[training] I was an island, before you came along

[seeingstars]

Beechpaw yawned as she rose from her nest. She'd been neglecting her training for the longest while and was now trying to speed run it by the next meeting. The golden pointed she-cat sucked a breath in through her teeth as she scanned the camp clearing for a warrior to assist her in training.

She'd been wanting to focus more on combat, and had heard some rather good things about a tom named Flintclaw's combat skills and was hoping he'd give her a lesson or some tips at the very least.

Her bright blue and yellow gaze traced over every single centimeter of camp. That's when she saw him, or at least- a tom that she was pretty sure was him. She confidently padded over, bowing her head in a respectful greeting.

"Hello Flintclaw, right? I've heard you excel in combat- I was wondering if you'd give me some tips, or a lesson if you have the time" She said, lifting her gaze to meet his, her chest puffed out a bit.

{ @namen_roodles }

[namen_roodles]

Flintclaw

Thunderclan warrior - 22 moons - Massive dark tabby tom with pale blue eyes and a thick scar across his chest.
(Purrks: Killer Aptitude | Just a scratch)
~~~

Flintclaw was finding it more and more impossible for him to bask in the sun. Between Rosekit's incessant questions, honeysucklekit's attempts at stealthy attacks, and now... who was this? An apprentice? Well, at least it wasn't another kit. Certainly a bit older than the fresh, wide-eyed and bushy tailed apprentices he often saw bouncing around, but not by much. Still just another brat.

"Yes, that's me." The dark tabby said, opening his eyes. Though he had been sitting in a nice, sunny spot, he had closed his eyes to relax. It had been a long day. He paused after her questions, pale eyes taking in the young cat in front of him, face unerringly stoic. He was tempted to ask why her mentor wasn't giving her training, but even if they did it would certainly never be a match for his own training regime.

How proud she looked. Chest puffed out, at least she was somewhat respectful, though she didn't seem to feel the need to introduce herself. He thought her name was something that started with a "B"... so "Brat" would be close enough for him.

Well, what would it be but a missed opportunity if he didn't take this chance to train yet another apprentice? "Well, do you want tips or do you want training? I have the time." He asked Brat, flicking his tail to wrap it around his paw as he looked down at her.

@seeingstars

[seeingstars]

Beechpaw waited, his answering seemingly pleasing her as she gave a quick nod, a grin crossing her maw "Good-" oh- right, she'd forgotten to introduce herself. She visibly relaxed a bit "I'm Beechpaw" She said, looking him over before locking her gaze with his.

"I'd like to train- Combat preferably" Beech said with a thoughtful hum.

{ sorry this is short LOL }

{ @namen_roodles }

[namen_roodles]

Flintclaw

Thunderclan warrior - 22 moons - Massive dark tabby tom with pale blue eyes and a thick scar across his chest.
(Purrks: Killer Aptitude | Just a scratch)
~~~

Beechpaw, yes, that sounded about right. Still a brat, though. Overly confident in herself for one so young and small. Flintclaw sniffed and nodded at her replied. "Too easy." He replied, flicking his tail for the apprentice to follow him. It was best to leave camp before he was surrounded by kits once more.

The half-mainecoon trotted along until he found himself in a good clearing within thunderclan's territory. Soft grass, direct light, and no cats around to interrupt and distract. Especially no kits. He was thinking about them too much, they had obviously gotten under his fur, somehow.

Flintclaw turned back to Beechpaw, carefully looking her over. She probably could stand well enough on her own, she was old enough to have received training before. That didn't mean she was previously trained, though. There was only one way to gauge her current experience level and ability to adapt in combat.

The dark tabby lowered his form into a fighting stance. "Pretend I am a rogue trespassing on Thunderclan. I've refused to leave and I've already attacked and injured a clanmate." His heartrate was still calm and slow as he narrowed his eyes, watching the apprentice for what her first move would be.

@seeingstars

[seeingstars]

Beechpaw slowly blinked, oh stars- Why had her father neglecting her training up until this point. She tried to remember the one combat event she'd joined in on, before nodding in response.

She was actually fairly close to warriorhood despite everything. Sitting at an embarrassing 10 moons old. Oh well, not the time to think of or worry about it. Beechpaw hummed in thought for a moment before she rushed forward leaping up onto the tom's back.

If successful, she'd then bring her paw down gently on his head.

{ @namen_roodles }

[namen_roodles]

Flintclaw

Thunderclan warrior - 22 moons - Massive dark tabby tom with pale blue eyes and a thick scar across his chest.
(Purrks: Killer Aptitude | Just a scratch)
~~~

Flintclaw narrowed his eyes at the apprentice's hum. He should've attacked her first if she was going to waste time thinking about how she would approach the fight. This would be acceptable, however, if she had been hiding before leaping out to attack. He supposed that he didn't specify her position in the beginning of this hypothetical encounter.

The massive tabby saw her leap and rolled, putting out paws to use the brat's own momentum, sending her passed him with a light push if he made contact. Push her or not, he rolled back to his paws and moved in to attack.

He had a weight advantage, that was for sure. So he darted to her left and pushed into her side with his shoulder to throw her off of her paws. Successful or not, he would leap after Beechpaw and bat her with a massive paw to either continue trying to throw her off her paws, her send her rolling if she was already on the ground.

He had no intent to actually hurt her, so he kept himself restrained, only using as much force as was necessary to accomplish what he wanted. This had the added benefit of helping him keep his balance if he didn't hit her.

@seeingstars
[Roll- 6/10 successful dodge]

[seeingstars]

Okay so she was starting this with... next to no combat. She could do this though uh- Woah wait- She collided with his paw, a small grunt escaping her as she was thrown off her original path. She landed pretty cleanly before whipping around.

He was already barreling toward her by the time she was facing him. Oh Stars- She instinctively sunk her claws into the ground below herself, bracing herself for the shove as he shot toward her left. The warrior shook her but didn't manage to knock her down completely.

Why was he so fast? She barely had a second to think of what to do. He began hoping around, avoiding his swipes while trying to think. Stars! if he'd just give her a second to think!

He seemed to be using his front paws a lot, and his weight. So maybe she'd use her smaller size to her own advantage. She was fast, and able to fit in smaller spaces. Beech squeezed through a bush, quickly regaining both her composure and forming a plan. She silently snuck through the bush, weaving around branches and twigs, trying to be as quiet as possible.

If she wasn't caught during that, she'd shoot out of the bush, weaving herself between his legs before throwing what weight she could at one of his legs... she wasn't sure which one but whichever it was, hopefully he'd at least lose balance enough to fall, and hopefully she'd do this all fast enough that he wouldn't fall on top of her.

If he fell, she'd move in to try and pin him, claiming her victory. It was unlikely that is how that would happen, but oh well, a girl could dream.

{ @namen_roodles }

[namen_roodles]

FLINTCLAW
Thunderclan warrior | 22 moons | Massive dark tabby tom with pale blue eyes and a thick scar across his chest.
Killer Aptitude T1 | Just a scratch
~~~

Flintclaw had to admit, it was pretty impressive that Beechpaw's first reaction to his larger form was to dig her claws in. The only reason he didn't consider it stupid was because she actually managed to stay standing instead of being toppled over... Though, he made note of that. If he went full force at her, it was likely that she could have been injured by taking that kind of attack without any give. The large cat would not be caught dead doing something he was fully aware could injure a kit or apprentice.

The brat was actually pretty fast, too. Despite getting thrown all over the place, she still had enough sense and the right reactions to dodge his onslaught of swipes. The most he got was barely a brush of her pelt on his paw. At worst that would've been a minor cut if claws were out.

The older apprentice seemed quick on her feet, even with the little time he gave her. She darted into the bushes to avoid him, making her form impossible for him to keep track of.

Flintclaw knew he could leap into the bushes after her, but with the small spaces she chose, he would not only be slower than her trying to get through, but the chances of him getting caught and out maneuvered were far to high. He quickly backtracked to center himself better in the clearing he had chosen for their spar. He couldn't see or hear her, which was yet another impressive feat for the apprentice. Perhaps he had underestimated her.

There! The dark tabby barely saw Beechpaw in time. She nearly barreled into his back leg, too.

Lifting his hind paws up, Flintclaw carefully moved over the smaller cat and kicked out with one back leg as she skirted passed him. Hit or miss, he turned back to the apprentice taking a couple of steps back to put more space between them. He was quite keen on seeing how to would react to the more passive and defensive move.

@seeingstars [roll: 2/10 to spot beechpaw in the bushes(fail, -1 to dodge), 6(7)/10 to dodge(success)]