Scales or Fur? - Soaringpaw Hunting Lesson

[korok]

header & divider by @/Marigoldwhisper

The Lionheart licked his lips as he finished the last bite of crab. Their shells were annoying to crack into, but boy where they good. He glanced at Soaringpaw to see if she had finished her meal. They had returned from their border tour not too long ago, but there was still plenty of daylight left as they did not hit the ThunderClan border due to still-raised tension. "Are you ready, Soaringpaw? Once you are, let's get you some basic land hunting training in. It will be helpful once leafbare hits in the event the river freezes over."

Brokenstream glanced towards the camp entrance, fur ruffling slightly at the cold weather that was beginning to settle in. "Fishing will come later. You should probably learn how to swim before that- don't worry, that will be next." He mewed as he looked back at his apprentice. "You know, hunting is more fun to learn with a friend." The bengal said thoughtfully. "It encourages some light-hearted competition. Why don't we invite someone else?" Brokenstream dared not to outright say Soaringpaw needed to make some friends. He had a feeling she wouldn't appreciate his meddling if it was so blatant. 'Ah! He will do.'

"Smolderpaw!" He called across the clearing to the fiery young apprentice he had battle trained. "Why don't you join us for a hunting lesson?"

( @Minku | @Omari - hallo !! edited so smolderpaw could get this training done too ^^ can't edit the title but it should be fine )

[Minku]

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Soaringpaw
RC Apprentice. She/Her. 9 Moons
Agatha Kitty, Just a Scratch

[ @korok @Omari ]
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post 23

In the moment Soaringpaw eats, she did glance at the shells of the crabs Brokenstream ate every once in a while. It'd be nice if cats had some kind of armor too, although it could hinder movements. Those crabs don’t exactly look like their bodies are too movable. The apprentice finished the fish she grabbed no longer than her mentor finishing his (she tried to keep the pace she ate similar. She doesn’t actually know why she did this. As if anyone payed attention to how she ate). It did make for a pretty nice refreshment. She mainly picked fish since since she wanted to get used to it as a riverclanner. The scales were annoying, but it doesn't seem as tough as the crabs.

The mention of the upcoming winter (leafbare..?) wasn't the most pleasant thought once she remembers herself aimlessly wandering the outskirts before. It had been during Autumn and things wouldn't have been as bad. She..probably wouldn't have survived for too long if the snow and ice proves itself to be strong enough to kill her. Her luck seems to have brought her to a safe enough place to live in. Being frozen to death or dying of some unexplained sickness sounded painful. No matter how much she tries to fight something like that, it'll always be a losing battle. Her fur isn't even long enough for that. She could still feel the cold air around her. The thought of swimming in freezing waters wasn't a good either. And drowning if freezing waters seems even worse. If swimming comes after hunting, she hoped that it won't be a long wait; the more days she waits, it'll just get colder. She supposes she shouldn't fear the cold, but she isn't dumb enough to freeze to death.

Soaringpaw was ready for her hunting lesson; but y'know what she wasn't ready for? Doing said hunting lesson with another apprentice. No, she doesn’t really find interest in doing something for the first time in front of anyone else that isn't the cat teaching her. Especially with someone she doesn't know the strength of. And someone she knows nothing about. Was this a negative mindset? Yes. Lighthearted competition, sure, but she feels like standing next to any other apprentice in this clan is already a competition. "..I don't remember agreeing to this..." her face still held a sense of neutrality. She'd do anything to make a better version of herself, even if it meant unwanted company but that didn't mean she had to like it.

Smolderpaw. Probably some cat Brokenstream decently knew about by the way he called out towards the other apprentice. Soaringpaw quickly got up, her eyes going towards him as she tried to get a grip on what type of cat he'd be

[Omari]

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Smolderpaw
Riverclan
He/him
Post Count: 19/100

Smolderpaw had been off on his own, tucked away into a corner of camp on his own volition. The kid enjoyed some socialising, but lately he preferred to be on his lonesome. Sulking, usually, but today he had found an interest in toying with a stick. He had it lodged between his forepaws, keeping it in place for himself to gnaw at the other end of it.(Yeah, kind of like a dog. Don't tell him that, though, he'll get upset.)

His ear twitched at Brokenstream's call, and he glanced up from his tedious work to eye the Lionheart. “Brokenstream!” He had called back to him rather than getting up, a playful, smart-ass way of letting him know that he had heard him. Oh, hunting–yeah, he needed that to become a warrior, so, probably good to get it done, right? “I'm comin’!”

Smolderpaw came bumbling over with the speed and tact of an overly-confident kit, but he had skidded to a halt just before Brokenstream and Soaringpaw–he recognized just from sharing a den with her–to which he cast a lopsided grin up towards Brokenstream. “Reporting for duty, cause, y'know, I'm reliable an’ all.”

The kid wasn't necessarily cocky, but… He was something alright.

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[ @korok @Minku so sorry for the wait! ]

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[korok]

header & divider by @/Marigoldwhisper

Brokenstream rolled his eyes lightheartedly as Smolderpaw skidded to a halt in front of the pair with a silly grin. "Yes, reliable." He mewed back in response, cuffing a sheathed paw gently over the young tom's ears. The Lionheart glanced back over at Soaringpaw as she muttered about not being in agreeance to having a training partner. "Come now, it'll be fun." He chided softly while nudging her playfully with his shoulder. "It's good to built relationships with your Clanmates- gives you a solid reason for something to fight for, if you're struggling to think of one," He said half-jokingly. "And it will make you feel more at home." Without another comment on that, he turned tail and began padding towards the entrance. "Let's get going!"



After a short trek, the trio would be out and about in RiverClan territory. This particular area was forest-y enough. "This should provide ample cover for both the prey and yourselves." He mused (mostly to himself).

Whipping around to face the two apprentices, the Lionheart blinked encouragingly. "Alright, you two. First thing's first- the hunting crouch," He began to explain, taking a few paces backwards to give himself space to demonstrate. "You two may have learned this already, but it's good practice."

"Now watch." As he spoke, Brokenstream dropped down into a seasons-perfected hunting crouch- tail hovering just above the ground and limbs bent as he slowly crept forwards towards the Soaringpaw and Smolderpaw. Once he reached them, he stood back up and looked expectantly. "Now show me what you've got."

( @Minku | @Omari )

[Minku]

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Soaringpaw
RC Apprentice. She/Her. 10 Moons
Agatha Kitty, Just a Scratch

[ @korok @Omari ]
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post 29

Oh great, and it was one of those types of apprentices. Soaringpaw wasn't sure why he was biting on a piece of stick either. The cats in this clan were..weird. She was actually glad Brokenstream was the first river cat he encountered since the gut seemed..less odd, let's say. At least from her perspective. Well, if she knew anything is that if a cat says they're reliable it's either they're not reliable at all or they actually are. She really didn't know which one she preferred. Both seem just as annoying as each other. Soaringpaw knew that it was best to make friends and socialize. But she was bad at it. And she can't see herself getting a normal friendship without some kind of drawback. She kind of envies the other apprentice's ability to talk, really, even if it comes off as annoying and will probably stay annoying to her.

The comment about her having something to fight for wasn't exactly one she'd like to hear. No matter how neutral her face was, her mind sure wasn't. She doesn't have anyone to fight for. So far, it's just herself. She wanted to make sure she doesn’t die in battle. And yeah, that's probably a selfish thought, but she doesn't have a reason not to. So no, she doesn't have a reason to keep going other than to prove herself useful and prevent death from overtaking her. But finding a reason to live is the main reason of her joining this clan in the first place. If she can't find a meaning to it, she might as well get out. The purpose of her joining was to find a meaning. But what is that meaning? She wants to be useful. She can say her meaning is to defend the clan as a whole. That way, she doesn't exactly need any friends if she just wants to protect Riverclan as a clan. But would that mean she'd have less attachment to Riverclan? The question questions itself back and forth and Soaringpaw can't see the end of it

She needs to continue moving though. What was her goal after she becomes a warrior? If she wants to become a Lionheart she supposes that was a good thing? But..some part of her mind says that wasn't something she should aim for. Does she have an actual purpose yet other than being part of Riverclan and potentially defending it when the time comes? All these questions are the type she wants answers to, but she'll never voice it out. How did Brokenstream's little joke manage to get to her this much? It didn't even mean to. Why can't she just forget about it?

Her paws were able to stop better than her head though, as the three arrived in the territory. She still hasn't forgotten Smolderpaw was with them, but she tried to put no mind to him. If she stumbles or trips, how would he react? Or would he be more focused on himself? She listened to Brokenstream's instructions, taking in how he did his hunting crouch. Not much different from the one she learned in her fighting lesson; so it shouldn't be too challenging. But he did it so flawlessly. She can only assume it was from doing it countless of times already. He was the head Lionheart. Of course he'd be skilled. She's used that similar crouch to spring herself forward in her training with Heroneye if she remembered fine; difference is, she'll need to know how to stalk properly. Focus on balance and use her tail to help. Heroneye said that as well. She doubt she'll get it perfectly, but..she'll try and hope Smolderpaw just focuses on his own crouch and doesn't pay attention too her.

Alright, now it was their turn. Soaringpaw took a few steps away, wanting to give herself some decent space to work with. She dropped down into a crouch, making sure to keep her tail straight and low to the ground. This part she was decent at now. As for the stalk..she'll..use her tail to balance her. Soaringpaw began to slowly move forward, making sure to keep her eyes straight and use take advantage of her tail as best as she could. It definitely wasn't as bad as her first try. She'd actually glad she took that battle training cause it sure helped her crouch