Tangled flames (c)

With Firefly being a warrior now, they could finally do some real battle training and Curlyfluff couldn't wait. Of course, they could've done so when she'd been an apprentice, but the tom knew that she would much rather be the same rank as him to do so and so he hadn't minded waiting a little longer. The sun sat overhead between a thin layer of clouds and a gentle breeze blew threw the once still forest around them. It was evident that new-leaf was just around the corner and having been born in the colder season, the tom's pelt itched with excitement at the idea of his pawpads not growing numb after a patrol through the chilly forest.

"I think this is a fine area," Curlyfluff purred to Firefly, reaching a clearing between some brush. He hadn't had a particular sparing location in mind and this seemed as good of a place as ever. I'm ready to learn, so teach me all you've got," he added, and it was true. Though the tom had beaten her during a practice battle once before, he overall wasn't too battle-savvy and wanted to learn as much as possible. That way if he ever needed to protect his clanmates in times of need, he'd be fully prepared. Unfortunately, he still needed to get over the fact that battling usually meant injuring his foe, which was something that he most definitely didn't enjoy doing...

There was an unusual pep in her step this fine ThunderClan morning. Maybe it was because she was finally a warrior, or maybe it was because she knew today was the day she could finally have a rematch with the curly warrior that they promised each at their warrior ceremonies.

Her jovial steps stopped abruptly as they reached a stand still at the clearing Curlyfluff had seemed satisfied with. If he wanted to learn how to be a better fighter, Firefly would do just that. "This goes without saying, but I won't be using claws. So don't start crying when I hit you! But I still wont be going easy on you just because it's training." Maybe the dark russet warrior forgave Curlyfluff for that embarrassing end to their first spar as apprentices, but she certainly did not forget. No time would be wasted today. Both of them would return home in one piece, of course, but only one could return as the victor.

She shot forward, paws outstretched and aimed for Curlyfluff. If played over one another, the only difference between past and present would be their size, rank and their missing referee, Comfreyheart.

Firefly used Jumping Strike on Curlyfluff, dealing 7 damage +3 for first strike. Lost 7 SP.


Firefly
30 / 30 HP
73 / 80 SP


Curlyfluff
20 / 30 HP
80 / 80 SP

Why in StarClan's name had he agreed to fight against one of his best friends? Oh right; because he cared about her and knew this would make her happy. Oh the things he did for his friends...

After her sharp words he should've been expecting her to pounce, but her leaping towards him still sent his heart racing and he realized how very under prepared he was for this moment. As she bowled him over, the two of them rolled for a moment before jumping up. Giving his pelt a shake and trying his best to hide his timidity towards the situation, he knew he needed to strike back and fast.

Using his strong hind legs, he catapulted himself towards the russet warrior with outstretched paws. Luckily he'd been able to get enough speed and force with his jump and landing on her, he used all his might to push her down to the ground so that she was stuck under him. He didn't think that the difference in their size was horribly different other than the amount of fluff, but maybe he would be able to get some sort of upper hand. Opening his maw, he was able to ask if she was alright and hoped he hadn't jumped on her too hard, but remembering how their last spar went he quickly shut it.

Curlyfluff used Leap and Hold; dealing -7 HP and costing -15 SP.
Firefly is pinned for 1 turn.

Curlyfluff
HP: 20/30
SP: 65/80

Firefly
HP: 23/30
SP: 73/80

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 3

There was no way she would let the curly warrior get a second hit in so easily. Muscles rippled beneath her short pelt as she put in quite a bit of effort to roll herself onto her russet paws and throw him off her.

Don't think she hadn't seen his mouth open. He had best not apologize for this spar, either. "This is not a high-stakes battle. Remember that." She would only warn him once. He may be her best friend, but his hesitation could be costly were this a true battle.

Firefly successfully used Duck and Twist to escape the pin, dealing 7 damage and costing 5 stamina.

Curlyfluff
HP: 13/30 (-7)
SP: 65/80

Firefly
HP: 23/30
SP: 68/80 (-5)

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 5

Impressed by her maneuver she pulled, Curlyfluff gained his balance after he'd been thrown from her and shook his fluffy pelt. Giving a nod of acknowledgement to her comment, he readied himself for his next move. He'd seen an older warrior do this before and wondered if he'd be able to pull it off. Well, there was no time like the present and he had to act fast.

Rushing forward he did his best to take her by surprise and bringing his front end down closer to the ground, he slashed a soft paw at her belly area, trying his best not to actually hit her too hard. The last thing he wanted to do was knock the wind out of her so that she couldn't continue. If he did, he'd never forgive himself.

Curlyfluff used Belly Rake and was successful, dealing -15 HP and costing -25 SP.

Curlyfluff
HP: 13/30
SP: 40/80

Firefly
HP: 8/30
SP: 68/80

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 6

Firefly was genuinely impressed hr pulled off such a move; a move that the russet warrior practiced over and over on her own time trying to master. She could tell Curlyfluff was trying to hold back, and that was genuinely infuriating. While not a real fight, he should still be giving it his all.

Catching her breath, Firefly immediately turned on the curly warrior who was picking himself off the ground, launching into a similar form as he had before... Only to miss the tom completely and slam into a nearby log, a furious hiss escaping her.

Firefly used Belly Rake and failed! Cost 25 SP and caused 5 damage to self.

Curlyfluff
HP: 13/30
SP: 40/80

Firefly
HP: 3/30 (-5)
SP: 43/80 (-25)

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 1

Watching as Firefly inadvertently launched herself into a log, the warrior couldn’t help but wince at the sight. His whole body screamed at him to run over and help, but he knew that his hard headed friend would be alright. Not to mention the fact that she most likely wanted nothing more than help in a situation such a this.

Unfortunately, they’d gotten to the point of the battle where he knew what he had to do. He would never truly understand why, but he knew she’d want nothing less than this. ‘I’m sorry,’ he thought silently to himself. He didn’t want to; oh how he wished this could’ve ended differently… for both of their sakes.

Leaping forward, he raised a paw into the air. This was it, what this battle had been for; to determine a victor. Firefly was bound to be angry with him either way so he wouldn’t hold back, at least this time. Regrettably enough, he’d underestimated the strength needed to simply finish their spar and as he took a swing, his heart stopped.

Having allowed himself to become lost in his thoughts, he’d let his claws slip out from beneath the fluff and unable to sheath them fast enough, his thorn-sharp paw raked across the side of his opponents face with a fluid motion. Letting out a gasp, Curlyfluff took a nervous step back and watched as drops of blood dripped down the side of her muzzle. His legs began to shake and he did his very best to hold back tears.

”S-sor-“ he began, his ears flattened against his head, but just as soon as he started he forced himself to bite his tongue. She despised him saying that word, why couldn’t he remember that? ”Goo-good… b-battle,“ Curlyfluff choked out, every word practically holding the weight of an entire tree as he stood there quivering under his curly pelt. This was not what he’d wanted at all and if she was angry at him, he surely deserved her wrath.

Curlyfluff used Front Paw Strike, causing -7 HP and costing -7 SP.
Firefly has been K.O.’ed[/i]

Curlyfluff
HP: 13/30
SP: 33/80

Firefly
K.O.’ed

Be it spar or battle, the end goal was to win. Firefly would not be the winner of this spar in the exact same way she had lost last time: a failed move. The exact one, actually. Firefly could already feel herself begin to shake with rage as she recalled the slight tap of Curlyfluffs paw on her head during their spar as apprentices. If he did so again, she may opt out of any further spars with him. It was humiliating to think about it happening again.

But to her surprise, she instead felt a sharp prick against her muzzle as the toms hesitant, curly paw came down across the left side of her muzzle. A moment of complete silence as Firefly judged the situation: blood was dripping smoothly from chin to paws. Not a lot, but it was enough to let her know that this could turn into a new scar. Firefly had nothing to say for this: accidents happen.

But, to her surprise, he was doing neither. She looked to him as he cut himself off in the middle of an "Im sorry", green eyes taking in his uncomfortable movements and shivering. He was allowed to say sorry for a situation like this, but it confused her on why he was so hesitant to even say it this time.

A strange new feeling towards the curly warrior pricked at her heart. Did she feel... guilt? Why? She hadn't made him bleed or even said anything yet! "What's that quivering voice for? You didn't do anything wrong." Now she was annoyed. He was acting like she was going to skin him alive for a silly mistake...

She didn’t seem to put off by what he’d done at first, but her tone as she spoke quickly told him otherwise. Great StarClan, would he ever learn to get it together? At least for her.

“Well…” he began. “It was supposed to just be a spar and I drew blood…” the warrior mewed, shuffling his paws underneath him. ’She wants me to be strong, so show her I can do it,’ Curlyfluff thought to himself, momentarily becoming frustrated with himself though he didn’t want her to see him agitated and so he showed only a smile. He’d won against her again, and while doing so last time ended up less than desirable… this time seemed different. Almost as if Firefly had grown in ways he would’ve thought impossible a few moons ago. While he was no better than any other cat and didn’t want to ever have such a mindset, he found himself more than proud of both himself and his best friend for maturing in their own ways. Hurting his clanmates was certainly not on his list of things to do, but now that he thought about it; being able to battle without backing down was certainly a feat, for him at least.

“But…” he started again, picking up his stature and meeting her gaze. “It was a good battle,” the tom mewed confidently with a nod of his head. “I know what I’m capable of now, thank you for helping me find that,” Curlyfluff purred, his tone masked in its’ usual softness.

“But let’s definitely have Fawnshine take a look at that. I don’t want you to have another scar,” he couldn’t help but adding, his usual sympathetic side unable to contain itself.