the final hours of midnight [Midnightpaw’s Assessment]

[Luna16]

Embercloud finished her breakfast quickly and was now cleaning her whiskers and face. Today was the day. She didn’t think she’d ever be here someday, not because Midnightpaw was incompetent or anything, quite the opposite! She wasn’t certain that Dawnstar would ever trust her with something as precious as an apprentice, especially one as precious as her Midnightpaw. But today it was time. She could put it off no longer. The black-and-tortie feline approached the apprentice’s den, craning her neck to peek inside. “Midnightpaw, darling? Could you come out here please?” She called into the den, stepping aside to allow them room to emerge.

@Ome - Midnightpaw

[Ome]

════ ʚ Midnightpaw ɞ ════
• Non-Binary • 13 Moons • They/Them •
☆ | Short black fur w/green eyes | ☆
-Mentor : Embercloud ( @Luna16 )-


The apprentince padded towards Embercloud. "Yes?" They ask, their eyes glimmering with excitement.

[Luna16]

Embercloud purred as Midnightpaw emerged, reaching down only slightly to touch noses with them. Had they always been this big? Stars, focus Ember! "The time has come now, dear." She purred, a warm and encouraging smile on her maw. "It is time for your assessment!" Her voice still gentle though a little excited trill ended her statement, betraying her own excitement.

Embercloud turned, leading Midnightpaw to the training ground used for combat, then paused midstep. This was meant to be their assessment, she needed to respect that Midnightpaw was about to be made a warrior. Very well. Embercloud altered her course, waving her tail with an apologetic smile for Midnightpaw to follow as she led them into the general territory. Not too far from camp but the setting was a little less...coddled and soft. Here, Midnightpaw would be able to have a true mock battle.

"Alright, Midnightpaw, I know you're ready for this." She mewed with a smile as she turned to her apprentice. "ShadowClan's assessment deals in combat skills only. So I want you to show me the culmination of everything you have learned and apply it here today." She purred, crouching into her battle-ready stance. "You may proceed when ready!"

@Ome - Midnightpaw

[Ome]

════ ʚ Midnightpaw ɞ ════
• Non-Binary • 13 Moons • They/Them •
☆ | Short black fur w/green eyes | ☆
-Mentor : Embercloud ( @Luna16 )-

Midnightpaw nodded, suddenly focused. They crouched down as well, their paws stiffin as they watched their mentor. They circled around, keeping their eyes on Embercloud, before running towards them, jumping over, landing with a thud and turning, swiping at the backside of their mentor.

[Luna16]

Impressive! Embercloud could tell that they were thinking several pawsteps ahead with their movements. But now was not the time to be overcome with praising them, nor getting distracted.

-rolled 16-

She managed to slide over, but just barely. Midnightpaw's outstretched claws still catching some of her fur. Embercloud couldn't keep an impressive expression of her face for very long, but Midnightpaw would not have seen her face for very long either. Embercloud turned on her forepaws, striking out with her hindlegs in a back kick.

@Ome - Midnightpaw

[Ome]

════ ʚ Midnightpaw ɞ ════
• Non-Binary • 13 Moons • They/Them •
☆ | Short black fur w/green eyes | ☆
-Mentor : Embercloud ( @Luna16 )-

Hissing slightly, the apprentice's shoulder got swiped by Embercloud. Midnightpaw jumped to the side, ran towards Ember's flank, jumping again, twisting themself in the air, landing on the other side and swiping at their mentor's flank.

[Luna16]

-rolled 4-

Embercloud was impressed once more. Midnightpaw's movements were fluid and creative, she was taken off guard when a blow connected. The tortoiseshell she-cat leapt out of the way before another blow could connect. Though her whiskers twitched to show her pride. Embercloud took an offensive position this time, rushing at Midnightpaw and aiming a swipe for their legs in an attempt to knock them off balance.

@Ome - Midnightpaw

[Ome]

════ ʚ Midnightpaw ɞ ════
• Non-Binary • 13 Moons • They/Them •
☆ | Short black fur w/green eyes | ☆
-Mentor : Embercloud ( @Luna16 )-


Midnightpaw jumped but not high enough before their front paws got a swipe from Embercloud. The apprentice ran around their mentor a few times, hoping to make them dizzy, maybe confused enough so they could jump at Embercloud's flank.

[Luna16]

Embercloud crouched into a defensive position, keeping her focus straight on. Her ears swiveling as she tried to follow Midnightpaw's movements with her other senses rather than her eyes. Her last strike barely made contact, good. Their reflexes are strong. Embercloud waited before leaping out from the center of Midnightpaw's circling, landing with her paws against a nearby pine tree trunk. Within a heartbeat, she bunched her muscles before launching herself from the tree towards Midnightpaw in an attempt to pin them down, the combined momentum of her leap and using the tree as a push-off point serving to increase her speed and power.

@Ome - Midnightpaw

[Ome]

════ ʚ Midnightpaw ɞ ════
• Non-Binary • 13 Moons • They/Them •
☆ | Short black fur w/green eyes | ☆
-Mentor : Embercloud ( @Luna16 )-


Her mentor was quick, too quick and Midnightpaw couldn't stop or move fast enough to get pinned down by Embercloud. A soon as they were on the ground, the kicked back, nocking the feline off of them, before turning, climbing the tree, jumping from the nearest branch, aiming to land on or near their mentor.