It's Alright to Take Time (closed)

Usually, Perchfall rolled out of the warriors' den the moment that the sun began appearing on the horizon. But this morning, she stayed in her nest for just a moment. She couldn't explain why. It might have been the lingering sense of inadequacy, or a return of the loss of Beetlepaw, or something else entirely. Whatever the reason, she hesitated to get up. The warriors' den was fuller than it had been in a little while. A few mouse-lengths away, Tinypool slept, curled in on herself so small she was barely visible in the dim light. Even closer, her friend Ashflight's nest, where the fluffy gray tom's sleeping face was buried in his own tail. What was it about them that made them... how they were? So bright, so alive? And how could she learn to be like them? How could she obtain that ease of personality, that shine to her face? Was it even possible?

There she went again, wasting everyone's time. She was a deputy. She had somewhere to be, somewhere to go-- another apprentice to train. It would be unfair to make Poppypaw wait. Sighing slightly in disappointment at herself, Perchfall briefly shook out her pelt before stepping carefully around the other nests. Hers was in the furthest corner, where no one else had wanted to sleep due to the small hole in the mossy wall letting in chilly air. As deputy, she had taken it to prevent quarrelling, and because it didn't really matter to her where she slept. But as she stepped over him, she glanced down at Ashflight for a moment. An overwhelming desire to wake him up filled her. To take someone else with her. To spend more time with someone who appreciated her. With a minor bit of difficulty, she stopped her paw from brushing against him, and instead exited into the freezing dawn that was rising over RiverClan camp. The tom would need his strength for hunting later. She shouldn't bother him.

A gentle nudge of her paw did not wake her friend. Instead, she stepped silently into the apprentices' den and awoke its newest member. "Time for training, Poppypaw," was all that Perchfall whispered before leaving, and sitting by the camp entrance to await the she-cat's presence. She couldn't really explain why she'd appointed Poppypaw to be her own apprentice. She was conflicted-- she'd successfully helped Tinypool become a warrior, but Beetlepaw had languished and then died. She didn't want the happy-go-lucky calico to have any problems. But as deputy, she felt like if she wasn't helping out the Clan in every possible way, she was failing somehow. Taking an apprentice was one of the best ways to help. And besides-- the she-cat had seemed at least excited, if not happy, that she was her mentor. Maybe this would turn out okay. Maybe she would be a good mentor after all.

Poppypaw had struggled to fall asleep last night. Moving from the nursery to the apprentice's den had been hard. There were new cats that she had seen around but didn't know personally. The only apprentice she did know was Mallowpaw, but her warrior ceremony was surely going to arrive soon, so then Poppypaw would have no one. It wasn't that she didn't like the other apprentices or didn't want to get to know them, but it was just so much easier to speak with kits.

On top of all of those worries, it was also difficult to fall asleep simply because she was excited. As nervous as she was, she was finally an apprentice! She could go out hunting and help patrols and contribute more to her clan. And once again, she couldn't believe that Perchfall was going to be teaching her. RiverClan's great deputy was going to teach her! Poppypaw had no idea what she did to earn such an honor, but it filled her with so much energy and excitement that she hadn't been able to fall asleep until far late into the night.

Now she did slumber, until she was awoken by Perchfall. Poppypaw opened her eyes just a little, small slits peeking out into the world. It took a moment for Perchfall's words to sink in, but once they registered, Poppypaw's eyes opened wide and she sprung to her feet.

"Yes!" Poppypaw said, and then, when she realized how early it was and that apprentices around her were still slumbering, she repeated in a far quieter voice, "Yes, Perchfall!"

Her tail vibrated on end as she happily followed Perchfall out of the den for their first training. Poppypaw could feel a fatigue weighing on her from the smaller amount of sleep she'd gotten, but for now, her sheer excitement buzzed through her veins and kept her awake easier than any catnip could.

"What are we learning today?" she asked, looking up at her mentor with a curious gaze.

Slipping into the familiar routine before her made the tension in Perchfall's shoulders relax somewhat. While Jaystar and the other warriors always seemed to be uncomfortable around her stoic façade, her apprentices never truly cared. There was something about the innocence of young cats that lightened her burden slightly, and Poppypaw's exuberance was no exception. Though she still didn't smile, the neutral expression on the deputy's face grew slightly softer in the rising orange light of dawn. "We will be learning how to fish," she responded with a nod. "But first, we need to get to where we can do that. Follow me." White paws retracing familiar steps through a crackling layer of snow, Perchfall walked out of camp, occasionally glancing back to make sure that the little apprentice was right behind her.

Poppypaw kept up with Perchfall, though she did fall a bit behind as she looked around at what lay beyond the camp. She had grown so accustomed to the safe camp that was safely surrounded by rivers and water. Now she got to leave that island of safety. She was going to learn to fish! Her mind wandered back to Mallowpaw and what she said about snatching a fish with a single claw during leafbare to prevent getting frozen.

She trotted along behind Perchfall and her gaze returned to her mentor after she looked at all the wetland and stretches of river. "How far do we usually travel to hunt?" Many apprentices leave for most hours of the day before they return, so Poppypaw had always imagined that the hunting grounds were very far away.

Quiet pawsteps through the lingering layers of snow and frost were the only audible sound for a while. Perchfall thrived in the relative silence-- it gave her some time to think. However, she knew from experience that the lack of conversation wouldn't last long. As soon as the awe wore off, the questions would probably begin.... and, begin they did. At least Poppypaw just started with one question instead of firing off several like Tinypool had. Though she didn't laugh, there was a slightly amused twitch to the deputy's whiskers before she responded. "Our territory may seem large, but it is not too far of a walk to any part of the river. Most of the time spent out on patrol is hunting, not traveling." With that, after their brief silent walk, they were beginning to near the wider part of the river.

It was still over-swollen with melted snowfall and the occasional chunk of slush sliding down. As usual, this made it very dangerous to fish in, let alone try to cross. "Usually the river is lower, but thanks to leaf-bare, fishing has become more difficult," Perchfall commented as they walked up to the banks. She made sure that she was downstream of Poppypaw, keeping a close eye on her, in case of any sort of accident. "That is why you won't be learning to swim in it, at least not today. Are you ready to learn how to fish?" Hopefully her demonstration would go better than last time with Tinypool; due to the harsh season, she hadn't caught a thing.

Poppypaw nodded eagerly. She watched a couple of the small shadows in the river dart around, and he instincts made her want to dive right in. But it was cold and Perchfall was going to be the one to demonstrate to her.

She sat down and turned her attention to Perchfall. Poppypaw didn't have much confidence in her own abilities, but she was going to do her best to absorb all that the deputy had to offer her. "Ready!"

Perchfall nodded, mentally preparing herself to teach once more. If all cats had the enthusiasm of the apprentices she'd had, then maybe the Clans would have a few less problems. And maybe a few more. Who knew? Anyway, it was time to focus on the matter at paw. "Fishing with the river like this is difficult, but still doable. You want to sit close to the river, but not so close that you will fall in." Moving a little closer to the bank, she demonstrated-- there was at least a mouse-length between her closest paw and the raging waters. "If you do fall in, then I will catch you. But please try not to."

As the deputy began to pay closer attention to the river, her ears perked slightly forward. "What you want to do is watch the water. It is usually clearer than this, but even as full of snow as it is, you can still see the occasional fish beneath the surface. That is what you are looking for." She raised one white paw, claws unsheathed. "Sometimes you use your mouth to fish, but with the river this full, using claws is preferable. You want to see the fish, aim for it, and try to swipe it out of the water onto the bank." Having said all she needed to, and still keeping Poppypaw in her peripheral vision, she began to scan the rapids more intently. Sure enough, she saw a moving lump underneath the foggy current. Was it a fish? Only one way to find out. With a practiced flash, her claws dipped into the river--

However, a goose had seen the fish at the same time she did, and flapped down from its solitary skyward journey for a quick meal. It misaimed and swooped next to Perchfall instead, before getting up with a hiss and aiming irritably at the cat in its way.

In her shock, Perchfall lost the fish she had seen, and turned instead to take a sharp blow to the top of her head. A slightly pained grunt left her lungs as the unexpected attack took her off guard. This is such a bad time! Poppypaw has never fought before! What if she gets hurt? Shaking away the pain, she slashed out at the large bird. "Back off, Poppypaw! I'll handle it!" Her voice was still not loud or emotional, but the tone was authoritative with an underlying urgency. This was not what she had planned.

Perchfall tried to catch a fish, and summoned a Goose instead. -7 SP

The Goose used Beaked Thrust on Perchfall, dealing 10 damage and costing 15 stamina. Perchfall used Front Paw Strike on the Goose, dealing 8 damage and costing 7 stamina.

Perchfall:
40/50 HP
106/120 SP

Goose:
47/55 HP
155/170 SP

Poppypaw:
20/20 HP
60/60 SP


OOC: Here are the hunting rules and the battle rules in case you haven't seen them yet. Unfortunately, rolling a 9 means our hunting patrol has been interrupted by a predator, which we need to fight off. Let me know if you have any questions!

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 9

Poppypaw had been watching so closely that she hadn't even noticed the goose until it had fallen right against Perchfall. Poppypaw let out a ragged shriek and jumped onto her toes. Her fur puffed in fear and a hiss left her lips. She watched with wide eyes as Perchfall struck at the bird. When Perchfall's words registered, Poppypaw squeaked out, "Are you sure?! I want to help!"

No, no, she couldn't not do anything! She may not have been an apprentice for long but she was an apprentice. And she was not about to let her mentor fight a predator all by herself while she sat by.

She sprinted at the goose and knocked into its side, earning a brief honk from the bird. The force nearly knocked Poppy onto the ground when she landed, and the ice under her paws caused her small body to slide. But her claws raked into the cold ground and held her footing. She glanced at Perchfall and added, "I can help." Her gaze returned and she watched what the goose would do with critical eyes.

Poppypaw used Headbutt, dealing 4 damage and costing 5 stamina.

Perchfall:
40/50 HP
106/120 SP

Goose:
43/55 HP (-4)
155/170 SP

Poppypaw:
20/20 HP
55/60 SP (-5)

[OOC: Thank you! I've been giving them both a read over the past few days. Please let me know if I get something wrong!]

Well, Perchfall couldn't say that she hadn't anticipated the possibility that her apprentice wouldn't listen to her. After all, it probably made the most sense to tackle this predator together. However, on the other hand, Poppypaw had no idea what she was doing. This was her first patrol out in the territory! Which one of her ancestors hated her enough to consign her to this danger? However, even as the deputy noticed the addition of a second cat in the fray, her attention was drawn immediately back to her opponent by another quick strike to the head. Her ears began to ring slightly. I'm not very good at battle.... StarClan, at least keep Poppypaw safe. Lashing out with both paws this time, she heard a squawk from the goose when her claws connected with its feathers. "Fine," she returned shortly to the apprentice. "Don't get hurt."

Goose used Beaked Thrust on Perchfall, dealing 10 damage and costing 15 stamina. Perchfall used Front Paw Strike and Desperate Blows, dealing 13 (8+5) damage and costing 14 (7+7) stamina.

Perchfall:
30/50 HP
92/120 SP

Goose:
30/55 HP
140/170 SP

Poppypaw:
20/20 HP
55/60 SP

Poppypaw answered with a silent, determined yawn. She cringed when the goose lashed out at her mentor again, and she wished that she was bigger and could do more damage. Or even know what to do in this situation. She watched Perchfall and noted the slashing of her claws, much like what she was trying to show Poppypaw with the fish.

You want to see the fish, aim, and swipe, Poppypaw thought to herself as she recalled Perchfall's instructions. How much harder could that be against a goose? It was just like a big fish--except she was trying to hurt it, not make it her dinner.

Poppypaw unsheathed her claws and rushed up to the goose, slashing at it before taking a couple cautious steps back again to not get hurt.

Poppypaw used Front Paw Strike, dealing 6 damage and costing 7 stamina.

Perchfall:
30/50 HP
92/120 SP

Goose:
24/55 HP (-6)
140/170 SP

Poppypaw:
20/20 HP
48/60 SP (-7)

Poppypaw was certainly doing a lot better than Perchfall had previously thought she would. Either it was her quick thinking, or a sharp guess, but the apprentice was contributing significantly to the fight. A tiny bit of hope began to warm up the deputy's chest. Maybe she had failed to teach hunting for now... but at least they could defeat this goose together. And maybe, they could drag it back to camp. The bird was certainly big enough to feed at least a few cats. And the feathers could line their nests and warm them up!

The goose interrupted her thoughts with another quick strike to her head. For a moment, she saw stars. Then she shook it off. She could succeed at something. Flicking her tail determinedly, Perchfall leapt onto the large form of the goose, pinning it down with unsheathed claws. If she held it down, then maybe Poppypaw could get in a good blow. "Let's kill this goose and take it to camp," she called to her apprentice. "In times like these, food is food."

Goose used Beaked Thrust on Perchfall, dealing 10 damage and costing 15 stamina. Perchfall used Leap-and-Hold, dealing 8 damage and costing 15 stamina. Goose is pinned for 2 turns.

Perchfall:
20/50 HP
77/120 SP

Goose:
16/55 HP
125/170 SP

Poppypaw:
20/20 HP
48/60 SP

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

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'Effect Dice' : 4

Poppypaw perked up when Perchfall held the goose down. She wished she knew more attacks like her mentor did, but she could do what she can in the meantime. She raced up to the goose and used the same attack as before, raking her claws down the front of the goose.

"And the feathers will be great for the clan too!" she said excitedly. The nursery nests will do good to have warm feathers to sleep on.

Poppypaw used Front Paw Strike, dealing 6 damage and costing 7 stamina.

Perchfall:
20/50 HP
77/120 SP

Goose:
10/55 HP (-6)
125/170 SP

Poppypaw:
20/20 HP
41/60 SP (-7)

The goose honked as she held it down, thrashing its neck and its wings to try and get out of Perchfall's grip, but she stayed on top of it. While she had been upset when it first appeared, the fight seemed to be going fairly well. Even if her head did hurt. Yeah.... I'll talk to Cloverheart when we get back. I could probably use something for that. Anyway, she just had to focus on finishing off this thing. As her claws dug further into its wings, she realized that she couldn't do too much more without letting go. "Poppypaw, I need you to come deal the final blow. It attacked us, and so it will feed the Clan. When you kill it, make sure to thank StarClan for its life." She hadn't planned killing a goose to be the first prey they caught as mentor and apprentice.... but honestly, this worked just fine.

Perchfall used Leap-and-Hold, dealing 8 damage and costing 15 stamina. Goose is pinned for 1 more turn.

Perchfall:
20/50 HP
69/120 SP

Goose:
2/55 HP
125/170 SP

Poppypaw:
20/20 HP
41/60 SP