striped coat [closed for karuna]

Raisha was proving to be an eager and ambitious young cat. Given how spirited she was, the captain was certain that she would find today's task to be an enjoyable one. He shook her gingerly with a paw, rousing the young Standard from her sleep before padding to the center of camp in wait. All around, various Asylum cats were going about their duties. The camp had grown more crowded as the day drew nearer. Only a few more sunrises. Various recruits of all factions had traveled here. It admittedly felt nice seeing familiar faces once again and it helped the younger cats grow more accustomed to Asylum life. This was the greatest challenge yet so none of them would have to journey to distant holds anytime soon.

Once the she-cat appeared, his gaze flickered up to meet her and he offered a welcoming nod, "Let's go, we have plenty to keep your paws busy with today."

The calico trotted through the entrance, nodding to several familiar faces along the way. Despite the overcast grayness of the day, it was rather temperate. A mild breeze ruffled his pelt and he parted his maw to draw in the scents. He looked to Raisha. With her lean Windclan frame, the she-cat would make good use of the predator pelt nearby, "As you know, Asylum cats take up the pelts of a predator. Today is that day that you will craft your own." Iniko tipped his head in the direction of a raccoon, whose striped coat was just barely visible through the bone-dry branches of a dead bush. There was only a brief pause before he gave a more direct command, "Kill it. Show me what you can do, Raisha."

ooc;; raisha gets the first move and ill play the raccoon for ya!

Raisha groaned slightly as a paw shook her awake. Looking up through half-closed, blurry eyes, she saw her Captain walking out of the den, clearly having been the one to have interrupted her sleep. Had it been any other cat, she probably would have said some sort of irritable comment. But she had a growing respect for the captain, so she simply silently followed him.

Meeting up with Iniko and following him out of the camp, the She-Cat could not help but be curious. "What are we doing? How come none of the other standards are coming? She gave a sudden, excitable gasp. "Are we going on some sort of secret mission?

Her eyes widened as Captain Iniko explained the trials of today. She was getting her own pelt? This was amazing! Looking in the direction the captain had pointed to, her eyes filled with wonder. A raccoon! It was a smaller predator, that was true, but the calico was far from complaining. Raccoons were smart and cunning, traits she admired greatly. This pelt would suit her well.

Upon Captain Iniko's command, the She-Cat raced forward, adrenaline pulsing in her bones. Leaping up with outstretched paws, she attacked. Although she was a small cat, the raccoon was still a smaller predator, and with luck she would be able to bowl it over.

RAISHA USED JUMPING STRIKE, DEALING 14 DAMAGE AND COSTING 20 STAMINA

Raisha
75/75 HP
180/200 SP (-20 SP)

Fox
16/30 HP (-14 HP)
300/300 SP

Iniko watched with interest, prying the she-cat's movements with sharp eyes. Her skill had certainly improved in such a short time. Asylum was known for their ability to train up the next generation. Even so, there was particular skill that lined the attacks of the clan-born cats, and particularly Raisha. He made no motion to rush forward and join the fight; she didn't need the assistance.

The raccoon was bowled out and let out a shock-filled hiss. Immediate rage caused it to round on the target, a scrawny cat. There was hardly a moment to move as it returned the attack. Strong jaws snapped, closing in on her shoulder with a sickening sound.

Raccoon used Iron Bite, dealing 30 damage and using 20 stamina.

Raccoon
HP: 16/30
SP: 280/300

Raisha
HP: 45/75
SP: 180/200

Raisha let out a cry as the raccoon snapped on her shoulder. Looking down, she could see a deep wound, blood trickling down her arm. It was surely going to be sore when all of this was over. But in the heat of the moment, it hardly even stung. If anything, it just angered her. Scars that were not given by a captain was not prized by the Asylum, so she would be very irritated at the thought of getting one from this fight. It wasn't even in the right shoulder! (Although maybe that was a good thing, keeping her rank scars from being covered.)

In blind fury, the calico reared up, slashing the raccoon constantly. Her eyes were filled with rage, and she saw red. She kept let claws coming down upon the raccoon, hissing and spitting, although she was not forming any coherent words. Perhaps she should be checked for anger issues?

RAISHA USED RENDING FRONT PAWS, DEALING 15 DAMAGE AND COSTING 25 STAMINA

Raisha
45/75 HP
155/200 SP (-25 SP)

Raccoon
1/30 HP (-15 HP)
280/300 SP

Ooc: Let's pretend I didn't call it a fox earlier xD I just noticed that.

Any blow and threat of scars was less than favorable for Asylum cats. Pride was bound solely in the scars that were given and earned. Raisha was lucky the beast picked another shoulder, sparing her rank scars. It was a learning experience for sure. In the future she would likely consider leaning into that shoulder to continue to spare the marks, he was fairly certain of that. But this was her battle to win. He merely blinked and continued to watch on.

Another barrage of blows and the raccoon began to feel weak. Desperately it lashed out once again, unintentionally seeking its teeth into the same spot as before. No doubt the creature would be taken down soon.

Raccoon used Iron Bite, dealing 30 damage and using 20 stamina.

Raccoon
HP: 1/30
SP: 260/300

Raisha
HP: 15/75
SP: 155/200

Raisha let out another yowl of pain as the wound in her shoulder deepened. If it wouldn't leave a scar before, it surely would now. She cursed under her breath as she gasped for air, growing tired. She knew she had won, but she needed to finish the fight.

Knowing the raccoon was too weak to fight her anymore, she closed her jaws around its neck. Although she was small, she could fit herself in a way to puncture it's windpipe. She kept herself there, blocking the air until the Raccoon was defeated.

RAISHA USED ASYLUM'S MERCY. RACCOON HAD BEEN FELLED.

Raisha
15/75 HP
145/200 SP (-10 SP)

Raccoon
0/30 HP
260/300 SP

And just like that, the struggle had ended.

Raccoon's while they were not extraordinarily tough creatures, the striped beast held speed and strength. It had reminded him of the young cat. Although, Raisha's spitfire attitude sometimes made it seem as if she had more than lean muscle underneath her coat. Iniko padded forward to greet her and the stilled carcass, "Well done, Raisha. I'll help you get this back to camp and then we can get your wound healed up." Knowing of the disdain most Asylum cats held towards scars, prizing their faction scars above all else, he found himself hoping the result wouldn't be too severe. However, worse things had happened. Wounds were a way of fighting. A world where they would never feel the sting of claws and teeth was nearly impossible with their lofty goals and he knew that better than some. As if to bring about some reassurance, the calico tom meowed once more, "If it scars, don't worry too much, You bare the mark of the beast you'll now wear as a pelt. You won this battle, and you will carry it's strength for yourself in battles to come."

Iniko normally made Rank One's carry their own pelts back if they got them. The raccoon would be torn apart in camp, stripped down into useful parts, meat, and then becoming a pelt for whatever cat needed one. This would be Raisha's pelt, to wear in confrontations to come. Even if he had chosen not to hide behind one himself, the Captain knew the honor and safety that came with one, "Come on now, Raisha, I expect that shoulder won't hold you back too much in dragging it back."

Raisha was overjoyed at the thought of having won, all on her own too! As she heard Captain Iniko approach, she looked up expectantly. Had she done well? His words told her as much, and she beamed with pride. Her breath was coming out heavy and fast as the adrenaline wore away. Her shoulder began to throb, and blood was still oozing from the wound, but it did not worry her much. In fact, Captain Iniko made it sound as grand as a faction scar! The mark of the beast I will wear. I will prize this mark as long as I live!

Clenching her teeth, she moved over to her new pelt, and began to drag it. She was in Captain Iniko's favor for the moment, she was not about to show any weakness. Even though her shoulder did feel as though it were on fire. Raisha would remain strong.