Camp and the snakes start to sing — magnoliapeak

[FLICKERDANCE]

Flickerpaw has thought this through plenty of times already. She has had to curb impatience—it would not have looked very earnest if she had proposed this idea to her mentor just a moon or two into her apprenticeship. Now, she feels more self-assured than ever. Her time as a warrior is drawing closer and closer, and she wants nothing more than to impress her peers by how she gets there.

"Magnoliapeak,"

she says once she spots the tortoiseshell pelt amongst other ThunderClan cats.

"Could we talk? Alone?"

Her face remains neutral; not giving anything away, but also not leading to concern. There is nothing wrong. On the contrary...

Flickerpaw soon leads the older warrior to a more secluded place within camp—the outskirts, specifically. Nosy ones would be able to eavesdrop, but she can only drag this on for so long. Facing Magnoliapeak, Flickerpaw is suddenly overcome with something akin to respect. Real respect for a capable warrior, not like the kind that Juniperstar gets just by having been named leader. That kind is not earned.

She clears her throat.

"I'd like to have my warrior assessment before I reach my twelfth moon."

Now that the words are out there, Flickerpaw can scarcely believe she has come this far. Surely, Magnoliapeak wouldn't say no? That would be impossibly embarrassing.

"I think I am ready—and I want to contribute more to the Clan. Graduating right as leaf-fall sneaks upon us would be beneficial to ThunderClan."

@Magnoliapeak

 

[Magnoliapeak]

I SIP A TOAST TO NORMALCY

Magnoliapeak assumes that Flickerpaw wants to train when she pulls her away from the middle of camp to talk. The apprentice is ambitious, a feeling that the warrior understands on an intimate level, and though she has been separated from a freshly returned hunting patrol, she cannot help but to feel endeared to the moment. Though she isn't certain how far the ambition goes until Flickerpaw turns to face her seriously and asks if she can graduate early.

"Early?" She asks, barely able to keep the incredulousness out of her voice. She looks away for a long moment, mulling it over. She has no interest in preserving her apprentice's feelings- including Sandpiperpaw, who would likely feel besmirched by being outperformed by her fellow apprentice- but rather in keeping in line with her own strict image. On the one paw, if Juniperstar or Owlbark caught wind of her pushing her apprentice to graduate early without being prepared, they might not consider letting her mentor another young cat until she proves herself worthy. She frowns at the thought. On the other paw, if Flickerpaw is ready...

"Sure," she rolls her shoulders as she returns her gaze to Flickerpaw, feeling suddenly resolute "But if you fail your assessment you will spend another moon in training." It isn't a threat, but Magnoliapeak knows Flickerpaw is sure she won't go against her word. Magnoliapeak is secure in her ability to teach and train, and if Flickerpaw feels that she can perform better than her peers then the warrior will at least give her the chance to prove it. "Are you ready to have it now?" She asks, tail lashing in a challenging manner "Name what you want to be assessed on first."

— ⋆˙⟡

✿ magnoliapeak is a thunderclan warrior with sharp resolve and strict standards.
✿ 30 moons old, ages on the 11th of each month.
✿ currently mentoring flickerpaw and sandpiperpaw
✿ in battle, physically difficult and psychologically difficult
✿ her parents are hazelheart x bracken. she is littermate to honeysucklecry and hyacinthrain. she is gen 2 on the junipersable tree.
✿ penned by carat, see her tags here.

 

[FLICKERDANCE]

"Yes,"

Flickerpaw breathes into the air that is slowly but surely getting colder each day. She has watched Juniperstar close enough to know that the number she had mentioned is arbitrary—apprentices tend to receive their full name when their mentor sees fit, more often than not. But, ambitious as she is, Flickerpaw would like to make a spectacle of it. To stand out in some way... garner others' attention for longer than just the few minutes of a ceremony. Something that lasts.

This is merely step one.

And when Magnoliapeak agrees, Flickerpaw forces herself not to show relief. Why had she expected anything less? She had not given her mentor one chance to doubt her abilities. Plus, this will surely look good for Magnoliapeak's image as well. That must count for something.

Flickerpaw opts to smile instead of snort.

"That will not happen."

Soon enough, the pair will get to patrol beside one another as equals, instead of wise teacher and youthful 'paw. Magnoliapeak offers to have it right then and there; would that not be something? Flickerpaw gazes at her mentor for a few moments, mind clearly working through something internal. It would be more than satisfactory, yes... but foolish, too, when she is so worked up.

"...I'd be flattered, but I'd like to have a couple days' worth of preparation."

She must be patient. Jumping in too early could be detrimental—make her fall short just when something this big is in reach.

"I will not disappoint you, Magnoliapeak."