Breaking the Ice

The massive tom snorted in response, allowing himself a nod despite the combat situation he was in. It was true. He and Silverstripe would no doubt never see eye to eye in anything, and yet he saw no problem with that. Having access to so many views on life was one of the many strengths a clan provided. He did not approve of her way of thinking. Considered it soft and naive. Yet he could acquiesce in her stubbornly keeping to her views. She was not a blind follower. There was merit in that.

As the warrior continued her rambling, however, Grayflame's eyes narrowed. She was stalling for time. Had he accidentally injured her more than he'd intended? She still seemed to have energy, but the deputy had quite frankly been paying less than stellar attention on her physique. With how fresh he still felt, how into the battle he still was, he could have only assumed she was the same. And yet as she launched at him he found himself needing not even a dodge due to her inelegant spiral through the cloud of dust that billowed as she skidded along, his gaze deadpanned, unimpressed.

It was almost too easy, really. A part of him wanted to simply place a paw on her head and claim the battle over and done with. And yet while that was the sensible thing to do, the deputy sensed that might be going a step too far in humiliation. To have been treated as an equal opponent, and yet to not be given the grace to at least exit the battle as such was too cruel a fate, even to his unscrupulous view of the world. Besides, it could very well be that this pathetic display of oafish warfare was a way to lower his guard. A way to pin him down when he least expected it. A lie not even he believed, but he would easily claim to if it soothed an ego far more bruised than he'd anticipated from such a spar.

Baring his fangs, the silver tabby bore down on the defeated warrior, clasping her shoulder as he moved over her, ensuring she could not escape as he pinned her down a second time. There was an undeniable level of satisfaction in the knowledge that he had managed to defeat his enemy with no loss having ever been his. That his confidence in his physical prowess and ability to not be so easily distracted by flowery, soft words was not without merit. His paw over the she-cat's head, Grayflame let go of her shoulder, eyes half lidded with a stern, no nonsense look gazing down upon her as he rumbled his victory in a deadpanned voice to match. He had learned precious little about the ways of war in this battle against Silverstripe, but he could hardly call it a complete failure. A view into the inner workings of the minds of his clanmates was always a positive, especially with the task Singestar had appointed of him now.

"That's two... I believe this makes me victor," he stated, making it clear this was not a question but an observation as he loosed his grip on Silverstripe.

---

Chey [Silverstripe]

---

Attack Action: Shoulder Drop
Accuracy Roll: 6JWB_pCG1d20+2modifiers
Damage Roll: 1d12+2modifiers
Character HP: 49/60

Grayflame stared down at the smaller framed tabby dispassionately, the bored, aloof expression not leaving him. To say she had done well in this battle would have been a lie. The deputy had believed she had some level of grit behind her despite her smaller physique thanks to her confidence when challenging him. He had trusted he was in for a surprise, keeping him on his toes for most of the fight. Assuming it could still be called that. And yet that very last blunder had proved that perhaps she had gone about this battle the wrong way. Overconfidence was an insidious and ruthless killer. Had he been a ShoalClan warrior, her life might have been in danger... a real threat considering she was no longer an apprentice.

"Make sure to visit Dogskull for your injuries if they prove too painful," he stated sternly, a frown creasing his brow momentarily as he finished his assessment of her physical condition before sitting down calmly besides her, joining her in grooming dirt and the signs of battle from his long coat before the debris could provide a chance to mat his fur and cause discomfort.

"A hunt. Tomorrow morning you will join me in a hunting patrol through the south end of our territory. I scented fossa there on my previous patrol, but the scent seemed to be waning. I believe the creature may have left, but I do not wish to leave it to chance. If we find it, we shall take it down. If not, we can make a day of it and provide fresh kill for the clan."

If Grayflame were to be honest, spending more time with anyone was not his idea of a victory prize. But he didn't want Silverstripe to leave this confrontation with any form of ill will towards him. This entire endeavor had been proposed by her in an attempt to earn his friendship. A ludicrous thought to the tom, really. He was still unable to comprehend her reasonings for this. It was clear they were different as night and day. Their priorities would no doubt clash at every instance, every moment of tension. Not to mention the deputy was simply not the type to make friends. Yet he was also not the type to make enemies. To leave cats sour for no reason. Despite any impression he might give, the tabby did not relish in cruelty for cruelty's sake. It brought him no joy nor benefit.

So instead he did his best to play his role as deputy best he could. To maintain the peace and contentment. Perhaps spending time together hunting a common foe instead of at each other's throats would soothe the molly's wounded pride - for the injury was most obviously there - and allow her to get the need to bond with him out of the way. All the while doing something productive. Worthwhile. Necessary for the survival of the clan. And who knew? With her soft heart not getting in the way, she might just prove to be that formidable foe she presented herself as when facing down a creature who saw her as little more than prey to be taken down.

---

Chey [Silverfur]
| If it's any consolation to Silverfur, I was really rooting for her.  Having Grayflame needing to swallow his pride and have a favorite flower chosen for him would have been hilarious. |