Dramatic Antics [C]

Despite getting his freedoms back far earlier than he was supposed to, Newtspring was still impossibly bored. All the patrolling and extra hikes in the world couldn't keep his restless mind at ease, and he'd already gone on one stroll this morning. Pacing around camp only seemed to aggravate his problem...

He needed to bother someone.

Beechface and Bloodstrike were too prickly, his sisters were still patrolling, Lichenblaze was... Newtspring snorted. And Driftpaw was– well, out somewhere. That left hunting down whatever few warriors were still in camp, dealing with apprentices that would beg him to spar (not that he would mind), or showing off to the kits in the nursery.

Showing off to the wide-eyes astonishment of little cats was always a delight, so trotting over to the nursery, Newtspring plopped down right outside and raised his voice to call, "Hey, anyone in there feel like bein' a good warrior when they grow up, come out here! I'll give ya a li'l preview of what it's all about!"

His claws picked at his nest, his tail flicking in mild irritation. He had gotten up early to pick through the freshly fallen leaves, picking all the pretty ones to join his collection. However, not he was left with very little to do. He didn't know how much longer he could wait to be an apprentice. At least then he could leave camp and do something.

Hailkit blinked at the sudden voice from outside, lifting his head in intrigue. Oh? A preview of what it's like to be a warrior? Count him in! He lifted himself to his paws, bounding out of the nursery to find another tom. "Are you going to show off battle moves?" Hailkit blurted, not attempting to hide where his interest lay. Battle wasn't the only thing a warrior did, but it sure was the coolest the watch and hear about... even if they were a bit blurry.

Soon enough, a bolt of white fur shot out of the nursery, pale eyes glittering with excitement. Newtspring grinned, lopsided and showing off his teeth, as he sized the kit up. "Battle moves? I'unno... li'l small for that, aren't ya? I don't wanna, like, hurt ya or anythin'. Beech might be mad at me if I start sendin' kits to her den." Right... she was still confined to camp. He'd gotten lucky. "Or, well, Muddythorn will." The large tom let out a chuckle, slowly heaving himself up onto his paws.

"But let me tell ya, you wanna learn how to fight, I'm the cat to ask. I'm the best SkyClan's got." Newtspring's chest swelled as he spoke, and he let his feathery tail curl over his back. "See this li'l scar though, right here on m'nose? Got that fightin' three WindClan cats at once. I won, of course." It was a lie, sure, but Hailkit didn't know that. It was easier to think about war when he was the hero, when he'd been brave and done everything right. His grin stretched a little wider, and he ignored the little way his chest tightened.

The breeze picked up, and out of the corner of his eye a flurry of falling leaves caught his attention. With an idle yawn, Newtspring lowered himself into a crouch, sizing them up as they danced in the air. "I know 'm a little big for this, but... eh." And with that and an exaggerated wiggle of his haunches he pounced, hooking his claws through one of the leaves and sending the rest of them scattering. "Leaf's a lot smaller'n a big angry cat that's got everythin' against ya, but hey. It's somethin'. No cat likes bein' jumped at like that." Newtspring purred as he stepped back to Hailkit's side, shaking his paw to dislodge the leaf– and promptly setting it atop the kit's head.

Hailkit pouted, disgruntled at being called small despite the obvious truth behind it. He was still growing! He'd be big soon, then he could learn all the battle moves he wanted! Who cares if he learned one or two now? However, his attention was directed elsewhere before he had the chance to whine.

"Oh wow, only that from fighting three cats?" If that was true, Newtspring was definitely a good contender for the best warrior. It would be hard to dodge all those attacks when three cats were going after him. Learning from him would be beneficial then, since Hailkit wasn't too keen on marring his coat with scars. It was always the coolest to get out of a fight unscathed like in all the elder stories he's heard.

His fuzzy gaze shifted to smudges of orange, leaves falling from their trees he assumed, just as Newtspring's did. His eyes promptly widened as the grown tom showed off his hunting skills, landing perfectly on the leaf. He didn't miss or nothing! "Wow!" he chirped, his tail flicking in excitement. He wanted to do that! He could do that. He just had to focus.

He shook the leaf off his head, chuckling as he pinned it to the floor with a paw. "I wanna try. Watch, I'll do it first go!" Hailkit declared, crouching down low. His tail was twitching with glee, but thankfully leaves had no ears to be frightened by the sweeping behind him. His eyes attempted to lock on to one of the leaves Newtspring had scattered during his attempt, but they all seemed to melt together into one orange, blurry clump in his vision. Squinting helped a bit though, the color separating a bit to reveal individual leaves.

Then he pounced, powerful back legs propelling him forward... only to miss. His paws hit dirt, the leaf a kitten-step or two in front of him. A quick hop corrected his under-shot, hoping Newtspring didn't notice as he scooped up the leaf and pranced back to his spot. If it was a real mouse or cat, his correction was probably quick enough to undermine his mishap... probably. "See? Told ya!"

Newtspring grinned at Hailkit's astonishment, watching the little kit bat away the leaf he'd been oh-so generously gifted. "Just this. 'M pretty good, eh?" He laughed a little heartier, whiskers twitching as Hailkit made the decision to try a paw at catching something for himself.

The large tom hadn't meant to snicker when Hailkit sent the leaves scurrying forward, but the noise came out in a quick snort. Before he could offer any sort of haughty advice, the pale kit was scrambling forward to secure his catch. "Hey, nice catch! Not bad for such'a li'l kit. You'll be pullin' birds outta the trees in no time." Newtspring purred smoothly, his grin wide and toothy. "Though, uh... birds usually fly up. Ya might wanna practice that bit. Don't usually shoot for the ground, 'n' all." He made that comment with a wink as he settled back onto his haunches, folding his tail over his paws.

"Y'know, shame I already have an apprentice. I'd happily take ya on. Maybe when ya grow up I can take you 'n' Drifty both out t'learn a thing or two... but hey, leaf huntin' ain't bad practice. Maybe you'll already be an expert by the time y'get yer ceremony." Another rumbling purr chased by a barking laugh. Turning his head, Newtspring glanced around. There was another clump of leaves, settled nicely on the ground and just waiting to be disturbed. "Wanna practice a li'l more? I can tell ya all my cool battle stories while ya do."