Cricketpaw and Ravenpaw's Battle Training [P]

[Fits]

Heroneye
| she/her | RiverClan | Lionheart |

It seemed that it was time to teach a few more apprentices some fighting. It was strange; that thing she was so certain she could never get used to was starting to become routine. Even after all this time, she was far too unpredictable, but at least she could humor herself with the thought that maybe even she could become a decent teacher, with enough practice.

Regardless, it was time for Heroneye to gather the apprentice in question: Cricketpaw and Ravenpaw. Ravenpaw, from Heroneye's understanding, was a bit farther along in her battling training than Cricketpaw, but she felt that grouping them together would be more productive. Hopefully. At least, they might be able to learn something from each other, or even spar towards the end.

"Cricketpaw, Ravenpaw?" She spoke into the apprentice's den. It was fairly early in the morning, so pretty safe to assume that they'd be in there, somewhere. Her voice was quiet but steady, so as not to stir as many unrelated cats as possible. "You two will be doing some training with me today."

(Let me know if anything needs to be edited/changed. ^^)

( @Silvershadow13 - Cricketpaw ; @Luna16 - Ravenpaw )

[Silvershadow13]

•| Cricket'Paw |•

Peeking her head out of the den, the tabby apprentice bounded out, her enthusiasm more than apparent.
"Did you say battle training!" she blinked, attempting to reel in her excitement.

@Fits - Heroneye
@Luna16 - Ravenpaw

[Luna16]

Black eyelids flew open to lively dark blue eyes when Ravenpaw heard her name called. Today was the day! She was going to receive some training from another high ranking and well respected RiverClan warrior. Quickly leaping to her paws and hastily grooming her fur, Ravenpaw nudged Cricketpaw with her muzzle before leaping between nests and skidding to a halt outside of the apprentice’s den. Eyes sparkling eagerly. “I’m here Heroneye! Or, Ms. Heroneye! I’m ready!”

[ @Silvershadow13 - Cricketpaw]
[ @Fits - Heroneye]

[Fits]

Heroneye
| she/her | RiverClan | Lionheart |

Cricketpaw was the first to emerge from the apprentice's den, clearly brimming with enthusiasm. Heroneye offered her a nod, a small smile tugging at her features. It was nice to see an apprentice so excited about training. If only Heroneye had shown even a fraction as an apprentice, huh?

Before Heroneye could speak, Ravenpaw also burst through the den entrance. "Ms." Heroneye, she'd called her. That sounded strange; the last time she'd been called "Ms." anything must have been as an apprentice, and only if she was being scolded. She sort of hoped the apprentice would drop the honorific, because Heroneye didn't think she'd ever get used to it. But Ravenpaw was clearly only trying to be respectful, so the Lionheart wouldn't say anything, not allowing her expression to falter.

In any case, both apprentices were bursting at the seams to begin training, and Heroneye couldn't ask for anything more. "Right, then." She began towards the camp entrance, gesturing for the apprentices to follow. She would lead them out of camp then, towards her designated battle-training clearing. It had served her well thus far.

( @Silvershadow13 - Cricketpaw ; @Luna16 - Ravenpaw )

[Luna16]

Oblivious Ravenpaw didn't notice anything with Heroneye not liking the honorific, even if she hadn't hidden her reaction. So with Heroneye disguising her reaction, she was even more oblivious. Beaming, whiskers twitching with excitement, she followed Heroneye with a spring in her step, purring excitedly.

[ @Silvershadow13 - Cricketpaw]
[ @Fits - Heroneye]

[Silvershadow13]

•| Cricket’paw |•

Nodding, she didn’t want to point out the slight change of demeanor in Heroneye and instead followed obediently.

@Fits
@Luna16

[Fits]

Heroneye
| she/her | RiverClan | Lionheart |

Upon arriving in the clearing, Heroneye turned back to the two apprentices. "We'll be starting with the front paw strike," she began. The tried and true. "One simply crouches before jumping forward, striking one's opponent with it." She demonstrated the move as she spoke, her cadence matching the rhythm of her movements.

"You two try now. Imagine there is a warrior from another Clan in front of you, and you're trying to use this move on them," Heroneye instructed simply.

She then glanced a bit guiltily at Ravenpaw. "You wanted to learn advanced combat, yes? Consider this warmup, I suppose." Well, Heroneye mostly wanted an idea of exactly how far along Ravenpaw's skills were, but that went unsaid. In any case, she would be sure to focus on more advanced moves once she had a better idea of what to expect.

( @Silvershadow13 - Cricketpaw ; @Luna16 - Ravenpaw )

[Luna16]

Ravenpaw blinked at Heroneye's apology, shaking her head fervently. "O-Oh it's no trouble at all!" She mewed excitedly. "Getting to train with you, even in the basics, is amazing!" She purred, looking at Cricketpaw to see if her denmate agreed. "And I honestly haven't gone over too many of the basics...but I want to learn the advanced techniques too!" She explained. "My goal is to become one of the strongest warriors! Maybe even a Lionheart someday!" She sat tall with her eyes sparkling at the thought.

With that said, Ravenpaw crouched and copied Heroneye, darting her paw out sharply. She then wriggled her haunches before leaping forward, bringing her paw down in a swiping motion. It was honestly quite thrilling! She looked up at Heroneye for approval, wanting to ensure she had the motion right before practicing it and committing it to muscle memory.

[ @Fits - Heroneye]
[ @Silvershadow13 - Cricketpaw]

[Silvershadow13]

Cricket'paw

She nodded avidly, both at the demonstration and at Raven'paw's comment.
"Yes, I never considered the thought of learning super advanced moves, but to become one of the most respected cats, I think it would be worth the time."

She flicked her tail as she turned from them and faced a bush, imagining the leaves to be the fur, the branches; bones. Her breath halted slightly as she closed her eyes, envisioning the enemy.

Crouching down, she did her best to copy the moves of Heroneye, stilling her enthusiastic shuffling, narrowing her eyes with sharp control. Then she lashed out, not yet using her claws, but attempting at close precision. Raking an invisible enemy, she sighed slowly as the move seemed to come quite naturally for both her and Raven'paw.

Sitting back, she shook away the imaginary warrior and gazed at Heroneye.

( @Luna16 - Raven'paw )
( @Fits - Heroneye )

[Fits]

Heroneye
| she/her | RiverClan | Lionheart |

Heroneye's whiskers twitched at Ravenpaw's comments. She would hardly consider it an honor to train with her, nor was she especially aspirational, though she could see why the apprentice might think that. Lionhearts were supposed to be beacons of warriorhood, yes? Heroneye had thought so, too, but couldn't extrapolate that thought process to herself. In other words, she was a bit surprised by Ravenpaw's enthusiasm.

But she wouldn't let that show, of course. Voicing such things would only unnecessarily dampen the apprentice's spirits, or she'd just come off as condescending and belittling. So she only nodded encouragingly at the apprentice. "I'm sure you will, if you just keep working towards it." Simple enough response, and it might help motivate her, too. At least, she wouldn't have to worry too much about the apprentice growing impatient with her.

She nodded at Cricketpaw, too. She seemed eager to learn more advanced moves, and they had each done well with the front-paw blow, so it seemed time to move on to something more advanced.

"Next, we'll try the back kick," she began. This move required quite a bit more balance than some others, but she was fairly confident the apprentices could do it, if only after a few attempts.

"If you find that your back is turned to an opponent, you can shift your weight to your front paws--" she braced herself as she spoke, demonstrating the move as she explained, "--before kicking at them with your back legs." After completing the kick, she came back down onto all fours. to face the apprentices.

[b]Try it yourselves, on the air at first. Remember that the most important thing is to keep your balance, even if you need to lessen the power of your attack to do so," she explained. "You're already vulnerable when your opponent is behind you like that. You can't afford to give them any more advantages."

( @Silvershadow13 - Cricketpaw ; @Luna16 - Ravenpaw )