private GOOD LUCK, BABE ✦ STAGSNARL

[Houndshade]

It's nice to be able to sneak off in the quieter hours of the day, when sunset mixes in with the hues of the night sky. Is it really sneaking out if they're allowed to leave camp without a warriors permission? They're warriors themselves now, and have been for a while. Given new responsibilities yes but also in their age they get certain freedoms that they weren't afforded as apprentices. This outing isn't blanketed with stress of an upcoming assessment, not soured with that burden of expectation. She at least hopes it stays that way, her lingering gaze finds Stagsnarl as she worries the inside of her cheek by gently chewing at the flesh with her fangs.

"Do you think you'll be given an apprentice soon?" She asks curiously, hoping that Stagsnarl knows this isn't an attempt to set them up into some kind of insult or joke. They hadn't discussed that possibility, it truly didn't feel real until Houndshade was paired with Finchpaw. It admittedly isn't going great.... She's not willing to admit that though, too prideful to have some kid barely growing into his adult fur knock her down from her ego. "I bet you'd be a cool mentor, maybe a little too hardworking" she hopes that their friends worse qualities as an apprentice wouldn't be passed onto any of their charge. She is teasing this time, lightly bumping against the chimera.

"It's cold, when can the sun come back?" it's spoken in a wistful sigh as the pair approaches a hollowed out log. A dainty paw raised to brush the snow off the top of it in the attempt of maybe faking the illusion of a warmer day. One that isn't wet and bitter, yearning for the warmth of the sun to return. Once satisfied with her work she practically drapes herself over the piece of wood, lounging with a pleased but lazy grin. Raising her paw once more to tap at the space in front of her, it's less of an invitation and more of a demand for their time.

~{ set before the RC v TC fight @STAGSNARL. }~​

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[STAGSNARL.]

YOU ALWAYS SAID HOW YOU LIKE DOGS​

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"what? you think I'd be a good mentor?"

there is a moment that she can hardly believe her ears. her? a good mentor? after who mentored her, and her parents, she's not so sure about that. in fact, it worries her more than anything. if she was to get an apprentice, would she expect the same things she expects from herself from them? that wouldn't be good, not in the slightest. even now, she works too hard, goes on too many patrols and hardly rests. the fact that she's resting now is by pure miracle. she could certainly afford to– stars know it as well as she does– but she still carries the torch of not trying to disappoint her parents who can hardly ever be pleased. she settled herself in front of her friend with a confused look.

"dunno if I'd be qualified enough to be a mentor in spite of how you feel. you're biased, anyways, houndshade. you're my best friend."

and so much more. their mind doesn't seem to hold back. augh. not right not. they gently rub their muzzle as they look towards the sky, thinking about the sun with a huff. even if it did come back, right now, would it warm them? or would it give them false hope like it's been doing as of late?

"for your sake, I hope it's soon."

she takes a moment to think before speaking up.

"hope you're not worried about being a mentor. finchpaw seems like a pawful but you're handling it better than my mentor would have. and that's a lot from me so... I think you're doing good at that. between the two of us, you're better suited to teach the young. not me. I'd probably..."

do what? they don't know. their doubt settled in their stomach quicker than they'd like. they have to push it away.

"if you are worried, though, you can talk about it. might help."

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