[Brilliance]

Originally Posted by Robin-chan

Sproutwhisker looked down at his apprentice with a softened, loving gaze and a certain understanding with his icy blue-hued eyes as she told him about swimming. A gentle smile crept onto his muzzle and the warrior rested his tail on her shoulder. “Another day, Noirepaw.” The tom-cat simple said to her with a quiet, sympathetic tone, “I will teach you to swim, because I have to, as your teacher and because you are Riverclan, but that does not mean that I force it upon you. I will teach you when I feel that you are ready for such a lesson. Understand?” Sproutwhisker knew from personal experience and the stories he had heard of cats drowning or getting horrible injuries by being swept away. He understood her fear of the water and they would face it someday, but not today. “Besides, there are many more things for you to be taught besides such.” He mentioned, a calming sigh escaping his parted jaws.

There was a few moments of silence between them and the mentor could tell that Noirepaw was lost in thought, she often was, from his perspective. There was nothing wrong with that and he was like that sometimes, lost in the memories of his past or just thinking about something like the questions that were never answered throughout life. The tom-cat could only hope that she wouldn’t get this way when she needed to focus, like her final assessment or even a battle against a rival clan. It was bound to happen someday and he would be there to guide her through it, like Ripplewhisker was for him until he passed on to the stars above. Noirepaw’s question stirred him from his thoughts and he looked to the small cat, another loving smile on his maw. “Of course, young one.” Sproutwhisker purred, a gentle breeze ruffling his fur as the day was slowly drawing to an end, “I know a perfect place to sit down and teach you about history.” The place was burned in the young warrior's mind and he made a mental note to take her there tomorrow morning at dawn - if she was willing. “I’ll teach you all that you wish to know tomorrow, after you’ve gotten a full night’s rest and a proper meal to fill your belly.” Sproutwhisker said, nodding, “That is all I ask from you and in return, I will tell you all that I know and have heard.” Her health and wellbeing came first in his mind and the tom-cat knew that it would be wrong to get too attached to this apprentice. For all he knew, she could have a family - ones that loved her so he wouldn’t have to. Sproutwhisker peered down at his paws and then at Noirepaw. Was he being too friendly and open around her for a mentor and apprentice bond?

A lighthearted chuckle came from him though as he pushed his worries away and went back to conversing with her. “Perhaps you should eat before you head off to the den for the night.” He suggested, smiling at the she-cat with a certain warmth and concern for her. Sproutwhisker needed to remind himself to stay professional and not get too soft with her, but he couldn’t help such things - he wasn’t a bad cat at heart. He loved to be friendly and open with others who accepted him. That was why he fell in love with Talonfang all those moons ago, she saw past his origins and loved his personality. The tom-cat smiled at the thought of sharing a nest with her tonight before going back out training again in the morning. Sproutwhisker glanced at Noirepaw with a smirk and a raise of an eyebrow as she confidently stated that she guessed his first prey. “It seems you have.” He said with a chuckle rumbling in his throat at her puffing out her chest like she had accomplished something great. He nodded to her next question, looking up at the setting sun with a warm smile, “Indeed, I have.” The male remarked, “I fell in love with my mate while catching fish by the riverside - maybe I’ll tell you the story someday if you’d like.” The tom-cat yawned and stretched out his front paws.

“I’m afraid that we’ll have to cut this conversation to a close for now.” He said, another quiet yawn escaping him, “It’s about time young cats like you should be nestled up in a warm moss nest, dreaming of becoming great warriors.” Sproutwhisker heaved himself to his paws and smiled at Noirepaw, “It’s time I turned into my nest too - I have a lovely lady waiting for her strong warrior.” He chuckled, looking to the Warrior’s Den and then back at his apprentice, “I’ll be up at dawn tomorrow, so whenever you are ready to head out, I’ll be waiting in the clearing, okay?” The tom-cat went forward and gave the apprentice a touch of his nose on her forehead, “Good night, Noirepaw. Sweet dreams to you.” Sproutwhisker murmured before dipping his head and heading off to the den to sleep for the night and be ready for more in the morning.

[ After your post, we can do a time-skip if you'd like. ^^ ]

The black young molly let out a sigh of relief. Though she felt quite silly that she wanted to make herself believe that she was ready. Her mentor had seen beyond her walls, and saved her life. In all honesty, Noirepaw wasn't ready for a swimming lesson. However, the she cat felt that she could go for something to eat, and to sleep in a comfy nest next to the other apprentices. It had been a full day, and she made a new friend. Most mentors only held professional, business-like relationships with their apprentices. For Noirepaw, she was happy to share a normal relationship with her mentor. Of course, she would always remain respectful to him because, after all, she was his disciple. He was her teacher. But, she also wanted to make sure she could talk to him in her time of need. That he was a friend when she felt left in the dark. The black sheep in her family.

The only question was; When would she be ready to swim? That lesson seemed far in the future, and more or so she felt ready, yet still afraid to make a move. Aside from that, she trusted that Sproutwhisker wouldn't let her down. Perhaps, their training sessions will be somewhat fun--like games, where they both could feel comfortable. Noirepaw enjoyed a learning game. Maybe, they would continue land hunting tomorrow--or, would he teach her something new? As the sun was setting, Noirepaw knew she would have to wait, despite her mind plaguing with questions that she wanted to ask rightaway. So, she clamped her muzzle shut, and best thought to wait before she asked him anything else. There was always a next day...it wasn't like the tom would be forcefully ripped from her.

''I can do that!'' Noirepaw purred, nodding. She turned her head back to look at the fresh kill pile. Perhaps, she would had liked to eat the shrew she caught. That sounded like a taste of victory because she felt that she did the work herself. It would always remind her that she didn't give up like she wanted to. She had hoped the shrew was still up there, so that she could eat it. Food sounded wonderful at the moment, as she licked her jaws. She was starving without even noticing it. She was caught up in the moment, a burst of energy pulsating through her as she felt she...done something right.

At the mention of his mate, Noirepaw tilted her head. One thing about this she cat was that she adored anything that had to do with romance. It was such an exotic feeling to her that she couldn't wait to feel herself. What was it like to be in love? How do you know you were in love? What are the symptoms? Are they contagious? Can you fall out of love just so easily? How do you know if it is love? Oh, please tell me the story! She wanted him to stay, so she could listen to the romantic story. Oh, how it made her heart fluttered and she wasn't even the main character in it! But, she had heard her mentor yawn. Tired, certainly, and being pumped up after hearing what he said? Was never a good thing. However, Noirepaw kept her maw shut, and awaited until the next day where she would be able to bug Sproutwhisker about his relationship with this ''lovely lady'' he was waiting for. Noirepaw couldn't wait to feel that way. To be treated in such a way by a loving mate. It was so far from where she was now. She wished she could take a paw and push into the future.

Alas, she took a deep breath, watching as her mentor walked away. She sat there for while, going over her day, and a large smile appeared over her maw. Tomorrow would be a grand day for sure. She was quite lucky to call Sproutwhisker her mentor, and she silently hoped he didn't regret taking her on as his apprentice. The she cat fluffed out her fur, getting back to her senses as she done what her mentor told her to do. It was...nice, relaxing that he cared about her in such a way. Like a daughter. Noirepaw never had a father figure in her life, so it was nice that Sproutwhisker was playing into both of the parts.

{ We can definitely do that!! I love these two <3 }