PAFP Territory LOOK LIKE A MAN + apprentice training

[OWLBARK]

In a lot of ways, Owlbark fell into his role of deputy very well. He was an authoritative figure naturally, and others seemed to agree to his orders without much fuss. That part was easy for him. Having to be a personable and approachable clanmate was one of the challenges. Juniperstar had suggested that perhaps molding the young minds of ThunderClan would be a good break from instructing the older cats of the clan. The apprentices had followed behind him like ants to the sandy pit they'd appropriated for training. He was not confident around young cats. They always had wide, unassuming eyes and they asked to many questions. He had stopped visiting the nursery with food after the latest batch of kits assailed him with questions he didn't care to answer. At least apprentices asked questions he could answer.

The tom sat primly in the sand pit, tail wrapped around his paws as he surveyed the apprentices. Most seemed to be coming along. He could see the promise of great warriors, but they still had a long way to go. One stuck out to him, a burr in his pelt with how his training had been going. Grizzlypaw, nearly full grown, seemed to not have his entire grasp on warriorhood, and it stunted him. The deputy flicked his head at the apprentice. "As the largest apprentice, I'd like to use you for demonstration. Please." That last part he added as an afterthought. "Pleases" and "thank you"s were something he'd been working on much to his chagrin.

Once Grizzlypaw had entered the divot, Owlbark gave a small nod and looked to the other apprentices. "Grizzlypaw is going to try and attack me. Watch closely." The deputy crouched low and waited for the apprentice's pursuit.

i turned 'round and there you go *ੈ✩‧₊˚

• ooc: @grizzlypaw : ̗̀➛ the grizzlerrrrrr
  
• 

  ☾ OWLBARK
  ☾ THUNDERCLAN DEPUTY
  ☾ 51 moons, ages every 1st of the month
  ☾ open to peaceful interactions
  ☾ "SPEECH"
  ☾ penned by muddly

• toyhouse
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[grizzlypaw : ̗̀➛]

Grizzlypaw hated the way the sandy pit made his paws itchy. The granules settled between the hair of his pelt in the worst ways, especially when he sat and clung to his tail. He was, sadly, not a kit and had not been for a long time. His mother long since leaving him to groom his own fur, of course, but cleaning it sand must have been the worst. Why make this the spot so commonly used for training apprentices? He figured to make them endure useless suffering as much as possible. Maybe it was some rite to warriorhood- a stupid one, he would say.

Owlbark doesn't help the already stinging wounds he beared at not receiving his warrior name this moon. The largest apprentice he echoed in mocking thought, rising to his pause by habit of being addressed by a superior. Hazelheart had at least taught him well in paying attention when spoken to. He padded closer to the deputy with a twisting feeling in his gut, knowing what this would turn into as he stood parallel to Owlbark.

"Yeah, alright." The apprentice muttered dismissively as Owlbark crouched low. Grizzlypaw stood there awkwardly for a few moments before moving to circle around the deputy, unsure how to make the first move. Owlbark was already expecting him to act, and the longer he took to make a move the more time he had to prepare for it. How was he supposed to make a good move? That's probably the point. He thought with a defeated frown. He was the demonstration, after all.

Grizzlypaw made his move with half-hearted confidence, leaping with an exposed belly as he widened his forelegs to grasp around Owlbark's neck in his pounce.

A TRIP TO THE RAINBOW ☆ FOR A POT OF GOLD

• "speech"
  
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• GRIZZLYPAW he/him, thunderclan, thirteen moons.
  ☆ a lh chocolate rosette tabby with blue eyes // large cat breed build
  ☆ mentored by hazelheart
  ☆ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted / / always tag subacct
  ☆ penned by gonkpilled ↛ gonkpilled on discord, feel free to dm for plots / click for toyhou.se

 

[serpentberry serpentberry]

This isn't her domain. Serpentberry could explain it away with a wave of her paw, "It's better that I'm here in case something horrible happens." But anyone with fur on their spine could tell that such just isn't the truth. The truth comes in that her little ones are not so little anymore and likely attending this very training session. Knowing Copperstorm, Ghoststrike, and Stilldream, each would allow their new charges a level of early battle training. The medicine cat can only hope that they're not forced to charge against any cat as well skilled as Grizzlypaw supposedly is...

... However, watching the tom stall and hesitate, she almost thinks that even Thistlepaw could take him down if they wanted to.

The molly sits to the side, away from the crowd for the most part. While this would be the perfect time to gossip and drip poison, she doesn't take the opportunity. Instead, she reclines and watches, a new curiosity inspired within her. What happens when an apprentice... isn't ready to be a warrior? Is there such a thing as... never being ready? Who's standard are they measuring to in this case? Oh... how she will have to bend Juniperstar's ear later.