the bounce [c]

Tallpaw rolled over onto his other side, letting the sun chase away the bite of the wind that rustled the gorse wall around WindClan’s camp. He had finished his tasks for the day and figured he’d wait for Sootstorm to get back from patrol and ask if anything interesting had happened. There wasn’t much else to do. The golden tom looked up over his shoulder as the dark-pelted apprentice approached, tail flicking up in greeting. A spar? The tabby pulled himself to his feet, stretching out his back legs as he did so.  “Sure! I could use the practice.” He purred. He settled into his battle stance, tail lazily twitching back and forth as he took a moment to analyze Pantherpaw and consider his options.

With a push of his hindquarters Tallpaw leapt at the tom, colliding neatly with his shoulder and bowling him over. “I won’t go easy on you though.” He said playfully, eyes bright and happy. It felt good to be moving and stretching his muscles after milling around camp for most of the day.

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Tallpaw used Jumping Strike doing 9 damage and costing 7sp

Tallpaw: 20hp//53sp (-7)

Pantherpaw: 11hp//60sp (-6+-3)

Tallpaw grinned, all sharp white fangs and joy stuck like rabbit fur between his teeth. “I’m glad we’re on the same page.” He let out a surprised little oof as Pantherpaw flung him back onto the ground. He wiggled his narrow shoulders under the older apprentice’s paws, trying to get himself free or at least pinned more comfortably. “I walked right into that one, didn't I?” He asked, amused despite the tom’s weight pressing him into the dirt.

Finally getting his paws under him again, Tallpaw surged upwards, twisting around his wrench his shoulders free of Pantherpaw’s grip. The golden tabby dislodged the tom and turned to face him again, tail lashing back and forth in anticipation of his opponent's next move. His eyes were bright, and he bared his teeth in a show of mock bravado. It was in empty threat, all comradery and fierce joy as the thrill of battle, even as low stakes as this one, sang a bright burning melody in his blood.

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Tallpaw used Duck And Twist, dealing 7 damage and costing 5sp
Tallpaw is no longer pinned

Tallpaw: 14hp//48sp (-5)

Pantherpaw: 4hp//45sp (-7)

“You better be. I’m only going to get faster.” The tom grinned, white teeth sharp and satisfied in his smile. Tallpaw bounced from paw to paw, eagerly meeting the older apprentice’s blows as he ducked his head under the barrage. Under the onslaught of dark fur he was happy they were on the same side. He pitied the poor cat who got on the wrong side of Pantherpaw’s temper.

Shaking his head, the golden tabby nimbly ducked under the last strike and slammed his head into Pantherpaw’s flank, knocking the dark tom over. Slightly winded but buzzing from the fight, Tallpaw pushed a paw onto the apprentice’s back, long tail held aloft in victory. “Are you gonna hit me again or accept defeat?” He teased lightly, but braced for another strike all the same. He felt lighter than he had earlier, the dull pang of hunger forgotten under the adrenaline skipping along his spine and the pleasant stretch of his muscles. It was satisfying to use the skills he had been working so hard on. It settled something un-named deep in his chest to tumble around with a denmate, trading hits not meant to bruise, putting aside their worries for a moment to knock each other around.
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Tallpaw used Headbutt, doing 4 damage and costing 5 stamina

Tallpaw: 4hp//43sp (-5)

Pantherpaw: 0hp//31sp (-4)

Pantherpaw is KO’ed