Bitternpaw Warrior Assessment! [p]

[silver.]

shc apprentice // he/him // 10 moons
purrks: agatha kitty, the collector, rapid recovery

---

Today was the day. He's decided it. The day that he would become a warrior. Well, maybe not officially-- he would have to wait for the next meeting for that. But today was the day that he would finally complete his warrior assessment and be ready to get his name! Confident gait as he pads across the clearing, he approaches the one cat that he would have conduct this test aside from Dawnstar herself.

"Hawkbite. I think I'm ready for my assessment. Would you do me the honors?"

Hopefully he would agree. There was no reason to not! After all, he knew all the basics and also learned how to climb, ambush, swim... He's gone on at least three different patrols and has even attended gatherings! Who cares if he's only 10 moons old. Sleepysunrise became a warrior at only 10 moons so why couldn't he? Plus she's already an Enforcer! Ah, the dream... Anyway! No more daydreaming! The time was upon him and he needed to be ready.

hawkbite | @SuspiciousMindz

[SuspiciousMindz]

[Hawkbite]
Enforcer Commander
Shadow Fiend | Agatha Kitty | Kitty Softpaws

Hawkbite glanced towards Bitternpaw as he approached. There was a sense of confidence and determination in his strides that intrigued the Commander. Then, the tom spoke about his assessment and a small smirk played on his face. "You think you're ready? Or, you know you're ready?" Hawkbite would tease lightly before getting to his paws and gesturing for the apprentice follow after him.

The Commander would lead the duo out into the territory, knowing the perfect area to begin the assessment. "So, the only rules to this assessment is, you need to prove your skills whether through beating me or accepting you'd been outmatched. In my eyes, knowing when you've been outmatched is just as honorable as winning. The other rule is no attempts of killing blows, that will be stopped and you'll face consequences before you'd get far," Hawkbite wished he didn't have to make that a rule, but he couldn't risk anything. "Claws are welcomed, you can play dirty, anything else goes," Hawkbite finished.

They came up to the area where the ground was somewhat sandy and soft for them to spar on. Hawkbite would turn to face Bitternpaw, crouching down with his tail tip twitching. "If you don't have any questions, then we'll begin. You get the first go."

@silver. - Bitternpaw

[silver.]

he/him // 10 moons // shc apprentice
purrks: agatha kitty, the collector, rapid recovery

---

"I know. I know I am ready."

This was his moment. He knew it. After this spar with Hawkbite he would be just one ceremony away from becoming a warrior. There was nothing more important to him than this. The rules are dished out and he's nodding in understanding, eyes narrowing as he takes note of the other's beginning stance. If playing dirty was allowed then he would do so. After all, he was just a tiny cat in comparison to the much more impressive Commander.

A deep breath in and he decides he's ready to begin. Lowering himself, he eyes the other for only but a moment before shooting forward as quickly as he can. Rushing in head-on, he changes his direction at the last second, sliding off to the tom's right side. As he's drifting, that's where he hatches his plan. The way the sandy terrain shifts beneath his unsheathed claws is his first move. Once he's come to a stop he immediately scoops up a paw-full of sand and flings it at the tom's face, in hopes of blinding him and giving himself a proper opening.

hawkbite | @SuspiciousMindz

[SuspiciousMindz]

[Hawkbite]
Enforcer Commander
Shadow Fiend | Agatha Kitty | Kitty Softpaws T2

Hawkbite waited for the apprentice to be ready, then in a flurry of fur, he was watching Bitternpaw close the gap between them. At first, the Commander was expecting him to do a head on attack, a common thing apprentices did, but he was surprised by the last second maneuver. Next, came the sand. This was a new one for the warrior. Within seconds, Hawkbite found himself blinded, the stinging sensation making him hiss outwardly and run a paw over his face to clear the debris.

@silver. - Bitternpaw

[silver.]

he/him // 11 moons // shc apprentice
purrks: agatha kitty, the collector, rapid recovery

---

H... Huh? His plan actually worked?

There's a moment of confusion where he staggers on his paws in disbelief but it doesn't last long to deter him from continuing to move. This was his chance. His opponent was a lot bigger and stronger than him so catching him off guard like this was the opening he was looking for.

Tail lashing behind him he takes the opportunity to jump onto the warrior's back, digging his claws into his pelt and biting at the side of his neck as best as he can reach. Though he was told not to hold back he didn't want to seriously injure the older warrior so he would settle for this for the time being. Now to cling on tight and try not to get thrown off.

hawkbite | @SuspiciousMindz

[SuspiciousMindz]

[Hawkbite]
Enforcer Commander
Shadow Fiend | Agatha Kitty | Kitty Softpaws T2

By the time he'd gotten his eyesight cleared and was starting to focus on Bitternpaw again, the apprentice had already moved and was jumping onto his back. Hawkbite would hiss as claws dug into his pelt, but he wouldn't be able to hide the small smirk on his face either. The Commander thought quickly, rearing upwards and falling back, slamming down onto the ground in the process.

Now, it was a matter of if Bitternpaw would move in time or not. If Bitternpaw did get out of the way, Hawkbite would take the loss of breath from the sheer force of the fall. It'd take him a second to recover from.

@silver. - Bitternpaw

[silver.]

he/him // 11 moons // shc apprentice
purrks: agatha kitty, the collector, rapid recovery

---

Oh, not good. The impact of being slammed onto his back leaves him breathless for a moment, scrambling to regain his composure. Firstly and most importantly: he had to get out from beneath him. If he was pinned much longer he would be in big trouble. So he squirms out from beneath the larger warrior with a bit of difficulty, panting to catch his breath. But at least now Hawkbite was on his back with his belly easy pickings for an attack.

Lowering himself into a position for a pounce for only a second as long as the other didn't move out of the way, he lunges at the other tom's belly, raking his claws against his pelt. He had told him not to hold back and he would take that seriously. This warrior assessment meant everything to him. He wouldn't mess this up. If Hawkbite wanted him to fight like it was real then he would fight.

Unrelentingly as long as his attack is successful he bites onto the other's chest for leverage so he can flop onto his side and aim bunny kicks at his belly. If he was going too far hopefully the Commander would tell him to ease up.

hawkbite | @SuspiciousMindz

[SuspiciousMindz]

[Hawkbite]
Enforcer Commander
Shadow Fiend | Agatha Kitty | Kitty Softpaws T2

"Alright, alright!" Hawkbite accepted his fate. Bitternpaw could hold his own against him and that was good enough for him to see. He'd be feeling those bites and kicks later. Right now, the adrenaline was pumping so he was pretty numb to it, although his eyes still stung from the sand and dirt. "Off, get off furball!" His voice was stern, although had a playful tone underlying in it.

Hawkbite would shove Bitternpaw away and stand up. With a quick shake of his pelt, he'd flick the debris off and everywhere. Then, he'd lay his tail on the apprentice's shoulders. "That's good enough for me. You passed your assessment, congrats. I'll inform Dawnstar of your win and we'll get you your warrior name," The Commander would smile, his longer than average fangs flashing in the sunlight.

"Let's go get you a celebratory piece of prey."

@silver. - Bittern

[silver.]

he/him // 11 moons // shc apprentice
agatha kitty - the collector - rapid recovery

---

The moment he's told to get off he's jumping back, fur still bristled from the fight. He's not expecting it to end already. Maybe he was hurting him too badly and needed to reel it in and they would continue. But no, Hawkbite is... Congratulating him.

He did it.

He did it!

His very own warrior name... The young tom can't help the way his eyes sparkle in adoration at Hawkbite, trotting over to him without hesitation. A celebratory piece of prey sounded good right about now-- that tussle took a lot out of him! In the back of his mind he's convinced that the Commander took it easy on him but regardless... He held his own against a full-fledged warrior! An Enforcer, no less!

The pride that swells in his chest as he nods in response is basically bursting out of him. Just wait until Leapingpaw found out! He couldn't wait to tell it! Offering an apologetic lick to one of the wounds he left behind on Hawkbite's pelt, he smiles a small smile-- a rarity for him.

"Yes, sir. Thank you for this. I won't let you down."

hawkbite | @SuspiciousMindz
( RAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH BITTERN WARRIOR!!!!! )