juniper
"and this time, she won't be forgiving"
"You did well," it had gone unsaid in the aftermath of a grisly battle but she had not been so blinded by misfortune's heavy strike to forget it. he was a diligent, dedicated, loyal student and deserved the acknowledgement; in many ways he reminded them of Grizzlypurr; a stature that was built for power run by a heart that ached for softness. she'd never been blessed with the physicality that might call her a great combatant-- memory of Thornstar pinned beneath aggressors as they tore out his throat, how she'd stood by and helplessly watched-- but that softness, she could understand. if the world were perfect, they could've had that.but it is cruel. and there is no reality where a lifetime goes lived without battle.
"I know it was unexpected but I'm proud of you." overcast eyes flee to find her apprentice's face, to study his reaction. was he the type to cry from relief? or would he bottle up his concerns? the reminder that she had strayed too far from his side to really know the answer sends an icy chill down her spine.
what kind of mentor was that, who didn't know how their own apprentice had grown? "I was thinking we might go hunting today... I saw a marmot near Sunningrocks the other day, if we work together we could catch it."