ugh, training time (closed)

With him not being a fan of the mornings, Fuzzface decided him and his new apprentice would go on an evening patrol. While he wasn't the least bit excited about having to actually do something, it had worked out perfectly and he'd been able to sleep in and relax earlier in the day. Now though, he sat near the camp entrance waiting for his apprentice to join him and doing his best to not fall asleep again. Oh, how he could've gone for a snack right about now...

Hickorypaw wasn’t particularly enthused for her first day of training. She hadn’t heard the name Fuzzface before the day prior, and that was for a reason, it seemed; the tom was not well liked by… well, anyone she’d asked. Still, he was a warrior for a reason, and she’d been apprenticed to him for a reason. The young apprentice had spent the day pacing camp restlessly, practicing her hunting crouch and front paw swipe - the the only things she knew how to do, even if at a kit-like level. As soon as she saw her mentor approach the camp entrance, Hickorykit padded towards Fuzzface, who looked… sort of drowsy. Why’d he choose an evening outing if he’s nodding off now? the molly wondered, a little annoyed. Wasn’t getting an apprentice an honor? Something to be excited about?

Shaking the thoughts from her head, Hickorypaw padded towards her mentor, clearing her throat. “Um, hi. I’m ready to head out.”

Watching his apprentice approach and listening as she spoke, the warrior flicked one of his short ears as he met her gaze. Earlier, he’d happened to catch her practicing her hunting moves and couldn’t help but be amused. So many apprentices wanted to become the very best warrior on the moors, but if every-cat was the best… well, then they’d all technically be the same and thus reduced to being nothing more than average warriors. It was certainly food for thought, but if only it was actual food he could put in his belly.

With that having been enough thinking for one lifetime, the tom opened his maw to speak. “Finally,” Fuzzface grumbled as if he’d been waiting ages, when in fact he’d practically just arrived to this spot as well and had just barely sat his wide rump down.

“Well, let’s get a move on then,” he mewed flatly as he heaved himself up. Giving his grey pelt a shake he began to pad out of camp and into the territory with his apprentice in tow.

After a few moments of walking at a fairly slow pace, his thoughts escaped him. “I saw ya practicing hunting moves,” he admitted, turning his amber gaze to the russet-pelted molly. “Ya know, in most cases hunting and fighting will come naturally, I promise,” he added in a matter-of-fact sort of way. He was far from being an outstanding citizen, but learning to hunt and even fight wasn’t anything he’d ever worried about and over the course of being a warrior had discovered that skills could of course be refined, but learning them was no reason to stress.

What did he mean, finally? Hickorypaw ignored her mentor’s comment but for a flick of an ear. Fuzzface had been sitting for half a minute at best. She’d pretty quickly determined she wouldn’t like her
mentor, but she was stuck with him. Perhaps he had some hidden talent in teaching (she doubted that). As the pair headed out of camp, Hickorypaw glanced curiously around the moors. She’d never ventured out of WindClan’s bramble-enclosed base before.

Her sightseeing came to a halt as Fuzzface spoke - he’d seen her practicing. That was embarrassing; Hickorypaw knew her hunting skills were… bad. To put it lightly. Of course, that was what being an apprentice was for - improvement. Still, she hadn’t intended for anyone to see her earlier practice. Fuzzface, she supposed, would have seen her skills (or lack of them) at one point or another, so there was little point to mulling over it. His next words weren’t comforting to the apprentice, who couldn’t tell if they were meant to be or not. Hunting and fighting sure didn’t feel natural to her! The only talent Hickorypaw knew she possessed was speed. It was in her body - small, thin, but just muscular enough to be fast. Perhaps she could utilize that in hunting - crouch less, chase rabbits more.

“Are you gonna teach me how to hunt, then? Or fight, or… something?” Her voice came out slightly more pointed than intended, still ruffled from Fuzzface’s previous statement.

Letting out a yawn as they padded onwards, part of his was surprised that an apprentice of all cats didn't have much more to say, seeing as though most of them were usually more talkative. He supposed he shouldn't be complaining though since he did in fact like the silence more than getting his ears talked off of his head. Of course, he knew that his apprentice still itched to learn and he silently prayed that someday StarClan would bless him with a lazy apprentice like he'd once been. For now though, he'd have to teach her something, in an effort of the clan's higherups not finding out that he wasn't exactly the best teacher.

"Let's get this over with then," he sighed. Waiting a few moments and continuing to walk by her side, the plump tom suddenly reached over and snapped his sharp teeth at her pelt, hopefully catching her off guard with his unexpected timing.


Fuzzface used Snap, dealing -10 HP and costing -7 SP.

Fuzzface
HP: 55/55
SP: 103/110

Hickorypaw
HP: 10/20
SP: 60/60