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.
Sparrowpaw
Riverclan Apprentice
Her facial expression dropped immediately when noticing Stormypaw stepping back and his facial expression didn’t look so pleased within that moment. Stormypaw was disgusted by her, and Sparrowpaw knew it. Sitting down for a moment, she wrapped her feathery tail around herself protectively as the brown and white tabby looked down for a moment. Within that moment, Sparrowpaw knew that she needed to keep herself guarded when it came to Stormypaw.
Although it hurt for a moment, because she thought they were actually friends at that moment.
“I want to go home.” Sparrowpaw muttered, turning around and started to walk away from him. He could bring the fish back, she could care less if he took the credit. At the moment, Sparrowpaw wanted to be far away from him. Why did the dark gray apprentice have to be so complicated? She never did anything wrong to him, so why did he hate her? Letting out a sigh of frustration, Sparrowpaw ignored his calls and didn’t even bother to slow her pace, she was going back to camp so he can spend time with his little yes-men and women.
It wasn’t until she made it back into the familiar area of the Riverclan camp that Edgefrost was at the clearing with Sleekfeather. The massive gray and black tom opened his mouth as he was about to address his apprentice but she walked past him, making her way to the apprentice den instead. Edge’s dark eyes narrowed for a moment before watching Stormypaw enter the camp, he knew that the two didn’t see eye to eye as much but Starclan, couldn’t they get along for once? Taking a deep breath, Edge’s gaze turned to look towards his son
“How did hunting go?” Edge asked calmly, knowing it clearly didn’t go well.
S T O R M Y P A W
Stormypaw nodded in satisfaction as Sparrowpaw finally managed to catch herself a fish. Now he could go home and tell his father guilt-free that he helped him out today and taught his apprentice something useful. It was good to know that she wasn’t completely incompetent either and that if she was taught right, she was capable of succeeding at something.
He parted his jaws, about to commend her for her success and actually give her a compliment- that was, until she squealed like a kitten and purposely bumped into him. Stormypaw cringed, a grimace on his face. Normally, he wouldn’t dare to complain if a girl threw herself at him but that was only if she was beautiful. In Sparrowpaw’s case, with her round face and chubby frame that had yet to lose its baby fat, this was not nearly as enjoyable for him. Though, he supposed he couldn’t blame her for wanting his attention, since he was clearly a handsome young man himself.
He put a paw on her shoulder and, as gently as possible, pushed her back, severing the contact between them. “Good for you.” He said, in a voice that was absent of joy and happiness for her. He wasn’t trying to be an asshole but the more she acted like she wanted his praise and attention, the more he wanted nothing to do with her. It would be different if she were better looking, but as she was now, he had no interest in her.
“That’s enough for today,” He sighed, stepping away from the younger apprentice. “Let’s go home, I’m tired.”Tired of being around you, that is.
Sparrowpaw Riverclan Warrior
The brown and white molly flinched slightly the moment that the water hit Stormypaw’s face, biting her lower lip. Oh stars, she was in for it now. Looking away, Sparrowpaw knew that she was in trouble now. Refusing to look at Stormypaw for a moment, it wasn’t until the dark grey tom had reassured her, his tone was slightly gentle towards her. Opening her eyes, Sparrowpaw had turned to look towards Stormypaw with her mouth slightly open. Shock was an underestimated statement, where was the scolding, the berating? Furrowing her eyebrows for a moment, Sparrowpaw looked away.. There was the Stormypaw that she had known after his comment, she thought that perhaps herself and Stormypaw were having a moment.. But instead, that quickly went down the drain.
“Yeah, sure.” Sparrowpaw muttered, looking away from the tom. Sensing the older apprentice was stepping away from her, Stormypaw did not want to be the victim of another splash accident. Crouching down for a moment, her green gaze remained on the water. It wasn’t until spotting a fish at the corner of her eye. Remembering Stormypaw’s words, she needed to be quick and effective in order to be successful in her hunt.
It wasn’t until the fish moved to the hole that caused her paw to lash out, her small black claws sinking into the fish. Quickly retracting her paw from the icy cold water, Sparrowpaw watched as the red fish landed nearby her. Springing into action, the small molly placed her paws on the fish and bit into it’s side, feeling her teeth almost connect to the spine. Feeling the fish going limp, Sparrowpaw knew that she made the kill. Looking over at Stormypaw, a huge smile appeared on her face as she went towards him and bumped herself into him “I did it!” Sparrowpaw squealed, excitement in her tone and attitude.
S T O R M Y P A W
That was a good catch!
Yes, that's right! Impressed, aren't you? As much as he wanted to tip his nose in the air and boast himself up with his chest puffed out at the praise coming his way, the prey in his mouth stopped him from doing so. He had picked up his catch to move it out of her way so that the other apprentice could take her turn at ice fishing. Stormypaw place his catch on the ground a safe distance away and opened his mouth, prepared to goad her into giving him more flattery- however, before he could say anything, a frigid splash hit him in the face.
Astonished and paralyzed by how cold it was, the dark-furred tom stood there, somewhat flabbergasted with his jaw hung open. How careless could someone be? He thought, highly annoyed, dripping wet and cold. His immediate reaction would to be to retaliate with a tongue-lashing that would scald even the thickest of egos, but for some reason, that didn't happen.
Stormypaw sighed. It was a thick one, an exhale that weighed all of his vexations. With that sigh, he let go of his anger. Sparrowpaw was younger than him. She was still learning. It was inevitable that she would make mistakes. As difficult as he could be to deal with sometimes, even he knew better than to lash out at her for her mistake.
"It's alright," he replied, his tone unexpectedly gentle when he turned to face the tabby feline again. By the frown on her face, it was clear that Sparrowpaw genuinely felt sorry for splashing him. "I'll forgive you this time, but don't do it again." He sneered, only a slight hint of a joke on his tone of voice. He stepped aside, making sure this time to put enough distance between the two of them that if she missed again, he wouldn't be taking another splash to the face. "Try again, okay?"
Sparrowpaw
Riverclan Apprentice.
Stars Almighty, Stormypaw had the most massive ego known to Riverclan feline.
Biting the inside of her cheek, Sparrowpaw looked at the dark gray tom with uncertainty. Her eyes narrowed slightly, as it was clear that the small molly didn’t want anything to do with Stormypaw, she didn’t feel at ease with his presence. Wrapping her tail neatly around her paws, Sparrowpaw observed him for a moment “One with such pride often has the biggest downfalls.” The brown and white muttered, not caring if the older apprentice heard her words. Often hearing stories about felines who had the biggest egos, weren’t really known for their accomplishments or their heart of gold.. But only because of their downfall from grace, Sparrowpaw seriously hoped that Stormypaw wasn’t like this for the rest of his life. Looking at her paws, she flinched slightly at his words.
“Who died and made you leader.” Sparrowpaw couldn’t help but mutter, getting up and strolling to the ice hole that Stormypaw had created. Peering over, it wasn’t until she watched the handsome tom carefully observe the hole before jumping slightly when his paw striked forward and a fish leaped out. “Get it!” Sparrowpaw gasped, her eyes widened as she watched the fish flopping around and the larger tom moved and sank his teeth into the spine. A bright smile appeared on her face when looking up at him “That was a good catch!” Sparrowpaw said, but also knew the tom’s massive ego was probably going to grow bigger just from her compliments alone. Stars, why couldn’t Edge be here? He was more level-headed and probably more polite as his ego didn’t get in the way of training.
It wasn’t until Sparrowpaw froze slighly at her fellow apprentice’ words, she was next. Taking a deep breath, the brown and white tabby lowered herself until her gaze was focused on the ice hole. Remembering Stormypaw’s advice, the molly was focused on a silver
fish that was nearby. “Come on.” Sparrowpaw mumbled before without thinking, her paw splashed into the water which not only caused the fish nearby to scatter away, but ice cold water to hit Stormypaw on the face. Sparrowpaw’s facial expression had fallen slightly, oh she was in for it now.
“Good Stars! I’m so sorry!” Sparrowpaw said, a frown on her face.
S T O R M Y P A W
Stormypaw fixed the molly with an incredulous look at the words that came out of her mouth. “You really never have been ice fishing before, have you?” He sneered, unable to help himself. What a helpless little creature she was. When Sparrowpaw broke the ice herself, clearly not with purpose, and freaked herself out about it, an unsuppressed laugh erupted from him at her expense. Stars, how cluelessly bad could a cat be? The more time he spent with her, the more he really started to think that they were from different planets.
“Listen, this stream is mild at best, which is why we use it for fishing. It’s literally called the fishing stones. If you’re really worried about drowning in water this relaxed, you might as well retire from RiverClan now. Do you even know how to swim? How old are you again?” He was merciless, piling on insult after insult onto the poor girl. He just couldn’t believe himself. His father was mentoring her? Part of him felt bad for Edgefrost. The man must have the temperament of a saint. How he didn’t want to pull his own fur out at the end of the day was a mystery to him.
Before he knew it, Sparrowpaw was muttering some nonsense about him plotting to kill her or something and then stepping away from him to the safety of the shoreline. He raised a brow at her, fixing her with a look that said, ‘are you kidding me right now?’ Stormypaw knew he would be the one showing the ropes today but he didn’t expect her to be so paws off. Most apprentices were excited to learn something new but it seemed to him like she wanted to be anywhere but. Which… Was a new experience for him. Typically, his peers enjoyed and sought out his company and attention. Yet, here he was to provide it and she wanted none of it? What was wrong with her?
“First of all, it’s rude to your mentor for you to act like that. I know you don’t talk to my father that way so please don’t act like that to your seniors either.” He told her, deadpan and clearly not having it. “If you’re going to learn how to be a warrior, you need to give it some honest effort instead of acting like training is a chore and your Clanmates are a bother.”
“This is why no one wants to be around you,” he added more quietly under his breath. He turned away from Sparrowpaw, uncaring as to what her expression was or what she had to say in response to his remarks. Stormypaw gestured to the hole in the ice that had already been broken by the other apprentice earlier with a paw. “This hole isn’t big enough. You want to break a space in the ice that’s large enough for you to see clearly and to be able to act swiftly. This hole is barely big enough to fit a paw in but you’ll need more than that to hunt,” he explained slowly. To him, it might as well have been common sense, but now he knew to expect less from her. He took a paw and thumped it against the ice. It was thin and light enough that it broke with little force and gave way beneath them to expose the water. “A noise like that will scare the fish and there aren’t many of them as it is since it’s so cold. Most of them have either died off or are trying to hibernate the winter away. Be patient and wait a little while for the fish to return before you try and swipe for one. But, assuming you’ve been fishing at all, you know to wait in the first place.”
And so, they waited. Stormypaw crouched in front of the stream, being sure to face away from the hole in the ice so that his shadow wouldn’t expose him more to the fish than he already had. From here, it was as simple as regular fishing. Heartbeats and heartbeats of stillness and waiting until- smack! His paw hit the water and with a swift motion, hooked a fish from the water. As soon as it hit the pebbles, he was on it and finishing it off with a nip to the spine. “That’s all there is to it,” he stated, stepping aside to give her the floor. “Now you go.”
Sparrowpaw Riverclan Apprentice
The small molly was sleeping peacefully, curled up in her nest. Sparrowpaw’s nest was more at the corner of the apprentice’s den.. No one had offered to make a nest closeby to her, as they already had friends they wanted to be nearby.. Which Sparrowpaw was fine with, it left more room to expand her nest as she was growing up. Her feathery tail was wrapped around her, however it seemed like her dreams of catching fish were soon interrupted when a large paw began smacking at her backside. Letting out a loud gasp, Sparrowpaw let out a loud squeal as she was startled and rolled on her back. Her legs were kicking the air as she was trying to roll back to her feet, but couldn’t “Help me!” Sparrowpaw said, her eyes widened. Of course, Stormypaw didn’t do anything and ignored her as he walked off. The brown tabby soon managed to calm down before finally rolling around and onto her paws. While her green eyes were narrowed slightly, Sparrowpaw’s ears perked up at his words. Letting out a small groan before following after the apprentice. Why did she have to spend the day with Stormypaw? He didn’t even care about anyone but himself, Sparrowpaw was wondering if he made this up and perhaps was planning on feeding her to the whales at the beach in front of his friends in an ‘attempt to look cool’.
But she knew Edgefrost would have come to fetch her during training, he always made sure that she was always up at the crack of dawn so the pair could go jogging. Sparrowpaw had always hated it, but Edgefrost was successful with his former apprentices as they came out to become capable warriors. The small molly had bit the inside of her cheek, feeling like she had a lot of pressure on her with Edgefrost as her mentor. Letting out a small sigh, she had no other choice but to obey the older apprentice’s orders. Why did Stormypaw have to be a jerk? Most importantly, why was she stuck with him? It wasn’t until they made it towards the stream that had been frozen over, what on earth was Stormypaw thinking? “Isn’t this.. Dangerous?” Sparrowpaw questioned as she watched the handsome male pressing his paw against the ice. Biting the inside of her cheek, she wondered if Stormypaw was plotting to kill her, did she do something to piss him off?
Looking at the ice, she pressed her small white paw against it. However, her green eyes widened slightly when her stubby paw caused the ice to break and a hole appeared. A small yelp escaped her as the apprentice jumped back, Sparrowpaw’s ears were pinned to her head. Turning towards Stormypaw, a frown appeared on her lips “Listen, I heard stories from the elders about how Fishpounce had died from drowning.. If you’re plotting to kill me, at least come up with a different way.” The brown and white tabby mewed, biting the inside of her cheek. Backing away from the ice, she beckoned her head “I will learn from here.. Now, please start the lesson.” Sparrowpaw said. Her kit fluff that was still on her body had caused her to become more fluffer than usual, her eyes were on high alert.. Please, all she needed to do was get over this lesson with Stormypaw and she could avoid him for the rest of the day.