Fear of Trying [C]

Webshadow had been notably grumpy lately– lurking in the shadows of camp with constant scowl, tail twitching restlessly when it wasn't curled around his legs, ears always lowered. Flintstar's recent order that no one could leave camp by themselves had been quite the disruption to his usual routine, and without his blessed time to himself he was irritable and moody. Understanding, but irritable and moody nonetheless.

Then, periodically throughout the day, he would remember he had an apprentice. She probably liked seeing the territory as much as he did, although for different reasons. Getting to his paws and shaking any lingering annoyance out of his pelt, he scanned the camp, spotting Pantherpaw and her sister near the fresh-kill pile. It didn't look like they were speaking, but at least they were close together: it gave him a good idea.

"Hey, you two," he mewed as he padded over, realizing he had to turn his head a little in either direction to look at one another. They were further away from each other than he thought... maybe they would enjoy the time together. Apprentice duties had probably split them apart. "Why don't you both come with me? You guys can practice sparring. We won't go far, just right outside camp so you have room to move." And I can get a break.

Pantherpaw had laid down near the fresh-kill pile, ill-tempered and lashing her tail. Of course, she hadn’t noticed Cheetahpaw nearby, and now the situation was awkward. If she got up and left now… that would be obvious. Stars above! She growled quietly under her breath and turned her attention to the pile as though she’d never seen it before. The whole not-going-out thing was just… Pantherpaw lashed her tail again. She loved hunting then resting, hunting then resting, but it didn’t quite work for anycat else… either the rest was too slow or the hunt too fast. She sunk her claws into the ground and was about to headbutt the fresh-kill pile in frustration when she heard her mentor’s voice. At the mention of going out of camp she sprung to her paws, turning to face him.

“Stars and serpents, yes.” It was only then that she realized he had also mentioned her sister… rats… if she backed out now… no. She needed to get out, and if she had to stand Cheetahpaw’s company’s, well, so be it. She had hoped they’d be able to live their own lives, separate from each other, but this was merely a reminder that they were in the same Clan. That their lives were tangled together. Pantherpaw withheld a sigh. Hopefully this would be fun. She hadn’t sparred very much yet, but she’d like to. Let her get some of her problems out without causing any trouble.

Cheetahpaw wasn't far from Pantherpaw, quite literally.

The apprentice was sprawled lazily out about a tree-length's distance, at most, away from her sister, head on paws, tail-tip flicking idly. The rock she was draped over pleasantly warm with the day's heat, it seemed she had only taken on more of her sister's characteristics than one might expect. More so than she would have bargained for, most certainly. Cheetahpaw's jaws stretched in a yawn that revealed to the sunlight her two upper dagger-like canines, before they gnashed back into their protruding position over her lips.

Her eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly upon hearing Webshadow's summons.

Clambering up to her full height, Cheetahpaw's legs extended in a renewing stretch before she leaped nimbly down from the boulder. Gristly whiskers quivered as she made her way toward the warrior and his sleek apprentice. "Sparring?" she echoed blandly. "Mkay. Well, then, let's get on with it."

Swiftly she moved over so that she was a fox-length or two away from her sister, freeing up distance for their attacks. With those flaming eyes half-lidded as always, and her tail entwined now around her forepaws, the lean apprentice couldn't have looked more relaxed. As though she had forgotten about the other day's "encounter" with Pantherpaw. Even her claws remained put in their sheathes, despite the fact that even outside the battlefield they were usually being played with in some twisted fashion.

Thankfully, the pair agreed readily, so Webshadow dipped his head in a nod and lead them out of camp. He only made it about three steps outside before he stopped short, flicking his tail in the direction of an open area off to his left.

"That looks good. Head over there, you two." He watched them go, wondering silently how the pair could even be sisters; they looked so ridiculously different, and acted so different, too. He snorted a laugh and relaxed onto his haunches, tail stretched out and waving slowly beside him. His mood was already lightening, but he held onto his near-permanent scowl. Still, his body was loose, comfortable and half-relaxed.

Once they were in place, he meowed, "For now, I just want to see what you two know. Keep it simple– just do whatever feels right without hurting yourselves. It'll give me an idea of where to start." Webshadow nodded again, straightening himself a little taller. He had taken to this whole mentoring thing well, he thought. He still felt out of place, telling other cats what to do, and even more out of place being watched so closely for demonstration or instruction, but... he wasn't bad at it. His whiskers twitched and, almost as an afterthought, he added, "And please, no claws. I'm not in the mood to drag Rookfire out here."

OOC: Gonna use the battle system rq for reqs and so Cheetah can make Panther very mad kitty

IC: Pantherpaw followed her mentor eagerly, a spring in her usually languid step. Aha, sparring! She hadn’t fought any predators yet, so Cheetahpaw might have an advantage, but being out of camp made Pantherpaw too happy to care. She took a deep breath and settled into her usual prowling position, sheathing her claws.

“Great. Makes sense. Let’s go.”” Pantherpaw relaxed for a moment, half-lidded eyes watching her sister’s every movement. Recalling something out of the recesses of her mind, she began circling, looking for an opening before rushing in and hitting her sister’s shoulder a little harder than she had intended. Oh well. It wasn’t like it was bleeding or anything. This was good- she could feel the adrenaline start to surge as she awaited her sister’s move. “Let’s see how you fight, ‘paw!” She mewed in a tone that wasn’t meant to be patronizing but sort of came across that way on accident. At least it probably would be patronizing to Cheetahpaw.

Pantherpaw used Front Paw Blow, dealing 4 (play) damage and costing 5 stamina.

Panther
20 HP/ 75 (-5) SP

Cheetah
16 (-4) HP / 80 SP

Cheetahpaw trailed at Webshadow's heels out of camp with little enthusiasm.

It was already pretty obvious she was going to overpower Pantherpaw in the end. Why wouldn't she? Pantherpaw was, to some degree, smaller than her, and while the ebony she-cat was known to be quick, she wasn't as strong as her sister -- Cheetahpaw presumed so, at least. There was no point in making the two "spar" against each other. Pfft. Why couldn't cranky ol' Webbyguydudewhatever have just put them against.... someone different, for star's sake! This was boring. A waste of time, oh, yes. Growing suddenly unmotivated, Cheetahpaw hunkered down in a not-so-extravagated crouch.

She'd give Pantherpaw credit, she sure was quick. Her ears flattened as the black molly's forepaw connected heavily with her shoulder, though she didn't consider for even a second flinching -- a sign of weakness she would rather avoid emitting. Inky lips curled back in a hiss. "Well, well, look who's talking, eh? You're no more than a 'paw yourself ya know?" Straightening upwards to her full height so that she was at least a good three inches taller, she lurched forward with snapping jaws for her sister's leg (right front.) Savage canines meeting their target, she closed tightly in around her sister's limb. She didn't bite down to break anything, but she was adamant on keeping her grip for at least a little while.

Cheetahpaw used Snap on Pantherpaw, dealing -6 HP dmg and costing -7 SP!

Cheetahpaw:
HP: 16/20
SP: 73/80

Pantherpaw:
HP: 14/20
SP: 75/80

Pantherpaw let a grin cross her face at her sister’s words, exhilarated. The adrenaline flowed through her, powering her spirit. Oh. Che-Cheetahpaw’s fangs hurt. Like,they hurt. Frustrated, Pantherpaw bit down on her ear, not too deep but deep enough to let it be known she did not approve. She had to get used to this, though. It wasn’t like her opponents would go easy on her in a real battle. Thoughts whirring, Pantherpaw let her pent-up energy rush out of her as she pulled on her sister’s ear. If Cheetahpaw didn’t let go of her leg, her ear could get torn by the pressure of her sister’s teeth.

Ooc: short, Srry, in a hurry also forgot about Night Finesse but just going to ignore it lol

Panther used Snap dealing 6 damage and 7 stamina

Panther
14 HP/ 68 (-7) SP

Cheetah
10 (-6) HP/ 73 SP

don't forget about posting order <3

Webshadow watched intently, ears flattening as he caught a flash of Cheetahpaw's teeth. "Hey, hey, careful now," he called, eyes narrowing. He didn't see any blood, thankfully, and he said a quiet prayer to StarClan that there wouldn't be any– he shouldn't have had to say anything except for no claws, and frankly, he just didn't want to. They should know better than to tear each other apart.

Rising to his paws, he padded a little closer, keeping a fox-length between himself and the tussle. "Pantherpaw, you too. This isn't a real fight. Don't rip her ear off." If nothing else, they weren't doing too bad. They fought against each other well, he noted, even if they were aggressive with each other. Maybe they would spar like this more often. "No one break anything. You're sparring, not in an actual battle. This is just to learn." He really, really did not want to have to bother the medicine cat, or have to drag them by their tails back into camp and make a display out of the fact he couldn't get two apprentices to listen. There had been far too much commotion the last few few days, and he had no interest in adding to that.

OOC: Might wanna have Panther deal the blow right after this, she's losing HP quickly.

As she kept her jaws clenched around Pantherpaw's leg, Cheetahpaw chuckled inwardly to herself with wicked satisfaction. If it weren't for her relation with the elegant molly, not to mention this was only a practice session, she would have already torn the limb out of its socket. Pah!

It only hyped up the thirst for blood and gore.

Her eyes widened just slightly as her sister swooped down, her jaws interlocking with Cheetahpaw's large, triangular ear. Uneven, shaking scarlet lines split across her irises as a sharp pain burst through her. Muscles tightened, she shook her grip on the molly's front leg, still refusing to bite down. She growled around a mouthful of clearly cared-for fur, her tone silky. "See, Pantherpaw, this..... This is what you would have had to do to save Mother!" Dragging her down to the ground off balance, she continued to shake and thrash the leg, which was now soaked with saliva. She leaned slightly down to whisper into her littermate's ear, just then: "But, sister, you didn't! No, you drove Mother away. Drove her away to her death." And then she nodded, though it was hardly noticeable, at Webshadow's words from afar. A mask of respect, as though she actually had it in her to care. Truly, she hadn't been looking to draw blood, or to do really anything too damaging, and still didn't, but it seemed Pantherpaw had other intentions.

Ears angled backward in an attempt to loosen her sister's grip, and in another separate effort to do the same, her head whipped from side to side, the limb still in her jaws -- which only flailed it in more unorganized directions. Quite frankly, she looked like some huge dog rapidly thrashing its prey to death. Her tail lashed anxiously behind her -- no blood. No blood. No breaking anything. Right. Tensing in pain, she levered the leg briskly back to the ground, and her grip loosened just a tad. She knew by mocking the smaller molly that she would only get in trouble.

Cheetahpaw used Snap on Pantherpaw, dealing -6 HP dmg and costing -7 SP!

Cheetahpaw:
HP: 10/20
SP: 66/80

Pantherpaw:
HP: 8/20
SP: 68/80

Fire. Ice. Pantherpaw met her sister’s eyes. For a moment, she felt as if she was shattering, breaking apart into a million pieces. It… it wasn’t her fault… but… the pain hesitated. Quivered. Then transformed into a towering monster of rage. Pantherpaw, although she was hardly aware of it, wrenched her leg out of her sister’s grasp with surprising, rage-fueled strength. Quick and silent as a striking snake, she lashed out furiously, eyes filled with fire. Her claws met fur, bone, then… something that gave way far too easily under her claws. Her claws. Which were supposed to be sheathed. Time slowed down as Pantherpaw saw her claws, her claws connect with her sister’s eye. Blood spurted from the wound and Pantherpaw stumbled back, eyes wide in shock. She had done this. She- she had done this. Stars.

The world suddenly sped up as Pantherpaw stumbled towards her sister, pressing herself into Cheetahpaw’s side, letting out a caterwaul of pain. “I didn’t mean to! I’m sorry! I-I-I didn’t mean to!” Tears streaked her fur. She hadn’t meant to. Oh, StarClan! She hadn’t meant to!

Aggressive was, apparently, an understatement. And Webshadow, apparently, wasn't a great cat to be a chaperone.

Pantherpaw had freed herself from her sister's teeth, and just as he was opening his mouth to praise her for it he caught the glint of claws. There was no time for him to call out a stop before he saw blood, and he saw with horror where his own apprentice's blow had landed. Dully, he thought about Burningpaw, the pure violence the little tom had displayed, and horror rolled through him. Was Pantherpaw the same way? He wasn't sure if he could handle actually being responsible for a cat like that. Stars, but this was no time to think, he needed to do something.

Bounding over, he pressed himself to Cheetahpaw's other side, trying to ignore Pantherpaw's wailing. "Hey, hey, Cheetahpaw," he murmured hesitantly, craning his neck to look in her face. It looked... well, it looked terrible really, but maybe it was just surface level. Maybe faces just bled a lot– his nose certainly had when the raccoon got him. Despite all his hoping, he knew it was worse than he was equipped to handle. "Cheetahpaw, can you hear me? Can you speak? We're– we're going to do something. You'll be okay, I promise." Then, turning to his own apprentice, he added lowly, "Pantherpaw, can you–" Can she what? He didn't know any herbs. Was Rookfire even in camp right now? How would she explain herself to him if he was? This was the worst... "Just... just stay by her side, for now. We'll fix this."

Cheetahpaw felt her physique jerk suddenly backward as her sister wrenched free of her jaws.

Hah. So the little molly actually did have a grain or two of strength within her. A wicked, fang-flashing grin twisted Cheetahpaw's lips -- impressive, indeed. Truly, Cheetahpaw would only ever willingly fight an opponent actually worthy of her strength once the choices became her own to make.

She was just about to lash out with sheathed paws for Pantherpaw's stomach, maybe batter it up a bit, when, so suddenly it was at first hardly noticeable, something wet and sticky started to leak down from something. No -- not something, curse the stars. The blood started then rapidly pouring into the earth like rainfall, and it was then that it occurred to her what had just happened: Pantherpaw had just ripped her eye out. So quickly Cheetahpaw had barely even seen it. When she had briefly eyed the glinting coup of claws coming her way, she hadn't processed what they were aimed toward.

A vicious pain ripped through past the carbuncle like wildfire. Burning. Relentless. Like a tide of flames. It stung. Oh, it stung.

Letting out a piercing screech, one of both shock and sheer agony, Cheetahpaw capsized sideways into Webshadow's shoulder. As for Pantherpaw....

She weakly knocked her sister's shoulder away from her own, snarling as the blood continued to gush out and flood the dirt. Her voice was hoarse with rage -- not to mention she was struggling not to choke on her own crimson. The acrid fluid seeped down the wound and into her maw. Cheetahpaw recoiled further. "You little..... YOU LITTLE RAT YOU RIPPED MY EYE OUT." The words, as husky as they were, bounced off the trees like echolocation as her ears lay flat against her skull. "YOU RIPPED MY EYE OUT. CURSE YOU, CURSE YOU CURSE YOU, WHY?!" Her remaining eye wanted to glare daggers into the black-furred apprentice's, but she found it was only dull with the pain.

Then, "Rookfire.... Where's the medicine cat. I-it hurts..." With overbearing effort, she turned her head away from Pantherpaw to lean further into Webshadow's shoulder, burying her nose in his fur. "Hurts...."