- ℍ𝕒𝕚𝕝𝕘𝕒𝕫𝕖 -
𝔻𝕖𝕡𝕦𝕥𝕪 𝕠𝕗 𝕎𝕚𝕟𝕕ℂ𝕝𝕒𝕟
Finally, things were beginning to settle down from the hectic week that had consumed WindClan, literally. Truthfully he had been surprised when Desertstar had appointed him as Tinypaw’s mentor, springing it on him after they had discussed him taking a step back from mentoring. He was getting old but Desertstar clearly didn’t think the same. Grey nostrils flared as the tomcat breathed in the thinner air of the mountain side, scorching amber eyes slowly looking down at the soft breathing form of his current mate, Blackfire. Five month old kittens were over whelming the makeshift nest, but it was heartwarming to see. Slowly pushing himself up from the nest, he stretched out his tall and muscular frame. Despite the achy muscles and the slight creak in his knee, he was still fit and capable for his age.
Searching through the many pelts of WindClan, his eyes narrowed upon the familiar ginger pelt that tugged at his heart strings. Her name was one thing but the fact his granddaughter actually looked like his former mate, Tinyflame.. it meant the world to him. Carefully maneuvering through the mass of sleeping cats, there were few that he nudged awake to relieve the guards on night watch and for a hunting party. Which was what Tinypaw was getting awoken for, his nuzzle lightly nudging against her shoulder blade as his deep voice rumbled. “Up and hopping. You have five rabbit hops and I expect you to meet me near the three stones.” Granddaughter or not, he wouldn’t treat her any differently from ay of his other apprentices. Grunting with amusement at her expression before he turned away and walked towards the stones while handing out orders. Life as deputy never stopped.
T I N Y P A W
At the prospect of hunting, Tinypaw's demeanor entirely changed. She went from hunched over and cranky to perking right up and bright-eyed. Now she was excited! Now she felt like she was going to learn something new and fun. She hopped right up onto her paws and followed her grandfather's lead as he waded through the tall grass, nodding her head as he spoke. He was right, she'd heard stories and stories of their elders talking about their first trip outside of camp and exploring the territory. But with their transfer of a home, they had a lot of new footing to explore between the two of them.
She watched attentively as Hailgaze lead her to a more clear opening, one that had a flatter ground with sparse grass, littered with rocks. When he instructed that she show him her hunting crouch, she grinned from ear to ear. She'd been practicing it with her siblings in camp and she was proud to show him what she'd got!
But this ground was so different from the soft flooring of WindClan's camp. The rocky ground made the pads of her paws ache and it disrupted her balance. She couldn't concentrate on properly distributing her weight when she was too focused on her paws being sore. Tinypaw frowned, irritated at her lack of balance. When Hailgaze scolded her and nipped her tail, the orange-furred apprentice let out a little groan- agitated that her tail had given her away. She made sure to still her tail, lowering it right above the dirt but taking care that it didn't drag behind her and disturb her surroundings. Then, she peered up at her mentor with awaiting, curious blue eyes.
T I N Y P A W
The grass blurred beneath her paws, heather and greenery passed her like the wind. She weaved through the brush with speed to rival the hare she was chasing. She felt the open breeze in her pelt, but it didn't slow her down. At this rate, nothing would have. The chase didn't last long. She sprang and her claws were mere heartbeats away from sinking into the pelt of her prey -
The vision faded away like a mist, with a quick spark of flame.
That was how her dreams always ended.
"UGH!" She groaned, agitated by the abrupt ending to her dream. It was a constant for her- her dreams ending suddenly and with little, to no resolution. Always like it was in the middle of a climax of a good book that would never reach you'd never get to read. It annoyed her, and maybe it was why she always woke up in a bad mood.
And when she felt a muzzle poking her further, like she wasn't already awake, it only served to annoy the apprentice even more.
"Ugh, go away! Stop! I'm up!" She retorted. Others who had awoken by her rustling and griping turned to look at her like she had two heads. Yes, I know, he's the deputy or whatever. Tinypaw knew that. She wasn't ignorant, but to her, Hailgaze was different. He was familiar. Comfortable. Maybe because he was family? He was her grandfather, after all. Of course her relationship with him would be different from other apprentices her age. They'd just have to get over it!
When she finally managed to pry herself away from her nest, Tinypaw walked out of the apprentice's den and headed towards the stones where Hailgaze awaited for her. "So, what's in store today, pops?"