Stagheart hesitated at her last words, sympathy tugging in his chest. He wanted to tell her it'd get better, that she'd soon have nothing to worry about, but... it just simply wasn't true. At least, not that he could predict.
He let out a long sigh, shifting his weight on his haunches for a moment as he stalled replying. After a pause, he glanced down at her, his voice low and rumbly. "I... can't promise that, kid," he admitted ruefully. "Cats can be mean for no good reason, no matter how old or capable you are... but what I can promise, or at least believe, is that you'll just get tougher 'n stronger," he explained, attempting to convey some hope in his gruff tones.
"You'll keep growin' 'n learnin', 'n someday, the things they say might bother you less. Or not at all. You just gotta keep goin', keep pushin'... 'n not let it get to ya too much. That's 'bout all we can do..."
(sobs because she's literally friends with Dusklion now)
Willowpaw looked down for a moment as her mentor was unable to promise her, though her ears twitched and she looked up as she was promised she'd get through it. "I'll do it.. with you and Berry....... and Weeping." Willowpaw mewed, half assuring herself half just blabbing from stress
__________________
Oceanstar is the leader of Beachclan!
"You did a great job today and I hope you smile a little by thinking about me at the end of the day" -Kim Hongjoong
(sobs because she's literally friends with Dusklion now)
Willowpaw looked down for a moment as her mentor was unable to promise her, though her ears twitched and she looked up as she was promised she'd get through it. "I'll do it.. with you and Berry....... and Weeping." Willowpaw mewed, half assuring herself half just blabbing from stress
( RAHH my heart )
"Yeah... with all of us. We ain't leavin' your side — you can count on it," he added with the faintest hint of a rumbly purr behind his tone, grateful to see her at least responding well to his encouragements. "I know it ain't always easy, but you'll always have cats to fall back on. 'N don't be afraid to let me know if somecat's botherin' you too much," he added with a huff, knowing he'd gladly swipe at the ears of a Clanmate who was bullying his apprentice — especially for things she couldn't control, like her WindClan heritage, saying it made her less 'RiverClan'... just the reminder of it made a bit of anger flare up, but he kept his gruff yet soothing demeanor towards her, knowing she just needed comfort at the moment.
"Now... you tell me what you're feelin'. You wanna try just gettin' used to standin' in where the water's just at your paws? You wanna try fishin' for minnows where you're on the shore 'n just swipin' at the water? We'll take it as nice 'n easy as you'd like," he assured calmly, not wanting to stress her out. "Or, we can go off huntin' 'n do somethin' else. I ain't here to push ya too far — just to guide ya. You tell me," he meowed gently.
__________________
*despite everything, it's still you.
Berryshine is RiverClan's medicine cat!
she and Cobwebfern have a semi-closed den policy.
"Yeah... with all of us. We ain't leavin' your side — you can count on it," he added with the faintest hint of a rumbly purr behind his tone, grateful to see her at least responding well to his encouragements. "I know it ain't always easy, but you'll always have cats to fall back on. 'N don't be afraid to let me know if somecat's botherin' you too much," he added with a huff, knowing he'd gladly swipe at the ears of a Clanmate who was bullying his apprentice — especially for things she couldn't control, like her WindClan heritage, saying it made her less 'RiverClan'... just the reminder of it made a bit of anger flare up, but he kept his gruff yet soothing demeanor towards her, knowing she just needed comfort at the moment.
"Now... you tell me what you're feelin'. You wanna try just gettin' used to standin' in where the water's just at your paws? You wanna try fishin' for minnows where you're on the shore 'n just swipin' at the water? We'll take it as nice 'n easy as you'd like," he assured calmly, not wanting to stress her out. "Or, we can go off huntin' 'n do somethin' else. I ain't here to push ya too far — just to guide ya. You tell me," he meowed gently.
Willowpaw nodded gently, her tail flicking in gratitude as she heard the words. "Summerbird won't stop bothering me, I think it's because my father in Windclan killed her mother....... and shes taking it out on me." Willowpaw sighed. Looking up to her mentor, "Well.... I think just standing in water, if I looked down to the minnows I would get scared......" Willowpaw mewed. Shuffling her paws for a moment, "If... If I looked down into the water then... it might... it might scare me... y'know if I fell it'd be face first......" Willowpaw trailed off from her attempted explanation, shaking her pelt to rid of the idea as her blue hues rounded
__________________
Oceanstar is the leader of Beachclan!
"You did a great job today and I hope you smile a little by thinking about me at the end of the day" -Kim Hongjoong
Last edited by MangoBearGoGrr; September 3rd, 2024 at 03:32 PM.
Willowpaw nodded gently, her tail flicking in gratitude as she heard the words. "Summerbird won't stop bothering me, I think it's because my father in Windclan killed her mother....... and shes taking it out on me." Willowpaw sighed. Looking up to her mentor, "Well.... I think just standing in water, if I looked down to the minnows I would get scared......" Willowpaw mewed. Shuffling her paws for a moment, "If... If I looked down into the water then... it might... it might scare me... y'know if I fell it'd be face first......" Willowpaw trailed off from her attempted explanation, shaking her pelt to rid of the idea as her blue hues rounded
Stagheart grunted in annoyance (not towards Willowpaw, of course) when she mentioned Summerbird's consistent poking, his fur prickling a bit.
"...Maybe I'll have a word or two with Summerbird at some point," he muttered mostly to himself. If it wasn't too bad, he'd just tell Willowpaw to get through it.. but with the added personal connection of her father being the murderer of Summerbird's mother, oh stars... that just made things more complicated. But that was no excuse to go take out frustrations on such a nice, innocent apprenitice.
To her points about the water, he sighed a bit and nodded thoughtfully, his mind whirling on what he could try. "Why don't we try just havin' you stand in the water, then? Just lookin' straight ahead, at me or the sky, just where the water tugs at your paws. Think you could handle that?" He asked gently, pointing with his tail to the very shallow part of the river, where the current was almost lazily tugging along.
__________________
*despite everything, it's still you.
Berryshine is RiverClan's medicine cat!
she and Cobwebfern have a semi-closed den policy.
Stagheart grunted in annoyance (not towards Willowpaw, of course) when she mentioned Summerbird's consistent poking, his fur prickling a bit.
"...Maybe I'll have a word or two with Summerbird at some point," he muttered mostly to himself. If it wasn't too bad, he'd just tell Willowpaw to get through it.. but with the added personal connection of her father being the murderer of Summerbird's mother, oh stars... that just made things more complicated. But that was no excuse to go take out frustrations on such a nice, innocent apprenitice.
To her points about the water, he sighed a bit and nodded thoughtfully, his mind whirling on what he could try. "Why don't we try just havin' you stand in the water, then? Just lookin' straight ahead, at me or the sky, just where the water tugs at your paws. Think you could handle that?" He asked gently, pointing with his tail to the very shallow part of the river, where the current was almost lazily tugging along.
Willowpaw gulped gently, nodding softly. She flicked her tail along her mentors shoulder in a grateful gesture at his small murmur about talking to Summerbird. Willowpaw stood, shaking out her pelt as she looked a the water, "I.. I think I'll feel better if you stand a bit deeper than me..... so that if I do fall I'll fall straight into you.... y'know so you can catch me." Willowpaw mewed, her eyes determined and fearful all in one, her usual cheery tone hadn't quite returned, but..... it probably would once she got the hang of standing in the water.
__________________
Oceanstar is the leader of Beachclan!
"You did a great job today and I hope you smile a little by thinking about me at the end of the day" -Kim Hongjoong
Willowpaw gulped gently, nodding softly. She flicked her tail along her mentors shoulder in a grateful gesture at his small murmur about talking to Summerbird. Willowpaw stood, shaking out her pelt as she looked a the water, "I.. I think I'll feel better if you stand a bit deeper than me..... so that if I do fall I'll fall straight into you.... y'know so you can catch me." Willowpaw mewed, her eyes determined and fearful all in one, her usual cheery tone hadn't quite returned, but..... it probably would once she got the hang of standing in the water.
Stagheart nodded, giving her shoulder a quick flick with his tail as he rose to his paws, padded over to the water. "Of course. Don't worry, the current ain't strong at all — but if anythin' happens, I'll catch ya. Promise," he assured, glancing back at her before stepping in. He was just glad she'd agreed to touch it at all — these were baby kit steps, and much better than nothing. He'd take it.
With how shallow the river was here, combined with the bright greenleaf sun glittering off the rippling waters, Stagheart found the temperature rather warm and almost soothing. Walking through the shallow end till it started to get a bit deeper, he paused, angling himself as a large barricade. He wouldn't let her slip by this time, if anything happened... no doubt.
"Alright, kid... whenever you're ready, I'm right here," he meowed, sounding remarkably patient and understanding despite his gravelly voice, offering a small and reassuring half-smile.
__________________
*despite everything, it's still you.
Berryshine is RiverClan's medicine cat!
she and Cobwebfern have a semi-closed den policy.
Stagheart nodded, giving her shoulder a quick flick with his tail as he rose to his paws, padded over to the water. "Of course. Don't worry, the current ain't strong at all — but if anythin' happens, I'll catch ya. Promise," he assured, glancing back at her before stepping in. He was just glad she'd agreed to touch it at all — these were baby kit steps, and much better than nothing. He'd take it.
With how shallow the river was here, combined with the bright greenleaf sun glittering off the rippling waters, Stagheart found the temperature rather warm and almost soothing. Walking through the shallow end till it started to get a bit deeper, he paused, angling himself as a large barricade. He wouldn't let her slip by this time, if anything happened... no doubt.
"Alright, kid... whenever you're ready, I'm right here," he meowed, sounding remarkably patient and understanding despite his gravelly voice, offering a small and reassuring half-smile.
Willowpaw nodded, watching her mentor wade with wide, rounded blue hues. Willowpaw stood still, like a deer In headlights. You can do it.... he'll catch you. You have to prove to Summerbird your more Riverclan than she'll ever be! Willowpaw encouraged herself, gulping. The small apprentice inched her paws up to the water. She didn't notice it, but the closer she got the more her tail tucked under her belly. Willowpaw stood still, letting the water gently lap under her forepaws before she iched in a little bit, her eyes shut tightly and her ears pinned as she just felt the water, not listening or seeing. Willowpaw walked forward a few steps, now visibly shaking a she forced herself to stand there. She slowly lifted her ears, getting used to the sounds little by little, though it was taking a while.
__________________
Oceanstar is the leader of Beachclan!
"You did a great job today and I hope you smile a little by thinking about me at the end of the day" -Kim Hongjoong
Willowpaw nodded, watching her mentor wade with wide, rounded blue hues. Willowpaw stood still, like a deer In headlights. You can do it.... he'll catch you. You have to prove to Summerbird your more Riverclan than she'll ever be! Willowpaw encouraged herself, gulping. The small apprentice inched her paws up to the water. She didn't notice it, but the closer she got the more her tail tucked under her belly. Willowpaw stood still, letting the water gently lap under her forepaws before she iched in a little bit, her eyes shut tightly and her ears pinned as she just felt the water, not listening or seeing. Willowpaw walked forward a few steps, now visibly shaking a she forced herself to stand there. She slowly lifted her ears, getting used to the sounds little by little, though it was taking a while.
Stagheart watched her carefully, seeing her cautiously inch her way into the water; the way her tail tucked in, her ears flattened as if trying to drown out any and all sounds and sensations... a pang of sympathy mixed with pride was in him as he watched her struggle and tremble, and yet still stand. He nodded approvingly, a glint in his stark blue eyes as he kept himself as the large blockade hovering nearby her tiny frame.
"Good... yer doin' real good, kid," he praised, flicking his tail as if to emphasize his words. "You just stay there as long as y'need. Whenever you're ready you can start comin' towards me, where the water rises just a lil' bit... if it gets too much, you can stop. But don't worry 'bout fallin'... it's shallow here, but even if ya do, I'll catch ya. Don't you worry," he repeated, wanting to make her feel as safe as possible if she chose to let the water creep up to cover her paws and a tiny bit of her lower leg.
__________________
*despite everything, it's still you.
Berryshine is RiverClan's medicine cat!
she and Cobwebfern have a semi-closed den policy.
Stagheart watched her carefully, seeing her cautiously inch her way into the water; the way her tail tucked in, her ears flattened as if trying to drown out any and all sounds and sensations... a pang of sympathy mixed with pride was in him as he watched her struggle and tremble, and yet still stand. He nodded approvingly, a glint in his stark blue eyes as he kept himself as the large blockade hovering nearby her tiny frame.
"Good... yer doin' real good, kid," he praised, flicking his tail as if to emphasize his words. "You just stay there as long as y'need. Whenever you're ready you can start comin' towards me, where the water rises just a lil' bit... if it gets too much, you can stop. But don't worry 'bout fallin'... it's shallow here, but even if ya do, I'll catch ya. Don't you worry," he repeated, wanting to make her feel as safe as possible if she chose to let the water creep up to cover her paws and a tiny bit of her lower leg.
Willowpaw shook, opening her eyes slowly and staring directly at her mentor, "I.......I don't think I can" She whimpered, her tail in between her legs as she stayed in her spot, the cold water numbing her paws
__________________
Oceanstar is the leader of Beachclan!
"You did a great job today and I hope you smile a little by thinking about me at the end of the day" -Kim Hongjoong
Willowpaw shook, opening her eyes slowly and staring directly at her mentor, "I.......I don't think I can" She whimpered, her tail in between her legs as she stayed in her spot, the cold water numbing her paws
Stagheart nodded sympathetically, trying to keep his low, gruff voice as light and easygoing as possible. "...I know y'can, 'cause you're strong. But that's alright. If this is as far as we get today, that's no problem — it's a start in the right direction."
Then he silently gestured with his tail at the shallow water in between them, seeing tiny little silvery fish with large, round eyes darting around. Stagheart couldn't help but raise one of his paws and, in a quick and practiced lash, hooked one of them around his claw, letting it flail into the air before catching it again with a slight chuckle. He hadn't really tried to fish for minnows since he was a young 'paw... he'd almost forgotten how fun it could be.
"...Think y'can catch any of those lil guys?" He asked casually, not directly pressuring but adding a little challenge; some of them were daring to swim up near the water by her paws, though she'd have to step forward a bit towards Stagheart to get them. They were dumb and curious little creatures, often swimming towards disturbances in the water and then darting away like lightning. But like a kittypet with a string toy, they were almost irresistibly tempting in their quick, tantalizing movements through the shallow end.
__________________
*despite everything, it's still you.
Berryshine is RiverClan's medicine cat!
she and Cobwebfern have a semi-closed den policy.
Re: Willowpaw's Training! [p]
RAHH my heart )
Berryshine is RiverClan's medicine cat! 
