Ache [closed]

The day was cold. The thick pelt that he would curse throughout Greenleaf was now his savior, now acting as a nearly impenetrable shield against the heavy frigid winds. Nothing that he wasn't already used to, though. Living on Windclan territory throughout Leaf-bare exposed him to the harshest winds the season had to offer.

Smallbean, with his head lowered, parted from a group of warriors just after entering Windclan's makeshift camp. Returning to camp with only one parcel to contribute to the fresh-kill pile wasn't exactly his intention, but trying to hunt was a futile objective; ever since the Twolegs had laid out traps across the territories he could only focus on making sure he didn't get caught in one. His paranoia dominated his ability to execute any task outside of camp. Now, though, he was back within the camp's confines and ready to initiate a task he could accomplish. For a brief moment, after contributing his fresh-kill to the pile, he stood idly nearby it, searching the camp surrounding him.

He didn’t have to search for long. Blazefang was lolling not far from the freshkill pile, feeling rather bored. She’d spent half the day sick, thank you kits, and was finally ready to do something. Getting to her feet, Blazefang padded over to the freshkill pile and grabbed a small piece of prey, the first thing she’d be able to keep down all day. Looking up from her meal, she noticed Smallbean. “Oh, hey, Smallbean. What’s new?”

A blur of orange crossed his vision, catching his attention instantly. "Oh, hey Blazefang." He greeted the warrior, stepping away from the pile just in case he was in the way. "Oh- um, nothing really. I'm just.. hanging out..." Smallbean averted his gaze, silently cursing himself for yet another failed opportunity to have a fulfilling conversation. After a brief moment of recovery, he recalled his original objective and turned to face Blazefang again. "So, um. Blazefang. Is there anything you need help with? Errands, or tasks or... practice - or something? I wanted to do something productive, and I was hoping you'd have something in mind." He observed the she-cat, eyes drifting down toward the prey she was eating. "Oh- After you're done eating, of course." He quickly added.

Blazefang ate hungrily, quickly finishing her meal. She noted Smallbean’s awkwardness but didn’t really know what to say or do about it. She sat up, licking her lips. “Heh, no problem Smallbean! I’ve actually been itching for a spar, and Batsong says I’m still early enough that it’s safe, so maybe we could train a little?”

It couldn't hurt to stretch his muscles and sharpen his skills, he supposed. Perhaps honing his abilities would decrease his chances of being trapped by twolegs. "Yeah... that'd be alright." But what did she mean by 'early enough'? The deputy scanned over Blazefang, searching for a wound of some kind before he noticed what she had been talking about. How could he have missed it? His eyes had long forgotten how to recognize slight changes in a cat's physique, all those moons ago when he was the medicine cat he'd have been able to recognize her belly's slight protrusion within heartbeats. He felt almost embarrassed for not noticing.

"Yeah... Um - It wouldn't be a good idea to spar in the middle of camp though..." As he spoke he looked around, the size of their makeshift camp seeming to grow smaller. "We should uh... Go somewhere outside of camp." Reluctantly, hesitantly, he led the she-cat from the fresh-kill pile. Stepping out of the camp's entrance, he lowered his head and scanned their surroundings, anxiety pricking at his gut. It was safe around the camp, he knew that, but he couldn't help but worry that they had missed one. The area that they were in was open and flat, though. There shouldn't even be a chance of running into a trap unless they ventured into what slight brittle underbrush remained.

With a flick of his tail he turned the face Blazefang. "I'll um.. I'll let you make the first blow." It seemed fair in his mind, considering that he'd been fighting for far longer than she'd even been alive. It would give Blazefang some kind of advantage. Quickly, he lowered into a crouch, prepared to face whatever Blazefang would bring.

Blazefang wasn’t about to let being pregnant slow her down. She would throw herself into this spar to the fullest extent it was safe to do so. In a flash of ginger fur, the warrior leaped at her former mentor with her paws outstretched, connecting in a satisfying moment of not-actually-dangerous force.

Blazefang used Jumping Strike, dealing 12 damage (10+3-1) and costing 7 stamina.

Smallbean
58/70 HP (-12)
160/160 SP

Blazefang
60/60 HP
133/140 SP (-7)

Mismatched eyes widened as a blur of orange closed the distance between them in a flash, striking him nearly off of his paws. Stumbling backwards, he regained his balance and opened some space between the two. Stars, his reflexes were beginning to dull, a perturbing issue considering the dangers that now lurked within every shadow. Perhaps this was exactly what he needed to sharpen them to their previous level of expertise.

Only mere heartbeats after Blazefang had made her opening move, Smallbean dug his claws into the compact soil beneath them and launched himself toward the warrior. In a flurry of rapid movements, the deputy repeatedly struck Blazefang with a sheathed paw, albeit not with enough force to cause any real harm. His attacks were all aimed at the she-cats shoulders and upper flank. He was able to retain his self-control when it came to a spar, but accidents were always possible no matter the circumstance - his attacks would remain a safe distance from the she-cat's belly.


Smallbean used Swift Strike in combination with Front Paw Strike, dealing 17 HP[10+07] and costing 17 SP[07+10]

Smallbean:
58/70 HP
143/160 SP [-17]

Blazefang
43/60 HP [-17]
133/140 SP

Blazefang steeled herself against the blows, preparing for her next move. Smallbean was moving fast, and that meant he was bound to be on unstable footing at some point. When she spotted her opportunity, the she-cat lunged forward, knocking her head into the deputy’s flank.

Blazefang used Headbutt, dealing 6 (7-1) damage and costing 5 stamina.

Smallbean:
52/70 HP (-6)
143/160 SP

Blazefang
43/60 HP
128/140 SP (-5)

During his withdraw from his previous attack, he was interrupted, gasping as the wind was suddenly knocked from his lungs from an impact to his side. He stumbled about a fox-length to regain his balance. It seemed he was wrong to underestimate Blazefang. In the blink of an eye, he'd thrown himself back into combat, lightly clamping his jaws around the warrior's wavering tail and tugging just enough to throw her off balance.


Smallbean used Tail Yank on Blazefang, dealing 10 HP and costing 15 SP. Blazefang is stunned for [one] turn!

Smallbean:
52/70 HP
128/160 SP [-15]

Blazefang:
33/60 HP [-10]
128/140 SP

Blazefang stumbled, satisfied with her last hit but more than aware this spar was not yet over. Smallbean had her by the tail! She would admit to having used that tactic herself, but still it caught her off guard.

Blazefang is stunned.

While Blazefang was busy regaining her balance, Smallbean let go of her tail and softly (yet firmly) batted at her with a sheathed paw. Attempting to open distance between them before she could turn and attack, he dashed away, turning to face her from a safe distance. Taking this brief moment, he took time to catch his breath. He hadn't realized how tiring all of the jumping around was. Blazefang, however, seemed just as tired.


Smallbean used Front Paw Strike, dealing -10 HP and costing -07 SP!

Smallbean:
52/70 HP
121/160 SP [-07]

Blazefang:
23/60 HP [-10]
128/140 SP

Regaining some level of control, Blazefang whirled around and answered Smallbean’s swats with a flurry of her own. Her claws were sheathed, but she might have exposed a claw just enough to snag a little fur. She wasn’t about to actually claw her deputy, though.

Blazefang used Front Paw Strike, dealing 10 damage and costing 7 stamina.

Smallbean:
42/70 HP (-10)
121/160 SP

Blazefang:
23/60 HP
121/140 SP (-7)

After recovering from a series of blows Blazefang had dealt to him, he retaliated by raising himself to stand on his haunches, brining down his paws on the she-cat's head. Not with enough force to really harm her of course, but enough to expend some of her energy.


Smallbean used upright lock on Blazefang, dealing 12 HP and costing 10 SP

Smallbean:
42/70 HP
111/160 SP [-10]

Blazefang:
11/60 HP [-12]
121/140

Blazefang only took a moment to shake off the blow before launching back into action, zipping around in a flurry of ginger fur and swatting paws, seemingly everywhere and nowhere all at once. This was perhaps her best trick yet, although a slight fluttering sensation told her it wasn’t her kits’ favorite. She knew sparring this early wouldn’t hurt them, but apparently someone wasn’t having fun. Whoops.

Blazefang used Experienced Steps, dealing 8 damage and using 10 stamina. Smallbean is stunned for one turn.

Smallbean:
34/70 HP (-8)
111/160 SP

Blazefang:
11/60 HP
111/140 (-10)

Using a move that Smallbean didn't see coming, Blazefang overwhelmed him with a flurry of attacks, nearly knocking him right from his paws. Stumbling backwards, he struggled to stay on his paws, having to use all of his concentration to keep himself from falling over.


Smallbean is stunned!

Smallbean:
34/70 HP
111/160 SP

Blazefang:
11/60 HP
111/140