we listen, we wait [closed, mint+fawn]

Mintpool — after a moment’s quiet — abruptly dove into the bushes. At least, it likely seemed abrupt; she had been following the squirrel’s tiny patter for some time now, and finally she’d gotten close enough.

Efficiently, the squirrel’s delicate neck was snapped between Mintpool’s teeth, and the long, tall warrior unfolded and returned to Fawnshine. Their path was a dark, warm soil dappled with sunlight, and several leaves fell from her fur as she emerged with her kill. “It’s a young one,” Mintpool commented quietly, after she set down the squirrel. It was young — and naive, to have let the pair of cats so close to it, no matter how quiet or downwind. Mintpool had expected it to flee much earlier. It hadn’t known to be wary. With a small shake of her fur, the former Riverclanner gave her medicine cat a mild, somewhat considering look. But there was surprisingly steel behind it. Is she so young, too?

The smell of sickly, rotting fur — and cat’s blood — burned in her memory. Their forest was teeming with predators… and Mintpool would be a fool if she considered herself a match for that filth, if the time came. The warrior resisted a shiver, and a sickening tinge of fear — remembering Thrushnose’s body — in favor of keeping her gaze on the tortoiseshell. I need her help. But would she understand?

There was intelligence in those mismatched eyes. But it was hard to read her. And so, letting out a thin breath, Mintpool looked away. “We’re almost there,” she said simply. Snakerocks was just around the corner.

The member 'ginger' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 4

Fawnshine jolted at the rustle of the leaves, but it was expected. That squirrel seemed to be a target for Mintpool for a while now. "It does seem young." And inexperienced. As they continued on, she couldn't help but notice Mintpool's restlessness. Has she always been like that? She nodded following Mintpool's words. A lot has happened... and she wished she could've gotten to know more of her clanmates — especially after what has been revealed. But it was too risky asking about it now.

At the warrior's next comment, her pace slowed... until she stopped. "Mintpool," She spoke, "This is really out of the blue, but... do you think you can spar with me?" There was an awkward silence after her sentence.. as expected. She soon mewed again, "I've never had as much defense or fighting skills as how a normal warrior would have, you see. And well — I suppose you'd be the best cat to ask... If you don't mind." It was important. She lacked the skills to battle — and she only knew of the basics.

At Fawnshine’s words, Mintpool stilled. In thought, of course… and maybe a bit of surprise. She turned to the medicine cat, and looked down to meet her gaze.

She is serious, I think. Intense green met Fawnshine’s mirrored two, for a moment. Then Mintpool thought of her paw, and shifted. “I’m afraid I’m not the best fighter,” she admitted, to make it clear. “My paw makes me less steady, and I get tired more easily. But if you want to practice, of course. It’s important to know how to defend yourself.”

She took a breath, and then steeled herself to look Fawnshine in the eyes. “Especially now. I also need to ask you something…” And then, point blank, “Can the Dark Forest warriors be killed?”

"It's fine. I mean... I don't necessarily need a strong warrior, I just need to learn the basics, that's all." She smiled. "Thank you, Mintpool." But then, the topic steered. In more of a positive, or negative way, she wasn't sure. Could they? She didn't know.

"Maybe you'll need to ask Dovefrost if you want to know more, but.. From my conclusion, they maybe could? But I'm unsure. They need to take on a physical form apart from their souls at the Dark Forest, and how, I don't know, but if you manage to defeat them.. I think they'll perish, or something like that." She nodded.

Fawnshine didn’t blink.

Or flinch. Mintpool listened quietly, and watched, but the tortoiseshell answered her honestly. (And not with much surprise.) She nodded, even as she frowned. “Thank you, Fawnshine.”

So they could be killed. At least… as far as medicine cats knew. Their… bodies, or what passed for such, tied them as much to this world as Mintpool’s did.

She shook her head. “But if we’re going to kill them, we have to be ready for them first.” Even the thought made her shiver. The young warrior glanced around. It… wasn’t an ideal place for a spar, but then, they had a bit of space…

Her attention turned to the squirrel, and with the slightly awkward movement of scraping soil (with her lucky paw), she covered it. Hastily, maybe — but she and Fawnshine would be near, and they’d take it back to camp once they were finished.

Then Mintpool considered how to begin. She decided to stepped in a wide arc — to give them both space— and settled a fox-length away. Has she had any training before? Mintpool wondered. “There are a lot of ways to learn the fundamentals,” she said, considering Fawnshine’s reply. “And I had two teachers. My way… can’t really be yours, either. But ultimately, you learn by doing. So… say, right now, I was your enemy.” Mintpool tilted her head. “What would you do?”

It felt… a bit aggressive, to ask Fawnshine to attack first. But as time went by, Mintpool knew Minnowfin was right to guide her this way. Retaliating instinctively is entirely different from choosing, yourself, to attack someone… especially when you know they can claw back.

Mintpool is inviting Fawnshine to strike her.

Mintpool:
35/35 | 67/70

Mintpool grunted as she hit the ground – even if she was expecting it. Somewhat, at least. The fact Fawnshine hadn’t hesitated... She’s serious. Nodding in approval, if slightly out of breath, the warrior slipped from under the young medicine cat. “You have… excellent instincts. Good.”

You’ll need them. As quick and slick as a fish, Mintpool swept her paw beneath Fawnshine’s feet, and then pounced onto her shoulder — effectively reversing them. She kept her claws carefully sheathed, but tried to mimic an actual pin, and with force. “When fighting, try to keep on your feet. It’s one of the hardest lessons for me — but if you can’t, you need to try and break free, or make it as difficult as you can for them to hurt you.”

Mintpool used Leap-and-Hold on Fawnshine, dealing 8 damage and pinning for 2 turns. Costs 15 stamina!

Fawnshine [pinned! 1/2]
17/25 | 53/60

Mintpool
26/35 | 52/70

The member 'ginger' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Effect Dice' : 4

The member 'Arcana' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Effect Dice' : 1