// @Ravensong

Sagewhisper's claws slid out slightly, allowing her to grip the soft soil beneath her paws and create traction. She watched carefully as the apprentice crouched down, making mental notes of where he could best improve. His prep for the jump could certainly be sturdier, with weight shifts to provide a stronger launch, but it seemed well balanced and controlled. Or at least, it was, until midair he seemed to realize how unsure he was of his goal. He was coming at her straight on, soft paws reaching towards her. The silver molly blinked, silently amused, and rolled out of his path.
As soon as she popped back up to her feet, she pivoted to turn her gaze on her son once more. She was expecting him to have landed where she had just been moments ago, and could only hope that it was somewhat graceful. Immediately, she pushed off of her haunches and reached out with the goal of pushing him gently off balance by planting her paws against his shoulder.
"First lesson," she began calmly, "never attempt to face a larger warrior head on. Strength will never match up, and you would not have fared well had I decided to take you from the front. At least until you grow larger, you need to focus on...sneakier moves, for lack of a better word." Sage always tried to be as eloquent as she could in her word choice but some things were simply unavoidable, a tactic that didn't apply solely to language.
"Again."