Silvertip Mountain In teaching, you will learn

@Moon Shadow

He still didn't quite know how he felt about his brother assigning him, in a sense, to be Moon Shadow's teacher. It wasn't that he didn't respect his brother's decision- it was just that he had never taught anyone before, and so he didn't know if he was good at it.

He sought her out this afternoon, still having no idea where to actually start. He could wing it, he supposed, but was that the right thing to do? He just didn't know. He sat his haunches down in the spot he had chosen  for their first lesson. It was halfway up the mountain, but relatively flat. The area was large enough that he figured it would be safe from any missteps taking them rolling down the land.

He took a deep breath, and then howled for her, requesting for her to come. Winging it was the only option know, and he hoped that would be okay.

Moon shadow had been exploring the beautiful moutains trails she now called home. She had reached a cliff where the wind blew her Durand gave her good feeling. She had then heard a howl that seemed directed towards her. She ran down the trail heading towards the sound of the howl.

She was curious and nervous for this was her first interaction with her new pack members. She needed to make a good impression. She ran by tree as they blurred until she had almost reached where the howl came from. She sniffed the air and realized it was the wolf who the alpha, fitzdutiful had assigned as her mentor. She sat onto her haunches and directed her attention to him

" You called me, Steady was it." she said quietly trying to speak as loud as she could but felt so nervous.

It seemed she was nothing if not punctual, arriving quickly after his howl. He smiled, a little nervously, as she sat down in front of him. He nodded, Yes, I'm Steady, he replied.

Genuinely interested, he asked, How are you liking it so far here? Settling in okay? When Steady had been accepted, there wasn't really a transition period. It was like he was always meant to be here. He knew, though, it wasn't like that for everyone.

" I really like it here. I love to hike through the mountain. It's been very nice I feel like at home here." she said starting to feel a bit more comfortable. She was glad to know she had choose this pack ad her home. Silver tip mountain was most amazing place she had ever been.

"so what do you need?" moon shadow said calmly.

She seemed rather calm, and open to answering his question. Her demeanor helped him relax a bit, and he smiled, nodding. That's great, I'm glad you're settling in and liking it, he said honestly. He was sure Fitz would be happy to hear it, as well.

Oh, yes, he said, suddenly remember the entire purpose of howling for her. I thought, if you want to, we could get started on your training. He wasn't sure if it was custom to begin training so soon after a new member joined, but any opportunity the pack had to extend its protection should be taken, provided, of course, the new member wanted to. Since Moon Shadow seemed to settling in well, he hoped she wanted to start today.

" Ok. What should we start with first." she said. She liked this wolf who she know called as apart of her pack. She was excited to learn to fight and protect.

She had never properly learned to fight so this was new to her. She was hoping she could learn well and be able to protect her new pack.

She seemed open to start her training today, for which he was glad. When she asked what they should start with first, he hesitated a moment, suddenly remembering that he wasn't quite sure where to start since he had never taught before. He had always sparred with wolves who already had experience in fighting. That thought brought about a question for her, though. Do you have any experience fighting at all?

Moon shadow listened to his words intently. She tried to think back to her past in time where she had ever had to go fight another wolf. She couldn't remember a single fight. She shook her head with a bit disappointed upon her face.

" Sorry, I don't think I've ever had a reason to fight another wolf." she said nervously. She hoped she hadn't already disappointed her new pack member.

She took a moment, to think, he assumed, before shaking her head and confessing that she had never had a reason to fight another wolf. He gave a reassuring smile to her. No problem, he said lightly. We get to start from scratch, which can be a lot easier than trying to correct something you've learned that is wrong, he explained.

He took a moment himself to think of where he should start. Then, it seemed obvious. So, the first thing you should know is how to protect your vulnerable spots, like your neck and underbelly. If an enemy gets a hold of those spots, they could kill you easily. He stood, getting into the familiar stance he took when facing an opponent. Now, when you face off, your head should be lowered so that your opponent can't lunge at your neck and grab it. He lowered his own head, showing her. He waited to see if she would follow suit before moving on. You never turn your back on your opponent, and only in rare cases do you want to even turn sideways to them- like if you're trying to body check them, he said. Any questions so far? he asked. He hoped he wasn't going too fast for her, but if he was, he would gladly slow down and explain a little better.

Moon shadow follow along giving steady her full attention. She was glad to start from scratch so she wouldn't have to learn something she thought she knew all over again. She watched as he showed her how to protect your neck and under belly. She decided to also try this getting in the stance steady was showing her.

She hung on to his every word not wanting miss anything. This was her chance to get prepared to defend her pack at anytime needed. When he asked if he was going to fast she shook her head as if saying no.

Moon Shadow was already proving to be an attentive student, watching him closely as he showed her how to defend her weak spots. He nodded when she silently shook her head, letting him know he wasn't going too fast.

Remember that any fight can turn into a fight for your life, even if it doesn't start that way. If I'm defending the pack lands against an intruder, and we get physical, if I lose, he gets to move further into the lands, possibly without anyone else knowing. So, you have to be confident in what you're doing. It isn't a time to be worried you're going to offend them. He got the vibe that she wasn't a very dominant wolf, which was fine when all was well. But, in a fight, that's when even submissive wolves needed to gather their inner dominance.

He stilled his body suddenly, his muscles tensing as he looked at her. Ready or not! he said, bounding towards her. He didn't rear up since he was larger than her, going for her legs first, his jaws open and ready to grab a front leg. If he got a hold, he wouldn't grab it hard, just enough to let her know he had it. If she was quicker than he, she would get away, and he would have to try again, possibly even defending himself if she decided to try an offensive move.

Moon shadow listened at he told her a fight could go very wrong in the end. She knew she wasn't a very dominant wolf but would have to if she were to protect her pack. She wouldn't let anyone take anything from her pack. When steady said ready or not she had been very surprised.

As soon as he said that and came charging at her she jumped up and got in a defensive stance. She guarded herself from steady. She knew this was just training but she felt very serious about it. She eyed steady waiting for his next month. She needed to be prepared for anything.

He was surprised, but glad, to see that Moon Shadow had been more ready than not to his lunge. She sidestepped his advance, but didn't offer up her own offensive move. Instead of giving her much time to think, Steady turned immediately and went for her again.

This time, he reared up, intending to put his weight onto her back to try and get her to the ground. He didn't growl playfully like he normally would have, since this was a more serious teaching moment.

found time to post. Sorry it's so short. :P

Moon shadow unfortunately was unable to prepare for next hit. She fell onto the ground but didn't let that stop her. She sprang up and decided she would attack this time. She would try snapping at his leg liked he had tried to the first time. She raced towards him not knowing how this would play out. Would she be able to be fast enough to catch him or not? All she was she had to be quick.

No problem :-)

Moon Shadow fell to the ground. Instead of pinning her down like he normally might have, he gave her a little room to move and get up if she wanted to. He hadn't expected, though, for her to turn and come at him offensively. He was quick on his paws, however.

He let her snap at his front leg, and when her head was down, Steady opened his jaws and went for her scruff. He would be gentle if he got a hold of it, but he hoped it would show her a weak spot. If a wolf got her scruff, they would jerk her around, possibly breaking her neck in the process.

sorry it's so short. My mind just went blank. :P

Moon shadow hadn't expected steady to grab a hold of her scruff while she had gone for his leg. She was unable to move and had no idea what to do next. She wondered what she was supposed to do now. She thought she would ask steady since this was supposed to be a teaching moment.

"Steady what am i supposed to do in these kinds of situations? Also how dangerous is a situation like this?" she asked in a note of interest. She knew this was a hard situation to get out of already. All she needed was to know how.

Steady successfully grabbed a hold of Moon Shadow's scruff, and he gently, but firmly, held his grip, not hurting her, but allowing her to realize she got herself in a bit of a pinch. She asked what she was supposed to do now, and Steady let her go, not being able to answer otherwise. He sat back on his haunches, an indication he wasn't going to attack her again. It's a difficult thing to get out of. Usually, in a fight, if a wolf gets a hold of your neck, he's either going to force you to submit, or he's going to try to kill you, he explained seriously.

He paused a moment to let that sink in. You could try to wiggle out of it. The bad side could be you rip your neck open if the other wolf has a strong enough hold on your skin; the good side being you get to continue fighting. It would have been a very bleak situation. He watched her carefully, trying to gauge her reaction to this session. How are you feeling? he asked. He supposed it could be very overwhelming to begin to realize how many things could go wrong in a fight, but he hoped she also realized what could go right once she got some experience under her belt.

She nodded listening as he told her it's a very troubling situation indeed. When she heard the part about she could get killed it did scare her. She didn't get to scared though. She knew she just had to be protective of her neck. She made sure to give her full attention when he told how to potentially get out of it. It still was dangerous even if she tried to get out of it. When he asked how she had felt she spoke what was on her mind.

I'm glad I get to learn to defend myself. It'll help out a lot in life."she said thoughtfully. She really was glad to learn these things. She would be able to protect herself and her pack."So is there anything else I need to learn today."she asked in tired voice. The training had taken it's toll. she realized this and then tried to hold in yawn unsuccessfully. She looked down in embasserment not wanting to admit she was tired.

Steady nodded, It most certainly will. And remember, just because you might go up against a wolf bigger than you, doesn't mean you automatically lose the fight. You'll have the confidence to know and understand your abilities and use them, he said, hoping to boost her thoughts. He knew she was new to this, and he didn't want her to feel helpless or hopeless.

I think that's enough for today, he said with a smile. He noted the tiredness in her voice, and he didn't want to push her too far. Rest up, he suggested. We'll pick pack up in a couple of days. That would give her time to rest, think of any questions she might have, and maybe try out some of what he taught her today.

Do we want another thread for the next lesson? :-)

ya a new theatd would be good. This was really fun! Last post. :)

Moon shadow listened well as told her fighting someone larger than her was not a immediate defeat. She was glad she had done this training session as she had now possessed a new kind of confidence. One day she would able to protect her pack with all her strength."Thank you for this training session steady. I'm glad to learn to defend myself and others. See you around."she said as she smiled and trotted off. She had never had a happier moment.