A Thorny Exchange [C]

A light drizzle blew through the forest, leaving every surface just ever so slightly damp. In Blackbear's case, it meant her fur stood even more on end than usual and her paws were matted with water from the dewy grass. Extraordinarily, this didn't anger the she-cat as much as it otherwise would have. The last two days had taken so much wind from her sails that she barely had the energy to hold a scowl, let alone hiss at the rain for ruining her fur again. She contented herself with a low growl, though even that petered out soon enough. She hated this. She was entirely unused to this terrible, tired state of being. On a normal day, she'd be doing anything she could to get her energy out- running, climbing, hunting... But now, the days of constant running and hiding had tired her so much that she didn't even make an effort to evade Thornstalker, who walked by her side a tail-length away.

In all honesty, Blackbear hadn't spoken to Thornstalker since apprenticeship. And she planned to keep it that way. From her memory, Thornstalker was annoying and arrogant and not someone the larger molly would have any interest in talking to. And yet, in her fatigue, here she was. Patrolling with her, and at less than a foxlength's distance at that. That wasn't to say she was going to make conversation. She wasn't that addled. So the two walked in silence, right up until Blackbear heard a rustle.

Despite her tiredness, her ears immediately pricked up at the sound. It was coming from a small pile of leaves and was accompanied by small, breathy squeaks. "Mouse," she murmured, more to herself than to her patrolmate. She trained her eyes on the source of the sound, stalking towards it with a slowness she seldom exhibited. It paid off, though, as the mouse didn't notice her approach; she was almost on top of it when it finally squeaked with alarm. Too late, though. Blackbear snapped its neck in one deft bite, shaking it for good measure (and just for the fun of it). She turned to carry her catch back, her energy somewhat replenished from the thrill of the hunt, but before she could take another step she felt a sharp pain in her flank.

It was searing hot and served well to immediately invigorate Blackbear, her fatigue instantly disappearing as she gave a piercing yowl of pain and anger. The stench of predator filled her nostrils. She tore out of the assailant's grasp, causing the fox's teeth to drag through her flesh before the creature let go. She hissed at it, pupils dilated. "I am going to skin you," she growled at the bloody-muzzled beast before charging at it with her teeth bared. She sank her teeth into its face, tearing its lips and nose. It gave a pained screech, shaking its head violently to get her off.

Blackbear is attempting to catch a mouse. A fox appeared! The fox used Iron Bite on Blackbear, dealing 17 damage and costing 30 stamina. Blackbear used Snap on the fox, dealing 10 damage and costing 7 stamina.

Fox
HP:50/60 (-10)
SP:150/150 (-30)

Blackbear
HP:43/60 (-17)
SP:133/140 (-7)

Oops forgot to roll-

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 10

Thornstalker's eyes remained on the forest floor in front of her, occasionally she would glance up in front of her to see Blackbear's large form moving through the territory in front of her. They hadn't said much, either of them, in a long time. Not that she minded. With everything that had happened in the past few days, having a casual conversation was the last thing the small she-cat wanted. She just wasn't up for using her voice, and the longer the silence remained the happier she was.

Of course she paused when Blackbear did. Despite.. the interesting relationship the two shared, they were still clanmates and she didn't want to mess up any catches the other might make. Of course the hope for food was short lived. One second everything seemed fine, the next? Well there was a fox tearing into her companions side. Though it seemed Blackbear was just as quick to tear into the Fox as well.

As fast as the small she-cat could manage she bolted forward using her size to maneuver nimbly and pin the fox to the ground, using all of the strength she could muster. This thing was bigger than her after all, but she was still a fierce warrior, even if she was out of practice.

Thornstalker used Leap and Hold dealing 8 damage, -15 SP. Fox is pinned for two turns!

Fox: (Pinned)
HP:50/60 (-8)
SP:150/150

Blackbear:
HP:43/60
SP:133/140

Thornstalker:
40/40 HP
85/100 SP (-15)

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

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'Effect Dice' : 6

Blackbear was dislodged from the fox's face, taking a chunk from its lips as she landed back on the ground. Her hind leg buckled slightly, her thigh on fire, but she gritted her teeth and willed the pain away. The adrenaline helped, at least. Before she could go in for another attack, a small whitish blur tackled the mangy beast to the ground. Despite herself, Blackbear found herself impressed. She could do that no problem, of course, but Thornstalker was a lot smaller than her and the fox outsized her by a good margin. The taller cat gave a quiet 'hmpf' of newfound appreciation for the nimble she-cat.

Snapped out of her brief moment of surprise, Blackbear loped forwards and clawed at the fox's face and ears. It snapped at her, making those loud screechy noises that grated on her ears, but she dodged out of the way of its mouth. It tried to get up, but Thornstalker seemed to have this pin thing down; the fox could do little but squirm uselessly.

"Good pin," Blackbear mumbled. She hadn't thought small cats had enough strength to pin down such large opponents. She always tried to make sure Creampaw ate enough in the fear that he'd be too small to be a proper warrior. As she attacked the fox's head, she wondered if Thornstalker ate enough as a kit.

Blackbear used Front Paw Strike on the fox, dealing 10 damage and costing 7 stamina. The fox is pinned for this turn.

Fox
HP:32/60 (-10)
SP:150/180

Blackbear
HP:43/60
SP:126/140 (-7)

Thornstalker
HP:40/40
SP:70/100 (-15)

Thornstalker couldn't help the growl that escaped her as the Fox fought against her hold. It was already a struggle enough as is to keep this thing pinned to prevent anymore damage to either warrior. Her muscles burned from the effort but she wouldn't let go, not yet. More damage needed to be done.

Blue eyes flicked over briefly to Blackbear at the she-cats compliment, but quickly returned to the creature in front of her. She didn't have it in her to reply right now, and she hoped the brief glance was response enough for the other. Once this thing was weakened more, maybe then she would respond.

Thornstalker continued Leap and Hold dealing 8 damage, -15 SP

Fox:
24/60 HP
150/180 SP

Blackbear:
43/60
126/140

Thornstalker:
40/40
55/100 SP