Blossoming Thorns [Thornpaw]

The day seemed like it was going to be a hot one, so Wolfblossom had taken it upon herself to rouse Thornpaw from her nest early. The morning wasn't particularly cool either, but it would be better than training under the full force of the greenleaf sun. "We'll do some hunting along the creek. I hope we can be in camp before sunhigh, I don't want to risk either of us getting sick from the heat." She mewed, paws leading the pair toward the location in question. The creek attracted prey just as it attracted Skyclanners, it was the ideal place to hunt in the warmer moons.

Thornpaw didn't really sleep. Not that her nest wasn't comfortable, or that she was excited for training. After her first experience with the camp, she couldn't imagine going out in the territory would be any better. She couldn't really place the reason why she couldn't sleep. She was in and out of sleep for most of the night. So when her mentor roused her for training, it was a little difficult to leave her nest, but nothing she couldn't deal with. She would just have to deal with being a little tired today, though hopefully the sun would help wake her up.

The pale she-cat was quick to follow after her mentor, she couldn't help the short scowl she had on her face as she was forced to remember how small she was, but she was quick to push it aside. It wasn't either of their fault that they were paired together. She didn't really know what to say in response to Wolfblossom so she simply stated, "That's fine." and continued on.

Finding a spot where the faint murmur of the creek could be heard, but it wasn't quite in sight, Wolfblossom came to a stop, turning to face Thornpaw. "Alright, so," Ah foxdung, how was she supposed to explain the hunter's crouch? She thought back to her training with Ravenclaw, trying to recall how it had been explained to her. It had been long enough that it had become natural, though it certainly hadn't been at the start. The fluffy gray and white she-cat smoothly dropped into the crouch, and spoke.

"Keep your legs evenly spread apart and slightly bent. Your head, shoulders, hips and tail should line up like this." She began, staying in the crouch so that Thornpaw could observe as she spoke. "It won't be comfortable at first, but it becomes easier over time. Our prey have the same senses we do. Being careful of where you step, and not letting your tail wave about to cast shadows is important."

"We'll start off on the ground until you're comfortable and find your balance. You're small, so when we get into the trees you'll be able to peruse the higher branches that prey will flee to, and the lower branches won't creak as much." Wolfblossom didn't quite share her mother's fear of being in the trees, in fact, she liked being in the trees. She was mostly relegated to sticking to lower branches however, large paws and heavy frame not suited to the thinner branches found at the higher elevations.

"Plenty of squirrels and birds flock around the creek, do you want me to hunt first as an example?" She asked, bright eyes watching the white and gold apprentice.

Blue eyes observed coldly as Wolfblossom began to show her how the hunter's crouch worked. She had practiced it as a kit but there wasn't really any formal training then so she had to learn what she could now. Of course the apprentice couldn't help the snarl that appeared on her face when her mentor mentioned how small she was, though she quickly forced it away. At least her small form would be useful for something...

"Show me." She stated simply. She would learn better that way, if she saw it first then it would be easier for her to replicate.

Wolfblossom noticed the snarl that briefly twisted Thornpaw's expression and frowned slightly, ears twitching back in dismay. She wasn't sure what she had said to earn that, but at least Thornpaw was cooperating, asking her to demonstrate first. "Alright, watch me, then." She nodded to the apprentice and turned, bright blue gaze landing on the form of a bird pecking along the rocky ground. On careful paws she stalked toward it. The wind stayed in her favor, and muscles tensing, Wolfblossom sprang forward, a heavy paw slamming into the bird's wing and quickly cutting off escape. She sank her fangs into the bird's neck, and turned, trotting back toward her apprentice.

"There's plenty of birds and squirrels around. Even warriors don't catch everything on their first try, but you'll have plenty of chances." She mewed softly.

Wolfblossom attempted to catch a bird for -3 sp. Catch was successful.
97 / 100 sp

The member 'kjSage' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 2

Thornpaw watched closely, taking note of everything her mentor did. Despite the major... size difference.. everything could be translated to her. The form was the same. The pounce was the same as she practiced in camp.. or at least a better version of it.. She could do this.. She could prove she would be a good warrior despite her size.

"I will keep that in mind." She told Wolfblossom, before setting off on her own somewhat. Of course she would stay close to her mentor in case something happened, but she needed to be on her own to catch something.. Quickly she found a bird. She crouched low like her mentor did, trying to get close enough to pounce, and when she felt comfortable she did. She caught the bird under her paws, and swiftly killed it like her mentor did. The small apprentice picked up the bird and returned to her mentor.

The member 'Reaper King' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 5

Wolfblossom stayed back, allowing Thornpaw to choose her own prey and not anting to risk her attempts at hunting. She needn't have worried however, as the golden apprentice was quick to bring down a bird. "Good catch," Wolfblossom purred as Thornpaw turned back to her with the bird in her jaws. "Bury that, and we can grab it on the way back to camp. We'll move a bit further down stream so there's less chance of prey being scared off." She mewed.

Bury? Oh right. That was something that they were meant to do. It helped keep the prey from being taken while they continued hunting. The small apprentice dug a hole plopping the bird inside before covering it. She approached her mentor after doing so, slightly bothered by the dirt in her paws but it was something that could be fixed later. "Lead the way."

Wolfblossom nodded once in approval as Thornpaw buried her catch and turned... But it seemed as though the prey they'd caught hadn't been buried fast enough to avoid the eyes of an eagle. Talons gripped her shoulders, and Wolfblossom instinctively shifted her stance, lowering herself slightly so that the eagle would have a much more difficult time trying to drag her off the ground. Not that it would have gotten far with an adult cat, but it was best never to let them gain an advantage. The eagle let go, and she whirled on it with unsheathed claws and a growl.

"I suppose you'll be getting combat lessons earlier than I'd planned," She mewed to Thornpaw, "Go for the wings or the underbelly, be careful of the talons."

Eagle used Swoop on Wolfblossom for -15 sp, dealing -9 damage.
Wolfblossom used Front Paw Strike on eagle for -7 sp, dealing -8 damage.

Wolfblossom
31 / 40 hp (40 - 9)
90 / 100 sp (97 - 7)

Thornpaw
20 / 20 hp
57 / 60 sp

Eagle
32 / 40 hp (40 - 8)
110 / 125 sp (125 - 15)

Thornpaw froze as soon as she saw the eagle attack her mentor. She didn't know what to think or what to say.. If something like that grabbed her? Stars.. she didn't know what to think. She was just glad it didn't.

Wolfblossom's words snapped her out of her thoughts, breaking her from the fear of what could have been. Right.. they needed to fight this thing now.. Wings and belly huh? She could do that.. Hopefully. She didn't know how well this would go due to her size.

Thornpaw used Front Paw Strike dealing 6 damage, -7 SP

Wolfblossom
31 / 40 hp
90 / 100 sp

Thornpaw
20 / 20 hp
50 / 60 sp

Eagle
26 / 40 hp
110 / 125 sp

"Good-" Wolfblossom nodded at her apprentice in approval as she swiped at the eagle. In time she would become more proficient and less hesitant, but for now she expected it.Wolfblossom just hoped she could teach her everything she needed to know. Ducking behind her foe and yanking hard at its tail, Wolfblossom spoke. "Maintaining your balance is just as important for you as it is a predator. Keep them off-balance, and they can't focus on attacking."

Wolfblossom used Tail Yank for -15 sp, dealing -8 damage. Eagle is stunned for 1 turn.

Wolfblossom
31 / 40 hp
75 / 100 sp (90 - 15)

Thornpaw
20 / 20 hp
50 / 60 sp

Eagle
18 / 40 hp (26 - 8)
110 / 125 sp

Thornpaw did her best to make note of what her mentor was saying but with her heart beating in her chest, and the wild moment in front of her she didn't know how long it would stick in her mind. Maybe she could ask for a recap after the fighting was over and they were back in camp not having to worry about their eyes getting clawed out by a bird. The pale apprentice quickly struck out with her claws again, not really knowing if there was anything else she could do.

Thornpaw used Front Paw Strike dealing 6 damage, -7 SP

Wolfblossom
31 / 40 hp
75 / 100 sp

Thornpaw
20 / 20 hp
43 / 60 sp

Eagle
12 / 40 hp
110 / 125 sp

The eagle struggled weakly, trying to regain its' balance, and Wolfblossom slashed at the bird again. She risked a glance toward Thornpaw as well, taking note of her apprentice dutifully attacking the predator. She wasn't quite as confident as Wolfblossom had once been during her first fight, but Wolfblossom thought they had the bird under control. It hadn't been how Wolfblossom had wanted to introduce her apprentice to combat, but she was doing well. Wolfblossom would spar with her to get her more used to combat sooner rather than later, she decided.

Wolfblossom used Front Paw Strike for -7 sp, dealing -8 damage.
Eagle is no longer stunned.

Wolfblossom
31 / 40 hp
68 / 100 sp (75 - 7)

Thornpaw
20 / 20 hp
43 / 60 sp

Eagle
14 / 40 hp (12 - 8)
110 / 125 sp