Private Territory TRY AS ONE MIGHT ❤︎ TEASELPAW

[fitzgerald]

So, Fitzgerald is a mentor now. A certain someone must have had bees in her brain when she thought this one up — or maybe it's supposed to be some sort of punishment. If anyone is being punished, it's Teaselpaw... they did not do anything wrong, though.

For not the first nor second time this past few days, the word unfair echos in his mind.

Whatever. It's fine. Yeah, he will make this work somehow. I have to, he thinks, or next time I may as well be banished to the Twolegplace. It is probably paranoia talking, because as far as he's concerned, he could have been exiled for many more things back home. Slipping away for a few hours is not that big of a deal. Only Rosepaw made it into a big deal.

"So,"

he starts, looking back over his shoulder to peer at Teaselpaw. What Fitzgerald ought to tell them is that he is not cut out for this. He is lucky that he remembers a few basic stuff from simply watching mentors go about their day.

"I guess... usually the first order of business is showing you the territory, but you kinda already saw the whole world by now, huh? You won't have trouble getting around."

He isn't quite sure if he is talking to Teaselpaw or himself. Amber eyes shoot skyward, as if the foliage and the clouds could offer him some help.

"We can hunt. Show you the ropes. It's so darn cold for stalking, though..."

A ragged sigh erupts from his chest.

"Who am I kidding? Listen, if you ask Hawkstar real nice, she might be willing to grace you with a new mentor. Someone better."

Fitzgerald forces a friendly smile onto his face as he meets Teaselpaw's gaze, but his belly churns at the idea. Is that jealousy? No way? He's had this kid for like, what, less than a moon?

@Teaselpaw

 

[Teaselpaw]

TEASELPAW

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

Now that they had finally settled into their new camp, Teaselpaw supposed real apprentice training would begin again. A part of them felt uncertain, were they truly cut out for this? The path of a warrior seemed so clear to others, yet their own paws often strayed, their mind drifting toward plants, toward strange visions that danced at the edges of their sight. But still… they wanted to make their mother proud. They wanted to show their mentor they could be a good apprentice. Surely, surely they were good for something.

As Fitzgerald spoke, they blinked up at him, wide eyes shining with curiosity. Not show the territory? Well, they'd seen a lot of the world, yes, but not everything here yet. That could be exciting! Exploring, learning, understanding. They would try. They would be good. Then Fitzgerald's attention shifted to hunting, and Teaselpaw tilted their head, blinking twice. They could try that too, right? But before they could dwell on it for long, Fitzgerald muttered something, something about them deserving a better mentor.

Teaselpaw frowned.

Without hesitation, they pushed forward, bumping against Fitzgerald with a loud mrrp! Disagreeing. Strongly. Fitzgerald would be a great mentor. He just had to believe in himself. With a determined look, they lifted a paw and patted the ground twice before pointing forward, eyes bright with excitement. They hadn't seen all of the territory yet! They had exploring to do, things to learn. They had time, and no matter what Fitz thought of himself, they believed in him.

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