Wildcat Attack!

[Cornflower MM]

OOC: Alright, no more posting in OOC: for a bit! We need to get on with the RP.

[Jetthebinturong]

OOC: I'm just gonna go straight into the plot, we've wasted far too much time already

It only took about an hour after he fell asleep before David was writhing around in his bed steel on steel, flesh on flesh, blood, shouting, laughter. Dave sat bolt upright, his entire body was drenched in sweat and his head was pounding. The cat punched a wall in frustration and regretted it instantly, that hurt. He climbed out of bed. Forgoing his tunic, he threw his sword belt over his shoulder, making sure that his sword was where it should have been. He crept out of his room and padded through the corridors and down the stairs, crossing the great hall and stepping out into the night. David shivered slightly, it was quite cool compared to inside, he almost regretted not grabbing his tunic, almost.

Dave made his way through the grounds around the abbey until he found the perfect place. There was a large expanse of ground by the pond, it was pleasantly still and calm, not for long. Dave drew his sword. Dave made a few quick slashes at the air, ducked back, made a blocking motion and sprinted forward a few steps, slashing diagonally upward. He closed his eyes, imagining he was back home, the beat of drums in the background, his brother standing in front of him. "All right li'l man, let's do this" said imaginary Bro, stepping forward and slicing horizontally at Dave who did a backward roll and sprang up to meet another swing with his own blade. Dave and the apparition clashed a few more times, stepping, blocking and ducking when the fight demanded.

Dave made a particularly powerful swing, knocking his brother's sword out of his hand, his eyes widened and his brother raised an eyebrow "Nice one kid, unarmed now" Dave stabbed his blade into the ground and immediately swung for his brother's face with a left hook. Imagibro simply chuckled, dodged to the side and sweeped at Dave's legs with one of his own. Dave jumped over his brother's leg and threw a lightning fast punch at fake-Bro's chest which connected solidly and knocked him back a few paces. Dave followed it up by cartwheeling forward, catching the imaginary tom under the chin with one of his feet and sending him staggering back. The older cat grabbed Dave's waist and attempted a flip but Dave punched him in the throat and he released him. Dave leaped back and then jumped up again, driving forward with a powerful kick which knocked the older cat to the floor. Dave had won, Dave never won, Dave wasn't supposed to win. The young cat collapsed on the floor and sobbed into his hands, he had started this by trying to alleviate stress, all he had done was create more.

OOC: The word tom in the final paragraph means male cat, it is not Dave's brother's name

[The Skarzs]

Argunath opened his eyes slowly, letting his vision adjust to the dark; he was sure he had heard something. The moon shone in his eyes as he became silently more aware of his surroundings. There; he heard it again. Standing up, he watched the newly-arrived, Dave, if he remembered correctly. The cat was practicing with his swordplay, it seemed. The cougar came slowly down the steps, observing the strange spectacle. Now Dave was fighting without his sword, having thrust it in the ground. He jumped, punched, and kicked. For some reason this. . . strange, way of practicing upset the young cat, and he began to sob. Argunath limped over to him, and stood silently for a moment. Walking over to the katana stuck in the ground, he pulled it out and tested the blade. "This is a little dull; have you never had a need to sharpen it?"

OOC: Yes, he realizes Dave is mute; that answer doesn't really need an answer.

[Jetthebinturong]

Dave was shocked, he hadn't realized that there was someone else out here. He sat up slowly, he felt more exposed than he ever had before, there was no hood covering his bright red 'demon' eyes and no tunic covering the massive scar than ran diagonally down his torso or that all important scar across his throat. He shook his head at the cougar's question 

[The Skarzs]

Argunath noticed Dave's eyes, and imagined it was a bit like what his own eyes looked like when he was in the so-called 'Bloodwrath'. But scars were nothing new to him; he had seen, given, and received far too many to be surprised any more. He stuck the weapon back in the ground and sat down near him. There was a little while of awkward silence before Argunath broke the ice. "It's difficult to lose someone close to you, isn't it?"

[Jetthebinturong]

Difficult didn't even get halfway to describing how losing someone close felt but Dave nodded anyway, it would be best not to complicate things

[The Skarzs]

"There was once a big cat who had one creature closest to his heart. He knew another cougar by the name of Elmeath. She was like family, yet closer. They traveled together for a few short seasons, but were caught in a battle, and he could not protect her. She was run through by spear, and in his grief he destroyed them, all twenty with his bare paws; they could not hold his rage, and they were torn apart. He came near death, his back ripped open, his leg broken, and his left arm rent like a curtain. But he still managed to bury her; she lies now in a grave in the south, sealed below ground with a rose upon the stone. He wanders around, never resting, and never caring if death takes him." Argunath sat silent, telling his own tale. He told it not only to Dave, but to himself, listening to his life as if it was a story to learn by.

But no; change could not happen. What had happened all those seasons ago had formed him like iron, and, unless broken, it would ever stay the same.

[Jetthebinturong]

Dave hesitantly placed his paw on Argunath's shoulder. Dave knew what it was like to feel responsible for the death of a loved one, he however had actually caused his brother's death, from what he could tell from what the cougar was saying, he just wasn't in the right place at the right time. Nevertheless their situations were similar and he could try and offer some comfort to this cat

[The Skarzs]

Argunath stiffened at Dave's paw, and moved it from his shoulder. It was not that he was ungrateful for the kind act; he just felt like he did not need any comfort. "You probably could use more comfort than me, in truth, for you still weep. But it may be worse that I do not cry, because of what it has done to me: my heart has turned to iron."

[Jetthebinturong]

David shrugged, maybe he did need comfort but he sure as hell didn't want any, his life was already consumed by guilt as it was, he really didn't need reminding of his failures

[The Skarzs]

"Do you still wish to practice?" Argunath stood and drew his falcate.

[Norham Waterpaw]

Willow counted down from ten, and before he hit seven, the weasel was pretty far off.
"Well, Aggril, that does that. What say we keep going?"

[The Skarzs]

"Nah, mate; we gotta wait a little longer for Bryony. She should be back here soon."

[Cornflower MM]

Bryony had been there since Willow had hit "Five." She jumped down, and said, "Bryony's been here, ninnies! Ever since five, actually." She said, the yawned. "Ming waiting while I take a short snooze? Unlike you two sleeping beauties, I've been up for.....I don't know how long." She said, then plopped down to the ground, and started sleeping. She slept for ten minutes, then woke up. "Alright, I've had a few winks. Let's get going - The mountain's not getting any closer."

OOC:Jet, nice job! That post just about moved me to tears - Scratch that - It did.. *Goes and gets tissue* Okay, better now. Skarzs, also a nice job....But, I've got to admit, it didn't move to tears like Jet's did. Well, now that the two's back stories are a little more clear. Now, it's gonna be morning. Like, right NOW.

[The Skarzs]

OOC: Right. BTW, it wasn't supposed to be moving, as he was only telling himself what his life had become.