Territory RiverClan TRACES — ICEICLEPAW

[PIKESTAR PIKESTAR]

There is a reason why he volunteered to mentor Iciclepaw. He's grateful that Frostmoth didn't argue with the decision in taking an apprentice, even if he was lacking... In many areas. However, he felt as though he would be best for the youngster. Iciclepaw could have been thrown Adderfang's way, but the gruff tom would startled the poor apprentice more than anything. Certainly there is some merit in pairing Adderfang and Iciclepaw, as it would build confidence. Adderfang was a mentor who preferred his apprentices to stand their own ground and was not one to mince words when his apprentices failed or had done something out of line. For Iciclepaw... Throwing them into the deep end would not be wise.

Pikestar was well aware that he could not teach the apprentice confidence. After all, he was still rather spineless. However, what Iciclepaw needed most was someone familiar. Someone who reminded them of themselves. In their awkwardness, their unease, and their kindness. Russetfall was someone he considered for Iciclepaw's training, as he had seen the pair together a few times. It didn't seem like Russetfall loathed the younger riverclanner, which spoke leagues. He'd noted Iciclepaw while not entirely comfortable in her presence, pushed himself to converse with the council member. However, it was decided that Thunderpaw was more suited for her paws. I couldn't imagine someone else taking Thunderpaw under their... Paw. That was... Hmmm not great. Kinda lame. I'm getting why they're called paws, but I don't know whether to praise them or frown.

In the end, no one really argued about him taking on Iciclepaw as his apprentice. Maybe casted some weary glances, but he figured they all had come to the conclusion that Frostmoth was still very much young and Dogflicker would be ill suited for Iciclepaw.

For now he padded side by side with his apprentice. Their walk mostly silent. He'd answer whatever questions his apprentice desired, but he didn't want to push. Not yet. They needed to get to know each other first after all.

"A-are you hungry? Is there anything you like? Fish? M-m-maybe a bird? We could try and catch it together? Unless you want to just watch me first? WHICH! W-w-which is fine."

I'm not coming off super dumb, right? Usually I'm supposed to show them around first, that's what the others told me, but like... I want Iciclepaw to trust me. Not be worried about the leader... My eyes on him. I DON'T BITE I PROMISE!!!

// @Iciclepaw here you go my apprentice, excuse his awkwardness he knows trust what he's doing

 

[Iciclepaw Iciclepaw]

SPOOKY

Just close your eyes, the sun is going down... You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now

Breathe. In. Out. He's fine, he's good. Just the apprentice of the leader, that's all. No pressure. Not like he was going to disappoint Pikestar, right? ...Oh stars, he was going to disappoint him. No, no! He just said he wasn't! Calm down. Breathe. Keep pace. Clear your head. Not everything is out to get you. Not everything ends in failure.

He wasn't a failure. Russetfall had told him that, more than once. Sometimes he stood at the edge of the water, looking down at his reflection, whispering those words like a spell, trying to believe them. Trying. So when the silence stretched just a little too long, became suffocating... Pikestar's voice came as a balm. He was asking if Iciclepaw was hungry. What he liked. If he wanted to catch something together. Iciclepaw blinked, startled by the kindness. Wide-eyed, he stared up at the leader like he'd just been offered the moon. He didn't respond right away. Say something! his brain screamed.

" I-I… I haven't hunted yet... " he blurted, panic already beginning to edge into his voice. " I, uh... I wouldn't... I mean, what if I don't catch it? A fish or... or a bird? What if it slips away and everything goes wrong and we have nothing and-- " He sucked in a sharp breath, eyes blown wide. Calm.

" …How do you hunt? " he finally asked, quiet and tentative, his ears flattening in embarrassment. There was a flush of shame rising in his chest, but Pikestar had always been kind. That just made it worse, somehow, being scared of disappointing someone who believed in you. " I… I saw the other apprentices... " he added softly, trying to drop into a crouch. It was clumsy, awkward, not much of a crouch at all, but he was trying.

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[PIKESTAR PIKESTAR]

It was difficult not to run away or turn his head away from his apprentice when those wide eyes stared at him, as if he had done something magnificent. He really didn't deserve such a look. He was not all that wonderous, but I guess with how things have been for you. He shook his head. No. The last thing he needs is pity. Thankfully he can't afford to ponder with Iciclepaw opening up with the fact that he can't hunt. It's to be expected. Nothing to be ashamed of.

"That's okay,"

he answers just as quickly. What he is not prepared for is when his apprentice starts panicking about their lack of skill. Its too familiar that he awkwardly interjects,

"U-uhmmm... You haven't learned how to hunt so I mean, I'm not gonna get mad."

However, it seems his words fell on deaf ears. If anything, Iciclepaw would see his mentor who offered a warm smile. And perhaps that meant more than any words he could've mustered.

Pikestar waits. Trying to give the white tom a chance to collect himself and answer the question thrown their way. Instead he is met with Iciclepaw demonstrating his best hunters crouch without any proper guidance.

"That's pretty good from watching the other apprentices."

It was a white lie, but it would do more harm than good to tell Iciclepaw that his form was atrocious. I'm not like Adderfang when it comes to things like these. Besides, while this couldn't really be called a hunting crouch... For his first time without any help, he does have a good idea of what he's supposed to do.

"Here, let me help you Iciclepaw."

Ever so cautious, the silver tabby places his paws on the white furred apprentice. He waits a moment, not wanting to scare the timid apprentice. Slowly, he adjusts his apprentices position into a true hunters crouch.

"This is a hunting crouch. Its for hunting things that aren't fish. We use a different way when hunting in the river."

We'll go slow. Trying fish now would crush him. Birds are pretty hard too, but if he can manage a bird than he can manage a fish. Wait. I probably didn't help him by doing that...

Its hard not to smile watching his apprentice look puzzled while stuck in this position, perhaps thinking how unnatural it is. In time, this technique will be honed and become as natural as breathing. The silver leader would move in front of Iciclepaw.

"How does it feel? Good? Strange? I helped you this time but why don't you try it yourself? I'll show you slowly, okay?"

True to his word, he demonstrates how to get into position painfully slow. Ooog, it feels so weird having to do it that slow. Thank the stars Iciclepaw can't hear my mind, he'd probably apologize.

"Take your time. Its more important to get used to it first, then we'll work on getting into position faster. If you need me to do it or again or if you want to do it together, just tell me, 'kay?"