Lynxshade
Shadowclan
28 moons old | she/her
Shadow Fiend | Primal Instincts | Beefed Up (T1)
Lynxshade eyed a sleepy Thornpaw with scorn in her eyes. She still didn't like the young tom's way of talking to the warriors, and she needed to address that. Shadowclan seemed to lack respect toward the oldest ones. "You were the one who first complained about not making any work, if I remember correctly?" She said casually, scratching her chin with her hind leg. "Do not put elders into this."
After another scornful look, she softened her gaze and flicked her tail to invite Thornpaw to follow him. This would be her real day as a mentor, and she wanted to start in the right way. Without saying anything she headed toward the camp entrance and only turned her gaze back once to check whether he was following her.
As she dove into the thorn tunnel, she told him: "Today we're hunting."
Thornpaw 7 moons. A young lanky black-ticked tom with green eyes. Posts: 28/100Apprentice Training: 0/5
"I mean yeah, but that doesn't mean you have to wake the whole clan up about it," he grumbled out, but ultimately fell quiet. The young tom knew when he was beat and he knew when to shut up, most of the time. So he pinned his ears to his head and hastily drew his tongue over a paw to clean his face. Clean away the last of the sleep. He wanted to be at his absolute best for whatever his new mentor would throw at him.
Her movement caused him to quickly scurry to his paws and trot after her. Thornpaw's heart beat steadily in his chest, excitement causing energy to buzz to his paws. Hopefully they'd be doing something exciting, something more than just walking around the territory.
"Hunting? Yes! Oh man, I can't wait. I'll be the most natural hunter you've ever seen." The chatter of words bubbled out of his mouth, his long lanky tail sticking straight up in his excitement.
Lynxshade
Shadowclan
28 moons old | she/her
Shadow Fiend | Primal Instincts | Beefed Up (T1) | Bilingual (T1)
Lynxshade walked silently into the pine trees forest, leaving behind her the camp protected by strong, thorn walls that used to hide and protect their home from anything.
She inhaled deeply. The scent of pinesap always managed to bring her comfort and peace, and clear her mind.
She was following a very much used path that had left durable marks on the ground, then parted from it and followed her nose to guide herself through the woods.
When they reached a clearing that the trees hadn't been able to occupy, she stopped and sat down lightly. Staring intensely into Thornpaw's eyes, she asked: "Now tell me, Thornpaw, what are the most important senses for hunting?"
She wanted to see whether the young's brain worked as much as his tongue, but she had already trust that he would do brilliantly today.
Lynxshade couldn't help but letting her mind go back to the time her dear uncle had taught her the same lessons she was now giving to another cat. Was he watching her now? Did he join Starclan to watch over her? And had Tigersun done the same? Maybe she could've asked Elmshadow, while she still had the opportunity. What should Larkfire know about all of this? She was still very new to her medicine cat's duties, after all.
Her mind was already working out a plan for the day. Explain, show, try. The learning part was the hardest one, because it was her first time. But she knew where she wanted to arrive and that had to count as a big part, right?
Thornpaw 8 moons. A young lanky black-ticked tom with green eyes. Posts: 29/100Apprentice Training: 0/5
Thornpaw at least had enough sense in him to try and remain quiet as he tailed after his new mentor. Did he actually know how to be quiet? That was another story. His paws were untrained in the ways of stealth, on occasion he would crunch a leaf, brush past a twig, or some other small way of making noise, not that he really noticed. His ears were perked with interest, trying to listen to every sound of the forest, his jaw parted as he tried to drink everything in. It was almost dizzying, the amount of things there were to notice.
When they finally reached the clearing, the tip of the lanky tom's tail flicked excitedly back and forth, his green eyes flashing over to Lynxshade. Her question caused him to snort with a smirk. "Smelling and hearing, duh. I can smell and hear a frog before I can see it." Confident in his answer, he shifted his eyes away from her. She was staring a little too intently for his comfort.
"I want to catch the biggest frog and bring it back to Howlingstar. She'll be so impressed." There was a confident purr rumbling in his chest as he dropped down into a sloppy, unpracticed hunters crouch, stalking forward on awkward paws before leaping upon a strand of grass as if he were imagining himself hunting the supposed frog.
Lynxshade
Shadowclan
28 moons old | she/her
Shadow Fiend | Primal Instincts | Beefed Up (T1) | Bilingual (T1)
She had halted to a stop and was waiting for Thornpaw's answer. Smelling and hearing, duh."Yes, Thornpaw. But we are cats, not dogs... or coyotes. We have the keenest sense of hearing, while they have the best nose of all. If you have to choose between your nose of your ears, always choose your ears." That was a lesson from his old uncle that she would never forget.
Uh? Who was Howlingstar? She thought that must be a surname for some cats in Shadowclan, probably. She observed carefully how the tom used his muscles and reflexes. Clumsy, but there was some technique in it, at least. "You probably can, but the frog will be already gone before you move a paw to get it." She told him gently, hoping he wouldn't get too frustrated at the comment.
"The first thing you need to learn is how to move. Before you even set paw in the forest, your whole body must concentrate on being invisible to the nose and the ear." She told him before lowering down her back. Lynxshade was now walking softly, slowly but rhythmically, and her tail never once touched the ground. Her shoulders' muscles were bunched up in the effort, but she managed to walk gracefully in the snow and she was sure that no finch could hear her heartbeat in that moment.
After a little while of silence, she rose back to her former position and looked back at Thornpaw. "Now I want you to try this. Follow your instinct, Thornpaw."
A small, leaf-shaped rock was just at Lynxshade's paws. She took it in her mouth and felt the cold emanating from it, but waited to be a little far away to let it down on the ground. "I want you to stalk this rock and pounce on it. My ears will be open for your slightest movements, so watch out. I'll teach you how to camouflage your odor later on." She instructed.
He has potential, I can see it. I can be the cat who brings it out and transforms this apprentice into a warrior. I want Dawnstar and Vulturefang to look at us and feel the slightest piece of pride. Uncle, are you watching me now?
Watch where you move! [Thornpaw's training]
Re: Watch where you move! [Thornpaw's training]
