private something's gotta give - aspenhaze (training & prompt)

[bubbleburst]

"GOT A LITTLE CASH NOW SO THAT SKIRT IS DIOR"​

There is a comfortable familiarity to the relationship that Bubblepaw shares with her mentor. As if they have always been a part of the young apprentice's life. After all, if the warrior is capable of raising RiverClan cats so skilled and well-rounded as Mosspool, they must be just as good (if not better) themselves. They move quietly toward the river. Days alternate usually; the training schedule is set by Aspenhaze and Bubblepaw obeys and falls into the routine with enthusiasm. Today is a hunting day. Bubblepaw is getting close to being able to actually catch a fish. Her political and fighting skills are far better so far.

However, Bubblepaw is unusually quiet today. As she and Aspenhaze find their way to the shore, the apprentice's words are few and far between. She shuffles her feet, kicking rocks and shells and twigs along the way too, a contemplative maneuver. The silver tabby blinks in surprise when they finally appear at the shoreline, the sun glinting innocently against the rushing waters. Bubblepaw frowns. This is the exact place that has been on her mind so much lately. The exact place that she, Starlightpaw, and Velvetpaw had watched Otterpaw commit such an act of violence that it clings to the back of Bubblepaw's mind like a hungry tick.

Finally, Bubblepaw decides that she just can't take it anymore. "Aspenhaze?" Bubblepaw turns to her mentor with a look of confusion and despair "Can I ask you about something I saw happen here? It was awhile ago, but..." the silver tabby turns her gaze back to the water, and it's almost like she's there again. It's like she's watching Edenpaw and Otterpaw huddle scandalously close and exchange words before Otterpaw assaults and nearly rips all the fur from Edenpaw's back. The blood which fanned behind the SkyClan apprentice like a sunset, and the praise Starlightpaw gave whilst Velvetpaw and Bubblepaw hung back in surprise. "...It's been bothering me."

@Aspenhaze ​

✦ ★ ✦​

 

[Aspenhaze]

Slipping into a new routine was simple enough. Bubblepaw was not Mosspaw, that much is certain, but at least Aspenhaze can keep up a similar enough rhythm that it’s not too different from when they first trained an apprentice. Even with their differences, the tortoiseshell point really didn’t find it that much trouble to train Bubblepaw, either. She might have more energy than they’re used to, but it’s nothing they can’t handle.

Today though, her mind is not in the game. Usually she’d be super determined when they’re training to hunt in particular, but something seems to be shaking her up. She doesn’t even notice their arrival, and looks disappointed, even. How peculiar… Aspenhaze has half a mind to ask her what’s wrong, though it’s half out of not wanting her to fall too behind as much as it is genuine concern.

Aspenhaze tilts their head when Bubblepaw mentions some sort of event happening here that’s been on her mind. They can’t recall anything in particular that could be causing her so much anxiety. Maybe they just don’t see it. “Sure; whatever it is, ask away. What about it is bothering you exactly?”​