Guns for Hire [C]

The impending war had made everyone antsy, and Dovetail was no exception. He kept pacing back and forth across the territory during his patrols, kept going back to check on his fox pelt tucked safely over his shared nest, kept glancing around camp to see whether Swandive and Ravenpaw and Pidge were all around and all safe. Knowing that cats could die--just like that, could vanish in a blur of teeth and a splash of violent crimson--had certainly not alleviated his burning need to ascertain the safety of his siblings. It consumed the majority of his waking moments these days. Demanded nearly the whole of his focus. So, he had not been anticipating nor expecting the sudden interruption that came in the form of his former nemesis. Larkspring's no-nonsense arrival and words caught him off guard suddenly, but it took only a few moments of thought to realize that wearing a groove into the sand of camp with his aimless pacing would do nothing for him. If the tom wanted to go out on a patrol or something, to "train," then it was better than nothing. When had he stopped being instinctively scared when that dark fur and those piercing yellow eyes approached? After the apology, most likely. His kithood nightmares had been so subsumed by far worse experiences that he almost laughed mirthlessly at his younger self for believing the slightly older cat to be any real threat. "Sure."

He wasn't sure what exactly he'd been expecting by the word train, but when Larkspring finally stopped them at the very outskirts of camp and explained himself, Dovetail supposed he shouldn't have been surprised. The swivel of one gray-brown ear was all that conveyed his acknowledgment for a moment. Did the tom mean to be abrasive, or was this his attempt to... befriend him? Surely not. He probably just wished to have a sparring partner, and had no one else to ask. Maybe it was a way to get out pent-up aggression from their former rivalry. Either way, despite Dovetail's anxieties, he realized that he didn't mind honing his battle skills outside of their normally-terrifying contexts. So instead he narrowed pale blue eyes, sizing up the wiry tom before him, before leaping without warning to bowl him over. No claws, of course.

Dovetail used Jumping Strike, dealing 11 (8+3) damage and costing 7 stamina.

Dovetail:
40/40 HP
93/100 SP

Larkspring:
39/50 HP
120/120 SP

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 6

Dovetail gritted his own teeth when he felt fangs in his scruff. For a moment he had brief flashbacks--being tossed out onto the sand, face pressed down, breathing muffled. But he fought through it. This was just a spar. Larkspring was fighting him, but the sharp sensation was nothing more than he could stand. No blood had been drawn. No claws. He let out a shaky breath and batted behind him with sheathed paws, trying to break free of the tight grip. To no avail, so far. This was good though; he'd never had this strategy used against him before. Now he could learn how to break out of it. Batting Larkspring on the head with a sheathed brown paw certainly would make it easier.

Dovetail used Front Paw Blow, dealing 6 damage and costing 5 stamina. Dovetail is gripped for 1 more turn.

Dovetail: [GRIPPED 1/2]
32/40 HP
88/100 SP

Larkspring:
33/50 HP
110/120 SP

Dovetail didn't hate Larkspring anymore; that much he knew. But still, something fiery bubbled up inside of him at the words that the tom muttered through his fur. Try harder, huh? It was just a spar. He knew that. But if his sisters had really been in danger... if this had been a real fight.... His claws remained sheathed, but he felt something within his limbs tighten. This might be a good time to try that new technique, wouldn't it? He batted with a paw once again, hoping to smack Larkspring as hard as he could, before redoubling his efforts to twist out of the uncomfortable grip. "Come face me, and I'll show you harder."

Dovetail used Front Paw Blow, dealing 6 damage and costing 5 stamina. Dovetail is no longer gripped.

Dovetail: [GRIPPED 2/2]
24/40 HP
83/100 SP

Larkspring:
27/50 HP
100/120 SP

[/b]

Finally, Dovetail managed to twist out of Larkspring's grip, gritting his teeth at the next blow he received. It had been a long time since he'd put this much of himself into a spar, and he had to admit that his opponent was no slouch. Larkspring had done a lot of training. However... so had Dovetail. This wasn't a real battle, so of course he wouldn't use claws. He wouldn't do anything that would actually hurt or cause real damage. But... there was something he could try. The move he'd practiced. He let out a tired breath, readying himself to charge forward. He won't be mad. He told me to try harder, and so I will. The young warrior leapt forward, feinting to one side and acting as though he would attack on Larkspring's left. But suddenly, before he hit, he shifted to the other side. Shoulder-forward, he rammed just below the ribcage, completely knocking down the tom and taking the breath from his lungs.

Dovetail used Dishonorable Charge, dealing 9 damage and costing 20 stamina. Larkspring is stunned for 2 turns. Stun cannot be overcome with Random Recall.

Dovetail:
16/40 HP
63/100 SP

Larkspring:
18/50 HP
93/120 SP

Dovetail wasn't sure what he'd been expecting. When he'd practiced the move against his father, he'd felt... powerful. He'd received praise. But this time, when he knocked Larkspring away and then moved back in order to continue the spar, he saw... something else in the tom's eyes. Surprise, to be sure, but the other emotions weren't positive. He looked almost betrayed. But that couldn't be right; it was just a sparring move, just a way to gain the upper paw over an opponent. Why did he look so unhappy? Why did it give Dovetail the urge to immediately stop the fight and apologize? He couldn't do that, though, not without admitting he'd done something wrong. Larkspring hadn't asked to stop. If it had been him staggering without breath, the other tom would've kept going. So, subduing the desire to wince, he instead kept a straight face and pummeled Larkspring with clawless blows. Making sure not to hurt, but certainly wearing him down. If this were a real opponent threatening your family, you wouldn't feel bad. Why do you feel bad? Why is he looking at me like that?

Dovetail used Front Paw Strike + Desperate Blows, dealing 13 (8+5) damage and costing 14 (7+7) stamina. Larkspring is stunned for 1 more turn.

Dovetail:
16/40 HP
49/100 SP

Larkspring [STUNNED 1/2]:
5/50 HP
93/120 SP

All the momentary pride he'd found in his success, all the adrenaline from sparring, all became buried beneath the sudden onslaught of nausea when Larkspring whispered his name like a plea. Dovetail flinched back. Why? Why had it turned out like this? Was there something wrong with him? Still, he had to finish the fight. It was practically over. He hadn't unsheathed his claws once--hadn't broken the rules--so why did he feel awful? Lightly, almost tentatively, he tapped the dark-furred tom's shoulder, pushing him painlessly to the ground. That ought to end the fight. And besides, if Larkspring was truly as winded as he was acting, then he ought to lie down anyway.

His heart was pounding. He took a moment to breathe, to fight back the sick feeling in his stomach, and then he sat down. Carefully he met Larkspring's yellow eyes, bracing himself to see the usual hatred that had recently been absent. "Are... are you okay? Sorry, I didn't think that would hurt you." His voice was quiet and stoic, but a note of concern lingered in his pale blue eyes. If he acted too worried, then Larkspring would be upset--but he couldn't help being a bit anxious when he now felt so awful. What on earth had Starlingflare taught him? Or... was he the problem?

Dovetail used Front Paw Blow, dealing 6 damage and costing 5 stamina.

Dovetail:
16/40 HP
44/100 SP

Larkspring [KO]:
0/50 HP
93/120 SP

Larkspring did not sound angry at him, not really, but... if Dovetail answered incorrectly, then the mixture of confusion and frustration could easily turn to the wrath he'd experienced long ago. He wasn't a kit anymore; he didn't feel the desire to flinch back. But a sick sensation still swirled within his stomach at the reminder of how shocked Larkspring had looked when the move hit him. Starlingflare hadn't said it would go that badly! He'd just said that it was a strong move! Why had Larkspring looked at him like that? Dovetail blinked hard, anxiety written across his face, trying desperately to come up with an answer that would be true and acceptable but not completely honest. He couldn't just say "oh, my dead dad taught it to me in a dream," because then not only would he be insane but it would cause all sorts of new questions to arise. Questions that he didn't want to answer; questions that he didn't know how to answer. Why had that move been awful? Why did Larkspring refer to it as "something like that" and "such a move"? It was just supposed to be a battle move.

"It was something new I thought I'd try," he said finally, trying not to sound as hesitant and awkward and worried as he felt. Every word he said was true. He didn't want to lie. But stars, stars, he did not want to tell the truth. That could get him kicked out of RiverClan. He did not know why it would, but some suspicion from the pit of his chest warned him to not say everything. "It was just meant to knock your breath away, stun you for a second. I didn't think it would be that drastic. I'm sorry. I won't use it when we spar anymore." His tail swished behind him. Larkspring's eyes were closed; he wouldn't see the look of concern. Dovetail breathed out and tried to recenter himself. "Anyway, you fought well. If you were really an enemy I would've been in trouble. I think... I think I'll just use that move against enemies from now on."