Frostpaw's Assessment

Leopardfang was very invested in his Clan, and he wanted to see to it that all apprentices were trained to his high standards. He'd patrolled with Frostpaw some time ago, but she had been shy and somewhat reserved. Hopefully some of that timidity had began to reshape itself into confidence and pride. The deputy was friends with her mentor, but otherwise he didn't know much of her training so it seemed that an assessment was in order. There was still a bit of grief in his heart for Magpiewing, lost to the twolegs. StarClan knows what terrible things could be happening to him at this moment... The spotted tom cleared his mind and forced his grief to the back of his mind. He had an assessment to give. "Frostpaw, are you awake?"

The loss of her mentor had deeply saddened the she-cat, but she knew that she had to continue on training to become a warrior, despite what had happened. Frostpaw sat up in her nest, blinking her green eyes a few times to make her vision adjust to the light. She hadn't been sleeping, only laying with her eyes closed to have some time to herself. "Yes, Leopardfang, I'm awake," she answered as she padded out of the den. Her fur, like usual, was in perfect condition and very well groomed; it shined in the light of the late afternoon.

He curled his tail around his paws and looked on with approval. It was encouraging to see that she had coped well with the loss of her mentor."Excellent. I believe you've advanced well enough in your training to give you an assessment. I'm sure you know the rules, but I'll just explain it anyway. Wouldn't want any mix-ups, would we? As per usual, you have a set amount of time to catch three pieces of prey. I'll be watching but you are not to acknowledge me. Now, the time limit is moonhigh and it starts now." He didn't know what to expect from her, but Magpiewing's training was probably thorough.

OOC: You can do it in one big post or draw it out, whatever best suits you.

Frostpaw nodded, then paused for a moment to see if Leopardfang would leave or if she was supposed to walk away. She decided to leave, so the apprentice turned and bounded off into the territory. Okay, Frostpaw, now is your time to prove how good you've improved and how well you've learned. With a determined expression on her face, the white she-cat tackled her task confidently. She stopped and sniffed the air for any sign of prey. Smelling none, Frostpaw moved on. She kept her footsteps light and her tail off the ground, staying as quiet as possible as she weaved through Shadowclan's territory.

The she-cat stopped again and opened her mouth as she took a deep breath, the scent of a mouse flooding her senses. She immediately dropped down into a hunting crouch and crept forward with all her weight on her haunches, towards a dead-looking tree where a mouse nibbled on a nut at the roots. The grey creature was thin and small, but it was food. I hate that my assessment is in leaf-fall, she thought as she stopped a few tail-lengths from the mouse. With a swift leap, Frostpaw pounced and killed it with a quick bite to the neck. She buried it and continued on.

...time lapse...

After missing a toad, Frostpaw was sure to catch two more pieces of prey to complete the assessment. She was sure Leopardfang had seen her mess up, but shrugged it off. A smell flooded her senses...it was a thrush! The pure white apprentice crept toward a gnarled tree and paused under it's branches. She spotted the prey and waited for the right moment, then jumped upwards with her claw extended. The she-cat snagged the thrush and brought it down, killing it with an easy bite to the neck. 

She buried it under the tree and moved on. The good hunter came to a vole blocking her path, so she bent down into a perfected hunting crouch and used the same technique as she used while hunting the mouse. She kept all her weight on her haunches and crept forward until she was a few tail-lengths away, then she pounced and killed it with one blow of her paw. That was easy, she thought as she looked up at the dark sky. It wasn't quite moonhigh...maybe a couple hours before. She smiled to herself, feeling accomplished. "I...I think I'm done, leopardfang," she called out, positive he was somewhere near-by.

He watched with interest, noting her perfect form. ShadowClan had a good set of apprentices up and coming; it wouldn't be long until leaf-bare, but the Clan would easily make it through. Quiet form like that would be useful for an ambush or raid, as well. He was just as quiet as her so that he didn't draw her attention from her task, and Leopardfang observed her closely. One missed toad didn't bother him, especially since she so easily made up for it. "You've done well." He meowed, padding from the shadows behind her. "I'm pleased to say that you've passed. I'll have a word with Thrushstar about your warrior ceremony possibly happening soon. Fetch your prey."

Frostpaw couldn't help but let a smile creep onto her face. "Yes, Leopardfang. Thank you," the apprentice replied before giving him a respectful nod and running off to gather her buried catches. Frostpaw was glad she wasn't good at fighting because she had trained more for hunting and aced her assessment. The she-cat was a quick learner and kept her focus on her training and duties, which all helped in passing the test.