[ti]Private[/ti]So Patiently.

[indie]

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    Her morning came early that day, after a long night spent restless, tossing and turning. Trying so hard to get a decent nights sleep before her first day out in the territory. Her whole life, what seemed like such a long time to her, had spent listening to tales told by older clan mates. Stories of the world that lay just outside of her clan camp. Something that had all been forbidden until now.

    The leaf-bare sun still hadn't quite peaked over the horizon yet, as she tip-toed past the other sleeping apprentices. The morning sky was dyed purples and pinks that were beginning to warm to oranges. The morning air hit her hard and sharp. The chill sinking into her bones, but she would simply not be detoured. With a determined glint in her eyes, she'd spare only a few moments to observe the sun rising, on the first day of her apprenticeship. Before she would carry on with her assigned task. To meet with Hawksplash, so that she could be given a tour of the clan territory. 

    Imagine her dissapointment when her mentor was still yet to rise. It had surprised her, more than anything else. She was ready by dawn's first light, and just where was the older she-cat? With a scowl on her face, she would make her way towards the warrior's den. A place where kits and apprentices weren't allowed. But she had a good reason- right? Gingerpaw would quietly poke her head into the den of sleeping adults. Narrowing her eyes through the darkness in an effort to make out her tabby and white mentor. "Hawksplash?" The young she-cat would whisper. Searching the den for any sign of movement in response to her inquiry. Hopefully she wouldn't get a lecture for disturbing the others who were sleeping. But she was just too excited to wait any longer. 

americanfacepalm

[americanfacepalm]

Hawksplash was not the kind to sleep in late in the mornings. In fact, she was one of the first cats up when dawn came around. She had been around the block for forty-eight moons, so seeing the territory was not the reason behind her excitement. Her excitement came with what the day would bring, whether it be prey or a different pleasant surprise. There was also the sense of duty in her early rising. She felt that she had to be there to watch over her Clanmates, make sure everything was in order and everyone was okay. That was her morning routine. 

It was not even twilight out yet. At the first break of twilight was when she typically rose, since that afforded her time to herself before every other cat in camp awoke. Just as she was brushing off sleep, to her surprise, the voice of a young cat rang in her ears. She recognized it from the apprentice ceremony the day prior: Gingerpaw, her new apprentice. Oh, the little one was probably so excited to explore the world that had just opened up to her! Thankfully, she had not run off, so Hawksplash could monitor her and keep her from getting into too much trouble. There was a part of her, though, that felt bad for keeping her waiting. Oh well.

"Yes? Give me a moment," she said, picking her way through the sleeping masses to join Gingerpaw. "You want to see the world, right?"

[indie]

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        There was a split moment of hesitance as she debated on trying to whisper her mentor's name again. Or even, the thought of entering the den to search for herself was in the back of her mind. But before she could go to such drastic measures, the older she-cat's voice would grace her auds. Perking her ears forward, she'd nod in the response. Seeing for herself as the tabby and white she-cat stirred among their clan-mates. Gingerpaw watched with a sparkling intent to her pale green eyes. Claws digging in the ground to try and keep herself in one place. For she was afraid her excitement would get to her, and cause her a lot more embarrassment than she cared to deal with today.

        You want to see the world, right? It was a question that would leave the tip of her tail twitching in anticipation. Of course, she wanted to see the world! "Yes! Really bad!" She'd quickly respond, wondering just how big the world was? How far did it go out past the territory border? Maybe they should just start small? After much consideration, she'd draw her voice again. "Maybe we could just start with the territory for today, though?" She'd say in all seriousness. Looking for her mentor to react in the same way.

americanfacepalm

[americanfacepalm]

Hawksplash saw the utter, overwhelming excitement in Gingerpaw, which earned a mrrow of amusement. It never ceased to amaze her how apprentices were so eager to go out and see the territory, to expand their horizons. She was more than happy to oblige them, really. Their enthusiasm was contagious and she found herself struggling to stay still as well in only a few moments. Yes, she felt almost as young as the cat before her, although she was not that old to begin with, really. Her blue-green eyes shone with mirth as she let herself imagine their future adventures together.

A soft purr began in her throat as she replied to Gingerpaw, "In due time, we will see it all," she said to her in a motherly tone. "But I think you're right. Just the territory would be a good start for now. Afterwards, we can see about hunting to ease you into your apprenticeship-- but I know you'll be really excited for when we get to battle training. Though, I think that's a few sunrises away."

Her words seemed to lay out exactly what her plans were for Gingerpaw-- probably so there were no surprises when those events came up.

[indie]

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        The young apprentice found herself nodding in a quick procession. Happy to have her mentor agreeing with her that they would just cover the territory together. But in time, It was a promise that she would be sure to hold the older she-cat too.

        She'd listen intently as Hawksplash explained exactly what their itinerary would be for the next little bit. Days. Weeks. She did not know, but with the excitement and adrenaline coursing so fluidly through her veins. She felt like she could take on the world. Gingerpaw would flex her claws into the ground as she searched for words to say. It felt like a 'thanks' was in order. But it became impossible for her to think as fast as her mouth could move. "What are we waiting for, then!" She asked- nearly pleaded, her tone of voice getting the better of herself. The apprentice would turn her smaller frame to face the entrance as she maintained eye contact with her mentor. Waiting for the warrior to lead. To take them beyond the camp. The only place she had known in her short existence. Today, they would quite literally be breaking barriers, and she could hardly contain herself. 

[americanfacepalm]

Hawksplash had a tendency to get carried away by the excitement of others and her own excitement, but she reminded herself that she had to start small, lest she burst the head of this poor apprentice. Training was a delicate thing that took moons to do. A mentor had to be careful, precise, and thorough to produce a great warrior for her Clan.

Days? Weeks? This would be moons. Hawksplash did not want to rush it and wanted to take her sweet time with training Gingerpaw. The littler cat's paws were flexing, tearing up the ground beneath her. "Nothing, let's go."

She dipped her head in a polite nod and swished through the camp entrance, out into the territory. IvyClan had such a beautiful home now, she mused, although she missed the one they had before their huge migration out. Gingerpaw was probably too young to know very much about it.

[indie]

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       It seemed that her mentor might have been lost in some sort of thought. Something that made her even more anxious as she awaited her response. In the background, dawn was just now breaking daylight. The sun rising to bring hues of pale oranges, purples, and pinks to cast tall shadows along the grounds against the morning's first light. But when the feminine altos of the older she-cats voice finally confirmed that they were ready to go. She about went bounding towards the entrance in excitement. It's what she wanted to do, anyway. Instead, she'd exercise a feeble amount of control. Allowing Hawksplash to take the lead as the two made their way out of camp and into open territory.

        Her soft green gaze widened as she frantically glanced around at their surroundings. Seeing the world outside of IvyClan camp for the very first time. It was spectacular. Far more interesting than she could have imagined. Even though the bare limbs of dormant trees, she could tell it would really be beautiful once new-leaf arrived. But her forward thinking mindset wouldn't allow her to stay quiet for long. Curiosity plagued her thoughts as she picked her way along the path at her mentor's heels. "Where are we going first?" Genuine interest light in the tone of her voice. She had heard some of the warriors and queens talking about different places in the territory during her time in the nursery, and she wanted to know if she would recognize the location Hawksplash had in mind.

[americanfacepalm]

Dawn was her favorite part of the day. It was a fresh start, a renewal. Each apprentice was a new opportunity, too, and she was going to make certain that she did not squander this either, that she made the most of it like she made the most of every new day. The light coming in showed them the way out, into the trees, almost like a beacon of guidance to the two cats. Hawksplash smiled at the wonder and amazement of her apprentice. She could tell this was a huge moment for her, like her life had just truly begun and there was still more to it. And she was right. Soon enough, Gingerpaw would be a warrior in her own turn, treading the territory daily.

"Syneffo Forest is the closest, I think," she replied.

It was indeed closest to the camp, but it also featured plenty of trees and was relatively safe. In addition, it was also on the way to the borders, which would be important to show Gingerpaw. Borders were a serious matter if crossed, so it was crucial to know where they were. It would be a lot to take in on the first day, yes, but she had to learn.

[indie]

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      It didn't take long for her mentor to find her voice. Speaking the name of the destination in which they were heading with an articulate tongue. The younger she-cat's ears would perk forward, driving herself to a pace a little faster in order to walk side by side with Hawksplash. Gingerpaw fought for a sidelong glance as she tried to meet the older she-cat's gaze, all the while, trying to keep her paws straight beneath her. Syneffo forest was a familiar name. She could have sworn that she had heard her older clan mates talking about it back at camp. But she had so many questions about the territory for herself, she didn't really know where to start. It was a challenge to work through her muddled thoughts, but eventually, she'd find her own voice once again. "Is there a border on the other side of the forest?" Gingerpaw asked, the desire for knowledge ever present in her voice. She was more interested in learning about the new restrictions. About where MistClan and MothClan resided.

        Though, she wasn't sure if her curiosity on the subject would be welcomed or not. She wasn't a traitor by no means. And she didn't want her new mentor to think that of her. She just felt like ... it was something she should know about and didn't really have a good explanation on why. So instead, she'd concentrate on her quickening breath as she listened for Hawksplash's response. Trying to enforce a new sense of patience on her jittery mind. One that was so willing to fight the calming presence she was trying so hard to be. 

[americanfacepalm]

"Yes, there is a border," Hawksplash answered softly. "There are two other Clans that live alongside us, as you probably already know... and no, they do not eat kits. Not that you have anything to worry about, being an apprentice and all." She smiled warmly down at Gingerpaw. She had never had kits, but surely this was what it felt like to have one, right?

"To my memory, we are closest to MistClan, but there is also our sister Clan, MothClan. Ah, so strange to think that new Clans can just pop up like that..." she said, trailing off. "Did you know that we used to live in the mountains? Back then, there was only our Clan and MistClan."

She continued to tell the stories of their history as they passed through their Clan lands, striding through the trees of Syneffo Forest. Although it was leafbare, the trees were still as beautiful as ever. In this season, they glistened with frost and dripping ice from the colder weather. The tales brought back nostalgia for her apprentice days, but she did love where they had settled. It meant that there was a new chance for new life with the apprentices around.