Territory SkC quiet like a mouse // berrypaw

[Teaselfeather Teaselfeather]

TEASELFEATHER

Over hill, over dale, through the valley and vale do not weep, do not wail, I am coming home to you

Teaselfeather couldn't deny the flicker of unease curdling in their belly as they walked. Their ears tipped back, then pressed flat for a heartbeat while they surveyed the trees around them. This was better. Much better than skirting the borders. They didn't feel ready for that yet, not after everything... Not after Hawkstar's fall. Not after the amount of blood that seemed to be spilling and spilling and spilling... Soon the dead would be gazing at them with hollow eyes, and soon cats who they knew while growing up would be part of them... No, it was a scary though. Normally training would begin with showing the territory, tracing the edges of home. But every thought of bringing Berrypaw anywhere near those lines tightened their throat.

They wanted their apprentice to live, not turn into a story told in past tense.

They drew in a slow breath and turned to Berrypaw with an apologetic, warm smile. " Next time, I'll show you the borders. I promise. I'll ask a few others to come along too. " Their voice stayed soft, but steady. " For today, I want to see how you stalk. " A small, encouraging mrrp slipped out. " Prey understands the forest before it ever looks at it. " they murmured softly, quietly moving forward. " Sound, vibration, breath, air. So we move as part of all that. " They sank smoothly into a stalking posture, belly low, weight spread, steps quiet as drifting leaves. After a few measured paces, they straightened again and nodded to Berrypaw.

" Your turn. Breathe with the wind, not against it. Let your paws arrive like petals, not stones. " Their mismatched eyes shone with quiet confidence. " Go on. I'm right here. "

═════════════⊹⊱ ⟡ ⊰⊹═════════════

 

[BerrypawBerrypaw's icon]

BERRYPAW

Berrypaw found himself following his mentor through the territory. He understood that to go to the border by themselves could be dangerous, in these uncertain times, though he trusted Teaselfeather in protecting him. But if they didn't feel ready just now, who was he to question it? And it wasn't like he minded, he was just happy to be outside in the forest, with his new mentor, learning. He wanted to grow up to be just like his mommas - strong, caring and smart. The road that it would take to achieve that did not matter.

"It's okay!" he replied, smiling back at his mentor. Teaselfeather wanted to see him stalk and Berrypaw surely knew a bit about that! He had practiced stalking leaves and insects in camp, tails of unsuspecting warriors and fireflies. He wasn't sure if he was any good at it, but he knew where to start at least. That was until Teaselfeather spoke next. "With.. the wind?" the apprentice stared at Teaselfeather, eyes wide and confused. What did that mean? "Petals, not stones?" But his paws were fur?

Berrypaw stared at his paws for a moment, his mind blank, trying to figure out just what in StarClan's name Teaselfeather was asking him to do. But when a few breaths passed in silence and Berrypaw did not get any closer to figuring out anything, he looked back at his mentor, apologetic. "Sorry I... I don't know what that means."

SkyClan | Apprentice

 

[Teaselfeather Teaselfeather]

TEASELFEATHER

Over hill, over dale, through the valley and vale do not weep, do not wail, I am coming home to you

Their ears grew warm when they realized their explanation had slipped past Berrypaw without quite landing. The apprentice was all light and bubbling excitement, and Teaselfeather adored that brightness, but it made their own tongue stumble. Words had always been tricky things. They had grown up mostly silent, only learning how to coax sound into sentences during their apprenticeship, and even now speech sometimes tangled like burrs in fur. They paused, swallowed, and tried again.

" No, no. There's nothing to apologize for. " they murmured gently, a shy smile softening their features. " Sometimes I... Dance around too much with my words. I forget to make them simple. When I do, tell me. " They lifted one of their own paws and then guided Berrypaw's, setting it down with deliberate care. The movement was quieter, slower, intentional rather than automatic. " Your paws... " they continued, voice low and calm. " Should think before they touch the ground. "

They took another step, demonstrating. Their body flowed around a brittle twig without snapping it, paws finding moss instead of leaf-litter. It wasn't dramatic, just careful. " Like that. Not loud. Not rushed. Just... Aware. " Their mismatched eyes warmed. " Notice where not to step. Pretend the forest is listening, and you don't want to wake it. " They stepped back, giving space. " Try, I will help where I can. "

═════════════⊹⊱ ⟡ ⊰⊹═════════════