mallowpaw's training [p]

[BEAR.]

[ still plan on doing the cattail training, just wanted to cover more ground !!! ]

"We're doing tree climbing today, then I think we should go hunting." Assuming Mallowpaw was down - Wolfhive would never force her to do anything she didn't feel like doing.

He had led her into the territory, not quite to Willow's Rise as they stopped beneath a large tree. It might've been an oak or a sycamore, Wolfhive didn't really care for the specifics because the important part was it was sturdy and had lower branches. "Pretty simple, actually! Start with your front paws and hook them in the bark, then kick off the ground with your backpaws and hook them in."

Wolfhive demonstrated, and scaled the tree til he made it to one of the lower branches. "Once your paws are in, unhook one of your front paws and hook it above. Then follow suit with your other paws." Again, easy - it might take her a moment to get used to it but Wolfhive was sure it'd become natural with practice.

[ @kittycatburmise ]

[kittycatburmise]

Mallowpaw
105/100

For once, Mallowpaw wasn't hoping for training. Coughs rattled her ribcage, and she wasn't sure how effective she would be at hunting with her sniffle impairing her sense of smell. But when Wolfhive offered it, she accepted it, even though she would rather sleep. She wouldn't pass up training unless she was on her deathbed.

Tree climbing. It wasn't the training Mallowpaw had been expecting, but it wouldn't hurt to brush up her skills. After all, it had been, what? six moons? since she had last practised it. And she remembered it had made her claws ache, something that hadn't been addressed in her lesson. It had a group one, after all; Wolfhive and Redhawk hadn't been looking too closely at her technique. A one on one lesson would be beneficial.

Mallowpaw watched as Wolfhive demonstrated. Then she stepped up to the tree and hooked her front claws into the bark. She kicked off the ground and dug her back paws into it, and started to slowly climb up until she was on Wolfhive's branch. It was easier than the last time she had done it; maybe she really was starting to build up muscle. Her claws still ached, though. She couldn't remember if they had hurt more last time.

She should ask Wolfhive what to do about it. She didn't know if her technique was visibly wrong; for all she knew, she might be doing it right and the ache in her claws were a normal effect. She doubted it though. "Is there a way to stop my claws from aching?" Mallowpaw asked. Those same claws were currently digging deeper than necessary into the bark- a mix of nerves from raising the question (she wasn't good at this) and fear of falling.

@BEAR. (So I'm not sure if her sickness is currently a cold from the storm or the outbreak sickness; I don't think it matters either way. If she doesn't have it now she's getting it soon.)

[BEAR.]

[ sounds good! for these two roleplays i won't be having wolf sick just for the sake of efficiency, if he had symptoms he'd be useless here LOL @kittycatburmise ]

At a glance, Wolfhive could see how deep her claws were digging in the bark. He never really thought about the specifics of that too much, as he just dig what felt natural to him - but it was good to note for future training sessions. "Loosen your grip on the bark a bit, looks like you're tryna murder it with how deep they're in!" It was light, amused. Wolfhive reached to lightly boink her before he headed up the tree more.

"We'll be hopping to different branches today, get you more used to navigating these trees." He stopped on a higher branch, testing its durability before looking back at her. "Want you to watch me, then try it!" This was riskier than most training... did ThunderClan really teach it? He wasn't sure, actually, but Redhawk taught him and he wanted Mallowpaw to be able to do it too. "First you wanna make sure the branch isn't gonna break on you, then go forward on it until you feel it dip. That's when you jump for the other branch."

He nodded to the branch they were aiming for; one that also looked sturdy and wasn't too far away despite being on another tree. Then, he went for it - following his own instruction to make it to the other tree.

Once on the other branch, he backed off to relocate to one nearby. If she missed the branch he still had a chance of catching her, but this way he wouldn't be in her way and the branch wouldn't have to compete with both their weights.

[kittycatburmise]

Mallowpaw
119/100

Mallowpaw gave Wolfhive a small smile in response to his lighthearted joke and the light bop of his paw on her head. She wasn't used to the gesture of affection- when was the last time someone had shown her affection?- but it felt nice. Playful, like the teasing words that came along with it. Unexpected warmth filling her heart, Mallowpaw watched Wolfhive head up the tree before standing up shakily. She knew she should follow her mentor's advice and not dig her claws so deep into the wood, but her limbs felt wobbly and fear of falling was lodged in her throat. She needed the security of having her claws embedded in something, of knowing she couldn't fall. She would follow Wolfhive's advice later, when she had gotten up to his branch. When she felt safer.

But she had to retract her claws to move, so reluctantly Mallowpaw did, shuffling across the branch before latching her claws into the tree's trunk to make her way up to the branch Wolfhive was on.

They were hopping across trees. Mallowpaw listened to Wolfhive's instructions, rolling them over in her mind as she watched him demonstrate. Then it was her turn. She shuffled forwards, resisting the urge to stop and sink her claws as deep into the wood as they could go. Soon the branch bent under her, and she set her sights on the one she was aiming for, reminding herself that Wolfhive was there. He would catch her if she fell. Swallowing down the icy lump of fear in her throat, she took a deep breath, tensed her muscles and leapt.

Her paws landed on the branch, and her claws immediately slid in to prevent herself from falling off. She stood there, breathing heavily while the nerves swirling in her stomach drained away. But there was exhilaration there too, racing through her veins, making her heart rate quicken. She liked the feeling. It was different to the feeling of catching prey or getting training or impressing Wolfhive; it wasn't a wave of crushing relief. It was joy and elation and it made her feel good.

@BEAR. (This is totally not almost a month late)