Lion and lamb, owl and pigeon [P] - Page 2

**Luminous** · #11 July 9th, 2024, 02:40 PM

Pigeonpaw

...

She had been so sure he would take subtle out that was offered and tell her to go back to camp, that they were done for today and she had learnt the basics. So why didn't he? Not that she was complaining, getting to learn more things for the price of still bothering only one cat was great. Ok, maybe he was just grumpy but still wanted to do his job well, she could respect that.

Following 'throats, Pigeonpaw pretty quickly recognized the Riverclan border- erm, well what had previously been the border, now it was basically just like the outskirts she guessed. She had only been here briefly with a patrol not too long ago but formed when the earth again became wet under her paws, grimacing and shaking a piece of a damp plant off her hind leg. Yeah she understood what he meant when he said that marshland would squelch under her paws since it seemed to slurp and and gulp with her steps. She tried to place her paws down slower and more gently which helped a bit, then to move with quick and short steps to not let her paws sink down as much, but that did hardly anything expect almost causing her to stumble.

Alright, yeah, that would need more practice, and Pigeonpaw straightened back up and looked at him as the warrior came to a halt. "okiedokie what first?"
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@Daragca

**Daragca** · #12 July 9th, 2024, 04:42 PM

Owlthroat
he/him | Shadowclan Warrior | 39 moons
Beefed Up T1 - Just A Scratch
The Dancing Bird

He stifled a slipping chuckle as the marshy ground underfoot gasped and squelched at his paws. It wouldn’t even be any use for him to demonstrate once again, no point being stealthy anyway when he could simply shred any cat that got in his way.

”The marshland will be a challenge, to approach in silence you become the marsh itself.” His broad tail gesturing to the gunk underfoot. Gunk that had already managed to cling to Pidgeonpaw’s fur. His eyes narrowed coldly, ”Soak your fur in the muck till it’s wet through, it will muffle both sound and scent.” Maybe he would take a little bit of joy in this seeing her wade through the grime and filthy fishleg muck.

”Once done you remain as low to the ground as possible, spread out your weight. Widen your paw pads and allow yourself to slide through it.” Owlthroat’s yellow eyes had now become smug, would she be like a mouse scurrying away or rise to the occasion? Only time would tell with Olivepaw…. No not Olivepaw, Pidgeonpaw. Almost swearing at himself he bit down hard on his tongue and once again averted his gaze.

”NOW!” Owlthroat snarled out, commanding her quite contrastingly to before. The tom needed to reign it in, stay cool, stay present.

[ @Luminous ]

**Luminous** · #13 July 14th, 2024, 06:48 AM

Pigeonpaw

The apprentice's expression, usually so unfazed by the dirt and dust, now twisted with disgust. Grime, earth, and pine-needles or moss clinging to her fur had never bothered her - it only meant she had been active - but something about the wetness of the marshy ground underpaw made her fur twitch uncomfortably. Was soaking herself in this really necessary? Couldn't he have just told her that it would help mask her scent and let her continue dry-furred? Oh well. Grimacing, she allowed her legs to slip slightly further down and let the gunk grace her belly fur before promptly getting up again. She could hardly do anything more than hope that it was enough for now.

Alright, time for the actual stealth, and as she focused on what 'Throats said, she managed to begin to ignore the feeling of the muck against her fur and skin. So yeah, spread your weight and paws pads-

NOW!
The booming voice crashed against her senses, and with a hiss slipping out from her and apprentice's eyes narrowed. She took a stumble back as a paw flew up, claws already out, ready to strike at the threat. Then she seemed to regain control, overriding her initial instincts and snapping back to reality. Training, just think about the training. She was really beginning to not like Owlthroat. Low on the ground... spread your weight... remember to keep your tail still and move quietly... she followed instructions, carefully moving forward and managing to tread lighter every time, signaled by the decreased noises from underneath her.

Alright, she was pretty sure she understood the techniques now. "Are we done?" She didn't turn her to look at Owlthroat.

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@Daragca <33

**Daragca** · #14 July 14th, 2024, 07:17 AM

Owlthroat
he/him | Shadowclan Warrior | 39 moons
Beefed Up T1 - Just A Scratch
The Dancing Bird

He had startled her, the mess this was becoming was unbearable. Owlthroat’s head jumbled with painful memories of the cat she reminded him of. In turn he’d just been cruel to her, turning her against him. Pity swelled within him, a depthless sucking pity. Pidgeonpaw didn’t look at him and it burned coldly inside.

”E..Egh yes.” His voice low and rumbling as if stuck in his throat. Face a mask of displeasure and lips downturned sourly. Scrabbling to claw something back, he liked Pidgeonpaw. She was sweet and committed to training, a cat he could tolerate. But it was unsure where this would take him, if he carried on with her then it would lead to rage. Unintentional rage and harsh thoughts.

Still Owlthroat couldn’t help himself as the next words slipped out roughly. ”If you errr… ever want some more training let me know.” They still sounded so awkward, part of him prayed that she wouldn’t take him up on the offer and that would be that. But even if she didn't, he knew that was a lie, something had already attached itself to her inside him. Watching out for her back and troubles without even realising himself.

She’d only have to ask and it’d be done.

[ @Luminous ]