Make sure to congratulate Versailles on their promotion from c-mod in training to fully fledged chat moderator! They've worked very hard, and we can't wait to see where they go from here!
Riverclan oh Riverclan, never change. Owltalon padded out of the warriors den, stretching herself with a long drawn out yawn. Alrighty, today was a day unlike many others but the same all at once. Owltalon had been given apprentices before, and she adored each and every one of them. Now, this one would be the most recent of her many.
As she approached the apprentice den, she crouched down and mewed, "Fawnpaw, ya up? It's time fer her trainin' bright n' early, eh?" She walked into the smaller den, her stomach to the ground. Once she reached her possibly snoozing apprentice, she bapped them on the nose with a large forepaw, a smile pulling her maw taught. "The early bird gets the worm, don't they chap?"
(Psssst! To properly reply to my posts, type in @Marigoldwhisper (no spaces, no periods) and I'll get a notification to better keep track of the training! You can also quote this message, using the button on the bottom right of my post. It should be blue and read "quote" on it. No need to do both at the same time or I'll get two notifications (which is no fun /lh))
FAWNPAW ︴ ୨RIVERCLAN APPRENTICE୧
she/her , she-cat , 7 moons , 4/100
ages every 12th
“black she-cat with a floppy ear and cool blue eyes” tracker finder
Small black ears instantly flicked
as Fawnpaw shivered awake. Scrunching
her nose, she awkwardly sat
up. She attempted to duck
from Owltalons paw, making her
almost fall forwards.
When the words ‘training’
entered her ears, she brightened
up instantly. “Don’t you think
it’s a bit too early?”
She realised she was kinda
being a lazy bum, twitching
her whiskers in embarrassment. “Yeah,
I’m up for it!”
Her nervous twitching may have
woken a few apprentices, but
that didn’t stop her from
being excited.
FAWNPAW ︴ ୨RIVERCLAN APPRENTICE୧
she/her , she-cat , 7 moons , 4/100
ages every 12th
“black she-cat with a floppy ear and cool blue eyes” tracker finder
Small black ears instantly flicked
as Fawnpaw shivered awake. Scrunching
her nose, she awkwardly sat
up. She attempted to duck
from Owltalons paw, making her
almost fall forwards.
When the words ‘training’
entered her ears, she brightened
up instantly. “Don’t you think
it’s a bit too early?”
She realised she was kinda
being a lazy bum, twitching
her whiskers in embarrassment. “Yeah,
I’m up for it!”
Her nervous twitching may have
woken a few apprentices, but
that didn’t stop her from
being excited.
The deputy watched in amusement as her apprentice stirred in her mossbed, obviously not very happy to be woken up so early. She merely smiled toothily at the younger cat. If training wasn't to be done now, then it would never be done. While it would've maybe been better for her to have began training near the afternoon, so that some hint of warmth would blanket over them, Owltalon tended to be an early riser, so this was just what would have to happen.
"It's never too early ta learn the ways of those before ya, eh?" She pointed out, giving her thick and matted fur a small shake. She honestly had a good amount of room here, despite her bulky size, but she still kept her belly low to the ground.
Hm, well that was certainly a mood change if she'd ever seen one, but she was glad that Fawnpaw was on board for training. Even if she wasn't, that wouldn't stop Owltalon from dragging the smaller cat out into territory. "Al'ight then, lets make haste!" With a slow turn, she back out from the apprentice den and stretched out into the frosty clearing before making a bee-line to the exit. "Keep up. I know yer legs are a bit smaller then mine, but ya ought ta be quick on yer feet." She called from over her shoulder, a smile tightening her features.
Suddenly, large paws fluttered to a stop on rocky terrain. She breathed in the familiar scent of her home, before letting out a heavy exhale. "Ya see, this 'ere is Riverclan territory. Nice n' grand, eh? Here, I'll be teaching ya how ta hunt." She the looked to her apprentice, amber eyes meeting bright blue hues. She licked the top of her dry muzzle and paused.
"Whatcha waitin' fer?" Owltalon called out to the smaller cat, her eyes twinkling with a hint of teasing. "C'mon, come at me! Pretend i'mma big 'ol mouse!" The large cat crouched down to the floor, her tail twitching as she scurried on her paws. Yes, Owltalon was aware that she'd skipped a lot of basics, like hunting crouches and where to aim, but Owltalon wanted to see Fawnpaw's brain at work as well, see if she had some sort of hidden smarts behind her black fluff and evaluate the situation in an impressive way. Not guaranteed, but Owltalon always checked for untapped potential.
FAWNPAW ︴ ୨RIVERCLAN APPRENTICE୧
she/her , she-cat , 7 moons , 7/100
ages every 12th
“black she-cat with a floppy ear and cool blue eyes” tracker finder
Fawnpaw stifled a yawn as
stretched, curious blue eyes blinking
as she fought to wake
up fully and chase after
her mentor.
By the time Fawnpaw and
her mentor had reached a
place, she looked around panting.
She flinched at Owltalons sudden
command. ”B-but..” Fawnpaw stopped
as she thought carefully about
her words. Would she really
remind the deputy that she
didn’t know how to? Flicking
her tail, she plopped into
a sheepish crouch, holding her
breath as she tried to
hide behind a few rocks
and observe the ‘mouse’. Realising
that she could take a
long time, she raised her
ahead and sniffed the wind.
She didn’t know what it
would honestly do, but she
felt a soft breeze tickling
past her pelt. Hm. Maybe
I could do something about
this wind. I mean, it’s
more then annoying, sure, but
I could.. She blankly stared
out, shaking her head before
creeping around the winds direction.
Sure, a few rocks went
loose under her paws, but
she tried not to cringe
as she waited to pounce.
She randomly poked out of
the rocks, aiming to jump
at her but accidentally headbutted
her flank. Maybe this wind
thing was a little… stupid.
She frowned, trying to find
a curse to use but couldn’t. ”Sorry. I’m not good.”
FAWNPAW ︴ ୨RIVERCLAN APPRENTICE୧
she/her , she-cat , 7 moons , 7/100
ages every 12th
“black she-cat with a floppy ear and cool blue eyes” tracker finder
Fawnpaw stifled a yawn as
stretched, curious blue eyes blinking
as she fought to wake
up fully and chase after
her mentor.
By the time Fawnpaw and
her mentor had reached a
place, she looked around panting.
She flinched at Owltalons sudden
command. ”B-but..” Fawnpaw stopped
as she thought carefully about
her words. Would she really
remind the deputy that she
didn’t know how to? Flicking
her tail, she plopped into
a sheepish crouch, holding her
breath as she tried to
hide behind a few rocks
and observe the ‘mouse’. Realising
that she could take a
long time, she raised her
ahead and sniffed the wind.
She didn’t know what it
would honestly do, but she
felt a soft breeze tickling
past her pelt. Hm. Maybe
I could do something about
this wind. I mean, it’s
more then annoying, sure, but
I could.. She blankly stared
out, shaking her head before
creeping around the winds direction.
Sure, a few rocks went
loose under her paws, but
she tried not to cringe
as she waited to pounce.
She randomly poked out of
the rocks, aiming to jump
at her but accidentally headbutted
her flank. Maybe this wind
thing was a little… stupid.
She frowned, trying to find
a curse to use but couldn’t. ”Sorry. I’m not good.”
The deputy observed with wide amber eyes, the tips of her maw quirking upwards as pride twinged her expression. Fawnpaw, despite not knowing much about hunting, seemed to have a nice grasp on strategy. How she ducked under the wind, unaware that it carried her scent away from Owltalon (the mouse in this case), making her a bit harder to detect. She noticed that Fawnpaw used her surroundings as support, seeing how she ducked under low rocks to shield herself better. But, she did need to work on her stealth, no doubt. The rustle of rocks was enough to give anycat away.
And, her aiming and body strength also needed some work. She needed to figure out how to shift her weight to aim where she wanted to go. Overall, great strategy, but obvious room for improvement.
The hit to her flank was dull and ineffective, but Owltalon liked being theatrical. It made things more fun for her. So, while the blow was clumsy and barely put a dent in her matted fur, the she-cat pretend to stumble backwards, letting out a yowl of pain. "Yowch! Ya sure got me, sport." She lifted herself into a crouch and offered Fawnpaw a cheeky smile before she sat up into a tall sit.
"First of all, ya did pretty well for 'aving no prior trainin'." She regarded Fawnpaw with a level of pride, a low purr vibrating from her throat. While it was never unlikely to train talented cats, Owltalon always felt the need to point out their strengths and what they did right. If one were to only acknowledge what went wrong, how could they feel pleasure in the process of learning how to be a warrior? How to be anything? Words her father certainly could've used.... Who was he to tell her that she was as graceful on the water as a constipated jellyfish?
"Ya used the wind ta yer advantage, smart. Perhaps ya didn't know it, but ya effectively blew yer scent away from me. Mice have big 'ol ears and pointed snouts fer a reason, they rely on scent and hearin' most. So, it's good ta take those factors of identification away from 'em. It insures more success inna hunt, eh?" She then took a dry leaf, her shoulders tensing as she reached for the course and brown figure. What once was alive with green and fluidity, was now sick with the nip of leaf-fall.
The deputy unsheathed her long claws, spots of dark blood staining their yellowish tint, and raked at the dreary leaf, it's wilting form crumbling under her claws with a satisfying crunch. She looked back to her apprentice, raising her paw to allow Fawnpaw to see where her claws had punctured the leaf.
"Though, the mouse woulda 'eard ya by now, cause ya fumbled on them rocks o'er there," she gestured to the frosted stones with a flick of her plumy tail. "That mouse woulda been runnin' fer the hills, eh?"
She shook the leaf from her claws before sinking into a hunting crouch, her frame low against the frosted ground. "When huntin' it's important ta keep yer body as low as possible. Keep yer tail low, ya ears pinned. Know what it's like to be an apex predator among prey." Well, that is if the cougars and owls and hawks didn't exist, and they did, though Owltalon wouldn't mention that, not for now at least. "Shift all yer weight ta yer hackles," she flexed the muscles in her flank. "Ya'll spring with 'em. Ah, and don't forget ta smell. It's all fine and dandy ta use yer nose, but openin' up yer mouth and tastin' the air is much more affective, eh?"
FAWNPAW ︴ ୨RIVERCLAN APPRENTICE୧
she/her , she-cat , 7 moons , 13/100
ages every 12th
@Marigoldwhisper
“black she-cat with a floppy ear and cool blue eyes” tracker finder
The black apprentice had never
listened so intensely that her
head was sort of leaning
inwards a bit. ”Okay.What do I do next?”
Excitement was surging through her
paws! It was almost like
all the information had went
In one ear and left
out the other!
She tilted her head to
look at the wilted leaf
curiously.
FAWNPAW ︴ ୨RIVERCLAN APPRENTICE୧
she/her , she-cat , 7 moons , 13/100
ages every 12th
@Marigoldwhisper
“black she-cat with a floppy ear and cool blue eyes” tracker finder
The black apprentice had never
listened so intensely that her
head was sort of leaning
inwards a bit. ”Okay.What do I do next?”
Excitement was surging through her
paws! It was almost like
all the information had went
In one ear and left
out the other!
She tilted her head to
look at the wilted leaf
curiously.
`~Owltalon
She, Her\Deputy\47 moons\Riverclan
"Are you listening, starchild?"
Owltalon gave her apprentice a small smile. "Now, ya hunt." After Owltalon showed her what to do, it was time to test her listening skills. "Mice smell faintly of dirt n' have small brown er silver pelts. The noise they make is what mostly gives 'em away. I'll lead ya to one, but ya gotta try ta track it down wit' me. Ya ready?"
The bulky she-cat didn't wait for an answer, she was already getting up and leaving for the camp exit, her long tail trailing behind her. She lead her apprentice out to Riverclan territory, which was infested with fallen leaves as of late.
She looked back to the smaller cat with a keen eye. "Al'ight chap, follow me. And don't forget ta use yer nose, yer still supposed to be learning somethin' 'ere." Owltalon reminded as she perked up slightly, her ears pointed upwards and her nostrils flaring as she opened her maw to sniff the air.
Haha, bingo!
"Can ya small that, chap? Go on, head fer it." The mouse was located near some stray trees, it's rounded ears a slight giveaway. Hopefully, Fawnpaw would prove competent in her first hunt. Even if she didn't catch the mouse, finding it was all Owltalon really needed.
Yes! Hunting! The little feline took notice
of the description. Silver or brown with
round ears! Fawnpaw had slowed down a
little, sneezing before skiddling up with Owltalon.
They were here. Leaves crunched under her
tiny paws as she looked around curiously. So this is the territory? Her ears flicked
off flakes of snow irritably, catching up
once again.
She looked at Owltalon and opened her
jaw, inhaling cold air and silently sputtering
it out. Performing a cranky but well-
done hunters crouch, she remembered not
to not drag her tail and keep
as low as possible. Her nose twitched
frustratedly as she searched for the mouse,
her head peeking out of the leaves.
Pjnkish circles peeked out of the leaves.
She had found the mouse! The apprentice
quietly stalked it, staring at it longer them
usual, before hauling herself into the air
and eeeming to land onto the mouses tail.
It had scurried away before she could
properly end it. She angrily grumbled, before
looking up to Owltalon. "Did i.. did
i do good?
Yes! Hunting! The little feline took notice
of the description. Silver or brown with
round ears! Fawnpaw had slowed down a
little, sneezing before skiddling up with Owltalon.
They were here. Leaves crunched under her
tiny paws as she looked around curiously. So this is the territory? Her ears flicked
off flakes of snow irritably, catching up
once again.
She looked at Owltalon and opened her
jaw, inhaling cold air and silently sputtering
it out. Performing a cranky but well-
done hunters crouch, she remembered not
to not drag her tail and keep
as low as possible. Her nose twitched
frustratedly as she searched for the mouse,
her head peeking out of the leaves.
Pjnkish circles peeked out of the leaves.
She had found the mouse! The apprentice
quietly stalked it, staring at it longer them
usual, before hauling herself into the air
and eeeming to land onto the mouses tail.
It had scurried away before she could
properly end it. She angrily grumbled, before
looking up to Owltalon. "Did i.. did
i do good?
`~Owltalon
She, Her\Deputy\47 moons\Riverclan
"Are you listening, star child?"
"Not bad!" the deputy smiled widely. "Ya got 'er tail, even if they scurried away from ya." she padded up to Fawnpaw lightly, a crunch sounding from her paws after every step. She looked to the general direction that the mouse ran off to. Given their speed, they'd be at the other side of the forest by now.
"Ya know somethin'? Them jokers are fast, real fast. Butcha oughta be faster, eh?" she gave the younger cat a tap on her shoulder with her tail. "Despite the leaves, ya were pretty good at keepin' still. But, when yer huntin' somethin', or killin' anythin' in general, ya gotta aim fer what's most vulnerable or quick ta stun er kill em." she unsheathed her claws once more and tapped blood stained talons to her head, claws catching on matted fur.
"Ta stun a rodent, aim fer their heads or their sides. It'll either kill em on impact or not the wind outta 'em. And what cha may not 'ave in speed ya can make up with in force." she paused for a moment. "Recalled that ya caught it's tail, eh? Break it. Or, break it's hind legs. Cain't move if it's bones er shattered. Now tell me, Fawnpaw, what did that mouse smell like?"
Owltalon found it easy to memorize prey by not only color and sound but also scent. It was probably the easiest way to detect a smaller animal since they're harder to see and too jumpy for their own good.
— Fawnpaw smiled softly, partly from relief but also from pride as she nodded. Whiskers twitching while she felt the breeze, the apprentice shuddered feeling Owlstars tap. Her mentor was right - she needed to be faster. She cringed at the thought of breaking an innocent animals bones. After all, it was prey though.Fawnpaw twitched uneasily at the thought of using force.
“..Huh? What they smelt like?Uhh.. really, really wet rain, if you understand what I mean.”she answered meekly.
Follow my Painted Pawsteps (FAWNPAW TRAINING)
//
