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+--- Thread: Sun Mote Copse The little cloud who wouldn't and the rainbow who couldn't. (/showthread.php?tid=37655)
The little cloud who wouldn't and the rainbow who couldn't. - Towhee - November 21, 2019
More than a week had passed since the wall's downfall, yet Towhee still hadn't come to grips with her new reality. Losing @Phox and @Figment to whatever mysterious fate was so painful that it didn't bear thinking about it. Their family had been torn in half, their pack scattered, and Towhee ached for closure she would never get. She felt shattered, with @Fennec and the Firebirds the glue just barely keeping the pieces together.
There was no use in dwelling and, besides, her conscience would not allow Towhee to sit around and wallow. She threw herself into pack life in the copse, refusing to let her physical ailments hold her back either. Today, she patrolled restlessly, almost spoiling for a fight with a trespasser or something, anything to distract her from her inescapable, unfathomable existence.
RE: The little cloud who wouldn't and the rainbow who couldn't. - Fennec - November 21, 2019
Just like that, they were gone. Of course they were gone, though, right? It was always Fig who went... and Fennec who got left behind. She was too slow, too much of a pain to take care of. The other woman had said as much too, and maybe dad just decided he'd had enough of it. Maybe Fig did too.
Fennec knew there were likely other reasons, and potentially something had happened, but at least this one meant they were okay and chose to go. It was the only justification she could think of; why else would they leave mom? She didn't talk about it... she didn't really talk, honestly.
But she did trail Towhee, almost obsessively. Her mom was her last rock in this, and she felt a burgeoning fear that she'd leave too and then Fennec would really be alone. So while Towhee patrolled, she was followed by a silent tan ghost, pacing carefully between the perceived trees to catch up.
RE: The little cloud who wouldn't and the rainbow who couldn't. - Towhee - November 21, 2019
A diversion presented itself in the form of her daughter. Towhee whirled on a heel to confront the movement she sensed behind her, her muscles coiling beneath her fur, only to relax an instant later. She swallowed thickly and tried to arrange her face into a smile, though there was nothing for it and it didn't really matter anyway. But to make up for it, she swiftly moved toward her daughter, stretching out to press her snout to Fen's temple.
"I'm here," she murmured, perhaps unnecessarily, but there was deeper meaning to her words. Towhee stood there, simply breathing in and out, so glad that her prodigal daughter was here with her. "Feel up to a spar, by any chance?" she asked a few beats later, still feeling the restlessness like an itch beneath her skin.
RE: The little cloud who wouldn't and the rainbow who couldn't. - Fennec - November 22, 2019
Fennec balked a little at the understanding in her mom's voice. Yes, she was scared and needed some sort of comfort in it, but she wasn't comfortable with the idea that Towhee knew she needed it, or actually treated her like a scared kid. Fortunately, the touch and murmer were all there was to it, and she took a second to relish it before Towhee pulled back.
Thank god neither of them were much for talking about their problems, seemed.
Yeah.She was terrible at spars, but even hitting something terribly sounded better than doing nothing right now. Fennec's ears stood forward, and she stilled suddenly, waiting. She wanted to catch any final comments from Towhee, but also to know where the other wolf went so she could avoid. She'd learned that charging in first usually didn't turn out well for her.
RE: The little cloud who wouldn't and the rainbow who couldn't. - Towhee - November 22, 2019
She offered a simple, "Yeah," and Towhee felt herself tensing with anticipation already. She scooted back a few footsteps, flexing her toes against the frosted ground underfoot, and tried to decide how to begin. She could've invited Fen to attack first, though she could see her daughter was waiting for Towhee to initiate. It was probably more imperative than the blind girl learn defense over offense anyway.
"Here I come," Towhee murmured under her breath. Had it been a real fight, she would've taken advantage of Fen's blindness and struck without warning. Perhaps, during a later round, she would do just that. Otherwise, how could Fennec learn and excel? But to start, she didn't want to take Fen totally by surprise.
She paused for two heartbeats before digging in and springing at the smaller, paler she-wolf, lunging for the back of her neck in the hope of latching onto her scruff.
RE: The little cloud who wouldn't and the rainbow who couldn't. - Fennec - November 24, 2019
Towhee announced her intentions with a whisper. Fennec felt a bit of indignation at the advantage, but she didn't have time to dwell on it. She was poised, and her ears flicked to pick up the pattern of towhee's paws.
There was a distinct disadvantage in never knowing where your opponent's head was. If they snarled, that was a clue, but once a fight started she couldn't count on that.
Fennec heard Towhee spring and tried to spin to meet her, but she didn't realize the target was her scruff. It meant that she was snagged, but she had adjusted at least to where she could now try and retaliate by shoving against to off-balance her.
RE: The little cloud who wouldn't and the rainbow who couldn't. - Towhee - November 25, 2019
She felt a fold of flesh and fur between her teeth and applied just enough pressure to lock her jaw without breaking the skin. Towhee did not intend to tighten or worry her grip, though Fen didn't give her time either way, immediately retaliating by trying to throw off her mother's weight. Towhee had the advantage as far as muscle and weight, though she couldn't help but release when Fen twisted so deftly beneath her that it made the muscles in the mercenary's neck creak. She couldn't hear the sound, of course, but she certainly felt the strain.
With a huff, she leaped backward, took a few breaths, then lunged in again. She let out a growl as a warning as she dropped her anterior and snapped her teeth in the direction of Fen's ankles now.
RE: The little cloud who wouldn't and the rainbow who couldn't. - Fennec - December 05, 2019
rolled for a dodge and she managed an 18
Somehow she managed to twist out of reach, and when Towhee came after, she'd regained her footing. The growl made her tense, and almost immediately (reflexively) she dodged sideways, away from her mother's snaps.
Don'tshe huffed hurriedly, but the words died immediately as she realized it was useless. Towhee probably wasn't looking at her face.
If her mom was going easy on her then she had to prove she could stay a step ahead no matter what. Noting how she judged Towhee's size and where she seemed to be after moving, Fennec tried to get around behind in a quick spin and jump, then lunged for where she guessed her scruff would be. It was likely she'd miss, but who knew? Spatially it was as close as she could come.
RE: The little cloud who wouldn't and the rainbow who couldn't. - Towhee - December 09, 2019
The warning went right over Towhee's head as her teeth clicked on empty air. Of course, she never would've bitten Fen, not really, but she was genuinely surprised by her daughter's swiftness. It gave her pause just long enough that the girl slipped into the opening the mercenary gave her, her muzzle smashing into the side of Towhee's neck with surprising force and swiftness.
With a growl of surprise, Towhee flinched and sprung out of reach, all while keeping her face pointed toward Fen. A little breathlessly, she said, "That was good, really good. And I'm not just blowing smoke up your ass." As soon as the compliment was paid, she surged forward a third time, this time remaining deadly silent as she planted her feet and swung her hips, aiming to check Fen's and knock her off her feet.
RE: The little cloud who wouldn't and the rainbow who couldn't. - Fennec - December 12, 2019
Fennec didn't register Towhee's praise until she had paused in her maneuver, because as soon as she felt her mom shift away, Fennec had begun to circle out and listen intently. When she did, she glowed under it. She mistook the lesson for over, though.
You don't have to -Whoomp. Towhee hit her and Fennec immediately fell over. She let out a noise of surprise before she hit the ground and the breath was all knocked out of her. Ah, shit. She'd been doing so well up to then too!
She had to take a moment, but as soon as she was ready, she started listening. If she caught wind of Towhee moving in for a grab, she'd go for her muzzle, or where she guessed her to be heading.
RE: The little cloud who wouldn't and the rainbow who couldn't. - Towhee - December 13, 2019
Fen couldn't see herself, wasn't aware of the look of surprise that stole over her face or the way she flailed as she hit the ground. Never mind that she wasn't hurt and almost instantly recovered or the fact that this was all a mockery of a real fight. Towhee felt a jolt of horror pass through her when she saw Fennec fall. She couldn't stand the sight, nor the idea that she'd hurt the girl, despite having invited this exact scenario. After what they'd both been through lately, the glimpse of shock on Fen's pale features turned the mother's stomach.
"Fen, I—you okay?" She knew she must sound even more garbled than usual as she rushed to press her nose to the side of the youth's neck. "I didn't mean," she began, only to fumble her words entirely. Her eyes closed as she drew in a steadying breath, noting the way her heart was skipping wildly in her chest. When she reopened them, she found she still couldn't speak, though she hoped Fennec would reassure her, maybe even complain about the silly disruption—something, anything, to stop Towhee's feelings of panic.
RE: The little cloud who wouldn't and the rainbow who couldn't. - Fennec - December 13, 2019
Fennec let out a slight groan, but it was in obvious disappointment in her own failure to keep her feet and not because she was hurt.
Yeah. I... yeah.She didn't need to give the excuse that she thought the fight was done. She should have been ready for anything.
You don't have to make noise. You can, but don't do it just for me.She said, catching the tone behind Towhee's words and choosing to ignore it for the sake of her own pride. She obviously didn't see the expression, which made it easier. She didn't realize there was more than simple worry behind the garbled words.
I have to learn either way.No noise made it harder because she had to follow only paw steps, something that took more concentration and gave less warning. She wasn't good at it; she probably never would be. But if she didn't practice she definitely never would be. She couldn't guarantee every attacker would be so courteous as to announce.
RE: The little cloud who wouldn't and the rainbow who couldn't. - Towhee - December 17, 2019
Fennec chastised her and Towhee let out a long, shaky breath as the panic subsided. She wasn't hurt. And she didn't seem to hold the hit against her mother—just the opposite, really. Towhee nodded her head before remembering herself.
"'Course. I won't take it easy on you," she assured, wondering if her voice sounded as trembly as it felt in her throat. "I won't treat you any differently than I would any other opponent," she continued, voice evening, knowing even as she said it that her intentions were true enough. But would she favor Fen, despite herself? "That would only do you a disservice."
But, right now, her legs—her entire being—felt a little too wobbly still for another round. "Hey," Towhee said in the next breath, "I think I need to tap out for today. But I'd love it if you would come patrol with me for a little bit. I'll be the eyes, you be the ears," she joked, smiling thinly.
RE: The little cloud who wouldn't and the rainbow who couldn't. - Fennec - December 20, 2019
She lowered her guard some as Towhee continued speaking, but she still felt slightly skeptical. Next time they sparred she'd have to see if that held true. Towhee meant well, but Fennec had found it was hard to expect wolves to not want to adjust for her.
Okay.Fennec nosed through the fur on her shoulders and side, a quick and likely unsuccessful attempt to put any back in place that might be mussed. Then she stood up and moved to follow Towhee as she began moving.