The Shovel Talk [p]

[Rani]

Crowtooth
Windclan Tunneler | He/him | 49 Moons
Power Card: Cold Gust

Art by Marigoldwhisper

Prior to the insanity that'd soon consume the clan Crowtooth had chaos of his own to create.

See he wasnt blind, and he was only kind of stupid unlike these two morons and even if it was definitely going nowhere fast the tom had a duty to complete as basically Bravebirds best friend.



He had a shovel talk to give and if it also was kinda a friend making venture you saw nothing because Crowtooth totally didnt need/want more friends and didnt actually think Hawkfur was kinda a cool dude. Nope.


So yep, time to do this! .....How.
Crowtooth didnt make friends or interact with others outside of his all consuming drive to work so was kinda stumped... What did others do for fun around here with others? .....Impossible to know, ok what did Crowtooth like to do outside of work? Spar(?)


Sparring it was.


Padding up to the other tom the tunneler chuffed in greeting, offering what he hopes is a casually rasped "Mornin' got anythin' planned for today? 'cuz I dont an' Im hankerin' fer a spar. Ya keen?"


@Mica

[Mica]

Hawkfur
WindClan
he/him | 49 moons
[Russet tabby with tuxedo markings and sky blue eyes ]
Purrks: Flock Together T3
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[Crowtooth - @Rani ]
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Hawkfur looked up from where he was finishing a rabbit, the shadow Crowtooth cast over him providing a brief but appreciated relief of the warm sun beating down into camp. New leaf was officially here, and Hawkfur was dreading the shedding season that came long with it.

The red tabby licked his lips before responding, sounding a little embarassed as he did. "Oh! Yeah, yeah of course." He flashed Crowtooth a grin. "I've actually been looking for more sparring partners, but everyone in this clan is too chicken to do it." With that, he discarded the remains of his meal and gestured for Crowtooth to lead the way.

[Rani]

Crowtooth
Windclan Tunneler | He/him | 49 Moons
Power Card: Cold Gust

Art by Marigoldwhisper

Well.... Huh look at that social interaction was going well so far! Maybe going up to a cat and asking to fight then was actually a good way to make friends? Crowtooth would try this again some time.


That was for later however but for now the tom had to balance both bonding with Hawkfur and making sure he knew if he messed things up with Bravebird no one would ever find his body.


The tunneler chuckled, leading Hawkfur to a selected flat rock outside of camp for the spar as he rasped a wry reply of. "I feel ya, sometimes I swear this clan needs ta be directly bitten on the butt ta have motivation ta actually throw paws. Say what ya will about the 'virtues o' patience' but Im gonna go mental an' start tryin' the bite method ta get them goin'. Though Ive held off so far, pretty sure Twi would skin me 'f I tried." before he snorted and shook his head, a slight tinge of actual frustration under his words.



The skunk striped tom hopped up to the rock and fell into his own fighting position, indicating for Hawkfur to do the same even as he kept up the casual chatting. Hawkfur would get a moment of tension once he settled in to a battle ready pose before Crowtooth attacked, paw flying out to try and bap the other tom about the head, shoulder following through to go for a winding slam to the chest.


Even as his voice was strained he'd continue rasping however, ton casual even as he attacked.
"Glad yer keen though, was lookin' for a sparrin' buddy an' Id usually bother Bravebird but she's been..... Off o' late."


@Mica

[Mica]

Hawkfur
WindClan
he/him | 49 moons
[Russet tabby with tuxedo markings and sky blue eyes ]
Purrks: Flock Together T3
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[Crowtooth - @Rani ]
· · ────────────── · ·
Hawkfur knew that when usually a cat approached him, they wanted something. Hawkfur was guilty of it himself--he was less inclined to chat with someone unless there was a goal of the conversation. It left too many unknowns and had his anxiety sparking. A pretence of sparring was an excellent conversation starter. He just wished that cats were more... forward, with what they wanted. Sure, Hawkfur was terrified of doing that himself, even though he had been developing and strengthening his confidence recently. He found himself able to hold a conversation and even laugh without completely imploding, but there was still a while to go before Hawkfur felt comfortable speaking his mind right away.

Besides, this was Crowtooth, a cat Hawkfur greatly respected even though they were the same age. He admired the tom's loyalty and never-ending sense of duty, and knew that if there was a cat that exemplified everything WindClan was, it was Crowtooth. So Hawkfur would let him play his games--though Hawkfur was too chicken to call him out on it anyway--and wait until the tunneler brought up whatever he needed. Maybe they could be friends, one of these days.

Crowtooth attacked first, and Hawkfur nimbly sidestepped the blow. The russet tabby aimed to ram his shoulder into Crowtooth's flank to bowl him over. Crowtooth was stronger than him, but if Hawkfur could keep himself light on his paws, he might be able to outlast the tom. Or... what if Crowtooth thought that to be cowardly? Or did he think throwing himself headlong over and over was brash? How did Crowtooth want him to fight??

And then the tunneler mentioned Bravebird. There it was. It made sense--it was hardly secret how Hawkfur felt about her. Except for her. She seemed almost blissfully unaware of the way his heart soared whenever she looked at him. Crowtooth was one of Bravebird's best friends, of course he would be watching out for her and protecting her from a possible creep. Hawkfur suspected he either might be interrogated like Firestorm did, scrutinized like Dapplebreeze, or maybe even threatened this time. Hawkfur internally shook his head, even as he attempted to dart back towards Crowtooth's head to land a blow on his shoulder. This wasn't about him. It was about her. He held nothing but respect and affection for her. He just had to be honest. "I've been worried about her, admittedly. I was hoping she might have talked to you about whatever is bothering her?"

[Rani]

Crowtooth
Windclan Tunneler | He/him | 49 Moons

Power Card: Cold Gust

A dodge to a shoulder ram to the side. A decent enough responding opening move, Crowtooth liked it. Even if it wasnt very effective at all.


The tunneler braced his broad form in place, absoring the impact with a grunt and a future bruise he wasnt all that worried about. It was for a purpose in a way, both as a power move and to allow the skunk striped tom to try and swipe Hawkfurs paws out from underneath him, sending him tumbling in best case.


Of course he was also trying to bat at the tunnelers head and shoulders, resulting in Crowtooth ducking away as he met all swipes with gentle but quick snaps of a maw, trying to catch and grab a russet paw. You dont act smart with your hitting paws then you'd get those confiscated in a fight so always best to be wary of that possibility in a spar.


At least he did try and grab a paw until Hawkfur continued the conversation, prompting a sigh as Crowtooth didnt halt his attempts at attacking even as he responded. "Stars only knows whats goin' on in Brave head. I try but I aint good wit' words ta begin wit' an' she excels in not showin' shes got emotions bar rage most o' the time anyways. Well... bar the dire circumstances. But even wit' the minks thin's have been as peaceful as they can get 'round here so I dunno whats prompted this."



Of course what was ironic was that it wasnt peaceful at all, clan life was just so crazy that even this trial seemed calm by comparison. The other irony was that the very next meeting things were gonna hit the fan and cause emotional turmoil for everyone prompting an emotional breakdown from both Crowtooth and Bravebird (and really everyone else too).


The toms face turned pinched as he admitted "Ta be honest I'd hope ya'd have a clearer idea of whats goin' on. Yall've been consortin' awfully close o' late an' such but from the question Im guessin' ya have no clearer an idea then I do.


Though, forgive my lack of tact, what the hell is up with ya'll or are ya just as confused as yer makin' the rest o' us who have ta watch ya?"
Subtle as a bull in a china shop Crowtooth your conversation skills remain unmatched, truely. Ah well the tom did want to actually spar with Hawkfur as much as he wanted to be in the know (as evidenced by the fact that he was continuing the combat through talking and wasnt being overly aggressive or intimidating about it as like a way to push for answers) so maybe being blunt was a decent tactic. Maybe.


@Mica

[Mica]

Hawkfur
WindClan
he/him | 49 moons
[Russet tabby with tuxedo markings and sky blue eyes ]
Purrks: Flock Together T3
· · ────────────── · ·
[Crowtooth - @Rani ]
· · ────────────── · ·
Hawkfur made a squeaking noise as his shoulder rammed into Crowtooth's side, having absolutely no effect on the larger tom. His shoulder smarted, and he only narrowly avoided Crowtooth's sweeping paw. As the skunk-striped tom nipped at Hawkfur's paws, the red tabby bit back a comment about how silly he looked, especially as his teeth almost connected, sending Hawkfur dancing away. Damn, Crowtooth had hardly moved and Hawkfur couldn't land a single hit on him!! Embarrassment burned his large fluff-tipped ears, and he tried to reassess. Okay, so he couldn't just ram the tunneler, nor could he attack him head-on. He was too big to slip under Crowtooth and push up to unbalance him, but maybe he could try something along those lines. He listened to Crowtooth talk, frowning slightly when the tunneler mentioned that he had hoped Bravebird talked to Hawkfur. No, she hadn't come to him. He tried not to let it bother him, since she was entitled to her own privacy. But he had hoped she was at least talking to someone. "I wonder if the mink patrol has something to do with it." He meowed absently, half-caught in his own thoughts about how he had slipped into a nasty depression after the patrol. Could... could Bravebird have experienced the same thing? Was that it?

The red tom snorted when Crowtooth said he and Bravebird had been "consorting" a lot lately, shaking his head even as he squared up, assessing his options. "I don't think Bravebird was keen on talking to me recently." He muttered. "But maybe I mistook her absence for anger." It wouldn't be the first time he had done that, and he was certain it wouldn't be the last.

Hawkfur spotted an opening, shooting around Crowtooth and aiming to ram his shoulder into the tunneler's front legs. Maybe this would finally unbalance him. Even if it didn't work, Hawkfur continued to attack Crowtooth's paws, consistently trying to get the damn tom off balance. That was, until he mentioned something about something going on between him and Bravebird?? Hawkfur's frown deepened, and he raised a white-tinted brow. "What are you talking about??" There was nothing going on between him and Bravebird! Sure, he might have been worshiping the ground she walked on for the past moon or so, but he really didn't think he was that obvious about it... was he? And what was this about "between" them? As far as he was concerned, Bravebird had been nothing but friendly--even a little standoffish--with him.

Pausing, he leveled Crowtooth with a serious look. "I--" He sucked in a breath. "There's nothing going on. She's just my friend." He tried to give Crowtooth a reassuring smile, but he couldn't help the dejection that shone in his eyes. He had never been very good at hiding his emotions. "Besides, even if I wanted there to be something, she would never spare a glance my way. She's this incredible badass who outshines everyone in this clan. Her loyalty is so inspiring and the way she just keeps getting back up even when she's fallen, it--" the tom stopped. Looked at Crowtooth. His face fell, and he slowly hung his head in shame. "Oh stars, I've been super obvious, haven't I."

[Rani]

Crowtooth
Windclan Tunneler/Fury | He/him | 51 Moons

Power Card: Cold Gust

It was nice to talk and move at the same time in a way. Crowtooth was a cat built for battle, bulky broad and strong in a way few windclan cats were and with a tattered pelt that spoke of years of experience. The tom had thrived in war before he'd thrived in even the tunnels and had enjoyed it even with the consequences, shrugging off pain and dipping into a blood fury few managed to tap. He'd honestly not fought in a bit though, especially not against another cat.


So while in part flexing on Hawkfur in this way was a silent warning of how fragile the other tom was, itd quickly also become something fun, and his loose frame showed how he wasnt all that serious about it.


That was besides the point however, they were supposed to focus on Bravebird's current weirdness and her and Hawkfurs budding relationship. Really budding it seemed.


Crowtooth grunting, paw sweep landing true and sending the skunk striped tom face planting hard into the ground, the tunneler quickly rolling away to avoid any moves Hawkfur made seizing the opportunity only to pull himself to his paws as the other tom stammered. His face was blank, but for a single eyebrow raised back as he watched Hawkfur ramble and abruptly slam into a realization he really shouldve had ages ago and twitched as the tabby lowered his head.


And twitched again. And burst into laughter.

It was involuntary, Crowtooth wheezing and trying to suppress his cackles choking out a "I-Im sorry Im sorry! Im not makin' fun o' ya, I just- Are ya really comin' ta this realization now?!? I really thought ya two were in a relationship already an' were just (poorly) hidin' it from the rest o' the clan!


Did ya really not know ya were head over heels fer her until now buddy how do ya even do that? Listen- not sure if its any consolation but if ya really arent together yet then Im pretty sure she dont know either?"
Crowtooth wheezed in a few breaths as he sat, his howling winding him before explaining further.


"Ta be clear because I think I owe ya that after this mess. Hawkfur ya aint subtle however, neither is she. Bravebird is closer ta ya then any o' her friends, like closer then 'friends' usually are. If she knew ya felt this way I honestly think she'd 'ave made a move because Im pretty sure she feels the same. Prolly more aware o' her own feelin's though at least."
Though the molly was being right stupid of late so maybe not.
"I do wanna spar wit' ya but me draggin' ya out here was also me bein' salty that I as Bravebirds best friend wasnt allowed in the know. Also partially ta warn ya against messin' this up 'cuz ya aint gonna find a better cat around but I think we're past that."


This had not gone the way the tom had expected but any tension coming from Crowtooth had fully vanished and he was grinning crookedly now. Fondly, not condescendingly too.


@Mica