Despite Current Events [open to tc AND rc]

The riverclan deputy sat in silence as she watched the young apprentice watch the water. Her amber eyes were locked on his form, his technique. She wanted to see if Dacedream still had it in her to teach fishing. He had some things right so the Thunderclan warrior still remembered some things of her original clan, but like all apprentice things didn't happen easily on the first try.

The gray warrior remained silent as the mother explained his mistakes to him. She nodded along approving of what Dacedream had explained. Though even so it still seemed that Dacedream needed a little bit more practice too. Stormbringer was about to offer up her own advice seeing how this was the main prey for Riverclan but as soon as Dacedream's attention turned so did the deputy's. A low growl rumbled in her chest.

Despite this not being her fight or on her territory she just couldn't let a predator loose, though there was plenty of cats on there side, but if they killed it, then it wouldn't be an issue. The deputy stood, quickly sliding into the water. Her paws carrying her swiftly despite some of a current.

The sleek gray warrior pushed herself up from the water as soon as she managed to make it to the other shore. Her strong webbed paws gripped the goose dragging its head under the water. She held it for a moment before it freed itself. It was certain stunned now.

Stormbringer used Underwater Clinch dealing 13 damage, -10 Stamina. Goose is Stunned for one Turn.

Goose:
27/40 HP (-13)
90/130 SP

Dacedream:
40/60 HP
190/200 SP

Stormbringer:
80/80 HP
270/280 SP

"Throw, not trap," Jaypaw repeated dutifully, squinting down at the fish with a determined expression. "I'll do it better next time." Taking a step back, he observed Dacedream as she tried a second time, but his mother was also unsuccessful. It grated on him that there were others here watching their failures, and he slid his baleful gaze to Strom and Stormbringer in turn, as if daring them to comment unkindly.

It wasn't the other cats he had to worry about, it turned out, as a massive bird slipped through the reeds and charged them. Jaypaw was frozen in fear, blue eyes wide and terrified. He'd never seen a bird that big!! How did it even GET so enormous?! Letting a yowl of terror escape him, Jaypaw started to sprint away, back towards camp, but then... but then... that big ugly monster bird had the audacity to attack his mother!! Instantly Jaypaw's psyche switched from fear to fury, and he whipped around, every hair on end, and leaped back to Dacedream's side as the RiverClan deputy came to aid them. As soon as Stormbringer released the goose, Jaypaw charged, a battle-screech bellowing from between his parted jaws. He slammed into the goose with as much force as he could muster, and together the two of them skidded and tumbled a full fox-length along the muddied ground.

Goose:
17/40 HP (-10)
90/130 SP

Dacedream:
40/60 HP
190/200 SP

Stormbringer:
80/80 HP
270/280 SP

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

Strom continued padding forwards toward the river's side with a twitch of his ear in greeting, a smile fighting to break out on his face at Jaypaw's eagerness. He's more interested in this than some of the apprentices back in RiverClan. Glancing into the water, he caught sight of a couple of silver flashes in the slash of light hitting the water - little quicksilver drops dancing in the ripples. "It's a good spot for it."

Before he could say anything, though, a voice from across the roar of the river caught his ears, and he looked up to see a grey-furred she-cat with piercing amber eyes giving them a curious look. A slight prickle of alarm tugged at the fur along the back of his neck, and he cast a quick glance at Dacedream as she answered the question cheerfully. Memories of a young she-cat who looked similar to the one in front of him flashed through his head. She shouldn't recognize me. We never really interacted. Still, he kept quiet and simply nodded in acknowledgment as Dacedream turned back to her lesson, unwilling to stand out enough for the other to potentially call him out.

Again, he had to marvel at just how much Dacedream remembered. When I was as far through my own training as she was when she left, I didn't remember half of this stuff. In words, anyway. More of what he did was by instinct drilled into him through fishing itself rather than explanation. Stating all the fishing theory made sense, though, considering her kit hadn't grown up badgering all the warriors and his parents to show him how it was done, or holding competitions with siblings to see who could catch the most tadpoles.... He found himself musing over his kithood memories as Jaypaw batted at the river, and he watched as Dacedream attempted again, his eyes locking onto the fish as it arced into the air and fell again with a panicked splash, the little ripples scattering in all directions. Batbite should be here. Maybe we could start a group for fishing.... There were enough cats for it, at least. He mulled over the thought for a moment, a gleam coming into his eye.

A crackle in the reeds downriver broke through his thoughts, and he tensed as he turned, one ear twitching around slightly to catch the end of Dacedream's question. "I-"

The snaking head of a goose coming out of the blade-like leaves fixed them with beady, very annoyed eyes. "Frog-dung!" He hissed under his breath, tensing his hind legs to spring up from his current sitting position, but otherwise staying frozen. Maybe it would go away if they didn't bother it. Tail-tip twitching slightly, he flicked his eyes towards Dacedream, then back to the goose. "Depends if it has a-"

The bird charged. He cut himself off, instinctively diving to the side to get out of its way. But Dacedream was right in its path, the goose's snakelike neck stabbing out to slash at her as he twisted around in an attempt to help fight it off.

Unfortunately, he hadn't paid enough attention in the heat of the moment to where he was diving to.

Fox-dung.

One of his hind legs met nothing as he tried to push away, followed a moment later by the cold, familiar embrace of water. An embrace that spread to the rest of his body as he fell back with a splash, the freezing-cold new-leaf river happily drawing him in.

Strom wasn't in the mood to play with it right now. With a mental growl, he let instinct take over, webbed paws spreading to push him back to the surface, and away from where the current had briefly attempted to draw him, water-logged pelt dragging at him. As his head broke the surface, he caught sight of Jaypaw charging into the goose, feathers flying with an ear-splitting squawk. Before he could let himself think, Strom pushed off, breaking free of the water in an explosion of scattered drops. His paws met the feathered body with claws unsheathed, knocking it further off-balance with a battle cry of his own.

Strom used Underwater Push-off, dealing 7 damage and using 15 stamina.

Goose:
10/40 HP (-7)
90/130 SP

Dacedream:
40/60 HP
190/200 SP

Stormbringer:
80/80 HP
270/280 SP

Jaypaw:
20/20 HP
70/80 SP

Strom:
20/20 HP
65/80 SP (-15)

Mossbloom would have sworn she hadn't turned her back for more than a heartbeat when a sudden disturbance sounded behind her, pulling her attention from the daisies she had just found. Turning, she saw the cats locked into battle with a strange creature with a long neck, and a head bobbed up from under the water next to it. A RiverClan cat? She must have been distracted longer than she remembered.... Making her way down the shoreline towards the fighting cats quickly, the herbs she had gathered dangling in her jaws, she kept a close eye on all of them. So far the only one injured was Dacedream, but... As she took a closer look at the creature, she flinched at the odd teeth that seemed to line it's beak. That could change very quickly. "Be careful, all of you!"


ThunderClan cats get +5 HP from Defending Buff!

Wincing, Dacedream glanced down at her chest where the goose had jabbed her. She didn't see blood, thankfully, but a clump of fur was yanked out and dangling. She was certain it would be tender for days. She looked up through pain-made tears to see with surprise that Stormbringer had crossed the river, despite its frigid temperatures and unyielding currents, and had launched from the water to grasp the goose. She incapacitated it as she gripped its head under the water; when it came up it was immediately swarmed by Jaypaw and Strom, the latter of which had also entered the water for the fight. Strom launched from the water like a leaping fish and slammed into the goose. It staggered away with a hoarse honk.

Dacedream was exhilarated by their strength, their passion. She adored her companions even in the heat of battle. With a yowl Dacedream recovered herself and launched forward, broad paws thrumming on the sandy stones as she charged. The warrior threw herself at the already debilitated goose; she slammed it into the earth and bit its neck mercilessly. Already short of breath and battered, it struggled to fight against her weight. It flapped and squirmed, but eventually it went still. Dacedream stood atop it panting heavily, the loose tuft of fur pulled loose in the tussle and leaving an awkward bare spot on her chest. She glanced around at all of her companions, green-hazel eyes sparkling. "You guys, that was... amazing!" she managed between breaths.

They'd been trying to get fish, but a goose wasn't so bad!

Dacedream used Run-and-Tackle, using 10 stamina and dealing 10 damage. The goose can no longer fight.

Goose:
0/40 HP (-10)
90/130 SP

Dacedream:
45/60 HP (+5 from MC buff)
190/200 SP (-10)

Stormbringer:
80/80 HP
270/280 SP

Jaypaw:
20/20 HP
70/80 SP

Strom:
20/20 HP
65/80 SP

Stormbringer's paws stayed in the water, never leaving the cold but familiar source and officially crossing the border onto Thunderclan's dry land. Amber eyes watched the goose being tackled to the ground by the apprentice that was being taught to fish just moments ago, and another cat only going into the water to use a move that was similar to what Riverclan knew. Eventually the feathered creature was chased off in no time by the cat it dared to attack.

The riverclan deputy stepped back in the water, not minding the cold that was soaking through her fur. Amber eyes settled on the Thunderclan cat that went by the name of Strom, fixing the tom with a small look that showed she knew. It wasn't hard to figure out, considering Riverclan was her clan.

She stayed in the water, letting the sun warm parts of her that weren't settled in it. She dipped her head to Mossbloom and Dacedream. "Sorry for getting to close to your territory, I just couldn't sit back and watch." She wasn't just going to go back to her territory without apologizing first.

Between the joined efforts of the ThunderClan cats and the RiverClan deputy, the goose did not stand for long. As it's wings fell limp, along with the long neck that held the head high, Mossbloom rushed forward with some cobwebs she found nearby, pressing them to Dacedream's wound. Luckily the wound wasn't terrible, but it would likely be rather sore for the next several sunrises. As Stormbringer approached, remaining in the water, the medicine cat's green eyes met those of the Riverclan deputy. Shaking her head lightly, she purred. "No apology necessary, Stormbringer. Without your help, we would have a lot more injuries here. You have my gratitude, and ThunderClan's, for your help. Did you get injured?" Worry tinged the medicine cats mew, her view of Stormbringer hindered by the water she was mostly submerged in.


Mossbloom used Major Heal on Dacedream, restoring 8 HP.


Mossbloom:
55/55 HP
130/150 SP (20)


Dacedream:
53/60 HP (+8)
190/200

"I'm okay," Jaypaw assured them all, returning to the group of cats and worriedly winding around his mother with a nervous purr rumbling in his throat. Was she ok? Had the bird hurt her? He rubbed his cheek against her shoulder as Mossbloom treated the small bare patch on her chest, and then fell down heavily to his haunches, sudden exhaustion washing over him. Now that the goose was dead, the adrenaline that had overtaken him was fading, leaving his legs weak and heart pounding. But that had been so exciting!

His first battle.

His eyes flicked to the corpse of the goose, ears pricking. "Mama that thing is huge... do you think we can get it back to camp? Imagine how many cats it will feed!"

The cats Dacedream loved rushed to her side swiftly; she winced slightly as Jaypaw wound himself around her despite that he was careful not to bump her injury. Mossbloom quickly emerged from the brush to treat the wound on Dacedream's chest. At first it stung, and Dacedream gladly buried her muzzle into the fur on top of his head until the pain lessened. She looked up when she heard Stormbringer speak, and the tortoiseshell warrior's face softened with gratitude. "No, not at all," Dacedream said breathlessly. She looked to Mossbloom and nodded in vigorous agreement with Mossbloom's gracious reply, dispelling Stormbringer's fears. She also cast the medicine cat a look of thanks.

Jaypaw spoke then from where he now sat, and, feeling better, Dacedream looked at her son with bright eyes before glancing at the goose. The queen nuzzled his ear and answered, "Certainly - with us three full-grown cats and you, I'm sure we'll manage." Dacedream then beamed at her apprentice. "That was great, sweetheart. You fought so bravely, and you jumped in just at the right time!" she stated proudly. "Teamwork is just as important as being able to fight in the first place. I'm proud, Jaypaw." She touched her nose to his briefly, then glanced to Strom. Her eyes shimmered with gratitude as her gaze met his. "You're a natural - thank you," she purred to Strom.

Strom scrambled back as the goose let out a pained cry, its wings flapping and blood trickling from its wounds, a hissing noise spitting from its beak. A call from somewhere further away from the shore caught his ear for a moment, and he cast a quick glance in that direction, catching the blur of Dacedream's fur as she thundered towards the goose and slammed into it, her jaws meeting its neck.

A moment later, it was all over, the bird's struggles weakening and coming to a flopping end. Whew. Strom exhaled, letting the tension leak out of his frame with the movement, the sudden sensation of wetness in his pelt moving him to automatically give it a light shake. "It sure was," He replied with a sigh of relief, eyeing the limp form of the goose for a moment before tasting the air for any traces of others that might be hanging around. Here's hoping it doesn't have a mate.. But no scent other than the one in front of them met his tongue, and he turned his attention to the others, suddenly conscious of the water still clinging to his pelt. The move was one he'd learned what seemed like an age ago, from Mottledspark. In some corner of his mind, he noted that it was probably the first time he'd ever used it. His mentor would have been proud, at least. Maybe they didn't notice...

But no, the RiverClan deputy, Stormbringer, gave him a shrewd glance as she stepped back into the cold shallows of the river, her piercing amber eyes meeting his with knowledge that sent a tingle of worry down his spine. To his relief, though, she didn't say anything. Yet, anyway. The report might still make it back to their new leader. He inclined his head slightly in return, before turning his attention to Dacedream, flicking his eyes over the bare patch of fur on her chest as Mossbloom tended to it, Jaypaw anxiously winding around his mother. "That looks painful."

Luckily, there didn't seem to be any blood, and at that, the last knot of tension leaked from him, his tail waving loose and
a smile gracing his maw as Jaypaw sat back, the exhausted look of an apprentice coming down from his first battle overcoming the young tom. Casting a glance at the goose, Strom sized it up, eyeing the plump-looking form. There's probably enough there to feed the entire Clan.

His attention came back to Dacedream and Jaypaw as she praised her son, and he gave a lop-sided smile back as she turned to him, gratitude shimmering in her eyes, and dipped his head in return. "I wasn't expecting to fight a goose today, but I'm glad there were enough of us here to bring it down." A thoughtful look came into his eye as he glanced back towards the water of the river and added, "We could almost start a group for fishing, you know." Raising a brow, he glanced at Stormbringer. "RiverClan might object to that, though."