Mask the Pain - Collab

The paving was cool to the touch as she padded along the Barracks corridor. This section didn’t ever feel the warmth of the sun, tucked back from the courtyard, it was cold despite the warm summer air that blew towards her. It’d been a little while since her fight now and she had been going back to training. The sore spot of the loss was still there but she was doing her best to work through it… But she had risen late today.. She liked waking up late. What she didn't like was finding her brother and sister gone. 

She was mulling over the fact it was likely that Peach was running circuits again when she spotted the group. With her grandmother at the helm. A group of Apprentices evidently off to train. She saw Peach and her friend Aniba….

She paused. Realising they hadn't spotted her yet. Nor had they noticed her absence… 

A horrid feeling coiled around her heart. Sickening. A combination of envy and jealousy. She knew Peach was their grandmother's favourite. It was obvious. Even as cubs she'd known but it'd been okay. She knew she was going to succeed and be a good warden. She'd even made a capture with the commander already. And made a friend. She had been doing great! And yet she had lost.

She had failed a simple, okay, slightly difficult task… and then cried about it for days. She didn’t think her Gran knew. Her mum didn’t like sharing their “failings” with her. She said Granny sometimes cared too much about silly things… Silly things like losing to a wild mutt?

Doubt and fear seemed to hold her in place… Until Aniba lifted her head and spotted her in the gloom. ”Ebony?” She must have smelt her. What if she could smell her fear? ”Are you coming to the training grounds? Iris said we're practicing tripping fleeing opponents today!”

Ebony quickly pushed down the feelings. She'd cry later. When she was alone again. ”Of course!!! I bet I could trip you easily! You're so sloooow” She plastered a smile on her face skipping over to the group. Just gotta keep smiling.

This is Ebony's Façade Apprentice Training

Gurl is having a hard time rn okay. Let a girl be a bit emotional....

This is also Aniba's Mock Hunt training assignment - see LINK for her POV!!

Collab with @UnityUniverse WHOOP WHOOP

I did the BG and terribly sketch cat placement. She made them beautifullll!! Love how this turned out!!

Also peak some little cameos of other apprentices!

Peach @Rain847

Mavka @VertigoCrime

Azolla @WrathoftheNeko

Ambrosia @KingKinu