Frosted Wings (Closed)

It had taken quite a bit of effort for Finchstream to lift herself out of her nest that morning, her steadily growing belly an extra weight she had to bare.  She knew that, by now, most queens probably would've moved into the nursery...but she didn't want to let another apprentice down.  Plus...though she already loved her kits, their existence was something she did not want to be questioned about, and the nursery was a prime ground for gossip.  With a deep yawn, the small she-cat padded up to the apprentice's den and poked her head inside; "Wake up Frostpaw, it's time to go."  Her voice was gentle but firm.  She knew about her apprentice's behavior as a kit and understood that she would need firm guidance in order to calm down and take things seriously.  Maybe that was why she had been chosen...to be a level-headed, calm example of what Frostpaw needed.  She could only hope she lived up to the task...

Frostpaw let out a small groan as her name was called. She didn't want to get out of her nest but she knew that she was being called for training. Being out in the territory instead of stuck in camp was almost as good as her nice soft nest. The white she-cat stood up, shook out her fur, and stretched a long yawn following. As soon as she was ready Frostpaw padded out of the den. "I'm ready to go Finchstream." She informed her mentor.

Finchstream greeted the snowy-white apprentice with a warm purr as she emerged from the den, and nodded.  "Awesome, follow me!"  As she turned and led the way across the camp and out into their meadowy territory, she felt her belly swing below her in an uncomfortable sort of way, and she hoped against hope that it just looked like a mix of her long fur and green-leaf plumpness.  She wasn't sure exactly what she was afraid of...the kits were going to be born and cats would ask questions either way, but she just didn't feel ready for them.

After a few minutes of walking, they arrived at the bank of the river, the calming sound of its rushing waters soothing her as always.  Picking her way carefully down the dusty slope, she led Frostpaw to a spot where the bank dropped off into a deep pocket, one of her favorite spots for fishing.  She often came here with Nutfur, and now she was excited to share it with her apprentice.  As she sat down, she had to shift her belly in order to be comfortable, but after a moment she began to speak.  "Okay Frostpaw, today I'm going to teach you the basics of fishing.  It's quite simple once you get the hang of it, but it may take you a couple tries." Smiling, she crouched down at the edge of the water - made a bit more difficult by her bulging stomach - and gazed down into the shadowy water through intent golden eyes.  "First of all, you must be very quiet.  Fish are sensitive creatures, any sudden movement or sound can scare them."  Her voice lowered to a whisper, and she halted her twitching tail.  "Second, you must be patient.  Wait for the fish to appear near the surface before you reach for it, if you strike too soon you'll scare it away, along with all the other fish in the area."  She twitched her ears, signaling for Frostpaw to crouch down as well, but Finchstream didn't take her eyes off of the water.

Frostpaw followed behind her mentor without question. She could see that the warrior was plumper than normal the sway of the warrior as she walked gave it away. Either she was with kits or she was just eating way too many fish. Which she figured the later was the case seeing how she wasn't in the nursery yet.

The white apprentice watched as the warrior awkwardly settled down by the bank after the walked down a dusty slope. Yeah she was definitely too fat. The thoughts of her mentor being fat disappeared as the warrior started talking about how to catch a fish in a quiet tone. Patient? Pssh She could do patient. The white apprentice settled down next to the bank laying the way that Finchstrem was laying. She could see the flick of fish swimming in the deeper water below but none had come to the surface. Oh how tempted she was to just sink one of her claws into a fish now. They needed to hurry up.

After a few moments, one of the fish that resided in Finchstream's pocket of water neared the surface, flicking it's fanned tail with expert grace and agility.  Her eyes narrowing to concentrated slits, she mumbled out of the corner of her mouth as she raised a careful paw into position; "Third of all, watch closely."  With a jerk of her leg, the petite she-cat's forepaw shot down into the water with lightning speed, her unsheathed claws hooking the fish's side and dragging it up out of the water.  With a well-timed fling, the carp flew in a high arc as it broke the surface, landing a couple pawsteps away on the bank, flapping its body wildly.  With a slight grunt of exertion, Finchstream dashed forward and sunk her jaws into its spine, killing it quickly.  She was about to shove the fish out of sight, as she normally did...but in that brief moment of confidence, she decided to try something.  Pulling back from her catch, she looked down at it.  For a moment, she was overwhelmed by the thought of what she was doing, and could only see the blood.  Small streaks along its side, from where her teeth had sunk in, the damage she had done.  The vision of that bloodied apprentice spang forward into her mind, but for the first time...she managed to shove it away.

For the first time in ages, she was fearless.

She still felt a bit of bile rise in her throat, but as she spoke to herself it abated, until there was nothing left.  It's okay Finchstream, there's nothing to be afraid of.  No one is injured expect my prey, every cat in okay and healthy.  You are okay.  Her smile revealing her happiness, she turned to Frostpaw and purred.  "Did you see all that dear?  Now, you try, and try to do exactly as I did."

The member 'Rainu-chan' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 9