Mordred's Lullaby Magpiepaw and Viperstrike Apprentice/Ment

Viperstrike looked at his apprentice's collection of moss. "Good, Magpiepaw. We can start taking this back to camp. The queens will be grateful for warm bedding. Though, I'd be careful about touching twoleg things; you never know where they've been." Viperstrike wrinkled his nose. He found twoleg scents to be absolutely disgusting.

Viperstrike was surprised, and slightly pleased by Magpiepaw's question. Though, he didn't appreciate the use of the word hounding, like he was some dimwitted dog. The way he remembered it, he'd only asked Lichenfur who the fortunate tom was. Of course, it was a she-cat's choice not to tell, but it was a choice that always aroused suspicion in Viperstrike. No other cat seemed to have a clue who Magpiepaw's father was either. He had to wonder if Lichenfur had been disloyal. Still, Magpiepaw was full RiverClan as far as he knew, and it was Viperstrike's job to make him into a worthy warrior. He hadn't failed yet in training an apprentice. 

And here Magpiepaw was taking an interest in his family! This was a perfect opportunity to teach him about the history of RiverClan and their tradition of greatness. "Oh, they were fine warriors of RiverClan!" Viperstrike said. "My father was Stormingsky, the deputy of RiverClan before Brightstar. He was one of the most honorable cats RiverClan has ever known. When RiverClan was going hungry, he would be the first cat to go to the river and the last cat to leave. His wisdom was respected by his clanmates and our former leader alike, and his skill in battle struck fear in the hearts of RiverClan's enemies. Any cat going to battle against RiverClan would think twice about fighting Stormingsky." Viperstrike paused a moment as he remembered his father. Stormingsky was truly a great warrior, and his loss had been tragic. "Unfortunately, he was killed protecting RiverClan from wild dogs. Still, his sacrifice was not in vain, as his efforts saved the lives of many RiverClan cats.

"My mother was a noble queen named Leopardrain. She was a formidable warrior herself, never one to shy away from a threat to RiverClan. Her decisions were always guided by her faith in StarClan and the warrior code, and she was respected as a wise cat because of it. She had a good understanding of what was truly important in life: loyalty to Clan and family. She passed that on to her kits, and now I have taught my kits the same. You must remember, Magpiepaw, that family is everything. We must always look out for the good of our families, and never forget that all of RiverClan is family too." Viperstrike knew that not knowing his father had to be hard on Magpiepaw. It wasn't fair to deprive a kit of that influence. Viperstrike would have to do his best for Magpiepaw.

"I also had one littermate named Rosepaw." Viperstrike's tone betrayed nothing about the other sister he'd once had. He had started his life with two littermates, but he had disowned Pounce many moons ago. Such a disloyal cat could be no sister of his. Perhaps she was still out there, living a life of lawlessness. Viperstrike thought it more likely that she was dead. The folly of abandoning RiverClan and StarClan could not lead to a long (or fulfilling) life. She was better off erased from the memory of RiverClan. "She had a quiet strength. Illness took her during her apprenticeship." Viperstrike bowed his head out of reverence, before looking up to the sky. "Still, she watches over me from StarClan. Sometimes, I can almost feel her guiding my paw steps. I know I'll see her again one day. And many, many moons from now, you'll get to meet her too. All noble warriors join StarClan eventually and reap the reward of peaceful hunting with their ancestors. Remember, death should not be feared Magpiepaw, as long as one leads a loyal life." 

OOC: To no one's surprise, Viperstrike likes the sound of his own voice.
Nice song choice!
themysteryfox8

Magpiepaw gave a slight nod but then looked visibly annoyed at Viperstrike's rambling. He spoke like an old elder's tale, except not interesting. Taking a deep breath, he sighed, annoyed. The stocky tom had already heard all of these stories! You just love talking without listening. Though, he was intrigued about one of his comments,"Wait, just one littermate?" He asked,"I talked with the elders a couple times as a kit, some of them occasionally mentioned a cat named Pounce who disappeared, she was a Riverclanner they said she had a connection to Stormingsky." He sighed, raising his head up in an effort to speak more clearly,"Besides, I already know about death. Stonepaw, remember? Magpiepaw asked, voice cold and snappy. Probably not. He didn't pay much attention to others unless he was analyzing them like prey. The only thing he said at Stonepaw's funeral was some pretentious words about Starclan and death and how the good die young and such. 'Viperstrike is another cat in a series of disappointing, or lazy, or obviously dangerous Riverclanners, and I'd rather die than deal with him.' Stonepaw growled like a day before he died. It was a bit funny that Magpiepaw seemed to be only one able to make sense of his friend when he stated everything clearly.
OOC: Unfortunately for Viper's attempt to erase Pounce's existence, Magpiepaw enjoys talking to the elders and learning his history, and thanks
broadwaystar

Viperstrike's lip curled when his apprentice spoke Pounce's name. That traitor didn't deserve to be remembered. Still, he supposed she could serve as a cautionary tale. Before he could get a word out, Magpiepaw snapped something about Stonepaw. For a split second, Viperstrike was caught off guard. Was Magpiepaw being disrespectful? He stopped walking and looked down at him. "Watch your tone," Viperstrike warned. He had never been tolerant of apprentices mouthing off to him. Still, he realized that Magpiepaw must still be very upset about Stonepaw's death. It was hard for a cat so young to lose someone. He'd only been a few moons older than Magpiepaw when Rosepaw passed away, and he'd certainly had his bad days. "I know you miss Stonepaw," Viperstrike said, tone turning softer. "Grief is a hard foe to defeat. But Stonepaw is with StarClan now. You'll see him again one day, and for now he's watching over you from the stars." Viperstrike looked up to the sky to emphasize his point. He knew that the pain of loss could not stand against the glory of StarClan.

"Now, I suppose I should address Pounce." He motioned for Magpiepaw to sit next to him. "She was born in my litter, a kit of Stormingsky and Leopardrain. As an apprentice, she was very rebellious. She disrespected her mentor and fought constantly with the other apprentices. Pounce did everything she could to push me away after Rosepaw died. She didn't know how to handle her grief," Viperstrike bowed his head a moment, before returning to look at Magpiepaw. "I did the best I could to help her, but she didn't want to be helped. At our warrior ceremony, she rejected her warrior name, the warrior code, and StarClan before the whole of RiverClan. She abandoned us all." Even after so many seasons had passed, it still made Viperstrike angry to think about. She had turned her back on everyone, and for what? Her own selfish whims? She didn't deserve a place in RiverClan. "Pounce chose to break the sacred bond between kin and the sacred bond between Clan. She walked away not only from the living, but all of our warrior ancestors. She abandoned Rosepaw!" Viperstrike could never understand how Pounce could hate StarClan so much when her own sister was among them. If she loved Rosepaw so dearly, why would she walk away from her? This was what angered Viperstrike most of all.

"She's probably dead now," Viperstrike said, bitterness overtaking his voice. "No one has seen her since she left for lands beyond RiverClan's border. It's a harsh world out there, and we need each other to survive. Pounce could never understand that." Viperstrike stood up again. "Come along now. We need to attend to our clan mates and get this moss back to camp."


themysteryfox8

Magpiepaw didn't verbally acknowledge Viperstrike's attempted words of comfort. He did, however, listen to his story of Pounce. Oddly enough, she was kind of relatable. Not everyone got along. Not everyone was nice or respected their mentor. Even if fighting with the other apprentices was bad, she did have the right to be upset at Rosepaw's death, she just wasn't nice or mopey during her grief. Unlike himself. He stood up and flinched at Viperstrike's sudden anger at his sister. He took a deep breath, about to speak, but then stopped. Instead, he simply nodded, picked up his moss and other stuff and walked back to camp with his mentor.
broadwaystar