A Peculiar Friend, A Peculiar Friend Indeed [Shadow/Owlish]

[Ravenpaw]

Oh, this trip was a disaster.

Ravenpaw peeked through the bush that she was hiding under, shaking like a leaf in the wind. She'd been scared... by a leaf. A leaf had fallen onto her rump and she'd screamed like a kit and hidden. Gotta pull it together, she told herself, gotta just get those herbs for Greyleaf... Greyleaf had asked her to get borage, which would help with fever and bring milk to queens. It was... was... Oh, blast it, she'd forgotten what borage looked like! Well, she might as well hunt. She'd recently been taught how, and while she wasn't any good at it, it was better than going back to camp and having Shadepaw bully her. 

She crept out form under the bush and almost immediately a strange scent washed over her. She squeaked in alarm like a mouse and immediately hid under the bush again. Ravenpaw's blue eyes were wide with fear as she peered out, hoping with all her might it was just a patrol from another Clan come to speak with Elmstar...

[Shadow]

listen closely to my voice

and lose yourself...

Shadow stepped out from behind a tree, her pelt coloring shifting strangely between black and gray as she walked through the random shadows. "Well what have we here? A little ThunderClan apprentice scared of poor Shadow. It's okay, Shadow won't hurt you. I'm just a little playful. What are you doing out here by yourself? You might have run into a rogue who would have hurt you. You're lucky it's just old Shadow."

[Ravenpaw]

Ravenpaw squeaked. She slowly slunk out from under the bush, fear clear in her eyes. "Y-You are.... S-S-Shadow?" Her voice ended in a squeak and she hunkered down, shaking. "U-Umm... m-my name i-is R-R-Ravenp-paw... a-and I-I'm s-s-s-supposed to b-be gathering herbs... f-f-for m-my m-m-m-medicine c-cat... a-and h-hunting"

[Shadow]

listen closely to my voice

and lose yourself...

She softened her voice and put more power into it. "There's no need to be afraid, Ravenpaw. I may be a rogue but that doesn't mean I'm evil. What herbs are you looking for?"

[Ravenpaw]

The rouge cat -- Shadow -- talked strange. Her voice was soft now and it was like power was flooding through the voice. And yet still, Ravenpaw was that tiny bit timid like she always was. "I-It was, u-um, b-borage..." The timid apprentice got into a crouch, enough of one that she could move. Carefully and cautiously, she crept her way towards Shadow like a naughty kit afraid of punishment.

[Shadow]

listen closely to my voice

and lose yourself...

She smiled kindly. "See? There we are, nkthing to.be afraid of. I can help you find your borage if you'd like. I saw some just a minute ago."

[Ravenpaw]

This made Ravenpaw happy. She pricked her ears up and stood up, a happy smile on her face. "R-Really? T-Thank you, Shadow!" She purred quietly. Who knew that rogues could be so helpful?

[Shadow]

listen closely to my voice

and lose yourself...

She pirred quietly and backtracked, looking for the telltale blue flowers that were blooming this time of the year. She found it quickly and pulled it out, bringing it back to Ravenpaw. "So are you the medicine cat apprentice?"

[Ravenpaw]

Ravenpaw purred when Shadow brought her the herb. "No, I'm a warrior apprentice. I don't have a knack for herbs like a medicine cat should. My medicine cat asked me to find herbs for her, and I said I would." Standing on her tiptoes, the small apprentice touched her nose to Shadow's. "Thank you!"

[Shadow]

listen closely to my voice

and lose yourself...

She smiled. "You're welcome." Sh used the most convincing tone of voice that she could. "You know what? How would you like to train with me? I'm not a hard teacher and you could be the best apprentice in your clan! There are just some things you can only learn from a rogue."

[Ravenpaw]

What was with that convincing tone? Ravenpaw didn't exactly know why, but suddenly she wanted to be the best. or, well, at least a little better than she was. "Really? You'd help me be a better warrior?" Ravenpaw purred and happily bounced a little bit. "Oh, you're the best, Shadow!"

[Shadow]

listen closely to my voice

and lose yourself...

Shadow gave the little apprentice a kind smile. "Thank you! I don't get compliments often, being a rogue. I'm sure your clan won't mind if you stay out with me for a little while." She crouched, flicking her tail thoughtfully. "Is there anything you're not so good at that I can help you with?"

[Ravenpaw]

That made Ravenpaw's tail droop. "Everything. I'm not good with anything. I can barely remember the hunter's crouch." Then she twitched an ear thoughtfully. "I guess hunting would be the best place to start. If I can't provide for my Clan, then I can't fight for it, either." Then she looked at Shadow with wide eyes. "O-Of course, you know, if you wanna start there..."

[Shadow]

listen closely to my voice

and lose yourself...

"That's a fine place to start. So, the first rule of hunting Iis that you can't play fair. You have to take full advantage of what you have. This is why rogues are good hunters. I am teaching you a different method than you have been learning but it might help. So, can you find any prey around here?"

[Ravenpaw]

Ravenpaw lifted her head up dutifully, sniffing the air. She detected mouse and crouched down, keeping her tail still and her ears laid back. "Mouse," she whispered, hoping that Shadow would be able to hear her. Speaking louder would alert the mouse.