Coldgaze and Merrypaw
Coldgaze quizzes Merrypaw on her observations over the last moon.
Along the riverbed, firmly in Riverclan territory.
11
Coldgaze led Merrypaw out into the territory quite early in the morning, not for hunting but to give her a better idea of the further reaches of the territory. He made sure not to travel too close to Thunderclan territory... but close enough that they could see the forest. Having previously shown Merrypaw Tresspass point, he took her the opposite direction, along the bank.
About halfway through the walk, he turned back to Merrypaw, finding a patch of ground that wasn't quite as frozen as the rest and turning back to her.
"I did warn you this was coming." He settled, keeping his pawpads turned in his tail to try and keep them warm. "So, Merrypaw. What is - in your mind- the Warrior Code?"
Characters:
Coldgaze: (M) Ruthless Riverclan Deputy
Lawn Gnome: (F) Motherly Semi-Feral Shecat
Redpaw: (M) Thoughtful Shadowclan Apprentice
Sootbounce: (M) Bubbly Shadowclan Warrior
Sturgeonpaw: (M) Altruistic Riverclan Apprentice
Sunstrike: (F) Anxious Thunderclan Queen
NPCs:
Quailcall: (F) Fierce Thunderclan Warrior
Garden's gem, in sunlight's blaze
༻❁༺
Merrypaw trailed close behind Coldgaze, her paws crunching softly against the frost-laden ground. The morning chill nipped at her ears, but she pushed it aside, focusing instead on her mentor’s question. When he stopped and turned to her, she blinked, her teal eyes narrowing in thought.
She flicked her tail as she thought it through, the pride of knowing at least some of the answer flickering in her chest. "The Warrior Code... is meant to keep the clans safe and strong. Like... loyalty to RiverClan above all else, making sure the kits and elders are fed before anyone else, and respecting boundaries with the other Clans." Her voice was steady, but then her thoughts wandered to the camp, and examples sprang to mind. "Like how Cottonbright takes time to remind other warriors about border patrols. Or how Nettleplume stays up all night organizing herbs, even though the Code doesn’t say medicine cats have to sacrifice their rest like that... And Otterwhisker - she always has a story or wisdom to share selflessly."
Her gaze flicked up towards her mentor. "I think... it’s more about making choices that seem to be the best for RiverClan, even if the Code doesn’t tell you exactly how to do it." She hesitated, wondering if she’d said too much, but pressed on. "So... I guess I think the Warrior Code is a foundation, but it’s how we act around it that makes us real warriors."
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettleplume, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat
Merrypaw, ♀ Steadfast Apprentice
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlespice, ♀ Selfish Warrior
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, ♀ Striving Warrior
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
Rimekit, ♀ Rowdy kit
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
Heatherkit, ♀ Sweet Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Emberdust, ♀ Artless Warrior
Duskpaw, ♂ Opportunistic Apprentice
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Visionary Feral
Montgomery (Monty), ♂ Sentimental Semi-Feral
Merrypaw’s interpretation wasn’t wrong – she had good examples and had clearly watched her clanmates carefully to see how they embodied the code. Speaking of which… “Hm. I will have to speak to Nettleplume.” He mused, flicking tail revealing his discomfort. Nettleplume shouldn’t be sacrificing his sleep for that. If he needed help – especially with his mentor’s fast deteriorating health – he was supposed to ask. Perhaps from a certain brown tom…
“Riverclan is our top priority. That is the hard truth of the matter. The code gives us stories, mantras and beliefs to follow. But at its core is keeping the clan safe, fed and cohesive.” He settled.
“You have done well Merrypaw.” Coldgaze wasn’t one to hand out empty praise. He hoped his apprenticed understood that he meant it.
From his loafed seat, he looked out at the relatively open patch of frozen dirt. “… I showed you a few battle exercises. Run through those while we speak.” Keeping her body warm was a good idea during this weather, and this would help her learn to multitask.
“Some pieces of the code are not immediately apparent in everyday life. I’m going to share another piece of wisdom.” His eyes drilled into his apprentice’s multi-toned pelt. “You tell me – what is the moral of this story? Answer correctly... And we'll learn some proper offensive moves.”
OOC: Coldgaze probably showed Merrypaw some basic battle moves, namely defensive ones and reversal attacks in anticipation of Thunderclan. These were in a choreography to practice and condition her body. Maybe he also threw in a more advanced move, just for funsies and to see if she notices. It’s entirely up to you.
Characters:
Coldgaze: (M) Ruthless Riverclan Deputy
Lawn Gnome: (F) Motherly Semi-Feral Shecat
Redpaw: (M) Thoughtful Shadowclan Apprentice
Sootbounce: (M) Bubbly Shadowclan Warrior
Sturgeonpaw: (M) Altruistic Riverclan Apprentice
Sunstrike: (F) Anxious Thunderclan Queen
NPCs:
Quailcall: (F) Fierce Thunderclan Warrior
