Learning, or remembering (w/buginthewater)

Kip's own grin widened when he saw Corvid seeming rather happy and excited to be there: quite the change from the more nervious bird he knew before. Yet a bit of hurt still showed through when Corvid didn't recognize him at first. Nah, try not ta worry 'bout it, Kip thought to himself. Whatever happened, can't change it. 'n besides, you'll make friends with 'im again, so don't sweat it!

Within a second, Kip's face was as bright welcoming as it was when he first saw the bird entering. "Yeah, that's me!" Kip's gravelly voice rumbled out, taking just a step or two away, then sitting down so he could look up at Corvid easier. "Pleasure to, uh, meet ya again. I know ya were sayin, that you ain't been here before. But I can assure ya, you were!" He tilted his head towards the ring for emphasis, thinking to fill Corvid in with as much as he could. "We bounced a couple times, I beat ya but I gotta say, yer pretty good! Was helpin' ya with some strength trainin' last I saw ya."

Kip's tail wagged as he sat, brushing bits of dirt to and fro while he listened to Corvid. Oh, right, he thought to himself, a chuckle rumbling from his chest at his friendzy handle. "That's a bit of a mouthful, ain't it? Nah, 'name's Kip, that's jus' my Friendzy name. Sounded fun, I think." He nodded along with more of the conversation, happy to hear that the bird was already getting himself re-established. He had so many questions that he wanted to ask, but it's not like Corvid would know the answer, anyway. One step at a time!

"Glad ta hear it! No reason ya can't both have yer own trainin' grounds 'n hang out here, too." Kip beamed as he spoke, elated to hear that Corvid would be sticking around. "'n actually, 'bout that whole 'tryin' not ta hurt me' thing, that's actually what we were workin' on." Kip explained, watching two of the regulars duke it out in the arena beside them. Blue was attacking a skittering lizard-like blob with a club of some sort, while the orange lizard darted in and out of his range, looking for an opening. "I think ya got lots of oomph behind those hits, but ya were holdin' back. Somethin' was on yer mind or ya just couldn't stop worryin' bout somethin, 'n yer heart wasn't entirely in it, I don't think. Ya didn't wanna talk much 'bout it, but I could tell, ya know?"

"But anyways, yeah. If yer ready, we can hop right in. Yer not gonna hurt me too bad, 'n if ya do, well we heal pretty fast." The fighters finally exited the arena, And Kip stood back up again, looking between it and Corvid. " So don't hold back! Give it yer all, 'n if we gotta train ya some more, that's what we're here for." The bright smile turned rather sly. "'sides, been doin' this a while, fightin's kinda my thing. So don't feel bad if ya don't pick it up right away, there ain't no shame in losin' ta me.'

"Kip, Kiparian, KipToMyLou, 'That Green Asshole', whatever sticks." Kip replied, beaming. "And don't ya worry, I'll keep buggin' ya till it's annoying, I'd love ta see ya here." Despite not remembering any of their previous interactions, this was the same Corvid that came into the ring a while ago...and what sounded like the same lack of confidence. Maybe all of this was a bit too much for the bird to take on at once, but Corvid sounded like he was ready to get going.

Once they were in the ring, Kip gave Corvid's leg a reassuring nudge with his shoulder before trotting to the other side, his posture having a particular bounce to it, like he'd been looking forward to being in the ring for a while. "Alright!" He called out, bowing and stretching to limber up. "Don't doubt yerself, 'n gimme all ya got!" Then, as soon as Corvid gave any signal that he was ready, Kip sprang into action, rushing towards the bird to take a swipe at a leg. "'Cause I'm gonna!" He shouted with a laugh.

Corvid's complete lack of reaction made Kip pause in confusion for a moment. He might have started tilting his head with a question on his lips, but the birds other leg striking out brought him back to the moment. Startled, Kip dodged back with talons barely an inch from his face, and he stumbled backwards in surprise. It's always the face with em!. Kip thought to himself as he tumbled, trying to right himself before Corvid followed up.

Kip had a moment to right himself, finally catching his balance again and snapping his attention back to Corvid. The bird's heavy breathing reminded him a little of his own occasional panting, useless yet something he couldn't quite stop. His head slowly started to tilt, and his mouth opened to ask if Corvid was ok.

He didn't even have a chance to speak before Corvid's 'yell' rang out, and he lept back again as another talon rushed past. "Why the face, though?!? Kip's gravelly voice called out as he dashed back in, springing into the air and launching himself towards Corvid's waist in a flying tackle.

Kip heard Corvid start to speak, but he had neither the time or ability to stop as he soared through the air into the bird's waist. They both went down to the ground, Kip half-laying across Corvid as they landed. Maybe he was expecting his opponent to start flailing like he did before, making any sort of attempt to stand or push Kip off. But when absolutely nothing happened after a few moments, Kip rolled off him as quickly as he could, a look of concern on his face.

"Ah shit, Corvid, I'm sorry. Didn't hear ya quick enough." Kip tilted his head slightly, seeing that Corvid was physicially ok, but his mind seemed to be elsewhere. He sat down close to his head and shoulders, trying to relax from the fight. "Yer distracted again...everything ok?"