lessons made in virtue [closed]

"Liiittlesplaash!"

The dreary intoning of casual summons, practiced rolling of the tongue in a lackadaisical display of an overt lack of enthusiasm, musically ringing out against the careful shelter of the little healing corner. Hardly even the cheery birdsong of morning could bring a lively state of being to the ensuing storm. The muted light of morning was further obscured by the leisurely strolling of Jaypaw, shoulders abruptly dispersing the delicate rays of winter warmth as he makes to shoulder his way into the neatly cultivated center of the medicine cat's den. Unusually confident, unusually without confidence. Reluctant displeasure delicately hung atop the young tabby's demeanor, clearly unhappy with the simple act of venturing remotely near the den- a palpable threading of dissatisfaction evident in the slow, somber drag of meandering pawsteps take in little particular direction.

"Littlesplash!" It wasn't often that Larkspring was so preoccupied that he couldn't directly supervise Jaypaw's activities for the afternoon, but the infrequent happenings of these events often left all those in close proximity miserable. "Larkspring is off attending to various big and important matters for the time being- I am meant to help you for the day." It was difficult to swallow the unhappy nose scrunch that accompanied Jaypaw's words at the prospect of not only spending the day with Littlesplash, but doing... medicine cat things.

Extra paws were always helpful for the medicine cat whose den was often empty, due to his nest being the only one tucked away inside. Normally, clanmates would come and go, filtering in and out as their various ailments and injuries were swiftly attended to. Littlesplash was still young and inexperienced in a variety of manners but there was no doubt about the natural talent he possessed which had helped to heal the clan through a terrible bought of sickness. As of now, the puncture wounds on his neck had made his duties tedious and slow. Even simple tasks such as sorting herbs or talking to patients proved to be filled with unusual discomfort.

The small gray and white tom's neck craned as his ears perked at the sound of his name. Although he loved the presence of his clanmates, this voice in particular stirred emotions that made him want to hide in the shadows at the back of the den. Jaypaw. As a kit, the long-furred grey tom had proven to be less than tactful in choosing his words, something that had left Littlesplash with an unusual sense of existential dread at the back of his mind. Surely, this had only been made worse being trained underneath Larkspring.

"That's... great, Jaypaw." Littlesplash's voice was soft in an effort to prevent aggravating his throat but it did little to mask the hesitation in his words, "I've needed to gather some herbs. Would you like to join me?" He wasn't sure if taking the apprentice out of camp would be beneficial or counterproductive, yet it was painfully obvious that the clan's herb stash was dwindling as a result of healing battle wounds. Swallowing, the medicine cat pushed back another wince as he looked at Jaypaw.

Dark features mottled near unrecognizable under the wan light of winter sun, the stark lines of pristine teeth were bared abruptly under the strain of an unenthused yawn on behalf of Jaypaw- entirely without reaction to the lingering stormcloud of Littlesplash's discomfort. The little tom rolled the lingering whispers of stiffness from the slim expanse of his shoulders, sticky dredges of lasting sleep and disappointment stubbornly dusting his frame of being like crystalline cobwebs. He always found Littlesplash's timidity to be irksome and a meddlesome trait to be sidestepped, much more favorable to the brash and arkosic nature of his own mentor, even in the event of his own ears being promptly chewed off.

It was ever the fine game; attempting to discern if Jaypaw knew of Littlesplash's displeasure and simply did not care, or if he was entirely unknowing of the accidental dislike he had fostered as a kit.

"Mhmm," Jaypaw offered in dispassionate agreement to the young Medicine Cat's offer, the gracing flash of flexing claws accentuating his lackluster droll, "we should get some of the dangerous herbs! It would be cool to see them!"

ooc: herb hunt chances! (in case jay wants to look for danger plants after goose)
1 - no herbs found, water hemlock, or foxglove seeds
2/3 - Alder Bark, Chickweed, Cobnuts, Cobwebs, Fennel, Poppy Seeds
4/5 - Camomile, Coneflower, Daisy Leaf, Dandelion
6 - Comfrey Root, Coltsfoot, Dock

He wasn't going to turn away a helping paw but something about warrior apprentices had always made him feel impossibly small. Somehow, Jaypaw managed to make that feeling worse. His eyes widened in surprise at the young tom's suggestion. Littlesplash's tail flickered anxiously and his pelt itched as if it were caked in mud, "There's nothing fun about dangerous plants. If anything, we'd have to bury them so no cat would eat them by mistake." The idea of a young apprentice knowing anything about deadly herbs was uncomfortable. Surely, it would be good to know for safety but not as a fun outing.

Gathering up his hare pelt, mostly emptied to accommodate for the many herbs the pair of them would find near the thawed patches of soaked earth. He turned towards the camp entrance and lead them out onto the territory. With Jaypaw as his companion, the medicine cat planned to stick fairly close to camp. Littlesplash cast a glance across the budding foliage. It was reassuring to see the white-painted world melt away into vibrant greens and blues, a true sign of newleaf. Right as his maw opened to address the apprentice and explain what herbs they were looking for, a raucous squawking tore through the air.

Littlesplash's fur stood on end and he jumped back, dropping the hare pelt. In a quick breath, he meowed, "Jaypaw, quick, eat the herbs in the pelt." He silently cursed for the fact that they hadn't brough a warrior along. At least the strengthening herbs would help a bit. He backed up with his heart thudding as the goose shot forward and battered Jaypaw with over-sized wigs. Swallowing stiffly, the medicine cat's paws itched to run. Having hardly been trained for combat, all he could do was watch helplessly.

Littlesplash used Natural Talent on Jaypaw, giving +4hp, and using 5 stamina.

Littlesplash
HP: 25/25
SP: 55/60

Jaypaw
HP: 24/20
SP: 60/60

Goose used Wing Bluff on Jaypaw, dealing 5 damage and using 10 stamina. Jaypaw has to roll effect dice for the success of his next attack. Success: 1-3, Failure: 4 - 6

Goose
HP: 55/55
SP: 160/170

A tremulous, water-laden curtain of snowfall curled atop the slight figures of Littlesplash and Jaypaw; a blinding shower of half-melted snowfall, muddied ice, and rot-softened grasses pelting down all around the terse pair, the world suddenly spinning upon an unfamiliar axis. The drab fashion of a mere herb hunt was promptly laid to rest, the prospect of an idling afternoon spent in pursuit of relative peace and quiet curdling sharp and hot upon the tongue at the abrupt cacophony of noise. Certainly, it had to be a record of some capacity, did it not? Hardly three pawsteps free of camp before the blinding, white-hot fury of saving grace descended upon them with all the generosity of a summer storm. Jaypaw's bellowing heart, once made slow and discontent with the lackluster enthusiasm of the meager outing before him, kicked up further at the realization that something was banking towards them through the unseemly up-kicking of snow and earth.

A goose! It was certainly no heron by any means, but it would suffice.

"Let's go!" Jaypaw whooped, delighted call to action rising up from somewhere low and vital in the cavernous fathoms of his chest, the sharp current of adrenaline hardening the slender expanse of his shoulders as he ducked out of the way of Littlesplash's mindless scurrying. The rancorous roaring of blood sleuthing through the narrow points of his ears made it almost possible to miss the quick instructions from the Medicine Cat, but it was of little trouble to scarf down the meager collection of herbs- the bitter taste effectively staunched under the scalding influence of hormones pounding through his blood. "This is great! I like herb hunting!"

Rising to the all-consuming draw of instinct, the wild-furred tom was a smooth whorl of silky-dark movement that pivoted to meet the angry onslaught of the goose; the unfamiliar-yet-familiar scent of something akin to wet feathers hung heavily atop the stiff air, a tension waiting to be split under the rank stench of freshly drawn blood. Not even the sharp, fiery spark of anguish abruptly skittering down the terse length of Jaypaw's spine could dampen his peculiar, youthful delight at the prospect of a fight, the billowing of tears softening the framing of his gaze due to the abrupt slap of wings doing little to quell the anticipation. Letting out a fierce snarl, the young tom, shockingly, remained upright against the terrible battering of the goose's great wings. A sickening crack split the air as Jaypaw promptly smashed his head against the goose's own.

Great stars, he couldn't wait to tell Larkspring- and Harebounce- about this!

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Jaypaw used Heatbutt, Dealing -4 in Damage & Costing -5 in Stamina!
Effect Dice Roll Deems Attack SUCCESSFUL!

Jaypaw
19/24 [HP] [-5 in HP]
55/60 [SP] [-5 in SP]

Goose
51/55 [HP] [-4 in HP]
160/170 [SP] [-10 in SP]

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

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'Effect Dice' : 2