[ti]Private[/ti]Keep Your Balance

[pants]

Ospreypaw sat at the base of the tree, the clearing before him empty except for the dirt on the ground and a few weeds popping up in the barren area. This was a popular training area for IvyClan cats. It was shaded from the Greenleaf sun, which was a bonus, making this the perfect spot for battle training. The young tom was nearing his warrior ceremony, and he had learned all the basics of fighting, but was looking forward to polishing his skills and getting ready for his assessment, as it was only a few moons away. Less than two, to be exact. He needed to be ready for whatever his mentor or leader threw at him. Better to over prepare than be hit by the unexpected.

Ospreypaw was grooming his fur, brushing his tongue across the fur on his front leg. He'd use his front teeth to untangle any of his long fur that happened to get matted, then promptly return to licking it smooth. Really, there was no point in grooming his fur at this time, as he was about to train with his mentor, Mintnose. It was going to get ruffled anyway. But the tom took some pride in his appearance, taking any free time he had to make sure his pelt remained regal. The tom moved to grooming his chest, brushing out the light cream - almost white - fur. He listened as the birds chirped above, singing their songs and hopping between branches.

The bushes rustled nearby. The tom stopped mid-lick to stare in that direction with his blue eyes before looking up, closing his mouth and puffing out his chest, sitting with the best posture he could, ears perked and alert. It was most likely his mentor, as she had told him to meet him here, but just in case, he tensed his muscles, ready to pounce.

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Miss Tactical

[Miss Tactical]

Mintnose had spent most of the morning adjusting himself still clearly self-conscious about his injury from the blood moon battle. He spent the morning staring at his reflection, the pink skin and dark hole where his once playful and sparkling eye used to be still made the tom sour. With a loud growl he slammed his paw into the water before exiting the quarry. Jumping from Rock to Rock he soon made his way into the forest. The temperature much cooler thanks to the tall trees. WIth a raised brow he pushed himself through the bushes to see his apprentice tensed ready to pounce. "You couldn't scent me? I've taught you better than that I Was even upwind relax." His tone wasn't harsh but it was certainly scolding. Perhaps he was in a daze this morning.

"Your warrior ceremony is coming very soon. Normally another warrior would do this but with a lack of them all training their own apprentices she asked me to asses you and report back." He wanted to be informative and to the point, there was no point in sugar coating everything. He swung his face around so his bad side was clearly hidden and shifted his stance. "So you will start with hunting catch us much prey as you can, and not just mice either I want to see your tree hunting as well." He raised his nose to the sky tasting the air. THe lingering scent of smoke was still their rather bitter.

"The smoke scent will make it harder which is good it will really show case your skills. I'll be following you. I could attack at anytime so stay focused when I come consider that the end of the assessment because we will battle until one of us falls." It certainly wouldn't be that intense but he didn't want to make it easy for Ospreypaw either, there were no room for mistakes today, because today would determine OSpreypaws future in IvyClan.

[pants]

Ospreypaw watched as Mintnose emerged from the bushes. The younger tom dipped his head and begun to greet his mentor. "Greetings, Mintn-"

You couldn't scent me? I've taught you better than that I Was even upwind..."

Ospreypaw instantly shut his mouth and clenched his jaw. How didn't I notice?! The apprentice felt a rush of burning embarrassment. Here he was, wanting to be the best warrior he could be, and yet, he was too busy making sure his pelt was neat that he wasn't even aware of Mintnose's appearance until the older tom was in the clearing with him. As bad as this made him feel, he wasn't going to show it. Ospreypaw just gave a curt nod. "My apologies, Mintnose. I will try better in the future." His voice was a little more on edge, obvious that he was trying not to beat himself up over the whole ordeal. However, he still wanted to make Mintnose proud, as he respected the tom for being upfront and not beating around the bush.

The brown and white apprentice sat silently as listened as his mentor gave instructions on their practice for the day. He intensely watched his mentor, absorbing every word. Catch as much prey as possible. Go for something other than mice. Pay extra attention due to the smoke. Be prepared for an attack....Got it. It was definitely going to be a challenge, but that wasn't going to stop Ospreypaw. His blue eyes blinked as his mentor finished. The younger tom nodded. "I understand, Mintnose," the tom sternly responded, taking this assessment very seriously. His brows were furrowed and expression unsmiling, but that was usual of Ospreypaw during training and not due to anger or resentment.

Ospreypaw took a breath and tried to calm his nerves. He wouldn't catch anything if he was on edge and focused on his emotions. He needed to block them out and stay mindful of his surroundings. And with that, he watched his mentor, waiting for the cue to begin to arrive.