[P/T] an acorn caught in a spider’s web

**Luna16** · #1 May 25th, 2025, 09:14 PM

[OOC: This training takes place before the otter fight!]

Acornfall yawned and stretched as he exited the warrior’s den. It was shaping up to be a great day! How could he tell? Well…just a feeling! The sun felt like it was going to be warm, he could hear bugs and birds waking up. Just a nice day. He couldn’t help but purr happily, practically skipping to the apprentice’s den. The stress and anxiety of the impending possibility of fighting the otters far from his mind. Today was a training day. “Spiderpaw!” He called into the depths. “It’s time!”

Spiderpaw wasn’t his apprentice, but Milkbee just had her kits and the -paw asked him for a lesson. So of course, being him, he said yes. Now he stepped back, allowing the -paw time to emerge.

**Luna16** · #2 May 25th, 2025, 09:23 PM

Spiderpaw looked up when she heard her name, hurrying to finish the last of her grooming before bounding out of the apprentice’s den, bobbing her head in greeting. “I-I’m here!” She chirped. “I’m ready!” It had been a while since she had…well…any training really. Some cats have taken her out to show her some of the territory and such, but she has yet to participate in patrols. To really contribute to the clan. At least…by her standards.

Her family wasn’t around anymore. It was just her. But that didn’t mean that she could simply sit by and watch the time tick by. She didn’t know where her family was, but she did know that she ever met them again she would want to be able to be proud. Right now…she wasn’t sure that she could say that.

**Luna16** · #3 May 25th, 2025, 09:38 PM

Acornfall grinned at Spiderpaw’s arrival, she seemed chipper! Good! He’d noticed this kiddo seemed rather…reclusive. Like she was scared of the world or something. Or at least too scared to try and make connections. He was honestly surprised that she approached him for training assistance at all, but he was happy to oblige. “Great! Let’s get a move on then alright? We’ll stop for hunting while we’re out and then bring that back.” He mewed, catching her confused expression. Laughing boisterously as he turned, waving his tail for her to follow.

“We’ll catch extra for the clan of course!” He explained, glancing over his shoulder to ensure she was following. The lean dark feline was keeping up with a wide stride, flashing a timid smile and a nod to indicate she understood. He flashed a toothy smile before returning his attention to the territory. Once they reached a good spot in the forest, he stopped. Turning to face her. “Alright now, kid, whaddya smell?”

**Luna16** · #4 Today, 08:30 AM

Spiderpaw squinted before closing her eyes, trying to focus on opening her other senses. The dark gray feline parted her jaws and tasted the air, patiently sorting through the scents she caught. Finally, her bright green eyes popped open, and she looked at Acornfall eagerly. "There's lots!" She trilled excitedly, nerves forgotten. "I can scent mouse, and squirrel, and vole!" Now that she had the scents located, her paws were itching to give hunting a try!

**Luna16** · #5 Today, 08:32 AM

Acornfall watched Spiderpaw with amused and proud eyes. She may not be his apprentice, but she was a promising young cat. He gave an encouraging purr and a nod when she spoke up about what she scented. "That's right! You wanna give it a try?" He expected to a see nod from her, and when she gave him exactly what he expected, he would wave his tail for her to begin and take a step back to observe.

**Luna16** · #6 Today, 08:37 AM

Spiderpaw indeed nodded eagerly at Acornfall's invitation, and turned her focus to hunting. She took a deep breath to steady her heart-rate - she swore all the prey could hear it! - and then focused in on the closest target: the mouse. Spiderpaw moved forward cautiously, her crouch a little wobbly at first since she wasn't used to using it yet.

-d20: rolled 13-

And that wobbly stance ultimately did her in. Just as she set her sights on the mouse, Spiderpaw lost her balance, her paws slamming hard into the forest floor to catch herself. The mouse immediately picked up on her presence, and even though Spiderpaw pounced to try and salvage the hunt the creature escaped. Disappointed, she looked back at Acornfall. Eyes widened like she wanted to cry.

**Luna16** · #7 Today, 08:42 AM

Acornfall had a feeling that might happen. After all, from his understanding this was Spiderpaw's first hunting session. He didn't check her stance on purpose, he wanted to see where she was at skill-wise. Some cats a natural talent for this sorta thing, so this was a...pre-test of sorts. But he certainly didn't expect her to be that disappointed about it. Almost frantic, the brown tabby leapt forward to offer comfort. "Don't worry! That can happen to even the best of us!" Ehhh kind of a stretch, but the tiny hopefully smile on Spiderpaw's face was worth it.

He flashed her a toothy grin of his own, giving her shoulder a gentle nudge with his own to encourage her. "Now, show me that stance again." When Spiderpaw nodded and sank into her stance, Acornfall tapped certain areas with his tail that he wanted her to correct. "Widen the distance between your paws here. Yep! That's it! Now, sink your haunches some...yes! And the tail!" He lowered her tail with his own, and when he was finished molding her stance it looked much more solid. Acornfall gave an encouraging nod and a bright smile. "Now, try again!" He purred.

**Luna16** · #8 Today, 08:46 AM

Spiderpaw sniffled and nodded, a much brighter smile on her maw this time. Acornfall had a way of helping her to feel more comfortable and confident! He was a good warrior, and she could tell he was a good father too. She tasted the air again, searching for prey. Of course, by now all the scents had moved but she could still pick up the scent of squirrel. Spiderpaw crouched into her corrected stance, taking some time to check her haunches, paws, and tail, before stalking forward.

-d20: rolled 17-

Much better! She could really feel the difference this time! Now she approached her target smoother and with ease. When she was good distance, Spiderpaw instinctively shifted her weight into her hindlegs and launched at the squirrel. She hooked her claws around it and swiftly broke it's neck - oof, that was an uncomfortable feeling! - before picking it up and trotting back to Acornfall proudly.

total: +1 squirrel

**Luna16** · #9 Today, 08:48 AM

Acornfall purred as Spiderpaw practically pranced up to him, nodding in approval. "Thatta girl, kid! Ready to head back?" He offered. When Spiderpaw nodded, likely eager to put her squirrel in the fresh-kill pile herself, Acornfall rose to his paws and led the -paw back to camp. Ah...there was little as refreshing and satisfying as watching a young cat make their first kill.