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8:02pm Aug 13 2012 (last edited on 8:04pm Aug 13 2012)
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OoC: Clouding: Then should I edit my post or...?
Edit; Nevermind, I edited it a bit. I think it should be okay now.
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2:01pm Aug 14 2012
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Posts: 733
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Rainpaw's face was a mask, but inside she was mentally cursing her luck. She was an average climber, but after spending so much time with Thrushwing--whom she could currently smell, off towards the edge of the training area, which wasn't helping--she was hardly confident in her abilities. It was taking all of her self-control to keep herself from trembling.
Rainpaw's pale blue eyes followed her mentor carefully as she demonstrated what she wanted the apprentice to do. She tried to note the exact grooves that Larkshade had used for paw holds, but she realized uneasily that she would just have to try it herself.
She walked stiffly towards the tree, trying to ignore its full height. Just focus on what's in front of you, she thought desperately, staring unblinkingly ahead. Bunching her muscles under her, she leaped for the first paw hold she could fine--a, old piece of a fallen branch jutting out from the trunk. She climbed as quickly as possible, her heart leaping and fluttering each time her claws didn't quite find their mark. Eventually she hauled herself, panting, onto Larshade's branch.
Rainpaw looked quickly around, scenting the air for prey, but came up with nothing. "I... I don't smell anything right now. Shall we wait until--" the apprentice broke off, noticing a sparrow a couple of branches above, with some sort of nesting material clamped in its beak. It didn't seem to have noticed the cats yet, and Rainpaw flicked her tail upwards to indicate what she had spotted. She gazed at Larkshade questioningly, a little unsure of herself. "So what exactly do I do? I don't want to startle it with sudden movements, but how else should I reach it?"
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Thrushwing stared up into the tree where Rainpaw and Larkshade were practicing. The sun-high patrol had already been out, and there was hardly and shortage of prey right now, so after he had awoken from his nap, he had headed out to the training grounds to watch the training sessions. Observing Rainpaw's climbing skills had been difficult, it was tempting to reveal himself and give some pointers, but following his earlier comment to her about being just as capable as any cat, he had realized that this was something she needed to learn herself. Besides, Larkshade was right there, should anything go wrong, and it was likely they could scent him.
He flicked his tail in annoyance as he watched the pale-furred apprentice stare up at the bird, a puzzled ex
pression on her face. Surely all she would have to do was circle around the trunk and gradually climb up to the bird's level to reach it? Thrushwing shook his head, allowing his eyes to drift partially shut, his pelt warmed by the shaft of sunlight streaming through the ferns. This was why he never watched apprentice training, they were always so slow to catch on, or at least it seemed like it.
Sighing, the long-haired tom sat up, and slipped away into the forest where he could smell other cats. After a short distance he picked up Foxtail and Swallowpaw's trail, and began to track them. He lost the trail several times, but usually managed to pick it back up. Once he had to guess, and found himself a little off-course, but the scent was stronger, and this time he was able to trace it back to the cats themselves. He sat down nearby, partially concealed by the undergrowth, but if they couldn't see him, they could surely smell him. He didn't call out, not wanting to distract them or scare of prey. If Foxtail wanted his help with anything, she could fine him. If not he would simply sit and watch. It wasn't like he had anything better to do.
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3:59pm Aug 14 2012 (last edited on 4:07pm Aug 14 2012)
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Larkshade tilted her head upwards to look at the sparrow that Rainpaw had seen. She nodded at her apprentice, silently praising her for spotting it.
In a hushed voice, she gave Rainpaw further instructions, "You want to get to a sturdy branch that's around the bird's level. Preferably a tail-length or so away, and positioned slightly above or below it. Avoid branches that would shake the sparrow's. When you find one, you can climb up the tree trunk to it or use other sturdy branches to reach it." Larkshade narrowed her eyes and glanced up again, making sure the sparrow was still there. It was sitting on the same branch, busying itself with fixing it's nest or something.
Larkshade then glanced around, searching for a suitable branch and a way to get to it without disturbing the bird. She spotted one that looked sturdy and was in a good position to leap at the bird from. It wasn't too hard to get to, either.
Looking back at Rainpaw, Larkshade asked, "Do you see any branch you think would be suitable for catching the bird from?" She watched Rainpaw intently, following her gaze and making careful note of which branches her eyes seemed to linger on.
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4:22pm Aug 14 2012
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Posts: 733
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"Er..." Rainpaw glanced around, searching for a suitable branch. "I...."
She had noticed that Thrushwing's scent had faded away, and she was feeling a little more confident in herself, but she still wasn't sure which branch she should choose. They all looked sturdy to her, given that she wasn't fully filled out yet. It was unlikely any branch at this level would snap under her weight. But she knew Larkshade was counting on her to learn this skill, and she was determined to get it right. She could see a thick branch just peeking around the other side of the tree, but that was wouldn't give any options for reaching the bird. Another branch jutted out a couple fox-lengths up, but it was too high to reach, and one would have to climb sideways to reach it, which would alert the sparrow.
Suddenly Rainpaw's eyes fell on one about a tail-length to the left of the bird, about half a tail-length up from where they were sitting, and another half tail-length to reach the bird. It was close enough by the standards Larkshade had set for an acceptable branch, and Rainpaw figured she might give it a try.
"Will that one work?" she asked softly, already preparing to leap. The leaves of the tree would conceal the worst of the movement, and it was facing away from the busy sparrow anyway. "It looks like it should," she added, unintentionally giving away some of her nervousness.
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4:46pm Aug 14 2012 (last edited on 4:46pm Aug 14 2012)
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Larkshade stared hard at the branch Rainpaw had chosen, leaning forward slightly to see the whole of it. She inspected it for a few heartbeats before looking back at Rainpaw. Her face showed little emotion except for her eyes, which showed how pleased she was. The branch wasn't the same one that Larkshade had chosen, but it's positioning was similar and it would do just as well.
"Good choice, Rainpaw," Larkshade replied with a small nod of approval. "Leap quickly, now, but be quiet. The sparrow isn't going to be so busy for much longer." She glanced at the sparrow, who had looked up from it's work before getting back to it, then back at Rainpaw.
"You go first. I'll leap after you," Larkshade instructed. She patiently waited for Rainpaw to make the leap, already bunching her own muscles together so that she would land right after her.
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5:01pm Aug 14 2012
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Posts: 733
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Rainpaw twitched her whiskers in acknowledgement, which wasn't exactly the proper way to acknowledge praise or an order, but she didn't want to startle the sparrow. She hoped her apology was visible in her eyes, but she was so used to masking her emotions it was impossible to tell. It wasn't like she could check in a river.
She leaped quickly, pleased that she landed squarely on the branch with her claws hooking in solidly. No scramble at all, which was a first for her. The sparrow seemed to be checking over its work, which appeared to be the base of a next, now that she got a better look at it. She scooted over for Larkshade, looking down to check her mentor's position. She kept her shoulders hunched and her body low, aware of how visible her pale pelt was likely to be.
Rainpaw looked back up at the sparrow, and flicked her tail to signal her mentor that it was safe to come up. |
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5:26pm Aug 14 2012
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Posts: 2,085
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Larkshade focused on the branch and leaped onto it, landing quietly beside Rainpaw. The branch shook slightly, but the sparrow didn't seem to take notice. Fortunately, Larkshade was a rather small cat. If she had been bigger, the branch might have shook more and startled the sparrow.
Larkshade suddenly paused and stood very still, as if checking for something. She then straightened herself and returned to normal.
"The sparrow won't be able to smell us from here, the way the wind is blowing, so don't rush this," Larkshade observed. "Now, all you must do is leap up to catch the sparrow before it flies away. But don't be too obvious about it." She paused. "If that makes any sense."
((I'm assuming that the branch the sparrow was on was above them? Also, it's a little funny how we're RPing the sparrow. Or maybe I just have an odd sense of humour? x3))
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11:37am Aug 15 2012
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Posts: 1,651
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Ooc; At the hotel typing this right now. I won't post, but I get back later today. I might not post then either. I'll post tomorrow for sure.
I am online..
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2:16pm Aug 16 2012
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Posts: 733
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Rainpaw nodded briskly to show she understood, and bunched her muscles in preparation. Before she leaped, she took care to scent the air herself, just to be thorough. She didn't like to think of the scolding she would receive if she messed this up--and not from her mentor necessarily, but herself.
Flicking her gaze one last time to Larkshade, to check her position, the light-furred apprentice sprang carefully off the branch, cursing as the leaves rattled from the force of her kick. But she hooked her claws into the sparrow's wing before it could take to the air, and finished it quickly. Holding her feathery catch in her jaws, she stared back at Larkshade with emotionless eyes, waiting for criticism or praise. Or perhaps nothing at all.
The apprentice jumped down to her previous perch, frustrating herself by landing much more lightly than she had taken off. She didn't let go of the sparrow, not wanting it to fall, so she had no way of speaking with her mentor. Instead she sat down and prepared to listen to either a lecture or more instructions. Though she had caught the bird, she was a bit of a perfectionist, and the fact that she had rattled the branch harder than necessary bothered her. Well, she thought, at least nobody else was here to see it besides Larkshade.
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6:26pm Aug 16 2012
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Posts: 5,310
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OoC://
D:
Gone for four days and this is what happens...
Nothing can stop the US Air Force except lightning within five nautical miles.
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7:26am Aug 20 2012
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Posts: 733
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(( Erm... bump? I'd rather this not die...
Sorry we moved so fast while you were gone, Dragon. I hope we didn't leave you behind.)) |
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10:50am Aug 20 2012
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Posts: 5,310
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OoC://
I don't think you guys did... but I'll post something when I get home from work.
Nothing can stop the US Air Force except lightning within five nautical miles.
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11:03am Aug 20 2012
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Posts: 1,651
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Ooc; Sorry guys. Was on vacation, then I was reading the posts, and then I forgot about this. D:
I'll post asap.
I am online..
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10:46am Aug 21 2012
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Posts: 2,085
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((Argh. Sorry for not posting for so long. Will post now.))
Larkshade had watched carefully as Rainpaw leaped off of the branch, hooked her claw into the sparrow's wing and came back with it in a swift motion.
"The branch rattled rather loudly, startling the sparrow. A more attentive bird may have been too quick for you to catch. Next time, you may want to leap off of the branch here, closer to the trunk of the tree," Larkshade patted her paw on the branch under her. "I know that you couldn't have done it this time, with me sitting here, but just a reminder for next time. You might also want to practice your leap. There was nothing wrong with the one you did today, but with a higher leap, you could position yourself above the prey and catch it more easily." She glanced over at Rainpaw before realizing that she hadn't given any praise. Larkshade's "policy" as a mentor was to always give some praise, but also point out what could have been done better. It was never good to overdo either, especially if one is left untouched.
"However, you were very quick. Your fast reaction allowed you to catch the sparrow before it flew away. Keep practicing, and this will give you a great advantage," Larkshade added, giving another one of her small nods to Rainpaw. "Shall we practice some more?" she asked, although it was more of an instruction than a question.
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12:07pm Aug 21 2012
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Posts: 6,296
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((I want to join, but it seems you're already along. D: ))
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11:58am Aug 22 2012
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Posts: 1,651
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Ooc; I wouldn't mind if we could add another player. But, depends if the other rp'ers don't mind.
I am online..
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3:34pm Aug 22 2012
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Posts: 733
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(( I wouldn't mind if you wish to add another person.^^ ))
Rainpaw stared ahead, unblinking, at the rest of the forest, avoiding the gaze of her mentor. She listened to the criticism with a tilted head, no emotion showing in her blue eyes. She had been careless with the branch, and hadn't even thought of moving closer to the trunk. But what if there's another reason I can't move towards the trunk? she thought suddenly.
"Larkshade? I think we should practice some more, and I promise to work on my leap, but what happens if I can't reach the bird if I'm close to the trunk? Is there any other way to keep from alerting it?" she asked. As an older apprentice, it was her duty to ask questions as well as listen. Or at least, she thought it was. Rainpaw loved to listen to other cats when they wanted to talk, but she also wanted the freedom of having choices, and asking questions meant that she might have options in the future, instead of just following another cat's orders. |
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9:33pm Aug 22 2012 (last edited on 9:33pm Aug 22 2012)
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((I wouldn't mind either, especially since we haven't gone too far in our RP yet. :3
Also, Guiven, I have no idea how to respond to Rainpaw's question. XD This is what I get for only reading four of the books. :p So any ideas on what one might do in such a situation? My brain will probably come up with something sooner or later. :d))
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4:05pm Aug 25 2012
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Posts: 733
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(( Perhaps just look for a very supple/springy branch instead, to propel her more easily or something? xD ))
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5:41pm Sep 4 2012
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Posts: 2,085
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OoC; I'm SO sorry, I completely forgot about this RP. RL has just been so busy, what with school starting and all. Will reply now.
(And thanks for the suggestion, Guiven. c:)
BiC:
Larkshade listened carefully to Rainpaw's question, then nodded when she had finished to show she understood.
"In that case, you should look for a more flexible and springy branch that would aid you with your leap, but wouldn't rattle as much when you push off of it," Larkshade replied. She paused to think, she opened her mouth to speak again, before Rainpaw had the chance to ask another question. "Just remember that you can't catch every piece of prey. Sometimes, after you've worked and tried very hard to catch it, it's time to move onto a new piece of prey. There will be bad days when prey is scarce and there's hardly a peep in the woods."
Larkshade closed her mouth quickly after finishing. She felt like she had just rambled on and on, useless words coming out of her mouth. She didn't usually say as much as that, and when she did, nothing like that would ever come out. Larkshade decided that Amberwing must be rubbing off on her; she could certainly imagine him saying the words she had just uttered.
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