i didn't picture it like this| intro, dueling practice

[Goldenstrike]

❝ i just turned 14 ✧°.☀ ———————————— He was tall and his chest stuck out with pride. Goldenpaw was a arrogant child with perhaps too much free time. Free time where he made himself everyone else's problem. He followed a simple train of thought "do I think I should say this outloud" and the answer was always yes. Believe it or not Goldenpaw had a hard time making friends and he often found himself sitting alone kicking rocks, which was fine, he liked to be able to see how long he could hit the rock around before his paw became too tender, then he knew he was tough.

He liked to be tough that's for sure, or at least feel like he was tough. Today he figured the best way to prove himself was to request a duel or four from clanmates, apprentices or warriors, he was feeling frisky.

"Hey! Does anyone want to practice fighting?" he called out with a smugness that made it seem like he had already won the "battles". And now was the waiting, seeing who would dare to challenge him.

[penned by user - [tags☀]]

———————————— ☀.°✧ and i think this year i'm gonna be mean ❞ ​

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[SUNFLOWERMASK]

( ❁ ) Sunflowerpaw loves their brother. They know he wants to be strong, wants to be tough; they can certainly understand that. He gets it, in a way their kithood denmates never did, the drive to be a warrior. Yet there is a divide between the two siblings in motivation: for Goldenpaw, it is a matter of pride, of proving himself better than all the other cats. For Sunflowerpaw, it is a means of survival. They want to become strong not to prove themself -- there is no one they would care to prove themself to who does not already think highly of them. No, Sunflowerpaw wants to protect their brothers, their family, everyone they care for, keep them from ever being hurt again.

Goldenpaw is naive, in a way, with his posturing and gloating. Yet Sunflowerpaw never minds, finds kinship despite their differing goals. When he calls for a practice fight, his sibling is not long behind him, tail and chin raised high in challenge. They are no stranger to sparring with their rowdy brother, yet they never tire of it.

Sunflowerpaw catches Goldenpaw's eye and gives a serious nod, readying themself for a fight.​

 

[TIGERFROST]

Tags and Information

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Tigerfrost had been dining on a bird carcass nearby, having recently returned from a hunt himself. The air was warm and pleasant as the claws of leaf-bare finally began to loosen their grip and fade from view. The rainy season had begun, and soon enough, they'd all be drenched to the bone. It was better than snow, he supposed. But here, now, there is only sunshine and clear skies, and an apparent challenge that rings across the dusty clearing. His flaming eyes shift from his food, up toward the two apprentices that squared off against each other. Sunflowerpaw against Goldenpaw, siblings from the same nest. Entertainment with his meal? Delightful. Well, as long as they didn't kick dust onto his prey, then he was more than happy to observe. Tigerfrost supposes that he can analyze just how well both apprentices seemed to be faring, in terms of their training. A spar was certainly a good opportunity for such things.

Should Snailpaw be present nearby, Tigerfrost would wave them over. Perhaps his apprentice could learn a thing or two by observing the duel.​

((@SNAILPAW but don't feel pressured to reply if you don't want to <3 ))

 

[SHADOWRUNNER]

\╱╲I SEE A RED DOOR & I WANT IT PAINTED BLACK╱╲/​

Shadowpaw found himself prowling over upon realising what his brother, Goldenpaw, was up to. Heh! As if he expected anything else, and frankly he admired the spirit the other showed and he found himself craving a piece. However, he would have to wait his turn since it looked as though Sunflowerpaw was taking up the offer for a scrap. A battle of opposites; one loud like a lion, the other quiet and deadly like the wind. "Should I fetch Big Bro now or later?" He joked as he settled in for the show. At least now he could take up the valuable opportunity to learn how they both fought for his own benefit.

NO COLOURS ANYMORE I WANT THEM TO TURN BLACK
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[SCORCHSTAR]

Scorchstreak is not one who enjoys sparring. They know their own strengths lie in their quickness and flexibility, and not in power, but they can hold their own against much larger cats than themself. They are wary of sparring others with their claws unsheathed, though—there’s a warrior who now bears a nasty scar just below his eye, too close for comfort to being a blinding blow. Scorchstreak tends to get lost in the haze of battle, forgetting that they aren’t meant to actually harm others.

Watching others spar is always interesting, however; the calico has made a hobby of observing the others in the clan who have friendly spars against one another. Usually it’s two warriors, or an apprentice and their mentor, but sometimes apprentices with little experience decide to practice, and those she enjoys most. Settling beside Tigerfrost, the tunneler watches the young cats face off against one another. "This should be interesting," they remark, fiery eyes shifting to the tom at their side. She snickers at Shadowpaw’s question, lifting a paw to cover her mouth—Vulturemask will hopefully not be needed, but the idea of the healer being required to treat any silly sparring injuries is amusing.
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[ MONSTROUS WOMAN ]​

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[Bluepool]

The murmurings of a spar are what draw Bluepools silver paws to the small group forming around the pair of apprentices, she pushes her way to the front, excitement prickling her pelt. She wouldn’t miss this for the world. "Don’t hold back!" she calls out. It’s not even just that she hopes to see blood, bright red and beautiful, or even the entertainment. Sparring with claws out was good for training, especially in cats as young as these two. She was an avid believer in it. The pain would motivate them to fight harder, move faster, after all.

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[Periwinklebreeze.]

STEADY THE RIGHTS AND THE WRONGS
periwinklepaw | 07 months | demi-boy | he/they | physically easy (pacifist) | mentally easy | attack in bold #ccccff

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Periwinklepaw, as much as he hates it, knows very well that fighting is just part of clan life. His own scars have taught him this well - though he still struggles to break down those barriers long enough for even a friendly spar; his recent moment of blind rage non-withstanding. And so despite common opinion, the boy of shadow and smoke quickly joins the crowd, a bright smile on his maw as he settles down beside Shadowpaw. "you'll both do g-g-g-great!" he says easily, warmly. His personal bets are probably on Goldenpaw - the tom has always been rambunctious, where sunflowerpaw is a bit more subdued.... but that doesn't mean he'll say so aloud. He's content to play the part of a watchful guardian despite his own young age - a simple bystander, a friendly face in the crowd. He prefers it that way anyways.

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[Addervenom]

Life doesn't discriminate

The sound of someone's voice echoing throughout camp seeking a challenger grasps the boy's attention. Carmine eyes trail those gathered until his gaze lands upon Goldenpaw and Sunflowerpaw respectfully. Quietly the tabby tom comes to stand beside Bluepool, shoulders square and head looming low as he anticipates who might win between the two of them. As always, like a moth drawn to flame, Adderkit watches with the intention to learn something new. Adding another maneuver to his growing collection. "Will they use their claws?" He questions aloud to no one in particular. ​

Between the sinners and the saints​

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[Goldenstrike]

❝ i just turned 14 ✧°.☀ ———————————— With a stretch of his neck Goldenpaw smiled at his sibling "You ready for a beat down?" he goaded as he dropped his haunches. His pounce was caught right before it launched when Shadowpaw made a remark, one that Goldenpaw sneered at "Neither of us are going to get hurt." he was confident in this until Bluepool suggested otherwise. To not hold back.

Goldenpaw took a step back to look at Sunflower, he pulled his foot up from the ground and flexed his claws in a question, his head titled. He couldn't recall fighting with claws against either of his siblings before, he wasn't entirely sold on the idea. He didn't want to be the one to leave scars on their pelts. But, if Sunflowerpaw wanted to he wasn't going to be the coward to reject.

[penned by user - [tags☀]]

———————————— ☀.°✧ and i think this year i'm gonna be mean ❞ ​

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[SUNFLOWERMASK]

.°☀ AND IF IT EVER STARTS TO FEEL BAD, LITTLE FANG

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"Don’t hold back!" calls Bluepool. As if they ever would! Them or their brother. they like that about Goldenpaw, that he gives everything his all. They've never understood the point of doing otherwise. They smile slightly at his goading remark, a kind of playful taunt they are very familiar with.

Shadowpaw's words do not go unheeded -- they do not sneer like Goldenpaw, merely give him a small shake of their head. They'd love to show Vulturemask their fighting prowess, but he's probably busy. He always seemed to fuss over them, when they play-fought, in large part owing to their tendency to not sheathe their claws. They got into a lot of trouble over that, as a kit.

Adderjaw asks if they're going to use claws, and they'd almost think it a jab at their former recklessness were it not for his unaccusatory tone. Goldenpaw, too, seems to disengage, holds up his paw and flexes his claws. A wordless question. They always got reprimanded for it, but... well, they're apprentices now, they can handle it. Bluepool seems to be encouraging it, even. Sunflowerpaw lifts their own paw and unsheathes their claws. It was their first fight as apprentices, they'd make it count.

Sunflowerpaw places their paw back on the ground and begins to circle around Goldenpaw, eyes locked as if daring him to make the first move.

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IT'S EASY TO EXPLAIN 'CAUSE THIS WORLD'S NOT TAME .°☀

⟪ OOC ⟫ ⟪ INFO ⟫ ⟪ REF ⟫

• // small reminder for shadowpaw, the kits don't yet know they're related to vulturemask!​
• SUNFLOWERPAW named by their half-brother vulturemask after his friend and mentor.
  — they/them, 4 moons. semiverbal.
  — windclan apprentice, mentored by wolfsong.
  — reserved yet loyal, distrusts most.
  
  primary character, high activity. penned by saturnid.​
• 

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[VULTUREMASK]

It was true he was often busy but when he had heard a spar was going to take place between two of his siblings Vulturemask would drop everything he had been doing to walk himself out from his den to join the rest who had decided to watch. Silently he would seat himself down beside Shadowpaw to watch with them. His eyes would find the two lilacs who were ready for a harmless spar. A good practise to prepare them for future battles. It would have been fine he figured until Bluepool open that stupid mouth of hers. Don't hold back.

Vulturemask eyes went wide as his pupils turned small. Suddenly this was not a harmless spar to him but his two siblings with claws out ready to harm one another. It was a scene he had seen before, been a part of before. Suddenly he saw himself there in their place alongside his littermate. They had been younger then them, three months old when his mother had taken them out to fight against each other. Don't hold back. She had sneered, and Leech didn't want to disappoint trusting his mother. So he hadn't hold back until a agonized cry had come from his own brother who laid crumbled upon the ground with a paw pressed against their bloody face.

Leech had been teriffied and horrified, staring down at thier paw that was tained with his own littermate blood. Finish it. HIs mother had snarled, wanting more, never satisfied. Not knowing when enough was enough. Leech had refused not wishing to hurt his brother anymore. He had said no and - slap -

Vulturemask flinched and he lifted a paw to place it over his right eye that had this deep digged scars over it caused by another cat he had been suppose to trust. A tight knit knot was forming in his stomach and he felt sick. His paw went down again with claws now digging into the dirt underneath his paws, jawline tightly clenched as he with a stoic expression watched the fight while being plagued on the inside. Oh the pain they where causing him right now tormenting his soul because he could do nothing about this. He had no right to stop it even if his childhood self was pleading him to do so. Still he was motionless, not moving sitting still as he was paralyzed by his own trauma.

// TW for childhood trauma!


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[SNAILSTRIDE]

Blue eyes locked onto the twitch of Tigerfrost's tail and with sagging shoulders, the marbled tabby moved closer. He felt as gray as his own coat, his head and whiskers pressed forwards in their best attempt to show intrigue in the encroaching duel. Even with their mentor's encouragement, it felt... well, Snailpaw didn't quite know how it felt. They neither hated nor loved the sight before them, their emotions felt wrapped in numbness that hadn't quite abated since the events of the previous moon. Time. Enough hadn't passed for the sun to warm them again and for the joys of their clanmate to feel anything more than just superficial. A respectable distance away from the lead warrior, Snailpaw reclined on their haunches, a muted frown upon their exhausted face. Were they supposed to root for someone? Or just watch and see what they could learn from two noticeably younger apprentices? Catching a glint of claws, they swallowed the growing lump in their throat, the promise of blood causing their alabaster paws to begin to knead uncomfortably at the earth.

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