hear the lion's roar [c]

Primroselight had to admit, she was taken aback with how eager Lionpaw was when it came to fighting. With her previous apprentices, she'd tended to start with hunting, as she saw it as maybe the most important thing. And she just didn't really like fighting. Like her own training, it had been a bit more of learn-on-the-go at first, when a predator had almost immediately attacked them. But Lionpaw seemed like the kind of tom who was used to getting what he wanted, and although she would gently discipline that out of him later, she decided to let him have some fun on his first day as an apprentice.

"Lionpaw, are you ready to go?" It hadn't been long since the tom's apprentice ceremony, and the pair were already setting off out of the main entrance. "There are lots of cross-overs between hunting and fighting, and the two skills are almost equally important for a warrior. However, the most important thing is knowing when is the right time to use those fighting skills." She wouldn't normally start like that, but felt the warning was necessary today. "For now, we'll start with basic defensive moves, the best ways to dodge and swerve, very useful when you're fighting an opponent stronger than you." They had reached a good part of the forest of sparring; dipped every so slightly into the ground, it wasn't quite a clearing, but the break in the trees was large enough so that Primroselight in particular wouldn't be tripping over roots.

Lionpaw anxiously and eagerly nearly bounced from paw to paw as his mentor left to speak to someone before joining him at the entrance that he had nearly bolted to. Kithood attitudes die hard, and being made an apprentice doesn't immediately make them disappear, so patience Lionpaw still lacked. As soon as Primroselight asked if he was ready to go, he responded with an enthusiastic 'yes'. Soon, they were outside the camp and Lionpaw was in awe. The trees soared above him, and it made him feel small. The territory felt large and expansive, and new scents hit his nose like a stern paw-slap from a queen. His mind was buzzing with racing thoughts of tall tales, queries, and possibilities. As they made it to the clearing, Lionpaw surveyed it with a smug look of contentedness. Yes, this will do for the start of his legacy. "What should I do first, Primroselight?" Defensive moves were fine with him, if that's where she wanted to start.

"Okay, this first one might be a little complicated at first, but you should get the hang of it soon enough." Primroselight said, happy everything was going well so far. She took a moment to think of the best way to demonstrate what she was doing, but was quickly sorted out. "A general base rule with battle training, is to keep your claws sheathed at all times. We're just learning here, save your full strength for the real thing." She remembered. Now that was covered, she could move on.

"The main part of this move is to dodge. The counterattack is a second, extra thing to add if you are able. Remember, prioritise getting out of the way. Try copy what I do," She tried her best to act as if she we getting out of the way of a blow, and twisted her body away, to then turn around and be prepared to carry on with the fight. She did it all slower than she ever would in a fight, wanting to be sure that Lionpaw could see. It maybe wasn't the easiest way to teach it, but they could always practice. "Anything along those lines is good, the speed will come with practise. Now I'll strike out towards you so you can practice the move." A forepaw reached forward towards the apprentice, not quite in slow-motion, but not quite at full speed. It would be interesting to see how fast the eager tom learned.

Primroselight used Front paw Strike

Primroselight
65/65 hp
123/130 sp [-7]

Lionpaw
13/20 hp [-7]
60/60 sp

Lionpaw watched Primroselight closely, very loosely mimicking her motions as she did. He would get this right, the first time, he had to. He had to be the best. Copying what he thought could only be the strongest warrior's stance, Lionpaw got ready for the training to begin. "Ready." The apprentice said firmly. As his mentor's paw struck out, Lionpaw dodged to the side as she had showed him. Although not quite as fast as he should have, Lionpaw pulled off the dodge as what he thought as pretty good. Primroselight's paw hit his cheek a little, and it did hurt his ego a bit. "How was that? Did I do good?" He asked with a golden tail flick.