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Post by Firebelly on Dec 17, 2018 12:28:18 GMT -5
Stormfury glanced up at Northstar, tempted to go and talk to her. He shook his head. No. He couldn't keep hiding behind the leader. Something was going on, and he was going to figure it out.
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Post by Moonblazer on Dec 17, 2018 12:30:44 GMT -5
Gregory and Shimmer were sitting right where they had told the patrol they would be, two birds and a mouse laying at their paws. The two were talking pleasantly with each other, Shimmer smiling happily with having Gregory back. Coalpaw sniffled as he scampered towards the twolegplace cats, his eyes downcast and his mind buzzing with frustration. He eyed the prey with deep gratitude though, knowing his clan would be able to eat better with it. He forced happiness into his mew and stated. “You guys are the best! How do you catch that prey so well?”
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Post by Firebelly on Dec 17, 2018 12:31:27 GMT -5
Stormfury suddenly padded into the warriors den, and began to prod the deputy. Was he going to be as sound asleep as he had been the last time? He gave the deputy a forceful prod.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 17, 2018 12:34:05 GMT -5
"It's actually not that hard, fluffy rock." Gregory smiled in greeting to Coalpaw. "I bet I could get you more, you see, I challenged some of the other kittypets and loners around here to see if they could catch anything." Gregory nudged the prey to Coalpaw. "Shimmer and I didn't have to do anything, I bet tomorrow we could have more prey here for you, but you might have to bring someone else to help you carry it back."
"Are you okay, Coalpaw?" Shimmer tilted her head at the down-looking apprentice. He wasn't as perky as he was when they saved Gregory.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 17, 2018 12:36:19 GMT -5
It took a couple of Stormfury's prods to finally wake Cedarstorm. The deputy's eyes opened slowly as if they had rocks piled upon them. He didn't even notice the empty nests around him at first, but grunted in annoyance that Stormfury constantly prodded him.
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Post by Moonblazer on Dec 17, 2018 12:38:12 GMT -5
"It's actually not that hard, fluffy rock." Gregory smiled in greeting to Coalpaw. "I bet I could get you more, you see, I challenged some of the other kittypets and loners around here to see if they could catch anything." Gregory nudged the prey to Coalpaw. "Shimmer and I didn't have to do anything, I bet tomorrow we could have more prey here for you, but you might have to bring someone else to help you carry it back." "Are you okay, Coalpaw?" Shimmer tilted her head at the down-looking apprentice. He wasn't as perky as he was when they saved Gregory. “I know who I can bring...Uhm.” Coalpaw nodded, grateful to the tom. He looked at Shimmer and nodded softly. “I’m alright...just a little down, with the weather I guess. The snow’s gonna make hunting even harder for me. While I’m here, can you uhm..can you show me some hunting techniques?” He pleaded quietly. He didn’t want to go back to camp just yet.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 17, 2018 12:39:42 GMT -5
Shimmer blinked at him in surprise. "Hunting techniques? Shouldn't your mentor be doing that?"
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Post by Firebelly on Dec 17, 2018 12:41:29 GMT -5
Stormfury narrowed his eyes. The deputy wasn't usually this hard to wake up, and he had been even harder to wake up last time....it was strange to say the least. "You overslept again." He said briefly, before standing and exiting the den, his tail flicking as he left.
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Post by Moonblazer on Dec 17, 2018 12:46:25 GMT -5
Shimmer blinked at him in surprise. "Hunting techniques? Shouldn't your mentor be doing that?" Coalpaw nearly extended his claws. Instead, he gave a light shrug and mewed. “He shows me how to hunt, but if I want to get better prey, I gotta know how to hunt mice and stuff too. Please? Just one lesson?”
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 17, 2018 12:46:27 GMT -5
Cedarstorm's eyes shot open wide at Stormfury's words. He was on his paws in a heartbeat, but registering the sight of the empty nests around him, Cedarstorm could only stand there. His ears fell back and his tail slowly fell. Not again. The deputy cursed himself, but slowly sat back down in his nest. He didn't really have the heart to leave the den and face his clanmates. Northstar had to be up by now, she must know that he failed...again.
With a heavy sigh, Cedarstorm got up and padded out of the den. He looked around camp, noticing once more that nearly everyone was out on patrols. Ashrock was still in camp, assigning the younger warriors to help Snowdance and Opalmist today. The gray tom kept glancing over at Northstar, his head held high and authority in his voice. Cedarstorm flattened his ears.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 17, 2018 12:48:30 GMT -5
"I don't know much..." Shimmer glanced at Gregory. "Born in RiverClan, I could teach you how to catch fish, but there aren't any here. Gregory though," she nodded toward the tom. "He's an expert at catching anything!"
"I wouldn't say that, my dear." The older tom smiled at the kittypet. "I can hunt, but I usually just get fed at my twolegs' nests." he stood up and nodded to Coalpaw. "Alright, which lesson first? Mice or birds?"
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Post by Moonblazer on Dec 17, 2018 12:54:44 GMT -5
"I don't know much..." Shimmer glanced at Gregory. "Born in RiverClan, I could teach you how to catch fish, but there aren't any here. Gregory though," she nodded toward the tom. "He's an expert at catching anything!" "I wouldn't say that, my dear." The older tom smiled at the kittypet. "I can hunt, but I usually just get fed at my twolegs' nests." he stood up and nodded to Coalpaw. "Alright, which lesson first? Mice or birds?" “Birds.” Coalpaw nodded, knowing birds would be more common than mice in Shadowclan territory. He flicked his ears, clearly desperate to learn and succeed in what he was learning.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 17, 2018 12:59:59 GMT -5
"Alrighty then!" Gregory moved off to a more ipen area. "Birds are tricky. You see, theyre constantly on watch unless they're distracted by pulling a worm out of the ground, but you wont see that this time of year." He dropped into a crouch. "The stance is similar to hunting frogs, but you dont have to worry so much about your pawsteps, just make sure youre not seen or heard. Birds cant really feel your weigh in the ground. Now, when pouncing, you want to pounce high just incase the bird does see you. It'll try to fly and if youre high enough, uou can snatch it out of the air!" He demonstrated. "Just like that!"
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Post by Firebelly on Dec 17, 2018 13:06:33 GMT -5
Cedarstorm's eyes shot open wide at Stormfury's words. He was on his paws in a heartbeat, but registering the sight of the empty nests around him, Cedarstorm could only stand there. His ears fell back and his tail slowly fell. Not again. The deputy cursed himself, but slowly sat back down in his nest. He didn't really have the heart to leave the den and face his clanmates. Northstar had to be up by now, she must know that he failed...again. With a heavy sigh, Cedarstorm got up and padded out of the den. He looked around camp, noticing once more that nearly everyone was out on patrols. Ashrock was still in camp, assigning the younger warriors to help Snowdance and Opalmist today. The gray tom kept glancing over at Northstar, his head held high and authority in his voice. Cedarstorm flattened his ears. Cloudscar watched Cedarstorm rush out of the den, and padded over to the younger deputy. “You know Cedarstorm, it’s okay to make mistakes.” The senior warrior said gently.
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Post by Moonblazer on Dec 17, 2018 13:08:18 GMT -5
"Alrighty then!" Gregory moved off to a more ipen area. "Birds are tricky. You see, theyre constantly on watch unless they're distracted by pulling a worm out of the ground, but you wont see that this time of year." He dropped into a crouch. "The stance is similar to hunting frogs, but you dont have to worry so much about your pawsteps, just make sure youre not seen or heard. Birds cant really feel your weigh in the ground. Now, when pouncing, you want to pounce high just incase the bird does see you. It'll try to fly and if youre high enough, uou can snatch it out of the air!" He demonstrated. "Just like that!" Coalpaw watched with bright eyes, paying close attention to Gregory. He tried to copy his movements, only to pout as he tried to leap. It was short and he landed awkwardly, forgetting how to place his feet to land.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 17, 2018 13:14:14 GMT -5
"Not this many times." Cedarstorm frowned at the older warrior, but his voice only had malice toward himself. "The Clan is expecting me to be a good deputy, Northstar is expecting and deserves more from her deputy. I slept in once and that was the mistake, but twice is just humiliating. How is the Clan supposed to know i care if i cant even do my job?"
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 17, 2018 13:16:35 GMT -5
"Heh, if i didnt know any better, i'd think you were trying to squash a beetle--darn things are so hard to kill." Gregory twitched his whiskers in his own amusement. He padded over to Coalpaw, nudging him gently into position. "Keep your paws under you when you leap like you're a prancing deer. You'll only stretch your front paws out to catch the bird."
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Post by Firebelly on Dec 17, 2018 13:18:41 GMT -5
Cloudscar nodded in understanding. "You know, in times like these you really learn who you can trust and who you can't." He glanced at Ashrock. "If your brother really supported you as deputy then he would have woken you, not try and sabotage you."
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Post by Moonblazer on Dec 17, 2018 13:22:26 GMT -5
"Heh, if i didnt know any better, i'd think you were trying to squash a beetle--darn things are so hard to kill." Gregory twitched his whiskers in his own amusement. He padded over to Coalpaw, nudging him gently into position. "Keep your paws under you when you leap like you're a prancing deer. You'll only stretch your front paws out to catch the bird." “Oh...okay!” Coalpaw nodded, letting Gregory move his stance. Snow speckled against his swirled pelt, like stars in the night sky. He felt better, learning something new. He just wished it was Ashrock teaching him... He tried the pounce again, over and over until he could feel his stocky body begin to spring higher and cleaner.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 17, 2018 13:22:28 GMT -5
"Ashrock is thickheaded, but I doubt he's trying to sabotage me." Cedarstorm shook his head, his tone almost scolding Cloudscar for even suggesting it. "Leafbare is upon us and he knows how hard I've been working. We talked last night, he's worried sickness will get to the Clan. He told me he was worried I would get sick with how much I've been doing..." he flicked his ear glancing away. "How long I was out hunting yesterday."
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 17, 2018 13:23:52 GMT -5
"Here." Shimmer had slipped off during the training session, but she returned with a pine cone. "Try practicing on this!"
"That's perfect!" Gregory purred at the she-cat's suggestion. "Go ahead, fluffy rock," Gregory smiled back at Coalpaw. "Pounce on that cone like it's a bird."
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Post by Firebelly on Dec 17, 2018 13:28:20 GMT -5
Cloudscar flicked his ear." You have the privilege of someday being able to lead this clan." He said quietly. "There are cats who would kill for that opportunity, but What's important is that the clan trusts you. So you made a mistake. Maybe you even made a few. So what? You need to show the clan that doesn't shake you, you need to show the clan that you can still get back up and keep going. Show them that you're a cat to be trusted." He paused for a moment, unsure of whether he should continue, but after a moment he pressed on. "Perhaps a good step would be to extend more of a welcome to Stormfury. You know he just stood up for you in front of the clan. Not to mention he's been the only cat to bother to wake you when you overslept." He flicked his tail, wondering if he had gone too far. "It's just a thought."
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 17, 2018 13:33:30 GMT -5
Cedarstorm flattened his ears at the mention of Stormfury. He pointedly looked away from Cloudscar, but it was clear in his eyes that he was thinking the older warrior's words over. "He was helpful on the hunting patrol yesterday," he admitted almost bitterly. The deputy let out a long sigh. "Patrols are already out, there's nothing much I can do for the Clan now." He glanced toward the leader's den and almost flinched when he spotted Northstar staring back at him. "Maybe I should take a hunting patrol out. The Clan needs fed now more than every." Idly, he wondered if Stormfury or Coalpaw had gotten the prey from Gregory and Shimmer yet.
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Post by Moonblazer on Dec 17, 2018 13:34:07 GMT -5
"Here." Shimmer had slipped off during the training session, but she returned with a pine cone. "Try practicing on this!" "That's perfect!" Gregory purred at the she-cat's suggestion. "Go ahead, fluffy rock," Gregory smiled back at Coalpaw. "Pounce on that cone like it's a bird." Coalpaw felt his frustration simmer away as he gave an excited giggle. He was still rather young, excited to learn and practice. He gave a pounce, far more controlled and focused now as his large paws clamped on the pinecone. “Like that?”
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 17, 2018 13:36:16 GMT -5
"Just like that!" Gregory laughed at the apprentice's excitement. "Now, try it again from further back. Let's practice those leaps."
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Post by Firebelly on Dec 17, 2018 13:37:25 GMT -5
Cloudscar nodded. "That would be a good idea. Better yet, go tell Ashrock that you can handle duties for the rest of the day and dismiss him." He flicked his tail. "The clan is feeling rather cramped with two deputies."
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Post by Moonblazer on Dec 17, 2018 13:39:41 GMT -5
"Just like that!" Gregory laughed at the apprentice's excitement. "Now, try it again from further back. Let's practice those leaps." Coalpaw gave a bright purr. He moved back to do exactly that, only to pause and blink. He gave a guilty look and mewed. “Actually, I...I should really be getting back soon. I can do a few, but after that I should get back.” He nodded.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 17, 2018 13:43:38 GMT -5
"Right..." Cedarstorm flicked his ear, it wounded his pride that he had to be told what to do, but he was too down on himself to give his usual snap. "Thank you, Cloudscar. Er...perhaps you could double check the dens, with the snowfall, we wouldn't want to risk any of them collapsing and..." he stood up, flicking his ear once again. "If you find Stormfury, let him know I want to see him." He glanced up at the older warrior. "Thanks again." With a deep breath, the deputy padded over toward Ashrock.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 17, 2018 13:44:17 GMT -5
Gregory nodded in understanding, a smile on his face. "At least one more then?"
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Post by Moonblazer on Dec 17, 2018 13:47:59 GMT -5
Gregory nodded in understanding, a smile on his face. "At least one more then?" “One more.” Coalpaw nodded, giving a warm smile before he crouched. He had to make this one the best one. He remembered Gregory’s teachings and made his move, a long pounce sending him striking at the pinecone.
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