Sparrow hadn’t really gotten to talk to Tyrian since he became the alpha. She was sure they
were still on good terms… right? They could still hang out and play like they used to… right?
She wanted to confirm this. Also she had some questions since she had helped that big cat with
her bear problem with the trees. There had to be more use for these cool claws than just
climbing, right? Tyrian would be the one to know. So it was kind of a two birds with one stone
thing. Following his scent, Sparrow called out to him, ”Tyr? Are you busy?”

Having spent the better part of the night hovering over those stuck on sheep duty, Tyrian was a bit restless. It was hard to give up control over something he’d invested so much time in. In the wee hours of the morning he’d finally succeeded in telling himself he needed to let go and let them do their job. That hadn’t stopped him from tossing and turning the rest of the morning. He’d gotten up at first light for no other reason than that he couldn’t stand laying down doing nothing anymore.

In an effort to relieve some of the tension he felt, Tyrian was sharpening his claws on a fallen log when Sparrow’s voice rang out. He paused mid claw to yell back, ”Over here, Sparrow!” After a beat he extricated his claws from the wood and settled down sphynx-like on the log. ”Not busy at all. Whatcha need?”

Sparrow quickly adapted her direction to the sound of Tyrian’s voice. She walked over, a
puppy-like bob in her step as she padded towards him. When she found him, he was laying on a
log all cool and cat-like. She almost laughed, imagining him trying to quickly get into the position
to look all calm and leadery for her.
”Uh, I don’t need anything… is that okay?” She wasn’t sure? Should she only call him
now when she needed him? Had she missed that memo? Did him being an alpha mean they
really had to see each other on a need-by-need basis only?
Sparrow tried to formulate the correct type of conversation as she went. Something
professional… She was talking to not just Tyrian, but an alpha.
”I was- uh- just kinda around and all. Was thinkin’ it would be... “ don’t say fun, don’t say
fun, don’t say fun, ”Useful to catch up.” Nailed it, now come up with a reason.
”Thought we could… train some?” Perfect.

His brow spots raised at Sparrow’s uncertain tone, but he made no direct comment on it. She was being weird and he wasn’t sure how to handle that. They’d always had a very comfortable relationship - albeit one built on rivalry and feigned aggravation. ”Yeah...of course it is?” Tyrian was going to leave it at that. If she wanted to address the weirdness he was all ears, but he wasn’t going to bring it up himself.

”Sure,” he agreed easily. ”Useful. I’d hate to get used to not being aggravated on a daily basis just because I’m alpha now.” The mean line was a test. It was standard fare for them and if she was normal she wouldn’t blink an eye and probably have something to snap back. If she took offense he’d have to reevaluate his decision to not address the weirdness. ”Got anything in particular in mind or do I get to kick your ass any way I like?”

When he answered, and Sparrow could have been imagining it, but it sounded kind of stiff. Sparrow's ears drooped just slightly. Then he suggested that sure training would be useful because he didn't want to get used to not being aggravated on a daily basis. Sparrow wasn't sure what to say. Was he serious or was he joking like normal? Sparrow spent a beat too long searching his face to quip back sonshe let put a breathy laugh that soinded empty even to herself, "Yeah... aggravating. "

Finally he asked if she had any ideas about what she wanted to train or if he could beat her ass any way he wanted. Sparrow hesitated, her icy eyes scanning the horizon, "Uhh I was thinkin claw to claw combat...?" She flexed her claws just for show. "Unless you have a better idea?"

Until now his expression, like his manner, had been casual and easy, but Sparrow's continued weirdness made him grow solemn as he tried to figure out what her problem was. Maybe she was finding this whole alpha thing weird. It was the only thing he could think of as nothing else had really changed for either of them recently. And he found it weird she found it weird. If that was the reason for her weirdness, why? He was exactly the same as he had been before. Technically both of them had moved up in the world; he with the rank of King and she with the rank of Raidsman so it wasn't like she was a lowly pup; a wee young thing for him to pat on the head dismissively. Tyrian studied her with narrowed eyes for a second and then fall back into his usual lackadaisical manner as he decided to let her sort herself out. She was a big girl. She could manage.

She suggested they train with their claws in mind and he shrugged in easygoing acceptance. "Sure, seems as good a genre as any for me to kick your ass in." He fixed her with a wry look and quipped, "Since it's your idea and you could use the leg up, you set the pace. Whatever you want, I'm game."

Sparrow studied Tyrian as Tyrian studied her. There was a wall of awkwardness between them... or was it just her? It could have been just her. Probably, right? Maybe? Sure, she had ranked up too, but she didn't feel any different and now Tyr was an Alpha and that was definitely different. It had to feel different! He gave a speech and everything!

As Tyr quipped at her, Sparrow cracked the tiniest of smiles. He said it was up to her suggestion and she gave it considerable thought. "Truth or Dare Claw Tag. If you get tagged, the other person gets to ask you truth or dare, so like... Penalty Claw Tag."

Penalty Claw Tag. Tyrian gave Sparrow a quizzical look but after a moment he capitulated; a wry smile pulling up the corners of his mouth. He had said he was game for whatever and he'd meant it, and he was a bit relieved she hadn't picked a spar or a predator hunt. Tyrian had been up to his eyeballs in those recently. He dipped his head agreeably. "Alright, truth or dare tag, aka penalty tag, it is." The freshly minted alpha widened his stance, dropped his head and gave Sparrow a 'come hither' look. He was ready to run and he looked like it. "Lowly wannabe pirates first, eh?" It was her game; she could do the chasing first. And he wasn't going to move until she did.