Fly. [wrenpaw assessment]

[Neptune.]

Wrenpaw
~<>~
85/100
10 moons || she/her || RiverClan Apprentice || Silver Tongue
medium furred silver smoke she-cat; blue eyes

She's finally ready. It's finally time. The day of her assessment and the start of the rest of her life. Most apprentices don't get here as early as Wren has, and for that she's proud - but it's not something she'll boast about. Not until she's all set to go, at the very least. Though, there's no one Wren could really boat to about it, now that she's thinking about it, she doesn't have much in the way of friends unless you counted Talonpaw or Lilacpaw and, frankly, Wren does not count either of them.

Initially, her plan had been to seek out a Lionheart to run her assessment for her, but she doesn't see either of the two in camp so they're probably out doing something. A cat she does see, however, is Dusklion. Wren makes no secret of her... dislike for the deputy, but she also doesn't really want to wait a second longer - and even she can admit that the deputy is competent so, swallowing what pride she has, Wren wanders over to where Dusklion resides in camp.

"I have a request," she opens, though her tone does little to indicate that she's really requesting something, instead it leans more in the territory of an ambiguous demand. "I'm ready for my assessment and I'd like you to run it."

[ dusk !! - @taillow // jay (for observing if you wanted) - @alec ]

[taillow]

DUSKLION
she/her | riverclan deputy | 28 moons

Ever since the discovery that ShadowClan and WindClan were allied, Dusklion had been trying to figure out what more they could do to prepare. This would likely place more importance on evacuating, because as much as WindClan was ruthless, the dark tabby knew ShadowClan put them to shame. RiverClan was strong but... they were also chaotically disorganized, and right now? They didn't stand a chance against both Clans, as much as the deputy hated to admit it.

Dragged from her thoughts as a voice approached her, she turned to raise a cat-brow at Wrenpaw. There was a mixture of surprise and amusement on her face. More and more the young she-cat was reminding her of how she'd acted when she'd first joined the Clan. Part of her had a mind to tell her to watch her tongue, but that spark and passion... RiverClan needed it. "...Alright. Suppose I can spare a moment or two to see if you've got what it takes to be a true RiverClan warrior." A smirk played on her maw as she flicked her tail and lead the younger cat out of camp and through the territory.

"While we walk out to where we'll be doin' the main parts of your assessment, I wanna hear how you'd approach some situations when they present themselves to you." Not really... part of the assessment. But it would give her an idea of where Wrenpaw stood on... certain issues. "You're out by yourself near the outskirts border when you catch the scent of blood - followin' it, you discover an outsider finishin' prey that was clearly caught on our land. What's your first move?" She kept her pace somewhat quick, not taking her eyes off the path ahead as she led the 'paw towards the main stream.

[ Wrenpaw - @Neptune. ]

[Neptune.]

Wrenpaw
~<>~
86/100
10 moons || she/her || RiverClan Apprentice || Silver Tongue
medium furred silver smoke she-cat; blue eyes

An unconventional start, but a start nonetheless. Wren hadn't been expecting a Q&A, usually all an assessment wound consist of was hunting, fighting, swimming, or maybe another specialized skill. Personality evaluation through stupid questions had never been mentioned to her. Still, maybe this was how they were planning to weed out some of those that weren't actually ready to take on the mantle of warrior, so Wren considers this question a bit more carefully than she might normally.

"Well," she starts, keeping pace with her deputy, "first I'll need to make sure the outsider is alone - not that I can't handle two on one but it's probably safer not to bite off more than I can chew. If they're alone I'd approach from downwind if I can so they don't notice me approaching and demand what they're doing fishing on RiverClan territory. If they're combative, then I'll match that energy and give them a good scar to remember me while chasing them out. If they're understanding then I don't think claws would need to be exchanged and I can escort them out and direct them to different fishing grounds. But since what they caught rightfully belonged to RiverClan, I'll take that back to camp with me after they leave." Truthfully, she'd probably approach with a little more hostility than necessary even if the outsider wasn't combative, but that would just help send the message to get off RiverClan territory.

[ @taillow - dusk ]

[taillow]

DUSKLION
she/her | riverclan deputy | 28 moons

The choice to make sure the outsider alone wasn't one that the deputy herself had considered. In her head, the answer was to leap and attack them first - although even she could admit what a mouse-brained idea that was. Approaching downwind... demand what they're doing and if they're aggressive escort them out. That part... Dusklion had wrestled with. Their outsider issues had quieted down, so she wasn't sure if she would attack first anymore - but she wasn't sure if she was quiet ready to approach those situations with just words yet. Still though, Wrenpaw's answers had her nodding her head.

"Nice touch on takin' the prey back to camp - was wonderin' if you'd catch that. Even though it was caught by an outsider, it was RiverClan prey to begin with 'n could feed hungry bellies." The deputy gave the almost-warrior an acknowledging nod as she continued to trot through the territory. There was more she had in mind to ask but the sounds of the rushing water caught her attention. Up ahead the trees parted to give way to the riverbank, and just before it the river that cut through their territory. "First up; fishin'. Yeah, I know we can catch land prey too but that's so... not RiverClan. So I want you to catch two fish, 'n once you've done that one land prey 'n one bird. If you can, go for a crow." That was for Bites, of course. "...If you can't find a bird, another piece of land prey will do."

She had only done three assessments so far - and one of them had ended abruptly. Dusklion moved a bit further down stream, away from the edge so as to not scare any fish, and settled into a crouching position. "I'll be watchin', even when you leave to catch the woodland prey. Once you're done, return here 'n we'll move on."

[ Wrenpaw - @Neptune. ]

[alec]

->> jayfrost <<-
[ he/him | riverclan | 27moons | burn baby burn ]
a tall, silver classic-tabby with well groomed short to medium length fur and icy blue eyes

sleepless nights and early mornings had once again pushed him into aimlessly wandering along the border or the river for probably far too long, making the most out of the few more days he probably had before goldfish and her kits would require his attention and he would have less time for just. existing. the thought of it now worried him a bit, especially because the scare garlicfeather had given him was something he didnt feel quite ready to swallow yet. most of the right out panic had ebbed away like loose sand on the beach, but the fear stuck steady like a particularly well burried shell or stick. jayfrost had just layed his eyes upon the last little stretch along the river before he would have a clear view of camp entrance when torn ears twitched towards noise. he briefly considered either ignoring them and just pretending he didnt see or trying to hide but when dusklion came into view he changed his mind. grey tabby pelt still shining with water from swimming he did his best to look at bit more presentable before approaching the deputy and wrenpaw.
the warrior approached, he had no idea what the two had been talking about before due to the breeze but judging by the proximity to the river he could guess that they were here to hunt so he remained quiet. tabbied tail briefly touched against dusklions back as something between a greeting and simply stating his presence before he crouched down next to her, eyes on wrenpaw.

[ @taillow @Neptune. ]

[Neptune.]

Wrenpaw
~<>~
88/100
10 moons || she/her || RiverClan Apprentice || Silver Tongue
medium furred silver smoke she-cat; blue eyes
[fishing dc: 10 // bird dc: 14]

So, her answer had been satisfactory. Good. She might've fibbed a little somewhere in there and given an answer that would befit an ideal situation, in reality, it was probably more likely that Wren would attack first and ask questions never, but they could both pretend the idea situation was the actual situation. Now, though, was time for what Wren considered the actual assessment - and they were starting with hunting. With a nod to Dusklion to indicate that she understood, Wren moves to the river bank, finding a spot in the shade of a tree so she wouldn't have to worry about her shadow, and settles down to wait for the fish.

[roll: 17, 10 - success]
The river prey seem to be running smoothly today, and it's not long before a small school of perch swim close. Remembering what Waterworm had told her about swiftly scooping and being mindful of her shadow over the water, Wren inches forward. Luckily, the canopy of oak and birch leaves that extend overhead offer her plenty of shade, so she isn't too worried about her shadow. The fish swim closer, and Wren waits a heartbeat, and then - a silver paw shoots forward into the water and scoops a perch out and onto the shore, where the apprentice makes quick work of killing it, putting a stop to the useless flopping.

Glancing back into the water, it seems the rest of the school had dispersed a little, but there were more fish coming - a pike and maybe a trout from the looks of it. Waiting another moment for them to approach, Wren moves a little too eagerly, and makes a larger splash than she'd intended to, but she still scoops the pike out of the river and onto the shore where it flops a moment before it can flop around no longer.

Satisfied with those catches - and having reached the number she was instructed to catch - the silver feline picks the two fish up by their tail fins and brings them to the base of a patch of cattails, burying them in the sand, dirt and reeds before she saunters away from the river again, in search of her land prey. Dusklion had said to try for a crow, and while Wren's success rate in birding isn't the highest, she's going to do her damn best.

Not far away there's a small clearing, maybe two fox lengths in diameter, and Wren sits near the edge of it, her eyes closed and ears open, listening for bird calls. There's mourning doves, robins, orioles... she doesn't hear any crows. Frowning, she flicks her feathery tail on the ground once, and is about to turn in the direction of the robin call, when she hears it... the loud, raspy CAW of a crow. She freezes in place, ears pricked, and turns to slink in the direction of the bird.

[roll: 19]
In the low branches of a large oak, the black bird perches, preening it's wings as it surveys the ground below. If she could climb trees, Wren would've gone up there, but as it stands, climbing trees is something she can't do quite yet, so, patiently, she crouches by the base of the trunk and watches. And watches. And just when she's getting impatient, when she's thinking that maybe she should go find those robins after all, the crow flies off the tree and into a patch of dappled sunlight, pecking at the grass and scratching, looking for seeds or bugs, and Wren feels her heart rate pick up in anticipation. Stalking downwind, the slow breeze brings with it the wonderful prey scent of crow, and Wren cannot help but lick her lips in anticipation.

Birds are not prey that hesitating is beneficial in catching - Wren had found that out the hard way before. One paw forward, and then bring her back legs in close to spring, hold for one second, and then streak forward! Paws outstretched and claws unsheathed, Wren catches the bird on the wing first, and ignores it's outraged cry as she pins it fully with a paw on it's back, teeth coming to sink into the thin neck as she feels a satisfying snap! and knows that it's broken.

Tail held high in pleased confidence, the silver apprentice carried her crow back to where she'd buried her fish in the cattails and reeds, sitting down and fighting the smug smile that wants to spread across her maw as she waits for Dusklion to praise her.

[ @taillow - dusk // @alec - jay ]

[taillow]

DUSKLION
she/her | riverclan deputy | 29 moons

Company was not something she had been expecting on today's outing, but as her eyes slid over to Jayfrost who was joining her, Dusklion felt relieved it at least wasn't some mouse-brain who she would need to babysit while also running Wrenpaw's assessment. "New warrior, hopefully. She's done good so far," came the hushed whisper from the deputy as her eyes returned to watch Wrenpaw who was crouched by the river.

The perch earns a grunt but the pike... Dusklion's eyes widen. To say she was impressed was an understatement; normally going for those larger fish that were often almost as big as the cats who caught them was reserved for more experienced fishers. She'd have to make a note to check in with whoever had taught the apprentice that trick.

Seeing that she was up and on the move, the deputy gently flicked her tail against Jays side to indicate that if he was intending to watch - which she assumed he was - that it was time to get up and moving. Staying hidden in the undergrowth but still in a position to watch, Dusklion settled in quietly once more. It appeared Wren had found a crow, and the dark tabby smiled in satisfaction. One less wing-rat to deal with as she successfully caught it.

Backing up, and signaling for Jays to follow her back if he had come with her the first time, Dusklion nodded. "Quiet the catches, 'specially that pike." It would make for a wonderful meal for some of their queens and kits once they got back. With hunting out of the way, there was just swimming (which would also test endurance) as well as the battle portion. The deputy jerked her head towards a spot further along the river bank where the land dipped a bit. "Head down that way, 'n I want you to swim back over here towards us. Once you haul yourself back onto the bank, attack me 'n try to pin me usin' whatever moves you think'll work best." Short and simple and to the point.

[ Wrenpaw - @Neptune. ] [ Jayfrost - @alec ]

[Neptune.]

Wrenpaw
~<>~
90/100
10 moons || she/her || RiverClan Apprentice || Silver Tongue
medium furred silver smoke she-cat; blue eyes
[dc: 12]

The praise does not go unnoticed by Wren, she just chooses not to say anything in regards to it. With a simple and slight dip of her head - the smallest of nods - she continues to listen to the instructions her deputy gives her, crystal eyes moving to narrow slightly at the other member of this assessment. She hadn't noticed Jayfrost following them out and wondered if that might somehow count against her. Would she be able to bluff and say he was downwind? She didn't think so. Regardless, she has a task to do: swim upstream (against the current) and then pin down Dusklion. Only then would her assessment be complete. Alright. Sounds... doable if a little bit of a challenge.

Without further question, the silver feline turns and walks to the area of the river Dusk had pointed out, where the land dipped slightly and she's not only have to fight the current but also swim up. Pinning Dusk she wasn't too worried about. Maybe that was just her being cocky, but even if it took a bit of effort and wasn't an overwhelming success, she could still do it. Swimming, though, was never her strong suit. She's really just... average at it.

[roll: 13 - success]
After a quick shake of her thick coat, Wren slips into the river smoothly, not staying under for long before her head breaches the surface once more and, expression determined, she uses powerful paws to churn herself forward. The performance is about average, nothing to write home about, that's for sure, but there's no visible struggle and she doesn't feel in danger of going under, so Wren is counting it as an overall win.

Approaching where Dusk stands near the bank, ready for her, Wren slips out of the river and doesn't waste a moment even shaking out her coat before she's sprinting in the deputy's direction, eyes darting around her in both an attempt of misdirection as well as taking in her surroundings. She doesn't expect Jayfrost to join in on this spar, he hadn't been told to after all, but she's not ruling the possibility out either.

Running in low, Wren quickly makes a spring forward, paws outstretched, hoping to either get Dusklion to flinch backwards or, if she doesn't, hoping to lock her front paws around her neck. Wren might not be that much bigger yet, but she still has the size advantage here, even if it's a little one.

[ @taillow - dusk // @alec - jay ]