Helping out (p/Flintpaw)

[Dapplecloud]

Dapplecloud

(For Flintpaw, sorry for uncreative title ;P)

Once again, I picked my way out of the warriors' den, when the sun had not fully risen and the sky was tinged with pink. Having another apprentice to teach would complicate things, but I would do my best to help out with Flintpaw's training, alongside mentoring Whitepaw. I trotted over to the crowded apprentices' den, calling for Flintpaw, and stepping back, waiting for him.

[Flintpaw]

(No it's perfect thank you!)

Flintpaw practically bounced out of the apprentice's den. "I'm ready, Dapplecloud!" The tom was fully awake and was full of energy. He was excited to be noticed and to get out of camp and to actually do something. "What's first on the agenda?"

[Dapplecloud]

Dapplecloud

"Well, first we'll do a territory tour, then we can work on hunting or battle practice. How about it?" I was glad to see his enthusiasm, though it was a bit overwhelming compared to Whitepaw's calmer nature. Still though, it was good to see him awake. "If you'll follow me, I'll take you to the borders."

[Flintpaw]

"Sounds awesome!" Flintpaw rushed past her, but then realized she was the one leading. He waited a few moments for her to catch up, then he padded by her side. "Do you think we'll see any other cats by the border? I'll shred a Treeclan cat!"

[Dapplecloud]

Dapplecloud

(Currently using Moonpool's map here.)

"Hopefully not." I said, heading for the river once again. From there, we could see TreeClan and FireClan territory, sloping down from the cliff. "You'd probably want to learn a few moves first, anyway." I said tactfully. To be honest, I was a bit worried that I would run into enemy warriors with Whitepaw, and I was hoping inwardly that it would be just as quiet today with Flintpaw.

[Flintpaw]

( I didn't even know that existed! So cool!)

Flintpaw puffed out his chest in pride. "I think it would come to me naturally." His cockiness faded when he tripped on a rock, but then acted like nothing happened. He grinned and added, "I've heard the Treeclan and Fireclan cats are puny!"

[Dapplecloud]

Dapplecloud

I purred at his confidence, followed by his fall over a rock. "Yes, very graceful." I teased, as I stopped before the river, overlooking the reaches of FireClan and TreeClan territory. "And yes, they are quite a lot smaller on average as compared to RockClan warriors: we're larger and stronger, but not as fast." I said, gesturing out at their territories. "FireClan territory is on a prairie, and TreeClan territory is in, well, a forest." I explained. "Try and remember their scent for later use: for example, if a group of warriors comes into our territory. Then you could tell who it is by their scent."

[Flintpaw]

Flintpaw didn't respond to her teasing. The little tumble never happened according to him. He listened to her carefully and inhaled all of the scents. Great Cloudclan, they smelled awful. Flintpaw made a face of disgust. "They smell gross. Don't they ever groom themselves?"

[Dapplecloud]

Dapplecloud

"I'd assume so, they just don't smell familiar, is all." I said. "Not to mention they eat different types of prey." I added as an afterthought. "Though they don't smell quite as bad as IceClan." I said, as I walked back along the river, toward IceClan's mountainous territory. "Even though they live in rocky territory like us, they eat fish and swim around the waters in their territory." I explained, as we neared the border.

[Flintpaw]

Flintpaw thought about asking what the other clans ate, but then he figured it wasn't that important and it also wasn't his business. He followed her to the other spot and then shrugged, "they're not that much different than us then."

[Dapplecloud]

Dapplecloud

"Maybe." I said, shrugging. "Though RockClan territory doesn't have much water apart from small pools or this river, so fishing isn't a common skill mentors teach." Though then again, I had been mentored a long time ago, and times might be changing for RockClan. Shaking off the thought, I stopped before the IceClan border. "That up there is IceClan's territory." I added, looking up at the peak, rising higher than RockClan's cliffs.

[Flintpaw]

Flintpaw's eyes widened at the sight of Iceclan's territory. It looked so much more vast than his own. But a thought invaded his mind. "Dapplecloud, can you fish? I want to know how just in case we have a rough leaf bare." For once, Flintpaw thought about the entirety of his clan not just himself.

[Dapplecloud]

Dapplecloud

"Unfortunately, no." I said, shaking my head. "My own mentor, Eagleheart, never taught it to me, though it does sound like a useful skill to have in leafbare." I added thoughtfully. It was true; even though I detested even the smell of fish, the fish seemed to always be in the river. Nevertheless, I said, "Though I can teach you to hunt prey around RockClan: usually mice and birds. Follow me and we'll find a place to practice." I said, heading for an open clearing near the camp.

[Flintpaw]

Flintpaw had never heard that name before. Must have died.. He sniffed and took his mind away from that. Hunting! Finally some training! "That sounds great! I've only been out hunting once before." And I didn't catch anything...

[Dapplecloud]

Dapplecloud

Stopping in the center of the clearing, I crouched down into a stalking stance. "Try and imitate this crouch: this is the crouch you'll be using for stalking and pouncing on your prey." I said. There was, of course, the process of moving and pouncing, but the crouch would need to be mastered first if a hunt were to be successful.