mud skipper [closed for down]

Stalking through the undergrowth, an obscure tangle of marshen plants, stalked a tom. His pelt was dappled with shadows cast underneath the bright moonlight that bathed his path. Fangsnap's features were hardened into a neutral expression, one that almost borded on sour, and portrayed the cross mood obscuring any pleasant thoughts. Adjusting to being awake at night had been a struggle and left him far more exhausted than imaginable. Somehow the easy strength of greenleaf with a clan did little to sate the waxing desire for rest. Not even in moons as a scrappy rogue, with little sleep gracing his eyes, did Fangsnap feel quite like this. Somehow as he adjusted, even as the rhythm became less difficult to slip into, the warrior found himself an odd combination of restlessness and overwhelming fatigue.

Further exacerbating the circumstances, at his heels was now a younger cat. Fangpaw had been around his age, possessing a certain maturity only managed by those who had clawed their way through rogue life, while also managing to cling to a hopeful and upbeat personality. Such thing had come easy to the last tom, and now Fangsnap considered it likely made moments like these much more bearable. But he was not the Fangpaw they had lost. As he remembered his fallen companion, a flash of red blurred his gaze, faltering his step for only a flicker of a second. This Fangsnap, the one pressed with demons and haunted by his past, was far less inclined to enjoy the company of a cat younger than he. A low growl rumbled in his chest as he surged forward and shook off the clinging foliage, "Hurry up, mouser. I'm not going to wait up for your sorry tail all night."

As his comfort had grown with Shadowclan, slowly slipping out from under a guise and making this place his own, more of his true personality had begun to show. At times Fangsnap was short and blunt, often he was skilled at the tasks given, and always he was driven. Regardless of what faults he had, no cat could accuse him of sitting on his own tail.

Up ahead, a soft splash caused his head to snap up. Among the puddles, hopping ignorantly through the sodden earth, was a plump frog. The taste was one he had yet to aquire. But this would feed the clan. Although, in this moment, it was purely instinctual what drew him forward. Hunger had always raked at his innards, seeking any form of sustenance. It would only be an afterthought that prevented him from devouring this creature as soon as he caught it. Just before he landed, the prey took off, hopping madly before squirrling itself away in the safety of a deep smattering of muddied pools.

"Stupid creature. Cursed muddy bas- mousebrain." His teeth clipped togethet, grinding uncomfortably. A failed attempt would only further stoke his displeasure.

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 9

When Webpaw had been sent after Fangsnap, he had dreaded it somewhat. He hadn't spoken with the warrior personally, and though he couldn't consider being around a Clanmate 'meeting someone new,' he still wasn't entirely fond of the idea. Fangsnap didn't seem like the small talk type, but what if he was? What if he had wanted to spend their trek through the marshes asking Webpaw how training was going, asking what he hoped his warrior name would be, asking... anything?

Thankfully, that wasn't the case. He was quiet, except for the occassional huff and growl, and the comfortable silence let Webpaw relax. Previous reservations aside, he decided quickly he very much enjoyed the older tom's company. He was direct, and he left no room for pretense; there was no room for communication, no little dance when he spoke.

Even when he barked at him to hurry, Webpaw simply picked up the pace, calling, "Sorry, Fangsnap. I'm coming." He couldn't even be irritated — he probably had been lagging behind. He had a habit of moving slow to look at the world around him.

Before he could even spot the creature, Fangsnap had leapt forward, claws sinking into empty air. Webpaw watched idly as it hopped away, tail twitching slightly as he let out a soft Oh.

He stepped up to the other tom's side, glancing at him out of the corner of his eye. "Well, if it makes you feel better, I'll probably miss, too." He tried, offering a smile. Scanning the area, he spotted a lizard clinging to one of the few nearby trees, slowly easing itself into the mud. Sights set, Webpaw lowered himself until the murky water touched his chin, wading towards the creature until he was close enough to surge forward, claws outstretched. All his splashing as he kicked off had startled his prey, and with a lash of its tail it turned and skittered back up into the branches. The apprentice pawed at the tree with a huff, as if hoping that would bring the lizard back down into his expectant paws, before twisting to look back at Fangsnap. "I told you so." To most cats the words would have sounded sharp, maybe a hint snobbish, but Webpaw had meant them with all the kindness in his heart.

Webpaw attempted to catch a lizard! Catch was unsuccessful. -3 SP.
20/20
77/80

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 8

"Not bad, mouser. Let's keep going." The gruff tom muttered as he watched the scene unfold. It didn't make him feel any better to see the younger cat miss. Fangsnap had never been one to relish in the failures of others, unless it was someone he considered to be an opponent. Any cat on the tom's bad side was not in a good place. Despite his cross attitude, the mild displeasure was nothing compared to the depths of instability buried just beneath the surface. Regardless of the buried deranged state, the russet warrior had nothing but the purest intents. Well, beyond the selfish snatching of Fangpaw's identity.

Letting out a low and agitated sigh, flickering his tail to and fro for emphasis, Fangsnap carried on. Surely, his younger companion had learned to traipse the marshlands more quickly in the past couple moments. Not much time passed before he caught a flicker of something darting through the sparse grasses ahead. Immediately, his gaze slitted and focus on whatever was before them. His tail snapped silently through the air, commanding Webpaw to stop. Shadows cascaded across the scene. Adjusting his gaze to the nighttime had been all too easy of a feat. The lash of his tail continued as he padded slowly forward and lead the way, sneaking up on whatever was in their presence.

There striped tail of his target became obvious after a moment. An inherent desire to his, which he tampered away with gritted teeth, the warrior padded a few steps forward. Once in range, Fangsnap threw himself forward with a snarl, ripping into the black, gray, and white fur. Spittle flew from the edges of his maw as he hissed wildly at the creature's shocked expression. The raccoon looked more surprised than enraged, clearly interrupted in whatever search it had been about. Fangsnap's paws were planted firmly into the ground and he hardly flinched as he took the vicious blow to the face. Blood dripped from the wound that gashed from the top of his forehead and down to his cheek. Scarlet drops obscured his gaze.

"Webpaw! Stay back! I will handle this."

Fangsnap used run and tackle, dealing 8 (+3) damage, and using 10 stamina.
Raccoon used quick swipe, dealing 20 damage and using 10 stamina.

Fangsnap
HP: 20/40
SP: 110/120

Raccoon
HP: 19/30
SP: 290/300

Fangsnap's praise made Webpaw beam, and when the older tom took off again he hurried after, mindful to keep his eyes on the ground. He trotted along diligently, glancing at his orange-furred companion now and again. He was more than happy to be out hunting with him, even if they hadn't caught anything yet, he was enjoying Fangsnap's company– he would be happy to just stroll around the territory with him.

Maybe a different night, though. The tom's tail had suddenly started lashing, and whatever he had seen seemed to agitate him greatly. Giving him a brief worried look but halting in place as he'd been instructed, Webpaw squinted into the undergrowth, searching for... whatever it was Fangsnap had seen. Before he could find the answer himself, the warrior was surging forward with all his weight, sending himself flying towards the raccoon, and Webpaw had lowered himself close to the ground, ears pinned back.

But... wait. Despite being told to stay out of the way, and the sudden bolt of fear that had gone through him, if he was meant to be a warrior he was supposed to defend his Clan with his life, and he was going to do just that. Sucking in a deep breath, the tabby raced forward with a hiss, sinking his teeth into the raccoon's tail as it was distracted with Fangsnap, giving a harsh pull, watching just out of the corner of his eye as the creature's front paws swiped wildly and it let out it's own ugly noise as it was pulled away from its assailant.

Webpaw used Tail Yank, dealing 2 damage and costing 10 SP. Raccoon is stunned for one turn.
Webpaw
20/20 HP
67/80 HP

Raccoon
17/30
290/300

There came a low hiss, hot, agitated air released from between the tom's clenched jaw. Despite being told to stay out of the way, it appeared the mud-brained apprentice had a reckless streak of boldness. Such creatures as raccoons were common even in twolegplaces, scrounging around things that reeked like carrionplace. Frustrated, Fangsnap shook his head furiously in an attempt to dismiss the scarlet mist. It did little to help. But this also didn't slow him.

Before the stripped creature to turn to vent its frustrations on the younger cat, the warrior darted forward and slammed his side into Webpaw, just barely removing them both from the flash of yellowed claws. Another snarl reverberated in his chest. This brute would be driven off - he would make sure of it. He rose onto his hindlegs, stretching in a manner that almost made him seem as opposing as their monstrous opponent. Retribution came in the form of razor-sharp talons, swiping at the tender nose of the raccoon, and slicing at its eyes.

The creature screeched in pain, flailing about at the loss of its senses. Fangsnap settled back onto all four paws, rooted firmly to the ground. His sides heaved and spittle flew from the sides of his maw. Should it decide to recover and be bold enough, he was prepared. It merely stalled and lashed forward to snap at the air with a sickening clang. Thankfully, the raccoon got the messaged in its ailed stale and turn to flee off into the forest. If there was a Starclan, maybe it would die there. He stared after it with blazing eyes and blood drying down his forehead and cheek.

Satisfied, he whipped around to face the apprentice, "What were you thinking? That some heroic attempt would be what made you a great warrior? Another reckless attempt like that, you'll get yourself killed and I'll be left to blame! If you truly want to be something great, learn to listen to your elders when they speak!" This was the first time that he'd truly let loose the frustrations that had coiled underneath his pelt like deadly snakes. It took a moment before his vision cleared and he digested the features of the younger tom before him. Fangsnap let out a ragged sigh and turned away.

"If your attack had been ill-timed, I'd be leading the way straight back to camp to tell Flintstar you need another three seasons of training, mouser."

Raccoon is stunned for 1 turn.
Fangsnap used rear up to slash on raccoon, dealing 9 damage and using 15 stamina.

Fangsnap
HP: 20/40
SP: 95/120

Raccoon
HP: 8/30
SP: 290/300

Raccoon has fled.

Webpaw had been so focused on keeping his teeth on the raccoon, he'd hardly noticed Fangsnap bolting towards him until the two collided. Deadly claws glinted in the light of the moon just as they rolled out of the way, and the apprentice hit the ground with a winded grunt. He wanted to get back up, rush back to Fangsnap's side, but just as he was finding his balance their enemy let out a wail. He was half tempted to make another swipe at it anyway, just to add insult to the grievous injury the older cat had inflicted, but the raccoon had already tore away into the shadows of the night.

His first real fight, and after barely doing anything to help, he found himself shaking. Adrenaline and fear pulsed through him, but he was alive, and he'd done... something, right? The corners of Webpaw's mouth had just turned up into a smile when Fangsnap suddenly rounded on him, roaring about his disobedience.

Wait, had he done something wrong? He was told to stay out of the way, sure, but it wasn't right to just let him handle it on his own. He couldn't do that to a Clanmate. Pressing himself to the earth, Webpaw turned his gaze towards his paws.

"I–I'm sorry, Fangsnap. I just wanted to help, honest." His pelt burned hot with shame, and his tail curled against his flank. "I know you said not to, but I have to learn to fight somehow, and I couldn't just leave you to do it yourself." His voice was cracking, high with an uncharacteristic level of emotion. "I wanted to help you. That's what Clanmates do, right?" At this point Webpaw looked up, silently pleading with Fangsnap to turn and face him again.

"If you want to learn to fight, I will teach you to fight." He didn't turn back and spoke through gritted teeth. The young tom would never understand the terror that ripped through his pelt at the thought of seeing Webpaw shredded to pieces. Fangsnap began to pace, tail flicking with agitation as his mind roared with thoughts, danced with pained memories, "Only an ignorant fool would sharpen their claws against a creature that could rip their throat out with one snap of fangs. Experience is only worthwhile if you're alive to use it." Hissing out the final words, his claws sank deep into the mud.

His head screeched and his vision blurred slightly. The smattering of red that had dried to his coat further obscured his sight. Fangsnap took several deep breaths, willing the chill of the night air to scald his lungs and bring him back to some form of sanity. Webpaw had unlocked something that he'd fought so hard to bury deep underneath his pelt. Further and further his jaw locked, until her thought that he could clench no more. Ragged breaths came in short gasps through his fangs. The tom's sides heaved. This carried on for a brief moment before he shook out his coat and whipped around - finally ready to face the apprentice.

Fangpaw.

No, this was Webpaw. The two looked nothing alike. He lashed his tail and tried to thrust the memory away once more. Fangsnap's gaze burned intensely into the apprentice and for a moment, he said nothing. There weren't the right words to address his own rage, the repressed trauma, or anything that had happened. When he spoke once more, there was a restrained desperation underneath the snarl, "Learn to use your head. You'll be a better warrior that way. Let's go." He pointedly avoided the remark about what clanmates did. Responding would have meant nothing to either of them. I don't know what clanmates do, mouser, I'm still trying to figure it out myself.