Old cat, new skills (Mudburr and Mistelwhisker teaching)

[Cloverspring]

The tom's head appeared at the Elder's den entrance, then raised up and leveled. He attentively faced the clearing as his eyes scanned for one cat in particular. It didn't take long before his thin pupils locked onto a familiar black pelt, allowing him to shift the weight of his body off one paw and on to the other, with the risen paw stretching forward to take the first step. His brown head lowered below his shoulder's as he slunk through the cold darkness, large form hidden by the camps walls as he moved.

Mudburr had been thinking again, about the other day. His partner for the flaying lesson, Shadowpaw, seemed to grow unsure of the task as it began, and left the group with an odd number of members. Though it wouldn't have hurt to inform Mistlewhisker of the uneven participants, the tom thought that perhaps it was for the best. What more could the elder learn anyway? He'd gotten this far on the skills he had, and though they didn't encompass everything, they had certainly helped Shadowclan succeed countless times before.

His big, dark paws grew damp as he waited patiently nearby, watching as Mistlewhisker finished what they were doing before he padded out from the shadows to approach. "Excuse me, Mistlewhisker." Mudburr asked, giving the deputy a nod of respect. It was a rare occasion, but the elder did appreciate how easy it was to dip his head to someone who stood at the same size. It was much more convenient than bending his whole body down, as well. "I apologise for neglecting to participate in your lesson the other day. You taught the other members of the group well, especially the apprentices." The tom spoke nothing but the truth. He knew from what he saw that Shadowclan would have many devoted future warriors, like he was himself, but he wondered what would become of the apprentices that weren't as dedicated.

"I understand you are busy with your duties, and I am grateful that Shadowclan has such a committed deputy." His whisker's twitched in acknowledgement, a sense of knowing radiating from this action. Although, he found his next words were stunted with hesitation, as Mudburr had never requested anything since he was a young apprentice. The tom had always done as he was told, even as he became an elder. And he knew from experience that loyalty meant never acting out of line, which meant not asking anyone for anything, and always following orders. That is what he had been trained to do. But, the thought of simply resting bugged him severely, for all the skills and duties he had been gained would be wasted with obedience as an elder. He knew he was not as capable as a warrior physically, but he felt as though there was more he could do than remain stationary in a den all day. "But if at some moment you find you have the time, I was wondering if you... may teach flaying once again?" Mudburr refrained from specifically requesting her to teach him.



( @Mica - Hope I set up the private thread right! : D )

[Mica]

Mistlewhisker
ShadowClan Deputy
she/her | 48 moons
[Large black cat with a half white muzzle and a pale green eye]
Purrks: Killer Aptitude T3, Shadow Fiend, Mind Reader
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ The Chariot ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
· · ────────────── · ·
[Mudburr - @Cloverspring ]
· · ────────────── · ·
Leafbare could not end soon enough. As Mistlewhisker sent out a few patrols for extra prey, or asked reliable Enforcers to check on the borders, she slowly froze to the ground underneath the Grimpeak, paws and tail quickly going numb from the snow coating the camp floor. Not only did she stick out like a sore thumb against snow, but it was ridiculously cold and Mistlewhisker's plush, short-furred pelt could only help her so much.

So the Deputy was understandably a little irked to see another face approaching, presumably to ask her something. Mudburr. Yes, she remembered him a bit. He'd joined her and Mudslide's flaying event, but disappeared with his partner before they got too far. Mistlewhisker let him approach, her single green eye studying him curiously. Was he going to apologize for skipping out on the event? She hoped not. She'd never been a fan of grovelers. Mistlewhisker was going to ignore the fact that she had very much been a groveler before she became Deputy.

The apology came first, earning nothing more than a dismissive flick of the Deputy's tail. Flaying wasn't for everyone, so she wasn't going to fault someone for leaving during the rather gruesome display.

The flattery came next, and Mistlewhisker fixed the elder with a dry stare, though the corners of her lips twisted up. Mistlewhisker wasn't used to blatant praise, still struggling to accept that cats were actually grateful that she was doing her job. For her, no thanks were necessary. But a kernel of warmth embedded itself in her chest anyway.

The request that came next, however, earned an eyebrow raise from the Deputy. Flaying? "I do not plan on running another event until Newleaf," she explained, "as prey will be more bountiful then. But if it is a lesson you want, I will gladly teach you." Mistlewhisker had no qualms teaching able-bodied elders new skills, especially if it was one that could be used to improve camp life. The more pelts they had, the warmer everyone would be in the colder moons.

Amusement flickered in her one-eyed gaze. "Though I will say. If all you wanted was a lesson, the flattery was not necessary." Mistlewhisker pushed herself to her paws, stretching languidly before meeting Mudburr's gaze again. Mistlewhisker was definitely one of the largest cats in the clan, just behind Dawnstar and Darkfall, but Mudburr was up there as well. She'd almost forgotten what it was like to not have to crane her neck down to talk to someone. "I teach because I enjoy doing so, and it is my duty. Regardless of age." Unless, of course, you were too young for a skill. That went without saying.

[Cloverspring]

A small breath of relief seemed to leave the brown tom's nose, as he nodded in thanks. He recognised the amusement in her glance, but his apathetic expression failed to communicate that back. 'No flattery. Just an honest observation, accompanied by expected politeness.' Mudburr kept to himself, knowing not to spoil this opportune moment.

It was unnerving that she treated him like he had asked for the lesson for himself. Mudburr thought it disobedient and selfish to try, and yet, Mistlewhisker had still permitted it, even so. She was the deputy of Shadowclan under Dawnstar's leadership, but had granted a lower rank's request... Strange. The elder wasn't used to it.

"Thank-you for this." He responded, tongue always more lively than his face (however more that may be). "Shall I retrieve something from the fresh-kill pile?"



( @Mica - Sorry for the late response! Broke my hand and needed surgery! )

[Mica]

Mistlewhisker
ShadowClan Deputy
she/her | 48 moons
[Large black cat with a half white muzzle and a pale green eye]
Purrks: Killer Aptitude T3, Shadow Fiend, Mind Reader
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ The Chariot ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
· · ────────────── · ·
[Mudburr - @Cloverspring ]
· · ────────────── · ·
Mistlewhisker nodded at Mudburr's offer to retrieve prey. "Only bring one, as I do not wish to waste prey." Once Mudburr returned, Mistlewhisker led him over to a sheltered part of camp where they could work without the wind or snow bothering them.

"First, take your claw and cut around the prey's paws. You will be sliding the pelt off the body later, and this makes it easier." As Mudburr complied, Mistlewhisker watched with a hawk's gaze.

[Oh man! Please take care of yourself and don't push yourself!! Hope it heals up soon!! Also sorry for the short response I didn't want to move too fast :-D]

[Cloverspring]

Mudburr picked a squirrel off the fresh-kill pile and padded back over to Mistlewhisker, dropping it in the sheltered part of the camp she had chosen. The elder always thought of how deserved this camp was for Shadowclan, it suited their needs and even offered more, when they needed it.

The tom's ears pricked and eyes focused as the deputy spoke, nodding once she was done. He looked back down at the squirrel and flexed a claw in the air, before guiding the tip down to its tiny paw. The elder could very much see the benefit of being a smaller cat for something like this, it wasn't easy to guide his claw around the cuffs like he had imagined.

There were a few uneven lines, and re-adjustments, but by the final paw he had gotten close to passable. Mudburr pulled his claw back and moved his prickly chin tuft around, observing his less-than-average handiwork. After looking at it for a moment he shot his sharp pupils back up to Mistlewhisker, as if to ask; 'Is that what it's supposed to look like? Should we move on?'



( @Mica - Feeling better! : D Still got a while to go for healing though! Also don't stress about short responses or anything, it's not a problem at all dude! )

[Mica]

Mistlewhisker
ShadowClan Deputy
she/her | 48 moons
[Large black cat with a half white muzzle and a pale green eye]
Purrks: Killer Aptitude T3, Shadow Fiend, Mind Reader
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ The Chariot ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
· · ────────────── · ·
[Mudburr - @Cloverspring ]
· · ────────────── · ·
Mudburr's work was passable, though she could tell he struggled with the finer details. That would even out with practice, so she didn't comment on it. As he worked, she began sketching out a crude image of a splayed squirrel to better show him what to do. Once he was done, she gestured to the image. "Next connect the hind legs' circles with arcs. One just under the tail." She drew an arc between the two hind legs of the dirt squirrel, then moved to its head. "Cut around the head as well."

Once he did that, she gestured to the squirrel's tail. "Break the tail from the spine. We will be sliding the pelt off, and the tail will only get in the way."

[Glad to hear you're doing better!!!!]

[Cloverspring]

The elder glanced over at her sketch, then down at the squirrel to continue. The first arc near the tail did not go cleanly, as the tom felt his claw catch mid-way through, wrecking his line. He pulled out the claw, a bit annoyed at his error, but continued on in spite of its imperfection.

Mudburr paused after the first arc, checking the diagram, before continuing with the other near the head. Again, not perfect, but more successful than the last one.
So... this is what it was like to learn again? He had almost forgotten what true curiosity felt like, hadn't felt it since he was an apprentice. And, he found himself being interested in what would happen next, considering he didn't know what to expect for once.

He listened to her next instructions more eagerly, and ended up leaning over the squirrel rather than staying back. Mudburr couldn't figure out how to do it with his paws, so he instead leaned down and crunched the tail free from its spine with his teeth. He dropped the squirrel and checked the spine was separated, then looked back up to the deputy, still in a crouched position.


( @Mica - Thank-you! Getting stronger everyday! : D )