If I must...

[wolfkitten]

Coldfoot was not the best cat to be a Mentor... He was cold, aloof, and he much preffered to be alone. And yet Spicestar had assigned him this small cat to teach the ways of a Warrior. To teach the Warrior code and help her to become an asset to the Clan. It was a new development, and Spicestar thought the young Warrior needed an Apprentice to fill up his time. Great. Thanks Spicestar. But he didn't mind so much, he only hoped this one wouldn't be a nag as so many others he had seen... Today marked their first outing, he wanted to see what natural hunting skill she possessed, and so they were going for a little hunting trip.

The entire time they moved from the Camp, Coldfoot had likely hardly said but a handfull of words. If the she-cat babbled, it was to herself, or a very one sided conversation, possibly earning a nod, or a glance, but not many words from the lithe tom. His tail flicked back and forth as they made their way through the fields of their beloved home. Coldfoot found it very important that the skills of their Apprentices be honed quickly... And that was just what he was going to do.

His voice lifted abruptly, whether or not she had been talking or not. "Taste the air. Tell me what you smell. Listen and tell me what you hear. Do you hear prey nearby?" He watched her and waited for her answer. He heard a rabbit not twenty yards off and a pair of fieldmice scritching about seeking seeds. But he would wait to see if she could detect them. Looking over his Apprentice, Dapplepaw, he would await and judge her abilities with his cold gaze.

[xx snakey]

Morning dawned briskly for a young she-cat, who was just days away from entering her nineth moon. She was already starting to show the sleek, lithe form of a Windclan cat. She stood and stretched, her long, glossy coat dappled in the sun light. Patches of brown, black and gray of varying shades dappled her fur, accomanied by the occational streak of white. The paw she favored, her left, was also white up to the elbow while the tip of her tail and underbelly shared the same hue. Stretching her maw in a wide yawn she shook herself and set off after her mentor, a stotic young tom aptly named Coldfoot.

Her eyes sparkled, one bright green while the other was a cool icy blue, excited to finally have a mentor. Her small, pink nose, set in her round, heart-shaped face twitched with the scents of the territory, The crisp scents of autumn, though hinting on the edge of winter. This season made her tingle inside, made her twitch, made her want to run flat out for a far as she could go. But she didn't, she stayed by Coldfoot, watching him, waiting for some instruction.

The sound of his voice scared her, because it was so unexpected. She immediately stood at attention, taking only a quick moment to lick the fur on her chest before scanning the world around her with her eyes. She parted her jaws, letting the scents waft over her palate, tasting the air for signs of prey. Her ears twitched up and she turned her head toward the sound, inhaling deeply. "Rabbit." She said in a low tone, dropping down into a hunters crouch. She flicked her tail toward the sound, judging the distance and direction of the wind for a moment. The she turned to Coldfoot for further instruction, not wanting to do something before she was told.

[wolfkitten]

Coldfoot surveyed the smaller cat. Sure she was near nine moons but she was still small... He growled inwardly and silently. He had told Spicestar he didn't want a kit underfoot. But over the last day or so she had been doing pretty well... She didn't seem to talk overly much... Though it might be because of the intimidating nature Coldfoot seemed to have... Either way it suited him just fine. He looked her over quietly. She was pretty enough for a young cat. Small and lithe like a WindClanner should be. And the way her mismatched eyes sparkled... They were a beautiful attribute she possessed.

He saw her start with the sound of his voice and a small smile crept across his lips only to be swept away again. He watched her as she scented the air, drawing the winds in to test the scents it offered. He nodded in approval before listening to her singular word. She didn't smell the mice... But that was well enough. He nodded once watching her movements as she dropped into the crouch. He did not do the same for the time being, only watching and judging her position. He moved over and with his tail pressed her haunches down just a little but said nothing. But then he nodded as she indicated where it was with her tail. "Get it." He said simply and would watch her movements with a critical eye.

He approved of how she awaited instruction instead of prancing about like an eager kit... She could be taught. Perhaps Spicestar knew what he was doing afterall. Or perhaps Dapplepaw was simply on her best behavior for now. Either way, Coldfoot was impressed... And yet this wouldn't make it to the she-cat as his eyes betrayed nothing, remaining as cold and critical as ever.

[xx snakey]

Dapplepaw yeilded to his guiding tail and lower her haunches, trying not to rustle the grass with her tail. She creapt forward, trying to stay light on her paws. She could still smell it and soon see it too. Trying to be as silent as possible she froze whenit's head sprang up and cursed, taking off after it as it started to hop away. Taken by surprise the rabbit sped up and Dapplepaw tore after it, though it was already out of her reach and soon down a hole. She spat and stood up, turning back to Coldfoot, shame burning in her fur. "Lost it." She muttered, her tail drooping.

[wolfkitten]

Coldfoot watched, eyes guarded and gaze near friged as it always was. But he watched and surveyed his Apprentices' movements. The frame of the lithe cat remained absolutely motionless, the winds in his fur the only thing that moved upon him. He listened and watched to critique her movements as she hunted the creature. He sniffed and felt the wind direction change and began to mentally cheer her on. It would be difficult at best for poor Dapplepaw to catch the creature now. But sadly the animal was fast and it's hole close. And as she gave chase he knew she would fail. Yet... As she came back, tail dropping and shame scalding her, there was an odd thing on Coldfoot's face... Was that a... Smile? Now that was strange... It looked out of place on the cat's maw, but there it was, the look of near amusement and some slight adoration for his young Apprentice... But he nodded and the look was gone almost as suddenly as it appeared. "Do you know what you did wrong Dapplepaw?" He mewed emotionlessly.

He awaited whatever answer she gave before shaking his head (or nodding if she gave the right answer) "You did nothing wrong. You could possibly have been a little quiet and lighter on your paws. But that comes with practice. But what happened there... The wind shifted and traitorously brought your scent right to your prey... That happens sometimes especially with such heavy winds as we deal with." He nodded carefully. What was this... Coldfoot being patient? Weird... "Don't worry you'll get another chance soon. Let's keep moving."