Leaping {c}

Oliverain brought the two apprentices to the Great Ridge, the purpose being to train. She was eager to teach her apprentice, and to help Cricketpaw as well. Gazing at the view for a moment she then turned her back to it, sitting down. The warrior planned that afternoon for sparring, she didn't want them to be caught by a predator with tied paws. Oliverain took a breath internally, thinking about how to approach the subject. Maybe not sparring quite yet, try to get them comfortable first.

"Ready?" she asked the tabby and tuxedo toms, who had such different demeanors. "I want to make this fun and relaxing, so let's start with a game," she instructed, flicking her tail toward the tall trees surrounding the area, "The branches of these trees are high up in the air, and birds will be too. Let's see who can reach the highest branch. Skyclan is well known for being able to jump high and climbing, so feel free to use either method. But- but be careful please." Hopefully no cat would get hurt with this idea, perhaps she should have thought this over more. Well it was too late, the challenge was set and she didn't want to look like a worrisome cat.

Cricketpaw had basically begged Oliverain to bring him along. The idea of training alongside his brother was far too appealing to miss. While he couldn't help but shake the feeling that he had somewhere else to be right now, being engaged in the moment pushed away any other thoughts. His paws were light as he bounded joyfully after the warrior and almost dancing around Yewpaw's side. They were finally apprentices and training at each other's sides!

"I was born ready, Oliverain! If Bloodstar would have let me I would have been training at three moons, I'm sure of it." His tail lashed as he grinned up at her. After an explanation of their challenge, he glanced at Yewpaw, "I'm going to show you how it's done just watch!" Although he had no experience with climbing, short of playing on tree trunks as a kit, Cricketpaw was bound and determined to show up his brother and impress a warrior. This was his chance.

Digging his claws in, the tom proved his heritage at the very least. Powerful hindlegs sent him scrabbling up the bark fairly quickly. It was not anything overly impressive, but skilled enough for an apprentice as young as himself. About halfway up the tree, the tabby tom stopped. His paw had slipped slightly and he wanted to steady himself. At that moment, he also realized how much the endeavor had taken out of him. Cricketpaw sucked in a breath of air before looking down to shout at Yewpaw.

"Come on, Yewpaw! I want to see you do better than that!"

The member 'Ripped' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Big Dice' : 58

Despite his stony appearance, Yewpaw was actually excited to go out training, especially with his brother. The two of them had always kept close. After all, besides Aunt Lynxpetal and Uncle Foxfire, he was all the young tuxedo tom had. Cricketpaw was always better at making friends than he was. With his head held high and eyes and ears watchful, the young apprentice followed swiftly after his mentor, cheerfully play-batting at his brother on the way.

Once they’d apparently reached their destination, Oliverain proposed a game to see which of he and Cricketpaw could make it to the top. Or was it who could go the highest? Well, either way they’d be competing. Yewpaw took a quick glance at his brother and grinned - although it really just manifested as the side of his maw barely opening to reveal a glimpse of his teeth. “I don’t plan on losing.” With that he dug his claws into the bark and began climbing not unlike a squirrel. He scurried as fast as he could, taking a few glances to look at the expression on Cricketpaw’s face. While Yewpaw had certainly been fast, the shower of bark bits showed he wasn’t all that graceful yet. But was he fast enough?

He didn’t quite process his brother’s words for a second, but once he heard them his once tired paws gained new vigor. Yewpaw let out a huff as he climbed past and kept climbing until he reached high enough the tree started bending in the wind. Maybe this was a little too high, but he won! “What was that? I can’t hear you from down there!”

The member 'Headless Knight' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Big Dice' : 101

Oliverain smiled at Cricketpaw's confidence, finding it kit-like and precious. She hoped he kept that with him as he grew. The warrior watched him climb the tree, getting about halfway. "Good job Cricketpaw!" she yelled up to him, doubtful he would hear. Yewpaw took off after him, his speed gave Oliverain a worried expression. He better be careful..

Her apprentice rose past Cricketpaw, ending up about double his brother's height. The ragdoll's heart went faster, her eyes reflecting fear. She shook out her fur in an attempt to remain calm. But that was hard when someone she cared about was in danger. She yowled at the top of her lungs, "Yewpaw! Come down!" Watching him sway in the breeze made her stomach feel like dirt. She couldn't bear him getting hurt, or worse. This was her apprentice, a young cat that she told to go up there. If the tuxedo didn't- or couldn't get down, she would have to go up and help him. She looked at the tree, wondering if she could, since she had such little experience in climbing. Oliverain would do it anyway, if need be.

The challenge had been issued, and it begun swiftly. Yewpaw's words caused Cricketpaw to twitch his whiskers and roll his eyes. There was no way that his brother would beat him. Of the two of them, the dark-striped tabby was convinced that his physical abilities were far superior. He clutched the branch as he watched the other apprentice scrabble up. The astonishing speed at which Yewpaw ascended caused the prideful grin to slowly disappear from his maw. How was it possible that his brother had gotten so high and so fast? Had Beechface given him special herbs or something?

It was Oliverain's yowl that snapped him out of the confused stupor. Blinking slowly and shaking his head ever so slightly, Cricketpaw found himself back in the moment. He gritted his teeth and tugged at every bit of his energy to press on. While Yewpaw might have bested him so far, he wouldn't give up now. The idea that their accompanying warrior might not have been pleased with his desire to climb higher did not even occur to the young tom. Cricketpaw had a goal and he was determined to complete it - nothing would stop him now. This was a climbing challenged, it was in his blood! Not even his own kin would best him.

Renewed energy carried him higher and higher, the ground and Oliverain seemingly another world away. But the tom didn't stop to look down until he'd ascended a sizable distance. When he stopped, satisfaction welled up within and his whiskers began to twitch with joy as he realized a particular black and white pelt was just below him. He wriggled his haunches, digging his claws deep into the branch that bowed and sway. It was then he finally looked down at his brother's mentor with a jovial grin and yowled, "How about that for a first day of climbing! Do I win yet, Oliverain?"

The member 'Ripped' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Big Dice' : 154