The Enforcers were cats he liked. Was fond of. Looked up to. They were cats that got things done. Took him out to train when he was feeling too anxious and restless to sit around camp. They were good and he wanted to be like them. So he would. When he had approached Lynxshade about a training session swimming wasn't something that he had even considered. Not against it by any means but it took him by surprise. So he's quiet as he's led back out to the Croaking Swamp-- the only other place on the territory he had been since becoming an apprentice. His head is full of thoughts on how he feels about water and getting wet but they don't linger long. He's being spoken to and ushered into the fuddled pond.
Soaking his paws sounded dreadful but it was a leap he was willing to take. The young apprentice follows after the Enforcer without a lick of hesitation, fur standing on end when his paws become damp and sink into the mud of the pond floor beneath. It was uncomfortable. But he was different than those other cowardly apprentices. He would push through the discomfort to learn. Swallowing hard he ignores the uncomfortable feeling of mud between his toes and glances back to Lynxshade as she makes a comment about Riverclan cats.
"Anything they can do, we can do better."
He comments confidently. Sure they may be water hunters and fighters by nature, but Shadowclan was always willing. Accustomed to the feeling by now he takes a few curiously steps deeper into the pond, allowing the fur of his legs to also become wet with it's murky water.
"Like running, but in water... Push up against the water instead of just trying to move forward... I understand. Is it helpful to keep one's chest lifted? And what do I do with my tail?"
The Enforcers were cats he liked. Was fond of. Looked up to. They were cats that got things done. Took him out to train when he was feeling too anxious and restless to sit around camp. They were good and he wanted to be like them. So he would. When he had approached Lynxshade about a training session swimming wasn't something that he had even considered. Not against it by any means but it took him by surprise. So he's quiet as he's led back out to the Croaking Swamp-- the only other place on the territory he had been since becoming an apprentice. His head is full of thoughts on how he feels about water and getting wet but they don't linger long. He's being spoken to and ushered into the fuddled pond.
Soaking his paws sounded dreadful but it was a leap he was willing to take. The young apprentice follows after the Enforcer without a lick of hesitation, fur standing on end when his paws become damp and sink into the mud of the pond floor beneath. It was uncomfortable. But he was different than those other cowardly apprentices. He would push through the discomfort to learn. Swallowing hard he ignores the uncomfortable feeling of mud between his toes and glances back to Lynxshade as she makes a comment about Riverclan cats.
"Anything they can do, we can do better."
He comments confidently. Sure they may be water hunters and fighters by nature, but Shadowclan was always willing. Accustomed to the feeling by now he takes a few curiously steps deeper into the pond, allowing the fur of his legs to also become wet with it's murky water.
"Like running, but in water... Push up against the water instead of just trying to move forward... I understand. Is it helpful to keep one's chest lifted? And what do I do with my tail?"
The Enforcer nodded, pleased that the apprentice was picking up with a fast pace. "Yes, but only because your head will always strain to keep up the surface. Always keep your chin high. Your tail will serve as a balance, but don't think too much about it. I'm sure it will come instinctively to you as you make your way through water."
Lynxshade deeply believed in the importance of instinct. One could explain every single move to achieve a certain movement such as swimming, but if a cat didn't train their instinct alongside their training, half of the work wouldn't be done.
Now she walked into the muddy water, following Bitternpaw and then going into deeper water. She started swimming farther, pushing her front paws downward and her hind legs backward. Her whisker served as a useful means to remain above the surface, and her tail trailed behind, leaving soft ripples in the small swamp water.
"Observe, and try to copy me. I'll always be by your side, anything should happen." She nudged the apprentice to come, patiently waiting for him to make up his mind.