Practice Makes Perfect (c)

It’s late afternoon, and Honeypaw is bursting with energy. Iceheart went on patrol, so Honeypaw wasn’t able to beg her to go out. He’s done all his apprentice duties, so he has nothing really to do around camp. It’s the best he’s felt since the battle, so he’s kneading the ground and swishing his tail as he tries to find something to hold his attention. Finally, he spotted Swiftheart and bounded over to her.

“Swiftheart!!” He cried, skidding to a stop in front of her. “Swiftheart, are you up for going out a bit? We won’t go far. I’m just… tired of being cooped up in camp.” He paused. “Oh, maybe we could spar! Iceheart said I should practice as much as possible.” Another pause and then his eyes widened. “Unless you don’t feel good because of your kits! We can just hang out then instead. Whatever you feel up for!” He kneaded the ground again.

Swiftheart had been basking in the nice late afternoon sun. Her ears twitched and her head poked up at her name called. "Honeypaw!" she squealed in delight seeing her good friend coming over. The apprentice matched her energy and excitment levels well and the pair of them had lots of fun energetic times together.

She purred listening to him and nodded. She hated being cooped up in camp and it was one of the things she really never wanted anyone to feel. She was very free spirited and didnt like the idea of anyone being cooped up,

(this is also why she sometimes slides a little on the no kits outside of camp rule at times if they ask her really nicely ... giving her big sad eyes helps their case as well)

She nodded excited and sprung up to her paws. "oh, I will be alright, thanks for checking though. Basilbloom said I can go out for a little while longer before I need to start taking it more slow so I definitely want to get out and about before i'm stuck in camp" she said excited.

"Iceheart is very wise, practice will help the most. Always best to figure out what does and does not work while practicing rather than in the real thing" she purred.


She gave a smile and tapped his nose with her tail. "tag on the way there! and you are it!" she said quickly before darting towards the camp exit out towards the training hollow grounds place.

(OOC: you can go first in the spar)

Honeypaw lit up at Swiftpaw’s agreement. A spar sounded exactly like what he needed, and he was too full of energy to really think about any of his doubts regarding fighting. And he was happy to do it with Swiftheart; she matched his energy and it made him feel at home. And besides, it would be easier to get worn out with someone just as energetic as he.

He  dramatically when she tagged him. “Oh no you don’t!” He giggled. “I’m gonna get you Swiftheart!” He bounded after her, out into the Shadowclan territory. He immediately felt better once exiting the confines of camp. He loved it there, of course he did, it was home, but still. After having the whole of the territory opened up to him with his apprenticeship, he preferred being out and about.

He caught up to Swiftheart just as they reached the training ground, and booped her nose with his tail as well, giggling. “Got you,” He said, sticking his tongue out a bit. He stretched himself out a bit, disturbing the bed of pine needles, before straightening and looking at Swiftheart.

“I’m still learning all this, so I’m probably going to be bad,” He said with a laugh and a shrug. He waits until Swiftheart is settled into position, and gives her a broad grin. He shook himself out, took a deep breath, and then launched himself at Swiftheart, paws outstretched. He knocked into her, knocking her down. However, he’s aware that he’s a naturally larger cat, even at his young age, so he holds back his strength so he doesn’t actually knock the wind out of her too badly. Once again he gave her a playful, challenging grin over his shoulder and singsongs, “I got you again!”

Honeypaw used Jumping Strike on Swiftheart, using 7 SP and doing 9 damage.
Honeypaw is at 20/20 HP, and 53/60 SP.

The apprentice was very quick and he actually managed to catch her and boop her nose back tagging her just before they got there he was so much better at tag even from when he was a kit. She giggled playfully "You did get me" she chuckled.

"dont worry. Thats what the practice is for, Ill try and help you any way I can" she nodded getting ready.

The apprentice was suprisingly strong and due to his larger size he was indeed an interesting matchup.

He got a solid fist hit in and she scrambled back up to her paws circling him. She nodded proudly with a small grin, as he paraded around.

His offense was good, really good. hmm time to see his defense she thought to herself curiously.


She lunged out and smacked at him with a sheathed paw. She took extra care not to hit too hard but still enough for the training to work.

Swiftheart used Front Paw Blow for 7 dmg 5 sp

Honeypaw is at 13/20 HP, and 53/60 SP.
Swiftheart is at 51/60 HP and 135/140 sp

Honeypaw puffed his chest out when Swiftheart looked at him with pride, brightening up and visibly gaining more confidence. Unfortunately the boost to his ego left him unguarded, which meant that Swiftheart easily got a hit on him.

He stumbled a bit and shook his head, forcing himself to focus on Swiftheart and the spar. He lurched forward again, hitting her in return before trying to dance out of the way. He too is careful to keep his claws sheathed and his blow gentle.

Honeypaw used Front Paw Blow on Swiftheart, using 5 SP and doing 4 damage.
Honeypaw is at 13/20 HP, and 48/60 SP.
Swiftheart is at 47/60 HP and 135/140 SP.

Swiftheart nodded very positivly as he was doing so well.  She was proud of how well he was doing.  Iceheart was training him super good.

She saw an easy target to go for however with his tail not tucked in and protected.  She numed at it and pulled slightly.  Again she was careful not to actually hurt him but enough so that he would get the idea.  In a real battle she would not want him to get his tail caught like this and these spars were the best ways to learn such things.  She much rather would have her be the one to catch his tail than some angry cat from a different clan.

Tugging on it she tried to get him stunned and off balance

Swiftheart used tail yank for 9 dmg and 15 sp Honeypaw is stunned for 1 turn


She also wanted him to get practice at recovering from disorienting attacks like this.  If he flopped over from the dizziness of the stun that wouldn't be great but again, she would much prefer that happen in a practice than a real fight, this was the time to make mistakes and learn from them.  

She thought back to her first spars when she was an apprentice and how many silly blunders she had made flinging herself around having no clue at all what she was doing.  Honeypaw was already miles ahead of where she was back then and she was sure he would soon be a very capable warrior indeed.

Honeypaw is at 4/20 HP, and 48/60 SP.
Swiftheart is at 47/60 HP and 120/140 SP.

Honeypaw easily went sprawling on the ground, kicking up the pine needles as he flopped right over as Swiftheart predicted he might. He disturbs the bed of pine needles, getting mud in his fur in the process. His head spun for a moment, and he shook his head trying to clear it. He swung weakly towards Swiftheart but didn't get anywhere near catching her. It took him a long moment to try and clear his vision, leaving him quite vulnerable indeed as he tried to recover.

Honeypaw is stunned this turn!
Honeypaw is at 4/20 HP, and 48/60 SP.
Swiftheart is at 47/60 HP and 120/140 SP.