Softpaw's Training [P]

[Fits]

Heroneye
| she/her | RiverClan | Lionheart |

Heroneye listened to Softpaw's words, paws skipping automatically over the mountain terrain. The apprentice was voicing many of her own concerns, like how the other Clans would react to RiverClan's return. It was simply foolish to believe that they'd simply welcome them back with open paws, not even to mention the likelihood of her own Clanmates accosting the other Clans again. And then there was the matter of their territory. Did the other Clans claim parts for themselves? Was their camp still even intact?

Not to mention that many of her Clanmates would carry the burdens of lost loved ones who could no longer make the trek back with them. Once again, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the decent cats of RiverClan; they weren't the ones who had provoked the other Clans, but they were nonetheless paying dearly for it. Softpaw, too, would have to bear the weight of her hurting family. It just wasn't fair. But even so, Heroneye knew, more than ever, how vital it was to maintain good relations with other Clans. She would do absolutely everything in her power to keep RiverClan from faltering again.

"No, don't apologize," Heroneye spoke up at last. After a pause, she added, "It's good that you told me. You don't have to pretend to be fine, or to avoid talking about your concerns; that won't help anything." Being emotionally present was rather unfamiliar territory for Heroneye, but she didn't want to just limply take in the apprentice's words. She didn't want Softpaw to feel useless, like she couldn't talk to anyone... Heroneye would say what she needed to make that happen.

Finally, Heroneye and Softpaw had arrived near the calmer section of the river. It was quite the journey to and from that area, but the Lionheart wasn't about to have her apprentice try to learn to swim in the more dangerous currents near the camp. "We're here. Are you ready?"

( @ChromeSilver_Hwaa )

[ChromeSilver_Hwaa]

Originally Posted by Fits

Heroneye
| she/her | RiverClan | Lionheart |

Heroneye listened to Softpaw's words, paws skipping automatically over the mountain terrain. The apprentice was voicing many of her own concerns, like how the other Clans would react to RiverClan's return. It was simply foolish to believe that they'd simply welcome them back with open paws, not even to mention the likelihood of her own Clanmates accosting the other Clans again. And then there was the matter of their territory. Did the other Clans claim parts for themselves? Was their camp still even intact?

Not to mention that many of her Clanmates would carry the burdens of lost loved ones who could no longer make the trek back with them. Once again, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the decent cats of RiverClan; they weren't the ones who had provoked the other Clans, but they were nonetheless paying dearly for it. Softpaw, too, would have to bear the weight of her hurting family. It just wasn't fair. But even so, Heroneye knew, more than ever, how vital it was to maintain good relations with other Clans. She would do absolutely everything in her power to keep RiverClan from faltering again.

"No, don't apologize," Heroneye spoke up at last. After a pause, she added, "It's good that you told me. You don't have to pretend to be fine, or to avoid talking about your concerns; that won't help anything." Being emotionally present was rather unfamiliar territory for Heroneye, but she didn't want to just limply take in the apprentice's words. She didn't want Softpaw to feel useless, like she couldn't talk to anyone... Heroneye would say what she needed to make that happen.

Finally, Heroneye and Softpaw had arrived near the calmer section of the river. It was quite the journey to and from that area, but the Lionheart wasn't about to have her apprentice try to learn to swim in the more dangerous currents near the camp. "We're here. Are you ready?"

( @ChromeSilver_Hwaa )

Softpaw gave a gentle nod of agreement

(sorry for the short post my powers out off and on

[Fits]

Heroneye
| she/her | RiverClan | Lionheart |

"When you enter the water, you'll need to start moving your paws to paddle right away," Heroneye began. "It's similar to how you walk, but you're using your paws to push the water instead." Now that she was talking, she was realizing that swimming was a rather difficult thing to explain... By this point in her life, swimming was practically second nature. It was like trying to explain how to swallow or breathe. You just... do it.

But obviously that wasn't sufficient. Explaining something like this poorly could result in a rather dangerous situation--one which Heroneye was interested in avoiding. "Now, if you feel yourself being overwhelmed by the current, it's best not to fight against it; instead, follow it while also trying to swim towards a riverbed. Above all, though, do your best to keep your head above water at all times--for now, at least." Perhaps that was the most important part, at least at the beginning. Any cat could drown under the right conditions, but a beginner would be most vulnerable, naturally.

"Are there any questions so far?"

( @ChromeSilver_Hwaa )

[ChromeSilver_Hwaa]

Originally Posted by Fits

Heroneye
| she/her | RiverClan | Lionheart |

"When you enter the water, you'll need to start moving your paws to paddle right away," Heroneye began. "It's similar to how you walk, but you're using your paws to push the water instead." Now that she was talking, she was realizing that swimming was a rather difficult thing to explain... By this point in her life, swimming was practically second nature. It was like trying to explain how to swallow or breathe. You just... do it.

But obviously that wasn't sufficient. Explaining something like this poorly could result in a rather dangerous situation--one which Heroneye was interested in avoiding. "Now, if you feel yourself being overwhelmed by the current, it's best not to fight against it; instead, follow it while also trying to swim towards a riverbed. Above all, though, do your best to keep your head above water at all times--for now, at least." Perhaps that was the most important part, at least at the beginning. Any cat could drown under the right conditions, but a beginner would be most vulnerable, naturally.

"Are there any questions so far?"

( @ChromeSilver_Hwaa )

Softpaw listened intently to her mentor, white tail flicking aimlessly. Mumbling the rules and how to under her breath. Softpaw meowed, "Seems....... well not easy enough but sounds not all that difficult." Softpaw meowed, looking at the water

[Fits]

Heroneye
| she/her | RiverClan | Lionheart |

Heroneye tilted her head slightly at the apprentice's words. "I suppose that's an accurate way of putting it," she began. "Once you learn and are used to it, it can come almost as naturally as walking. But that doesn't mean you can let your guard down." Heroneye cast a wary glance at the nearby river, almost as though she expected it to swallow them up from there. "The water is about as useful as it is dangerous. Don't forget that." Indeed, if there was one thing Heroneye needed Softpaw to remember, it was not to underestimate the power of water. Many a cat had drowned doing just that.

"If you don't have any questions, I'd like you to give it a try. Start out slow at first, and stick near the riverbed," she said, padding towards the edge of the water. "And if you ever feel as though you're being overwhelmed or are in danger, let me know." With that, it was time to see how Softpaw fared. Heroneye was actually rather interested to see how she would do, if only a little nervous. Heroneye hoped her explanation had been sufficient enough... If not, at least the Lionheart would be there to ensure Softpaw didn't drown or get swept up. So she tried to reassure herself with that.

( @ChromeSilver_Hwaa )

[ChromeSilver_Hwaa]

Originally Posted by Fits

Heroneye
| she/her | RiverClan | Lionheart |

Heroneye tilted her head slightly at the apprentice's words. "I suppose that's an accurate way of putting it," she began. "Once you learn and are used to it, it can come almost as naturally as walking. But that doesn't mean you can let your guard down." Heroneye cast a wary glance at the nearby river, almost as though she expected to swallow them up from there. "The water is about as useful as it is dangerous. Don't forget that." Indeed, if there was one thing Heroneye needed Softpaw to remember, it was not to underestimate the power of water. Many a cat had drowned doing just that.

"If you don't have any questions, I'd like you to give it a try. Start out slow at first, and stick near the riverbed," she said, padding towards the edge of the water. "And if you ever feel as though you're being overwhelmed or are in danger, let me know." With that, it was time to see how Softpaw fared. Heroneye was actually rather interested to see how she would do, if only a little nervous. Heroneye hoped her explanation had been sufficient enough... If not, at least the Lionheart would be there to ensure Softpaw didn't drown or get swept up. So she tried to reassure herself with that.

( @ChromeSilver_Hwaa )

Softpaw's eyes became wary as it was time to try it in real time. Jeez, who knew she would be this nervous. Softpaw teetered to the water, clearly procrastinating by walking slow and looking around. As her paw touched the water, Softpaw yelped. "It's so cold!"
Softpaw waded carefully into the water. Her bright white fur plastering easily to her sides, showing a hint of her pink skin and suprisingly lean muscles. Softpaw looked back at her mentor, hoping she was following. Softpaw gently waded, going deeper and deeper into the water. "So cold......" She murmured.

[Fits]

Heroneye
| she/her | RiverClan | Lionheart |

Heroneye watched from the riverbank, her eyes narrowed with concentration as she watched the apprentice. It was clear from her movements that she was quite nervous. On the one paw, Heroneye appreciated the apprentice's cautious nature. On the other, such hesitation would ultimately only be a hindrance. Swimming was an activity that often required quick reactions and high awareness. Anything else could lead to dangerous conclusions.

"Take your time; it may take a bit to get used to the water," Heroneye said. It also wouldn't help matters if Softpaw was still surprised by its temperature. "And don't be concerned; I'm not going anywhere." Heroneye paused at that, blinking for a moment. Would Heroneye be able to save Softpaw in an emergency? Stars, she'd better be. Heroneye may not have been the strongest cat, but there was no way she'd allow the apprentice to drown, surely... She shook her head to clear it; fretting in that way wouldn't make anything better. It's not like it would come to that, anyway.

( @ChromeSilver_Hwaa )

[ChromeSilver_Hwaa]

Originally Posted by Fits

Heroneye
| she/her | RiverClan | Lionheart |

Heroneye watched from the riverbank, her eyes narrowed with concentration as she watched the apprentice. It was clear from her movements that she was quite nervous. On the one paw, Heroneye appreciated the apprentice's cautious nature. On the other, such hesitation would ultimately only be a hindrance. Swimming was an activity that often required quick reactions and high awareness. Anything else could lead to dangerous conclusions.

"Take your time; it may take a bit to get used to the water," Heroneye said. It also wouldn't help matters if Softpaw was still surprised by its temperature. "And don't be concerned; I'm not going anywhere." Heroneye paused at that, blinking for a moment. Would Heroneye be able to save Softpaw in an emergency? Stars, she'd better be. Heroneye may not have been the strongest cat, but there was no way she'd allow the apprentice to drown, surely... She shook her head to clear it; fretting in that way wouldn't make anything better. It's not like it would come to that, anyway.

( @ChromeSilver_Hwaa )

Softpaw shivered gently, her snowy white fur clinging to her sides as she waded. Her paws now lifting gently as she eased into the water, Softpaw's green eyes narrowed into slits of coal, probably for the first time in front of her mentor. Softpaw kept her eyes narrowed, Softpaw felt her body lift gently, her eyes lit up with panic before she remembered her mentors words, as she was lifted, Softpaw calmed herself and floated with the water, imagining herself running and following the movements she slowly started to move.

[Fits]

Heroneye
| she/her | RiverClan | Lionheart |

It was only when Heroneye's face relaxed that she realized how tense her muscles had been. Softpaw was swimming. Not drowning. Heroneye had managed to avoid dooming her apprentice with a poor explanation yet again. Thank the Stars, especially considering how dire and immediate the consequences for doing so could have been. But, of course, this was just step one; simply being able to stay afloat in water was the bare minimum, ultimately. If her swimming were to be on the same level as your average RiverClan cat, she would have to go a lot farther than just that.

"Alright. See if you can swim to the opposite riverbed now," she called from her place on dry land. That would be a decent exercise, right? It wasn't a terribly long distance, but it would still test the apprentice's ability to control herself in the water. Additionally, even if, hypothetically, Softpaw found herself unable to do that, Heroneye would be able to jump in relatively quickly. That was the idea, anyway.

( @ChromeSilver_Hwaa )

[ChromeSilver_Hwaa]

Originally Posted by Fits

Heroneye
| she/her | RiverClan | Lionheart |

It was only when Heroneye's face relaxed that she realized how tense her muscles had been. Softpaw was swimming. Not drowning. Heroneye had managed to avoid dooming her apprentice with a poor explanation yet again. Thank the Stars, especially considering how dire and immediate the consequences for doing so could have been. But, of course, this was just step one; simply being able to stay afloat in water was the bare minimum, ultimately. If her swimming were to be on the same level as your average RiverClan cat, she would have to go a lot farther than just that.

"Alright. See if you can swim to the opposite riverbed now," she called from her place on dry land. That would be a decent exercise, right? It wasn't a terribly long distance, but it would still test the apprentice's ability to control herself in the water. Additionally, even if, hypothetically, Softpaw found herself unable to do that, Heroneye would be able to jump in relatively quickly. That was the idea, anyway.

( @ChromeSilver_Hwaa )

Softpaw blinked at her mentor, flailing her paws gently, thinking about running and well, not drowning while she softly paddled in the water, she drifted downwards but instead of panicking (externally at least) Softpaw let herself drift while turning her body to hopefully push herself in the right direction, with Starclan's best warrior pulling her forward, Softpaw managed to paddle back into line as she struggled. Her legs burned, her eyes filled with rage at the dumb water as it kept pushing her back, she finally reached the other side and growled, slapping water angirly with her small white paw. "You dumb water! You make me cold you ruin my fur you make my legs hurt, you push me out of line!" Softpaw growled. Her eyes tired and mad as she glared poutingly at the water