[ Aww, thank you! Little is going to be such a great warrior as well!! :heartbounce: ]


So this was... Interesting. New. He hadn't seen this one yet. Did age affect the way one learned how to swim? No, no. Cannonball hadn't been much younger, if at all, than Littlepaw (he was pretty sure, at least). He didn't quite yet frown, but there were certainly some interesting things they'd need to address. One of which, her turning. It could be good in an emergency situations needing a quick reaction, but for now they weren't there yet. Would he need to..? Oh no, he'd have to get wet wouldn't he. The shield heaved a heavy sigh. It is true that his mentor gave him an example first... Visual aid was always good. He just hoped this would go similarly to canonball. But guess not.

Forcing himself to his paws, fluffing out his pelt and solemnly staring at the water as he dragged his paws over, he exhaled a breath. Wordlessly the shield got in the water, a brief grimace flashing across his face as the cold water seeped into his thick fur. It had been while.
"Try to push and quick a bit harder;"
Gingerfrost firstly commented, having noticed her near underwater chin. As if demonstrating, he floated a bit there before swimming a circle.
"We use our tails to steer, like so. That won't have you go lopsided like you did."
They could look into the paw technique later. Basics first. Once his circle finished, he moved a few ways away from Littlepaw to give her space to try.

It was surprising yet also not that surprising to find his example had helped. He should have figured that out before, that such a lesson might go faster with a proper example, but the tom also knew it was possible to teach swimming without getting wet himself and... Well, that seemed more favourable most often. But seen it's effectiveness he might have to give this a try more often, despite the pain that would be drying his fur.

Carefully observing the apprentice's movements who, admittedly, suddenly looked more comfortable. Her chin wasn't water dipped anymore, and Littlepaw was advancing much more smoothly now. Good. Now he would just have to see the turn. Noting the swishing her tail, Gingerfrost watched how that turn would go; how smooth, how comfortable, with how much struggle, ... It was fairly good, honestly. She at least (hopefully) wouldn't be drowning now.
"You can slightly shift your weight in the direction you're trying to turn as well. It can make it easier, if you don't go lopsided"
Which was why the shield emphasized the words 'slightly'. So she would hopefully understand not to lean with her entire weight, only a bit to encourage turning.

With how this swimming lesson seemed to go - considering Littlepaw was swimming now - Gingerfrost decided it was alright for him to get out of the river now. His thick fur seemed to weight him down as he got out of the water - honestly, it could be quite the funny sight. He didn't suddenly like stick like some would, but the tom certainly did suddenly seem a bit less... Full, and more grumpy. Shaking out his pelt, droplets flying around as he did, he fluffed his fur the best he could to regain some warmth. Then proceeded to turn back to Littlepaw, letting her stay in the water however long she'd like now. Until, actually, the tom gave a nod, indicating the apprentice to swim some laps before they could call it a day. She could stay in the shallow if she liked, that didn't matter on the first lesson.

Watching from the sidelines with fluffed up fur and what could only be described as something like a neutrally grumpy face, Gingerfrost kept his eyes trained on Littlepaw as she happily swam in the water. Truthfully he wanted to go back as soon as possible once training was done, but seeing the older apprentice having fun, the ginger tabby huffed as he strangely decided he might as well tough it out a little longer and supervise her happy paddling. How annoying, but whatever. It got her practice. Right as a breeze ruffled his drying fur, having him supress a shiver, the tom was grateful when the sun's rays could finally makes it's way to warm his back as a previously present cloud left. Right at that moment, the shield noticed Littlepaw getting out. Clearly the shivering young apprentice was cold, when he was practically dry now (on the very surface only, that is). Getting up and gesturing with his head towards camp, indicating that they could indeed go back. He'd wait a brief moment, grumpy face still in place, until Littlepaw caught up with him to lightly and slightly lay his tail on the apprentice's shoulders as a too help keep her warmer (not that it might do much, but it was at least something). He couldn't have her catch a cold in green leaf, especially with her assessment this close and Fawnpaw. It was just an inconvenient time to get sick.


[ @SpiritedWarrior ]