I'd presume. So ya know how to change nests, gettin' clean 'n dry moss, 'n disposin' of the old stuff. Suppose I could teach ya how to help clean off ticks from cat's pelts, like the elders — they usually need help wit' that. Gettin' old makes it harder to reach it... but it ain't pretty," he chuckled grimly. "'N calmin' kits is good. I guess first, I can help show ya how to reinforce the camp walls 'n boundaries — 'specially in different seasons or after battles, our walls can get trampled, 'n we need to rebuild 'em. C'mon."

The warrior led his apprentice to the camp entrance, where a tightly-woven bramble wall shielded their camp from the territory beyond. "Ya see this? I'm sure you know by now, but this is called bramble. Itsa thorny plant that grows thick in vines, 'n we weave 'em together to protect the camp. It can be tricky to get used to puttin' it together without pokin' yourself. Make sure you go 'n see Berryshine if ya do." He briefly thought of the incident of Crowpaw and Lavenderleopard, shuddering to himself at the thought of the warrior making her apprentice squeeze through a bunch of thornbushes. Yuck.

"Anywho, you can use yer paws for some of 'em, or yer teeth too. Just be careful with that, 'cause it's real easy to poke yer muzzle if y'ain't payin' attention... 'n we don't need ya to lose an eye," Stagheart huffed, starting to pull on one of the loose branches of bramble that'd come undone from the main barrier. He carefully and slowly showed Daisypaw how to curl it under some branches and loop through others, making knots and tightened edges. "Don't grab 'em too hard, or else you'll poke yourself. Just touchin' a thorn ain't enough to hurt ya, but if ya press hard on it then it'll prick ya. Now you try it with this one — it don't got as many thorns."

**_Nacht_Mango-_-** · #9 January 27th, 2025, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squidz

Stagheart nodded sympathetically, sensing the younger cat's frustration. He flicked her shoulder with his tail, his eyes showing no judgement of the few things she'd listed.

"Ain't no problem at all. And you've been huntin'? That's good." He was a bit surprised to hear it, but figured he shouldn't be. It made sense that Daisypaw would've moseyed around camp and joined an event like that. He was just glad it seemed it hadn't overextended her. To the rest, he nodded again.

"Good. Caretakin' is gonna be a lot of the latter, I'd presume. So ya know how to change nests, gettin' clean 'n dry moss, 'n disposin' of the old stuff. Suppose I could teach ya how to help clean off ticks from cat's pelts, like the elders — they usually need help wit' that. Gettin' old makes it harder to reach it... but it ain't pretty," he chuckled grimly. "'N calmin' kits is good. I guess first, I can help show ya how to reinforce the camp walls 'n boundaries — 'specially in different seasons or after battles, our walls can get trampled, 'n we need to rebuild 'em. C'mon."

The warrior led his apprentice to the camp entrance, where a tightly-woven bramble wall shielded their camp from the territory beyond. "Ya see this? I'm sure you know by now, but this is called bramble. Itsa thorny plant that grows thick in vines, 'n we weave 'em together to protect the camp. It can be tricky to get used to puttin' it together without pokin' yourself. Make sure you go 'n see Berryshine if ya do." He briefly thought of the incident of Crowpaw and Lavenderleopard, shuddering to himself at the thought of the warrior making her apprentice squeeze through a bunch of thornbushes. Yuck.

"Anywho, you can use yer paws for some of 'em, or yer teeth too. Just be careful with that, 'cause it's real easy to poke yer muzzle if y'ain't payin' attention... 'n we don't need ya to lose an eye," Stagheart huffed, starting to pull on one of the loose branches of bramble that'd come undone from the main barrier. He carefully and slowly showed Daisypaw how to curl it under some branches and loop through others, making knots and tightened edges. "Don't grab 'em too hard, or else you'll poke yourself. Just touchin' a thorn ain't enough to hurt ya, but if ya press hard on it then it'll prick ya. Now you try it with this one — it don't got as many thorns."

Daosypaw listened and watched. Blue eyes focused. Though her gaze went a bit darker as the mention of crying kits. "Joy. " she grumbled. Paying attention as her mentor messed with some brambles. "It sounds so complicated but looks so easy"

***squidz*** · #10 January 31st, 2025, 11:58 AM

Stagheart stifled a rusty purr of amusement at the sound of Daisypaw's grumble. She and Willowtail were sweet she-cats, but also had a sassy edge to them. He could forget that sometimes, especially with how soft-spoken and timid Berryshine was, even as a kit.

"Joy indeed," he huffed, demonstrating one more time before pawing over one of the bramble branches to her. "Now you try it. See that gap in the wall right there? Try loopin' in this one, tying it 'round the other. It's a simple motion, but the hard part is keepin' it steady without stickin' yer paws in the middle of a buncha thorns."

He stood next to her, his large frame towering over the smaller cat, though she didn't seem like she'd be as small as her sister. Stark blue eyes carefully watched Daisypaw, ready to intervene or take over in case she got stuck or confused.