sharpen your senses

The blazing sun was beating down on WindClan's camp, the light stretching out over the moor along with the almost-uncomfortable warmth. Zinnia rose to her paws, the remains of the mouse she'd been eating set aside, and made her way over to where one of WindClan's apprentices sat. "Fogpaw," she greeted pleasantly. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to indulge me for a quick spar? I'm afraid my own battle skills might be falling out of practice..."

On her recent hunts, feather-laden as they were, she hadn't had much trouble in the way of predators. That she was scavenging more than not helped, perhaps, but it still felt as if she were neglecting part of her duties as a warrior.

On a rare occasion did the pale apprentice enjoy a moment of relaxation if you could call it that. She was lounging around comfortably on a patch of grass soaking in the light. An apprentice like her should have been training like the others who worked themselves to the bone. Not Fogpaw, she had enough of that in the past few moons. She looked fairly relaxed her long body outstretched and her eyes close. The warmth stopped raining down on her when another cat towered over her causing mild surprise.

"Zinnia?" She purred, her limbs stretching out of reflex. Hearing the warrior come to her for a friendly spar caused her to get on her feet faster than she would have for others. "Yes, of course! I'd love that." Fogpaw exclaimed, her pale blue eyes sparkled in the light.

"Excellent," Zinnia nodded. Swiftly, she led the way out of camp; and once they were far enough away she assumed a battle stance. "Show me what you can do. It only seems fair that the cat with less experience should have the honor of the first move."

Honor had little to do with fighting, it was matter who could leave the battle in one whole piece. That's what Fogpaw gleaned from it during training but a deal was a deal. She was practically bouncing after the older warrior who led her out of camp grounds. They were here to practice outside after all regardless if the warrior had moons of experience already. The apprentice gave an curt nod to Zinnia's words her posture becoming more tense when given the go ahead.

Given the first move she didn't bother hiding her moves, her back legs tensed as she leaped through the air aiming her front paws at Zinnia's back.

Zinnia didn't bother trying to dodge the attack, instead interested in seeing how much power Fogpaw could manage to put behind it. She wasn't quite knocked down, though it took genuine effort on her part to remain standing. "Excellent work. Now, we truly begin."

Before either cat could utter another word, she lunged; though she allowed a split second for Fogpaw to react. This was a training exercise, not a true battlefield; and practicing skill and restraint was just as important as the power placed behind it. Not a word was spoken, all her focus on acting and reacting.

The actual battle was far more thrilling than she could have managed to be like when it came to a different cat. Ferretdance being ever so swift and frantic, it was uncommon to get a good hit on the energetic tom. Now with Zinnia in picture she had thrown the she-cat her best.

Quickly her opponent lunged at her resulting in the apprentice to yowl in surprise ducking at the sudden action directed at her.