Evening Encounter (for Moss)

Spottedstar led Blossompaw through the pines, walking briskly and wordlessly. He always trained the she-cat later in the day, taking the early morning hours for himself and spending sunhigh in conference with Sagelight, Wolfcall, or Tinylegs. Now, his duty was to Blossompaw and her training, and when he reached the Halfstone, the leader halted and turned to her. "This should do. The warm stone will attract prey looking for somewhere to rest away from all the snow and ice." He meowed factually. A hint of melancholy coated his words. Spottedstar didn't want to drag down the young apprentice, but he simply needed to distract himself from his worrying thoughts. Getting into the hunting routine would allow him to relax, and then perhaps he could have a more personal interaction with Blossompaw. He nodded to her, signalling silently for her to assume the hunting crouch so he could assess her technique.

Following behind Spottedstar, Blossompaw remained silent as she trotted in his wake, refusing to slow down her mentor. This day was no different than the many others, Blossompaw having spent her morning by volunteering to join the dawn border patrol and then spending the time between practicing her hunting crouch and battle motions in a corner of the camp. With each swipe of her paw, she adjusted the speed and strength, with each crouch of a move she tested her balance and stability. As the moons had passed, she had started to grow confident in her knowledge, but she still worked hard every day to learn as much as she could. She wondered if Spottedstar had noticed, or Wolfcall.... Her pelt grew warm at the thought of the deputy, but as Spottedstar stopped at the Halfstone she shook her head of the thoughts of the tom. This moment was for training and learning, and besides......

As her mentor spoke, Blossompaw placed a paw on the stone gently, feeling the warmth of the stone as she looked to the sky, noting the sunlight filtering through the trees. "Since we're concentrating on prey on or around Halfstone, we won't be going to the trees yet - the distance down would be too far, and the noise made would ruin the hunt. Since we're in the open on the stone, we'll want to have a low crouch, to try to not stand out on it, but while my fur blends in to it well yours doesn't, right?" She mewed quietly, running through scenarios in her head as she spoke mostly to herself. Dropping neatly into a low crouch, tail held carefully above the ground, Blossompaw settled her balance evenly across her paws. Once she was in position, she looked to Spottedstar out of the corner of her eye, waiting for his critiques.

The leader nodded as his apprentice analyzed the situation, pleased with her logic. "You're right. In that instance, the best solution to a brightly colored pelt is slow, measured movements and precise footwork. Many prey animals will overlook bright pelts if the hunter is able to wait them out. But since your pelt is such a similar color to Halfstone and the shadows in the snow, you have greater flexiblity to move quickly - so long as you can stay silent." Blossompaw had a thick, flowing tail, but she kept it expertly under control. Her weight was evenly balanced. Her expression was one of deep focus, and it impressed Spottedstar that she could be so dedicated to her training. He had certainly not been a focused apprentice in his youth, although he would hardly consider himself a good measure for apprentices and warriors alike.

"Good. Your form is excellent, Blossompaw. Remember that certain prey have different challenges as well: mice are sensitive to--" A series of loud cracks in the treeline drew his attention. The wind shifted; it carried the cats' scent away towards the trees rather unhelpfully. Spottedstar might have ignored the sounds if they didn't sound so heavy - in fact, they were catlike in that there was a definite pattern. His fur raised. He thought he recognized a flash of ginger fur between thin aspen trunks.

Spottedstar nearly relaxed again when a sharp yip alerted him to the stranger's real identity. A fox crashed into view, snarling and mouth bloodied. It had evidently just been enjoying a meal when it heard the leader's low meow and decided to investigate. Apparently feeling as though it could take both cats, it charged for the larger one who had stepped defensively in front of the other and began hissing angrily.

He was startled when the creature charged. He'd expected it to see his teeth flashing and flee, but perhaps foxes weren't as clever as their reputation asserted. Instead, Spottedstar learned that foxes were, in fact, the owners of incredibly sharp teeth. The predator clashed with him, sinking long teeth into the spotted tom's shoulder, and he responded with a snarl and a flurry of strikes from his front claws. "Blossompaw, watch out for its teeth!" Its teeth were currently occupied, but he didn't want her to end up in its grasp next.

The fox used Iron Bite on Spottedstar, dealing 30 damage and using 20 SP.

Spottedstar used Rending Front Paws on the fox, dealing 20 damage and using 25 stamina.

Fox:
70/90 HP
260/280 SP

Spottedstar:
90/120 HP
375/300 SP

Nodding slightly as Spottedstar began his response, Blossompaw's heart swelled with confidence and appreciation for her mentor as he confirmed and built upon her own thoughts. As he continued, his thought about mice was suddenly interrupted by loud cracks, making the apprentice jump slightly before dropping back into a crouch, a lower one this time as she turned her attention from Spottedstar to the direction of the sounds. Whatever was making those noises had to be big... Much bigger than her, and probably bigger than Spottedstar too. Fear and concentration made her eyes widen as she took in her surroundings, dropping back slightly to use the rock as cover as she waited for whatever this thing was to pass or show itself. Her mentor's raised fur only made her more nervous, and she searched for whatever he may have seen. Several heartbeats passed, and while Spottedstar had started to relax slightly Blossompaw was taking a little longer, when a sudden, strange and loud yip sounded as a ginger figure charged forward and grasped her mentor in it's large, sharp teeth.

What in StarClan? Spottedstar responded with a snarl and claws, and at his command Blossompaw nodded, eyes narrowing as she used the cover of the rock to move around the back of the creature before launching herself at it's hind legs, hoping to knock it off balance. Regaining her own balance as she whirled around to face the creature, it's narrow face and ginger fur reminded her almost of a cat, but it was so much larger than any cat she had ever seen. The stench was awful, and her nose wrinkled at the thought of cleaning this things pelt from her claws later. "Spottedstar, what is this? Are you okay?" She asked, voice tinged with worry as her eyes remained focused, waiting for the next opportunity to dash in again.

Blossompaw used Run-and-Tackle, dealing 6+3 damage and costing 10 SP.

Blossompaw:
20/20 HP
70/80 SP (-10)

Fox:
61/90 HP (-9)
260/280 SP

Spottedstar:
90/120 HP
375/300 SP

"Fox!" The leader spat, leaving the second question unanswered. He didn't know. Waves of pain divided his attention between the snarling fox and his shoulder, which was torn open as he pulled out of the predator's grasp. He finally glanced at the gash after the creature hesitated in its attack. It was bloody but not terribly deep. Leaving wound analysis for after the danger passed, Spottedstar's angered gaze returned to the fox, and his claws sunk deep into the earth beneath him. It would pay for that.

However, the fox was nimble and exceedingly hard to predict, and although Blossompaw's surprise attack caused it to stumble, it was back on its paws in a heartbeat. It snapped its jaws at the apprentice fruitlessly. The leader was glad she had the common sense to put distance between herself and the enemy, but he still wanted to keep its focus on himself. Determined not to let it hurt Blossompaw, Spottedstar yowled loudly to regain its attention and lunged forward to force it to react. It yelped, throwing its big forepaws into the air, and landed a heavy hit on the side of the ginger tom's head. Spottedstar stumbled sideways, head reeling from the blow.

The fox used Thrash, dealing 20 damage and using 20 stamina. Spottedstar is stunned for 2 turns.

Spottedstar is stunned.

Blossompaw:
20/20 HP
70/80 SP

Fox:
61/90 HP
240/280 SP

Spottedstar:
70/120 HP
375/300 SP

The member 'Sun' has done the following action : Dices roll

---

'Effect Dice' : 5

Everything was spinning and Spottedstar couldn't find his balance. He tumbled to the earth, feeling grass  brush against his shoulder and cheek as he fell. For a moment, he was taken back in time to the battle with ShadowClan. Thornstar had hit him like this, and all the complicated feelings of fear and confusion accompanied the echoes of his clanmates' screams. He heard Blossompaw call out his name, but he couldn't tell where it had come from. He whipped his head around, still dizzy and seeing double, but his apprentice was nowhere to be seen. Only the fox was in his sights, and it approached haughtily to finish its work. Then, a gray blur landed on its back, and Spottedstar gasped as he realized it was Blossompaw. The fox writhed and squealed, trying to shake off the cat unsuccessfully. It couldn't even reach a limb to snap and tear at with its jaws. She'd caught it pretty good.

Spottedstar is stunned.

The fox is stunned.

Blossompaw:
20/20 HP
60/80 SP

Fox:
55/90 HP
240/280 SP

Spottedstar:
70/120 HP
275/300 SP

As the fox thrashed underneath her, Blossompaw gripped tighter, claws digging into the red pelt under her as the foreest blurred. Feeling suddenly queasy, the she-cat made the jump from the fox back to the forest floor, stumbling as she tried to get her bearings again. Shaking her head quickly to clear it, she spun around to attack again, not wanting to lose the chance that she had given herself. Darting forward, she watched as the fox prepared for another jump onto it's back, and she adjusted her plan. As jaws snapped only a whisker above her she ducked, darting under the belly of the fox before twisting and slashing furiously at the soft belly. Not wanting to overestimate her chance, she wriggled out the far side and spun to face the fox again, panting as the bright red blood spattering her pelt dripped to the forest floor. "Spottedstar, please get up...." She begged, eyes still locked on the fox before her, not sure how much longer she could keep it's attention.

---

Blossompaw used Belly Rake, dealing 7 (+2 due to Halfstone) damage and costing 10 SP.


Blossompaw:
20/20 HP
50/80 SP (-10)

Fox:
46/90 HP (-9)
240/280 SP

Spottedstar:
70/120 HP
275/300 SP

His apprentice's begging was heart-wrenching. Shaking his head despite the painful pulsing, Spottedstar scrambled to his paws. He could hear his heartbeat pounding in his ear and still felt the dizziness that tugged at his balance. The fox, angrier and bloodier than before, was losing energy and precious life force - the new wounds to its stomach would likely be fatal. It lunged in a rage, releasing a horrible sound between a growl and a yelp. Spottedstar wasn't thinking. He'd stopped thinking seasons ago. All he knew was that Blossompaw was in danger and he had to stop the fox from reaching her. He yowled, wide-eyed and limbs flailing, and jumped into the fox's path. Long, sharp teeth met the nape of his neck and closed on his throat. Spottedstar felt the blood explode into his mouth and he let out an ugly screech that was cut eerily short. The leader fell limp in the fox's jaws, which shook him about and then tossed him to the side.

The fox used Iron Bite on Spottedstar, using 20 SP. Spottedstar is dead.

Blossompaw:
20/20 HP
50/80 SP

Fox:
46/90 HP
220/280 SP

Spottedstar:
0/120 HP
275/300 SP

Spottedstar stood, shaky, but standing. Blossompaw let out the breath she had been holding and her shoulders relaxed slightly, when suddenly her mentor darted in front of the fox and a terrifying crunch accompanied by a shrill shriek cut the air before silence enveloped the area, the only thing she could hear was the blood coursing through her ears. Was that because there was ntohing else to hear, or was it really silence? As the fox whipped the blood-stained body of Spottedstar and tossed it to the side, she let out a furious shriek and charged, claws extended and teeth bared. "How dare you!" She yowled as she jumped back onto the fox's back, dead weighting her body to force it to the ground. "I'll have your pelt, that was my mentor you... You...." Her words were cut off as she sank her teeth into the back of the fox's neck, trying to make sure that her tail was kept safely out of the fox's reach. One wrong move, and it would be over. 


Blossompaw used Leap and Hold, dealing 6 (+2 Halfstone) damage and costing 10 SP. Fox is held for one turn.


Blossompaw:
20/20 HP
40/80 SP (-10)

Fox:
38/90 HP (-8)
220/280 SP

Spottedstar:
0/120 HP
275/300 SP

The member 'Mosspelt' has done the following action : Dices roll

---

'Effect Dice' : 2

The fox's successful kill had reignited its taste for blood. It had attacked and failed for so long now that it was driven nearly mad by its desire to leak the blood out of everything that dared move and breathe. The she-cat was clearly aggravated by the death of her companion, but the fox thought nothing of her yowling and her claws, even as she landed once more on its back. It would have her soon. There was no way this small creature would escape its grasp, it was only a matter of time before her bones broke in its jaws.

Meanwhile, Spottedstar swam in total darkness. He could see his limbs but not feel them, think of words but not speak them. The taste of his own blood filled his mouth and he recalled the horrifying sensation of drowning in it. Was this what Thornstar felt when he killed her? He suffocated her the same way, teeth closing on flesh for the murder of Beanheart. It was justice. She deserved the pain. This... he had died for Blossompaw. It wasn't like her situation at all. He had been reckless with his life, but maybe it was worth it. That's what leaders were supposed to say when they died for their clan, wasn't it? They had more to spend, after all. Never mind how horrible it was to cease breathing and to feel the life bleed from his bones.

Soon the darkness became distinguishable, like he was looking into deep shadows. Outlines were forming. Glittering specks in the distance became visible, crowded around him, and formed into trees, rocks, blades of grass. Stars lined the handsome pelt of the tom whom Spottedstar quickly realized was standing before him. "Scorchbranch!" He purred, pleased to see someone after what felt like a lifetime of emptiness.

Scorchbranch rumbled a deep purr and touched his nose to Spottedstar's forehead. It was soft and warm, like a real touch from someone who loved him. His grandfather looked at him much like Firflower did. He hoped he gave his children the same feeling when he looked at them, but he doubted he could capture just how deep his adoration for them was. "Take a deep breath, my boy. Another fight endured! But it's not over yet, son. Blossompaw still needs you, and more pain awaits. Persevere, Spottedstar! You can handle it, I know it."

The ground beneath the leader's paws was ripped away violently, and Spottedstar was tossed into a sea of blackness once more. And then he blinked his eyes open, suddenly becoming aware of the brightness of the setting sun and the fiery, burning sensation in his throat. The tang of blood came back into his mouth. His body ached all over. Spottedstar groaned, feeling the worst he'd ever felt in his life, like an avalanche had been dropped on him. A flash of movement caught his eye, and he remembered what he was doing - Blossompaw was on the fox again, which shook and seized violently. The leader put his paws beneath him and forced himself to stand, deciding that he hadn't died for his apprentice just to let her down.

The fox is stunned.

Spotedstar used Resurrect, using 30 stamina and restoring 60 health.

Blossompaw:
20/20 HP
40/80 SP

Fox:
38/90 HP
220/280 SP

Spottedstar:
60/120 HP
245/300 SP

The fox had been more prepared this time, and she didn't get a chance to brace herself before the fox shook, sending her off of it's back and landing with a full thud. Scrambling to her paws, she hissed at the fox as they faced each other, ears flattened against her head and eyes flashing, searching for an opening. She didn't have long... But judging from the wounds on the fox, neither did it. Would she be able to outlast it? A paw flashed forward, raking over the eyes and muzzle of the fox as she hissed, bracing herself for the attack she was sure was coming.

Blossompaw used Front Paw Strike, dealing 6 (+2 Halfstone) damage and costing 10 SP.

Blossompaw:
20/20 HP
30/80 SP (-10)

Fox:
30/90 HP (-8)
220/280 SP

Spottedstar:
60/120 HP
245/300 SP

This dance was dragging on too long for the fox. Growing ever more angry and desperate, and with wounds flowing like little rivers, the beast leaped forward again to snap wildly at the smaller cat with all the fury of a monster and the speed of a striking snake.

Spottedstar gasped in his first full breath of air, although some of it was leftover blood. The stinging pain wasn't dissipating even though the wounds were visibly closing, an experience that was otherworldly and somewhat disturbing. Blossompaw had had the right idea earlier, and scrambling on top of the Halfstone despite his aching bones, Spottedstar kicked off with his powerful muscles and landed squarely on its shoulders with his claws unsheathed just as it lashed out at Blossompaw.

The fox used Iron Bite on Blossompaw, dealing 30 damage and using 20 stamina.

Spottedstar used Leaping Bound on the fox, dealing 14 (+2) damage and using 5 stamina. The fox is stunned for one turn.

Blossompaw:
0/20 HP
30/80 SP

Fox:
14/90 HP
200/280 SP

Spottedstar:
60/120 HP
240/300 SP