The selenite rocked back on its hind feet, grumbling to itself things that sounded like some alien language as it nursed its head in its paws. It had no idea what the garnet was doing, too busy focused on itself and its new sensations.

It blinked, somewhat, bringing itself out of the rut it'd dug itself in, until-

It sprang at the touch, legs shooting straight and launching it up hissing. Still hyped up, apparently it wasn't about to stop fighting since the other was still going at it. Or- it'd perceived, at least.

However, it was a spitting, hissing mess as it batted back at the foot that hit it, furiously trying to smack back with the brunt force of its soft, little paws.

It misstepped as it tried to rear back enough to bat, tumbling back on its back and disguising it as a dodge to get away, tail lashing and the owner of it hissing in frustration.

@Garnet-Delta
Round: 3/5
Attempt: Smack back the weird paw the Garnet has
Defense: None
Injuries: Big ole bad headache

Vargas slowly closed all six eyes.

At least this one wasn't his. But it had been his idea, and he couldn't help slipping a glance (as his eyes again opened) toward Palefur.

Had he drastically misjudged cats..?

Perhaps the young were merely more... clumsy? He certainly hoped so; this one seemed to be tumbling all over itself. Or rather, this cat hybrid. Desert Rose had never been his favorite, so maybe he could just blame that one...?

Hrmph, he thought to himself--a sort of mental grunt--before speaking aloud.

"You'll learn to use your limbs better, given time," he said, and fervently he hoped it were true.

The alien-cat gave a toothy grin, a low hiss spitting up from the back of its throat as its rival rose up and fell back down, tail lashing back and forth like an angry feather toy. This was its chance to really get the other!

Yes, a second ago it was showing worry for the other, and now with the sand-cat's retreat, something like hunter's instinct had kicked in. Oh no, it wasn't going to let them get away that easily! It wriggled down into a crouch, pupils widening like it had gotten a whiff of catnip.

With a yowl-screech, the black masked hybrid sprang toward its hatchmate. It was a clumsy lunge, but it's paws spread wide as it tried to snatch at grab at the other wherever it could, doing its best to get on top and squish its sparring partner beneath its mighty (light as a feather) weight. It wanted to win!!

@Selenite-Gamma
Round: 4/5
Attempt: POUNCE WHILE PARTNER'S DOWN
Defense: ???
Injuries: maybe a lil' scuffed up but babies bounce back

The selenite kept its eyes on its enemy, watching as it prepped up. Oh, no, oh no, no, no, you won't. The drake's lips peeled from its teeth even further as it hissed, its own pupils coming to slits as it stared down its sibling in front of it.

At the screech, the selenite tensed, eyes closing as it bared its back, letting the garnet pounce on top. It had a brainwave- twisting, it used the momentum from the leap to carry the feline hybrid to its other side and to the ground. It had hoped to use its own relatively heavier weight to fall down on top of the garnet itself.

Hopefully it wouldn't hurt too much, but it'd get the hybrid off its back before it tried to wrestle its opponent down if it worked.

@Garnet-Delta
Round: 4/5
Attempt: Use the momentum and roll over the garnet
Defense: None
Injuries: Big ole bad headache

(I'm dummy and didn't put in the roll attempt but it's there in the text)

Yet again, the Selenite's barely smaller size didn't seem to prove a problem in gaining the upper hand in a wrestling match, for reasons the little Garnet couldn't quite grasp. (It didn't help that it weighed as much as a handful of feathers with its hollowed bones.) There was an objecting squeal, as it squirmed and tried to get some leverage, enough to throw a paw up into the air.

Somehow, the child managed to throw its paw up into it's own chin, biting down on its own tongue. There was another, sharper squeal that came from the cat-alien hybrid as it threw all of its legs out as much as it could, ears pinning back as it winced and began to whine. At first the sound was just a low noise compared to the cry it had let out, but sure enough, the sound grew in pitch and began to rise in volume as it expressed the pain it was in from biting its own tongue.

The only face it managed to slap was its own, which certainly had not been its plan.

@Selenite-Gamma
Round: 5/5
Attempt: face slapp
Defense: EXTEND ALL LEGGIES?
Injuries: a bit bruised

The squeal sounded like music to the Selenite's ears. A grin flashed across its face before it rolled up to watch and see the Garnet struggling to get up.

Its spine jumped when its sibling's legs splayed out, the second noise surprising him. What happened? Its head reared for a moment before it let out a series of nasally huffs that could easily be interpreted as laughter at the predicament its dueling partner had found itself in.

It paused. It was still crying. Snuffling in air, the Selenite lowered its head to the Garnet's and tilted it with a silent question and concern.

@Garnet-Delta
Round: 5/5
Attempt: None
Defense: None
Injuries: Nothin' bad (head bruise?)

Vargas stared, puzzled.

"Striking yourself in the face is not a wise combat technique," he advised, and then fell silent again to watch the outcome.

There wasn't a whole lot more he could say to all of this...

Well -

The children were children by any standard, reminiscent of the ungainly pup it'd met a few cycles prior. His movements had been measured, but that was to combat the cumbersome figure he had. Hiding it behind an apparent mask.

Hemlocke leaned over, ears pricking up. Ruby-red eyes stared at Desert for a moment - measuring? Considering? Who was to say... - before finally offering, "well, they should be put to good use any time soon." It glanced in the direction of the Overseer and his preceding design. "Digging out their place in the warren'll test their cooperative skills, I believe..."

The overseer let out a grunt, and pushed up.

They looked all right so far... some good points, some bad. He'd have to keep an eye on their progress.

"Keep a close eye on them. Don't let anything eat them yet. And be ready to report their progress to me when I return." He turned, and paced out, lanky limbs carrying him past and into Canis.

exit Vargas / inactivity

The big one - its Overseer its mind chided, seemingly had seen enough and gotten up to wander away. It was half-tempted to toddle after him, filled with a sense of... something for him. Were it more proficient in language and feelings, it might've attributed some sort of love for the parent to that sensation. Instead, it falsely identified it as admiration and respect. The bridge between those things were narrow, but close enough.

The orthoclase, already wanting to be well-behaved and curry respect in return, remained rooted to the spot, watching the other hatchlings play and fight (and entertaining the idea of heckling the ruby again...)