Badgerpaw

“Oh, erm-” stammered the Apprentice. Up to that point, he hadn’t had any training sessions with Roseprance, and he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t anxious. Of course, the tom knew the Warrior was one of the kinder Warriors but, well… What if she didn’t like him? Had he really practiced enough? He tried but nothing happened, and he’s just as awful at controlling any fire. There was that one fight with the Ice Apprentice but still. Maybe it would’ve been better if his mentor had someone else as an Apprentice.

While he was thinking, his tail swivelled rapidly left then right then left again and so on. The she-cat didn’t look like she hated him already, but there was some sadness behind her moves. It was known by many that the Warrior had lost a kitten recently. But the smoke coloured tom didn’t have time to ponder any longer. His paws had almost dug themselves into the grass because of all the kneading.

“O-Oh, yes, I did… practice. A-And you don’t have to apologise! It’s not… It’s not your fault,” added Badgerpaw quickly. “And, well- if you want to start, I guess- I mean, sure, you can start!” He was stuttering after every breath. It wasn’t even that he didn’t talk much, quite the contrary, although to his fast-beating, anxious heart. No one really stopped talking in RiverClan and, while he appreciated every moment of silence he could get, he still chatted more than what other cats at Gatherings seem to. His brain just moved too quickly for his words to come out right.

After another moment of silence, a tiny amount of smoke rippled through his fur as he sat down, slowly. No matter how much he trained against with - with or without a mentor’s help - this tic of his never went away. His ears pulled back as he listened to Roseprance quietly.

“O-Okay. I can start with fire I guess- Maybe?” mewed the Apprentice slowly. There wasn’t a lot tom knew, really. He had Spark, but everyone had that, and Small Fireball, which still wasn’t impressive at all. Maybe just burning something with Spark would be enough to at least be okay?

Badgerpaw took a slight breath before poking the ground with his paws. It was still humid around and nothing really caught fire. It was hard to even tell what he was doing. And then the ground hissed and he hissed back as a small fire bounded upwards. Red like Leaf-fall leaf, it leaped and balled around the grass, and the Apprentice quickly walked back. His fur may have been less likely to alight, but it was still a possibility.

If his ears spelled stress, they screamed it now. They shuffled back and then forth and then one up and then both so close to his head it was almost impossible to tell whether the tom had ears to begin with. One glance up was all he gave his mentor before slowly raising his paw to his shoulders and quickly tapping the flame. It circled a bit more before going back to its previous size.

Good thing cats didn’t show sweat, otherwise his fur would be damp from the stress as he, again, tapped the fire quickly to put it out and, defiantly, it clawed back up. A quiet “Oh no...” escaped the cat’s jaws as he, for a third time, tried to put the fire out in the same way.

Perhaps starting with Spark wasn’t as great of an idea.

simonwho

Badgerpaw

He looked down at the ground.

Fighting wouldn’t be any easier, either. While other Warriors offered to help him, he was still… quite weak and inexperienced. Plus, how could he train his fighting moves when his fire ability still lacks control? What if he accidentally burned the forest down! Or worse…

But the Apprentice could see that his mentor meant well. There was genuine concern and care behind her eyes. And she spoke so softly and nicely. Maybe it was worth a try?

“Sure…” whispered Badgerpaw. His paws still kneaded at the ground, tearing slightly at the burnt grass.

“I’m-” he began quietly. “I’m not sure where to… start?” His eyes darted upwards, looking at Roseprance with anxiety. No one really helped him. If anything, he’s gotten more in trouble. Well, no one knew about that trouble.

He continued to knead at the ground, a slight stream of silvery smoke flying up from his swishing tail.

simonwho