S T O R M Y P A W
“I need you to keep an eye on Sparrowpaw for a bit,” His father said in that ‘this is non-negotiable’ voice of his that always made Stormypaw want to groan and roll his eyes harder than ever before. “I’m swamped right now and since you’re older, you’re a role model for the younger apprentices.”
Oh, yes, pet my ego father. You know just how to get me to do what you want.
Even though he knew the ploy, they both also knew he would fall into it hook line and sinker. Stormypaw sighed a heavy, exasperated sigh that drew forth almost all of his annoyance at being handed baby-sitting duty for the day. “Fine.” He grumbled, not bothering to hide his attitude from his father. Edgefrost had to know how unappealing this was for him, right? And yet he still asked! The nerve. If it weren’t for the fact that he and his father were close and he actually respected the smoky-silver tom, Stormypaw never would have even accepted the task.
He made his way to the apprentice’s den, a scowl painted on his handsome face. His clear blue eyes scanned the den, looking for one cat in particular. Once he found her, he made his way over to her nest and shoved a paw abruptly into her plump backside. “Hey, wake up!” He ordered the smaller apprentice, ignoring her yelps and cries towards his impudence. “Dad’s got other stuff to do, so I’m in charge today. Consider yourself lucky you’re getting notes from me at all,” Stormypaw retorted, looking down at her in more ways than one.
They were on far different sides of the social spectrum. Stormypaw was athletic, fit, charming, handsome and popular. Sparrowpaw was short, clumsy, awkward, and didn’t have a lot of friends. They might as well have lived in different worlds as opposed to the same Clan. How in the world did he manage to get stuck with her? The day couldn’t go by fast enough.
He escorted her through the camp entrance and the territory, their path silent. It was clear that neither one of them was enjoying the other’s company. When they reached the stream, he paused and turned to face Sparrowpaw. “Have you been ice fishing yet?” He inquired, tipping a pristinely white paw towards the frozen waters ahead.
S T O R M Y P A W
He couldn't say that he was surprised when Sparrowpaw turned tail and demanded they return home. To him, she certainly seemed like the type to throw a tantrum because things didn't go the way she wanted them to. Ugh, just another thing I can't stand about her. He thought to himself. Stormypaw could care less if she left without him and went home, but she left her fish behind, too. "Oi, at least carry your prey back!" He shouted after her, annoyed with her attitude. He dark-furred tom groaned and rolled his eyes, picking up their catches for the day and then making his way back home as well.
When he returned to camp, he wasn't surprised to notice that Sparrowpaw had gone and retired for the day and left him alone to deal with the consequences. As he dropped the fish onto the fresh-kill pile, he detected his father approaching him, a question on the tip of his tongue. Stormypaw turned to face his dad, calm as unbothered waters, and simply shrugged. "It went fine, I guess. She doesn't seem to take criticism well." With that comment, he dismissed himself from Edgefrost. He wanted to do other things with his day than be on Sparrowpaw Duty, after all.