Territory Trek [p training]

[Akira]

Originally Posted by Katlike

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?”

"Yes, they could. There have been many times where hawks and other big birds carried off large, experienced warriors, never to be seen again," Pouncestone said, keeping his eyes trained on the raptors above. Before he could continue, Berrypaw once again blindsided him with another seemingly random question, this time about... Flying cats?

"I'm... Not sure," the gray tabby answered slowly, slowly processing what the apprentice said. Out of all the things Pouncestone often thought about, flying cats didn't make it anywhere on his list. "But... I assume we'd be more focused on learning to fly and navigating rather than hunting and fighting. And... It'd be difficult to navigate through the forest, what with all the trees around."

[Rose]

Originally Posted by Ritsuka

"Yes, they could. There have been many times where hawks and other big birds carried off large, experienced warriors, never to be seen again," Pouncestone said, keeping his eyes trained on the raptors above. Before he could continue, Berrypaw once again blindsided him with another seemingly random question, this time about... Flying cats?

"I'm... Not sure," the gray tabby answered slowly, slowly processing what the apprentice said. Out of all the things Pouncestone often thought about, flying cats didn't make it anywhere on his list. "But... I assume we'd be more focused on learning to fly and navigating rather than hunting and fighting. And... It'd be difficult to navigate through the forest, what with all the trees around."

Berrypaw
Post Count: 19/100

Berrypaw’s eyes widened upon hearing how grown warriors, of all things, could be picked up and flown away with. Her mouth formed a small o of surprise, and Berrypaw instinctively folded herself closer to Pouncestone, finally realizing the gravity of the situation. She, with her smaller-than-average height and build, could be easily carried off. Eyes still wide with fear, but brain working with the new, additional knowledge, Berrypaw processed her next words slowly. “If I were to get carried away, by any chance, how would I free myself?”

The apprentice hummed in agreement when Pouncestone pointed out that flying would distract warriors from doing their other training, or duties. “Image if kits could fly, then it’d be impossible to keep them in camp.” Berrypaw giggled, watching the hawks soar above and undoubtedly imagining them to be flying kittens. “If ThunderClan cats could fly they’d probably bump into tress every two seconds.”

[Akira]

Originally Posted by Katlike

Berrypaw
Post Count: 19/100

Berrypaw’s eyes widened upon hearing how grown warriors, of all things, could be picked up and flown away with. Her mouth formed a small o of surprise, and Berrypaw instinctively folded herself closer to Pouncestone, finally realizing the gravity of the situation. She, with her smaller-than-average height and build, could be easily carried off. Eyes still wide with fear, but brain working with the new, additional knowledge, Berrypaw processed her next words slowly. “If I were to get carried away, by any chance, how would I free myself?”

The apprentice hummed in agreement when Pouncestone pointed out that flying would distract warriors from doing their other training, or duties. “Image if kits could fly, then it’d be impossible to keep them in camp.” Berrypaw giggled, watching the hawks soar above and undoubtedly imagining them to be flying kittens. “If ThunderClan cats could fly they’d probably bump into tress every two seconds.”

"You could wriggle and flail around, and use your claws and teeth too if you could reach their claws on you. But you'd have to be careful: if the hawk was flying high and then dropped you, you'd fall to your death," the dark gray tabby answered, unbothered by Berrypaw moving closer. He hated the thought of watching someone get taken by a hawk: granted, he'd never seen it happen with his own eyes, but he'd rather it stay that way, so it was best that Berrypaw stayed close.

As Berrypaw spoke up once more, however, Pouncestone's serious expression broke slightly, and he huffed a short laugh at the thought of flying kits. "Yes, and it'd be much harder to learn how to fly, and we'd probably have an easier time getting lost, no?"

[Rose]

Originally Posted by Ritsuka

"You could wriggle and flail around, and use your claws and teeth too if you could reach their claws on you. But you'd have to be careful: if the hawk was flying high and then dropped you, you'd fall to your death," the dark gray tabby answered, unbothered by Berrypaw moving closer. He hated the thought of watching someone get taken by a hawk: granted, he'd never seen it happen with his own eyes, but he'd rather it stay that way, so it was best that Berrypaw stayed close.

As Berrypaw spoke up once more, however, Pouncestone's serious expression broke slightly, and he huffed a short laugh at the thought of flying kits. "Yes, and it'd be much harder to learn how to fly, and we'd probably have an easier time getting lost, no?"

Berrypaw
Post Count: 20/100

“Oh.” Berrypaw blinked twice as the thoughts jumped around in her mind, and then slowly, very slowly, nodded. The speckled apprentice shuddered involuntarily, mouth pulling downward into a worried frown at the thought of falling to her death. “So if I were to get carried away, there’d be no chance for me to get back?” She asked, tone bordering on sad. Suddenly, the seven moon apprentice shook her head, pasting a smile onto her features. “Sorry, that’s just… Very sad. I hope the cats who got carried away didn’t have families.” She whispered, almost inaudibly.

She raised her head upon hearing the sound of Pouncestone’s chuckle. Thank the skies, he was still distracted by her flying kits statement. Nonetheless, a small(this time genuine) smile warmed her face, pulling the corners of her mouth upward. “Yep, we’d get lost all the time.”

[Akira]

Originally Posted by Katlike

Berrypaw
Post Count: 20/100

“Oh.” Berrypaw blinked twice as the thoughts jumped around in her mind, and then slowly, very slowly, nodded. The speckled apprentice shuddered involuntarily, mouth pulling downward into a worried frown at the thought of falling to her death. “So if I were to get carried away, there’d be no chance for me to get back?” She asked, tone bordering on sad. Suddenly, the seven moon apprentice shook her head, pasting a smile onto her features. “Sorry, that’s just… Very sad. I hope the cats who got carried away didn’t have families.” She whispered, almost inaudibly.

She raised her head upon hearing the sound of Pouncestone’s chuckle. Thank the skies, he was still distracted by her flying kits statement. Nonetheless, a small(this time genuine) smile warmed her face, pulling the corners of her mouth upward. “Yep, we’d get lost all the time.”

"If a hawk tried to get you, no doubt a warrior would do their best to chase the hawk away or prevent it from carrying you high. And bold of you to assume I'd let you even an inch from my sight while we're here," Pouncestone answered easily, his ears twitching. "No need to apologize over curiosity and questions. However, all cats have family: even if they don't have mates or kits, they have parents, siblings, and close friends who they deeply care about. No matter what, there's always someone bound to be upset over a cat's disappearance."

Then, he raise an eyebrow when Berrypaw mentioned getting lost all the time. Not everyone was the greatest at directions, but Pouncestone was confident that he wasn't one of them. He highly doubted he could get lost if he could fly, and even if he did, there'd be easy landmarks to spot, like the Lone Pine. "Hey, now. Not everyone is hopeless with detections. Well, at least, I'd like to think that I'm not."

[Rose]

Originally Posted by Ritsuka

"If a hawk tried to get you, no doubt a warrior would do their best to chase the hawk away or prevent it from carrying you high. And bold of you to assume I'd let you even an inch from my sight while we're here," Pouncestone answered easily, his ears twitching. "No need to apologize over curiosity and questions. However, all cats have family: even if they don't have mates or kits, they have parents, siblings, and close friends who they deeply care about. No matter what, there's always someone bound to be upset over a cat's disappearance."

Then, he raise an eyebrow when Berrypaw mentioned getting lost all the time. Not everyone was the greatest at directions, but Pouncestone was confident that he wasn't one of them. He highly doubted he could get lost if he could fly, and even if he did, there'd be easy landmarks to spot, like the Lone Pine. "Hey, now. Not everyone is hopeless with detections. Well, at least, I'd like to think that I'm not."

Berrypaw
Post Count: 21/100

‘All cats have family,’ Pouncestone had said, and that was the single statement bouncing around her mind over and over again without pause. All cats had family? And yet, Berrypaw had spent a whole moon alone in her nest. Did she have family? Berrypaw had no siblings, and since her mother had passed when Berrypaw was only two moons old, she had no idea who her father was.

Listening to Pouncestone’s words with rapt attention, Berrypaw couldn’t help but feel slightly foolish for her never-ending stream of questions. Maybe she should stop. Maybe that was for the best. So before letting her mouth hopefully fall silent for the rest of their trip, Berrypaw opened her maw to speak once more. “You’re right, it was silly of me to ask.” She murmured quietly, tail flicking from side to side. And then, a much quieter statement, mumbled mostly to herself; "There's always someone who's left behind."

[Akira]

Originally Posted by Katlike

Berrypaw
Post Count: 21/100

‘All cats have family,’ Pouncestone had said, and that was the single statement bouncing around her mind over and over again without pause. All cats had family? And yet, Berrypaw had spent a whole moon alone in her nest. Did she have family? Berrypaw had no siblings, and since her mother had passed when Berrypaw was only two moons old, she had no idea who her father was.

Listening to Pouncestone’s words with rapt attention, Berrypaw couldn’t help but feel slightly foolish for her never-ending stream of questions. Maybe she should stop. Maybe that was for the best. So before letting her mouth hopefully fall silent for the rest of their trip, Berrypaw opened her maw to speak once more. “You’re right, it was silly of me to ask.” She murmured quietly, tail flicking from side to side. And then, a much quieter statement, mumbled mostly to herself; "There's always someone who's left behind."

"Don't worry about asking," Pouncestone stated, beginning to guide the duo away from Windy Hills. He liked the place, but the wind was beginning to pick up, and he wouldn't doubt that the two of them might end up actually flying at this point. Not to mention the big birds. So, he instead began to guide them to Adder Rocks, but didn't indicate it, instead quietly leading Berrypaw away from their prior stop.

However, Pouncestone almost froze on the spot at Berrypaw's hushed words that she most likely didn't intend for him to hear. There's always someone left behind... She seemed to be speaking from experience, and that upset Pouncestone more than he cared to admit. What'd happened to make her say that? Had something happened with her family? He would ask, but they just met each other that day... It'd be incredibly rude, no? Hm...

"Yes, there always is someone behind. If it's any comfort, I don't even know if I have any family myself," he hummed, in a probably poor attempt to comfort the apprentice as they walked. "I never knew either of my parents, nor did I grow with siblings or other family members. But close friends could count as family though, no? Then again, I never had those either..."

Actually, this was getting bad. He should probably stop talking.

[Rose]

Originally Posted by Ritsuka

"Don't worry about asking," Pouncestone stated, beginning to guide the duo away from Windy Hills. He liked the place, but the wind was beginning to pick up, and he wouldn't doubt that the two of them might end up actually flying at this point. Not to mention the big birds. So, he instead began to guide them to Adder Rocks, but didn't indicate it, instead quietly leading Berrypaw away from their prior stop.

However, Pouncestone almost froze on the spot at Berrypaw's hushed words that she most likely didn't intend for him to hear. There's always someone left behind... She seemed to be speaking from experience, and that upset Pouncestone more than he cared to admit. What'd happened to make her say that? Had something happened with her family? He would ask, but they just met each other that day... It'd be incredibly rude, no? Hm...

"Yes, there always is someone behind. If it's any comfort, I don't even know if I have any family myself," he hummed, in a probably poor attempt to comfort the apprentice as they walked. "I never knew either of my parents, nor did I grow with siblings or other family members. But close friends could count as family though, no? Then again, I never had those either..."

Actually, this was getting bad. He should probably stop talking.

Berrypaw
Post Count: 22/100

After having asked her question, Berrypaw nearly froze in her tracks, mortified at herself. How, how had she said that? Her shame only grew when Pouncestone started to speak, telling her that there was always someone left behind. It brought her odd comfort to know that she wasn’t alone in these matters, and yet, Berrypaw still said nothing. Her rounded ears pressed against her skull as the WindClan warrior leading her started to say how he didn’t have family or friends either, and then awkwardly trailed off. Gosh, she’d just made this the most awkward conversation ever, and Berrypaw had no idea how to undo it.

Wincing slightly, the speckled, cream-furred apprentice attempted to say something to lighten the mood, though for some reason even thinking was feeling taxing. “I’m- I’m sorry.” She murmured in apology, green and blue heterochromatic gaze fixed firmly on their surroundings. She felt awful for bringing up such a dark topic, and yet, she knew not how to turn away from it. With a quiet sigh, the apprentice was about to settle for saying nothing else, but then thought that maybe there was one thing she could say.

“I know you said not to thank you until the tour was over, but I want to give you a thanks in advance, for even taking time out of your day for this.” The she-cat said softly, shoulders hunched. Oddly enough, Berrypaw felt tired, but it wasn’t a physical tiredness, more of a mental one. It was a familiar feeling, one that descended on Berrypaw when she spent an hour or more time in the company of someone she wasn’t used to being around. In truth, the speckled apprentice could practically feel the slow, sluggish pace of her mind, and her thoughts began spiraling back in the direction of her empty, secluded nest.

[ Gah, my motivation completely disappeared and I forgot to respond here, I am so sorry for how late this is :,) ]

[Akira]

Originally Posted by Katlike

Berrypaw
Post Count: 22/100

After having asked her question, Berrypaw nearly froze in her tracks, mortified at herself. How, how had she said that? Her shame only grew when Pouncestone started to speak, telling her that there was always someone left behind. It brought her odd comfort to know that she wasn’t alone in these matters, and yet, Berrypaw still said nothing. Her rounded ears pressed against her skull as the WindClan warrior leading her started to say how he didn’t have family or friends either, and then awkwardly trailed off. Gosh, she’d just made this the most awkward conversation ever, and Berrypaw had no idea how to undo it.

Wincing slightly, the speckled, cream-furred apprentice attempted to say something to lighten the mood, though for some reason even thinking was feeling taxing. “I’m- I’m sorry.” She murmured in apology, green and blue heterochromatic gaze fixed firmly on their surroundings. She felt awful for bringing up such a dark topic, and yet, she knew not how to turn away from it. With a quiet sigh, the apprentice was about to settle for saying nothing else, but then thought that maybe there was one thing she could say.

“I know you said not to thank you until the tour was over, but I want to give you a thanks in advance, for even taking time out of your day for this.” The she-cat said softly, shoulders hunched. Oddly enough, Berrypaw felt tired, but it wasn’t a physical tiredness, more of a mental one. It was a familiar feeling, one that descended on Berrypaw when she spent an hour or more time in the company of someone she wasn’t used to being around. In truth, the speckled apprentice could practically feel the slow, sluggish pace of her mind, and her thoughts began spiraling back in the direction of her empty, secluded nest.

[ Gah, my motivation completely disappeared and I forgot to respond here, I am so sorry for how late this is :,) ]

Once again, Pouncestone merely greeted Berrypaw's unnecessary apology and thanks with a twitch, this time of his nose. He almost reiterated his previous statement about thanking him but remained quiet, listening to the apprentice's soft words. A feeling of sheepishness filled him but Pouncestone refused to reveal it, instead turning to look at Berrypaw with his eyes, blue eyes meeting her green and blue ones, his eyes tinged with a tiny bit of surprise... And maybe giddy? The tom wasn't so used to being thanked repeatedly, and had no idea how to react, but he'd take it gratefully nonetheless. Now, how to respond...

"... You're welcome," the dark gray tabby finally settled on after a few moments of debating, giving her a small nod. Then, turning his head away, Pouncestone focused once more on the territory tour, not willing to waste more time on such melancholic topics. "Our next stop is Adder Rocks and, as the name suggests, there are snakes called adders here, along with other such snakes. As such, I ask that you stick close so you don't get bitten by one, alright?"

[Rose]

Originally Posted by Ritsuka

Once again, Pouncestone merely greeted Berrypaw's unnecessary apology and thanks with a twitch, this time of his nose. He almost reiterated his previous statement about thanking him but remained quiet, listening to the apprentice's soft words. A feeling of sheepishness filled him but Pouncestone refused to reveal it, instead turning to look at Berrypaw with his eyes, blue eyes meeting her green and blue ones, his eyes tinged with a tiny bit of surprise... And maybe giddy? The tom wasn't so used to being thanked repeatedly, and had no idea how to react, but he'd take it gratefully nonetheless. Now, how to respond...

"... You're welcome," the dark gray tabby finally settled on after a few moments of debating, giving her a small nod. Then, turning his head away, Pouncestone focused once more on the territory tour, not willing to waste more time on such melancholic topics. "Our next stop is Adder Rocks and, as the name suggests, there are snakes called adders here, along with other such snakes. As such, I ask that you stick close so you don't get bitten by one, alright?"

Berrypaw
Post Count: 23/100

Berrypaw, as expected, grew eager with a new burst of excitement as Pouncestone announced that they were in a new section of WindClan’s territory. Eyes as wide as saucers, Berrypaw’s heterochromatic gaze darted back and forth between almost every rock and pebble. As a fresh round of questions began blotting her thoughts and threatening to spill forth, Berrypaw pressed her lips into a firm, tight line, refusing to let in. Besides, even though questions would mean more answers, she still didn’t exactly have the energy to talk freely, and instead found herself thinking back to the collection of smooth stones and feathers she had lining her nest.

Pausing for a few seconds, the speckled apprentice lowered her head to unearth a particularly sharp black rock she noticed. Head bent to the ground, Berrypaw had barely heard Pouncestone’s warning when she spotted an adder hidden in the shadows between two boulders. She jerked away and back in reflex, eyes widening even more if that could be physically possible.

Belatedly, Berrypaw realized how naive and idiotic she was acting, because the snake had been so far away and Berrypaw had jumped so far backward as if it was right in front of her. But still… It was better to be safe than sorry… Right? Uncertainly, she turned her gaze upon Pouncestone, edging back to his side. “I’ve never seen a snake- an adder before.” Berrypaw whispered, tone both awed and afraid.