Death from Above [p]

[Deleted]

Dogfang

Rosepaw was making a valiant effort to explore the territory on her own. Mossfur had never shown up and like Hell was she going to stay cramped in the camp! Thankfully, being an apprentice, she wasn't confined in the camp. Granted, it was supposed to be inadvisable to explore on their own, especially before being shown around...

But Rosepaw was cranky and felt trapped in the camp. She was impatient and braved the unknown forests on her own. As she poking around, weaving between trees, trying not to trip, suddenly a sharp pain shot into her head. She winced and rubbed her head. "What the Hell?"

Then came another. Angry now, she whipped to see who it was. As if on cue, another projectile hit her in the eye. "Ow!" She quickly turned away to shield her eyes and rubbed at her eye. She looked at the ground... Acorns! Some asshat was throwing acorns at her! Her temper flaring up angrily, her gaze shot to the offender.

"What the hell?!" She shouted up the tree that the acorn sniper was perched in.

[Dogfang]

Dog had always drawn comfort from the tall tree Beechstar had first found him in. It had been the beginning of his life in Treeclan, and it was nice to remember he had been someone before he became clan. Add to that the fact that it was the tree he had taught Screechsong to climb in, and also shared his past with, made it a rather special place. Also acorns. Within the large tree there grew a multitude of acorns, which brought back many memories, and many opportunities. Like this one....A young apprentice apparently, walking by near his resting place. With a chuckle Dog hooked an acorn on his claw then lobbed it, then another and another. Each successful hit and the accompanying swearing made him chuckle with quiet amusement. The she-cat was certainly fiery. The large Tom got to his paws and leered down at Rosepaw. "Are those the only words you know? The queens truly did a terrible job of educating you, didn't they?" He called down, smirking all the while ### words written for name while listening to song Notes? Blah

[Deleted]

Rosepaw grit her teeth. "I'll have you know my vocabulary is perfectly fine! With no help from the queens!" She shouted up the tree. That look on his face irritated her. More than Pondkit or Fawnpaw ever had. Her fur bristled. Did this guy think he could get away with throwing acorns at people?!

With her fur standing on end she started shouting again. "Come down here so I can kick your ass!" Of course, she knew she probably couldn't actually beat a warrior who was much older and bigger than her, along with the fact that she lacked training. But in the heat of the moment, making threats made her feel better. Of course, it was even more empty since she wasn't sure if he'd even come down from the tree. She didn't know how to climb trees, so it'd be a problem if she wanted to get up there to at least try to carry out her threat.

[Dogfang]

"Yes, I could have guessed as much." Dog replied. "You clearly missed the lesson on respecting your elders." He crossed his paws and made a show of settling down comfortably on his branch. Only once he had wiggled himself into a good area did he look down at the apprentice again. If nothing else, the fire in her was entertaining. Her boldness reminded him of Screechsong; there weren't many who would openly challenge him these days. Though, it was more likely because she had no idea who he was. He'd been away from Treeeclan for quite a time. Surprisingly, he'd missed the company. Not that he'd ever admit it. The brown pointed Tom rested his chin on the branch and pouted mockingly. "This is how a great apprentice of Treeclan talks? Warriors of the treetops....Assassins from above." He chuckled darkly. "Oh no. I'll give you a fight, but you'll prove yourself first. Get up here. If you can." ### words written for name while listening to song Notes? Blah

[Deleted]

Dogfang's further remarks only served to fuel the flames of Rosepaw's furious temper. Her fur was standing on end as she shook in rage. Seeing Dogfang relax in his perch, and chuckling at her certainly didn't help either. Who the heck goes around throwing acorns at people and then taunting them?!

In Rosepaw's opinion, you should only give respect to those who earn it. Thus far, Dogfang was doing a horrendous job. A brick wall would have better luck trying to garner respect from her. Then he was practically inviting her to come up the tree to get at him. There was just the problem of Rosepaw not having had any training yet. Thus, she had no idea how to climb a tree.

Though, it seemed like any reasoning to not climb the tree was lost in the fires of her temper. "You just wait 'till I figure this tree climbing thing out!" She shouted up the tree as she stomped towards the tree. Given that is was nothing like a staircase, her claws slid out as she tried to begin to scale the tree. She was able to cling to the tree, but couldn't manage to gain any height.

Frustrated, she leapt back down, barely having gotten anywhere. Alright. So she wouldn't be able to figure this out by trying to storm up the tree. She squinted at the tree bark. Getting a closer look, she saw that the bark wasn't smooth. Hm... She'd have to be more calculated where she put her claws. Armed with this new information, she tried again to scale the tree.

This time with success. It was slow going at first, but it was clear she was learning. Slowly, but surely, she was getting up the tree and half-unintentionally gaining a valuable skill in the process.

[Dogfang]

He'd figured as much from her demands; the young apprentice didn't know how to climb. Honestly it was a surprise, he'd once thought Treeclan kits were born knowing how to scale the large trees of their territory. Nevertheless, she didn't know how to do it. Yet she wasn't giving up, and as he watched her first attempts, Dog could already see the small progress she was making. The fact that she was learning by herself pleased him. Actually, he gave himself credit for that. Without him she likely wouldn't have tried. That fact made him slightly more interested in her plight. But only slightly. The large warrior remained where he was, but lifted his head to keep an eye on Rosepaw in case she fell. He doubted he could get down the tree fast enough to catch her if it happened, but at leas he was kind of watching. His topaz gaze narrowed as he examined her technique critically. "Don't climb like a squirrel, climb like a bear," he called down. "Swing your hind legs up together and use them to push yourself up. Your front paws should be used for balance and grip." It wasn't the traditional way to climb. In fact, it was a bear way to climb, as he'd said. In his travels Dog had learned many interesting ways to do many simple things, and so his style was very different to that of other cats. Yet, he had found his -a bear's- climbing style to be more secure and just as fast. Besides, Rosepaw had interested him enough that he didn't mind imparting a small part of his knowledge. He scaled the tree a little higher suddenly, searching for a place with more acorns. When he finally found a space with plenty, he sat again on a branch and picked one. With careful aim he dropped it down the tree trunk towards Rosepaw, then another and another. "Climb kitty, climb!" He cackled.

[Deleted]

Rosepaw was slowly working her way up, when suddenly Dogfang started speaking. She squinted her eyes at him, giving him a look that said 'Are you serious?! Is this really the best time?!' But then he actually gave some... Advice? She wasn't sure what a bear was, but it apparently climbed trees. Apparently he wanted her to use her hindlegs to push herself up the tree. When she thought about it, it kinda made sense. 

She gave it a little test, instead of reaching with a forepaw first, she tried gaining some elevation with her hindlegs. As soon as got a clawhold, she pushed herself upwards, only then adjusting her forepaws. Huh. So it wasn't bad advice at all. She was still going to climb the tree to kick his butt, though.

She suddenly stopped when Dogfang moved to a higher branch. She grit her teeth, her green eyes burning with rage and determination. She wasn't spurred into going faster than she could. This was her first tree-climbing experience and she wasn't stupid enough to sacrifice security for speed. She might make a mistake and fall, and she didn't want to kick his butt quiiiite that badly.

Then another acorn hit her, on the nose. She flinched, but managed to resist the urge to rub at the area. She looked up in anger in time for another acorn to hit her in the eye. Again. "Just you wait 'till I get up there you acorn-flinging lunatic mud colored-!" The swearing and insults went on for quite a while as Rosepaw continued to scale the tree, albeit using Dogfang's advised 'bear-like' method.

[Dogfang]

He had half expected Rosepaw to simply ignore his advice; she'd seemed that proud sort. It wouldn't have made her a very good warrior though, if she couldn't take help from others, even rude, terrible others like himself. But she tried his method and began making slightly faster progress. "There you go. Once you're comfortable off the ground you'll be able to develop your own style," he called down, then tossed another acorn. "You'll find that no one else in Treeclan but myself climb like this." Dog kept up the steady onslaught of acorns, always aiming carefully for Rosepaw's head or shoulders. "Less talking, more climbing," he replied to her swearing. While it was entertaining, it was likely not helping her progress. "You think this is annoying? Just wait until they're enemy warriors leaping down at you. I guarantee they hurt a lot more than acorns. Dodge them." He was content not to move any higher in the tree. Rosepaw was close to him now and he was getting bored of waiting, so he would stay where he was. At least he was getting an interesting opportunity to train someone, even unofficially. It reminded him of Screechsong's training.

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Huh. So apparently climbing like this bear creature was Dogfang's personal style. Interesting. Rosepaw find a smidge of respect for the rude warrior, but she was still rather angry. However, it was quite a feat that something had pierced the inferno that was her temper.

She was getting close to Dogfang's position at this point, though. The acorns still weren't helping. She grit her teeth as she continued to scale the tree. Begrudgingly, she accepted Dogfang's words again. She held her tongue and let her angry, irritated expression do the talking for here. Granted, she wasn't very fast, so she was largely trying to shift the way she was hanging off of the tree. She was able to move her head and such, without messing too much with where she was putting her claws. Further, she was beginning to move a little side to side, to expend as little energy as she could, try to adjust her path to dodge the acorns. Admittedly, she was being hit somewhat less. It was still really annoying.

But seriously, why would she be fighting an enemy in a tree?! Wasn't tree climbing a Treeclan thing?!

Finally, she reached the branch Dogfang was on. The branch was firm and was already supporting Dogfang's weight from where he was sitting towards the middle of the branch. She moved until she was standing firmly on the base of the tree, digging her claws in so she wouldn't slip off. She narrowed her eyes at him as her fur bristled.

[Dogfang]

As Rosepaw became more confident and began dodging more of the acorns, Dog allowed the number to dwindle. He'd been trying to prove a point, and it seemed that it had finally sunk in. Dog knew he was harsh, but he believed lessons could be learned anywhere, and would try to teach them whenever he had the opportunity. It helped that teaching such things were often very entertaining for him. When Rosepaw reached him Dogfang sat calmly and watched. He was more than prepared for Rosepaw to attack him as she'd promised. He guessed she had a fiery spirit, but perhaps the climb had cooled her off a little; given her time to think. Still, he faced her anger and smirked. "Going to attack me, apprentice? Or maybe....are you going to admit that maybe you've learned something?" His head tilted slowly. Dog's nose twitched with curiosity, wondering if Rosepaw would be able to surprise him once again. "Attack me if you want; we can have a lesson in treetop combat." The brown tom lifted his head to glance up to the top of the tree. It wasn't far. "Or you can race me to the top."

[Deleted]

Rosepaw had wondered as she was climbing up if Dogfang was running out of acorns or if he was deliberately throwing less. Now that she was up here, she could see there were still plenty of acorns. Still somewhat irritated, she wondered why trees needed to produce so many acorns. 

Her ears flattened. Honestly, she had cooled off a little. She was still mad, but the rage had subsided. It was enough for her rational thought to remind her that attacking clanmates was of bad taste. Besides, she reluctantly admitted that in a really indirect, really stupid way, that he'd kind of sort of taught her tree climbing. The fact barely held up, considering mostly he'd been throwing acorns at her and shouting down the tree. 

She huffed. Just because she could technically climb a tree, didn't mean she was comfortable enough to try and fight someone in the treetops. She didn't even know how to fight on the ground, where most cats would fight. Hmph. She'd save that for a later date... Probably. "I'm not stupid. Yeah. I learned something." She admitted, her voice showing no shame or reluctance to admit that her encounter had served use.

Then Dogfang presented another option, race to the top. Thankfully, they were not in the type of tree that became dangerously insecure at the top. Though, she was slightly hesitant to race a much older warrior. "I take the third option." She declared. "Figure out how to get down without breaking my bones." 

[Dogfang]

Even as he stared at Rosepaw blanky, Dog was watching the smaller cat carefully for any signs of unbalance or discomfort. It wouldn't do for her to have climbed up and done so well only to fall to her death. And after she'd proved her intelligence by not attacking after all. No, he wouldn't like that. "Good," he grunted, secretly pleased by the blandness of Rosepaw's tone. She was the kind of individual he would have liked to teach on a regular day. "You've got a basis now anyways. You'll need to experiment to find out what works best for your skills and body type though." His large size meant he couldn't spread himself up as he climbed like most Treeclan cats, which was why he hared up quickly using his legs together. Dog snorted, but didn't argue with Rosepaw. If she were his apprentice he would have forced her to choose again, but she wasn't and he didn't care all that much. The tom still glanced skyward again though, almost reluctantly. He'd been hoping to catch the view from the top of his tree. No matter, he could come back later. "You could always try jumping. See if that works for you," he suggested, switching his gaze back down to the earth. Deciding to take the lead for safety's sake, Dog began to lead the way down, again using his own method. "Come on." He leaped from branch to branch, always pausing until the shaking subsided and it bore his weight steadily. When he neared the ground and the branches became too thin, he simply began sliding and hopping down the trunk with his claws out. This was something he was less graceful at, but he was bulkier than most and had never received proper training in the trees. He only had what he'd taught himself.

[Deleted]

Rosepaw was somewhat unsettled by the blank stare. Her ears folded back. "What are you staring at me like that for?!" She shouted, slight nervousness edging her tone. Seriously, it was kind of creepy! You didn't need to stare at someone like that to get a good look at them! Jeez!

Though, apparently Dogfang approved of her admission. Though, it was a bit hard to tell through the grunting. Then he talked about how she now had a basis for tree climbing. She'd need to figure out what works best for her, on her own time likely... Judging by Mossfur's absence thus far. She wasn't bothered by the idea of having to practice, not to only become comfortable off the ground, but to develop her own style that would work for her. Dogfang was considerably bigger than her, though she'd seen warriors around, so she was pretty sure he was big in general. She was... Well, not. Briefly, she wondered if his weight made moving side to side on a tree difficult.

Then he snorted at her decision. Her ears folded back again. Sounded like he didn't approve, but he wasn't her mentor. He was Fawnpaw's mentor. Though, the thought of Fawnpaw trying to climb a tree while Dogfang threw an onslaught of acorns at her certainly was entertainment. Though, she showed no outward signs of her amusement. She was about to open her mouth to protest jumping off the tree, when he looked downward.

She closed her mouth and watched as Dogfang leapt to a lower branch, calling for her to follow. She did her best to follow, leaping between the branches, occasionally stumbling a bit here and there. But ultimately, she was able to remain secure. Though, she did move slower than him, due to concern of falling. Then Dogfang stopped, and Rosepaw gazed at the lower branches hesitantly. These branches would snap under her weight, likely... Then Dogfang jumped back onto the tree's trunk and dropped back onto the ground. Rosepaw pursed her lips and jumped onto the trunk. She was a little warier of the distance to the ground due to her smaller size. Instead, she shuffled down a bit down the trunk, until finally she dropped to the ground as well. When she landed on the ground, she stumbled a bit, but managed to keep herself from falling.  

[Dogfang]

He had to admit, he kind of enjoyed the nerves in Rosepaw's voice. Besides, it's not like he'd ever tell her he was just looking out for her. "Calculating how long it would take to break your neck," he replied cheerfully, a blatant smile on his face. When he was back on the ground, Dogfang watched Rosepaw's descent carefully. He was still technically her senior so if she injured herself on his watch he'd be facing a lecture. It was the last thing he wanted. Eventually Rosepaw landed safely and Dog snorted, though he was quietly satisfied. For her first attempt it was well enough. "Who is your mentor?" He demanded gruffly. ### words written for name while listening to song Notes? Blah

[Deleted]

Rosepaw's fur had bristled indignantly as Dogfang casually replied. She would rather if he wasn't thinking about such things like if she's going to die! The cheerful expression on his face hadn't been reassuring either.

Though, she noticed that Dogfang seemed to be watching her as she had descended from the tree. Annoyingly enough, he snorted upon her paws touching the ground. She flattened her ears. Then he asked a question.

"... Forestfox." She replied.