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Post by Warrioress on May 18, 2019 14:41:26 GMT -6
Barkpaw shifted his paws in nerves as he sat by the camp entrance. Tumblefoot had informed him that there would be another warrior giving him his assessment, causing a new set of nerves to flutter in his system. Barkpaw could admit that Tumblefoot had been a really good mentor and he practically adored the older tom for not looking down on his clumsiness and rather gave him tips and advice on how to control it, seeming to have the same issue himself.
Glancing around the camp, Barkpaw watched different warriors going back and forth across the clearing, catching a glimpse of Tinybreath sharing tongues with her daughter, then his gaze moving on, seeing Whispermoon's form faintly in the shadows of the medicine den. He wondered which warrior would be assessing him today. He shifted his paws once more, looking around for any sign of his brother or mentor in the hopes of talking to them and getting a boost in confidence.
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Post by niftyshark on May 24, 2019 13:08:20 GMT -6
“Let’s go,” Trenchflame said abruptly, walking past Barkpaw as he headed towards the camp entrance. He was only half-surprised that he was asked to oversee the apprentice’s assessment. It gave him the opportunity to see how well his son trained his apprentice. He was also an old warrior with a lot of experience, and he wasn’t afraid to be harsh or to shy away from what needed to be said. However, in the last few moons, he was trying to bridge the wide gap he felt between him and his clanmates. After his conversation with Raggedstar, he came to such a strong realization that his walls were self-built, but tearing them down was a lot harder than he thought it would be. Luckily for this interaction, it wouldn’t be wrong to be strict, so he felt more at ease that he didn’t have to exert himself mentally.
That didn’t mean he was heartless, though. He knew all apprentices were anxious for their assessment, so encouragement was something he could try to offer. The trees surrounded him as he moved away from camp, and he only looked past his shoulder once, just to make sure Barkpaw was behind him. He paused in a small field, deciding it was as good a place as any to tell Barkpaw what he would have to do.
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Post by Warrioress on Jun 4, 2019 21:43:29 GMT -6
Trenchflame's abrupt approach along with his words had Barkpaw jumping with surprise before he was scurrying after the warrior, hissing slightly as he tripped over a branch that was just outside the entrance and caused him to nearly fall over. He managed to keep his feet under him and hurry after his mentors father, nervous about the outcome of the day.
He looked around the small field they came to briefly before focusing back on Trenchflame, determined to prove his worth to the warrior and hopefully make his mentor proud as well when he was told about the assessment.
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Post by niftyshark on Jun 6, 2019 13:26:49 GMT -6
Trenchflame waited until Barkpaw looked ready before he started speaking. “Your assessment will be as follows. You need to hunt two birds you come across, and a mole.” They would be plentiful, even if they took some searching to find. “I will follow you and observe your progress.” He paused for a moment before adding, “At some point during your hunting, I will attack you and try to delay you. You need to fend me off and continue your task, with the aim to be done by sunhigh.” The assessment was a little unorthodox in that he would be revealing himself at random, but he thought preparedness for anything—including a fight—was crucial. “Do you have any questions? If not, you can get started.”
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Post by Warrioress on Jun 6, 2019 13:51:05 GMT -6
Barkpaw felt his ears flick as he listened to the words, feeling a bit nervous that it was hunting and battle. His mind was already running through the different places he could search for the required prey. He shook his head in response to Trenchflame's question before he turned and slipped off into the forest, picking a path towards the small stream that was nearby, hoping that the water would help with finding the needed prey.
It was luck that he managed to catch the scent of a sparrow, his nose twitched as he scanned the surroundings, ears flicking as he tried to locate the bird. The sound of scratching had him slipping into a crouch and moving slowly thru the undergrowth, his gaze locking on a sparrow that was digging up some worms.
He moved until he was close enough to pounce before lunging forward, hissing in anger as he stumbled slightly while landing, though he was quick to shoot out his paw and slam it down on the birds neck, snapping it before the bird could even gather enough power to fly away. He grinned before burying the bird, intent on heading off for his next piece of prey.
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Post by niftyshark on Jun 6, 2019 14:48:05 GMT -6
The sparrow was a quick and lucky find. Trenchflame nodded in approval to himself that Barkpaw found it quickly, but he winced as the apprentice almost tripped over his own paws. Tumblefoot did make a note to mention that Barkpaw was sometimes... short on balance, and he could see why now. It wasn’t exactly a fatal flaw, but perhaps it was something Barkpaw couldn’t help.
Trenchflame trailed back farther to give Barkpaw more space. He was waiting for an opportune time to strike, though the openings were surprisingly slim. Barkpaw seemed composed enough despite the knowledge that he would be attacked at some point.
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Post by Warrioress on Jun 6, 2019 20:54:09 GMT -6
Ears flicking once more, Barkpaw listened both the noise around him while also searching for either scent of prey or scent of Trenchflame. He figured that he should be relatively nervous about the fact that he was expecting an attack but was surprisingly settling into a sort of easy rythym, his mind focusing on the task at hand rather than worrying about what it is that is expected.
Moving closer to the stream, Barkpaw paused to scent the air once more, his eyes scanning the area around him, looking for any indication of prey that he was searching for. He growled in irritation as he didn't come up with any signs of what he sought. Turning he held in a sharp yelp as his tail got caught in a bramble bush, sending him cursing as he yanked his tail free, regardless of the pain.
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Post by niftyshark on Jun 6, 2019 21:01:26 GMT -6
After hanging back for a little, Trenchflame drew closer again. Barkpaw had one more bird to catch and one mole. The mole would be the hardest, but it was just after dawn, so he had time. However, his tail managed to get caught, and Trenchflame frowned when he saw. He wanted to be understanding in assuming it was something Barkpaw couldn’t help... but should he assume that? Being a warrior could often be a matter of life or death. One wrong move, one slip, and it would spell his end against an enemy. He drew closer still and unsheathed his claws. He flexed them in the dirt, but he didn’t move in. He kept behind a tree, waiting to see what Barkpaw’s next move would be.
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Post by Warrioress on Jun 6, 2019 21:17:42 GMT -6
Shaking his fur, Barkpaw figured that he wasn't giving that good of an impression for his assessment. He flicked his tail and started off again, keeping track of where he was placing his paws and making sure to keep his tail close to his hind leg. His ear flicked once as he continued moving thru the undergrowth, noting the position of the sun, how it was slowly rising into the sky.
He wanted to curse as it took him him forever to find his next piece of prey. His nerves kicking in as he wondered when the attack from Trenchflame would happen. He nearly missed the scent of a wren, so focused on looking for any signs of the other tom. The scent of the bird nearly had his head snapping around, but he managed to turn his head calmly, so that it didn't give any type warning to the prey.
Spotting the Wren fluttering around the roots of a tree, pecking at the ground, where Barkpaw noted there were beetles and other insects running around. Slipping into a crouch, glad about his fur color, as he crept closer, using the shadow of the nearest tree to help him get closer to the bird. Ensuring he didn't step on any leaves or sticks. Once he was as close as he dared to get he waited for the perfect moment. Wanting to cheer when the presence of a rather large beetle had the wren coming to about 3 tail-lengths from him.
Tensing his hind legs, he lunged forward, flashing his paw out to slam it down on the wrens neck, hearing a satisfying snap that indicated the spine was broken. He nearly wanted to crow with victory.
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Post by niftyshark on Jun 7, 2019 6:58:43 GMT -6
The hunt began again, and Trenchflame had to note the apprentice’s perseverance. It wasn’t unlike his own, in a small way. Only the mole was left, but it wouldn’t be that easy anymore. Trenchflame circled around, using Barkpaw’s distractedness with the wren to get as close as he could, keeping downwind. He flattened himself to the ground and stalked his way closer still. He waited until Barkpaw was turned, burying his catch, to leap from behind with the aim to knock the apprentice down and disorientate him.
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Post by Warrioress on Jun 11, 2019 18:59:38 GMT -6
A weight hitting his hindquarters had Barkpaw hissing in surprise as he was knocked to the ground. He growled as he used his paws to push him into a roll, coming up into a crouch a few tail-lengths away, his fur bristling as his gazed locked onto Trenchflame. Baring his teeth, he decided to wait a beat to see what the warrior would do now.
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Post by niftyshark on Jun 17, 2019 21:37:01 GMT -6
The apprentice falling underneath him was a satisfying sensation, but it didn’t last long. Barkpaw tucked into a roll and slipped away from his grasp. Of course, Trenchflame didn’t pursue him doggedly, spry as he was in his growing age. He allowed a few heartbeats to go by before he leaped again. His only objective was to stall Barkpaw, not to defeat or immobilize him. He fell short intentionally, then circled around so he was blocking the nearest way out, staring at the apprentice with challenge in his gaze.
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Post by Warrioress on Jun 17, 2019 21:43:46 GMT -6
Barkpaw hissed slightly at the warrior, watching as he circled to block the nearest way out. Eyes narrowing in thought, Barkpaw knew he couldn't overpower Trenchflame, so instead he waited a beat before darting forward, looking like he was aiming for the warriors forepaws but instead he used his smaller size to slip under the warriors belly and flashed out a paw to yank the warriors hind legs to the side, hoping to unbalance him.
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Post by niftyshark on Jun 17, 2019 22:06:40 GMT -6
Trenchflame knew to expect the unexpected. That could range considerably. But Barkpaw worming his way under his belly was something he didn’t initially think of, given the repercussions of jumping at a cat’s paws. It must have served its intended purpose, because the warrior reflexively jumped away. He stopped then and watched Barkpaw scramble away, and he nodded in approval. Uncanny but sufficient. He turned away and towards the camp, knowing that the apprentice would soon return with the catches he needed to fulfill the assessment.
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Post by Warrioress on Jun 17, 2019 22:14:00 GMT -6
Barkpaw couldn't help the feeling of achievement wash through him when Trenchflame nodded in approval before the warrior turned away towards camp. Barkpaw turned and headed off into the forest once more, looking for the mole so that he could complete his assessment. He couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation in his chest, he was so close he could practically taste it.
~ fin ~
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