Mallowpaw
44/100
Redhawk hurried over to her, and the Hornet's praise filled Mallowpaw with pride. Suddenly her body didn't seem to ache so much, overshadowed by the sense of achievement filling her chest. She lived for this. She lived for Redhawk's smile as she gazed down at her, as she saw Mallowpaw could
do this. She believed in her, even though Mallowpaw's mentor was missing, not having even bothered to finish her border tour. She knew she was feeling too satisfied from it. It was just some praise, after all; the other apprentices were getting it too. But it felt good, so Mallowpaw embraced it.
Now Redhawk was explaining the next move. Mallowpaw watched as she demonstrated, flipping off the tree with practised ease. The other apprentices were trying it, and she watched them for a moment before standing up. She waited for the jitteriness in her limbs to disappear before sizing up the tree. Her front claws slid out of their sheaths and her muscles tensed. She wanted to do well, for Redhawk to notice and realise she was a high achiever, even if her mentor had left her. Determination and anxiety swirled in her stomach.
Three, two, one.
Mallowpaw ran, leaping at the tree when she was close enough. She hit the tree then twisted and leapt back down. It was much easier than last time; mainly because she was leaping from a lower point. And this time it worked almost perfectly, landing on the ground with a small stumble forward. But it had worked! The apprentice glanced at Redhawk for approval.
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taillow