You always thought it would get much easier | Foxtail

[Snakeblink]

MAYBE I'D BE A SAINT IF I WEREN'T ————————————​

A deaf cat could have noticed the commotion at the middle of camp, and Snakeblink is of the keen and eavesdropping kind: he did not miss a bit of the argument that ended with Lichenstar's stern punishment of two mouthy apprentices and Foxtail running off as if suddenly beset by terrible sickness.

He did not follow after him then -- left some time for the other lead to gather himself in whatever peace he could find in the crowded context of their camp. But the incident did not leave his mind. He had noticed the tension between Foxtail and Sunpaw; it was… vindicating and frustrating in equal measure to have his suspicions confirmed, and it gave his mind something to chew on, a tangible problem he might act on among so much chaos that's out of his control.

He gives it two days, for Foxtail and Sunpaw both to get used to the consequences of the argument. Then he waits a little longer, for the end of a day's work, and goes to seek Foxtail.

"May I trouble you for some of your time?" He slinks around Foxtail, settling at a carefully-calculated distance from his fellow lead: not close enough to touch, but not so far as to be deemed insulting, either. Or so he hopes.

"It seems to me that you have had some… hah, difficulties with your apprentice. I was wondering if you would like… some advice, perhaps." One apprentice grown to warriorhood is paltry experience to offer to Foxtail, especially since Turtledove is as different from Sunpaw as two cats could possibly be; but Snakeblink likes to believe he is observant, and good at reading other cats; surely it must count for something.​

——————————————————————————————————— so god damn lonely​

ooc. information.

• @FOXTAIL
• 
  
  
  — Snakeblink • he / him. 57 ☾, riverclan warrior
  — a sleek, skinny tabby with long ears and a scar over his right eye.
  — gay, not actually evil, penned by @Kangoo
  

​

 

[FOXTAIL]

Two nights ago rattled the tom down to his core. He knew Sunpaw was going to be a challenge, when compared to Pebbletail, but even then he didn't expect to receive such an angry reaction. He bets the commotion could've been heard outside of camp— who knew two apprentices could get so loud!

The earth continues to spin, despite the tension between mentor and apprentice. Foxtail honestly wondered— how was he supposed to wake up the next day and continue Sunpaw's training? He already knew she wasn't fond of her "replacement".... she made that bright and clear from the start. And now, when he tried to fix things, he only made it worse. It wasn't comfortable; nor was it easy.... but it's his responsibility to train her. He can't avoid her like he did with Eelpaw... if they had to train in silence, then so be it.

After a long day of work, the younger lead warrior lets out a tired sigh. Perhaps he could grab something to eat... he finally seems to have his appetite back. With a flick of an ear, the tom begins to pad towards the pile... but he doesn't make it over. Snakeblink's sudden voice makes him jolt in surprise, and his gaze whips over to the older tom as he slinks around Foxtail. "Oh, s-sure!" Foxtail mews, trying to hide that Snakeblink startled him.

The two of them pad off, and Foxtail looks over at the sleek tabby. Snakeblink opens his maw, and the younger lead warrior tries to fight off the brief embarrassment he feels. Of course Snakeblink heard about it, He tries to tell himself, Everyone practically did. But, the older tom continues to speak... and catches the younger tom off guard. "I was wondering if you would like some advice, perhaps." ...Advice? Snakeblink is far older than him, he's been on the council longer than he has known— Snakeblink must have more experience under his belt. Turtledove turned into a fine warrior, but he can't remember if Snakeblink mentored anyone else....

Foxtail gives him a nod, and looks over to his fellow lead. "A-Advice would be greatly appreciated," He admits with a sigh, "She's n-nothing like Pebbletail...."​

𝐨𝐨𝐜 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭

• 
  
  

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  credit to raphaelion (via da) for the artwork <3
• Foxtail

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  lead warrior
  25 moons
  warmhearted
  timid
  experience: trained
  backstory: [HYPERLINK]
  biography: [HYPERLINK]
  credit to trops for the chibi <3
  

  cisgender male [he / him]
  eyes: green
  pelt: cinnamon/chocolate
  fur length: long
  parents: dawnflower and redfur (riverclan npcs)
  

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  ​

​

 

[Snakeblink]

MAYBE I'D BE A SAINT IF I WEREN'T ————————————​

Foxtail is a soft cat. Often to his detriment, but Snakeblink has to admit it makes for good company. He pretends not to see Foxtail jumping at his approach and walks at a sedate pace next to the bigger lead, mulling his response carefully.

"Or like Turtledove," he nods at Foxtail's words. "So you will have to forgive me if this advice is not… widely applicable."

His last apprentice taught him how to channel a young cat's energy into constructive effort--but Sunpaw's problem is less energy than it is stubbornness, which Turtledove never had in excess. If anything Sunpaw seems more alike to Hazewish, Cicadastar's former apprentice; their independent, strong-headedness and deep friendship with Catfishleap often got them into trouble, and cause River's first leader no end of troubles. It also led them straight into a badger's den. How had Cicadastar dealt with her? He tries to remember, but it was some time ago, and he did not pay much attention to the training of others then; he only vaguely recalls punishments born with a disgruntled look, and Cicadastar's fearsome and unpredictable presence serving as a safeguard for Hazewish's worst impulse. Foxtail, bless his heart, could not imitate that.

"Sunpaw is… willful," he says delicately, grimacing a little around the word. "She wants authority and self-determination, and she sees you as an obstacle in the way of her attaining that freedom, rather than a path to it. She believes you are holding her back."

Laying it all out does not an advice make; he tilts his head back, looking up at the reddening trees that sway above their heads. How would Smokestar have done it? He doesn't have the slightest idea; the black tom's methods always were a mystery to him, a sort of magical process where raw apprentices were given to him and he returned perfect killing machines. "Show her she is wrong. Give her difficult tasks to complete, challenges that will occupy her mind and body, something that will make her feel as if she is achieving more with you than without. Act as if she is better than she is, in skill and in personality: driven as she is, I suspect she will exhaust herself trying to reach these standards, rather than give up before she even tries."

"Responsibilities, as well--as many as you would another warrior, though nothing that would be harmful if she were to balk or fail, and nothing without you. In fact, treat her like such: an unruly warrior demoted to the rank of apprentice, who needs surveillance more than she does teaching." The thought of it is slightly funny--and accurate enough. Sunpaw certainly acts unruly enough to be brought down a rank, though he wouldn't subject the queens to her at this time.

He falls silent, shrugging in lieu of punctuation. "You've shown yourself able to stand firm in your decision. Do… more of that." ​

——————————————————————————————————— so god damn lonely​

ooc. information.

• sorry, this is.... SO late
• 
  
  
  — Snakeblink • he / him. 57 ☾, riverclan warrior
  — a sleek, skinny tabby with long ears and a scar over his right eye.
  — gay, not actually evil, penned by @Kangoo
  

​