[Brilliance]

Originally Posted by Beau

Halfgaze raised a ‘brow’ at Dandelionpaw’s antics, tapping her foot quietly against the ground as she waited for her apprentice to calm down. Some celebration was acceptable, but Halfgaze wasn’t one for goofing off after succeeding. She believed that success should be followed by celebration and more practice. However, she let Dandelionpaw have her moment. The deputy waited and watched as Dandelionpaw returned to the lesson and worked through her question. “Both answers are correct. However, fighting straight on is more likely to get you injured. Some prefer to fight that way, others prefer to unbalance and strike. Training is the time when you figure out your preferred method. Now, I’m not exactly your height but I’m not too much taller than you. Fight me as you would another warrior using one of those two tactics, then we will spar again using the second.” Halfgaze squared up and assumed a battle crouch, one that makes her practically immovable. She gave Dandelionpaw a nod to begin and put on an unreadable battle face.

Dandelionpaw was surprised that Halfgaze allowed her to celebrate her victory. Even if it wasn’t a big deal - it was a big deal to her. A much big deal. Considering that she wasn’t the bravest or strongest cat when it came to battle so executing a move right and to be praised for it encouraged the gray and white she cat to want to continue on. She sat down, looking up at Halfgaze with a doey-eyed look. A final touch of a smile and she was ready to take in more knowledge. Dandelionpaw listened closely to Halfgaze as she spoke, her tail calmly swishing behind her; ears alerted. “But, why would you fight straight on if you were to get injured?” Her nose wiggled, a confused expression coming onto her face. “I mean, w-wouldn’t that be a bit reckless?” Dandelionpaw preferred to stay away from any type of fighting and violence. It wasn’t ideal for her to accept war. For a feline who couldn’t protect herself, how could she protect her clan? Once those ending words left Halfgaze’s maw, Dandelionpaw groaned. Then, she realized that she groaned, and immediately mustered up a fake, bright smile. She didn’t want to spar with Halfgaze! The deputy wouldn’t go easy on her! She always pushed her to be her best...most times Dandelionpaw failed; never deterred. “Oh, Alright.” Dandelionpaw said, getting up to walk a few paces away. Her tail collected dust, dragging on the ground until she stopped to turn around. Halfgaze was already ready, looking like the powerful, strong warrior she was. Dandelionpaw would had say to admire her from afar if she knew that Halfgaze wouldn’t scold her for being distant. Dandelionpaw shifted her paws, “Here I come, Halfgaze!” She called, voice a little numb. She crouched low to the ground. Like before, she focused on the strength in her legs. She needed to lift them up to tackle Halfgaze. As she had done previously. With that thought established into her mind, the apprentice lunges forward toward Halfgaze.