chitter chatter [closed]

It was time. Nostalgia filled Brick's heart as she occasionally glanced back at Milk. This was something she had done before with each of her children, as was their right and as part of the Asylum tradition. Though it seemed the further they walked the more uneasy the child grew, to the point where Harebounce could feel the waves of anxiety rolling towards her even when her eyes weren't on the young cat. What was going on inside her head? In any case, it just made her feel even more like a member of the family, what with their minds going wherever they chose. She had to wonder if Milk wasn't her blood kin in some way that they would never know. Despite both of their wandering minds, they eventually reached their destination.

The older warrior angled her body to face Egretpaw before moving to give her an affectionate lick right on her forehead. "We're going to do something I did with each of your siblings before you. We're here to get you a pelt! When I was your age, my sister and I were sent out to get ourselves some pelts and from then on, she wore a fox and I wore a hare." Brick needed another herself, as her old one had disappeared when she'd been taken by the Twolegs to that strange place. The same place she had found Milk. "You get to decide what you want. You don't have to find anything today, but if you see something with a pelt you want to wear, then bam!" She smacked her paw down for effect. "We'll get it." She brushed her tail affectionately along the white she-cat's back before encouraging her further into the lines of plants. What quarry would Egretpaw find?

Flashes of surprise, then confusion, then sadness all played across Brick's face when her daughter spoke. So that was what she was worried about. The tortoiseshell briefly tucked her child's head beneath her own, grooming her ears. What had been done to her to cause her to think this way? Was it why she had been all alone in that place, without a parent or any siblings? She held Egretpaw firmly against her fluffy chest. "I would - will - never leave you anywhere. You are sweet Milk and you are my kit. Leaving you behind would crush my heart, so let me pick off that tick of a thought so it quits biting you."

After that, they were on the hunt. Harebounce kept her mouth agape and eyes flitting from one place to another, spotting the fox at the same moment Egretpaw did. An excellent choice. She followed quickly and quietly after her, watching to see what move she would make. The fox's yelp of pain brought delight and pride to her face. "Nice! Very smart, Milk!" She would have to commend Rowansong later if he had taught her how to be tactical. Before the fox could react to her sudden meow, Brick made her own attack by turning her run into a leap. Her outstretched claws gripped the predator's back and slammed it to the ground with her on top of it, though she quickly got off before any struggle could damage its valuable hide too badly. She shouted over the alarmed, ear-splitting shrieks of their target, "Be careful with the delicate skin - it can't heal once it's a pelt! Try to cause damage near where the fur is thickest or a place difficult to see so it's easier to hide later!" Brick moved to distract the creature so it wouldn't use its sharp teeth against her little, snow-furred Milk.

The poor fox was woefully unaware of the conversation taking place about it. It was still reeling from the sudden, sharp tug on its tail from a little white cat when another, larger cat came running, then flying towards it as it suddenly leapt and briefly knocked them both to the ground. It moved its head to snarl at the bigger of the two, the one that seemed to pose more of a threat. Though neither of these cats seemed fearful or angry, which was... very strange.

Harebounce used Jumping Strike on Fox! It caused 8 damage and used 7 stamina.

The fox is stunned for this turn.

Fox
45 / 60 HP (-8)
180 / 180 SP

Egretpaw
20 / 20 HP
45 / 60 SP

Harebounce
50 /50 HP
113 /120 SP (-7)

Both infuriated and confused, the fox thrashed and twisted its body away from the smaller cat's swipes. It would prove to these cats that it was not to be messed with!

Harebounce let out a surprised yowl when the fox leapt forward, and despite her attempt to dodge it still managed to catch her front leg near where it met her chest. Instinct told her to force it to let go as quickly as possible, if she didn't want to immediately eat the words she'd just given her daughter by going straight to StarClan. With its teeth digging into her flesh and pain coloring her voice, she swung up and struck out her hind legs with unsophisticated force to deal sharp blows on its soft underside. It didn't break the skin, but the force was enough for the creature to let go with almost a gasp, it barking and yelping with indignance right in her face. She backed a step away to catch her breath.

Blood blossomed through the white fur where she'd been bit. It was only then that Brick processed what Milk had said and she laughed to herself to ease the pain. "Well, I tried! I'll be fine. Milk, let's finish this thing off!"

Fox used Iron Bite on Harebounce, dealing 17 damage and using 30 stamina!

Harebounce attempted to use Belly Rake on Fox. It was unsuccessful. It dealt 0 damage, used 25 stamina, and Harebounce received 5 damage.

Fox
35 / 60 HP
150 / 180 SP (-30)

Egretpaw
20 / 20 HP
31 / 60 SP

Harebounce
28 /50 HP
88 /120 SP (-25)

The member 'Holy Knight' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Effect Dice' : 2

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

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'Effect Dice' : 3

To be perfectly honest quite a bit of her brain was running about uselessly as she tried to plan her next attack while ensuring Egretpaw would stay safe. Thankfully though, her daughter had a ploy to play that would end this very quickly. She had to move fast while the animal was rendered immobile. "Yes! Good! Keep it from moving as much as you can, sweetheart." With her not-so-bloody leg she further pinned the fox's head in place, her sharp teeth finding their home just below the jawbone. It felt slow in the moment, but eventually the creature's panicked movements slowed and finally stopped.

Harebounce used KILLING BITE on Fox, dealing 9999 damage and using 10 stamina.

Fox
0 / 60 HP (-29)
150 / 180 SP

Egretpaw
20 / 20 HP
16 / 60 SP

Harebounce
28 /50 HP
78 /120 SP (-10)

She wasn't sure how much of it was whose, but Harebounce's chest was dyed redder than a robin's. The stench was getting to be a bit much already. "Ah, hold on for a moment." Brick quickly took a dip in one of the many long, narrow, oddly straight streams that marked this part of the territory, the blood rushing out from her fur. Soon enough a length of the stream was tainted with red; a few butterflies came down as if attracted to the color and began sipping from the water. Fascinated for what she realized was a moment too long, the now wet but clean she-cat bounced back to her daughter.

Loud purrs rolled from her throat as the lightly batted at Milk. "Look at you, look at you! I don't think any other apprentice can say they could hold down a fully-grown fox! I'm so proud of you." Brick pressed against her child with such affection she felt she might tip her over if she wasn't careful! "Alright, I'll show you how to prepare the pelt. You'll be doing a lot of the physical work, but don't worry, I'm right here with you. The first and most delicate step is the get the pelt off. Now it's best if you do this at a consistent speed and don't tug..."



[topic complete!]