camp don't leave me behind || apprentice group training


.°☀ AND IF IT EVER STARTS TO FEEL BAD, LITTLE FANG


The threat of war looms over the horizon, a three-pronged attack, their leader's panic fresh in everyone's mind, the warning about enemies within WindClan fresh on Sunflowerpaw's. It's a lot to deal with. Sunflowerpaw has been trying not to panic, trying not to start jumping at shadows. It's very difficult. They've only just begun to recover from their moon-long stay in the medicine den. They are not ready for war, for a threat that has even Sootstar fearful, and they are oh so painfully aware. The powerlessness of their injury sits fresh in their mind, wounded helplessness festering lest they address it.

It had started out small.

They missed a lot of training, during their moon in the medicine den. They'd barely just been apprenticed when they'd been caught in the fox trap. It's a moon that all the other apprentices got to spend preparing for something exactly like this. They would never complain about Wolfsong's training -- Sunflowerpaw considers themself very fortunate in Sootstar's pick of mentor for them -- but he has other duties, as lead warrior. And his battle training has been largely defensive, which has left them with a substantial gap in their knowledge. He'll get to the rest eventually, they know, but eventually will not cut it when the threat of battle creeps ever closer.

So. They'd gone to a few friends, very discreetly, seeking some advice.

Unfortunately, most of Sunflowerpaw's friends are tunnelers.

As it turns out, they're not the only one in need of battle training. Things had snowballed, from there. Sunflowerpaw's friends had gone to their own friends in search of help, and some of them actually had stuff to offer, and at some point it turned from a one-to-one thing to an actual meeting, an actual training session, which Sunflowerpaw was somehow responsible for, and --

Well. Here they are. WindClan's camp has been overtaken by a group of apprentices, starting small but certain to draw more participants, to be welcomed with open paws. It's not the most organized -- everyone's just doing what they can. Teaching each other what they know, practicing battle moves and sparring and comparing tips. It's -- kind of nice, actually. Even though a part of them still whispers to keep their eyes on everyone, that they don't know who the traitors Sootstar warned them about could be, that they shouldn't be helping the enemy. They have to admit, it's good to feel like they're actually a part of the Clan, after so long functionally separated.

They do have a bit of knowledge themself, in the realm of defensive maneuvers, but they're mostly here to observe. They can keep an eye on all the other cats, see how they fight, listen with one ear to the passing conversations. It's something to do without pushing themself too hard.

Still, they would like to get a little training in. They skirt along the edge of the group, keeping an eye out for anyone who might want to do something more one-on-one.


IT'S EASY TO EXPLAIN 'CAUSE THIS WORLD'S NOT TAME .°☀

  • // tldr; group battle training session with apprentices sharing what they've learned with each other. feel free to pair up or give/seek general group advice. or just practice on your own! set before the gathering, just to be safe

    open to all apprentices! others are free to spectate but i'd prefer to keep this thread apprentice-focused

    @cottonpaw @Goldenpaw (for interest, no need to wait)​
  • SUNFLOWERPAW named by their half-brother vulturemask after his friend and mentor.
    — they/them, 5 moons.
    — windclan apprentice, mentored by wolfsong.
    — reserved yet loyal, distrusts most.
    — mild limp.

    primary character, high activity. penned by saturnid.​
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In her mind, it was always fun to watch the apprentices fight. They did so with reckless abandon, most younger cats threw themselves at an opponent with little to no fear of the consequences, no fears of getting hurt or dying. Young cats had a tendency to think of themselves as immortal, though she is certain WindClans youth knows as well as any that death was impartial. She herself had learned that lesson when she had been younger, even had the missing tail to prove it. She curls it as much as she can against her body as she takes a seat "Dont mind me! Just watching! Kick some ass!" who she was encouraging remained to be seen.

 
Cottonpaw had found herself at the start of the discussion, though unhelpful by virtue of her position. Not only is she a tunneler apprentice, where most of her skills lie in tracking and locating, but her training had come to a temporary standstill due to being grounded to camp. The time thus far has been short and yet the grey apprentice feels as if she's fallen further and further behind. But! Sunflowerpaw is her friend, and she's more than eager to support the dusty colored feline in any way she can. First she started with pestering her moor runner siblings, and then to just about any apprentice ready to lend her an ear. She, like Sunflowerpaw, finds herself in awe of the general turnout - however unlike the older apprentice, she doesn't feel responsible for each and every soul there. At most, she finds herself upset that she can't fully participate. She'd rather not listen to Vulturemask harp about her injury today, after all.

Her gaze flutters over her aunt as the other settles nearby to watch the apprentices chitter and spar. A smile and sent towards the tabby femme before she inches closer to Sunflowerpaw, tapping her tail to the other's side. "Y'should join one of the spars!" she suggests heartily, "Snakepaw would be an easy win, i think, but Adderpaw might give you some trouble." Her tail continues to lash as she tries to gauge which apprentices would be best to tussle with.​
 
❪ TAGS ❫"Oh really?"

It was almost cinematic, how perfectly timed Snakepaw's entrance was. The lithe midnight-black apprentice strode forward, head held high as he peered down toward the younger trainee through narrowed slits. A certain threat lingers in his gaze, like the potent venom of an adder. He was a cocky youth, who seemed to bark more than he bit, but there was no doubt that Badgermoon's training was beginning to pay off in practice. Snakepaw wasn't the most advanced apprentice, especially at his age, but he certainly wasn't the worst. He was confident that he would climb the steps of skill in time. And what better way to sharpen up than to spar?

He swishes his tail behind him before challenging Cottonpaw, "If I'm such an 'easy win' then how about you prove it, right here right now." The thought of pinning one of those spawns beneath his paws, reigning victorious over them even for practice's sake was exciting. "And don't think I'll take it easy on you just because you're the leader's daughter." I'm better than you'll ever be. I don't need a birthright to prove it so. Sootstar may have been StarClan's chosen, but he came from a long lineage of colony cats as well. His family has lived in these lands for generations; speed and agility (and the thrill of the fight) ran through his veins like the river.
 

ALL NIGHT GAMER

Fighting had expelled him from one home but had gifted him another. Any excuse to whip out the claws and he was there, so when his ears had caught the murmurings of a training day among the apprentices he decided to join in whether they liked it or not. Unlike his first day he had since grown older, bulkier, and had increased in strength. Though admittedly his fighting technique remained somewhat... frenzied. It needed work and further guidance, so training like this was vital for him.

"If you ask me no one should be coddled because of who their family might be. It breeds weakness, which is something that WindClan as a whole cannot afford." Silverpaw cooed as he looked over at Cottonpaw and Snakepaw. It looked like they were potentially squaring off so he decided to leave them to it, so he instead brought his focus towards that of Sunflowerpaw. "If you fancy a tussle don't be afraid to come at me. You don't even need to say so, just let your actions speak for you." He understood that the other apprentice didn't always talk, so he opted to make it easier for them to decide when or if they wanted to take him on. It made for good practice too he supposed since a warrior could get attacked at any moment without warning, so they had to be ready for such eventualities.
 

.°☀ AND IF IT EVER STARTS TO FEEL BAD, LITTLE FANG


A gentle tap of someone's tail draws Sunflowerpaw's attention and they look over to see Cottonpaw. A small smile adorns the tortie's face in mirror of Cottonpaw's own. She too is still recovering from an injury, certainly as eager to return to her training as they are. She suggests they join a spar, starts scoping out opponents. They hum theatrically in deliberation, narrowing their eyes to sweep across the other apprentices. Snakepaw and Adderpaw, hmm... Well, they'd honestly prefer to avoid Snakepaw, easy opponent or not.

And yet, here he is. Challenging Cottonpaw, not them. They look to her curiously. Will she accept? It might not be the best idea, but they find themself wanting to encourage her regardless. He said, he won't go easy, but hopefully he knows better than to worsen her injury. Besides, she's -- "Got this," they say softly, just loud enough for Cottonpaw to hear.

After a moment of consideration, they add, "Don't push." They don't want her hurting herself trying. It's up to her whether she'll take the challenge or not. There is another voice speaking to Snakepaw, one that Sunflowerpaw knows enough to recognize without looking.

Then, an offer for them; they glance over to Silverpaw. He's older, but that'd be good for practice. They won't be able to pick and choose their fights in a real battle. They appreciate his last words, asking none of them in return. They are not like Snakepaw, with his boasting challenges. Their speech remains soft, reserved for when it is truly needed. And now, they need none, they must only make the first move. They like Silverpaw; he'll make a good opponent.

Sunflowerpaw turns fully to face Silverpaw, eyes quickly gauging the distance. They approach calmly, limping walk unhurried. Then, as soon as they're close enough, Sunflowerpaw crouches, aims to leap onto Silverpaw's back, unsteadily gripping for purchase three-pawed. He's bigger than them, rushing him would do little. But this move, a favorite of many kits, seems like it will do. They do not sheathe their claws, WindClanner that they are. Their teeth do not seek flesh, but rather attempt to grasp at the fur of his scruff, more to anchor themself than anything else.


IT'S EASY TO EXPLAIN 'CAUSE THIS WORLD'S NOT TAME .°☀

  • // engaging @SILVERPAW !​
  • SUNFLOWERPAW named by their half-brother vulturemask after his friend and mentor.
    — they/them, 5 moons.
    — windclan apprentice, mentored by wolfsong.
    — reserved yet loyal, distrusts most.
    — mild limp.

    primary character, high activity. penned by saturnid.​
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