A peaceful day had been warranted, completing a dawn patrol and also hunting with Sablepaw. A successful morning, and now she wanted to rest for a bit. In the warmth of the sun she lay, limbs tucked neatly under her body whilst her tail curved around the shape of her muscular form. Verdant eyes were half-lidded, squinting in a natural scowl as she near dozed off into a light slumber.
That is, until the warbling voice of a certain apprentice piped up above the buzz of background noise.
Instantly her jaw goes rigid and ivory tips dig into the earth below her. She didn't need eyes to see who it was, hardly needed ears for it either. An incessant gnat in her ear, buzzing around carrion with her boasting. Littlepaw. Once again, her day has been ruined by the foul-mouthed apprentice. Cindershade's eyes open into an intense glare, spotting her amongst the set of apprentices that gathered beside her. Her gaze pierces the white hairs along her spine, internally wishing how hard she bore into her back that she could feel the stinging sensation of it, as if thorns pricked at her very flesh. It seems that it was felt as Littlepaw turns her way, their gaze interlocking. The lead warrior doesn't blink, doesn't give any inclination of emotion besides an expression carved of stone; sharp, yet rounded features pointedly staring at Littlepaw with blazing green irises.
The young molly's only retort was a very noticeable roll of her eyes and in the midst of her ire, a coy smirk presses upon her lips. Evidently she was irritated over her staring, but how could she not stare? Littlepaw was peacocking around, strutting an array of colorful feathers and practically pleading for all to look upon her. Desperate, wishing someone would spare her a glance. Perhaps Cindershade should continue to ignore it, to turn the other cheek. But, she was never one to do that, was she? Confrontation ran in her blood, an urge that couldn't be stowed away. A metaphorical beast rattling it's cage to be set free. Besides, she had finally had enough of the raucous squabbling that spewed from her lips. The time was nigh, and she held a perfect situation in her psyche to teach the young a lesson she'd not forget.
Calloused pads would stride forth, her gait loose with her chin held aloft. Maybe she should let Sablepaw handle this, a perfect opportunity to show off her skills that she has learned from her predecessor—but a burning itch has her wanting to do it herself. As the woman looms over Littlepaw, she bears her gaze at the crest of her helm once more and all traces of her former ire dispersed. All that was left was a grim, reaping expression of tenacity. "Littlepaw." She begins, her smirk growing into a saccharine smile—a poisonous thing, really. "I—couldn't help but to over hear your buffoonery from across camp. You say you can take on these apprentices and garuntee yourself as victor? And with one paw, no less." A feign of awe crosses over shadowed features, though her smirk does not waver. Apprentice's liked to brag, she knew. It was usually something she would ignore, but Littlepaw has been nothing but a festering sore that just wouldn't heal. "I'm impressed, really I am. You must showcase these honed in skills of yours!" The sarcasm in her voice was practically cascading from her mouth now, her neck craning over Littlepaw with interest. "My, with skills such as that, you must be ready for your warrior assessment, yes? Care to share them? How about—a friendly spar?" She did not say with whom, for she wanted the apprentice to wonder what opponent she'd have to spar with. The suspense was rising by the minute, tension licking at the hairs along her spine like bolts of lightning. She couldn't hardly wait for her answer.
[ SILENCE IS DEAFENING ]
