Softpaw's Training [P]

[Fits]

Heroneye
| she/her | RiverClan | Lionheart |

Heroneye listened thoughtfully to Softpaw's question. Claws getting softer in the water? She'd admit she'd never heard of such a thing, though she supposed it wasn't impossible. "I don't believe it's something to be especially concerned about. At least, I don't know of any special techniques," Heroneye replied honestly. Though she didn't particularly enjoy contradicting others, perhaps this could put a concern of the apprentice's to rest, at least as far as Heroneye knew.

"I haven't encountered many opponents in the river; naturally, cats from the other Clans are keen to stay on dry land." Of course, only a cat with a death wish would face any RiverClan cat in the water. "But those sorts of injuries are fairly common in all combat; most cats aren't careful to avoid breaking a claw when ripping into another's pelt. It's just another thing to be mindful of, on top of, well, surviving."

She'd never forget the events of that night, when the entire Clan had been forced from its home. Heroneye could barely formulate coherent thoughts then, and focusing on anything other than not dying was practically impossible. Frankly, she was lucky she hadn't gotten off much, much worse, as many of her Clanmates had. In truth, she still felt somewhat guilty about that. Of all the cats who had suffered life-changing injuries or even death, why hadn't it been Heroneye?

In any case, looking upon Softpaw now, she was having difficulties imagining her in a real battle. Not that Heroneye didn't believe she'd be able to hold her own with proper training, but, well... war was always so much worse than any cat could fathom. But with RiverClan's current state, saying that any apprentice had a chance of avoiding war in their lifetime was a borderline fantasy. Heroneye could only hope that, if she was the one to teach Softpaw fighting, she'd be able to do so sufficiently. Someday, it would be a matter of life and death.

( @ChromeSilver_Hwaa - Softpaw )

[ChromeSilver_Hwaa]

Originally Posted by Fits

Heroneye
| she/her | RiverClan | Lionheart |

Heroneye listened thoughtfully to Softpaw's question. Claws getting softer in the water? She'd admit she'd never heard of such a thing, though she supposed it wasn't impossible. "I don't believe it's something to be especially concerned about. At least, I don't know of any special techniques," Heroneye replied honestly. Though she didn't particularly enjoy contradicting others, perhaps this could put a concern of the apprentice's to rest, at least as far as Heroneye knew.

"I haven't encountered many opponents in the river; naturally, cats from the other Clans are keen to stay on dry land." Of course, only a cat with a death wish would face any RiverClan cat in the water. "But those sorts of injuries are fairly common in all combat; most cats aren't careful to avoid breaking a claw when ripping into another's pelt. It's just another thing to be mindful of, on top of, well, surviving."

She'd never forget the events of that night, when the entire Clan had been forced from its home. Heroneye could barely formulate coherent thoughts then, and focusing on anything other than not dying was practically impossible. Frankly, she was lucky she hadn't gotten off much, much worse, as many of her Clanmates had. In truth, she still felt somewhat guilty about that. Of all the cats who had suffered life-changing injuries or even death, why hadn't it been Heroneye?

In any case, looking upon Softpaw now, she was having difficulties imagining her in a real battle. Not that Heroneye didn't believe she'd be able to hold her own with proper training, but, well... war was always so much worse than any cat could fathom. But with RiverClan's current state, saying that any apprentice had a chance of avoiding war in their lifetime was a borderline fantasy. Heroneye could only hope that, if she was the one to teach Softpaw fighting, she'd be able to do so sufficiently. Someday, it would be a matter of life and death.

( @ChromeSilver_Hwaa - Softpaw )

Softpaw blinked, nodding gently in understanding. Blinking gently Softpaw meowed, "That makes sense, ripping a claw sounds like it'd hurt. And with the water on top of it.... we kinda have an advantage regardless of the other cats terrains. Because we can splash water at them and such." Softpaw purred, her whiskers twitching, "What can they do? Throw a tree at us? Swish some grass" She snorted playfully

[Fits]

Heroneye
| she/her | RiverClan | Lionheart |

RiverClan was at an advantage, hm? Heroneye regarded her apprentice with an amused twitch of her whiskers. Certainly when it came to all things water, RiverClan easily came out on top, generally speaking. But, well, that didn't mean that the other Clans' special skills couldn't be useful in combat. ThunderClan cats could climb into trees before leaping down to deliver an extra-powerful tackle. Or WindClan cats could build tunnels all throughout RiverClan's territory, slowly destroying it from the inside. Admittedly, that last one was highly unlikely, but not impossible. Regardless, Heroneye was beginning to dislike this train of thought quite a lot.

"Be that as it may," Heroneye began gently, "it's important not to underestimate your opponent. In truth, it's generally better to overestimate them instead." Naturally, the safest option would be to never pull any punches or lose one's concentration, even for a moment. It was better to assume one's opponent was one step ahead of one at all times--especially since their usually were in Heroneye's case. She wasn't exactly the most formidable fighter in the Clans, after all.

( @ChromeSilver_Hwaa - Softpaw )

[ChromeSilver_Hwaa]

Originally Posted by Fits

Heroneye
| she/her | RiverClan | Lionheart |

RiverClan was at an advantage, hm? Heroneye regarded her apprentice with an amused twitch of her whiskers. Certainly when it came to all things water, RiverClan easily came out on top, generally speaking. But, well, that didn't mean that the other Clans' special skills couldn't be useful in combat. ThunderClan cats could climb into trees before leaping down to deliver an extra-powerful tackle. Or WindClan cats could build tunnels all throughout RiverClan's territory, slowly destroying it from the inside. Admittedly, that last one was highly unlikely, but not impossible. Regardless, Heroneye was beginning to dislike this train of thought quite a lot.

"Be that as it may," Heroneye began gently, "it's important not to underestimate your opponent. In truth, it's generally better to overestimate them instead." Naturally, the safest option would be to never pull any punches or lose one's concentration, even for a moment. It was better to assume one's opponent was one step ahead of one at all times--especially since their usually were in Heroneye's case. She wasn't exactly the most formidable fighter in the Clans, after all.

( @ChromeSilver_Hwaa - Softpaw )

Softpaw nodded gently, listeneing carefully as she puffed out her white pelt to dry it faster. Softpaw blinked and pouted playfully as her mentors whiskers twitched. "I have the perks of a Riverclan warrior and a Thunderclan warrior, so I can swim..... and climb trees and run through bushes." Softpaw purred, amused at herself. "Overestimate... that makes sense. So your extra cautious but not to cautious because if you think about the move there going to make, your extra prepared if they make a feeble one instead." Softpaw mewed, "Right?"

[Fits]

Heroneye
| she/her | RiverClan | Lionheart |

Heroneye nodded. "Right. That's the idea, anyway." Of course, no amount of preparation could prepare oneself for every detail of a battle, but that didn't mean that one shouldn't give it one's best effort regardless. It could be the difference between victory and, well, death.

Heroneye blinked, her gaze turning to the water. She was fortunate to have an apprentice who listened so carefully. Honestly, far from the confrontational type, the Lionheart wasn't really sure how she'd react to a troublemaker. At least she wouldn't have to deal with any of that--For now, she thought with an internal shudder. After all, only StarClan knew what any of her future apprentices would be like. Heroneye would do her best to teach them, of course, but still! Imagine if they were anything like she had been as an apprentice--the horror!

( @ChromeSilver_Hwaa - Softpaw )

[ChromeSilver_Hwaa]

Originally Posted by Fits

Heroneye
| she/her | RiverClan | Lionheart |

Heroneye nodded. "Right. That's the idea, anyway." Of course, no amount of preparation could prepare oneself for every detail of a battle, but that didn't mean that one shouldn't give it one's best effort regardless. It could be the difference between victory and, well, death.

Heroneye blinked, her gaze turning to the water. She was fortunate to have an apprentice who listened so carefully. Honestly, far from the confrontational type, the Lionheart wasn't really sure how she'd react to a troublemaker. At least she wouldn't have to deal with any of that--For now, she thought with an internal shudder. After all, only StarClan knew what any of her future apprentices would be like. Heroneye would do her best to teach them, of course, but still! Imagine if they were anything like she had been as an apprentice--the horror!

( @ChromeSilver_Hwaa - Softpaw )

Softpaw nodded, "Seems reasonable." Softpaw meowed, "Heroneye.......... I have a small thing to ask" Softpaw mewed, hesitating before asking, "Will Riverclan treat me differently for being more Thunderclan than Riverclan? I mean..... with the tensions and stuff....."