Roses and Webs [C]

The sun had just started to set, bathing the sky in a warm orange, a few streaks of twilight purple breaking up what remained of the daylight. Soon, the sun would sink away out of view, and the moon would rise and the stars would start to twinkle—

..or not.

Webpaw took a break from his restless pacing to look up at the sky, where a few clouds had started to gather.

Great, the tom thought ruefully, tail starting to wave. There wouldn't be any stars tonight, at least not a great pawful of them, and maybe no visible moon, either. It was inconsequential, but it was something to look forward to. Stars overhead – beautiful to look at, and proof StarClan would be watching them. With a huff, he resumed his pacing. Maybe if I do this long enough, I'll wear a hole in the ground.

Rosethorn had told him earlier that day that they would be going out to train today, though she hadn't given any specifics. He appreciated her for letting him know at all, so he had plenty of time to psych himself up for.. whatever she had in mind for him. He'd been looking forward to it, head reeling with all the possibilities of what he'd learn, but the thinking had started to get under his pelt like ants. What if he wasn't a good apprentice? What if he messed up? What if he couldn't do anything right? What if, what if, what if...

Reminding himself Rosethorn was there to teach, and he had no reason to know everything anyway, he forced his paws to stop so he could scan the camp, searching for any sign of his mentor.

Originally, despite how she had bragged about it, Rosethorn was a little nervous at being a mentor. After all, she herself had only JUST gotten past apprenticeship, and now she was expected to teach another cat the same! But of course, she couldn't avoid her responsibilities forever. She was a warrior, and it was a warrior's job to teach apprentices should they be given one. And so she promised Webpaw that she would take him out today.

And then Emberleap had come to her requesting she take Firepaw out as well. She couldn't remember why, if he had even given a reason, but she agreed anyway. So after she let Firepaw know, she made her way to her own apprentice.

"I hope you don't mind, Firepaw will be joining us today. I figured you two could learn a few moves and spar, if that is okay with you?"

Firepaw padded up to the group, she wasn't too sure why Emberleap wasn't coming but it must be important business. But she wasn't going to snoop or press for an answer, wasn't really any of her business. And if she was going to get to see her brother then she had no reason to complain. Firepaw was quick to follow Rosethorn, gleefully smiling as she saw her sibling, Webpaw. "Hey Web," She mewed, seeming to only start the talking process when it was her family, and no other. She was happy to stay quiet, she never knew what to say, and found it so much easier to just... not verbalize.

Rosethorn's appearance quickly eased Webpaw's nerves, but the mention– and subsequent arrival of –his sister soothed him entirely. He offered them both a warm smile, shuffling a bit closer to Firepaw so he could touch his nose to her shoulder. "Hi," he meowed, eyes sparkling. "Rosethorn said we're going to spar today," he went on, nodding briefly toward his mentor. He liked her well enough, and he would have been fine if training had been the two of them, but he was glad Firepaw would be joining. His family was safe to him, especially his sister, who shared his need for quiet.

Leading the pair through the undergrowth, Rosethorn crouched down, a grin on her face as she looked back. "Alright guys. I am going to show you a move that only us ShadowClan cats know. After I do it, you can try it on each other. Alright? Claws sheathed, though, we don't need y'all getting hurt. Emberleap would kill me if I let anything happen to his apprentice." She flashed a teasing grin at Firepaw before facing forward, bunching her muscles to prepare for the attack.

Once she was fully prepared, she launched herself out of the undergrowth, surgin forward in a flurry of claws. Of course, her target did not put up much of a fight. It was kind of only a tree. But the siblings should be able to get the point well enough. "Alright, Firepaw, why don't you stand out here, and then Webpaw can try the move on you. Then you two will switch. Alright?"

Rosethorn used Shadowed Ambush on tree, dealing no damage because it is a tree. The day a cat can actually fight a tree will be the day Rosethorn stops teasing Mistyfalcon and Murkystrike.

Firepaw nodded softly, barely noticeable to those not looking at her. She shuffled over to her spot, watching attentively as Rosethorn demonstrated on the tree. Firepaw thought on Rosethorns words, the phrasing putting her off. Rosethorn said 'His apprentice', and not her as herself, and of course, she would have Webpaw go first since he was her apprentice. But she understood she supposed. Firepaw wasn't a resentful kind of cat, but she was slowly understanding that maybe she felt as if the divide was a bit wider than she had known.

Webpaw offered Firepaw a smile, gently flicking her flank with his tail as she padded past him. Glancing at Rosethorn as she finished her instructions, he nodded to himself, already replaying her demonstration in his mind. Okay. I can do this! Crouching down low, he kept his attention on his sister, patiently waiting for what felt like the right time. He remained still for few heartbeats longer than he had to, but soon enough he bolted out of the undergrowth, bowling into Firepaw full speed. It had been a little graceless, as he'd meant to just pin her but he found himself hitting the ground next to her. "Hi," he mewed with a little laugh, eyes bright.

Webpaw used Shadowed Ambush on Firepaw! No damage; sparring.