- Jun 10, 2023
- 202
- 56
- 28
It was almost time. He knew there would be a day that his brother wouldn't be his apprentice anymore. No longer did he have to crane his head down to lock eyes with his brother. Lionpaw had become bigger, so much so that they were now at eye level more or less. Much has happened since he's taken Lionpaw under his claws. So much that it would take ages to go through, but in short... There's been some good moments and been some bad moments. The sound of crunching snow beneath their paws as they trek together to somewhere more secluded is comforting. Hopefully, no stray dog would come attack them. This time would only be him and Lionpaw. As much as he had faith in his brother to help him in holding off the dog, he'd rather not.
"Today we will take a break from training," his voice cuts the air as he decides to take a seat against a tree. "You will need to rest before your assessment." Perhaps, it would come as a shock to his brother that Crowsight had been thinking of one despite how busy things had been. Although, if Crowsight was honest... I wasn't sure what exactly I should test when it comes to you. I could follow Silversmoke's assessment as a guide, but I want to leave you with something as a reminder. His gaze has not left Lionpaw, unblinking as ever. Though, he is quickly reminded of the fact that he has a terrible habit of staring eeriely when lost in thought, so he rectifies it by blinking rapidly.
Familiar blues look at him, full of question. A chuff escapes his maw. "This takes me back. Moons ago I talked to your father just like this." His attention shifts to the sky, where Blazestar watches them. He still bears some anger from the older tom's choices, but steadily he is understanding why Blazestar had done those things. Becoming a father made things a bit clearer. "Back then, I wanted to become the strongest warrior in Skyclan. I was always training, sparring with anyone who would indulge me. Silversmoke was my partner most of the time, since a lot of cats didn't want to spar every day. I asked your father, how did he become strong. Did you know what his answer was?"
It's a question his brother is not meant to answer. The black smoke returns his attention to Lionpaw, "Experience." The answer is purposely vague for now. He wanted to see what Lionpaw's reaction would be to it. Would they scowl? Would they be confused? There is one thing that he is aware of. Both he and Lionpaw are very alike. To some, they might say it's a given considering they were brothers, but those same cats will say Lionpaw is incapable of horrors like Skyclaw. All three of them lived in the daunting shadows of their fathers and tried to break free from them by garnering strength. Well... He can say that confidently for Skyclaw and himself. As for Lionpaw? What Crowsight could gather is that his brother was still conflicted about it. Whether or not he had to fill in those big paw steps.
"He said battle skill would only take me so far, but it's not everything. Experience to him was falling in love, fighting his first battle, becoming a father, losing a child, gaining and losing friends, dying, making good decisions, and making bad decisions.... Learning from all those things is what makes us strong." Maybe... Maybe he is telling this far too late to Lionpaw, but the reason why he didn't say anything sooner was because of his brother's burning desire to be just like his father. His brother needed to know that Blazestar was a flawed tom. Yes, Blazestar loved his brother without a doubt, but that love couldn't erase his mistakes. Lionpaw needed to discover that for himself.
A small smile curls from his lips. "You're probably questioning why I'm even telling you this, huh? I'm telling you this because you don't have to be Blazestar. I can't speak for him, but I'll speak for myself- as your older brother. It's okay for you to admire your father, there's nothing wrong with that. I won't tell you to hate him or love him, but no one is pressuring you to fill in his paws. The only cat that is doing it is you, and it's always been you. I've seen cats who love you not because you are Blazestar's son, but because of who you are Lionpaw. My only hope is that start living your own life fully. That you'll stop putting your paws in his."
// @LIONPAW this is part one of the surprise for the brothers! I have Lionpaw's assessment stored away oooOOOOooo
"Today we will take a break from training," his voice cuts the air as he decides to take a seat against a tree. "You will need to rest before your assessment." Perhaps, it would come as a shock to his brother that Crowsight had been thinking of one despite how busy things had been. Although, if Crowsight was honest... I wasn't sure what exactly I should test when it comes to you. I could follow Silversmoke's assessment as a guide, but I want to leave you with something as a reminder. His gaze has not left Lionpaw, unblinking as ever. Though, he is quickly reminded of the fact that he has a terrible habit of staring eeriely when lost in thought, so he rectifies it by blinking rapidly.
Familiar blues look at him, full of question. A chuff escapes his maw. "This takes me back. Moons ago I talked to your father just like this." His attention shifts to the sky, where Blazestar watches them. He still bears some anger from the older tom's choices, but steadily he is understanding why Blazestar had done those things. Becoming a father made things a bit clearer. "Back then, I wanted to become the strongest warrior in Skyclan. I was always training, sparring with anyone who would indulge me. Silversmoke was my partner most of the time, since a lot of cats didn't want to spar every day. I asked your father, how did he become strong. Did you know what his answer was?"
It's a question his brother is not meant to answer. The black smoke returns his attention to Lionpaw, "Experience." The answer is purposely vague for now. He wanted to see what Lionpaw's reaction would be to it. Would they scowl? Would they be confused? There is one thing that he is aware of. Both he and Lionpaw are very alike. To some, they might say it's a given considering they were brothers, but those same cats will say Lionpaw is incapable of horrors like Skyclaw. All three of them lived in the daunting shadows of their fathers and tried to break free from them by garnering strength. Well... He can say that confidently for Skyclaw and himself. As for Lionpaw? What Crowsight could gather is that his brother was still conflicted about it. Whether or not he had to fill in those big paw steps.
"He said battle skill would only take me so far, but it's not everything. Experience to him was falling in love, fighting his first battle, becoming a father, losing a child, gaining and losing friends, dying, making good decisions, and making bad decisions.... Learning from all those things is what makes us strong." Maybe... Maybe he is telling this far too late to Lionpaw, but the reason why he didn't say anything sooner was because of his brother's burning desire to be just like his father. His brother needed to know that Blazestar was a flawed tom. Yes, Blazestar loved his brother without a doubt, but that love couldn't erase his mistakes. Lionpaw needed to discover that for himself.
A small smile curls from his lips. "You're probably questioning why I'm even telling you this, huh? I'm telling you this because you don't have to be Blazestar. I can't speak for him, but I'll speak for myself- as your older brother. It's okay for you to admire your father, there's nothing wrong with that. I won't tell you to hate him or love him, but no one is pressuring you to fill in his paws. The only cat that is doing it is you, and it's always been you. I've seen cats who love you not because you are Blazestar's son, but because of who you are Lionpaw. My only hope is that start living your own life fully. That you'll stop putting your paws in his."
// @LIONPAW this is part one of the surprise for the brothers! I have Lionpaw's assessment stored away oooOOOOooo