Ryepaw's Assessment (closed)

Sitting near the camp entrance, Mudfoot waited for Ryepaw in silence. The sun was beginning to set and the cool evening air was settling across the marshy land, sending a shiver up his spine. While total chaos had recently been cast upon the clans, tonight, he would assess one of his few apprentices and was confident that the younger cat would do great.

Mudfoot wasn't kept waiting for long; Ryepaw soon dashed out of the apprentice's den, a wildly excited grin on his face. He knew this had been coming all day, and was barely able to handle his overjoyed energy. This was it! The last step before achieving his dream, his life goal! Well, one of his life goals. He still had to become Ryestar....

Skidding to a halt in front of his mentor, the fluffy young tom purred, icy eyes glowing with enthusiasm. "I'm ready Mudfoot! Tell me what I need to do!" Despite his best efforts, Ryepaw couldn't help but steal a glance back towards his den, where he knew Darkpaw was napping. His recent quarrel with his oldest and best friend threatened to put a damper on his spirits, but he quickly distracted himself. I promise dad, I'll make you proud! Wherever you are.... Warriorhood, here I come!

Lifting his head from looking down at his paws, the tom let out a soft meow of greeting. "Today I'll assess you on what you know," the russet colored tom spoke as he stood up and gave his hind legs a stretch. Trotting out of the camp, Mudfoot headed into the marshy land. "Alright, soon to be warrior, lead the way," the tom chuckled with a smile, slightly slowing his pace so Ryepaw could catch up. It was always good to let the apprentice lead some patrols, and besides, this was the final test of the younger tom's apprentice-hood.

Following closely behind Mudfoot at first, the handsome young tom gazed around excitedly at the pine trees, orange outlines framing the shape of their branches as the sun began to bleed into the horizon. He loved being in the forest during the evening, but right now was no time to sit and soak in the beautiful scenery. With an enthusiastic purr, Ryepaw proudly took the lead ahead of his mentor with no discomfort or fear as some other apprentices may have. Walking along with his fluffy tail held high, he didn't take his eyes off of his surroundings as he meowed inquisitively; "So, where should we go to start? Or can I start hunting right here?"

Letting Ryepaw pass him, Mudfoot followed the apprentice for a short while until he finally asked a question after much silent excitement. "What do you think you should do?" the russest colored tom mewed, looking to the younger tom. "The assesment isn't just on hunting, so are you sure you want to hunt before patrolling the borders? Either way works; the choice is yours," the senior warrior spoke, wondering how Ryepaw would go about his question.

Ryepaw stopped walking for a moment and began to think, his forehead quivering with intense focus. Hmm...is this part of the test? Do I have to pick the right order to pass? StarClan this is so exciting! Icy blueish-green eyes flicking to gaze around the nearby landscape, the young tom suddenly raised his tail and padded forward with spunk in his step. Gazing back, he purred his answer to Mudfoot; "Let's patrol, and if we see any prey along the way we can stop and grab it!"; before trotting off in the direction of the Thunderpath border.

Waiting for the apprentice to reply, he was glad to see Ryepaw make a wise choice instead of an impulsive plan of action. Nodding his head, the russet colored tom followed his apprentice towards the Thunderpath border while making sure to stay quiet, just in case any possible prey was around.

Ryepaw trotted adjacent to the Thunderpath, his sight and vision intently focused on searching out enemy scents and prey.  None of the first fortunately - thought Ryepaw wouldn't have minded a scuffle - but he soon searched out the second.  Ears swiveling around to deeper into the pines, the fluffy rowan tom lowered himself into a crouch and began to stalk towards the scent, seeming to be a toad.  Catching sight of the plump amphibian, he began to make his way closer and closer until he was within pouncing distance. With a slight wiggle of his haunches, Ryepaw leaped forward and grabbed the toad in his jaws before it could croak, making a clean kill. Smiling at Mudfoot, the young tom continued to lead the patrol along, his prize hanging limply from his jaws as he lifted his head proudly.

The member 'RainyHeart' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 2

Now walking along the border to the unknown forest behind their territory, Ryepaw picked up another prey scent.  Setting the toad down gently on a patch of moss, the pale ginger tabby tom opened his mouth to better trace his new target.  This time he scented a rodent; either a mouse or a vole.  Weaving between the marshy puddles, the apprentice searched until he caught sight of the furry creature; unluckily for him though it was when he practically stepped on the thing. A vole shot out from under his paw, much to the young tom's surprise, and before he could managed to chase it down it had vanished into it's hole. Hissing curses under his breath, Ryepaw kicked the ground with a front paw, a but embarrassed to have failed in front of the warrior, and on his assessment of all times! Determined not to leave until he had redeemed himself, the strong tom set his jaw seriously and began to once again scent the air.

The member 'RainyHeart' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 9

After a short while of searching the surrounding woods, Ryepaw finally found his next quarry; a lone wood mouse sitting up on a tree stump, cleaning it's face.  Icy eyes narrowing intently, the ginger tabby dropped into a crouch and, after checking that Mudfoot was nearby, began to stalk the small animal.  Making sure to avoid the sticks and puddles on the ground, the young tom made his way quickly over to the stump and prepared to leap. Once again though, the mouse was alerted to his presence and dashed away into the shadows of a bush. Groaning, Ryepaw could barely stop himself from yowling in frustration. Just my luck! Two missing catches back to back.... Not meeting Mudfoot's gaze, he picked up his toad and led the way to the WindClan border, hoping his luck would be better over there.

The member 'RainyHeart' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 9

Now over on the WindClan side of their territory, Ryepaw wrinkled his nose in disgust as the rabbit-chasing clan's musky scent came into range.  "Uhg, how can those cats stand their own scent?!"  Checking the scent markers quickly so he could get away faster, Ryepaw began to search for his last two catches deeper in the marsh, away from that distracting scent.  Pretty quickly he was able to find a pair of lizard resting on a stone by a small pool, and Ryepaw crouched down instantly.  Determined to not make any mistakes, he once again stalked up to them and prepared to pounce. To his joy, he quickly pinned and killed one of the lizard, and managed to grab the other just before it escaped. Heart soaring, Ryepaw trotted back over to Mudfoot and his toad, which he had left with the russet-colored tom. Picking up all of his catches, he let out a mumbled purr around his prizes, icy greenish-blue eyes shining. "So, how did I do?"

The member 'RainyHeart' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 3, 7