bestow your wisdom upon me ol' great mistle [ p ]

[wolfie]

ⵌ ➜ #GUTSPAW
˗ˏˋ ✮ it . teeth . bite . // fourteen moons ˎˊ˗　
small spiky-furred black tabby with striking icy blue eyes. has a huge fluffy tail & a few scars in the shapes of bite-marks - notch in left ear.

❝HIGH ACHIEVER, DON'T YOU SEE? BABY, NOTHING COMES FOR FREE !!❞

---

『 彡 ➜ @Mica 』
Gutspaw hadn't quite prepared for its improvised move to work. Turns out, dust was more useful than it could've expected. Unfortunately, the momentum it had built waivered. Mistlewhisker's paw connected to its shoulder and sent it thudding against the ground. Instead of jumping back up to its paws, it would attempt to swipe at the deputy's frontpaws. Maybe it could unbalance her if bite was close to the ground.

The apprentice swiftly popped back up on their paws afterwards. It would attempt to reel up on its hindlegs, but it wasn't something bite was particularly practiced with and instead it only lost its balance and tumbled back with a grumble. An opening if Mistlewhisker choose to take it.

Nonetheless, Gutspaw would scramble back up and instead of darting at the she-cat again bite would speed into the surrounding undergrowth. She was larger, much larger than it. Any attempts at close paw-to-paw combat and it would get its ass handed to it. However, if there was one thing it was it would be creative and agile.

[ kitty softpaws has been activated ]

It walked silently, eyes keen on Mistlewhisker. It was getting on her back, so help bite.

After a few moments, Gutspaw would come out of the bushes that were behind Mistlewhisker and once more attempt to pounce on her back.

---

⸝⸝⊂➜﹒silk spinner ✮ kitty softpaws ✮ bewitched ⊃⸝⸝

❝THEY SAY I'M A CONTROL FREAK - DRIVEN BY A GREED TO SUCCEED !!❞

[Mica]

Mistlewhisker
ShadowClan Deputy
she/her | 40 moons
[Large black cat with a half white muzzle and a pale green eye]
Purrks: Beefed Up T3, Shadow Fiend, Mind Reader
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ The Chariot ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
· · ────────────── · ·
[Gutspaw - @wolfie ]
· · ────────────── · ·
Gutspaw's swipe at her paws landed, but didn't have the effect bite was hoping for. Instead of getting her on her stomach, it just made her unstable for a moment. Instead of taking the opportunity to hit again, Gutspaw reared up on its hind paws and proceeded to stumble to the side. Mistlewhisker took the opening, lunging forward to pin the apprentice with her front paws. But bite was quicker. Gutspaw darted into the undergrowth, the sound of teeth's pawsteps fading into the quiet of the forest. Mistlewhisker stood still, ears swiveling around as she tried to catch the sound of bite's paws. Nothing.

The deputy canted her head, impressed with Gutspaw's ability to move around silently. That boded well for hunting.

Suddenly, the bushes rustled and Gutspaw was leaping for her, landing squarely on her back and digging in. She hissed, instinctively dropping to the ground and rolling on her back to crush the apprentice. Now laying on her side, she snorted. "Well done, you did it." She waited for bite to let go before straightening, shaking the dust from her fur and bringing a paw up to clean her face. "Tell me what you learned from this."

[wolfie]

ⵌ ➜ #GUTSPAW
˗ˏˋ ✮ it . teeth . bite . // fourteen moons ˎˊ˗　
small spiky-furred black tabby with striking icy blue eyes. has a huge fluffy tail & a few scars in the shapes of bite-marks - notch in left ear.

❝HIGH ACHIEVER, DON'T YOU SEE? BABY, NOTHING COMES FOR FREE !!❞

---

『 彡 ➜ @Mica 』
Gutspaw let out a triumph yowl as it felt its paws connect against the deputy's back. Victory filled its chest, but it was short-lived as Mistlewhisker dropped to the floor and rolled onto the smaller apprentice. Which then cued startled, muffled squeaks of ultimate despair whilst it was buried underneath black fur. Gutspaw wiggled out from underneath her, sitting up abruptly while it shook its head back and forth. Ouch. Bite had became a squashed kitty for a moment.

It flashed a tooth-filled grin at Mistlewhisker, "Thanks, dude!" It rumbled, a clearly pleased look plastered over bite's face. Mission success. That was bloody fun and a great way to get the blood movin'.

Teeth blinked slowly at the deputy, tilting its head to the side. "Uhm, . dust is uhm, useful. Don't get squashed, and swiping at paws can help unbalance your opponent?" It offered up after a minute. Gutspaw then added on, "oh also er - practiced pouncing, 'course. "

Its fluffy tail wrapped around its paws, "Sooo, what's next on the ol' huntng training trip? We gonna chase some actual frogs or something now instead?" It inquired, ready to focus back on the actual goal they had came here with in mind.

---

⸝⸝⊂➜﹒silk spinner ✮ kitty softpaws ✮ bewitched ⊃⸝⸝

❝THEY SAY I'M A CONTROL FREAK - DRIVEN BY A GREED TO SUCCEED !!❞

[Mica]

Mistlewhisker
ShadowClan Deputy
she/her | 40 moons
[Large black cat with a half white muzzle and a pale green eye]
Purrks: Killer Aptitude T3, Shadow Fiend, Mind Reader
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ The Chariot ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
· · ────────────── · ·
[Gutspaw - @wolfie ]
· · ────────────── · ·
"Dude". Mistlewhisker resisted the cringe that slithered up her spine. Like Grousepaw, it seemed that Gutspaw had taken to using informal names. She wondered if they had been conversing. But bite quickly redeemed itself by listing what it learned. It hit all the lessons Mistlewhisker wanted it too, earning a nod from the deputy. "Well done. If you find your opponent has more skill than you, utilizing your surroundings to your benefit can help even the playing field."

"Open your jaws and scent. See if there is prey that wasn't scared away by the scuffle. Then use what you learned--" she paused, "--though perhaps not the dust. Use it to try hunting."

[wolfie]

ⵌ ➜ #GUTSPAW
˗ˏˋ ✮ it . teeth . bite . // fifteen moons ˎˊ˗　
small spiky-furred black tabby with striking icy blue eyes. has a huge fluffy tail & a few scars in the shapes of bite-marks - notch in left ear.

❝HIGH ACHIEVER, DON'T YOU SEE? BABY, NOTHING COMES FOR FREE !!❞

---

『 彡 ➜ @Mica 』
The praise Mistlewhisker spoke made warmth bubble in its chest, again an unfamiliar feeling that left teeth feeling a bit queasy. Sure, she may not be as awful as some of ShadowClan's warriors but she was Dawnstar's deputy. An authority figure, and they always let you down eventually. Gutspaw needed to shake the notion she would be anything different.

It nodded silently at her instructions, opening its jaws as wide as possible to the point it was a little unpleasant. The deputy hadn't specified, so perhaps the wider the better. A lot of different overwhelming scents flooded in at once that Gutspaw quickly closed its mouth a bit, settling on it being opening just slightly. Silence stretched as it picked through the trails. Some were unfamiliar, but it could pick out a mouse & frog in opposite directions. A little ways away (their fighting had caused a bit of a ruckus) but close enough.

Gutspaw hopped to its paws, deciding to go after the frog. They were always slimy and squishy. Its favorite. The apprentice trailed after it, stepping silently as it made its way through the dark evergreen. Eventually, it crept through a few bushes to reveal a small, murky pond. Barely a pond, if any. It seemed to be shallow and a frog rested on a tilted up, rotten log. It croaked quietly.

Its back was turned to bite and carefully, it moved forward before launching itself. Many things happened at once. The log rolled, the frog leapt into the water and Gutspaw proceeded to faceplant into the marshy water with a cut-off scream and a loud splash. Ice plagued its veins and it thrashed about, dragging itself to the softer land. Seaweed wrapped itself around its paws, and its heart thumped wildly against its chest.

Water. From this point forward, the ShadowClanner absolutely despised it. Its fur was all soggy now, weighing it down uncomfortably. It waddled back shamefully to the clearing, shaking its fur in an attempt to dry it a bit. At least its scent was a bit disguised.

"This did not happen, " Gutspaw spoke carefully to Mistlewhisker, pushing the fur out of its eyes. Teeth would wait for its fur to drip dry a bit before abruptly rising to its paws. It swiftly started to head in the direction of the mouse, determined to at least catch ONE damned piece of prey.

As the scent of the mouse neared, Gutspaw dropped into a finer hunter's crouch. It stepped silently, gaze darting about to ensure nothing could give away its position. It walked for a few minutes before coming across a brown, large-eared mouse nibbling on grass. Its pupils dilated, and it slowly started to walk closer and closer. Every breath it took was slow and methodical. Still, something must've alerted it because the moment the mouse's ears twitched, perking up slightly it knew it had to leap now or it would be coming home empty-pawed.

Gutspaw leapt, claws outstretched. One paw slammed on its tail as it tried to scramble away, letting out protesting squeaks as the apprentice dragged it closer. A grin spread across its face as it delivered a killing bite. "May the abyss welcome you with open paws and offer you the solace of eternal rest, " Gutspaw wished softly, offering a period of silence for the end of the life. It was eat or be eaten. Its life would sustain Gutspaw, just as eventually bite's own body will feed the trees and the animals. Repeat.

It picked up the mouse and trotted back to the deputy, still rather soggy.

---

⸝⸝⊂➜﹒silk spinner ✮ kitty softpaws t2 ✮ bewitched ⊃⸝⸝

❝THEY SAY I'M A CONTROL FREAK - DRIVEN BY A GREED TO SUCCEED !!❞

[Mica]

Mistlewhisker
ShadowClan Deputy
she/her | 40 moons
[Large black cat with a half white muzzle and a pale green eye]
Purrks: Killer Aptitude T3, Shadow Fiend [ACTIVE], Mind Reader
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ The Chariot ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
· · ────────────── · ·
[Gutspaw - @wolfie ]
· · ────────────── · ·
Mistlewhisker followed silently as Gutspaw began its search, keeping to the shadows as to not alert the prey to her presence. The first attempt went... poorly. Mistlewhisker was reminded of her first time catching a bird, where she ended up with a face of dirt instead of a bird as she had hoped. As Gutspaw snarled in her vague direction, Mistlewhisker merely hummed and let bite continue on. It wasn't taking this lying down, and that was all that mattered. Getting up, moving forward, continuing the hunt even if you failed the first time. Msitlewhisker prized perfectness, but as long as the task was completed, she considered it a win. Gutspaw moved on quickly, shaking teethself out and preparing to hunt the mouse that had flickered across their senses.

Mistlewhisker followed, still cloaked in shadows, watching her apprentice carefully as bite stalked the mouse. Bite seemed to have a good sense of when bite had to pounce, snagging the prey and killing it swiftly. Something Mistlewhisker hadn't been expecting was the prayer that slipped past Gutspaw's lips. Mistlewhisker hadn't met many cats who thanked the prey for their sacrifice. Many believed that it was simply the way of things, and that prey were naturally below them. Mistlewhisker had started sending prayers for prey when she was young, partially because Thornwing told her that it was thanks to StarClan and the prey themselves that she got to eat. It had become a habit ever since.

Once Gutspaw had the mouse in bites mouth, Mistlewhisker slunk from the shadows, revealing her hulking form in the dappled sunlight. "Well done." She praised, "Where did you learn to respect the prey as such?" Had it been a former mentor? Bites siblings?

[wolfie]

ⵌ ➜ #GUTSPAW
˗ˏˋ ✮ it . teeth . bite . // thirteen moons ˎˊ˗　
small spiky-furred black tabby with striking icy blue eyes. has a huge fluffy tail & a few scars in the shapes of bite-marks - notch in left ear.

❝HIGH ACHIEVER, DON'T YOU SEE? BABY, NOTHING COMES FOR FREE !!❞

---

『 彡 ➜ @Mica 』
Gutspaw supposed it shouldn't have been a surprise Mistlewhisker followed teeth — apprentices weren't supposed to be alone in the territory. This did not mean the sudden appearance of a huge glimmering shadow didn't scare the absolute fur off teeth. It flinched back, letting out a sharp high-pitched yelp and dropping what it was holding before squinting closer; recognition clicked.

".. how'd do that, " Gutspaw inquired, cocking its head to the side. It was as if she had simply manifested from the shadows. Weird. Next time, it would be her who would be yelping out of shock. Hehe. Yeah, she had a jumpscare in her future. (it would be nice though. just a little spook.)

It grins at the praise, but the question takes it by surprise. Heat flashed through its fur, ears slightly lowering. The black tabby never really,, shared its beliefs with its clanmates. Never really to its siblings, either, though Guts simply didn't think they would understand. It pauses, taking a second of pondering over the question. Maybe it should lie. It didn't now what Mistlewhisker followed - whether that be the Dark Forest or StarClan but it didn't want her going all weird on teeth for differing beliefs.

.. she didn't really seem like that type of cat, though.

With a sigh, Gutspaw relented. "If you laugh, I'm putting worms in your ears while you sleep, " it warned. "but uhm, i guess - no one? I mean, it's, I have these - .. dreams, " it admitted quietly, gaze beginning to drift to Mistlewhisker's paws. ",, where the abyss speaks, but - not - ,, like .. in a voice.. " it was always black, there was nothing. there were no images like some spoke of, or voice. only feelings, only a sense of deep knowing.

it called to teeth. not like the deputy could understand.

".. but the abyss does not like when its creations are disrespected. prey gives its life to sustain us. the least i can do is say thanks, " a pause, ".. its bad luck if i don't, " disrespecting the surrounding entities would eventually come back to bite.

"Anyyyyyway, are we done huntin'?" Gutspaw asked.

---

⸝⸝⊂➜﹒silk spinner ✮ kitty softpaws t2 ✮ bewitched ⊃⸝⸝

❝THEY SAY I'M A CONTROL FREAK - DRIVEN BY A GREED TO SUCCEED !!❞

[Mica]

Mistlewhisker
ShadowClan Deputy
she/her | 40 moons
[Large black cat with a half white muzzle and a pale green eye]
Purrks: Killer Aptitude T3, Shadow Fiend [ACTIVE], Mind Reader
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ The Chariot ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
· · ────────────── · ·
[Gutspaw - @wolfie ]
· · ────────────── · ·
Gutspaw's reaction sparked amusement in the Deputy's one-eyed gaze. While Mistlewhisker was the furthest thing from mischievous, she did enjoy the occasional, casual spook. "It is a skill I learned after many moons of living in the shadows." She hummed. "Some day, you too will learn."

It seemed her question made teeth hesitate, but Mistlewhisker remained quiet to allow bite to gather its thoughts. The threat earned a flick of the ear as if to say "get on with it". Mistlewhisker was sure that the rocks she found in her nest were mostly Gutspaw at this point. But dreams? Abyss? Fascinating.

Mistlewhisker canted her head as Gutspaw explained, taking the information and comparing it against what she already knew. Whatever this "abyss" was contacted Gutspaw and instilled the belief of cycles and respect into bite. It didn't seem malicious from what Gutspaw was telling her, but Mistlewhisker was hesitant to trust something that wasn't StarClan. "This abyss, or whatever may be speaking to you... I am curious as to what else it says. Respecting your prey is a very important lesson that not many learn." Mistlewhisker gestured to the prey at Gutspaw's paws. "A life to sustain another, nothing wasted. That is how I believe things should be." Her eye glinted. "It is not often I meet someone with the same views. Whatever drives you, young Gutspaw, follow it. But be wary of voices in your head or Others seeking to influence you." Her gaze hardened. "Do not let yourself become trapped in their whispers." Mistlewhisker knew too many horror stories of cats falling prey to StarClan or the Dark Forest, falling into their internal wars and being torn apart in the process.

Standing, Mistlewhisker jerked her head for Gutspaw to follow her and pick up bite's prey. "We are done for today. You showed excellent prowess. Continue building your skills. Come to me if you wish to have any other training."

[Shall we move onto flaying?]

[wolfie]

ⵌ ➜ #GUTSPAW
˗ˏˋ ✮ it . teeth . bite . // sixteen moons ˎˊ˗　
small spiky-furred black tabby with striking icy blue eyes. has a huge fluffy tail & a few scars in the shapes of bite-marks - notch in left ear.

❝HIGH ACHIEVER, DON'T YOU SEE? BABY, NOTHING COMES FOR FREE !!❞

---

『 彡 ➜ @Mica 』 || yep!! sounds good - would u like 4 me to throw up a starter or do u wanna ? :'O
Mistlewhisker always spoke as if trying to imitate a cryptic prophecy. It wasn't even as if she was trying to, but she spoke awfully proper at times. Some of the other ShadowClanners did too, but a lot of them were just downright assholes so it was strange the deputy didn't exactly fall in align with them.

At least she didn't laugh. It felt strange to have someone take an interest. Expect, Gutspaw still got the feeling she wasn't quite understanding. Whatever was not something to describe the Abyss. "The Abyss. The inbetween — the Empty, Void. It has alotta names, or uhm, at least that I've nicknamed but it ain't like, whatever. It ain't, even someone. So it don't speak, its just .. " its voice trailed off once more, "..A space that allows you to come to an understanding. I guess, dunno dude, hard to explain, " Gutspaw shrugged its shoulder. (hey who was cryptic now?) It was alive, but it wasn't. It was nothing, but as a result still something. Its watchful, in the way the sky watches the ground. It does not speak to you, but you understand.

It glanced back up wards, tilting its head slightly to the side. "Cool, cool, " because admittedly while it is cool — explained a bit why Mistlewhisker was a complete dumbass — teeth didn't have a clue what else it was supposed to say. Especially when its mentor's gaze hardened and the full cryptic speech came on.

Yep. Still not getting it. Maybe Gutspaw's fault. To imply the Abyss had an opinion suggested it influenced. The Abyss didn't influence. It allowed life to take course. However, actions always reaped their consequences. .. Eh, Gutspaw would just accept this piece of advice. Maybe one day she'll get it. "I would never, ma'am, " it finally replies, and no way. Manners? An actual polite title? Call it a new man.

The apprentice rose back to its paws, "Thanks! Will do!" it chirped, picking up the prey and following after her.

---

⸝⸝⊂➜﹒silk spinner ✮ kitty softpaws t2 ✮ bewitched ⊃⸝⸝

❝THEY SAY I'M A CONTROL FREAK - DRIVEN BY A GREED TO SUCCEED !!❞

[wolfie]

ⵌ ➜ #GUTSPAW
˗ˏˋ ✮ it . teeth . bite . // sixteen moons ˎˊ˗　
small spiky-furred black tabby with striking icy blue eyes. has a huge fluffy tail & a few scars in the shapes of bite-marks - notch in left ear.

❝HIGH ACHIEVER, DON'T YOU SEE? BABY, NOTHING COMES FOR FREE !!❞

---

『 彡 ➜ @Mica 』 || for my sanity this takes before goopy death!
Soo, Gutspaw was pretty sure it had to become a warrior literally any minute now. It had met the requirements and beyond! Expect, it wasn't reallyyy like someone could just ask when the hell bite's ceremony was going to be. Seemed like something that would just irk Dawnstar and its ceremony would get snagged back. Maybe this was punishment for escaping camp twice (to their knowledge).

Either way, the apprentice had a plan in place to gently nudge Mistlewhisker. Besides, if it could begin to collect pelts .. seemed like it would be rather nice for its nest and!! AND! Who knew what new creations it could think up with such a skill? Safe to say, Gutspaw was on the hunt for the deputy. Its icy blue irises scanned across the clearing. Ohoho, perfect timing. Seemed like she was about to settle down and eat. It was always best to talk to someone when their mouth was full. Can't interrupt you if they can't speak!

[ kitty softpaws t2 has been activated! ]

The black tabby walked up behind Mistlewhisker, scent blending into teeth's surroundings and paws stepping silently. A habit, at this point. Maybe partially intentional. Practice, even. "Yoyo! Sooo, so, " Gutspaw piped up, coming to take a seat next to the black cat.

"I can hunt, kick ass, climb, 'n I'm stealthy. And, AND!!! Bonus, I can swim and fish. Sooo, I feel like this only leads the final boss, " dramatic pause for effect, "Flayingg, whaat do ya say? Up to it, boss?" Gutspaw chirped, fluffy tail quivering back and forth with excitement.

---

⸝⸝⊂➜﹒silk spinner ✮ kitty softpaws t2 ✮ bewitched ⊃⸝⸝

❝THEY SAY I'M A CONTROL FREAK - DRIVEN BY A GREED TO SUCCEED !!❞