Evening Chores [p]

[Tigerblaze]

As the sun began to dip below the mountains of IceClan, the temperature grew colder and the winds picked up speed. The chill of the settling evening invigorated Tigerblaze. The brown tabby warrior glanced upward at the darkening horizon. Earlier, she had instructed her apprentice—her second one in a span of a few moons—to meet with her when night came. She was quietly thankful that Minnowpaw didn't question the peculiar hour of their first training session. Stars began to illuminate the dim sky, and Tigerblaze waited for Minnowpaw to show. If the apprentice was late, distracted by whatever she had been doing in her free time, then all the more Tigerblaze would have her do. If she came on time, it was likely they would finish their first day quickly. Minnowpaw CREDIT TO SAV

[Minnowpaw]

Minnowpaw pulled herself from the shadows of the apprentices den, tired of watching others mingle and converse. How can these fishbrains talk about becoming warriors when they just got apprenticed? They should be focusing on their current duties, and not drooling over a ceremony that isn't going to happen for another six moons, she criticized mentally as she exited the den. 
Trotting into the main clearing the young apprentice took a glance at the sky, figuring she had just enough time for a small snack before her first training session. Stopping by the fresh-kill pile, Minnowpaw selected a small mouse to chew on. I wonder what we'll be doing during training today? she though as she finished off her mouse. From what she had heard territory tour's were fairly common. Her thoughts were cut short, though, as she spotted her mentor. Padding over to the older she-cat, the dark silver tabby gave acknowledging nod as a greeting.

[Tigerblaze]

Tigerblaze drank in the crisp air, cooling her system and allowing her to relax a little. She was not a fan of a drastic, immeasurable cold which sank to her very bones and froze her nerves, but she could appreciate the passing breezes running wispy fingers through her short pelt that came with living in the mountains. The warrior almost didn't want to follow through with training, nearly preferring to bask herself in the wintry evening. Alas, Tigerblaze reminded herself of her responsibilities, her duties to her clan. And she at least owed it to her apprentice to make her into not only a fine huntress and fighter, but also a provider for the clan. It didn't take long for Minnowpaw to locate her. Tigerblaze studied her apprentice under hard, dark blue depths. The tabby returned the stoic formality. "I trust that you've indulged yourself enough these passing hours because now I'll need you to focus, listen, and most importantly, not complain. I don't tolerate any form of juvenile behavior. When you were given the title of an apprentice, I expect you to act like one or don't even bother following." Tigerblaze stood and left camp with Minnowpaw at her heels. "An apprentice's duties always lies within their clan, but it doesn't always mean having to hunt or fight every minute of every hour of every day. Sometimes the mundane is more important than the extreme," she lectured with an even tone of voice. "That's why tonight, you'll be collecting moss." Minnowpaw CREDIT TO SAV

[Minnowpaw]

"Moss?" Minnowpaw repeated, her voice holding a slight tone of disbelief. She knew she would be starting off with the basics, but she hadn't thought she would need be taught something this elementary. I suppose someone has to do it though-- after all, I wouldn't trust those idiots to pick a pebble off the ground, the tabby criticized, thinking of the other apprentices. "Tch, fine, I'll collect the stupid moss," she mewed indifferently as she trailed after Tigerblaze.
Now padding along in silence, the young apprentice's gaze began to travel around the surrounding scenery. I wonder if all the other clans are like this? Minnowpaw thought to herself, making sure she didn't let her attention wander too far from her mentor as her pale yellow eyes traced over the unfamiliar stone and underbrush that made up IceClan territory. She knew TreeClan would have more tree's, and RockClan more rocks, and FireClan more... well, she highly doubted it was fire, but they were defiantly known for something. It was something along the lines of open plains, the dark silver she-cat reminded herself, a little irritated with herself that she couldn't remember what it was.

[Tigerblaze]

Tigerblaze ignored the brief incredulity in her apprentice's voice as she parroted her intentions. She was familiar with the different reactions to the task she gave on every first training day, so they hardly grated on her nerves any longer than it did moons ago. "Yes, moss. Are you deaf or do you enjoy repeating every other word I say?" She quickened her pace, ignoring her erratic heartbeat drumming in her ears when she caught the sound of roaring water. As they got close to the river, the brown, striped female halted. They were situated several feet away from the calmer parts of the river, near upstream where their targeted plant grew in abundance. The green material clung to the sunken rocks. "Collecting moss is hardly a pleasant job - tedious, really. Yet, it is necessary, both for the clan and for yourself. It teaches patience, creates a sense of responsibility, and discipline. I'm here to train warriors, a generation of cats that I can entrust with the duties I possess now for moons to come, not whining pests whose loyalties and service are only to themselves." Tigerblaze approached the edge of the shallow bank, clenching her jaw. "Now, I'm a firm believer in learning from experience and from mistake, so you will be teaching yourself how to gather the moss, and I'll guide whenever it looks like you're going to cry from sheer frustration. After all, it can't be that hard, can it?" CREDIT TO SAV