i guess we train? (( p ))

[Fadingnight]

(( training thread for @thegreatlion ))

Training day one, apprentice two; Fadingnight thought to herself. Waking up this early continuously would become a hassle soon she could feel it in her bones. Sighing she pulled herself to her paws from her place of slumber and padded over to the apprentice's sleeping... whatever. "Lionpaw, it's sunrise. Let'sss goooo." The silver tabby mewed, trying to show some enthusiasm. Hmph, that was new.

Readjusting her course she now headed directly for the fresh-kill pile, selecting two birds; one for herself and the other for Lionpaw. He would need his strength if they were going to cover the territory in a day, especially with the new... old (?) Rockclan territory they had just come by.

Soon she noticed the tom trotting in her direction and with a mouthful of feathers she flicked her tail towards the second bird and mewed, "Eat, you'll need your-" Abruptly she spat out the feathers before finishing, "strength."

[Deleted]

Lionpaw awoke with a disoriented groan. He had almost expected to wake up in the Nursery, curled up next to his mother's form, and looked around in confusion. Then, he remembered; ceremony, training, and a voice sounding a lot like his new mentor telling him to get up. Ah. Lionpaw spent a few licking down his fur, meticulous, only satisfied once it was completely spotless.

Only then did he leave the apprentice's den. It wasn't hard to spot Fadingnight, who was eating some fresh-kill, and he broke into a steady trot. As soon as he reached her, he tried saying 'good morning', but ended up only acknowledging her command with a nod before chomping into the bird without mercy. Or manners. He gulped down a few loud mouthfuls before asking a question.

"So, uh, what are we doing today? Exploring the territory or something?"

[Fadingnight]

She responded with a nod, still gnawing away at the bird before adding, "Getting to know the territory, especially with everything we just gained from Rockclan."

Fadingnight had already been experimenting hunting in that area, it offered a bit more cover with all the boulders around. Although the region was a bit harder to navigate and wasn't entirely great to be on. The ground was not nearly as soft as the prairies of Fireclan and her paw-pads had been taking quite the beating; there was a lot to get used to.

Finishing up her meal in a quick few gulps she got to her paws and mewed a, "Ready?" Before proceeding out of the camp and into the Fireclan territory.

Several minutes of walking later... they reach the flats.

After trotting through lots and lots of grass the two reached a large chasm in the ground, this chasm being in the center of old Rockclan territory. It seemed as if it went down and down forever off first glance but if you looked close enough there was a meadow at the bottom.

"We call this the hanging flat." Fadingnight explained, flicking her tail towards the chasm. "Right now we are in the center of old Rockclan territory. The meadow below doesn't offer much hunting but it's definitely something one should be aware of, make sure not to fall in it."

[Deleted]

Lionpaw gave a small "Ah," in affirmation, trying to finish his meal as quickly as possible. Sure, he was really looking forward to the hunting and fighting part of his training, but even he knew that trying to hunt when you had no idea where you were was a bit foolish. Especially since they'd apparently gained new territory from Rocklan; how embarrassing would that be, getting lost there? Not to mention how badly his fur would probably get messed up.

"I sure am," He replied, trying to paw away the stray feathers on his muzzle before standing up. He followed behind Fadingnight with a grin, tail flicking in excitement. He was so ready for this!

time skip

It'd taken them quite a few minutes to reach the chasm, but for Lionpaw, it felt like the entire morning had already passed them by. He'd muttered to himself every time he tripped over a stray rock or stick, trying to keep his complaints to himself. What kind of warrior would he be, after all, if he couldn't even take this? When Fadingnight stopped, Lionpaw tried to subtly sigh in relief. The golden apprentice's eyes widened in surprise at the hole.

"Wow, yeah, I definitely would not wanna fall down there," He chirped, peering down before turning to face his mentor. "Hey, why did Rockclan leave in the first place, anyway? Did something happen or were they just, I dunno, afraid of us?"

[Fadingnight]

Fadingnight honestly didn't remember exactly why the clan was moving, so she responded with a shrug and added, "I can't remember off the top of my head but it could've been a whole plethora of reasons," she began, padding slowly up to the very edge of the chasm and peering downward, wind shooting back up at her and billowing through her long fur. "Maybe they just needed a change of scenery."

Backing slowly away from the chasm now she turned and started on her way towards the Iceclan border, flicking her tail to acknowledge the golden tom to follow her, "Now we trek to Wolf Jaw Cavern, we won't be entering today merely because of the scorpion risk but you need a lay of the land."

The two hike again, a mountain towering over them in the distance marking Iceclan's territory.

As they near the mountain the terrain begins to change dramatically, especially upon them reaching the border where the cavern is located, and soon the small cave comes into view. Fadingnight makes her way up to the mouth of the cavern, a chilling wind makes the cave seem like its breathing outward. "Well, here it is." She mews, her gaze locked on the cavern. "It offers an abundance of voles and frogs, but scorpions also call the cavern home so one has to be quite cautious when inside."

[Deleted]

Lionpaw nodded at Fadingnight's answer. The idea of Rockclan being so intimidated by Fireclan's battle prowess that they had to move seemed a bit stupid now that he thought about it. Even a change of scenery seemed more likely, justifiable even; he wouldn't exactly fancy living down there. Casting the chasm a final look he turned and followed behind Fadingnight. 

Lionpaw's ear flicked at the sound of the next destination. "Huh. Sounds pretty cool," He meowed. Wolf Jaw Cavern? Yet another thing in this world that had the audacity to have a better sounding name than he ever would. A tougher one, anyway. As they made their way to the cavern Lionpaw noticed the territory changing. He darted his amber eyes around, mouth open, until they finally reached their next stop. 

"Woah," he mumbled. Padding up to the entrance, he narrowed his eyes against the chilled wind and tried to spot some of the animals that lived in there. "What do scorpions even look like? Are they big?" Part of him was tempted to try and fight one, but the knowledge of his mentor standing right there held him back.

[Fadingnight]

Fadingnight stood there for a few moments, letting the apprentice really take the cave in before she would respond to his question as soon as they got moving again. She didn't want to waste any time, the two had a lot of ground to cover before sundown. The silver tabby usually went out at night and was beginning to really feel the heat of the sun as it began to reach the position that marked midday. So in short Fadingnight had no issue with the darkness of the night, but this apprentice on the other hand, she had no idea.

Turning and padding on in the direction of their next location Fadingnight got to answering the golden tom's inquisition about scorpions, she hadn't seen too many in her own many many moons but she had seen a few. "Well, they kind of look like grasshoppers..." She started, not really knowing how to describe them. "But they have this long, long tail with a poisonous stinger on the end."

Another time skip...

The two soon reached the next location which was much more pleasing on the eyes than the other two; although the location wasn't the safest. Large predators often came to drink from the pond so as they approached she made sure to keep a sharp eye out. "This is known as Blossom Pond." She mewed, stopping just before the waters edge, touching the glass-like liquid with her paw. "It's beautiful and all and is fed by the river that used to split Rockclan and Fireclan territories; but when you're around these parts you really have to keep an eye out for predators also looking for a drink."

[Deleted]

The question hung in the air and, for a second, Lionpaw wondered if Fadingnight just hadn't heard him. Should he ask again? But then again, this cavern looked pretty wicked, and so he spent a few more moments peering into it. Taking in it's details. Maybe he'd come back here, someday, and explore it with his friends or siblings. Someday. He turned away from the cavern's gaping maw and walked off behind his mentor again.

Lionpaws' question was then answered and he tried to imagine it. A grass-hopper, but with a stinger? It's getting so hot out here, and just like that, his imaginary battle with that type of creature seemed to vanish. Stupid weather thoughts. He tried to focus on the path in front of him. 

Eventually, they reached the Blossom Pond. He kept his ears perked, half-listening to Fadingnight's description, as he walked up to the water's surface. His (mostly) pristine reflection looked back at him. Lionpaw then registered the word 'predators' and arched his head up, looking around with suspicion. "I guess there had to be some downside to something so pretty," He murmured.

[Fadingnight]

Fadingnight snorted at the apprentice's response, most beautiful things did tend to have a darker side or some sort of catch one wouldn't at first expect. But, she figured that was just one of the kinks of life. Shrugging to herself she bend down and took a quick drink, flicking her apprentice's shoulder with her plumy tail showing he should do the same. They still had a lot of ground to cover in this heat.

Getting back on the move now she figured the next place that she would pass by was the Reed Beds. It wasn't anything particularly special like the other two locations, but was upwind from the pond; seeing as the pond was fed by the river the Reed Beds were connected to. This journey didn't take nearly as long either.

Upon seeing the location her pace quickened till they arrived, although she figured they shouldn't stick around too long. "Reed Beds, this river would've marked the border as I mentioned before." She began, her eyes darting back and forth through the tall plants. Voles were her favorite type of prey and they seemed to breed into an abundance here. "Watch me." Dropping down into a hunter's crouch, her belly fur just brushing the moist soil beneath her she crept forward. Parting her jaws she drank in every scent and soon pinpointed the location of a vole. This hunting was something she found a little easier, since she had grown up in Treeclan and had been taught to hunt with cover, this of which the reeds provided.

Her amber gaze locked on the vole now, and with a powerful push of her hind-legs she sprang forward and delivered a quick bite to the rodent's spine. This technique killed the animal quickly and without pain. Fadingnight got to her paws again and dropped the vole before her apprentice, "Want to give it a go?"

[Deleted]

At the tail flick, Lionpaw glanced over to his mentor and then copied her action, making sure to scoop up a decent amount of water with his tongue before moving on. The idea of some badger sneaking up on him made him want to leave with haste, despite the voice in him saying he should try fight one off. He hasn't had any battle training yet, after all. He quickly trotted off after her. 

The walk to their next destination didn't seem to take as long, unless Lionpaw himself was actually becoming more adjusted to walking long distances now. Fadingnight sped up at the sight of the reeds, and the apprentice tried to match her pace, keeping up a steady trot until he could feel the ground soften beneath him. He gazed up at the reeds, which seemed to almost tower above him.  

His attention was immediately focused on Fadingnight when she spoke again. He watched with large amber eyes as she successfully caught a vole. "Woah, nice!" He exclaimed, before shutting his mouth. Still, he grinned in excitement because that was a hunting stance. He was gonna learn how to hunt now! Right?

Lionpaw chirped out a "Yes!" in reply. Again, he tried to copy what he'd just witnessed, belly brushing against the ground but tail high up. His paws were also too close together. He sniffed at the air, trying to identify a vole scent among the muck of this area while crawling forward. Once he identified it's scent, he swished his tail and leaped in the air. Lionpaw landed on it, but it squirmed around, and it almost escaped his grip before he bit down on it. 

[Fadingnight]

Fadingnight let out an amused purr as she watched the apprentice's first hunt, noting what he was doing off so she could inform him later. But at the time he was in the zone and in the end managed to capture the mouse either way.

"Congratulations on your first kill." She mewed, a warm semi-prideful smile crossing her jaw. "Now," She continued, dropping into the crouch again. "When you're in the crouch make sure your tail is as low as your body, and your paws aren't so close together. They are there to keep you balanced and quiet so then when you do have to make the killing blow you can do it quickly and efficiently."

Fadingnight stood up again, "To dandelion hill I guess." Bending over she quickly snatched up her vole and started at a trot again. Usually she would burry the vole but she had no intentions of coming back in this particular direction and was sure her apprentice would appreciate less running around.

Dandelion hill was on the outskirts of the Fireclan territory, and also had an abundance of prey but again they had to be cautious. Fadingnight's amber gaze scanned the skies as they neared the place and her trot slowed. Through the vole's tail she mewed, "Keep an eye out, this place is great for hunting, has rabbits, mice, voles, you name it. But. Hawks also hunt here because of the abundance."

[Deleted]

Lionpaw beamed, grinning pridefully as he walked back over to Fadingnight, his catch hanging from his jaws. He was almost tempted to brag about it, taking in the compliment like it was honey, when Fadingnight pointed out a few of the flaws in his hunting technique. He titled his head.

He tried to copy his mentor's position, tail low and paws a bit further apart. It wasn't perfect, but still better than his initial crouch. He tried to give an enthusiastic 'thanks', which came out as a mumble as he was still holding his catch. He quickly followed behind Fadingnight to the hill. 

'Dandelion Hill' sounded like a picturesque location, and yet, just like the Blossom Pond area, it was dangerous. With hawks. So many predators around here! He cast his own amber gaze to the sky, tail dropping beneath his legs. He put down his vole and asked, "Jeez, how are you even meant to hunt in these areas? Not that I'm scared of a few dumb birds or anything but... you'd have to be pretty fast, wouldn't you? Or just come at night."

[Fadingnight]

Fadingnight continued walking, holding the conversation at this fast walk. She held the vole's tail between her teeth so it would be easier to talk while they continued trekking the territory; as of now they were headed in the direction of Treeclan's territory, her former territory and the graveyard. 

"Well," She started between the vole's tail, "I personally enjoy hunting at night, since most of the mice and smaller prey can be quite nocturnal and there isn't a sun beating down on you. Although nighttime is also when foxes tend to be more active, along with owls." The silver tabby herself had never had a run-in with an owl or a fox, but there was bound to be a time when she would. 

The sun was beginning to dip low now and had turned the land a shade of amber, much like both Fadingnight and her apprentice's eyes. And soon they came upon the graveyard, it was an old two-leg's burial ground and had many smooth stones sticking out from the earth, a fog hanging over them. "The place offers a bit of hunting, but nothing spectacular."

[Deleted]

This time, when he picked his own vole up, he tried to copy Fadingnight's style of doing it. It would be a hassle, after all, constantly putting it down just to speak his mind. Again, he followed behind his mentor, but surprisingly, he was beginning to get used to all this walking around. Sure, his paw-pads were sore, and he wouldn't be doing the full circuit again in a hurry, but it must still count for something.

He nodded at Fadingnight's answer. It was to be expected really, but at least the she-cat had given an explanation and not just called him dumb for pointing out the obvious. "Yeah, makes sense," He mumbled to himself. Lionpaw wondered if he'd be required hunt at night at some point. He wasn't as wary of the dark as he'd been as a kit, but he still much preferred the visibility of the sunlight.

The next destination only re-affirmed his opinion. It was eerie, cold, as if they'd just entered a sacred place to which they weren't invited. He really should've appreciated the sunset while he was walking. Now it felt like they were running out of time. "Talk about creepy," He said, shivering. "What are the stones for, anyway? Did two-legs, or something else, put them there for a reason? Or are they just giant weirdos?"

[Fadingnight]

Fadingnight laughed a bit to herself before she explained just what the stones were used for, she was sure Lionpaw would just a kick out of it; or at least that Fadingnight would get a kick out of the apprentice's reaction.

"Well ya see." She mewed, padding over to one of the stones through the thick fog. Stopping just before one of them and mewing, "here, right under our paws. Lies the body of a two-leg."

A cat couldn't smell the death anymore, this site was quite old and whomever was buried here was just a pile of bones now.

(( sorry, short short i be tired ! ))