Hunting Lesson [Twineheart]

[Rogue]

Twineheart

Redflower padded out of the warriors' den, her short ginger pelt shining in the sunlight.  Her pale green eyes darted around the camp until they landed on the apprentice den, and she headed over to it, the white tip of her tail flicking slightly as she approached.  Today she would be taking her new and first ever apprentice, Creekpaw, out for some hunting lessons.  She had a feeling that she was as excited as the new apprentice.

"Creekpaw!" the she-cat called out once she had reached the entrance to the den. "Time to wake up!  We have things to do!" 

[Twineheart]

Creekpaw stirred from the depths of the apprentice den. A voice calling him from his peaceful slumber. He blinks open his green gaze and yawns. Stretching out his lilac grey and cream body he wriggles his toes. Today he started training with his mentor Redflower. " Coming!" He calls lapping down his fur carefully before exiting the den. Once outside he blinks some more, yawning again in the morning air. " What will we be doing today?" He asks Redflower curiously.

( Rogue apologies for the late reply)

[Rogue]

Twineheart (It's okay! Sorry about my late replies also!)

Redflower straightened up as soon as she saw her new apprentice come bounding out of his den, his fur still plastered down on the side that he had been sleeping on. A soft purr rumbled deep in her chest. She had a feeling that she was going to like this cat. "Good morning Creekpaw," the ginger she-cat meowed as soon as he reached her. "We'll be doing some hunting training today." She turned and padded for the entrance to the camp, flicking her tail to summon the young apprentice after her. "Being a warrior is not all about fighting battles," she explained as the two of them exited the camp and padded out into the depths of the forest. "The Clan needs prey to sustain itself, and that prey is provided by hunters. Being a skilled hunter is just as important as being a skilled fighter. You would do well to remember that. It is something too often forgotten."

[Twineheart]

Creekpaw dips his head some at Redflower's greeting. His green eyes despite their slightly sleepy appearance are filled with warmth. Then he listens to her words with perked ears eager to start. " Sounds great." He says padding along after the older she-cat, his tail tip flickering some. As he walked it became obvious that his paws were far too large for his small frame. Causing him to have a rather odd gait as he walked along at her side listening to her words quietly. Nodding his skull a little, he looks around them. " I don't think violence is a very good answer to any problem." He remarks honestly. He'd always been a quiet and easily frightened tom as a kit. Though he'd out grown being frightened with ease, he still didn't enjoy the idea of battle. " but I guess sometimes we have to..." He adds voice trailing off. Then he looks back at her and cocks his head. " What will we be hunting?" He asks her green gaze bright in the sunlight.

[Rogue]

[Rogue]

Twineheart Creekpaw is so cute. He's going to bring out Redflower's motherly side.

Redflower purred softly. Her young apprentice was so earnest that it was endearing. She touched her nose to his ear lightly. "Sometimes we must do what we need to. but it is always better to handle disputes with your tongue instead of your claws." She lead him over to some unearthed tree roots, aware that this was a good place to find prey. "We're going to start out with something easy," the ginger she-cat meowed, circling around so that she stood in front of her apprentice. "We're going to search for mice. I want you to watch my stance and then copy it." She dropped down into a hunting crouch, demonstrating before straightening up and motioning for Creekpaw to try it.

[Twineheart]

[Rogue Daww thanks^^]


Creekpaw's ears catch Redflower's purr, and he glances up at her with a small smile. She seemed like a kind mentor, who he'd get along well with. Feeling her nose touch his ear, he listens to her words with a quiet nod of agreement. His green eyes return to where they were going, as he did his best to keep up with Redflower and her longer limbs. Reaching their destination Redflower, pulls out in front of Creekpaw her words catching his attention. " Did you start with mice when you first started hunting?" he asks her quietly as she dropped into a hunters crouch. His eyes roam over her, taking in the way she held herself and placed her paws. He nods a little before dropping down into a crouch of his own. " How's this?" He asks her. His body was low to the ground like hers had been, but his rear was a little too high up and his tail was flickering. Both things that might give him away to a mouse.

[Rogue]

Twineheart

Redflower pricked her ears at Creekpaw's words, and she nodded her head. "Yes I did. My mentor told me that mice are the easiest for an apprentice to begin with because of their small size and how easy they are to find." The ginger she-cat straightened up as Creekpaw sank into his hunting crouch. She circled him, examining his form. "Keep your rear down," she meowed, adjusting his form with a light touch of her paw. "It will stick up out of the grass and give away your position. Also, hold your tail very still. The mouse will see the movement and bolt." Once she had corrected his mistakes, she stepped back and nodded her head. "Good, good. You're ready."

[Twineheart]

Creekpaw nods his head some at her words a smile crossing his maw. It was funny for him to think of Redflower as Redpaw. What had she been like as an apprentice? He couldn't help but wonder. Blinking his eyes he suddenly realizes Redflower was speaking and shakes away the thoughts, Focus! He told himself. Watching her as she circled around him critiquing his stance. He quickly lowers her rear as her paw softly touched his rump. Then pauses his tail which he hadn't even realized he'd been flickering. " Alright got it I think." He says, sniffing the air. He could smell the mouse she'd spoken of and felt an eagerness growing in his chest. " May I try?" He inquires.

[ Rogue ]

[Rogue]

Twineheart Sorry for the delay!

Redflower pricked her ears as she heard the mouse rustling around in the undergrowth. She looked down at Creekpaw and nodded at his question. "Of course you can, but just remember that it can be difficult your first time, so don't get discouraged if you miss it," she said kindly. Then she sat back and waited, eyeing her apprentice's stance.

[Twineheart]

[ Rogue No problem^^ ]

Creekpaw waits patiently as Redflower spoke taking in her words. He nods a little, " Alright." He says in a hushed tone before taking her cue to move. He starts forward keeping his body low and carefully placing his paws as he went. He starts into the underbrush, his soft lilac pelt holding little protection against the rough bushes. Ignoring the scraping sensation, he pauses his jaws parted as he takes in the mouse's strong scent. He could ear it too so close, he felt like if he breathed wrong it would shoot away. Inching forward he tries to pin point his prey green gaze glancing through the undergrowth. Then finally he spots a small brown creature chewing a nut. Freezing in his tracks the muscles in his haunches flicker before he pounces. but alas being young he misjudged the distance and landed a bit shy of his quarry. The mouse wastes no time and shooting away into a hole in the ground. Huffing Creekpaw stands empty jawed and slightly embarrassed.

[Rogue]

Twineheart

Redflower padded up to stand beside the disappointed Creekpaw, feeling a rush of compassion for the young tom. She brushed the tip of her tail lightly over his shoulder, trying to comfort him. "It's alright, it was your first shot," she told him kindly. "Few apprentices are perfect on their first try. Come on, let's look for some more prey and you can try again." She set off deeper into the forest, glancing over her shoulder to see if her apprentice was following.

[Twineheart]

[ Rogue I'm not sure I told you but Creekpaw will be dying soon. He is going to die protecting his mother deputy Willowbranch from Varuin a nasty rogue. I will play him as a Starclanner though :3]

Creekpaw looks up when Redflower's tail softly brushes his shoulder. His ears feel hot with embarrassment over his failed hunting attempt, but her words seem to calm him. Nodding his head some he gives a wry smile, " I guess your right." He says flickering his tail and parting his jaws. Drawing in the scents of the forest he follows after the she-cat eager to try for another bit of prey." Do you remember your first catch?" He asks her in a hushed tone as they padded along.