BV : Disadvantages

[ Ravencall ]

The small, black warrior trudged along the shore, her head held low as she tried to ignore the pain in her hip. She had bigger problems to deal with. Like how Bramblesnap, of all cats, was the one Gorseheart had put her on patrol with. Bramblesnap! Was the deputy not aware of how mean he was!?

Ravencall usually walked with her blind side facing whoever she was patrolling with. She did not trust Bramblesnap with that, though. So, her blind side faced the water.

She just hoped he didn't speak to her. Nothing nice ever came out of his mouth, and Ravencall was certainly in too foul of a mood to deal with that.

[ Bramblesnap ]

Getting away from the crowd seemed to be the most tempting offer he'd been given in moons. Not often did Bramblesnap indulge in the company of his clanmates, but any excuse to clear his head - for a moment's peace from the noise  - was surely a deal he couldn't quite refuse. Everyone around him was acting out of their minds due to the wreckage and loss. He himself had heard the meeting announcements, but he'd hardly uttered many words at all since departing the river the other day... Save for the occasional whimper; there was an undenyable pounding sensation in his head, but he tried to ignore it.

Ever so stubborn, the tom found himself out on a hunting patrol by the lake with a familiar face, one he held little regard for at that. Bramblesnap continued onward, but once certain strides faltered as he ambled forward, ears flicked up then down as they felt a sting with each movement. His paws crossed over as the light made the large tom squint harder than usual.

The silence wouldn't have usually fazed him, but just as the last time they'd found themselves left alone together, the air hung thick enough to force something from the tabby's mouth; "be lucky to find much out 'ere after everythin', dunno why he bothered." His muttering paused for a moment as his vision focussed in on Ravencall for just a moment, "lucky to catch anythin', anyway."

[ Ravencall ]

Ravencall could feel it coming. A disturbance in some invisible force. A creeping feeling. It was coming.

Please don't speak, Ravencall silently pleaded. Please stay quiet. I don't want to talk.

Alas, the brown tom opened his mouth. Ravencall visibly frowned as she gave him the best side-eye she could muster.

But it felt rude not to say anything. So she sighed softly and turned her gaze back ahead of them."..I guess," Ravencall replied. "B.. but if the prey is a-anything like us, they could have run this way too.."

She found herself immediately frustrated with her own stammering. She was a good warrior! She had no reason to be afraid of Bramblesnap anymore. He was a coward like his brother. His brother.. who supposedly saved a few lives before dying.

Was Bonemoth really all that bad..?

No, surely he was. He broke Maggie's heart. He hurt her, refused to help raise Ravencall's niece and nephews.

That didn't matter right now, she reminded herself. She needed to focus on hunting.

[ Bramblesnap ]

Bramblesnap's mouth pushed to the side as Ravencall shot him a look, and he simply just stared back at the smaller cat in the moment of silence. Finally, he focussed back in on the trail ahead... Until she opened her mouth; the two's eyes failed to meet.

"S'pose so," he gestured to where his eyes would have been behind his fur, then at Ravencall's own face. "Yer still a disadvantage to us all, though, birdy." He sneered a little before continuing the trek. Bramblesnap had only known the black molly to be some meek little thing who quivered in his presence, she hardly impressed him much at all - what with half her vision missing, the tom believed that she'd be no more use just stowed away back with the rest of the clan.

The smoke still hung in the air; there was no doubt that the scent of prey was masked by such an overwhelming aroma, but, despite Bramblesnap's lack of regard or respect for his peers, he kept his senses on high alert, watching out for any signs of.. well.. anything. Besides fish, at least... the only glances he shot at the water were those that caused for his paws to shuffle back, away from the lake and towards his hunting partner. The pangs of pain here the flames had touched his paws matched up with the pounding in his skull didn't seem to help his balance, either.

[ Ravencall ]

The little she-cat's ears immediately flattened, the fur along her spine raising.

"Y-- You say that as if you're any better!" she said, her voice becoming shrill as she turned her head to face him. "How does being so.. so.. so cruel all the time help the clan at all, Bramblesnap?"

She froze where she stood, lifting her chin a little. Her blue eye was glued to Bramblesnap, anger burning in it.

"You only keep g-getting yourself punished," she continued, claws sinking into the mud below. "How much time have you wasted being in trouble now?"Ravencall stopped herself at that, taking a small step back. She looked a little startled with herself. Her legs shook slightly as she realized just what she'd done. Did she really think she could beat him if he attacked her over that!? Surely, not. Outrun him, maybe, but not win a fight!

She forced her brow to furrow, straightening herself anyway as she glared at the larger tom. He couldn't know she was scared of him. Maybe then she had a better chance.

[ Bramblesnap ]

Bramblesnap's own now-tattered ears pressed back as he raised a brow in the she-cat's direction.

His lip curled at Ravencall's retort, but he remained silent and heard her go on. The tom loosely let his head drop back to where it was before, his line of sight just the distance ahead of them... Until he realised that she had stopped walking.

The large tom shuffled around slowly, taking his time before his shoulders slumped. If it weren't for the ache in his head, he'd have tried his best to remain quiet. "Got a lot to say 'bout me, don't'cha?" Chewing on his tongue, he scowled at Ravencall, watching her pathetic little step back - the expression on her face. Had he felt in better health, he may have even laughed. But he himself was avoiding the question... That or he couldn't formulate an answer.

 "Finished yet?" He edged forwards, "or yew still need help shuttin' yer damn mouth?"  His tail flicked, waiting for an answer.

"Yew ain't nothin' different than the rest've 'em - can't look past the end of yer nose," he raised a paw and tapped the black molly on the nose, perhaps a little harshly. His tone remained on the calmer end despite his words, but his claws dug further into the dirt. His own speech even made his head spin.