LOOK AT THE HORIZON — squirrelpaw

[SQUALLMIST]

It's early.

Squallmist knows. And yet, he waits outside of the apprentice den for the tortoiseshell who now calls him her mentor. Squirrelpaw.

It's their first training session. Delayed, with reason.

He'd known something had been up with Leopardcloud, caught on as the days passed that she was sick - health failing to no avail. Perhaps he'd expected - hoped, rather - that she'd be able to hold on for a little longer, that Dawnglare would find something to ease her illness, so that Coyotepaw and Squirrelpaw wouldn't have to go through such a loss at such a young age. But, unfortunately, that wasn't what the stars wanted, as Leopardcloud started her journey to StarClan mere days after Squirrelpaw's apprenticeship began.

Later, he promised then. They would begin training later.

Now he sits, waiting for Squirrelpaw to emerge out of the apprentice den for their morning of training. Something easy - a tour of the territory, in the quiet of the morning.

"Good morning, Squirrelpaw," he greets the apprentice, when the time finally comes, his tone gentle. Careful, as if she'd break, as if he'd fail a second apprentice, "Are you ready for our training session?"
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[Squirrel]

Squirrelpaw wasn't sure what she was supposed to do. She had no clues, ideas, or thoughts on what was supposed to happen. How was she supposed to... keep doing things? The world was supposed to stop, and the days would stretch on forever. Cats should have cried without end, and it should have felt like nothing would ever be good again.

Instead, life continued.

Her clanmates kept hunting, patrolling and living, and she kept going. She didn't know how she did it with a storm in place of her mind, thoughts that never failed to spin and crash, but, somehow, days had already passed. She'd become an apprentice, and she had to train. Life kept going. Squirrelpaw hated it.

The small tortoiseshell reluctantly left the apprentice's den, coming to a quick halt in front of Squallmist. She didn't seem to muster the enthusiasm to reply to his words, giving him a nod. She supposed now would have to do.​

 

[SQUALLMIST]

The kid is silent, responds with nothing but a nod.

He should know. Should know what this is like. But, he wasn't this young. Wasn't this young when Rain died, when Haze died. Stars, it's something he's still trying to navigate himself, this whole grief thing. The warrior still struggles now, with Centipedepaw's death heavy on his mind. Why had Blazestar done this, again? Given him an apprentice so soon, one that bared her own losses?

Squallmist can't imagine having to deal with such grief at such a young age.

The only thing he can do is make this easy for Squirrelpaw, he thinks. Ease her into apprenticehood, let her take her time.

"Right," he says, charcoaled tail flicking behind him, "I was thinking we'd tour the territory. I'll show you the borders and the important landmarks, and then, if we have time, or, if you're up to it, maybe a quick hunting lesson." The basics. Should hopefully be an easy day for the kid. He urges the new apprentice forward, leads her towards the camp's exit.

"Now, one of the most important things you'll need to know, is that you must not go out of camp on your own," he starts. Though his tone is still gentle, he carries a more serious tone in his words. Squallmist can't let this apprentice forget such an important rule. "Though this is our territory, it can still hold many dangers. Make sure to ask me or a warrior to go with you, if you want to leave camp."
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