#I ended up making it a dialogue prompt anyway hahahah

[troutfur]

Idk if i should limit myself to just canon characters since this is just warmups - feel free to replace a canon character or own original character with this little thingy and write a conclusion. Consider the name a placeholder. Prompt: Snailfoot slid down into the unstable depths clumsily, barely avoiding skidding over a ledge. Traversing the deeper caverns was dangerous, but thy knew the way. They lept across the chasm, leading the rest of their team.

OOOH! Not what I had in mind, but I can work with this! Now I'm wondering what Snailfoot's up to as well, let me see...

Snailfoot barely avoided skidding over a ledge as they led the rest of their patrol down into the dark, stony depths. They lept across the chasm, giving a signal for the rest to continue as they found solid ground beneath their feet again. As the rest crossed one by one, they remained on stand by, ready to help anyone if they happened to slip.

Traversing this deep into the caverns was a dangerous affair. It was a fine enough nesting place in the coldest moons of leaf-bare and the shade provided a much needed respite from the blazing sun of greenleaf. But this was much farther than any BeachClan warrior ever dared to traverse, any but...

"I really should've kept a closer eye on you," meowed Spidernose, settling besides Snailfoot as the patrol resumed on their way. "When did you even have time to run off in here? I don't remember you ever skipping a training session or anything..."

Snailfoot eyed their former mentor, unsure of how to even respond. They gave a cough then continued leading. "I don't think it's all that important at this point isn't it."

"Oh no, I do think it is," Spidernose said. "You might've turned out fine, but what about the next adventurous apprentice who decides to run down here when no one's looking? What would Sparrowstar think?"

Snailfoot waved his tail to signal to his patrol to halt then crouched in preparation for another leap downwards. Though their front legs landed fine enough, their hind legs threatened to slip across the edge of the platform he'd lept to.

"I'm sorry, okay?" Snailfoot said with a sigh.

"That doesn't answer the question still," Snailfoot pointed out. "Is this why I never saw you eating with the other apprentices?"

They shook their head. "It's what I did instead of sharing tongues but it wasn't why I avoided them."

The words hung heavy over the air for a few moments, the air turning silent save for the constant dripping droning on in the background and the pawsteps of the cats on the stones as they followed Snailfoot's lead.

"I'm sorry, Snailfoot. If I'd noticed before I would've..." The older cat gave out a sigh, trying to remember back to the quiet apprentice they'd mentored, a model of outstanding behavior in every way. Back then they'd felt lucky their first apprentice had turned so obedient and quick to learn but now... "I don't know but I always thought it was just that you had to get out of your shell on your own. So, what happened between you and them?"

Spidernose hung his tail over Snailfoot's shoulders, only for the young warrior to shove it away and begin trotting faster ahead. "It was not your fault, anyway."

"Wait, Snailfoot, just--"

"I've let it go!" Snailfoot hissed, baring his teeth towards Spidernose before shaking his head and returning to guiding. "Let's just get on with this. If we delay too much we may not have a Clan to come back to..."