imagine, a creative title [closed]

Mottlerose had been spending much of her time napping in the warrior's den. There was little she truly wanted to do with her time, despite the crisp, Newleaf air. Once and awhile, she'd get up to get the smallest piece of kill. After all, with how much she'd been sleeping, there was little that she truly needed in the way of energy. When she was assigned to patrols, she'd complete them, much more quiet than her normal self. Her tortoiseshell pelt much more resembled the "mottled" look than it really ever had before, and it was something she'd done her best to fix. With her shorter pelt, it was a blessing, as the worries of matting never seemed to come her way.

It was one of those rare occasions that she'd drag herself out of the warriors den and into daylight. Morningsun's passing had hit her much harder than it would the others, but, life trudged on. Begrudgingly. Unfortunately. She simply looked tired to any passing cat, despite it being rather well known that all she would do was sleep given any chance that she had. With an amber gaze sweeping the camp, a small smile appeared on her maw for just a second as she spotted one of the apprentices. Well, one of the long-should-have-been-warriored apprentices. "Thistlepaw," She greeted, the long sleep tinting her voice. "Would you like to join me? I'm not quite sure for what... But I'd appreciate some company. Is there any training you'd like to work on?" Even with the sleepiness, there was one thing her voice never lacked: She always sounded motherly. The deep care that the tortoiseshell had been known for never left, even in what felt like some of her darkest days.

Self-care had fallen hard behind on the priority list for the molly, her once beautiful fur now mildly unkempt, dusty from her near daily trips out of camp to visit her sister's memorial. But something about the air circulating around camp had snapped her from the lack of care, and she had found herself most of the way done grooming by the time a voice caught her attention. Drawing her tongue over her paw and rubbing it over the back of her ear once more, she looked up at the ThunderClan warrior and waved her tail lightly in greeting.

Thistlepaw recognised her as Mottlerose, but apart from that... she scarcely knew the molly. But the offer of company was well-received, her own loneliness compelling her, and she nodded, briefly contemplating what she might benefit from best. In between thinking of what she needed, she became acutely aware of the exhaustion leaking from her new companion, a similar level of grief evident on every feature. It wasn't something that needed to be said, the calico just knew from her own current experiences. And it made her immediately soften.

"I'd love to join you, Mottlerose. Do you think you'd be up for a spar? I'm still a little... behind, I guess, on understanding how ThunderClan cats fight. That's if it's okay with you?" She spoke a little fast, getting up rather quickly and arching her back in a stretch.

A spar? That was certainly something the molly could help with.

She gave a dip of her head, a small smile flashing on her maw as she had picked up almost an undertone of nervousness from Thistlepaw's quick speech. She wouldn't force conversation if she didn't have to. For a tortoiseshell who she herself was often of a few words, it felt at-home to yet again be with a much quiter companion. It was what had drawn her to Minnowfin in the first place, after all. "Let's go find a spot then?" She framed her words as a question, but it was much more of a statement as to where she'd be leading the duo. It was as if, already, the apprentice was breathing new life into every step she took. Despite the fact that they were the same age, life had weathered Mottlerose much more quickly.

While the tortoiseshell didn't know exactly why Thistlepaw had spent so long in apprenticeship, it was the sight of her own grief that clued her in to many details. She knew that the dilute calico had come into the Clan as a rogue, just before her own apprenticeship, with her sisters. Both of them passing would certainly have taken its toll, and Mottlerose could personally testify to just how it could strike a cat. Nevertheless, Mottlerose already felt herself opening up to the calico much like she would a sister, one that she never had.

They found themselves at a small clearing in the trees. There wasn't much space, but it was just enough to practice good fighting, likely in the event of a predator coming by. A solid nod was the confirmation that Mottlerose was satisfied with where she'd picked. Turning to Thistlepaw, thoughts of the battle with the Dark Forest flit through her mind. She wouldn't ever fight that violently against her own clanmate, but would make sure they would be prepared to do such. "Let's warm up a bit, then we can get to more complicated moves. Sound good?" She purred, tilting her head to the side just slightly.

Soon as she had the confirmation from the apprentice, her paw rose. It was somewhat awkward, starting a battle without feeling any needy emotions behind it, but nevertheless, her paw went for the apprentice's shoulder. Her claws, naturally, were sheathed, but she kept some force behind it.


Mottlerose used Front Paw Blow, using 5 stamina and "dealing" 7 damage.
Mottlerose:
50/50 HP
115/120 SP (-5)

Thistlepaw:
20/20 HP (-0, spar)
60/60 SP

The molly had dutifully followed along, deeply appreciating the silence that occupied the trip out of camp. It wasn't hard to notice how visibly Mottlerose had perked up with the newly assigned purpose, and it brought her a surprising amount of happiness to see such a quick shift in her fellow clanmates psyche. Her tail swished happily as she padded behind the warrior, enjoying the tranquillity of ThunderClan's territory, and silently feeling a little grateful that she was on a trip outside of camp that wasn't to wallow at Achelois' grave.

Thistlepaw knew as they entered the clearing this would be where Mottlerose would pause and begin, and she was very proud of herself for picking up on it as she watched the mottled molly nod to herself. Briefly, she saw a flash of discomfort and horror in her companion's eyes, and was immediately aware of what traumatic scenes would have come to mind - despite not fighting herself, even the thought of blood was enough lately to make her appetite fritter away. But the warrior steadied herself and suggested a warm-up, and it brought the apprentice back to reality and she nodded, bracing herself for a harsh hit - feeling minor relief as no pain blossomed through her shoulder.

She purred, waving her tail in excitement. Thistlepaw's eyes had taken in everything about Mottlerose moments before she hit, from her stance, to how she lifted her forearm, everything. ThunderClan cats fought in a way that she found stunningly elegant, seeming to have a lot of moves that involve keeping one's extremities close to them. Whether this be to avoid leaving themselves far too open to an enemy, or to avoid tripping up on the thick undergrowth of their territory, Thistlepaw found herself so fascinated with their movements.

Shedding the tactics learned as a rogue had been a little tough, as she had been taught to strike first, think later. But through her training in the clan, she had been taught to trust others too, that sometimes help is okay, and taking a moment to think would be more beneficial than rushing in. And so she applied this to their mock-fight, diving to one side and gently bumping her head into Mottlerose's side, intentionally keeping it light to avoid injury. Nobody ever said practice had to hurt-- and truly, Thistlepaw was worried that too hard of a hit would knock the queen off her paws.

Thistlepaw used Headbutt, dealing "4" damage and using 5 stamina.

Mottlerose:
50/50 HP (-0)
115/120 SP

Thistlepaw:
20/20 HP
55/60 SP (-5)

It was rather refreshing to the tortoiseshell molly to work with another cat who was so keen on being observant. There were many, eager young felines who were much more of the mindset of "strike first, ask questions later," and it was a hard skill to train. For Thistlepaw, it just seemed to come naturally, and for that, she was eternally grateful.

A smile flicked on her maw at the way Thistlepaw seemed to react to her strike. It was a good way to retaliate - having used her paw to go after the other molly, it meant her side would be a much more vulnerable spot. It shuffled her to the side a bit, definitely intentionally not strong enough to push her small frame over, but still enough to show that she was taking it seriously.

For what she would do next, it didn't take that much thought. Thistlepaw had left her back exposed for her in diving for her side, particularly her scruff, leaving her a perfect window. "Nice! Here, I could easily go for your scruff, though." She commented, and the mindset of teaching all that she'd known was already coming into play. Having regained her balance, the molly instead opted to see just what Thistlepaw would do in response to her next maneuver.

She took just a moment to recoil back onto her feet, before spinging onto the dilute calico to pin her down. It was certainly a gentle force, but enough to make her presence known. "Being pinned is an obvious advantage for you, but getting out of it is even better - what would you do?"

Mottlerose used Leap and Hold, "dealing" 8 damage and using 15 stamina. Thistlepaw is "pinned" for one turn.

Mottlerose:
50/50 HP
100/120 SP (-15)

Thistlepaw:
20/20 HP (-0)
55/60 SP

ooc note; No dice is rolled for pin effect due to Stormy Strength, as Thunderclan cats cannot be pinned or stunned for longer than one turn.