a simple life; they live in peace (c)

Perchstar was not unfamiliar with the current position she was in. She sat patiently by the entrance of camp, watching the first beams of sunlight begin to break in the distance, seeing how they turned the very treetops a pale yellow. Just moments prior she'd awoken Cinderpaw, who should be here to join her shortly. An apprentice's first patrol. This was... how many apprentices had she mentored now? Counting her newest, and including those who were still under her tutelage, that made nine. Nine total. And... how many of them had even made it to warriorhood?

She shook the thought away. Grim pessimism was a not a good outlook for getting to know the new apprentice whose life and training would be taken into her own paws. Beetlepaw had been an exception. Tinypool had gotten her name, even though she had disappeared afterward. Hickorypaw was... well, he had never been the same after that incident. And there was neither hide nor hair of Rushingpaw since the Twolegs had abducted so many cats. But, she'd had successes. Owlcall was now a proud warrior, and an adoptive brother to five little siblings. Rookpaw was still training, but they were growing impressively quickly. And of course--Poppyshine. Her former apprentice. Her deputy. Her best friend. Perhaps the greatest mark she would ever leave on the forest, besides her very own kits.

Yes, she was no stranger to being a mentor. The unfortunate incidents with the others were just that, and were not her fault. She had to keep reminding herself of that in order to keep the nightmares away. And so it was that Perchstar remained waiting by the entrance of camp, running through what she would say in her mind. Cinderpaw would be here at any moment.

Yes, there she was. Perchstar offered a slow blink as Cinderpaw approached. The usual nerves of a new apprentice accompanied her, lingering anxiety trailing her shadow. It was understandable. Most apprentices had one overwhelming emotion when they first began--whether that was fear, or wonder, or curiosity. All could be taught just the same, with a little bit of adjusting. "No need to worry," the leader told her simply, standing up in one fluid movement. Poppyshine would likely have been kind and warm toward the apprentice, trying to make her feel at ease. Perchstar had no clue how to do that. Stoic reassurances were the best she could manage--but she tried her best. "I wasn't waiting long at all. I'll be showing you some of the territory today, but mostly the river. And then I'll teach you how to fish, if that sounds all right."

With a quick movement of her tail, she beckoned that they should get going through the territory. Early morning was one of the best times to be patrolling. The heat from yesterday's sun had cooled off, leaving the temperature pleasant, even in the new sunbeams that had started to spill across the ground. A nice time to see the territory for the first time. As they walked, Perchstar found her eyes kept on Cinderpaw. She knew this path well enough that she didn't have to look forward to focus on getting to the river. Instead, she wondered how Cinderpaw would feel. Going out to see the territory for the first time often showed a lot about an apprentice's personality, and she needed to get to know her apprentice so that she could teach her as well as possible.

It seemed that Cinderpaw was one of the nervous, but curious, types. Perchstar looked carefully as she regarded the skittish apprentice. With good teaching and time, she would likely blossom into a great and loyal warrior. Similar to Tinypool and Mallowmist--the thought of which momentarily caused her heart to ache, though she shoved the emotion away to focus. Cinderpaw's eyes were darting around the territory, and a quiet squeak showed her dismay at the appearance of a fat worm sitting in a rain puddle. Perchstar did not laugh. She could not recall whether she had ever actually laughed in her life. However, she did feel her whiskers twitch in an uncharacteristic display of amusement. While she was not fond of insects either, it was funny to see someone encounter one for the first time. She had gotten used to ignoring them. The leader easily stepped over the worm, continuing onward through the territory, looking back at Cinderpaw. "That's all right," she said. "And while RiverClan cats are no stranger to the damp and wet, it is a little bit moreso right now than usual. The heavy rains of newleaf have left many puddles on the ground. We aren't a marsh like ShadowClan. There are many small streams that go to the rivers, but it does get drier. The sun will clear everything up soon enough."

The day was warm. As the sun continued to rise, its rays streamed down on the forest, raising the temperature from the earlier morning's faint chill. As she had promised, Perchstar saw some gentle wisps of evaporation from the moist ground when the heat of the sunbeams touched it. While it would not dry up immediately, the greenleaf weather would certainly lower the river's banks for easier fishing. She did not shy away from the puddles in her path, but her white paws remained spotless as they were intermittently cleaned by the water from any dirt they touched. No one could deny that RiverClan territory was her home. As many difficulties as she'd had throughout her life, that one single truth remained through and through. She was a RiverClan cat.

It did not take much longer until they arrived at the banks of the river. Of course, one could reach many different points of the river on the territory, but this specific area was the one where Perchstar preferred to teach apprentices. The banks were shallower, the current slower, and the area wide enough to offer enough time to react to any unplanned altercations. As Cinderpaw approached, the leader planted herself firmly downstream of the apprentice. The action was swift and wordless, but implied safety. Never again would one of her apprentices drown. Not while she had anything to say about it. "Ready to learn?" she asked, light blue eyes falling on Cinderpaw. "Tell me so far anything that you know about fishing."

discord: @moonazine| timezone: gmt| code (c) kieer

Perchstar always started with the question, not only so that she could know what prior knowledge her apprentices might have gleaned during their kithood, but also so that she could get to know their personalities better. Cinderpaw's shy anxiety plainly rose to the surface in her uncertain answer. The leader shook her head. "No, I don't expect you to be born knowing how to fish," she responded. Her tone was as calm and neutral as ever. She wished that she could convey reassurance and warmth as Poppyshine always did... but that knowledge escaped her. So she just spoke as clearly as she could. "That is simply so that if you were to know anything extra, such as if you'd received other knowledge from another warrior or something along those lines, you wouldn't be forced to re-learn anything that you already know. You have not done anything wrong."

Cool water rushed over both of their paws, offering a pleasant contrast to the hotter temperature of the daytime as the sun began to rise. Warm sunlight spilled across their backs, making the river almost too dazzling to look at for a moment until it passed behind a cloud. Perchstar waited for it to come back into view before speaking again. "Fishing is fairly simple," she began. "However, it may take a little while to get the hang of. Even experienced warriors--including me--miss on occasion, so do not feel too bad if you don't succeed immediately." Ice-blue eyes searched the river. It wasn't as full as when she'd taught Poppyshine... but much of the same advice she'd said then still applied. "You want to sit close to the river, but remain in the shallows. Fish can be seen in the river if you look closely. While you look for one, you should keep your paw raised, claws out--like this." Perchstar demonstrated. Her slim white paw hung above the rippling currents, perfectly still, claws unsheathed and gleaming in the sunlight. "The next bit is all about timing. When a fish swims beneath your paw, you want to scoop it out of the water. Don't just stomp on it or try to bite it. It's easiest to use the force to swipe it out of the water, then end its life when it's been successfully recovered."

It would be easiest to show by doing. So, as soon as she saw the silver gleam of a fish under the shadow of her raised paw, Perchstar struck. However, it seemed that the stars had it out for her whenever she took an apprentice out to learn for the first time. Her attempted hunt was interrupted by the sudden appearance of a goose, which had been aiming for the same fish she had. Instead, it let out a loud hiss and went for a quick blow on the top of her head. Again?! The leader winced at the familiar rush of pain, standing up immediately from her seated hunting position and changing into a battle-ready stance. Stars! Once is a happenstance, twice is a coincidence... "Look out," Perchstar called, trying to keep herself between the bird and Cinderpaw. "I haven't gotten to teach you any battle tactics yet. You can sit this out if you'd like. A goose can't seriously injure you, but it can and will hurt you. You'll be safe if you stay behind me." This was so frustrating. First Poppyshine, now Cinderpaw. What had she done to deserve this?

Perchstar attempted to catch a fish. A goose appeared! -3 SP
Goose used Beaked Thrust, dealing 10 damage and costing 15 stamina.
Perchstar used Front Paw Strike, dealing 12 damage and costing 7 stamina.

Perchstar:
70/80 HP
163/170 SP

Goose:
43/55 HP
155/170 SP

OOC: Literally the ONE number I could have rolled that would cause a problem :') My hunting luck is abysmal....
Well I guess we're learning the battle system instead! Please let me know if you've got any questions!

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

---

'Hunting Dice' : 10

Perchstar warred with the all-too-familiar feelings of frustration and uncertainty as she steadied herself into a more reliable battle position. Her form remained between Cinderpaw and the goose as her apprentice retreated, fear evident in her trembling voice. This is not what she needed. Is there something I'm doing wrong? Why else would this happen nearly every time I take an apprentice out on their first hunting patrol? Well, her philosophy remained the same. Solve the problem now, beat herself up about it later. The goose had been foolish enough to challenge a RiverClan cat in the area where they were the most powerful. She'd just have to teach it a lesson.

The enormous bird aimed another whack of its beak at the leader. She took the blow, trying not to wince, and then retaliated. When it got near enough, she leapt on it, grabbing its neck with her paws and slamming it down into the river. With her opponent temporarily stunned, she managed a few breathless words to Cinderpaw. "Yes--it's called a goose," Perchstar said, tone just imperceptibly strained from the effort of fighting. "This doesn't usually happen. And if it does, they aren't extremely dangerous. Not like a fox or a dog." She kept hold of the struggling goose--barely. It remained stunned, partially under the water, partially grappled by her fighting technique. "If you strike it a couple of times, normally it will decide to fly away on its own. And if it doesn't... well, it is just a large bird. It can be eaten, and its feathers make good stuffing for nests."

Goose used Beaked Thrust on Perchstar, dealing 10 damage and costing 15 stamina.
Perchstar used Underwater Cinch, dealing 11 (9+2) damage and costing 10 stamina. Goose is stunned for 1 turn.

Goose:
26/55 HP
140/170 SP

Perchstar:
60/80 HP
153/170 SP

Cinderpaw:
20/20 HP
53/60 SP

It was difficult to keep a grip on the struggling goose. Water rolled off of its feathers as it flapped desperately, knocking against Perchstar during her attempt to keep it pinned. It wouldn't last much longer. She glanced back to see how Cinderpaw was doing. The young she-cat looked absolutely terrified--which made sense, given how her first foray into the territory had been so completely interrupted by an unexpected attack. Geese were, in fact, very large. Seeing one for the first time would be startling. Especially since she had yet to learn any battle techniques. But, just like Poppyshine before her, she was doing her best. A quick, glancing blow with claws out was all that was truly necessary to be of assistance. "Good job--" Perchstar began to speak, but was interrupted by a particularly hard thwack of one of the goose's wings catching her upside the head. She fumbled her grip, and the goose emerged, shaking off water and hissing indignantly in her face. It was only through moons of swimming experience that she managed to find footing on the slick river bottom and not tumble into the water. Instead, she straightened up and brought her paws down heavily on the goose's head, stopping its sharp beak just inches short of reaching her face. The attack was a strong one, and it left the bird reeling. "What you're doing works," Perchstar said, managing to steady her voice as she spared another glance for the quivering Cinderpaw. She wished she could be of more help--but any moment now, this goose could attempt to lunge for either of them, so she had to be ready. "Another attack should do it."

Perchstar used Upright Lock, dealing 14 (12+2) damage and costing 10 stamina.
The Goose is no longer stunned.

Goose:
6/55 HP
140/170 SP

Perchstar:
60/80 HP
143/170 SP

Cinderpaw:
20/20 HP
46/60 SP

Perchstar worried for a moment whether Cinderpaw's courage had run out. It would have been understandable--after all, this was their first outing into the territory, and she'd been jump-scared by the sudden appearance of danger rearing its ugly head. But it was a pleasant surprise when the apprentice steeled herself and ran in, snapping with sharp teeth at the goose's neck. It let out a high-pitched hiss, flailing for a few brief moments before falling limp. That was it. It wouldn't bother them anymore.

Perchstar took a brief moment to recollect herself--shaking out frazzled fur, letting out a shaky exhale--before padding out of the river, wrapping her own mouth around the goose's neck and dragging it up before it floated away. "That was well done," she said sincerely. "I... apologize again for the interruption to your first hunting lesson." The stars are really testing my patience. Well, she wouldn't say that last part aloud. "It won't attack innocent apprentices anymore--you've made sure of that. And really, if you think about it, geese can be eaten... so I suppose you did successfully hunt in your first attempt. Bringing back prey far larger than any fish, I might add." Had that been an attempt at a joke? She realized that she was trying to ease Cinderpaw's nerves. The poor she-cat had already been anxious before they went out into the territory. What if this permanently scarred her?

The leader cleared her throat. "Take your time, if you need. There's no rush. We can resume instruction if you wish, or bring this back to camp. Goose feathers are nice to add to nests. I think you certainly fought hard enough to deserve a good sleep tonight, don't you? I'll help you pluck it when we get back, if you'd like." Was she acting too nonchalant? She had no clue. Poppyshine had bounced back instantly, but that was a different case. Her former apprentice would know what to do in a situation like this. How did one console another? How did one... reassure? Perchstar was unsure whether she could. Her head was also spinning--maybe that had something to do with it. The blows hadn't been severe, but it was just enough that she was fighting off a wave of dizziness every now and then. Looking as if everything was all right, not letting the brief vertigo show, she took a seat on the riverbank.