More Than Meets the Eye (Tagged)

[Anya]

nomstar
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Lissome limbs graced the crisp grass from beneath the moist earth. The dew that still clung to the plants around her trembled before dropping to the ground as Lightningheart moved through. Her small form easily vanished and reappeared among the taller vegetation, her dirt brown nose twitching now and then. Greenleaf had provided new hope and life and prey was once more bountiful. WhisperClan had managed to make it through the harsh Leafbare and a number of disheartening events. The young warrior had successfully trained many apprentices before Sweetpaw, but the thrill never left her. If she didn't see her blossomed pupils everyday at camp she would forget she had ever been a mentor before now. Her earthy brown eyes settled upon the younger cat beside her, she wondered how Sweetpaw would turn out to be. She hadn't had much trouble at all with previous apprentices. They often lacked confidence, which she enjoyed instilling into them through training and constant encouragement.

The tawny warrior felt the meadowland earth beneath her begin to change shape, indicating they had reached the Slopes. "These are the Slopes, great for a run and prime for hunting as well. We'll be doing a lot of our training sessions here." her soft voice seemed to be carried off by the wind as it blew south. Lightningheart paused, small ears flickering this way and that before turning slightly east.

[nomstar]

The pale apprentice padded confidently through the lush grasses. The Greenleaf sun danced about in the clear azure sky as birds swooped high above her. Twitching her bright pink nose, she took in all of the scents that flowed through the air around her. She could scent the crisp scent of early morning grass, the musky scent of damp earth and the sweet scent of warm prey, moving deep within their homes. A tail length in front of Sweetpaw traveled her tawny pelted mentor, who's longer legs carried her father and father ahead, so that the apprentice had to begin running to catch up. By the time that she had reached Lightningheart, the warrior had stopped atop a steep slope. 

Around them a hill swept across the landscape, dotted here and there with stunted bushes or small, shriveled shrubs. As much as she disliked the grimy land in front of her, she couldn't help but be touched by the beauty of it. This is my home. Even if it is filthy and disease ridden. A gust of wind buffeted her tabby pelt as her mentor spoke, whipping away Lightningheart's words so that she could barely hear her. Whatever. It was just something about the 'Slopes' and lots of training. Big deal. As her mentor turned to the east, she followed in suit. I've already seen part of our territory and the rest seems to be pretty much the same. Grass, grass and more grass. Oh look, it's a hill. Nothing like the other hundred we've already seen.

[Anya]

There was the pungent scent of rabbits as the hilly terrain ended and a more balanced but nevertheless altering horizon came into view. “Rabbit Sets! This is the southeastern part of our territory, but we won’t be coming here as often. There are, at times, more creatures than just hares. Foxes, badgers and even snakes nest here. I don’t want you walking about here alone. Let’s hurry along.” The she-cat picked up the pace, checking back constantly to reassure herself that Sweetpaw was still beside her. In her mind, Lightningheart had mapped out their path. She had started south of camp, now they were turning east and in a full circle would end up southwest and then head back just in time for the afternoon meal. She was an extremely orderly cat, things had to be planned and executed with precision.

The wind picked up again and began to howl. Its hot gusts heightened the sun’s warmth and Lightningheart was thankful for her short coat. “Quite a windy day,” the warrior blinked her large brown eyes, “up ahead is the StormClan border.” It was the only border they shared with the other clans. A little way ahead, as the pair turned to walk along their side, a gnarly dead tree could be spotted. “That’s the Hawk Perch, we won’t be sticking around. There are still some hawks around and this isn’t the best time to be nearby. We’ll be taking a shortcut this way.” She used her wispy tail to point away from the old tree farther north and towards their left. “There is also an Abandoned Junkyard, but it is off limits to you as is the Hawk Perch.” Lightningheart made sure her tone was sterner and clearer than the softness from before. “I shouldn’t need to repeat why, I’m sure as a mature apprentice now you know not to go looking for trouble.” Her voice eased back into it’s low, hum-like cadence as she addressed the younger she-cat.