feathered friend [c]

Feral tongue
Forest tongue

The sun was beginning to sink below the treetops as Vinecrawler approached the brown and white tom at the fresh-kill pile. "Chadpaw! Arise and follow me; training begins before sun-down." The rest of the trip to the Owl Tree would be made in silence on the large warriors behalf, his interest in talking very minimal as they grew closer to their destination: a great oak tree will a little hollowed out middle. He figured something like this would be a lot more fun than a one on one spar, a genuinely excited grin forming as he turned to Auburnpaw with an expectant look, gesturing to the tree with his snout. "I am one of ThunderClan's best mentors, you know. You are my third apprentice! One is dead." It never occurred to him to explain that last part as he padded closer to the tree, dragging his claws against its trunk.

He figured the tom would have already known how to fight by now, explaining in little detail how a normal fight works. "Keep your eyes and ears open for this one. An owl moves as silent as Death, talons sharp and ready for blood. Hesitate, and you will die. Ready your claws--"

---

Not a single beat of wings could be heard as the owl swooped down from behind the two cats, talons swiping across the back of the bigger one in a failed attempt to pick him up and throw him elsewhere. A squawk of anger following soon after.

Owl used Swoop on Vinecrawler, dealing 9 damage and using 15 SP.

Auburnpaw:
20 / 20 HP
60 / 60 SP

Vinecrawler:
41 / 50 HP (-9)
120 / 120 SP

Owl:
30 / 30 HP
75 / 90 SP (-15)

Auburnpaw's ear flicked attentively at the sound of the bastardized version of his loner and clan name. His blue eyes quickly found the looming frame of Vinecrawler. Mottlestar had decided that the feral-born tom would be a suitable mentor and he had yet to learn why that was but today seemed to be the day he would discover that.

The oversized warrior was both awe-inspiring and terrifying in presence alone. Not wanting to let on to his discomfort, Auburnpaw straightened up and shook out his coat as he stood, "It's Auburnpaw now." He corrected while quickly falling into step at the larger cat's side. While Vinecrawler's accented words were unfamiliar to his ears, he found himself enjoying the boisterous and confident nature of his tone.

The pair carried on silently until reaching the destination. Stormsong had mentioned the Owl Tree before but their little crew had never ventured there. Predators were plentiful enough without attempting to seek them out. His ears perked at Vinecrawler's proclaimation but eyes quickly squinted at the admission one of them had died. Auburnpaw hummed lowly at the idea, meowing with a flick of his tail, "Ideally your training will make me one of the non-dead ones."

After barely making it to the territory on account of his lack of experience and feeling his inadequate fighting skills when next to Sleepycloud and Stormsong, Auburnpaw had finally admitted to himself that he had much to learn. It wounded his pride to feel the consequences of his own lack of will to listen to his parent's guidance growing up. One day he would be a respected warrior of the clan and it started by listening to his mentor rather than relying on his own inexperience.

Facing a raccoon and badger had taught him to be smart rather than impulsive. His ear swiveled to digest Vinecrawler's words, flicking in acknowledgement. Fast and calculated. Okay, he could do this. He would do this. As the warrior finished speaking, the owl descended in a flash. Instinctively, Auburnpaw hopped a pawstep backwards. Cursing his own cowardice as the blood began to pound in his veins, the apprentice found his footing and then lunged forwards.

One moment he was on the ground, the next he had sprung onto the back of the attacking owl with his claws sinking into feathers until they found flesh. Both Auburnpaw and the enemy fell to the ground with a sickening thud. The sounds was far more damning for the writhing bird than it was for him. Satisfaction welled up in his chest as he pushed the creature into the ground with a low growl, willing the thrashing to stop.

"Not bad for an apprentice" He boasted, glacing up to meet his mentor's gaze.

Auburnpaw used Leap and Hold on Owl, dealing 6 damage and using 15 stamina. Owl is pinned for 1 turn.

Auburnpaw
HP: 20/20
SP: 45/60 [-15]

Vinecrawler
HP: 41/50
SP: 120/120

Owl
HP: 24/30 [-6]
SP: 75/90

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

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'Effect Dice' : 2

Feral tongue
Forest tongue

"Wonderfully done, apprentice." Vinecrawler knew Chadpa-- Auburnpaw had experience before being made to carry the name of -paw, but he was impressed nonetheless. The strength of his leap and the strength of his hold on their feathered enemy gave him hope that a strong warrior would be added to ThunderClan's ranks soon enough. A smile cracked his usually tame expression, pride sparkling in his umber eyes. Perhaps this time he could foster a lasting relationship with an apprentice that was forced upon him yet again.

With the owl down and beginning to slip from Auburnpaw's grasp, Vinecrawler decided to perform a risky manuver he had once seen Firefly use... Of course, he failed it miserably, nailing himself in the leg with his own claws as he missed the swipe.

Vinecrawler failed Belly Rake! Took 5 damage and used 25 SP.

---

The owl screech beneath the tom, flailing its wings in a desperate attempt to escape, relieved when no further damage was done as the other tom missed it completely. Fool.

Auburnpaw
HP: 20/20
SP: 45/60

Vinecrawler
HP: 36/50 (-5)
SP: 95/120 (-25)

Owl no longer pinned!
HP: 24/30
SP: 75/90

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

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'Effect Dice' : 2