Let's Train [Burnetpaw]

"C'mon, I'll give you a quick tour of the territory before we work on fishing or sparring. Your choice." Swandive led Burnetpaw from camp, continuing to speak. "You might have been taught the basics of swimming in the small pools around camp, but they are shallow and standing water. There might be a few tiny minnows in them, but the broken pools are nothing like the river that offers us protection from the other clans as well as food. The river separates us from Skyclan and Thunderclan. Skyclan has the more rocky-looking forest with those tall pines, Thunderclan are further downriver, in the heavy undergrowth with those oaks." Swandive did not appreciate the trees-dwellers, nor did she much appreciate the leaf-fall colors gracing their territory. It was just another sign the days were growing colder, and she much preferred greenleaf's warmth. "See those rocks over there? That's sunningrocks. It's on the other side of the river, but it's our territory too. Thunderclan is probably wishing they could have it back so they can be lazy and enjoy the sunlight, but they're too weak to do anything about it. Still, just in case... Be careful if you go out there." She waved her tail, pointing out the next landmark. "Further downriver from Thunderclan, the land rises a bit. That's the gorge, and it separates our territory from Windclan's moors. The edges are really steep and slippery - no running around up there, got it? Just because we can swim doesn't mean falling in is something you want to experience."

With their borders explained, she would turn her gaze more inward. "The beech copse over there is where we find most of our prey in leaf-bare, when the river freezes. Hunting land prey is very different than fishing, but it's an important skill that I'll teach you as well. And finally," Swandive grimaced, staring daggers at the twoleg structure that was visible in the distance. It was the opposite direction from the river, and if it were up to her, the clan would have nothing to do with that place. "See the weird structure there? That's built by twolegs. It's called a... barn, I think. There's weird animals in there, sheep. Fluffy things, and not aggressive... But their hooves can outright kill a cat. Rogues-" She spat the word venomously, "-sometimes go there too. They aren't clan cats, and have no sense of our borders or warrior code. They might seem friendly sometimes... But they are very dangerous." The warrior's tail lashed as she remembered that filthy tortoiseshell tom, and what he'd done to Morningpaw.

Burnetpaw scurried on excited paws after his new mentor, his ever cheerful expression never once faltering. "I suppose fishing wouldn't be so bad, but can we look for flowers too? Momma says that the flowers will be all gone for the next season soon, and it's my first chance to really find some pretty ones!" Stumbling a little bit, the new apprentice followed on and silenced his questions to take all of the information in.

"Why can't we share Sunningrocks if ThunderClan can't fish anyway? Wouldn't it be fun to make new friends sometimes?" His face peered up at Swandive, brimming with excitement from his brand new, never before thought of, breakthrough of an idea.

...Flowers? There was hunting and fighting and territory to explore, and Burnetpaw was interested in... Flowers? Swandive knew some of her clanmates loved the things, though she had never truly cared one way or the other. They could be pretty, and Burnetpaw almost reminded her of Ravenfall. Hopefully he wouldn't be quite as distractible from duty or stubborn as her brother was. "Thinking of getting flowers for Cindersky? Your mom would like that." Swandive mewed, somewhat awkwardly. "And yeah, the flowers die out for leaf-bare... But they always return, just as the fish do." She added.

A soft snort escaped her at Burnetpaw's next question, "Sunningrocks still can offer us land prey when it's cold. And Thunderclan cats are big - not as big as Skyclan, but just as clumsy oafs. They'd scare off the prey if we let them sunbathe there."