Diving Practice [c]

Adderdawn

The Gorge was, undoubtedly, Adderdawn's least favourite stretch of WindClan's territory. There was a certain awe-inspiring beauty that came with the stomach-churning heights and the thunder of water, but whatever natural beauty it held mostly served to put fear into his limbs. He could only think of following beside Whisperear and Flutterpaw, still an apprentice itself, leaning over its edge as Whisperear told them what dangers lie in the torrent below. No cat that falls in returns. It made him shudder a little just to think about, and his footing was especially light and careful as he padded near the edge. It was just an unfortunate part of being a warrior, so with a clenched jaw he'd put up with it.

Luckily, there was some relief in it. The further along he walked, ranging towards where he imagined the heart of RiverClan's territory lie, the great rift rose up to level with the earth. The water was shallower, though still deep enough to cause his hackles to prickle with unease. At least there was no immediate threat of death if he were to slip-- unless he let the water pull him along into the Gorge proper. With a shudder, Adderdawn dismissed those thoughts and lifted his head to scan this safer stretch of border.
To his surprise, when he looked up, the briefest flash of golden fur caught his attention. Adderdawn's eyes widened, a momentary pang hinting him. With a shake of his head and a few quick blinks, he refocused. Not golden-- sun-bleached russet. The fur around her neck was considerably darker, woody, and... what was she doing that kept only her neck and parts of her shoulder, chest so dark? Adderdawn blinked owlishly at her, watching as she went about refreshing RiverClan's side of the border. And then the molly did something yet more surprising that could only leave him staring, mouth agape.

With a splash, the molly hit the water. In true RiverClan fashion, she resurfaced soon after, and looked like she was experiencing pure bliss to be doing it. But-- Adderdawn turned, looking off towards the shelf where the water dropped off. Maybe RiverClan cats could survive the steep fall, could paddle their way back upstream if they got caught in the rush? But then again, what if they couldn't? She could have just been some hapless young warrior, heedless of the danger she'd put herself in. Confusion and fear stiffened his legs, and then before he could tell himself that it was an absolutely idiotic idea to attempt to save her when she was likely in no danger and he couldn't swim himself, Adderdawn was kicking into the water himself.

The chill shocked him, made him gasp, and the pull around his body sent panic through his chest. His legs flailed, messy and desperate, but he was at least buoyant enough to keep his chin above water. And now he was left there treading while some RiverClanner splashed about like a fish, entirely unsure of how to get himself out of this situation. "Do all RiverClan cats throw themselves into the river fox-lengths before the most dangerous stretch of land on either of our territories?" He was wheezing as he spoke, voice ragged from anxiety and the sudden energy he'd expended. "I had it in mind to save you, but," he bobbed, head briefly sinking, and came up spluttering before continuing, "I'm lucky I'm light enough not to sink like stones. Please don't let us fall in the Gorge."