ThunderClan Territory

[bells_n_whistles]

Instead of answering, Silvereyes beckoned the apprentice forward and asked, "What do you like to do?" The poor apprentice looked so nervous, and she wanted to get her to trust her.
@zeebles

[zozelen]

Wisppaw padded forward as her mentor gestured to her. "What I like...? I'm not sure yet. You don't have many options for hobbies in the nursery," Wisppaw laughed dryly. "Thanks for asking, though... I've started collecting nice smelling herbs and things for my nest, so that might count. And I like finding neat trinkets around the forest." She hoped the answer didn't sound too ridiculous.
@Acantha

[bells_n_whistles]

"I did that all the time as an apprentice," Silvereyes nudged the apprentice's shoulder playfully before she asked, "Do you know the warrior code, young one?" The warrior code was an essential part of Clan life and could affect how you lived. As an apprentice, Silvereyes had learned the hard way that the warrior code was to be followed at all times.
@zeebles

[zozelen]

"I've learned some things from the queens," she mewed. "Like, uh... To always give thanks to Starclan for your freshkill, and to protect kits no matter which clan they come from. I know another rule is to defend your clan with your life..." Wisppaw seemed hesitant while reciting that. "It's not like I disagree, but that one seems kind of... extreme? I do care about Thunderclan, though!"
@Acantha

[bells_n_whistles]

Silvereyes chuckled, dipping her head. "Many young apprentices find this one to be extreme. But worry not, as it does not often come to this." Sitting down, she pulled the lines of the warrior code from her mind and she began to recite them for Wisppaw. "First, defend your Clan, even with your life. Next, do not go on another Clan's territory. Elders and kits must be fed before apprentices and warriors. Give thanks to Starclan for your food. A kit must be six moons old to become an apprentice." She took a breath, before continuing, "Newly appointed warriors must keep a silent vigil for one night after receiving their warrior name. A cat cannot be made deputy without having mentored at least one apprentice. The deputy becomes Clan leader when the previous dies or retires. After the death or retirement of the last deputy, a new one must be appointed before moonhigh. A gathering of all four Clans is held at the full moon during a truce that lasts for the night. There shall be no fighting among Clans at this time. The word of a Clan leader is the warrior code. Boundaries must be checked daily. No warrior may neglect a kit in pain or in danger, even if from another Clan. An honorable warrior does not need to kill other cats to win his battles unless they are outside the warrior code or it is necessary for self-defense. And lastly, a warrior rejects the soft life of a kittypet."
Seeing Wisppaw's face, she added quickly, "But you need not remember now. We will go over them more than once.
@zeebles

[zozelen]

Wisppaw subtly sighed in relief. She was glad Silvereyes wasn't expecting her to memorize all of that just yet...

"The warrior code really does care about honor and tradition," she noted. "But what if something really out of the ordinary happened, like the leader and the deputy both died at the same time? Would the clan just pick a leader they trusted? I'm not planning on assassinating Thrushstar, by the way! I-I was just curious." @Acantha

[bells_n_whistles]

Silvereyes paused for a moment, pondering the question. "I suppose StarClan would have the medicine cat choose the new leader..." She mused. "Then that leader would choose a deputy."
@zeebles

[zozelen]

Wisppaw nodded. "That makes sense, I guess... Sorry about all the questions, but thanks for taking up your time to teach me." The ginger tabby gave the warrior a slight smile. "Should I go back to camp now, or is there anything else I should learn? I know cats come here to practice fighting sometimes." Wisppaw looked a bit antsy again. "To be honest, I don't think I'm cut out for battle, but I guess that's what apprenticeship is for... I don't think I should be telling you that though."
@Acantha

[bells_n_whistles]

"It's all right to ask questions," Silvereyes said gently. "In fact, I'd prefer that you did. Before you go back to camp, there is something I wanted to teach you. Do you know what tail signals are?"
@zeebles

[zozelen]

She flicked her tail around experimentally. "Isn't that just pointing to things with your tail? I don't know all of the signals, but I've heard of the concept. Like, if you're trying to catch prey, you need to be silent... So you can communicate other ways instead." @Acantha