So Early The Moon is Still Up (Twineheart)

[Trickle]

-Badgerclaw-

This was a big day and big days mean early starts.  Badgerclaw had dragged himself from the warriors den, well, maybe dragged wasn't the best word.  The large tom practically levitated from the den.  He had received another apprentice just the other day and today was going to be the first day he started training her.  Blackpaw was the young cat he had been chosen to train.  Admittedly, the tom knew very little about the night-pelted she-cat.  but, that was the purpose of today!  Today he had some light hunting in mind, but mostly he planned to get acquainted with her first.  He found from previous times that it was much easier to get a young cat to listen when you befriend them first.  

The warrior moved towards the apprentice den, taking long strides.  There were few others up at this hour, for it was just before dawn.  So, Badgerclaw felt obligated to tread lightly and be careful when he called for her.  The last thing wanted was a bunch of angry apprentices glaring at him because his voice had woke them from their slumber.  When he reached the den, he poked his head in cautiously and whispered, "Blackpaw?  Are ya in here?"  He had told her the night before that they would be getting an early rise today.  Though he hadn't really specified how early early was.  Badgerclaw simply assumed she was in the den with the others.  For all he knew, she could be watching him look for her out in the clearing.  "It's time to get up."  

Tagged: Twineheart
OOC: I placed this here because I figured they would be moving about the territory for a bit while getting to know each other. Hopefully that's fine.(:

[Twineheart]

Trickle
OOC: That works perfect^^

The jet black form of Blackpaw was barely visible within the warm confines of her nest. Her black pelt melting into the shadows, causing her lithe frame to be almost invisible as she lay in a tight ball, her nest in the furthest corner of the nest far away from all the others. At Badgerclaw's voice the sleeping she-cat's ears twitch, her deep emerald green eyes blinking slowly. Her slender face lifting from beneath her long skinny tail to peer up at the tom who called her. She recognizes him as Badgerclaw the tom who'd been assigned as her mentor. Something that was suppose to be a joyous moment in her life, but it had merely left her feeling empty. While other kits received their apprentice names, alongside proud parents Blackpaw had sat alone. Staring over at the form of her mother, who didn't look at or acknowledge her during the entire ceremony.

Blinking those deep emerald eyes of hers, Blackpaw slowly uncurls herself from her nest sitting up. " Coming Badgerclaw." She calls, her voice even and lacking any emotion at all. What was there to be excited about? Why did apprentices make so much fuss about this mentor stuff? She hadn't the faintest idea, but unlike the others she'd never been told much about being an apprentice. So without much hurry in her movements, she slowly grooms her black pelt yawning a little as she does so.

After a few minutes, she seems satisfied and rises from her nest. Stretching out her long slender body she slinks from the den, around the form of Badgerclaw. " May I ask what we'll be doing today?" She inquires, yawning again and revealing her razor sharp fangs. Blinking some she awaits the tom's reply, keeping herself as far away from him as the narrow apprentice den entrance would allow. She didn't like to be touched, not by anyone. On accident or on purpose she just didn't like it. Perhaps it had something to do with the lack of affection she'd been shown as a kit. Or perhaps she was just odd in that manner. Whatever the case it was an obstacle the she-cat would have to overcome eventually.

[Trickle]

The large tom pulled his head away from the apprentice den and sat out front of it as he heard Blackpaw say she was coming.  Her voice lacked the excitement that he was used to when it came it training the younger cats.  Her flat tone was almost eerie sense she had just a nice voice.  He sat out there for about a few minutes, waiting patiently for her to emerge.  Badgerclaw figured that she was just a slow riser.  Soon enough, she will be up as soon as he calls her name.  His orange eyes drifted around the clearing for a while before he heard the apprentice come out of the den.  He turned to face the jet-black cat as she questioned what they would be doing today.  

"Well, I figured that we would do some huntin' exercises and explore the territory a bit."  There was almost an awkward amount of distance between them, so he let his voice rise just a bit above a whisper.  "Today will be an easy one, I am sure you'll enjoy yourself."  Badgerclaw spoke hopefully, although he had some doubts.  The lack of enthusiasm seeping from the small she-cat was almost palpable.  Maybe that would change once she was able to get out and stretch her legs.   After a moment of silence, the tom rose to stand, heading towards the exit of the camp. "Come on, Blackpaw."  He called back, without turning his head.  

[Twineheart]

Blackpaw listened to her large mentor without much interest. What did it matter? She thought shrugging her slender shoulders a little as he spoke. " Okay." She whispers back to the tom, her emerald gaze holding his momentarily. What was this whole having a mentor thing going to be like? Would he boss her around and make her do silly chores? Or would he allow her some of the freedoms she so badly wanted? She wasn't sure but didn't have time to dwell since the tom was exiting camp. " Coming Badgerclaw." She says blinking her narrow eyes and slinking after him, with a swoosh of her long skinny tail. Her jet black fur nearly invisible in the darkness of the early morning.

Outside of camp, the massive oak trees which made up the territory loomed over them. Overhead in their thick branches the chirping of birds could be heard, and amongst the underbrush the occasional chatter of squirrels. Blackpaw's ears perked up ever so slightly, her eyes roaming over her surroundings. The territory was so different from the camp, so much more colorful and full of life. It made her feel slightly better than normal, and gave her something to keep her focus away from her dark thoughts. Suddenly as the pair walked along, a creature came crawling out onto the worn out path they traveled. Blackpaw had never seen one before, it sort of looked like a rock with legs. Blinking some she sort of darts out of the creatures way, emerald gaze curious more than nervous. " What is that?" She asks looking to Badgerclaw for guidance.

Trickle

[Trickle]

There was that voice again, so flat and uninterested.   There was not even a hint of curiosity in her young voice.  It was clear that this apprentice had a bit more going on than most others.  He dug through his mind trying to remember who her parents were and if he had seen them at the ceremony.  but, he could not recall them being there, which was odd because most would be right front in center ready to witness their kits move on to another milestone in life.  Perhaps that is what had her so somber.  He felt as though he would find out this information eventually.  

They were out in the territory now.  The birds were just rising as a few weak rays of sunlight peeked through the thick branches of the oak trees.  Badgerclaw turned his attention away from the trees and back to the path they were walking.  Blackpaw was close enough to him so that he could see her out of the corner of his eye.  He could just see the small movements of her head as she looked around.  "Pretty different from the view in camp, hmm?"  He turned to fully look at her just as Blackpaw danced around something in their path.  

Badgerclaw half expected to see a snake or something in their way, so he bristled slightly, ready to protect.  but, when he looked to see what she had moved around, he was slightly amused.  She was looking at him with curious eyes as she asked what it was.  He gave a catlike smile and trotted up to the creature, swatting it and then holding it under his paw for her to see better.  "This is a road."  Almost on queue the toad let out an unhappy, low croak.  "We can eat these, but I personally think they taste like crowfood.  So, I don't catch them unless the clan is in need of more prey."  He felt the thing squirming under his paw, and he wouldn't lie, it felt quite uncomfortable.  "but, a few cats would probably like to munch on this fellow back home.  So, he can be your practice."  

The tom started to lift his paw from the toad and looked to Blackpaw, "Just show me what you might do if you wanted to catch him."  He paused for a moment, "And if you don't catch him, it's okay."  He spoke in a reassuring tone, looking at her almost warmly.  This was his favorite part, the very beginning.  Some thought of his teaching methods as disrespectful to the prey, but he thought it was the easiest way to help the apprentices learn.  If they know their mistakes they can better learn from them.  "Ready?"  Badgerclaw waited a moment until he felt that his apprentice was ready before lifting his paw and stepping back quickly, out of her way. 

OOC: Hopefully a toad would be ok, I figured she may have seen a mouse or two in the freshkill pile.  Plus, who doesn't love toads? xD (Twineheart)

[Twineheart]

Trickle Haha a toad is perfect xD

Blackpaw watches carefully as Badgerclaw swoops down upon the creature and swipes it up. Blinking her narrow emerald gaze, she tilts her head and walks a little closer to get a better look. but all the while keeping more distance between them than most apprentices might. Looking into the older tom's face as he spoke, she nods feeling embarrassed when the creature croaks loudly and she jumps slightly. Smoothing her fur back down, Blackpaw chooses to pretend like she hadn't just jumped due to a silly little toad. Her gaze focused on Badgerclaw as he continues to speak. Nose wrinkling some at the idea of eating the lumpy creature in her mentor's paw.

She is however surprised and none to enthralled when Badgerclaw announces she would be practicing hunting on the creature. She didn't really want to even touch it. but she also didn't want to seem like a wuss to her mentor. So she keeps her maw closed and listens to his instructions. Nodding her slender skull to show she understood his words. " Okay." She says softly, her eyes meeting his briefly before going back to the repulsive toad. She gets herself down low, like she'd seen other apprentices do around camp. When they were playing with a moss ball or something. It was far from perfect, she was too close to the ground and her tail dragged. but she was trying. When her mentor called ready? she nods. Then the tom released the creature from his grasp. The toad which had sat so still in Badgerclaw's paw now wished to leave in a hurry. It automatically started to hop away. Blackpaw looks a little surprised but leaps forward and paws at it. Her claws snagging its bumpy skin and finding it to be rather squishy. Ick! She thought replused even more, she nearly loses the creature as he tries to hop from her grasp. She manages to hold on however and closing her eyes she bites it till its dead.

Quickly spitting the creature out, she sneezes. The taste making her eyes water. " How was that?" She asks tersley, sitting with the creature at her paws. She licks at her chest fur in an attempt to rid her mouth of its fowl taste. Never again! She thought annoyed with the tom. She'd only wanted to know what the creature was, not have its disgusting taste all over her tongue.

[Trickle]

As Badgerclaw backed away from the toad that was soon be someones lunch and turned to watch Blackpaw.  The tom had quickly sat down when he backed off.  He quietly examined the way she fell in to the hunters crouch, and she was doing better than some other apprentices he had seen.  but, there were obvious, expected flaws in the way she held herself.  The mentor took note of the way she nearly rested on the ground and the way her tail was not lifted to keep her balance better.  He had had only a second to examine the crouch, for in the next moment she sprung forward at the lumpy toad.  He watched as she fumbled for a moment with the oddly shaped creature, and he almost thought it was going to get away.  but, the young she-cat quickly regained ground and was able to snag a good hold on the creature, giving it a good bite.

"Good job," He rasped, "Your crouch needs some work among a few other things, but other than that ya did great.  Most others would have failed on their first hunt."  It was true, even though the hunt had been a lot easier than most some younger cats would be too distracted by the area around them to actually think and move fast enough to catch their prey.  Badgerclaw knew that Blackpaw would excel, as long as he was there to give her a helping paw.  A short chuckle rose from deep in his throat, for he had noticed the look of disgust on her face.  He knew from experience that toads were none too tasty, and it would take one odd cat to want to eat one. "And next time I promise I'll have ya hunt something much tastier."  

Badgerclaw rose back to his feet and went over to Blackpaw and the toad.  "After you successfully make a hunt you're gonna want to cover it up and come back to it later."  The large tom paused and used his paw to push leafs and other debris over the creatures body.  "That way you don't have to worry about anything coming across and taking it."  He looked at her to make sure she understood but he was pretty certain she did.  She seemed to catch on to things pretty quickly.

[Twineheart]

Trickle

Blackpaw's attention snaps to Badgerclaw's face when he speaks. Praise was not something she was used to. Her mother had never praised her for anything, and she'd never met her father. So when the tom told her she'd done a good job, she felt frozen a moment. It was an odd sensation that followed but not an unpleasant one. Was it of pleasure? Satisfaction? Happiness? Whatever the case was it sort of unnerved her. Blinking her narrow eyes rapidly she nods her skull, " Thank you sir." She says in a slightly softer than normal tone. Then at his last words she flickers her long skinny tail. " That would be much appreciated." She admits unable to keep back the comment. Cause if you think I'll hunt another one of those fowl creatures your wrong, she thought the taste still lingering on her tongue.

When Badgerclaw rises to his paws, Blackpaw follows suite. Listening as the tom explained they must cover their prey up so that they can come back for it later. She nods her head, her deep emerald eyes glittering in the early light of morning. " I'm not sure anything would want to steal that thing...." She mumbles, glancing away from the tom to look around them once more. " Where to next?" She finally asks, eyes snapping back to his. Showing the slightest glow of curiosity in their emerald depths. This was far better than being stuck in camp, she thought. Even if I am stuck hunting toads...

[Trickle]

His praise was met with a softer-than-usual tone from Blackpaw.  The praise had been so small, the warrior had not even thought that she would thank him for it.  It was then that he realized the gravity of such compliments for the little cat.  but, among the grateful response he noticed that she had called him sir.  The formal name made him smile, "You can just call me Badgerclaw, no need for formalities.  Plus, it makes me feel moons older than I really am."  His tone was joking and friendly, as usual.  

After he had finished showing her that it was important to cover up prey that has been caught, Blackpaw seemed to inadvertently agree with him on the topic of toads. "Hmm, you'd be surprised."  He gave the covered toad one last prod to make sure it was soundly covered before answering his apprentices question.  "Well, I was thinking I ought to show you the borders."  He began to walk in the direction of the small river that branched off of the minnow Pond.  "It's one of the most important thing to know where they are and which clan they border, if they even border another clan that is."  Badgerclaw made a mental checklist as to where they would be going today.  First, they would visit some of the borders and stop off at key areas on the way to each of said borders.  Another day they would finish up with the borders and then stop off at the Snake Briars if they didn't run in to them today.  

The dark warrior continued on at an easy pace, not wanting to tire out Blackpaw too fast seeing that it was her first day.  "We will only go to a few borders today, and then we can head back if you want to.  but, if you have some energy after we go to the borders we can have you practice a bit more hunting." Badgerclaw shrugged, "It all depends on how you are feeling.  The first day is always a tiring one."  He decided if they kept this easy going pace they would be at the Stormclan border in no time.

[Twineheart]

Trickle apologies for the late reply^^

Blackpaw hesitates slightly. Call him Badgerclaw? She wasn't one to address others directly by name. Even her own mother had been known to her as ma'am. Yes ma'am, no ma'am. Then there was her fellow apprentices who she avoided calling by there names. It helped her stick to the shadows if other cats thought she didn't want to interact. Then perhaps they'd leave her alone, and most importantly leave her heart alone. but Badgerclaw he was her mentor and as much as she wanted to pull away from him she couldn't. She needed his help, his guidance if she was going to become a warrior. " Okay." She says her emerald eyes flickering over his hearing the humor in his tone. " Badgerclaw it is..." She says her voice slightly hushed.

Then without second thought she returns her attention to the task at hand. Her long skinny tail flickering through the air as she slinks after the larger tom. Her lithe and agile frame looking dwarfed beside the much more masculine and bulky Badgerclaw. Her slender pointed ears, flickering upwards to catch what he says. Her face doubtful on the topic of the toad, but rapt with attention as he explained his plans for the rest of their day. " Sounds good s...." She stops herself before saying sir. " Badgerclaw I mean." She says whiskers twitching in irritation. Why was calling this tom by his name so difficult for her?

As they walk on and he suggests she may get tired she shrugs her shoulders. " I think I'll be fine." She remarks. Unwilling to admit that this could be tiring. She didn't want to seem like a weakling in front of her mentor. " but we'll see." She adds her emerald gaze whisking away to their surroundings once more. It was long however before the sound of the rushing river which formed the border between Midnightclan and Stormclan could be heard. Blackpaw raises her slender skull into the air sniffing a bit. Her nose wrinkling some at the slightly fishy smell of the river.

[Trickle]

Badgerclaw let out a quiet mrrow of laughter as she caught herself about to call him sir again.  By now they had gotten close enough to the river to catch the unpleasant scent of fish in the air.  The warrior had never been very fond of the slippery and scaly things.  but, luckily, not many of their warriors were actually able to catch a fish seeing that swimming wasn't their forte.  but, the taste of fish was much better than that of a toad.  He switched his gaze from the trail ahead to Blackpaw, "Just let me know if you do get tired.  We could stop off and rest a bit."  The warrior knew all too well that some young cats felt as though they had something to prove.  Soon enough, she wouldn't feel that need.  It all came along with time, because with time came comfort in each others presence.  

The brisk pace they had traveled at had them at the river in no time.  The black, gray, and white tom slowed down to a stop at the edge of the river.  He bowed his head to get a few quick laps of water before explaining this place in a bit more detail.  "Alright, so this is the river that borders Stormclan."  That was probably obvious, "This is probably the easiest border to remember seeing that it is a pretty good sized river.  If it were to ever dry out, things might get a little confusing, but the river has not dried out before so I think we are safe."  Badgerclaw inhaled deeply, the thick scent of Stormclan pretty much bombarded his nostrils and he did his best to cringe at the unpleasant smell.  "I want you to breath deep, as deep as you can, that way you will better remember the scent of that clan.  It'll make everything easier when distinguishing scent trails of invaders also."  

Once again, he bent down to get another drink.  The sun was rising and the day was already getting hotter.  He looked over to Blackpaw with only his eyes, making sure she got something to drink too.  They would walk along the river for a little bit next, but when they veered off they probably won't find such cool water.  There were a few areas of standing water, but it wasn't a great plan to drink from those.

OOC: Twineheart dont worry about it c:

[Twineheart]

Trickle

Blackpaw had eye'd Badgerclaw as he mrrowed with laughter. Unsure what to do or say, she merely shrugs it off. Focusing her attention on following after the tom, and the new and overpowering scent of the river which clogged her sensitive nose. It made it difficult for Blackpaw to smell anything else besides that fishy river scent as the pair moved forward. Especially as they broke from the cover of the oaks and out onto the river bank. Here the cold rush of air which came up off the water made Blackpaw shiver some as she stared out at its bluish green depths. Nearly walking into Badgercaw as he came to a sudden halt, she manages to pull back at the last moment and dig her hind claws into the bank's soft soil. Stopping herself, and sitting to cover up her fumble. Blinking her deep emerald gaze, she watches as the tom takes a drink from the cool water.

Once he finished Blackpaw listens quietly to his words, her head nodding now and then. Then when he finishes, she flickers her long skinny tail some. Closing her emerald gaze, she parts her jaws and sucks in a big breath of the Stormclan scent. It was so strong however it nearly made her gag. Letting out a small cough, she blinks her gaze open. " I won't be forgetting that smell any time soon." She says looking up at her mentor. " I'm surprised Stormclan cats can go anywhere without being discovered! That smell is just..." She wrinkles up her face and shakes her skull. Then stops when she realizes she was probably being disrespectful. " Anyways..." She mumbles. Noticing the tom taking another drink, she rises to her paws once more and pads to closer to the edge to take her own taste of the water. It was icy cold but very refreshing. She laps it up eagerly for a few moments feeling her mentor's eyes on her with every passing second. Once finished she pulls up her head, licking water droplets from her lips with her bright pink tongue. Her deep emerald gaze flickering back to Badgerclaw.

[Trickle]

His apprentice seemed to be coming out of her shell a bit. The fact really did please him, he couldn’t help but feel a bit of pride. It wasn’t every day that one was able to coax a somber cat more towards happiness. ”The smell is certainly not a good one, no shame in sayin’ it.” Badgerclaw finished her sentence after getting a quick drink. ”Which is why we are going to move away from it.” He rose from his crouch and began to stride along the river’s edge looking around his environment. How exciting would it have been for Blackpaw if a Stormclan patrol came by. It would be a good experience for the young cat, and something for her to share with her friends. Of course, the warrior could only assume that she had a few at least.

The tom figured it might be a good idea to start to wrap up this exploration, and he knew exactly where to end it. His favorite place to take his apprentices was to the willow tree. At this time of year it would be in bloom, which is always a treat. It would be about sunhigh by the time they reached their destination and Badgerclaw was sure the young cat behind him would be worn out by then. And if not by then, then by the time they got back to camp. ”We are going to make one more stop and then head back to camp.” The tomcat climbed over a log, pausing on top of it to make sure Blackpaw followed over. ”but we won’t go along the border, so it will be faster on the way back.” He turned back around and jumped down, landing heavily. ”Perhaps you can catch a bit of prey to show off when you get back.” He mewed playfully.

Time passed by and they finally veered away from the river that they were walking along. Badgerclaw could smell the wonderful scent of the trees not far from where they were. He suddenly looked back to his apprentice and then bounded forward through the foliage. Part of him did this just for the fun of it, and part of him did it just to see if she could keep up. He made sure not to run too fast. but, he ran fast enough to break through the foliage and in to a beautiful scene. Massive vines hung from trees that seemed to slouch over in the Greenleaf sun. Their blooming petals had lifted up in the breeze, blowing through the air, landing in various spot. The warrior stood and stared for a moment, but listened for Blackpaw. Waiting until she was next to him to speak.

[Twineheart]

Trickle

Blackpaw is half surprised at Badgerclaw's words. Blinking some she nods her slender skull, her head tilting slightly. She doesn't hesitate to follow after he larger tom however when he starts to move. Eager to find some other scent that could fill her nose. " Do they smell that bad up close too?" She can't help but ask her mentor as he moves along the bank. Convinced it wasn't so bad to voice her opinion on their smell. It wasn't like they could hear her over the roar of the river.

Glancing back to Badgerclaw, Blackpaw leaps up onto the log beside him. Surprised when her legs screamed with soreness. She hadn't noticed it till now but she was tired. It didn't feel like they'd gone all that far but they had. And she would be paying for it in the morning. Ignoring the pain, she perks her slender ears at Badgerclaw's words. " Alright." She says wondering if he could tell she was sore. She didn't think she'd shown any signs bit then again she had been paying more attention to the Stormclan stench. At his last statement, her whiskers twitch like she wants to smile. but instead she simply nodded her head to him and jumped down from the log after him.

As the older cat pulled away from the river Blackpaw gives it a final look, her emerald eyes taking in the view. It may not smell good but it was apart of the territory and therefore she had to remember it. Grateful for the new and far more pleasant smell that came from the woodland before them Blackpaw falls into stride beside Badgerclaw. She still kept an abnormally large distance between them but was determined not to show any weakness. but then the tom started to run. Of course, she thought holding back sarcastic comment the slender she-cat started to bound after him. Slender and built for speed Blackpaw agile movements were clear as she ran after her mentor. She however stayed several foxlengths behind unwilling to push her sore muscles anymore than necessary. The run however tiresome it may of been was worth it though when Blackpaw broke through the foliage herself. She automatically slows slender eyes widening a little as she stares at the beautiful drooping flowered vines of the willow tree. Reaching Badgerclaw, she halts her sides heaving slightly; the only indication of her exhaustion. " It's beautiful..." She whispers without really realizing she was speaking out loud. Her emerald eyes glued to the tree in complete awe.

[Trickle]

Badgerclaw didn’t bother to hide the smile that pulled at his features when Blackpaw reacted to the tree. This was his favorite part about training, or at least one of them. Being able to show the apprentices this area always seemed like a treat, for they all reacted positively. but, it was special when the sleek black cat beside him commented on the beauty simply because she had been so quiet the whole time. ”Isn’t it?” He mewed quietly, as if this serene place would be disturbed by a raised voice among the birdsong and gentle breezes. ”It’s quite a ways away from camp. but, I figured you deserved to see this place.” He looked away from her again and let his own eyes follow the petals and insects that flew about the area. ”And it is also a great way to end a long day.”

With that he stretched out and laid down. He knew they would have to go back to camp soon. but, he also knew that Blackpaw was in fact getting worn down by their constant travelling. He could see the rapid rise and fall of her sides, but that was the only thing that gave it away. The warrior was pleased, she was doing well to appear so strong and ready. He already knew she would make a great warrior even if this was only the first day. ”We can rest here for a while before going back to camp.” He flopped ungracefully on to his side and sighed, ”I don’t know about you but I am getting worn out.” He mused lightly. Badgerclaw wasn’t necessarily exhausted but laying down in the soft grass sure did feel great.

The warrior remained quiet after that and closed his eyes, but made it apparent he wasn’t asleep. He moved his front paw back and forth over the grass. Badgerclaw wondered if she was even comfortable resting out in the open like this and poked another eye open to look at her. It was safe here, he knew that much. So, he closed his open eye again and just listened to the sounds around him.

Twineheart