pafp OH SO JEALOUS — spar

❪ TAGS ❫ — // retro to the skyclan battle

A notorious critic of anyone born outside of WindClan, Snakepaw cannot help the icy stare he gives @FOXPAW ! from across camp. Apparently he was Houndthistle's son or something of the sort anyway, and had been granted sanctuary likely for his ties to the burly warrior. Sootstar letting in yet another outsider came as no surprise to Snakepaw, but he was not any less miffed about the decision. Only fueled by the judgmental comments and sentiments of his parents, Snakepaw had found a rival in Foxpaw even if they had yet to officially interact.

Just as Foxpaw comes strolling near Snakepaw, the dark-furred apprentice snorts, "Don't think you're so special just because Sootstar allowed you to stay. If Houndthistle hadn't been there to save you, you would have been turned into crowfood." He sure does love to run his mouth and say whatever he pleased, rarely anticipating that any consequence would come from it.
 
( tags ) One of the first things Foxpaw has come to learn about this place was that the clan cats had a lot of suspicions about outsiders, which was fair enough to him, he knew well enough firsthand that putting trust in anycat that wasn't yourself was just asking for trouble. So, he didn't think too much about whatever assumptions the Windclan cats (correction: his fellow Windclan cats) held about him. He figured that eventually, they'd either realize that he was trustworthy enough to stop bristling over or that, well, they'd have to go to their graves mad about a particular outsider crashing their clan. However, the cats that had begun to irritate him to no end, were the snooty, gossipy types that seemed to think of everyone in camp as their own personal show to commentate on.

Chief among them was the hotshot apprentice that had been there when he first stepped foot onto the moorlands, Snakepaw. Seemed like it was every day that he heard the dark-furred tom's sneering voice yammering on about some piece of nasty gossip or complaining about someone else. Foxpaw wondered how he'd managed to never get his ears boxed for being so damn annoying yet. Fox thought himself a patient cat, and certainly, he had more patience than any average 8-month-old tomcat because so far, he'd managed to ignore most of the other's jeering antics. But no one could be so even-tempered all the time. Blame it on the high-shining greenleaf sun for making his blood run hot this particular afternoon, because Snakepaw's snide remarks sparked a flame in his chest that he couldn't brush off so easily today.

"...You do a lot of talkin', you know that?" he said lowly, relenting his self-control to turn to face Snakepaw. He remained as straight-faced as ever, but grey eyes flashed with something sharp and fiery as he sized up the other youth for the first time. Back then, could he have taken that entire patrol single-pawed if Houndthistle hadn't been there? Maybe not... But did he think he could square off with the narrow-shouldered loudmouth standing before him now? Easily.

"Doubt you could turn anyone into crowfood even if ya wanted to," the white and golden tom scoffed and aimed a paw to prod the white-spotted chest of his newly chosen rival. "Ya wanna try putting your fangs where your mouth is, hotshot? Or r'you all bark?" Foxpaw stepped a few paces back, tabby tail flicking. Foxpaw arched a brow at Snakepaw with an expression that said Well?, an invitation to make the first move if he really wasn't too chickenshit to back out of a spar.

It'd been too long since he'd been in a good rumble, he was looking forward to this.

"SPEECH"

 
Genuinely, Bluepaw cannot dispute much of what Snakepaw says about others, as she holds similar or the same beliefs. The small she-cat is still miffed about his remarks about her kin, however, and the grudge she bears has not been satisfied. She looks to Foxpaw, the target of Snakepaw's bitterness today, and is surprised when the former loner squares up. "Wanna try putting your fangs where your mouth is?" The blue-eyed tom asks, paw raised and smacking into Snakepaw's chest.

Bluepaw's eyes narrow, glittering with interest. She sits a safe distance away from the two bickering apprentices, plush tail neatly curling about white and gray paws. "May the best WindClanner win," she says, her voice cool and prim, but full of mockery. If Snakepaw manages to lose to Foxpaw, what does that really say about him, after all?


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  • bluekit . bluepaw
    — she/her, apprentice of windclan
    — bisexual ; single
    — long-haired blue she-cat with white and green eyes
    — "speech", thoughts, attack
    — penned by Marquette
    — art by Meg
 
————— ☀ —————
YOU ARE THE DAYLIGHT

Sunflowerpaw has learned, with the moons, to put most of Snakepaw's jeering barbs out of mind, regardless of who they may be directed towards. They're not fond of the tom, too familiar it's like to be on the receiving end of his forked tongue. They don't pay much mind to his taunting words to Foxpaw — an easy target, outsider that he is — until Foxpaw challenges him.

That's interesting. And deserved, most definitely. Calling him on his bluff, finally answering the question of whether the sneering tom is all talk. They'd like to take him on themself, but for now they watch. Settle themself a good distance away, keen eyes focused and tail flicking idly.

Foxpaw's an interesting one. Outsider, loner. They were born the same way, got in on the same shaky good graces — a family member in the clan pleading for their stay. The thought of it hurts, now, in a way it never did before Vulturemask's death. They try not to dwell. The difference between them and Foxpaw, of course, is that Sunflowerpaw was brought to WindClan as a kit. It's all they've ever known. So they're not quite sure what to make of the young tom, whether to empathize or to distrust. Still, they can't help but support him in standing up to Snakepaw.

"May the best WindClanner win," says Bluepaw. Sunflowerpaw hums a soft agreement, far more genuine than Bluepaw's words, surveying the two opponents with a genuine curiosity.
YOU ARE THE NIGHT
————— ☀ —————


  • //
  • SUNFLOWERPAW named by their half-brother vulturemask after his friend and mentor.
    — they/them, 7 moons.
    — windclan apprentice, mentored by wolfsong.
    — reserved yet loyal, distrusts most. rarely speaks.

    primary character, high activity. penned by saturnid.​
  • "SPEECH"
  • 64267309_IEuvGOmxnhCCLcz.png
 
── .∘°°∘. ── He remembers Foxpaw's arrival, and the oddity of his accent that had reminded him so greatly of Houndthistle— no mere coincidence, as he discovered soon after. He does not know the warrior's son especially well, which is not a fault in Wolfsong's mind. He knows Snakepaw only for his unthinking tongue and snide side-eyes, which have not endeared him to most of those Wolfsong knows.

And it seems he has found yet another clanmate from whose good graces to fall.

Coming to stand beside Sunflowerpaw, he greets them with a gentle smile, which sharpens when he turns his stare onto the other pair of apprentices. Bluepaw is similarly interested, though he wonders whether she has a preferred winner. She seems to share some of her mother's opinions regarding cats like Foxpaw. "Yes, why don't you prove your mettle, Snakepaw? I'm not convinced there are teeth in your mouth with so much flapping of your gums."
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WOLFSONG of WINDCLAN FORMER ROGUE TURNED MEDICINE CAT. 36 MOONS, HE/HIM, NPC X NPC. MATES WITH SUNSTRIDE (07/05/2023). BIOGRAPHY, PINTEREST, & PLAYLIST.
  • ★★★☆☆ WOUNDS: You're (mostly) in safe paws. You'll know if he's less experienced if he asks for your permission to try a treatment. No wound can scare him away from knowledge. — ★★★☆☆ INFECTION: He can prevent most infections. If you feel feverish, let him know— he'll hum thoughtfully over herbs and sniff your wound before saying, "With your blessing..."
  • ★☆☆☆☆ ACHES & PAINS: If you complain to him of pain, he'll ask where. If it's a headache, you'll likely feel a bit better. For anything else, "Try this, if you'd like, and tell me how you feel." — ★☆☆☆☆ BROKEN BONES: At best. he can ask you to remain lying down in the den. He may try to distract you with conversation while he considers what herb to feed you.
  • ★★★★★ TRAVELING HERBS: Going somewhere? No worries; Wolfsong knows just what you need to stay hale and healthy during your journey. The rest is up to you. — ☆☆☆☆☆ KITTING: He doesn't remember what it was like to be born. Coincidentally, that is the extent of his familiarity with kitting. At least he won't leave you without moral support.
  • ★☆☆☆☆ POISONS: It's best if you avoid eating anything unfamiliar to you— it's probably just as unfamiliar to Wolfsong. The best he can do is offer you yarrow and sit with you. — ★★☆☆☆ ILLNESS: If it's white or greencough, you'll likely recover. Otherwise, prepare for odd concoctions and the usual request that you consent to a little trial-and-error.
 
The cocky apprentice thrives off of getting a reaction out of his victims, even if it means wringing it from them. The other tom standing before him seems adamant on standing his ground, though, even so much as pushing a paw off his chest. It's not the most offensive gesture, yet it's enough for a warning hiss escapes Snakepaw's maw with the fury of a rattler. How dare he touch him, how dare he put his filthy outsider paw on him — who knew where it had been!

Other cats — fellow apprentices, in particular — seemed to have caught on to the brewing showdown between Snakepaw and Foxpaw. Sunflowerpaw is situated somewhere in the background, offering no words as per usual, though looking on with keen interest. Bluepaw is the one who adds fuel to the fire, making a cool statement — simple yet motivational enough for the midnight-colored tom to want to win.

Sootstar's newest questionable decision — the rogue-turned-healer — offers his input as always, ever eager to witness his humbling firsthand. An icy quip is sent through the air through bared teeth accompanied by a slitted glare, "You're one to talk." Wolfsong couldn't possibly have the gall to criticize Snakepaw for running his mouth when all he did was nag him! At that rate, Wolfsong flapped his jaws just as much as he did. His claws flexed into the ground, wishing to sink them into the medicine cat's good eye. For now, taking his frustrations out on Foxpaw would have to do. It was... the more acceptable option, after all.

With a sneer, Snakepaw turns back to Foxpaw, "We'll see who's the best." Sparring matches breaking out right in the midst of camp wasn't uncommon. A WindClanner could manage a fight anywhere at any time, designated training area or not.

Giving too little of a damn to properly warn Foxpaw that the spar was commencing, Snakepaw broke into a sprint and circled his opponent before attempting to propel himself right into his side.
 
The details as to why Cottonpaw is nearby are irrelevant, especially as the event starts shortly before she can get fully situated. The grey and white furred she-cat has half the mind as she approaches to say something - maybe she can sound as cool as Bluepaw! - however whatever usually crawls up Snakepaw's behind must be working overtime today as the tom is trying to make quick work of the new apprentice.

She couldn't care less of Foxpaw; outsiders are still scrutinized by her and she's not bringing her nest close to his anytime soon, but he's accepted by her mother, and frankly that's all Cottonpaw needs more often than not. The spar starts, perhaps finally given how much context Cottonpaw misses by being late to the event, and she slips in beside Sunflowerpaw. She's not spoken to her friend in a good while and feels guilty about it - but she also thinks trying to catch up now, at a impromptu spar, is not the best option.

"Good luck, Snakepaw!" Cottonpaw calls, filling the air with something positive before it all goes south. She can almist imagine Foxpaw brute forcing the black furred tom down and out of the fight.
 
Milkpaw would be returning to duties, allowed to sleep in the apprentices den again. He was indeed impressed with himself, but definitely a bit defeated as well. Two moons of having to listen to kits meow and scream all day almost made him look forward to returning.

Until he remembered what he was returning back to. More Snakepaw jeers, and his mentor. She hadn't done terrible as far as he was aware today. Though he was definitely more behind than he wished. He would have to train twice as hard, and he'd probably leave camp to do that much later.

But he grew distracted as usual, cold blue eyes watching from afar as SnakePaw and another apprentice sparred. He watched his movements. Not to learn, but to attempt to find a pattern. If he could figure out what to expect from him... He could get revenge. The scar on his chin was a screaming reminder of his loss.

Snakepaw was definitely biting more than he could chew. But maybe he used that as a tactic. To try to weaken their emotional shell- but he didn't know for sure. He would be cheering for Foxpaw though. If he actually felt like cheering.