Quote:
Originally Posted by meraki
This would not be easy, Maple knew that for certain. Hannibal was most likely a skilled fighter, if he was giving her the first move. Although this would most definitely be hard, as he would have an easier time getting ready for whatever blow she made. He was prepared. She, not as much. Although Maple tried her best not to let her uncertainty get in the way of their sparring, and she ignored his nearly threatening words. Maple knew of her skills, and she knew he wouldn't beat her that easily. She most definitely did not have to worry about him ending her life, although she took care to note that. It was never good to be too arrogant, and keeping an open mind was key. If you go into battle thinking that there would be no way that you'd loose, you could be caught by surprise or off guard. And any sort of hesitation could cost you your life.
Maple's eyes narrowed, and her claws unsheathed. Their sparring would most clearly be different than that of the clans, but that wasn't a bad thing in her eyes. Tail moving back and forth behind her, Maple charged towards her opponent, watching closely as to how he'd react to her first attack. Maple lunged forwards with her claws outstretched and aimed a blow towards his face. She knew that any amount of blood by ones' eyes' could either momentarily stun them, or temporarily blind them, giving her the advantage.
Unless of course they dodged or she missed or they simply didn't care. But she shook away any doubts because doubting yourself could be just as bad as being arrogant. You surprise yourself, and that gives your opponent an advantage; which was something you clearly don't want to do. Finding higher ground was helpful too, as being higher than the other gives you the advantage. Maple had plenty of scenarios planned out once more, but of course they'd be tricky to go through with, with someone as unpredictable as Hannibal.
Maple had surprising speed as an advantage, though she knew that Hannibal would have his larger size to his advantage. Though he wasn't exactly a very large cat, Maple was only 10 moons. He also had experience and years of training, and Maple began to second guess her actions.
Maple, stop.
Don't second guess.
You're not the best.
Maple, watch carefully! |
In the moments before the spar, after he had told her to make the first move, his eyes watched her face carefully, to see what she would do with this information, whether she would hesitate, whether she would grow excited, whether she was indifferent. It was a bit muddled, but he could pick out the slightest hint of uncertainty, however it was to be expected. When a cat was given the honor of the first move in a fight, it was like giving them a double-edged sword. They could over think it and completely waste the opportunity of getting ahead in a fight, or they could seize it roughly and immediately throw the fight in their favor, perhaps even win it before it begun.
He would stick true to his word and not attack before she had spent that first move, even if there was hesitation in her, but next spar, if there was to be a next one, he would do no such thing. There wouldn't be no giving of the first move, they would start at a word and whoever attacked first, attacked first. There would be no turns. But that was for next time.
Claws flexing, he watched the young cat that was his trainee.
Hannibal had always known that he was unpredictable to others, all because he showed no emotions. No emotions to give away his thoughts, no emotions to give away his plan of attack, or defense.
A head on attack, no prodding for defenses, no testing of my reactions, just going head on for the chance of a strike to the head.
He had to give it to her, she had some speed in those paws of her, but that's what others didn't really think about Hannibal, they thought him as a strong tom that hit hard and while he did have some strength to his attacks, he preferred agility, precision and speed over heavy attacks. He was a lithe tom, and had endurance to match it. But Maple didn't know this. She didn't know anything about him aside from how he looked.
So as she went bolting, then lunging at him, claws outstretched and reaching for his eyes, he would watch for a mere moment before jolting backwards, reading that hesitation in her eyes. Oh is she second-guessing herself? Some doubt? The thought floated in his head as he waited for the she-cat to land in front of him before he would strike out a paw, aiming to hit her square in the side of the head, claws glinting in the sun as they flashed through the air, his legs already tense and ready to spring him away if needed. Let's see how quick you really are.