The next morning, Stagheart let both he and Willowpaw sleep in a little. He assumed the apprentice may still be a bit wiped out in some ways, at least mentally — but then again, she was quite resilient. He had no doubt she'd bounce back, even if it took a little bit.
I should see how she's doing, then go from there...
After a nice start of eating his fresh-kill and basking in the sun for a bit, the large, scarred tom finally sauntered his way over to the apprentice's den. "Willowpaw?" He called out in a gentler voice, though his rugged tones still showed through. "Time to wake up..."
Willowpaw's tiny grey head popped up from her nest as her mentor called out her name. Her eyes droopy with sleep, she mewed "Good mor-" Willowpaw mewed, getting interrupted by a yawn that showed off her sharp teeth. "Agh, good morning." Willowpaw purred gently, being just loud enough for her mentor to hear her. Willowpaw tried to sit up but got smacked in the face by her brother Weepingpaw. "Ow!" Willowpaw grumbled, slapping her brother back. Willowpaw looked up to her mentor and yawned once again, licking her fur down and giving a luxurious stretch. Willowpaw's eyes filled with mischief as she didn't bother to leap over her brother, instead walking on him and giving a small triumphant snort as he grunted and sat up for a moment. Willowpaw walked to the entrance, her long tail stretched out lazily behind her, still reaching the nests with it's length. The small grey and ginger apprentice blinked tiredly and sat down in front of her mentor.
__________________
Oceanstar is the leader of Beachclan!
"You did a great job today and I hope you smile a little by thinking about me at the end of the day" -Kim Hongjoong
Willowpaw's tiny grey head popped up from her nest as her mentor called out her name. Her eyes droopy with sleep, she mewed "Good mor-" Willowpaw mewed, getting interrupted by a yawn that showed off her sharp teeth. "Agh, good morning." Willowpaw purred gently, being just loud enough for her mentor to hear her. Willowpaw tried to sit up but got smacked in the face by her brother Weepingpaw. "Ow!" Willowpaw grumbled, slapping her brother back. Willowpaw looked up to her mentor and yawned once again, licking her fur down and giving a luxurious stretch. Willowpaw's eyes filled with mischief as she didn't bother to leap over her brother, instead walking on him and giving a small triumphant snort as he grunted and sat up for a moment. Willowpaw walked to the entrance, her long tail stretched out lazily behind her, still reaching the nests with it's length. The small grey and ginger apprentice blinked tiredly and sat down in front of her mentor.
Stagheart stifled a chuckle as he watched Willowpaw try to speak and get up, only to get interrupted by yawns and a quick little spat between her and her brother. His whiskers twitched in amusement as he watched, waiting until the small little gray-and-ginger apprentice came to a halt in front of him.
"Good mornin'," he greeted, giving her a nod, pawing forward a small bass fish towards her for her breakfast. "You... sleep alright?" He asked, trying to vaguely see how she was doing and feeling after nearly drowning yesterday.
__________________
*despite everything, it's still you.
Berryshine is RiverClan's medicine cat!
she and Cobwebfern have a semi-closed den policy.
Stagheart stifled a chuckle as he watched Willowpaw try to speak and get up, only to get interrupted by yawns and a quick little spat between her and her brother. His whiskers twitched in amusement as he watched, waiting until the small little gray-and-ginger apprentice came to a halt in front of him.
"Good mornin'," he greeted, giving her a nod, pawing forward a small bass fish towards her for her breakfast. "You... sleep alright?" He asked, trying to vaguely see how she was doing and feeling after nearly drowning yesterday.
Willowpaw's eyes lit up at the sight of food. "Thank you!" She purred gently, taking a bite, chewing carefully she swallowed then answered her mentors question, "For the most part yeah........ I had a bad dream but uh...... I ended up falling back asleep" Willowpaw meowed.
__________________
Oceanstar is the leader of Beachclan!
"You did a great job today and I hope you smile a little by thinking about me at the end of the day" -Kim Hongjoong
Willowpaw's eyes lit up at the sight of food. "Thank you!" She purred gently, taking a bite, chewing carefully she swallowed then answered her mentors question, "For the most part yeah........ I had a bad dream but uh...... I ended up falling back asleep" Willowpaw meowed.
Stagheart's whiskers twitched and he let out a small hum of understanding. "Well, I'm sorry to hear that... glad you still got some sleep. You, uh... you up to try swimmin' again today? We can do somethin' else," he meowed, keeping his tone as light as his gruff drawl would let it, not wanting to pressure her.
They had some other stuff they could work on, and knowing Willowpaw, she'd either want to do something else to get her mind off of nearly drowning... or, throw herself at the water again to prove that she can do it. He had no idea which one it'd be, so his stark blue eyes watched her, trying to gauge her response.
__________________
*despite everything, it's still you.
Berryshine is RiverClan's medicine cat!
she and Cobwebfern have a semi-closed den policy.
Stagheart's whiskers twitched and he let out a small hum of understanding. "Well, I'm sorry to hear that... glad you still got some sleep. You, uh... you up to try swimmin' again today? We can do somethin' else," he meowed, keeping his tone as light as his gruff drawl would let it, not wanting to pressure her.
They had some other stuff they could work on, and knowing Willowpaw, she'd either want to do something else to get her mind off of nearly drowning... or, throw herself at the water again to prove that she can do it. He had no idea which one it'd be, so his stark blue eyes watched her, trying to gauge her response.
(sorry the post was short, i'm sick and trying lol <3)
Willowpaw blinked, licking her lips clean as she finished her breakfast. "I can try swimming again." Willowpaw said, her tone confident and clear though her eyes flashed with a hint of fear and uncertainty. "Swimming sounds good.."
__________________
Oceanstar is the leader of Beachclan!
"You did a great job today and I hope you smile a little by thinking about me at the end of the day" -Kim Hongjoong
(sorry the post was short, i'm sick and trying lol <3)
Willowpaw blinked, licking her lips clean as she finished her breakfast. "I can try swimming again." Willowpaw said, her tone confident and clear though her eyes flashed with a hint of fear and uncertainty. "Swimming sounds good.."
[ no worries friend!! hope u feel better soon! ]
Stagheart's piercing blue gaze softened slightly at the uncertainty in her tone. He lowered himself to be a little more eye-level with her, trying to search her gaze as if making sure.
"You sure...? We could give it some time. Nearly drownin' ain't exactly somethin' cats just get over easily, y'know... hey, how 'bout this. Ya still need to learn how to fish. Why don't we go to the shallow ends and try out gettin' some minnows to teach ya? Then, if you're feelin' up to it, we could try a little swim after. How's that?"
Stagheart wasn't the fatherly type, and never had been — but with the concern softening his gruff drawl a tad, and the way he was speaking gently to her, he never seemed more like a natural father than this moment. He didn't even realize it himself, simply trying to meet Willowpaw where she was at. He wouldn't easily admit it, but the apprentice was more endearing that not to him, and had gotten through to that stubborn heart of his...
__________________
*despite everything, it's still you.
Berryshine is RiverClan's medicine cat!
she and Cobwebfern have a semi-closed den policy.
Stagheart's piercing blue gaze softened slightly at the uncertainty in her tone. He lowered himself to be a little more eye-level with her, trying to search her gaze as if making sure.
"You sure...? We could give it some time. Nearly drownin' ain't exactly somethin' cats just get over easily, y'know... hey, how 'bout this. Ya still need to learn how to fish. Why don't we go to the shallow ends and try out gettin' some minnows to teach ya? Then, if you're feelin' up to it, we could try a little swim after. How's that?"
Stagheart wasn't the fatherly type, and never had been — but with the concern softening his gruff drawl a tad, and the way he was speaking gently to her, he never seemed more like a natural father than this moment. He didn't even realize it himself, simply trying to meet Willowpaw where she was at. He wouldn't easily admit it, but the apprentice was more endearing that not to him, and had gotten through to that stubborn heart of his...
(ty <3 )
Willowpaw blinked as her mentor crouched to be eye to eye with her. Willowpaw looked at Stagheart nervously, her gaze brightening up a bit as he mentioned fishing. "Sure, fishing sounds good." Willowpaw purred to Stagheart, Willowpaw's whiskers twitched gently at his fatherly tone. Willowpaw stood and stretched, her long tail arching high above her head. Willowpaw yawned once again, finishing her strech as she stood. Willowpaw looked into Stagheart's eyes for another moment, her eyes glittering in uncertainty as she lowered her gaze gently and touched her nose to his cheek to show her appreciation. Willowpaw padded out past him and waited. Willowpaw was honestly terrified of water now, she didn't even want to go fishing but she had to train. Willowpaw was known for being cheery and didn't want her image of being cheery and determind to fade into into a Riverclan cat scared of water, do you know how ridiculous that sounded!? Willowpaw shook out her pelt, licking it down and flicking some pieces of moss from her pelt. Willowpaw watched as her brother woke up and seemingly whispered something to her mentor as he passed. Willowpaw blinked at her brother as he padded out.
Weepingpaw woke up, he'd listened to his sister, being her younger brother had shown him all of her habits, this was an uncommon one where she was scared and didn't want to show it, as his sister left the den Weepingpaw streched and padded to her mentor, walking slowly as he whispered to Stagheart, "She woke up screaming about water...." Weepingpaw gave Stagheart a meaningful look, hoping the fellow tom knew he was refrencing to there training the day before. Willowpaw told Weepingpaw about how she had "fell in the river" and was "fine" but Weepingpaw didn't believe her. Flicking the warriors shoulder with his tail gently, Weepingpaw wasn't the affectionate type, but as Willowpaw did. He saw Stagheart in a bit of a fatherly manner, it was nice every once in a while. Weepingpaw dipped his head and padded off. Leaving a confused Willowpaw and a concered Stagheart togther.
__________________
Oceanstar is the leader of Beachclan!
"You did a great job today and I hope you smile a little by thinking about me at the end of the day" -Kim Hongjoong
Willowpaw blinked as her mentor crouched to be eye to eye with her. Willowpaw looked at Stagheart nervously, her gaze brightening up a bit as he mentioned fishing. "Sure, fishing sounds good." Willowpaw purred to Stagheart, Willowpaw's whiskers twitched gently at his fatherly tone. Willowpaw stood and stretched, her long tail arching high above her head. Willowpaw yawned once again, finishing her strech as she stood. Willowpaw looked into Stagheart's eyes for another moment, her eyes glittering in uncertainty as she lowered her gaze gently and touched her nose to his cheek to show her appreciation. Willowpaw padded out past him and waited. Willowpaw was honestly terrified of water now, she didn't even want to go fishing but she had to train. Willowpaw was known for being cheery and didn't want her image of being cheery and determind to fade into into a Riverclan cat scared of water, do you know how ridiculous that sounded!? Willowpaw shook out her pelt, licking it down and flicking some pieces of moss from her pelt. Willowpaw watched as her brother woke up and seemingly whispered something to her mentor as he passed. Willowpaw blinked at her brother as he padded out.
Weepingpaw woke up, he'd listened to his sister, being her younger brother had shown him all of her habits, this was an uncommon one where she was scared and didn't want to show it, as his sister left the den Weepingpaw streched and padded to her mentor, walking slowly as he whispered to Stagheart, "She woke up screaming about water...." Weepingpaw gave Stagheart a meaningful look, hoping the fellow tom knew he was refrencing to there training the day before. Willowpaw told Weepingpaw about how she had "fell in the river" and was "fine" but Weepingpaw didn't believe her. Flicking the warriors shoulder with his tail gently, Weepingpaw wasn't the affectionate type, but as Willowpaw did. He saw Stagheart in a bit of a fatherly manner, it was nice every once in a while. Weepingpaw dipped his head and padded off. Leaving a confused Willowpaw and a concered Stagheart togther.
Stagheart didn't see through her cheery expression, even though he'd still been worried — he simply took her word and nodded firmly, rising to his paws. He was just about to leave when he saw Weepingpaw dip out of the den. Glancing over in surprise, his whiskers twitched in question until the younger tom uttered the words. Immediately frowning, Stagheart let out a small grunt in reply to show he heard before Weepingpaw padded away. He paused for a moment, his brow furrowed in thought.
She was truly scared, wasn't she...? Should he really be taking her back by the river again? Well, the shallow end was completely harmless — more like a pond, really, with hardly any current. Even an older kit could stand in there without moving, he mused. He'd try to ease her back into it starting with puddles, if he had to, he decided — she was RiverClan. RiverClan was one with water... they'd just have to take it slow, which was fine. Still, he couldn't fight a stab of guilt and sympathy all over again — that she'd suffered in the first place, and that he'd failed to catch her...
All of this went through his mind before he shook his head a bit to clear the thoughts, nodding to Willowpaw as if nothing happened, though the guilt still lingered. "Alright then. Let's head out," he meowed, and before she could ask too much, he was already jogging away at a steady pace, leading back towards the river, headed for the shallowest places and going from there.
__________________
*despite everything, it's still you.
Berryshine is RiverClan's medicine cat!
she and Cobwebfern have a semi-closed den policy.
Stagheart didn't see through her cheery expression, even though he'd still been worried — he simply took her word and nodded firmly, rising to his paws. He was just about to leave when he saw Weepingpaw dip out of the den. Glancing over in surprise, his whiskers twitched in question until the younger tom uttered the words. Immediately frowning, Stagheart let out a small grunt in reply to show he heard before Weepingpaw padded away. He paused for a moment, his brow furrowed in thought.
She was truly scared, wasn't she...? Should he really be taking her back by the river again? Well, the shallow end was completely harmless — more like a pond, really, with hardly any current. Even an older kit could stand in there without moving, he mused. He'd try to ease her back into it starting with puddles, if he had to, he decided — she was RiverClan. RiverClan was one with water... they'd just have to take it slow, which was fine. Still, he couldn't fight a stab of guilt and sympathy all over again — that she'd suffered in the first place, and that he'd failed to catch her...
All of this went through his mind before he shook his head a bit to clear the thoughts, nodding to Willowpaw as if nothing happened, though the guilt still lingered. "Alright then. Let's head out," he meowed, and before she could ask too much, he was already jogging away at a steady pace, leading back towards the river, headed for the shallowest places and going from there.
Willowpaw opened her mouth to talk, pinning her ears down softly as her mentor stalked past her and walked fast. "S-stagheart!" Willowpaw muttered, her tone getting a bit annoyed which was rare for her. Was he mad at her? Well she hadn't done anything wrong! And Stagheart knew good and well with her short legs she shouldn't keep up with his fast paced. Willowpaw growled under her breath and raced ahead of her mentor, her tail whisking past his face as she landed beside she water. Her eyes blazing, half with fear as she looked down into the water, half with anger and confusion at her mentors behavior. What had she done wrong? Willowpaw sat down, her back to the water and sitting obviously away from the edge. Her blue eyes narrowed in anger a she looked to the side, pouting a she waited for her mentors arrival. Willowpaw patted angrily at a pebble she found. Why does this petal even make me scared? Is it the sound that the pebbles in the river made? Gosh....
__________________
Oceanstar is the leader of Beachclan!
"You did a great job today and I hope you smile a little by thinking about me at the end of the day" -Kim Hongjoong
Willowpaw opened her mouth to talk, pinning her ears down softly as her mentor stalked past her and walked fast. "S-stagheart!" Willowpaw muttered, her tone getting a bit annoyed which was rare for her. Was he mad at her? Well she hadn't done anything wrong! And Stagheart knew good and well with her short legs she shouldn't keep up with his fast paced. Willowpaw growled under her breath and raced ahead of her mentor, her tail whisking past his face as she landed beside she water. Her eyes blazing, half with fear as she looked down into the water, half with anger and confusion at her mentors behavior. What had she done wrong? Willowpaw sat down, her back to the water and sitting obviously away from the edge. Her blue eyes narrowed in anger a she looked to the side, pouting a she waited for her mentors arrival. Willowpaw patted angrily at a pebble she found. Why does this petal even make me scared? Is it the sound that the pebbles in the river made? Gosh....
Stagheart almost winced at hearing the sharper edge in Willowpaw's tone. Alright, so his attempt to brush off Weepingpaw's comment so that she wouldn't worry hadn't gone well. He wasn't exactly the best at handling these sorts of situations. Way to go, champ. Normally he wouldn't care too much on how his tone was perceived by a Clanmate, but he had an undeniable soft spot for his little apprentice, and certainly didn't want to make her too upset over something that he felt so bad about.
Internally cursing his shortfalls, the large tom finally made it up, seeing Willowpaw clearly turned away from the water and looking... angry. A rare look for the otherwise happy-go-lucky she-cat.
He let out a small huff, looking hesitant for a moment before he cleared his throat and decided not to acknowledge it for now, in case... well, in case he made it worse, really. Words weren't his strong suit.
"Hey, so... this is the shallowest part of the river. Can hardly feel the current — a 4 moon old kit could stand in it if they wanted," he explained as lightly as possible, padding over to the water and flicking it with his tail. "We can start just by havin' ya stand in it, get used to how the water feels... it only comes up a little above the paws right here... 'n then maybe see about catchin' some of the minnows that swim 'round here for practice."
He glanced back at her, trying not to frown too much as he watched her angrily swipe at a pebble, a mix of frustrated emotions on her face. Weepingpaw's voice rang in his ears: 'she was screaming about water'... But was it all water? Could she handle just a dip of her paws...? He kept his musings to himself, not wanting to look too concerned at the moment. He'd just have to see how she reacted even to the shallow water, and then... go from there, he supposed. And just silently pray he wasn't handling this as awful as he could be. It didn't exactly feel right to call her out for what her brother had told him, but at the same time, depending on how this went... he might need to mention it.
__________________
*despite everything, it's still you.
Berryshine is RiverClan's medicine cat!
she and Cobwebfern have a semi-closed den policy.
Re: Willowpaw's Training! [p]
Berryshine is RiverClan's medicine cat! 
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