Training Shadowpaw [cinder/open]

[Cinder]

ooc- Hee hee

Shadowpaw's fur bristled- an almost automatic reaction- as Adderfang tumbled out of the weeds in front of them, carrying a mouse.

"I didn't think you ate yet."

The dark tabby spat with disgust. He had never liked how close Adderfang seemed to Crystalpool, and now this was getting ridiculous. She's a grown cat, she can catch her own prey, thank you very much!
He cast a dark glance at the two of them, then meowed, "Thanks for the vole, Crystalpool. I'd better go now." He whirled and stalked away, tail still bristling with aggression.

[♫ [.nighty.]]

_{Crystalpool blinked and dipped her head to her apprentice before turning to smile weakly at Adderfang.
"I think you'd better go to camp now. Um.... maybe Songheart wants you to do something?" she stammered. Not waiting for an answer, she raced after Shadowpaw. The sun was still rising and Shadowpaw probably had only got... what did he get?}

[Cinder]

Shadowpaw lashed his tail back and forth, setting bracken fronds waving wildly. She's my mentor, she's supposed to care about me! But no, she spends more time gabbing with stupid Adderfang then she does training me!
Doesn't she care how I feel?
Growling deep in his throat, the young cat stalked away through the marsh. He knew that he was probably overreacting, but at times he just couldn't stand his mentor. Even though his fur was still bristling aggressively, his eyes were full of hurt.

[♫ [.nighty.]]

Yarrow. Shadowpaw got yarrow.
Crystalpool blinked as the sun's rays made her eyes water. As she padded after her apprentice, the medicine cat began feeling sleepy, yet again. Stifling a yawn so Shadowpaw wouldn't just round on her, Crystalpool stiffly stayed half hidden in the shadowy bushes. I'd better give Shadowpaw his full name soon, I want to retire! Ignoring any more inward thoughts, Crystalpool sniffed the air daintly and continued following Shadowpaw. Great. Your first apprentice and you're failing his first assesment.

[Cinder]

The apprentice could hear Crystalpool following him now, and he let out a short sigh of relief. Good, I guess Adderfang ran off. There was the tiniest hint of a spring in his step as he trotted through the marsh. So what am i looking for, again? It had seemed like two lifetimes ago when Crystalpool had listed the required herbs to him. he considered turning back to ask her, but quashed the urge immediately. I'll just collect everything, I guess.
Orange-gold flowers burned a bright spot of color into the marsh. Shadowpaw changed course, hurrying towards the marigold. Hopefully we won't have battle wounds anytime soon, but it never hurts to be well prepared.

[♫ [.nighty.]]

"You will have to, um, find the best places where feverfew, catnip; or catmint, so called, and yarrow. Bring some dock and burdock root back if possible. I will meet you back here at sunhigh. If you come back late, you'll be stuck gathering herbs for a half moon straight."

Finally, Crystalpool's word came back to her mind. Sighing, she wondered if she had to say 'Um.'
I don't remember asking him to find marigold, but we're short of supply anyway. Shadowpaw's doing me a big favor.
Crystalpool concentrated harder on Shadowpaw's assesment, not toms that she was dreaming about in her Dreamland.
Grr.

[Cinder]

Shadowpaw flinched involuntarily when Crystalpool's sigh reached his ears. What, not marigold? He almost directed a questioning glance back towards his mentor, but caught himself just in time. Looking away awkwardly, his eyes alit on a clump of feverfew plants.
The apprentice stalked towards them slowly and methodically, like they were a scared mouse that he had to sneak up on. An expression of contentment washed across his face as the scent of the herbs reached him. Most cats would find the strong odors off-putting, if not outright repelling, but Shadowpaw had spent almost his whole life among the stems and flowers in the medicine cat's den.

[♫ [.nighty.]]

Crystalpool blinked and she smiled as Shadowpaw found the feverfew. Thats good, I suppose. She watched the young tom intently, and ruffled up her fur in the faint but cool breeze. Greenleaf was almost apon them by now, making the weather warmer, but occasionally the wind still played on the air.

[Cinder]

The thin cat's tabby tail-tip twitched back and forth almost invisibly as he pondered the other herbs on the list. Burdock root is relatively common, so is yarrow. I got the feverfew already. What else was there? He strained to remember. Despite Shadowpaw's usually brusque, grumpy manner towards his mentor, Crystalpool was the one cat in the entire forest that he didn't want to let down.
Catmint?! Catmint doesn't grow in swamps, does it? Sighing grumpily, the small tabby turned to continue his search. I don't think I've ever seen catmint in the marsh before...

A short while later, Shadowpaw stood near the edge of the marsh, contemplating a tall green plant hung with spiky seed-cases. Burdock. The briefest hint of a smile touched the young cat's muzzle. Careful to avoid the prickly burrs, he maneuvered his way towards the base of the plant and began to dig.

[♫ [.nighty.]]

{Pardon my late post. I hope you read my thread in the Absences board.}

Crystalpool watched Shadowpaw silently, her eyes betraying nothing as she watched her apprentice begin digging up the burdock root. A small grin twitched across her face. Great job. she thought, meaning the compliment. Now for him to find the catnip. She looked up at the sky. Shadowpaw still had a little bit of time left, if not too much. Of course, I hope he knows where I find my catnip here. Warily, Crystalpool looked back up at Shadowpaw.

[Cinder]

Catmint... catmint... The small tabby paced back and forth, racking his brains. Marsh water squished beneath his paws and he let out a faint hiss of distaste before resuming his restless walking. She wouldn't have told me to find it if it wasn't here, so it must be in the swamp somewhere!
Unable to stop himself, he darted a quick glance at the pale form of his mentor in the distance. But Shadowpaw was far too proud to ask for help, and he whirled away with a grimace.
Suddenly light returned to his emerald eyes. Got it! The thin tabby bounded away, his dark fur conspicuous against the vibrant green of the swamp.