Open Territory 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐄 ── .✦ defensive training

[DUSKPOOL]

DUSKPOOL​

Since Rosebelly's death, Duskpool ought to suspect it was time to skim over some defensive moves to at least give the folk a better chance if it came down to a fight. He ain't all good at these types of things, at least, that was what he thought. His gruff words and deadpan rumble ain't one for havin' conversations, but times like these? Duskpool ain't one to ignore the thought of savin' a life if they had somethin' in their skillset to help 'em, even if it was somethin' small. Better than havin' nothin' and goin' in blind.

A rumbled sigh rattled the old man's chest, wooly plumage sweepin' the ground in a lazy arc as he peered at the lot surroundin' him. "Today I'll be teachin' the lot of ya about defensive fightin', whether or not yer confident, consider this a refresher." His molten iris swept across the group of 'em, hard brow raised.

"Now, reckon some of ya are hotheaded buggers and wanna attack first, but that there is yer first mistake if ya aren't ready to deal with the punches that come afterward." His timbre a low, guttural drawl. "Defensive fightin' ain't how quick ya get yer attacker on the ground, but drawin' it out till yer opponent's impatient and tired." His size was an advantage, unlike most folk, usin' it as an intimidation method and bein' able to draw out fights till the other was quiverin' in exhaustion. "Ya gotta be sharp when fightin' defense. Better get good at notin' the small things. Pinpoint their weaknesses, every twitch of muscle, favoritism, anythin' that'll give ya the higher ground."

His heavy limbs shifted, scarred helm tiltin' in Flowercloud's direction. "Why don't ya come help me?" His brow raised in inquiry, timbre neutral, rattlin' like thunder. "Reckon we'll start with the slip n' hook." He mused lowly, shiftin' his frame to create a tail length of distance from Flowercloud. It was a simple enough move, slippin' just under the arc of a blow and just as the opponent overextends? Duskpool would swing his weight usin' his paw to hook into the ribs or jaw, stunnin' the attacker, if only for a moment, givin' the other enough time to shift or deliver another blow.

we're only haunted by the things we refuse to accept

ooc

information

main ref

• @Hawkstar @Fujimoto and asking @flowercloud to help him demostrate each move! this takes place post-rosebelly death!
• 

  DUSKPOOL he/him a storm carved in flesh and smoke, duskpool towers with the bulk of a maine coon and norwegin forest cat. his wooly black pelt bristles with ghost-stripes and scars—old wounds etched like lightning through dusk. one copper eye burns like molten steel and the other a mangled ruin of war. every step is heavy, thunderous—war-born, death-burdened, and unflinchingly alive.
  
  ᯓ★ senior warrior of skyclan (sun guard during coffeestar's reign)
  ᯓ★ brother to outlawbite & thistlestrike, half-brother to flowercloud
  ᯓ★ eighty-two moons; ages on the 1st of every month
  ᯓ★ speech thought action
  ᯓ★ peaceful/healing powerplay permitted
• ​

 

[Fujimoto]

┍

Fighting had been a skill even Flowercloud struggled to get right when Fujimoto first discovered SkyClan. His excelled skill in hunting had carried him a long ways from shadowing the warrior and contributing to the Clan. He had a wealth of knowledge in different types of prey and the different crouches and tact needed to catch them. It wasn't just birds that found way into Fujimoto's paws, as he could recall the times he returned to the gorge with lizards and chipmunks with pride.

The pine trees had plenty to offer as well, and the sparse coverage felt no different than the canyon at times. But he had never caught himself in a fight as a daylight warrior, and neither in this new forest. He was lucky the kittypets he met were kind as well as the interactions with other Clans and loners. Rosebelly had not been so lucky... And he could fight.

"Tr-Try not to talk, uh, so fast D-Duskpool. Down- @Downypaw needs to-to, um... be able to keep-keep up." The Sun Guard spoke to the older tom with a small tip of his head in respect. He still spoke to a former Sun Guard, after all, and a man twice his senior.

He looked to his apprentice with an encouraging smile. "W-wuh-watch carefully, you can tr-try some moves on me, too."

‎┙

 

[cygnetscratch]

This feels... too little, too late. Cygnetscratch cannot blame Duskpool nor Flowercloud - for they lost kin, too. But could they not have been wary before this happened? Could StarClan have not gifted them foresight and tangible fear? Maybe then Rosebelly would still be with them - still mud-nosed and cocky, but alive. She would take him with all of his worst qualities amplified if it meant having her brother back. The young warrior almost taps out of this training session entirely if not for the presence of @Teaselfeather by her side.

"Be my partner?" she asks her sibling, her voice quiet and distant. There's a paranoid part of her that wonders which of them will be next. It had been their father, then their sister, then their brother. If the cycle repeats, it'd be Flowercloud that finds the stars next; if it falters and stammers, it could be either herself or Teaselfeather. And she supposes it's better late than never to strive towards survival. She knocks her hip into their side before returning her attention to their uncle and mother, waiting for the demonstration.

 

[flowercloud]

There was absolutely nothing stopping Flowercloud from turning her shoulder as Duskpool called her forth to demonstrate. Her jaw tensed slightly, green eyes watching as he spoke, and positioned herself. But petty squabbles aside, this was for her clan. This is for the youth of their clan, to learn moves and perfect their strategy to defend themselves. Something Rosebelly should have been able to do. The thought dries her mouth, making her unclench it to run her tongue along teeth.

She sees the cats gathered- looking, waiting, watching her weary form. On but a few hours of sleep, she wouldn't recommend most even battling in conditions of hers- but when has Flowercloud ever not shown to be a workaholic? To be shown as hateful as this? An uneven breath escapes her- her head lifting as she pushed unkempt fur forward, gaze traveling to Teaselfeather and Cygnetscratch with a glance of affection, of care as she noticed them.

At least they were shown what little emotion she had to give, before pressing to the front of the crowd and in front of her brother. Taller, wider- than even her. Her pupils slit as he lunges, his arm heading towards her jaw- she spots it, leaning down in a quick motion, pivoting on her good unmarred leg just as paws slide over her ears. Then it's her turn. In a fluid motion, she pushes her body up, her teeth gritting as front arms wrap around duskpools extended arm- before wrapping her other around his shoulder. With her hind legs grounded, she drives her shoulder into his chest. A sharp, precise shove- using momentum of the pivoting and movement to drive weight into the bigger opponent.

Her head turns, green gaze watching the others. "Even if the opponents bigger, even if you think an injury may hold you back- there's opportunity in using the most of the weight you can gain in just movement alone." She says, voice carrying itself.

flowercloud - 35 moons - skyclan warrior - mentoring none