Misplaced

[Blackie]

"Just take him to the beach and do everything your mentor did for you. Its simple, Thymeheart, come on!" Goldburn had spat at her when she asked him what in StarClan she was supposed to be doing with a new apprentice. Ever since the meeting, her brother had been furious and not very helpful. What with being jealous of her for getting Sleetpaw, he was also mad at her for preventing him from visiting Shatteredmirror. The ginger and white warrior felt pain like thistles in her skin whenever she met Goldburn's hard glare. Was it her fault that the warrior code did not allow relationships to be formed across borders? She was just trying to protect him!

Depressed, Thymeheart padded onto the beach. The sun was high, its rays putting little halos around the leaves on the tree tops. The wind was still, allowing the river to bubble and splash louder than usual. A few birds chirruped nearby, their silly twittering lifting and falling, dancing as they flew from one place to the next in zipping motions. She sighed, old memories rushing back on her of her apprentice days which really had not been that long ago. She remembered Fallowfoot guiding her here, coaching her in the best ways to catch a fish or approach an enemy. He had always been very gentle with her, being sensitive to her timid nature. Why had Dragonstar given her an apprentice? She wasn't ready for this, especially not if it was a cat like Sleetpaw. His personality was so much stronger than hers, she'd never be able to teach him a thing! She closed her jade eyes, laying her ears back and wishing desperately that Goldburn had come with her like she had asked him. "You're not a kit anymore! I don't have to take care of you!"

Sleetpaw should have been here by now. Maybe he didn't get my message? She flicked her tail, its white tip disturbing the tiny pebbles laying on the beach. Thymeheart wouldn't have been surprised if the apprentice had ignored her summons. No one ever listened to her anyway. She was too weak-willed. Something that would have to be remedied no doubt.

Most new mentors put a lot on first impressions, making sure they look stern and formidable during the first training session. Not Thymeheart. She stood up restlessly, beginning a swift pace back and forth along the beach. Head and tail down low. Over and over, she whispered all the fighting patterns she could remember. She even gave one of her forepaws a flick just to make sure she knew how to teach fishing.

"Darn it, why me?" she spat suddenly, stopping where she was and glaring at the sunny sky. "At least Goldburn wanted an apprentice. Don't you think he might've stayed out of trouble if he had a kit to care for?"

[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

Sleetpaw

[/color][/center]

Define your meaning of war...

[/color][/left]

... to me it's what we do when we're bored

[/color][/right]

How could Dragonstar give me Thymeheart as a mentor?! Sleetpaw thought to himself furiously as he trudged to the Stony Beach. Earlier a warrior had come over to Sleetpaw, demanding that he meet Thymeheart at the beach for training. They'd really demanded it, as in Sleetpaw would be in trouble if he tried to go against their wishes. His marble pelt fluffed out as he walked, shielding him from the autumn breeze. Ever since his confrontation with Flare, the tom had been a bit more ornery and irritable, and it definitely was not hard to get on his nerves now. Sky blue eyes gazed around as he sulked onward, lashing his tail with every step and digging his midnight black claws into the soggy dirt.

Thymeheart wasn't a bad warrior, no, and in fact Sleetpaw wouldn't have minded if he hadn't recently gotten into that fight with Flare. But now it was far too easy to push his buttons. Sleetpaw's temper was a lot shorter these days, and it wouldn't be surprising if he snapped at his new mentor. Not that she'd do anything about it, though. From what Sleetpaw knew, Thymeheart was lenient. She'd be easy to manipulate in a few days. He couldn't help but smirk at the thought. If anything, she'd be better then Stoneclaw as a mentor. She'd learn her place. Sleetpaw puffed out his chest, beginning to strut a bit as he walked, when finally the beach came into view. As did Thymeheart, who was pacing around the beach in a worried manner. Sleetpaw rolled his eyes. This would be almost too easy.

"What are you doing?" he growled. "Couldn't you at least try to look confident, and not like a scared little kitten lost in the forest?" He sighed, as if exasperated, and plopped onto the ground, his eyes studying the pretty ginger and white fae before him. He didn't care if the words stung, or made Thymeheart feel self-conscious. He just wanted to get this training session over with so he could go back to being on his own.

"Let's just get this started," he grumbled, as if he were the mentor and Thymeheart the apprentice. "I don't have all day. What do you have to teach me?" He lashed his tail impatiently, rolling his eyes in annoyance. Why couldn't he have gotten Dragonstar, or someone else as a mentor? Someone worth his time?

[Blackie]

Thymeheart jumped like a guilty kit in the medicine cat's store when she heard Sleetpaw's annoyed growl. Inwardly, she felt she should have punished the younger cat for his rudeness. Weren't you supposed to do that? Goldburn would have, but it was painfully obvious to Thymeheart that she wasn't her brother.

"Let's just get this started, I don't have all day. What do you have to teach me?"

"I . . .," she started, looking at the muscular apprentice and thinking that it was very possible for him to knock her over and go on his way. He probably knew more about fighting than she did. He'd probably laugh at her if she tried to show him a battle move. She could see it in her head, crouching down to show him how to pounce on another cat. Sleetpaw with a completely bored expression on his face tripping her when she was ready to jump. She sighed, looking down at her white paws. The word 'nothing' was on the tip of her tongue when she came up with a wild thought.

Didn't Sleetpaw have poor hunting skills?

She looked up at him, her green eyes meeting his blue ones. Even if he did hunt well, Thymeheart was going to be embarrassed by this entire session anyway. Atleast if she tried to do something for him he wouldn't be able to say she was hopeless even if she was a failure. Sitting up a little straighter, she lifted her chin.

"We're going to practice fishing. I want to see what you know. Then I'll teach you what you don't."



ooc: This is sooo short and ooc. I promise I'll practice with Thyme so that I can get into her character Xl

[/size][/color]

[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

Sleetpaw

[/color][/center]

Define your meaning of war...

[/color][/left]

... to me it's what we do when we're bored

[/color][/right]

Sleetpaw grinned jeeringly at his mentor's timid behavior. Weak, he thought to himself, sticking up his nose in a snobby manner and strutting over to Thymeheart's side. His marble colored pelt shone in the sunlight, his sky blue eyes narrowed into defiant slits. Though he most likely, in his opinion at least, wouldn't learn anything from Thymeheart, Sleetpaw would enjoy these training sessions. Thymeheart would be easy to taunt, easy to dominate. His tail lashed as he strode past Thymeheart to the water, his bright eyes gazing at the tiny minnows darting back and forth. He bore his teeth at them, enjoying the feeling of power that flooded through his veins, even if it was over minature fish.

Then he heard what Thymeheart wanted their lesson to be on today. Sleetpaw froze, his eyes growing wide, and he was thankful that his back was to Thymeheart. Fishing?! With his massive paws and small, clumsy body, fishing was one of Sleetpaw's biggest weaknesses. Hunting was a close second, but still, fishing required too much patience, too much sitting still and agile strikes. It was as if Thymeheart was trying to torment him. Sleetpaw hissed softly under his breath, turning to face the fae with a fake smile plastered on his face. He shrugged his shoulders, as if fishing would be a piece of cake."I know plenty, you won't need to teach me anything,"

[/color][/b] Sleetpaw said with a sneer.

He crouched beside the water, his eyes scanning it for any site of fish. When he saw one of the silver creatures, Sleetpaw felt his heart beginning to pound anxiously. No way could he embarras himself in front of Thymeheart! Suddenly panicked, Sleetpaw slammed his paw down into the water with such force that he lost his balance. In a flash he found himself on his rump, sitting in the shallows of the river. Sleetpaw hissed with frustration, flattening his ears in shame. His neck fur rose, and he snarled at Thymeheart as he got back to his paws, shaking the water from his pelt like a dog. He didn't say anything; he was too utterly humiliated to try, as he plopped back onto the shore, slumping his shoulders as if pouting.[/blockquote]

[Blackie]

"I know plenty, you won't need to teach me anything,"

With well-hidden disdain, Thymeheart watched her headstrong apprentice stomp to the water. Watching him crouch over, she had already guessed what would happen before Sleetpaw had even noticed he was wet. Amusement flickered over her face. Goldburn, proud Goldburn, had done that very same thing when he was little. On their first fishing trip, too. He had decided that fishing was a simple business and plunged in . . . literally.

The orange and white warrior layed her ears back in reply to the marbled tabby's furious snarl. Was it her fault that he was too thick in the head to ask her for instructions?

"Look," she mewed timidly, padding to the water and crouching warily on the shore near him. "Its not very difficult, really, and you have some great advantages over many of our Clanmates. You just need to learn to use the tools StarClan has given you. Come up here beside me" she urged, not really concerned with wether he did or not. "Its very important that you keep your shadow off the water. And you're very lucky to have such large paws." she added, glancing at her prim white ones. Goldburn had the same advantage of wide paws. Suddenly, she was very glad for her brother. Many of the things she had experienced with him could be used to teach her apprentice. She looked at him thoughtfully, considering the similarities. Yes, it was a very good thing that Goldburn had not been chosen to mentor Sleetpaw. The apprentice would just have become even more of a pain.

[/size]

[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

Sleetpaw

[/color][/center]

Define your meaning of war...

[/color][/left]

... to me it's what we do when we're bored

[/color][/right]

The amusement on Thymeheart's face only enraged Sleetpaw more. She'd known that he'd fall into the water! She'd known, and she didn't stop him. He glared at her, her timid mew making him want to snarl even more. He'd be here all day thanks to this mouse-brain, letting him fall into the water like that. What if he'd drowned! Sleetpaw proceeded to licking his soaked marble pelt, not enjoying the feeling on his tongue at all. Again, Thymeheart's fault. His ears pricked as she told him to come up beside her. He opened his mouth to protest, but closed it instead. Here she was, still trying to teach him even after he'd insulted her, snarled at her, and basically disrespected her in the short time he'd been there. She deserved some respect for that.

Reluctantly Sleetpaw got to his paws, padding up beside his mentor. Their pelts barely brushed, and Sleetpaw flinched away, not enjoying the weird feeling he got inside his stomach. His eyes were on the water, taking in Thymeheart's instructions and words of how he needed to use StarClan's gifts. Psh. What gifts? His body was completely awkward, what with big paws on his small frame and his short and wide tail. How could he be lucky to have his large paws, especially if they made him so clumsy? Then again, that might only work with hunting. Maybe with fishing, it did come as an advantage.

"Can you..."

[/color] He swallowed his pride, now wanting to actually learn something from his mentor. "Er, show me, I guess. Just don't screw up, cause then you'll make me screw up."[/color] There. That was the closest Thymeheart would probably get to a sign of respect from Sleetpaw, the fact that he wanted to learn from her. He looked at the pretty fae expectantly, his sky blue eyes not as hostile as before.

((And Sleetpaw's crush on Thymeheart begins... now! xD))[/blockquote]

[Blackie]

ooc: XD lol He's so cute!

She was surprised that he was actually obeying her request to sit by her. Another vicious snarl had been expected, instead being replaced by his willingness to look into the water with her. Her muscles flexed, disturbing the ginger hairs that had been brushed by the apprentice. He flinched back. Assuming that it was because he already detested her, Thymeheart responded to him by laying back her ears for a brief moment.

"Thank you," she mewed very softly when he had settled down.

"Can you... Er, show me, I guess. Just don't screw up, cause then you'll make me screw up."

Thymeheart nodded, noting with interest the change in Sleetpaw's expression. Maybe there was some sense in him after all. Lifting one of her paws, she directed his attention to it and spread the digits, allowing the claws to slip out.

"One of the tricks to fishing is not in spearing your prey. Its much easier to scoop it out on the shore and kill it while its out of the water. That's why your paws are so useful. Their wide shape will make it easier to slap the fish out of the river. I have to spread out my paws to make it work." Looking back at the water, she put her paw in, swiping as if to claw an enemy. An arc splashed into the air, the droplets sparkling in the sunlight.

"You try," she mewed to Sleetpaw. "Just swipe the water. Then we can work on technique."

[/size]

[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

Sleetpaw

[/color][/center]

Define your meaning of war...

[/color][/left]

... to me it's what we do when we're bored

[/color][/right]

Strangely enough, the sound of Thymheart's thanks made Sleetpaw smile, just a bit. You could barely call it a smile, mainly it was just the small twitch of his lips upward. But either way, it was close. Seeing Thymeheart's ears flatten, however, made him feel a strange prick of guilt in his gut. He opened his mouth to apologize, then immediately closed it. He couldn't be getting soft on the first training session. Then he'd never have control, never get things his way. Still, he hated that he'd made Thymeheart feel upset.

Wait... WHAT?!

Since when did Sleetpaw care when others were upset because of him? He tormented other cats all the time! Why would Thymeheart be any different? His eyes narrowed and he focused his gaze on the water, trying to keep his mind on Thymeheart's lesson instead. Sleetpaw took every word that the she-cat uttered in, nodding occasionally to show his understanding. When she told him to try, he padded timidly toward the water. Just as his mentor instructed, the marble-coated tom swiped at the water, shaking his paw as it resurfaced to get rid of the water on it.

"Can I try on actual fish now?"

[/color] Sleetpaw demanded. "I'd rather not get my paws wet for nothing."[/color] He bit his lip."Er- please."[/color] Sleetpaw resisted the urge to glare at Thymeheart. Why on earth was he acting this way? He was trying to be polite. To Thymeheart. The tom shook his head rapidly, flexing his claws and averting his eyes from the pretty fae and into the water again, focusing on the ripples and the tiny fish.[/blockquote]

[Blackie]

Watching Sleetpaw, Thymeheart couldn't help but remember her apprentice days and all the times she had been too nervous to do anything. Fallowfoot had to coax her into everything, praising her lavishly when she worked up enough courage to try something new. Battle training had been much harder for her than hunting. You could almost be alone when you hunted, but fighting required practice with the other apprentices. She had always been worried that her Clanmates would tease her for all of her mistakes and her clumsy, shy approach. She used to dream what it would be like to be a medicine cat and never have to fight, but then, when Lilyfeather was still there, a cat had broken one of its legs. Thymeheart had been eager to help until the cat started yowling in pain because all of the poppy seeds had been lost in a sudden flood a few days before. It had been awful and one of her more vivid memories.

"Can I try on actual fish now?"

Thymeheart looked up, refocusing on the present. He wanted to try already? All he'd done so far was slap the water, there was no way he could catch fish yet.

"I'd rather not get my paws wet for nothing. Er- please."

"It won't have been for nothing." Thymeheart mewed, noting the way he was pushing himself to be civil. Her apprentice was beginning to surprise her. Being polite, watching his pleases and thank yous. Maybe she'd hear a laugh out of him sometime instead of that flat, grumpy meow. "The more you practice, the better you will become. Fishing is all about patience, you can't rush into it like a kit. You won't catch anything." Sitting up straight and wrapping her tail over her paws, the ginger and white warrior studied the marbled tabby with obvious doubt. "I'm sure you'll be an amazing fisher - some day. But I don't think you'll catch anything yet. On the other hand, some cats are exceptional at certain things." She flicked her tail, questioning the wisdom of what she was about to do. If he tried and failed, he might get discouraged. Or he might learn to take it easy next time. If he succeeded, Thymeheart would be very pleased, and so would Sleetpaw, and he might be more willing to listen to her - or he might get hot-headed and never listen to her again. She sighed. If she didn't let him try, he would be furious with her and then they'd really be stuck. "Go ahead," she mewed.

[/size]

[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

Sleetpaw

[/color][/center]

Define your meaning of war...

[/color][/left]

... to me it's what we do when we're bored

[/color][/right]

Sleetpaw didn't like the doubt in Thymeheart's gaze as she looked him over, explaining that he needed to be patient. He glared at her, flattening his ears and narrowing his eyes. She didn't believe in him! If his own mentor doubted him, how on earth would he learn anything?! A soft growl began to form in Sleetpaw's throat, but it disappeared at the sight of Thymeheart's gentle eyes. What was it about the pretty she-cat that could calm him down so easilly? He shrugged mentally. Thymeheart was a very gentle, soothing cat. Of course Sleetpaw would feel the urge to be calm around her. Then again, not long ago he'd thought of her quiet nature to be what only spineless cats had. He casually thumped the back of his head with his tail, trying to get rid of the racing thoughts.

Sleetpaw almost didn't hear Thymeheart's mew to go ahead. He grinned broadly, excitement coursing through his veins. Now he could prove himself to her! Sleetpaw had to resist the urge to race forward and nuzzle Thymeheart happily, and instead darted closer to the water, allowing his sky-colored eyes to scan across the surface. The marble tom kept to the shadows, shielding his own shadow from reflecting on the surface. A rather large fish was right below him, simply begging to be caught. If Sleetpaw hadn't known any better, he would've thought that the fish was sleeping. Still, it was pretty big. Would he be able to pull it up? He shrugged, raising his paw and unsheathing his long, gleaming claws. He brought it down on the water with a crash, feeling the fish hook on his claws, but just as he tried to pull it back the fish gave a massive flop, surprising Sleetpaw and causing him to lose his balance and topple into the water, again.

The fish swam away. Sleetpaw raised his head from underwater, and the apprentice swam back with a slightly discouraged look on his face. No way would Thymeheart believe in him now. He'd let her down. But Sleetpaw didn't want to place the blame on his own shoulders. Instead, he glared at Thymeheart when he reached the shore, shaking water drops from his pelt and letting out a hiss."You could've warned me about those bigger fish!"

[/color] he growled, though he knew his mistake. He'd kept his paw underwater for too long, giving the fish a chance to pull away. Sleetpaw sighed, striding away from Thymeheart to lick his pelt again. For a moment he felt bad for yelling at her; she'd said that it was too early for him to try.

"I'm... sorry. I guess. I mean you were at fault... but maybe I was too?"[/color] Thymeheart was really starting to irritate Sleetpaw. Or maybe it wasn't Thymeheart. Maybe it was his feelings for her? What feelings? Huh? Sleetpaw slapped the back of his head with his tail again, looking sheepishly over at Thymeheart.[/blockquote]

[Blackie]

As Sleetpaw toppled into the water - again - Thymeheart prepared herself for the oncoming fury. She could understand how frustrated her apprentice would be. It was pretty embarrassing to do something fully confident in your abilities only to be proved wrong in the next instant. She had seen Goldburn do the same things several times and she knew better than to comment.

The expected outburst came. She couldn't help flinching, closing her green eyes so that she wouldn't have to see the snarl distorting the younger cat's handsome features. Sighing, she reopened her eyes to see Sleetpaw stamp away, his marble pelt sleeked back and dripping. For the first time, Thymeheart felt a slight chill breeze. One of the tell-tale signs that leaffall - and eventually leafbare - were on their way. Worried that her apprentice might catch a chill, the she-cat rose and padded warily to his turned back.

"Sleetpaw?" she mewed, uncertain that he would appreciate her prescience just now.

"I'm... sorry. I guess. I mean you were at fault... but maybe I was too?"

A flash of amusement steeled over her face at Sleetpaw's suggestion that he was guilty and his pointed accusation that she was most certainly to blame. But his voice was soft and sincere. Sitting down beside him, just close enough that she could reach over easily to touch him, Thymeheart met his blue eyes with hers.

"Maybe," she agreed, using a soft voice. She used to talk to Goldburn that way when he was sad, but it had been several moons since he had accepted her reassurances. "There's something about mentors and apprentices you need to understand, Sleetpaw. We're a team. We need each other. I can't teach you anything if you aren't willing to learn, and you won't learn from me if I don't focus on you and your needs. But being a team isn't the same as being you're friend. During our training sessions, I am your mentor and I need you to listen to me. Even when you disagree." She gave his pelt a swift lick remove a droplet of water clinging to his fur. "However, I'd be happy to be your friend at all the other times if you like. Do you see what I'm telling you?" She gave his coat a few more licks murmuring about how he was sure to catch a chill before she realized she was fussing over him like a queen with her kit. She drew back, half expecting Sleetpaw to retaliate negatively, but hoping that he would accept what she had told him.

[/size][/center]

[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

Sleetpaw

[/color][/center]

Define your meaning of war...

[/color][/left]

... to me it's what we do when we're bored

[/color][/right]

Sleetpaw raised his eyes to meet Thymeheart's, enjoying the sound of her soothing voice. His ears were pricked, a sign that he was truly taking in her words. Well, of course she was his mentor, he knew that was true, but he appreciated that she was willing to be his friend. Thinking back, did Sleetpaw really have any friends? He knew the answer to that. No. Hearing Thymeheart say that she was willing to be his friend made his heart leap and a very, very discreet smile come to his face. He could feel her tongue rasping across his pelt, again making his heart begin to fly. Thymeheart was a beautiful cat, and she actually liked him! That surely meant something, didn't it? Maybe they could become something more then that... The impulsive Sleetpaw jumped to his paws, nodding to Thymeheart.

"I understand, Thymeheart,"

[/color] Sleetpaw mewed eagerly. "Hey, can we do something else? Like go for a walk and practice hunting instead? Or just a walk? We could just take a break and relax too, I mean whatever works.[/color][/b] Sleetpaw looked up at Thymeheart hopefully. He wanted some of that "friend time," and for the mentor time to end for a bit. He wanted to know if something was there, because to him there sure was. He liked Thymeheart, a lot. But that was when he remembered. In camp, Flare... he was constantly looking at Thymeheart, smiling at her, talking to her. Envy and possesiveness suddenly ran through Sleetpaw's heart. Thymeheart was his mentor, his friend. A kittypet like Flare didn't deserve her.

Sleetpaw tried his best to dismiss the thoughts, for it was clear that he'd turned angry. His shoulders were tense and his eyes narrow. Stupid, stupid Flare! Just thinking of the tom's name made Sleetpaw want to scream. He hated him, he loathed him just for looking at Thymeheart. Sleetpaw took a deep breath, calming himself so Thymeheart wouldn't feel like he was mad at her. See? He was worried about her! He cared for her more then Flare would. "Sorry,"[/color] Sleetpaw mewed, blinking his eyes closed for a moment."But can we please go for a walk? It'll be fun, and besides, we can always come back to training, right? Please."[/color] Sleetpaw looked at Thymeheart hopefully, shuffling his paws to show how eager he was.[/blockquote]

[Blackie]

If there was one thing that Thymeheart did not understand, it was kits and their mood swings. Sleetpaw had already succeeded in confusing her. At one moment, he had been cold and disrespectful. Then he had been somewhat willing, even interested, then angry, furious, willing again. And now he was eager to go for a walk - just a walk - with her. What did he want to walk for? It was difficult for the tabby warrior to understand. A young cat like her apprentice would want to have some sort of task while they were 'just walking', right? He doesn't have to be that way. Here's your chance to get to know him better.

Tilting her head to the side, she straightened up and nodded thoughtfully. "Good," she mewed aloud. "I'm glad you understand, because its very important if you ever want to be a warrior. We . . . we can go for a walk, but I expect you to be alert and using all your skills." Of course he would, this was Sleetpaw. He was far from unclever as any young cat had ever been. He and Flare were both very promising youngsters.

[/size]

[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

Sleetpaw

[/color][/center]

Define your meaning of war...

[/color][/left]

... to me it's what we do when we're bored

[/color][/right]

Sleetpaw almost leapt with joy as Thymeheart agreed to walk with him. He'd never felt so gleeful, at least in such a long time. The thought of spending time alone with the beautiful femme was almost too good to be true. And to think, just a few moments ago he hated Thymeheart. Now she was tolerable, actually more then that. She was trying to help him, willing to understand and even put up with any crap Sleetpaw threw at her. In their short training session, Thymeheart had made Sleetpaw believe that, just maybe, she'd be a good friend to him. Most cats got to know him, then hated him. But maybe Thymeheart would be different. Maybe she'd know him, and still think that he was okay.

"Awesome!"

[/color] he mewed enthusiastically, trotting a few paces away from his mentor with his tail held high. Of course, this would remain a training session, so Sleetpaw kept his ears pricked and his steps as quiet as they can be (which wasn't much considering his large paws.) The tom looked back at Thymeheart, his eyes meeting her green ones, and he just wanted to talk to her. Maybe he was being impulsive, maybe he was going too fast with his emotions. Never before had he felt that a cat other then his mother would actually care much for him. Would Thymeheart prove to be a good friend? But how would he keep her from Flare...?

The annoying kittypet was the only barrier in Sleetpaw's way. It was like the tom would always get what he wanted. Sleetpaw wasn't going to let him get Thymeheart though. Flare needed to realize that he needed to stay where he belonged; twolegplace. Shaking the angry thoughts from his mind, Sleetpaw looked back over at Thymeheart, wondering what he could say to her. There were plenty of questions in his mind, plenty of things that made his mind swim. "So, do you like being a mentor? Your brother's jealous, I can tell. But don't feel bad, I'd rather have you as my mentor anyway."[/color] His question and statement was a bit rude, but Sleetpaw didn't even think of that. He just wanted to talk, and get Thymeheart to talk to him. He'd get a better connection with her then Flare, after all he'd see her more, right?[/blockquote]

[Blackie]

]]Its always the crazy times, you wake up and realize,[[
]]It takes more than your saline eyes, to make things right[[



Her eyes glittered, her happiness threatening to boil over. All her life, she had felt degraded by other cats beneath the brighter shine of her brother. Determining that it would be her lot in life, she had excepted it and learned to enjoy being the shadow. It was easier than stepping up to take the stage. Then suddenly she had no choice, she was being forced to move forward with an obnoxious, proud kitten who would be having to take ques from her. She had been terrified, thought she still might be, but there was something happening here she recognized as wonderful. Sleetpaw was enjoying his session with her. He was eager to learn. Thymeheart breathed in slowly, reveling in the sensation brought with the success. Her apprentice bounded off, tail high with a prance in his step. For a brief moment, she wondered where the haughty little show off had run away to, but quickly decided she didn't need to know. As long as the bengal tabby was going to maintain this behavior, she was glad of it. Perhaps they were not so misplaced after all.

With her usual gracefulness, Thymeheat lifted herself to her paws, arching her back in luxurious stretch before trotting after the apprentice. Dried leaves crackled under her paws. The wind was chill, making the pretty warrior wonder how the WindClan cats could stand living on the open moor with such sparse shelter. At least RiverClan had their reed dens to nestle in and the fish to prey on who's oils kept their pelts thick and soft.

She caught Sleetpaw's eye, surprised by the vivid blue. She blinked at him affectionately. The more time she spent with the prickly tom, the more she liked him. They'd end up being good friends, she was sure.

"So, do you like being a mentor? Your brother's jealous, I can tell. But don't feel bad, I'd rather have you as my mentor anyway."

Slightly taken aback, she faltered in her step, stumbling over her own paws. "Um . . ., Thank you, Sleetpaw. I like being your mentor very much. And yes, Goldburn is very jealous." Her eyes went glassy with a spark of sadness. "There hasn't been very much to make him happy lately." In fact, lately, Goldburn had padded around with a depressed expression in his amber eyes. He was wanting Shatteredmirror. Thymeheart shook her head. He was crazy dreaming after the ThunderClan she-cat. He didn't even know her, not really.

"Sleetpaw," Thymeheart mewed suddenly, wanting to change the subject. "Tell me some of your favorite things."

tagCINDSAH!
character Thymeheart
muse Ack, awful ending >.<
notes Sleetpaw is so cute X] It'll be really sad when he doesn't get Thyme
lyrics Crazy Times by Jars of Clay

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[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

Sleetpaw

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Define your meaning of war...

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... to me it's what we do when we're bored

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Thymeheart's question caught him off-guard, and he nearly halted in his tracks. Some of his favorite things? It was clear that Thymeheart was trying to change the subject, but Sleetpaw c o c k e d his head to the side in consideration anyway. What could he consider his favorite things? Did she mean like prey, or things to do, or just everything in general? THe marble-coated tom shrugged his well-muscled shoulders, flicking his tail as he stared off into space. "Hm, I'm not so sure I guess. I mean my favorite prey is probably a water vole, and I love fighting. It makes me feel... stronger, like I'm proving myself more and more, when I win a fight. And I like thunderstorms, so long as I'm not getting wet by the rain. To me, they're relaxing."

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Sleetpaw flattened his ears sheepishly, shrugging again. "I don't know, nothing special. I'm not all that interesting."[/color] He smirked, clicking his claws against the ground as he started walking again. The tom looked over his shoulder and mewed,"What about you? Surely your answers are better then mine."[/color][/b] He knew that he was right. The more he talked to Thymeheart, the more she caught his interest. And she even wanted to know about him! Either that, or she just wanted to steer the conversation from her brother. Whichever was the answer, though, didn't matter. At least she cared enough to ask. Had Stoneclaw cared about Sleetpaw's interests?

"In case you didn't know,"[/color] Sleetpaw mewed. "I wasn't sure that this partnership of ours was going to work out very well. Well, I was wrong.[/color][/b] He offered a small smile. "I think you're going to be a great mentor."[/color] How had he gone from so tempermental to so... nice? With Thymeheart of all cats? Sleetpaw wasn't sure, but he did know that he liked Thymeheart. Maybe more then a friend, more then a mentor. He didn't know for sure yet, but he was eager to see where this would go.

((Ahh I love Sleetpaw! I know, it'll be very sad ): He's gonna be crushed))[/blockquote]

[Blackie]

its always the crazy times you wake up and realize



With Sleetpaw bounding ahead of her like a giddy kit, Thymeheart felt more relaxed then she had for moons. She had been so filled with tension over everything: Goldburn's rebelion, the crackling promise of a fight concerning poor Flare and his father, her own inability to push her confidence to the level of a warrior instead of an apprentice. All of it had plunged down upon her like a flock of starlings on a flimsy willow sappling, weighing her down until she felt apart of the mud. She had accepted the tramplings of other cats on top of her, and whenever shetried to rise up, they'd press her down more feircly. Especially her brother, though he claimed he wanted Thymeheart to take care of herself, he didn't like the idea of not being able to control her.

Sleetpaw rattled off a few points that he was fond of, amusing his mentor with the fact that he enjoyed fighting. A fish could have seen that the marbled tabby liked to battle. He was good at it, very good. A person always liked best what they were good at. The ginger cat's ears flicked forward, listening to the apprentice. He sounded happy now, the way he should have been.

"What do I like?" Thymeheart meowed, drawing out her words as she considered what she would respond. "I really enjoy history. I love stories about the past. Goldburn thought I was crazy because I always wanted to do the elder's bedding when we were little, just so I could get them to tell me a story. I also like fishing." She purred, looking at him with soft green eyes. "Fishing for me is like your thunderstorms. I've always been happiest when I'm by the river."

She padded quietly, her head lowered. Not in submission, worry or fear. She was calmed, moving with the fluid grace all felines possessed when they were confident with themselves and the world around them. Here and now, she felt that she could tackle whatever was sent her way. And with Sleetpaw to help her, she had an even better chance. She sighed happily, a light purr rumbling deep inside her, vibrating her body.

"I wasn't sure that this partnership of ours was going to work out very well. Well, I was wrong."

Partnership, Thymeheart laughed to herself. He's still cheeky, even if he is more cooperative. "I'm glad to here it." she mewed aloud, her voice strong with her pleasure.

"I think you're going to be a great mentor."

She took a deep breath, her eyes brimming with feeling. "Thank you, Sleetpaw." she replied. "I think you're going to be a great apprentice - and friend."

it takes more than your saline eyes to make things right

tag Cindsah!
character Thymeheart
lyrics Crazy Times by Jars of Clay
muse Returning! =D YAY!
notes DEATHTACKLE!!!!!!!!!!!! SCORE ONE FER BLACKIE!!!!!!!

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[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

Sleetpaw

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I hate everything about you, why do I love you...

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... You hate everything about me, why do you love me?

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"What do I like?"

Sleetpaw turned his sky-blue eyes onto Thymeheart, pricking his ears with a genuine curiousity.

"I really enjoy history. I love stories about the past. Goldburn thought I was crazy because I always wanted to do the elder's bedding when we were little, just so I could get them to tell me a story. I also like fishing."

He nodded; the whole history thing really made sense, for Thymeheart was a bright cat, wise in a way, something she probably learned from all the stories. He snorted as she said she liked fishing, but then stopped when he realized what fishing was to her. Besides, she hadn't laughed at him. Sleetpaw flattened his ears guiltily, but pushed it aside after a moment. Thymeheart wouldn't be angry at him; she couldn't be, after all it was just his opinion, right? Why did it matter, why did she have to approve of everything, every action? Because she's your mentor, and friend, and you are starting to care about her.

[/color] Sleetpaw unsheathed his claws, realizing that his thoughts were perfectly right.

"Thank you, Sleetpaw. I think you're going to be a great apprentice - and friend."

Sleetpaw grinned, his heart thumping in his chest like a drum. She thought he'd be a great friend! Not just a friend, a great one at that! Any cat could've noticed Sleetpaw's excited stature and behavior, but no one would've known the cause. He'd always been such a serious tom, staying into his work and stinging others with his rude retorts. Yet with Thymeheart, it was different. And he liked that. He liked the feeling that she gave him, the purpose that he felt when around her. StarClan, imagine if Flare saw his rival so... joyful! All his excied demeanor dropped off as he thought of Flare, though, and his pelt started to bristle. Not wanting Thymeheart to think he was mad at her, the tom whirled around and stalked off, as if he were stalking a piece of prey.

Flare, Flare, Flare! He cared about Thymeheart as well, any cat that was blind could see that! He snarled a furious snarl, digging his claws into the dirt as he stalked further ahead. He hated that he'd left Thymeheart, but he wasn't that far off. He'd hear her if she needed something. And now you're looking out for her,[/color][/i] Again, he was. Sleetpaw already felt protective over Thymeheart, and maybe even a bit... possesive. No wonder he was so angry just thinking of Flare, of the way that tom looked at Thymeheart. Sleetpaw hissed, slashing at the bark of a tree with his unsheathed claws. Stupid, stupid Flare. He hated that name. What if Thymeheart ended up choosing Flare over him, ended up taking his side in the arguments, the fights that were sure to come? Sleetpaw would die if that were to happen. Thymeheart was his only friend, what right did Flare have to take her away?

Not wanting Thymeheart to worry about him being gone, Sleetpaw figured that he may as well hunt to pass the time. He could scent a water vole nearby, and, clearing his mind of all things that could anger him, which was a lot, the marble tabby tom stalked toward the bushes where the vole hid. Impatient, the tom leapt into the bushes, digging his claws into the vole's shoulders. For a moment, he even imagined that it was Flare. Sleetpaw snarled, tearing at the vole's flesh and biting hard into its throat, much harder then neccisary. By the time he was done, the vole was actually a bit mangled. Not too much that it couldn't be eaten, though. He'd eat it himself if he had to. Sleetpaw picked up the slightly shredded vole in his jaws before making his way back to where he'd left Thymeheart.

He carelessly dropped the vole." It tried to get away,"[/color][/b] he mumbled, as if that were an excuse to the vole. Cautiously, innocently, he looked over at Thymeheart, sheathing his claws and flattening his pelt. "Thymeheart,"[/color] Sleetpaw mewed, trying to keep his voice even. He'd find out now, once and for all, what Thymeheart thought of that kittypet Flare. If he kept going by assumptions, someone would get hurt. He needed the truth. "What do you think of... Flare? Do you like him?"[/color][/b] He looked away, not sure he wanted the answer, but waited for it anyway.[/blockquote]

((Meh, muse is awful, my post is confusing D:)[/size]