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Post by Magicheart on Jun 23, 2011 17:00:10 GMT -5
Moonpaw hardly felt his paws touch the earth as he ran back to camp. He felt full of energy, his sides heaving along his nimble form. He suddenly skidded to a halt when he reached the camp entrance and angled his head, looking down at the activity in the camp below him. Usually, he would have slunk into camp with his head low and a scowl on his face, distracted by the bright colors of the rocks and his clanmates. He was used to a monotone world of grays back in the mountains, his clanmates covered in the dark gray/brown earth to keep themselves warm and dry near the waterfall. Gray. Just like Cursedangel's eyes. he thought happily. She felt more like a piece of home than anything else did.
Moonpaw soundlessly picked his way down into the canyon below, wondering if anyone would be annoyed at him for being gone so long, or if they'd even notice him. Then again, I haven't been too pleasant lately. But isn't being left alone what I had wanted? the young tom thought to himself. He shook his head, his azure eyes brightening. No. What I really want is to be a warrior...to come and go freely as I please...to be strong... Moonpaw felt his chest fill up with energy again as he glanced around the camp, wondering if he would spot a warrior to train with if not his mentor...
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Post by .:Lion:. on Jul 2, 2011 17:18:24 GMT -5
A dark-furred tom sat with his paws crossed, his tail resting languidly at his side. Cool grey-blue eyes stared out at the camp, missing nothing. A dark ear flicked when the tom noticed another cat coming into camp. It was an apprentice. A sour-faced type that usually did nothing of importance, if the tom's memory served him well. But he was beginning to question it, noticing the happy smile on the apprentice's face. Quite pleased with himself, I'd say... Ravenfeather thought smugly. He got to his paws, finally seeing a chance to do something productive. He made his way towards the apprentice, his lean but muscular body relaxed and his posture full of confidence.
"Moonpaw," he called out in his deep, warm voice, "What have you been up to today?" His question may have been interpreted as rather confrontational, unless a cat actually understood Ravenfeather's personality and the inflections of his voice.
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Post by Magicheart on Jul 17, 2011 13:51:41 GMT -5
Moonpaw flattened his ears and narrowed his eyes slightly. "Why, has my mentor been looking for me?" his voice didn't betray the slight flutter of nervousness in his chest. If his mentor was upset with him, it would only be that much longer before he was able to come and go as he pleased.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Jul 17, 2011 15:37:41 GMT -5
Ravenfeather tipped his head to the side. He wondered what sort of mentor would let his apprentice wander about willy-nilly all day. With a flick of his tail, he dismissed his thoughts.
"No, not that I am aware of," he meowed smoothly, his cool eyes glancing at the camp, "I was just interested in the training you've had today. I thought some skirmishing would be constructive, and I was wondering if you had had the opportunity to practice your battle skills today." He said, betraying none of his thoughts in the cool expression on his face or the casual tone of his voice. Usually mentors alone decided what training an apprentice, but Ravenfeather had rarely seen any cat training Moonpaw, and it was not good to let an apprentice go to waste, no matter what was usual.
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Post by Magicheart on Jul 22, 2011 10:43:16 GMT -5
Moonpaw sighed, suddenly looking smaller. "No. I haven't had battle training today. I've hardly had any here in general." he muttered, his voice gradually getting lower. They didn't train us for battling in the tribe either, only to battle off prey! He had been worried since he came here that he wouldn't be an adequate fighter, that he would be behind the other apprentices.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Jul 22, 2011 18:34:05 GMT -5
Ravenfeather watched as the apprentice seemed to deflate. The tom's blue eyes sparked with interest. It seemed as though the stony-faced apprentice wasn't as emotionless as some cats would have had him believe.
"Well," he mewed softly, "I could teach you some moves, if you'd like." He said with an air of complete confidence. Ravenfeather rarely stressed himself out when it came to other cats and their expectations. If he wanted to do something, he would do it, no questions asked. And for one reason or another, he felt like training this apprentice today.
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Post by Magicheart on Jul 27, 2011 21:47:08 GMT -5
Moonpaw's azure eyes glittered, and thinking of Cursedangel, he failed to hide his excitement. "That would be great!" he meowed, jumping to his paws, enthused. He flattened his ears momentarily, almost embarrassed at his outburst, but his determination took over. I'll be the best, I promise. he thought to himself. I want to protect you from being hurt ever again. he vowed, still too young to understand the weight of his own promises, even though they were completely heartfelt.
"I'm ready to learn whatever you can teach me." he meowed with narrowed eyes.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Jul 28, 2011 13:37:24 GMT -5
Ravenfeather couldn't help but smile at the apprentice's enthusiasm. The expression softened the icy look of the tom's eyes, making him seem more friendly.
"Well, then," he mewed, his voice as cheerful as it ever got, "Let us be off, then." He turned and gestured with a sweep of his tail for Moonpaw to follow. Some cats liked to train in the camp, but Ravenfeather preferred a certain clearing above the gorge. This was the official training grounds, as far as any cat was concerned, though it was empty at the moment. Ravenfeather brushed the soft sandy ground with his paws, then turned to look at the apprentice.
"Alright," he mewed. "Let's see what you've got." He gestured with a nod of his head for Moonpaw to begin.
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Post by Magicheart on Jul 28, 2011 22:20:46 GMT -5
Moonpaw easily scaled the gorge, his long legs and training in the mountains made him used to jumping and climbing. His flanks rose and fell with deep breaths as he reached the top. He halted when Ravenfeather stopped and flicked his ears crossly. What I've got? What am I supposed to do?[//i] he suppressed an insecure sigh and glanced around his surroundings. He crouched and narrowed his eyes in determination before running past Ravenfeather. He lunged at a rock behind the warrior and pressed powerfully off of his hind legs, launching himself into the air. Claws splayed out, he was lined up to drop onto Ravenclaw's shoulders, just as though he were one of the giant eagles from his homeland.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Jul 29, 2011 10:15:03 GMT -5
Ravenfeather frowned when the apprentice darted past him. He whirled around just in time to see the tom flying through the air. Rising on his hind legs, Ravenfeather braced himself to meet the apprentice. When the two collided, they were sent in a rolling motion into the sand. Ravenfeather batted Moonpaw's ears and pummeled his belly with his hind paws, his claws carefully sheathed so that he apprentice wouldn't be harmed.
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Post by Magicheart on Jul 29, 2011 22:52:55 GMT -5
Moonpaw flailed around, trying to use instinct to battle an enemy he had never encountered. The blows from the larger warrior disoriented him further, but a surge of frustration filled him with new energy. I have to learn this. he thought, fierce with determination. He pushed his hind paws into Ravenfeather with all his might to separate himself, his lithe form sliding out from the warrior's grasp. He darted to his paws, panting, trying to figure out what to do next.
There was no way he could overpower such a larger opponent head-on. He had to be clever. He tried to clear his head, but kept seeing Ravenfeather like one of the eagles of his homeland. Those tactics won't work here! he scolded himself. He ran along the right side of Ravenfeather and using his body weight, tried to slam into the tom's front leg while using his front arm to sweep out the warrior's hind leg.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Jul 29, 2011 23:44:39 GMT -5
Ravenfeather was impressed with how agile the apprentice was. Moonpaw slipped from his paws like a wet fish. But he hesitated too long, allowing Ravenfeather the time to stand up on his paws and brace himself for another attack. Moonpaw then began to charge him, and Ravenfeather grunted when he tried to throw off his balance. Ravenfeather allowed his hind leg to give out, pressing all his weight to his front. This allowed him to roll away from Moonpaw, his body sliding in and out of a somersault with surprising quickness.
"If you're going for the legs, you have to get me from the side. Then you will be able to get on top of me when I lose my balance." The tom instructed. "Come and try again."
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Post by Magicheart on Aug 8, 2011 1:04:28 GMT -5
Moonpaw scrambled up to his feet panting. He narrowed his eyes, but nodded his head in understanding. How can I possibly unbalance you when you're so much larger than I am? he wanted to wail. He was so unused to fighting like this. Moonpaw took a moment to catch his breath, his eyes darting around where Ravenfeather lay crouching. He closed his eyes a moment and thought of Cursedangel. I have to do this. he committed, thinking of her pale, stormy eyes and the warm smile she had given to him only.
Moonpaw ran at Ravenfeather and darted to the side at the last minute. Using his agility and lithe form, he slid under the tom and kicked with his hind paws before rolling out and jumping at his side.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Aug 8, 2011 10:38:16 GMT -5
Ravenfeather watched Moonpaw closely, though it was difficult to predict what the tom was going to do. He was quick, and there was something erratic in his movements that made Ravenfeather think he wasn't used to fighting - at least not the sort of fighting that most SkyClan cats knew. He was surprised when Moonpaw darted underneath him and hit his stomach. The move caused Ravenfeather to stagger a little, and when Moonpaw hit his side he was completely knocked over onto his back.
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Post by Magicheart on Aug 8, 2011 23:40:09 GMT -5
Moonpaw jumped to his paws, more excited than he'd been since he had begun his training back in the mountains. "Wow! I wasn't sure that would work at all! How did I do?" the words poured out of the young tom's mouth, his guard completely down.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Aug 9, 2011 11:20:03 GMT -5
Ravenfeather rolled onto his belly and then darted forward, sweeping the apprentice's paws out from under him. He stood over the tom and blinked, his cool blue eyes twinkling with amusement.
"You did well," he meowed. "But try not to let your guard down. And always, always press any advantage you're given." He meowed, cuffing Moonpaw's ear. Then he circled the training grove, his tail twitching back and forth. He turned to Moonpaw and tipped his head to the side, considering. The apprentice was quick, but not very large. But although size could be a help in battle, it did not win them.
"Let's try again." He meowed finally, nodding. "And remember, I am bigger than you. So use your speed well again my strength." Ravenfeather nodded curtly and watched the apprentice with narrowed eyes.
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Post by Magicheart on Aug 16, 2011 11:55:22 GMT -5
Moonpaw nodded, but his thoughts were filled with Cursedangel, distracting him. Wasn't it almost time to meet her? He was simultaneously filled with anxiety and happiness. Ok, focus. He scowled to himself. If I can show him that I got this down right, I may be able to leave sooner...not to mention the fact that I really need to get this right...
Moonpaw shook his head to clear it before he raced toward Ravenfeather, He nimbly darted back and forth, nipping and swiping at the warrior's legs, trying to unbalance him. He also used his superior jumping skills to avoid the tom's retaliations against him.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Aug 16, 2011 12:01:21 GMT -5
Ravenfeather moved to avoid the apprentice's smaller attacks. Moonpaw was as slippery as a snake, so it was difficult to land a blow on him. He's pretty good at what he does. Ravenfeather thought, trying to keep his sense of balance. Lashing his tail, the tom crouched and darted to the side, raising a paw to slam it against Moonpaw's flank, hoping to knock him over.
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Post by Magicheart on Aug 18, 2011 22:56:24 GMT -5
Moonpaw darted this way and that, determined to prove himself, but his movements were uncoordinated and sloppy, unexperienced as he was. He used a store of energy to surge forward, trying to dodge the warrior's blow, but Ravenfeather's paw just barely caught the back of his hind leg, unbalancing him. Moonpaw, unbalanced, tumbled onto his side. He leapt to his paws, panting. "Enough for today...but, can we practice more later?" He asked hopefully, his sides heaving with effort.
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Post by .:Lion:. on Aug 20, 2011 14:42:34 GMT -5
Ravenfeather's whiskered twitched as the apprentice recovered. He could see already that Moonpaw was tired, probably due to the fact that no cat had bothered to train the tom much in the recent moons.
"Sure," the tom meowed in response to Moonpaw's question. "Tomorrow. After the Sun-high patrol." With a curt nod, Ravenfeather turned to leave.
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Post by Magicheart on Aug 21, 2011 19:50:07 GMT -5
Moonpaw nodded, still trying to catch his breath. "I will meet you here." He meowed with a respectful dip of his head. He liked Ravenfeather, he decided. The tom was quiet and dignified, didn't bother asking him stupid questions about his home that he would never see again. He didn't feel the need to constantly point out Moonpaw's differences. Feeling more confident than he had in some time, Moonpaw raced off to share the news with Cursedangel.
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