Territory Trek [p training]

[Akira]

Originally Posted by Katlike

Berrypaw
Post Count: 13/100

“I-I’m sorry for asking,” Berrypaw murmured upon seeing Pouncestone's expression, falling deep into thought as she mulled this over in her mind. Berrypaw had never much liked the sound of ShadowClan, considering their ominous title, and then… She didn’t know, but Berrypaw had never felt too fond of the scary-sounding Clan.

When the warrior continued on to speak, telling her to, in this case, not judge a cat by the Clan they resided in, Berrypaw felt her shoulders drooping slightly. She had only just been doing that a moment before, and it felt quite humiliating to be openly reprimanded for it even when the offending cat didn’t know what she had been thinking. Attempting a lighthearted smile, Berrypaw tucked that piece of information for later. She would try her best to be better next time.

“What is your name..?” She asked suddenly, and then winced for being so forthright. “I’m s-sorry, I just thought I’d ask, because I’ve seen you around once or twice, but never learnt your name. …And I wanted to thank you properly for this.”

[ Sorry about the late responses :,) My motivation was running low this morning | Oops, I mentioned you on accident- ]

Pouncestone blinked, caught off guard by the question Berrypaw posed to him. His name? Ah, right. They never introduced themselves to each other, right? He knew Berrypaw's name due to her apprentice ceremony, but she had no idea about his. The dark gray tabby felt his pelt burn at the fact that it took so long to realize that, but now, he could provide it.

"My name is Pouncestone," the warrior introduced himself, struggling to keep a neutral tone and keep the sheepish tone out of his voice. He decided to turn his attention to the Lone Pine, his tail moving idly behind him. "And there's no need to thank me, at least, not yet. Let's get some progress done first before that, yeah? For now, welcome to the Sky Glade."

[Rose]

Originally Posted by Ritsuka

Pouncestone blinked, caught off guard by the question Berrypaw posed to him. His name? Ah, right. They never introduced themselves to each other, right? He knew Berrypaw's name due to her apprentice ceremony, but she had no idea about his. The dark gray tabby felt his pelt burn at the fact that it took so long to realize that, but now, he could provide it.

"My name is Pouncestone," the warrior introduced himself, struggling to keep a neutral tone and keep the sheepish tone out of his voice. He decided to turn his attention to the Lone Pine, his tail moving idly behind him. "And there's no need to thank me, at least, not yet. Let's get some progress done first before that, yeah? For now, welcome to the Sky Glade."

Berrypaw
Post Count: 14/100

“Oh.” Pouncestone was his name? At least, as awkward as she'd made it by asking his name, she had that little tidbit of information now. Berrypaw blinked and then glanced away as a finch flying past distracted her, mismatched gaze flitting around to admire the scenery for a moment before she refocused on the WindClan warrior standing a little ways away. The speckled, shorter-than-average apprentice was on the verge of opening her mouth to offer Pouncestone a grateful thanks when he told her just the opposite. He told her not to thank him yet. She’d just have to wait then.

Regardless of her best wishes to remain still and be perceived as cool and mature, Berrypaw’s tail started flicking left and right with barely contained excitement. “The Sky Glade?” She asked curiously, forgetting in her eagerness for a moment that they’d already gone over the subject. “Oh, right, sorry nevermind.” Her head whipped around at every turn, undoubtedly attempting to burn everything into memory so that hopefully it would stick for the next time she came here.

[Akira]

Originally Posted by Katlike

Berrypaw
Post Count: 14/100

“Oh.” Pouncestone was his name? At least, as awkward as she'd made it by asking his name, she had that little tidbit of information now. Berrypaw blinked and then glanced away as a finch flying past distracted her, mismatched gaze flitting around to admire the scenery for a moment before she refocused on the WindClan warrior standing a little ways away. The speckled, shorter-than-average apprentice was on the verge of opening her mouth to offer Pouncestone a grateful thanks when he told her just the opposite. He told her not to thank him yet. She’d just have to wait then.

Regardless of her best wishes to remain still and be perceived as cool and mature, Berrypaw’s tail started flicking left and right with barely contained excitement. “The Sky Glade?” She asked curiously, forgetting in her eagerness for a moment that they’d already gone over the subject. “Oh, right, sorry nevermind.” Her head whipped around at every turn, undoubtedly attempting to burn everything into memory so that hopefully it would stick for the next time she came here.

"Yep, it's a good place to go for hunting," Pouncestone meowed, brushing off Berrypaw's apology with a twitch of his tail. He didn't mind her eagerness, nor did he mind her repeated questions. He didn't find it to be too much of a bother, in fact, finding it endearing that she was excited to learn, so there really was no need for Berrypaw to apologize.

"The Lone Pine serves as a good landmark if you're ever lost," the dark gray tabby added, nodding towards the aforementioned tree. "I myself was never fond of the thought of being trapped in small tunnels and hurting my claws by digging them, but if others like to, then I'm happy for them. For now, I'm rather content with not being trapped underneath the dirt somewhere."

[Rose]

Originally Posted by Ritsuka

"Yep, it's a good place to go for hunting," Pouncestone meowed, brushing off Berrypaw's apology with a twitch of his tail. He didn't mind her eagerness, nor did he mind her repeated questions. He didn't find it to be too much of a bother, in fact, finding it endearing that she was excited to learn, so there really was no need for Berrypaw to apologize.

"The Lone Pine serves as a good landmark if you're ever lost," the dark gray tabby added, nodding towards the aforementioned tree. "I myself was never fond of the thought of being trapped in small tunnels and hurting my claws by digging them, but if others like to, then I'm happy for them. For now, I'm rather content with not being trapped underneath the dirt somewhere."

Berrypaw
Post Count: 15/100

“Hunting?” Berrypaw asked, eyes growing wide. She’d have to ask her mentor to teach her hunting later. How proud would Peachfrost be if Berrypaw told her she knew where to hunt? Despite thinking earlier that it would be impossible for Berrypaw’s excitement to grow more so than it was already, the prospect of hunting made her ears perk with newfound eagerness, and she hurried her steps to walk beside Pouncestone instead of behind him.

Her mismatched gaze turned towards the Lone Pine as her tour guide of a WindClan warrior spoke once more, pointing out how it could be used for as a landmark. Indeed, it was very visible from afar. Tucking that tidbit of information away, Berrypaw skipped alongside Pouncestone, soaking up every little detail like a sponge. Well, an overexcited, overeager sponge. “Oh. That sounds so sad.” She murmured after a moment of contemplation. “It must hurt to be chipping away at tunnels all day. I didn’t know tunnelers had to dig and stay underground for so long.” Suddenly, very randomly, Berrypaw offered up another opinion. “I like watching the sky.”

[Akira]

Originally Posted by Katlike

Berrypaw
Post Count: 15/100

“Hunting?” Berrypaw asked, eyes growing wide. She’d have to ask her mentor to teach her hunting later. How proud would Peachfrost be if Berrypaw told her she knew where to hunt? Despite thinking earlier that it would be impossible for Berrypaw’s excitement to grow more so than it was already, the prospect of hunting made her ears perk with newfound eagerness, and she hurried her steps to walk beside Pouncestone instead of behind him.

Her mismatched gaze turned towards the Lone Pine as her tour guide of a WindClan warrior spoke once more, pointing out how it could be used for as a landmark. Indeed, it was very visible from afar. Tucking that tidbit of information away, Berrypaw skipped alongside Pouncestone, soaking up every little detail like a sponge. Well, an overexcited, overeager sponge. “Oh. That sounds so sad.” She murmured after a moment of contemplation. “It must hurt to be chipping away at tunnels all day. I didn’t know tunnelers had to dig and stay underground for so long.” Suddenly, very randomly, Berrypaw offered up another opinion. “I like watching the sky.”

Pouncestone was about to answer to Berrypaw's remarks about tunnelers, and would've told her that some cats enjoyed it and that was good, until Berrypaw suddenly change the topic. The gray tabby blinked for a few moments, his brain processing the sudden switch, before he slowly nodded in agreement, turning his blue gaze up to the equally blue sky.

"I agree. It's nice to take a break and look at the sky. I'm fond of trying to find figures in the clouds," he hummed, his fur ruffling with the light breeze that ran by. "How often do you watch the sky, Berrypaw?"

[Rose]

Originally Posted by Ritsuka

Pouncestone was about to answer to Berrypaw's remarks about tunnelers, and would've told her that some cats enjoyed it and that was good, until Berrypaw suddenly change the topic. The gray tabby blinked for a few moments, his brain processing the sudden switch, before he slowly nodded in agreement, turning his blue gaze up to the equally blue sky.

"I agree. It's nice to take a break and look at the sky. I'm fond of trying to find figures in the clouds," he hummed, his fur ruffling with the light breeze that ran by. "How often do you watch the sky, Berrypaw?"

Berrypaw
Post Count: 16/100

Berrypaw smiled gratefully up at the blue, blue sky. She’d thought she’d be called weird for saying that she liked watching the sky. In truth, Berrypaw had regretted offering the opinion for a few moments until Pouncestone had assured her that the sky was very fun to watch. Her head snapped back down and focused on the WindClanner upon hearing his latest statement on clouds. “I like watching clouds!” She agreed excitedly, voice high-pitched for a moment, until Berrypaw attempted to get her sudden outburst under control. “I like watching the clouds because they drift… They move slowly, and sometimes they move fast.” Her gaze flitted to the ground in thought as Pouncestone asked her how long she spent watching the sky.

“Now and then…” She tried, but that didn’t sound right at all. “Sometimes…” No, that wasn’t right either. “A lot.” She admitted sheepishly in the end, squaring her shoulders. “I don’t have anyone to talk to, so spending the time watching butterflies and clouds is easier than watching other cats talk.” And then, her next words barely came out in a whispered, embarrassed mumble. “Spent a whole moon hiding in my nest.”

[Akira]

Originally Posted by Katlike

Berrypaw
Post Count: 16/100

Berrypaw smiled gratefully up at the blue, blue sky. She’d thought she’d be called weird for saying that she liked watching the sky. In truth, Berrypaw had regretted offering the opinion for a few moments until Pouncestone had assured her that the sky was very fun to watch. Her head snapped back down and focused on the WindClanner upon hearing his latest statement on clouds. “I like watching clouds!” She agreed excitedly, voice high-pitched for a moment, until Berrypaw attempted to get her sudden outburst under control. “I like watching the clouds because they drift… They move slowly, and sometimes they move fast.” Her gaze flitted to the ground in thought as Pouncestone asked her how long she spent watching the sky.

“Now and then…” She tried, but that didn’t sound right at all. “Sometimes…” No, that wasn’t right either. “A lot.” She admitted sheepishly in the end, squaring her shoulders. “I don’t have anyone to talk to, so spending the time watching butterflies and clouds is easier than watching other cats talk.” And then, her next words barely came out in a whispered, embarrassed mumble. “Spent a whole moon hiding in my nest.”

Pouncestone listened quietly as Berrypaw spoke, keeping his gaze on the sky above him. Ooh, there was a cloud that looked like a bunny! He spent some time staring at said bunny cloud before turning back to Berrypaw, offering her a miniscule smile. It wasn't bad to spend time to relax and watch the clouds... But it was probably good to balance between relaxing and working, huh. At least, that's what Pouncestone always believed. Granted, hiding in her nest for a moon probably wasn't the best, but oh well.

"That's not a bad thing," he tried to reassure, fanning his fluffy tail out behind him. "I mean, you managed to come talk to me for training help, right? And you've been keeping a good conversation as well. So perhaps we can talk on occasion if you feel lonely, or we could just stare at the clouds if you'd like. That sound good?"

[Rose]

Originally Posted by Ritsuka

Pouncestone listened quietly as Berrypaw spoke, keeping his gaze on the sky above him. Ooh, there was a cloud that looked like a bunny! He spent some time staring at said bunny cloud before turning back to Berrypaw, offering her a miniscule smile. It wasn't bad to spend time to relax and watch the clouds... But it was probably good to balance between relaxing and working, huh. At least, that's what Pouncestone always believed. Granted, hiding in her nest for a moon probably wasn't the best, but oh well.

"That's not a bad thing," he tried to reassure, fanning his fluffy tail out behind him. "I mean, you managed to come talk to me for training help, right? And you've been keeping a good conversation as well. So perhaps we can talk on occasion if you feel lonely, or we could just stare at the clouds if you'd like. That sound good?"

Berrypaw
Post Count: 17/100

“Thank you, I’d like that. I’ll try not to annoy you too much.” She added after a few seconds, and then went on again. “And I’m sorry for bothering you, I just wanted to go outside the camp for once.” The genuine, grateful smile that had been on her face before her sad admission was back, this time stretching into a happy grin. Berrypaw turned her heterochromatic gaze up from the floor, focusing on their surroundings once more. “Where are we now?” She questioned curiously, and then amended her inquiry. “Or, where are we going?”

[Akira]

Originally Posted by Katlike

Berrypaw
Post Count: 17/100

“Thank you, I’d like that. I’ll try not to annoy you too much.” She added after a few seconds, and then went on again. “And I’m sorry for bothering you, I just wanted to go outside the camp for once.” The genuine, grateful smile that had been on her face before her sad admission was back, this time stretching into a happy grin. Berrypaw turned her heterochromatic gaze up from the floor, focusing on their surroundings once more. “Where are we now?” She questioned curiously, and then amended her inquiry. “Or, where are we going?”

"You're no bother. If I didn't want to come and take you through the territory, I would've said so back at camp," Pouncestone said, whiskers twitching. He always made it a point to let others know whether he wanted to do something or not and, if he said he was going to take Berrypaw through the territory, and then he would stick through until the end of the tour. Still, he almost forgot that they were still walking and, looking up, he spotted three distinct hills surrounded by meadows, and the breeze that ran at him gave him the answer to Berrypaw's question.

"We're going to Windy Hills now," he said, picking up the pace slightly to reach the said hills. He never really visited here, having never liked how violent the winds got, but they seemed to be good today. However, his blue eyes narrowed when he spotted a hawk some ways ahead and above, and he put his tail to wrap it around Berrypaw's shoulders protectively. "Stay close: predators like hawks and vultures like to roam here, and I don't want to see them fly away with you in their talons."

[Rose]

Originally Posted by Ritsuka

"You're no bother. If I didn't want to come and take you through the territory, I would've said so back at camp," Pouncestone said, whiskers twitching. He always made it a point to let others know whether he wanted to do something or not and, if he said he was going to take Berrypaw through the territory, and then he would stick through until the end of the tour. Still, he almost forgot that they were still walking and, looking up, he spotted three distinct hills surrounded by meadows, and the breeze that ran at him gave him the answer to Berrypaw's question.

"We're going to Windy Hills now," he said, picking up the pace slightly to reach the said hills. He never really visited here, having never liked how violent the winds got, but they seemed to be good today. However, his blue eyes narrowed when he spotted a hawk some ways ahead and above, and he put his tail to wrap it around Berrypaw's shoulders protectively. "Stay close: predators like hawks and vultures like to roam here, and I don't want to see them fly away with you in their talons."

Berrypaw
Post Count: 18/100

The speckled apprentice thought over Pouncestone’s response, mulling over it for a few moments. Maybe one day, when she had the opportunity to call at least someone other than her adoptive mother an acquaintance, Berrypaw would decide how to deal with talking to others. Not that she was being ungrateful, it was just the sad truth. Finally, all she managed in response was an; “Okay.”

A while later, when the pair drew closer to the next part of the territory, and Windy Hills came into view, Berrypaw spoke up once more. “Names don’t lie.” The apprentice meowed lightly as a gust of wind ruffled her fur, making it stick up and look more so disheveled than usual. The apprentice startled slightly when Pouncestone’s tail wrapped around her shoulders, but relaxed when the WindClanner continued to speak, giving her a good impression of why he didn’t want her to wander off.

“Would they really pick me up so easily and fly away with me?” Berrypaw asked, doe-shaped eyes wide as she watched the hawk swoop and soar in the air. “Sometimes I like thinking of too many ‘what ifs’. What if cats could fly?”