Just Keep Swimming [c]

Stormdance

Stormdance had put off teaching Rowanpaw how to swim properly for far, far too long. At first, it was because Rowanpaw's initial recklessness around the river made Stormdance deeply nervous, and he hadn't felt like he could teach Rowanpaw in a way where Rowanpaw would actually listen to him and not get himself hurt. Then it was because his leg was broken, and he simply couldn't do swimming lessons. Even when it was fully healed, Stormdance waited until he stopped feeling sore every time he went for a swim. He wanted to make sure he was strong enough to swim on his own, on the off-chance something went wrong. 

He had been lamenting some of this to Poppyshine when she brought up that she had been trying to figure out how to teach Irispaw as well, and so Stormdance offered to do it together. He knew that Poppyshine had some anxiety when it came to swimming and the river, and so this way he could do most of the actual swimming but still have another warrior there to help manage the rowdy apprentices. Plus, Rowanpaw was way more likely to behave when he's in Poppyshine's eyesight, so Stormdance felt more confident about actually being able to conduct the lessons safely. Besides, both he and Poppyshine knew they had to teach their apprentices before Leaf-fall set in in full and the river became too cold to swim in.

And so, the two warriors and two apprentices headed down to the river together. Stormdance glanced at the young tom and she-cat following him and Poppyshine, trying to get a read on how both young cats were feeling. Rowanpaw, he knew, had originally been pretty excited (in his own way) about getting to swim, though he was sure he wasn't as happy about doing it under supervision. And Irispaw tended to approach most things with plenty of enthusiasm. Stormdance himself was actually feeling pretty excited too. It was a nice, warm day, the chill of leaf-fall having not quite set in, and he had good company with him. He actually quite enjoyed swimming, and was looking forward to cooling off in the river.

Poppyshine

Poppyshine’s movements were stiff as she walked alongside Stormdance to the river. Once upon a time she was so terrified of the river that she went completely out of her way to avoid it under any circumstances. It wasn’t so bad now. She could manage to fish at the river and even step into it when she really needed to. But it was a different story when she was there with apprentices who she had to look after—who relied on her—who she had to teach when she did not know how to swim herself.

Still, she was grateful that Stormdance invited her. It would be a lot easier to help teach Irispaw with someone there, and it was nice knowing that Rowanpaw was finally learning. Poppyshine should have taught her children when they were kits out at the broken pools, but even that was too frightening for Poppyshine. Now half of her children were warriors, and thankfully, some of them were naturals in the water. Poppyshine could thank their father’s genes for that. Poppyshine only hoped that none of her children were like her, destined to be a RiverClan who didn’t know how to swim.

“Alright,” Poppyshine meowed, trying to brighten up her voice as they arrived at the river. “The river is not too fast today, so it should be a nice and leisurely day to swim.” She looked to Rowanpaw. “You be careful here—longer fur makes it harder to swim. You still have RiverClan blood, but your fur will weigh down when soaked.”

Rowanpaw

When Stormdance and Poppyshine herded Irispaw and himself together under the pretense of a swimming lesson, Rowanpaw had nearly bubbled over with excitement. He didn't know how do much other than haplessly splashing around, but that was fine in his eyes. It was fun, and the water just felt nice besides. Maybe not so much now, with the air starting to feel colder than it had over green-leaf, but it'd be nice anyhow. Poppyshine was with them, after all! That was a delight in itself. But so was his new friend Irispaw, and he could even find appreciation in his mentor's presence, who he was learning to like. Rowanpaw stuck close to his mother's side as they set out, occasionally brushing against her, and only huffing a little when she moved ahead to pad besides Stormdance.

While he wouldn't voice it-- not with her present, at least --nor would he complain, it seemed a little odd to him that Poppyshine had chosen to come along. He didn't know why, exactly, but she'd always seemed skittish towards the river. Or water at all, really. Not for lack of wanting her around, but Rowanpaw almost wished she hadn't come. Though he could hear the bubbling current, they had yet to reach the river proper, and she already looked stiff walking along. His whiskers twitched in consideration. He hoped the little lesson would go swell.

Ears twitching to attention when Poppyshine addressed him directly, Rowanpaw let out a little snort and puffed out his chest. "Never fear. I cannot see RiverClan's best apprentice being swept away so easily, or at all." He purred steadily, lifting his chin as he spoke. Hopefully she wouldn't worry too much; despite the subtle chill in the air, it was a nice day, and swimming was in their blood. Even if he wasn't a RiverClan cat, he was the best at everything he did; he would figure it out, one way or another. Turning to Irispaw, he lagged a little so he could give her a maybe-too-rough nudge against her shoulder. "I'm sure you can make the same promise, yes? Not to fall in? Well, more than you're meant to, at least."