When the Night Reaches [c]

So far, things had been going quite fine for him ever since he became an apprentice. New opportunities of friendships, getting to slowly know each cat more.. It all seemed to go well! He was glad for that, of course. No one would've been wanting a troublesome apprenticeship as they grow. No one that he really knew of, that is. His mentor hadn't complained to him, and so Duskpaw always have thought that was a good sign. That meant training was going well, was it not? Hopefully, Emberleap wasn't hide anything from him during those training lessons.

In a further on depth of the glittering night sky, Duskpaw lie awoke in the apprentice den. He couldn't sleep. He just couldn't, somehow. This night was.. strange. As the tom glanced up at the Silverpelt above, amazed at just how brightly those stars could shine. Carefully, Duskpaw ducked his head down, using his dark-coated pelt to blend in with the night. If it wasn't for his eyes, he'd be nearly identical. Though unknowingly, the tip of his tail just seemed to brush by another apprentice's. With each step as cautious as possible, the tom finally reached the outside of the apprentice den, and immediately made a swift turn to the thorn-covered entrance.

He did it! He managed to sneak out peacefully, as quiet as a mouse. Making his way out from the thorn bush, he ventured deeper into the territory, and found a peaceful, nearby place to rest at. The apprentice purred to himself, when sudden rustles of footsteps coming from the grass immediately alerted him, making him turn around with high caution. Although, it only wasn't anyone he was expecting. "..Ratpaw?" He widened his eyes.

”Hi, Duskpaw,” Ratpaw said, whiskers twitching. He stilled, then, before stepping more into the moonlight. It felt — odd, to ask, but it was why he was here. ”Are you okay?”

The older apprentice seemed... solemn, somehow, and restless, and it had tugged at Ratpaw until he decided to follow. Duskpaw was his denmate, now. He noticed. (And wasn’t that a little hard to get used to? Being so close to cats he didn’t know...)

(Maybe that’s why he followed, too. He knew Duskpaw, and Duskpaw was nice... he shouldn’t be sad.)

The freedom of being able to follow — it was still new, even if his mother’s anxiety about him being alone in the territory still clung, a bit. It was full of pools of water and mud, with thick pelts of grass that made it hard to see where you were going. He and Webshadow hadn’t trained very much, yet, so he wasn’t great at that part... But Duskpaw seemed to know where he was going — and he’d followed, even through the tricky turns of grass.

The youngest apprentice considered his denmate, wondering why he’d chosen to come here, particularly. He peered at the area they’d come to with great interest — maybe Duskpaw hadn’t been upset, but had found something? He could be returning for it, or thought there might be prey. He could’ve been hunting. (Which Ratpaw had yet to learn, also. He wanted to pout.)

"I'm fine. Thanks for checking in on me." He reassured the other tom with a small grin. "Just couldn't properly sleep, that's all. What about you? Why'd you follow me here?" Duskpaw enquired, curious. After all, Ratpaw and him only have met once — and that was when Ratpaw was still in his kithood. As strange as it was, he found himself enjoying the younger apprentice's company, depsite the lack of knowledge they have of each other. He just had become one, too. Perhaps, it wouldn't hurt to have a little chat with him now.

Honestly, Duskpaw hadn't been expecting this surprise visit. He planned to revisit a spot where he have found an interesting, golden-colored, beautifully glimmering object under the grass that he couldn't quite understand of. It was here, somewhere in the thick grass.. Aha! His eyes darted towards the nearby object, padding towards it. It took quite a while to find under the grass, though the bright moonlight helped him see things much clearer. Then carefully picking it up, the object shone brightly underneath the moonlight. An exquisitely-made, yet odd, Twoleg-looking-thing that sparkled of green. He found it quite interesting how the object glowed in the shade of his own eyes.

"And if you're questioning why I went here, I managed to find this on my last training— though I didn't get the chance to pick it up just yet, until now." He smiled. Duskpaw pictured how the appearance of the golden-colored part of the object looked similar to cobweb, though it was much stronger and carried an odd scent to itself. The sparkling green, rock-like element lay embedded on different parts of the golden "cobweb", decorating it with elegant shades. The apprentice took a careful, yet fairly decent grasp on the dangling object from his mouth, not wanting it to acidentally slip away again, but also enough so that Ratpaw could take a decent look of it as well. "It's quite pretty, don't you think?" He asked cheerfully, despite the muffled sounds of his voice.

It was good, Ratpaw decided, that Duskpaw seemed in fairly high spirits. It suited him. And as the older tom kept explaining, Ratpaw flicked his ear in interest, a bit curiously.

To a maybe naturally nocturnal tomkit, sleep when the sun was down always felt a little odd, but not every Shadowclan cat had the same patterns. It’s what made them “unpredictable,” his mom had said. Did Duskpaw’s mentor train him into the sunrise? (And would his own? Ratpaw considered his mentor... and just out of feeling, thought maybe not.)

Ah. He supposed his reasons for following seemed a bit silly, now. At least Duskpaw didn’t seem bothered by it. Before he could answer, though, Duskpaw seemed to sense something from his previous thoughts, and — went to go get something?

”You did?” he asked, ears pricking forward in active interest. And—

Whoa. It was... beautiful. Shimmery, and thin, little loops wound together with what looked like green — stone? But not like the shade of green-yellowed grass, or the mottled pale of frog’s skin. It was like a cat’s eyes.

”It’s like your eyes,” Ratpaw said softly, almost reverently; and Duskpaw’s eyes were a beautiful pair, deep green, greener than anything he’d seen in the marsh so far. His ears lifted. ”Where did it come from, you think?”

It was like — what Loudnose had. But also different. It couldn’t be common, though, because he was always looking into cat’s things, and he hadn’t seen anything like them. ”Have you asked someone?”

(Maybe if they could figure it out, Ratpaw would know where to hunt for one of his own.)

"Yeah, I did!" He purred. Continuing to listen to Ratpaw, he tilted his head, unsure of it's origins. Though, he has seen the shimmering object of Loudnose's, and thought this particular one seemed to have some similarities to it, although still different. A peculiarly beautiful Twoleg thing, maybe? He guessed so. Twolegs always have odd and interesting stuff as he have heard from other cat's stories. "Well, if I have to guess, maybe from the Twolegs? I'm not entirely sure, but it seems fascinating enough to be one of their items!" Then, he quickly added, "It doesn't seem to be dangerous either, so that's nice."

Hearing Ratpaw's voice speak up again, he shook his head. "I haven't. But maybe, a more experienced cat could tell us instead! Since, well, they must've travelled a lot too! I'm sure of it." Duskpaw beamed. "And if you'd like to, we can stay and explore this place a bit more. Though we shouldn't go for too long, our mentors would surely be looking for us soon if we suddenly go missing!" He teased. It wouldn't be that great either, especially since Ratpaw's only just become an apprentice. Duskpaw wouldn't want to be the cause of his first trouble out of camp soon, that's for sure.

Though before he could continue to ramble on things, a quick rustling noise from behind made his ears perked up. He'd gently let the shimmering object down beside Ratpaw, and went over to investigate. No, there wasn't any rouge, loner, or another clan-cat's scent.. Or so, he wished. Hopefully, his nose didn't trick him through the faint mist of the night. Instantly, the tom crouched down, scanning through the grass. Maybe if this catch was successful, Ratpaw could learn from him, too! Slowly, step-by-step, Duskpaw approached the small rustling noise. Then at once, he jumped up, pouncing down onto the noise with a swift leap. He caught it! He beamed, feeling the warmth of the prey as he sunk his teeth in it. It went out smoothly without a squeak! Fuelled up with pride, Duskpaw turned around, showing Ratpaw the prey he had just caught instead.

Duskpaw attempted to catch a rodent. It was a success!

Duskpaw
20/20HP
57/60 SP (-3)

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 8

Ratpaw agreed that it didn’t seem dangerous, but... also that it never occurred to him it might be, either. His mom didn’t say much about two-legs, but always seemed kinda scared when they were spoken of. He’d certainly never seen one. But this was their stuff, maybe? (Weren’t they like big foxes, though? How did that make sense?)

Lost in this thought, he almost didn’t catch what Duskpaw clearly did — a little dark movement in the grass, the faint scent of prey reaching his tongue. Instincts he felt hints of, like in the pursuit of beetles and flies — that draw to snap into action — tingled in his brain as his denmate darted into the marshgrass. Ratpaw only realized he’d kind of rushed in close when Duskpaw turned — just a whisker away from his nose, and the mouse he’d caught, held proudly in his jaws. He blinked in surprise.

”How did you do that, Duskpaw?” he said, a little mesmerized. The kill was very quick — not even a sound — and the smell was... delicious, too. His stomach felt a little empty, now, even if he usually didn’t eat until later. ”That was very fast.”

He understood hunting to be something... instinctive? It was reflexes, wasn’t it? But Duskpaw hadn’t hesitated, and had noticed it so quickly... and he also hadn’t missed.

"I think it's somewhat of more like an instinct, I suppose." He purred out, feeling rather proud of his successful catch. Burying it down to one of the spots nearby, he'd then return to Ratpaw, planning to take the mouse back for later. "Maybe, it could be just me, but something about being able to catch a prey for my clan seems just so exhilarating." Though not shown on the outside, but Duskpaw had been awfully glad he hadn't missed. Being the passionate and energetic apprentice he was, he didn't hesitate to strike, and even managed to catch it in one go! Thinking back to how Emberleap has taught him, he grinned, glad to have someone like him as a mentor. He definitely have teached him well!

"Now here, if anyone asks us about going out of camp so early out later on, just tell them I asked to show you a nice hunting spot instead." A playful tone hinted in his voice. "I hope that would get us into less trouble, since it meant bringing back prey to the clan, doesn't it?" He inquired. He hoped Ratpaw have watched him hunt, for that would bring him more experiences on his firshuckled, shrugging aftert few lessons. That way, Ratpaw's mentor would be proud of him for having a more decent crouch than other newly-made apprentices, maybe! Duskpaw thought back to his first crouch, and cringed. It wasn't very experienced, but he has still caught the prey.. Somehow. Pure luck, maybe?

Maybe, the tom had just carried luck with him whenever he went hunting. That wouldn't mean a bad thing! He was glad, in fact. Had he have poorly hunted from the start, this would've gone in many different ways. Luckily, he hadn't. He had the total opposite of bad luck!

Ratpaw watched the dark-furred apprentice bury the mouse, ears half-raised.

He had been out in the marsh with his mom, once, briefly; he had fuzzier memories of digging in the muddy earth alongside her, getting the slime between his toes. Retrieving a sizable toad she’d buried — one Ratkit hadn’t been able to carry himself, but now Ratpaw surely could. He’d been tiny then.

Along the memory, Ratpaw tucked the sudden sense of hunger away; it wasn’t too pressing. And he nodded. It’s odd, because it wasn’t something his mentor or mother had said, exactly, but everykit knew about honoring prey, and serving your clan first. How it was special. Perhaps they — as kits — knew most of all: it was them who were given that prey, and nourished by it. Always kept in the warmest, safest part of camp and given the richest food. It was... beautiful, and natural, Ratpaw decided. And maybe sometimes hard? But it wasn’t leaf-bare yet; what the older warriors spoke of as a time when prey was scarcer. He smiled at Duskpaw, feeling a connection to him, in this.

”I think I understand,” he mewed, referring to Duskpaw’s words on hunting. Duskpaw wanted to take care of everyone, like they took care of him; it made sense. And hunting did seem — thrilling, just by the feel of it. Like a chase, or it spoke to something deeper in Ratpaw. Maybe this was a good hunting spot, and they should wait for more — movement, or sounds, and little rushing shadows? ”I won’t say anything! And maybe I could try to catch something, too.”

But then... the shimmery stone — a little like cobweb or woven grass, but stone? — caught his eye again, near his feet. If he was going to be practice hunting, they couldn’t leave it here. Hmm...

Ratpaw’s eyes brightened as the answer came to him. Before Duskpaw could move, Ratpaw picked up the pretty golden-green of it — with gentleness, of course — and then padded toward his friend. It was, unexpectedly, not too heavy, and didn’t make as much noise as it seemed it would. And it was a solid loop, like grass tied together at the ends. With an arc of his head — and a burst of effort! — Ratpaw tossed it over Duskpaw’s head.

It did — get stuck over one of Duskpaw’s ears, but it would work, right? He felt inordinately pleased — it looked beautiful, too, against the dark of his denmate’s fur. ”That way, you can take it with you, and we can hunt. How about it?”

It did... hang off quite a bit, though.

Before he could properly move and start to head over to Ratpaw again, a sudden toss of the shimmering object caught on his head, making him flinch. He was startled— feeling the cold touch of it suddenly landing on his fur. A part of it got stuck on one of his ears, though with a gentle shake, it loosely made it's way down to his own neck without somehow ending up tangled. Duskpaw blinked, looking over to Ratpaw. Realizing his good intentions, Duskpaw nodded, grinning widely. Like his eyes, the shining stones seemed to go along well with his own fur. The throw was— well, a bit sudden, but he enjoyed it having on his neck. A bit loosely-hung, sure, but it looked fairly nice on him.

"Yeah! That seems about nice!" He purred out. "Thanks, Ratpaw." He cackled, glad that he had found this special object. With a swift turn, Duskpaw trotted away, signalling by his tail for Ratpaw to follow. This spot had many prey yet to be discovered, and he was going to discover it all with the other apprentice.

ooc: (Sorry for the short reply!)

Ratpaw purred softly, as well. And then they started off.

It was... exciting, to be out on the marsh with Duskpaw, his ears perked for prey he wasn’t certain how to listen for. But his paws made little sound on the trail of mud and earth Duskpaw led them through — perhaps a natural advantage of the moister ground. 

His clan’s territory had quite a bit of water, only a tail-length deep. And it was home to many little bugs, and frogs, and even marshfish. He’d seen them, from time to time.

And then Ratpaw thought about it: pictured it. Of the glimpses of live life he’d had — the way they were curious, to observe, but then the moment they moved, his eyes seemed to snap. Much like just then. It was instinct...

His mom mostly swatted him, when he’d chase her tail or scurried after flies and bugs. Understandably — although he did, when the mood suited him, still chase bugs. They were quite tasty, and texturally so varied! And according to Duskpaw, this must be no different. 

He took in a deep breath; attempting to settle into his instincts. And while Ratpaw didn’t know where to begin, he trusted the older apprentice to signal him. It was an instinct, but the warriors he’d seen — like his mother — seemed to think of it as an art, too.

His eyes scanned the marshes, ears prickled up to listen closely to whatever a noise of a prey— or unlikely, a predator— would be there. He sniffed the air, just to make sure. He have known of the scent of owls before, so it he would know how to fight it if one appeared. Hopefully, that won't ever happen now, though. Then he heard it— a rustle. "Watch closely, Ratpaw." He spoke lightly, lowering himself down to a crouch. His tail rested low on the ground, though he kept it high enough so that it wouldn't meet the ground completely as well. His eyes pin-pointed the creature, and he crept closer, and closer. Then in a dash, he leapt up in the air, aiming himself right down where the noises came from— when he suddenly bumped into something dry.. and somewhat slippery?

He heard the creature let out a furious hiss, and before he could've withdrawn, was met by a sharp pair of fangs. He yowled in pain by the sudden attack, and blindly smashed his paw over the unknown creature's head. He felt it let go, and instantly took the opportunity to leap away, fur bristling. It's eyes were sharpened, flaming with hostiliy. "Stay careful, Ratpaw! I think it's a snake!" He spoke, ears flattened as he kept his gaze focused on it. His front leg ached with pain, but he wanted to focus on defeating the predator first, rather than on the pain of his.

Snake appeared! Snake used Serpent Strike on Duskpaw, dealing 6 damage and using 10 stamina.
Duskpaw used Front Paw Blow on Snake, dealing 5 damage (4+1 due to Night Finesse) and using 5 stamina.

Duskpaw:
14/20 HP (-6)
52/60 (-5)

Ratpaw:
20/20 HP
60/60 SP

Snake:
10/15 HP (-5)
65/70 SP (-10)

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 10

Ratpaw’s heart spiked in alarm at Duskpaw’s pained cry — the sight of something glistening, twisting in the grass. A snake! The young apprentice had seen one before — dead, hanging limply from the jaws of a warrior, back when he was very young. It’s eyes were beady, shiny. And it’s fangs — was Duskpaw all right?!

At Duskpaw’s yowl, he couldn’t help but dart forward, too. But even through his pain, the older apprentice struck the creature back, fiercely, and warned Ratpaw — clearly gritting through pain. It made Ratpaw’s heart twinge, and though he’d never thought he’d feel it — in Webshadow’s training, that felt so far away — he wanted to, to bare his fangs. It built in his throat, like a hiss, and the young tom then caught a flash of scales — and snapped for the slithering creature who had hurt his friend.

Ratpaw was a small thing, but he was quick, slicing fangs into the belly of it, holding it and forcing it to writhe in his grasp. It was a fierce bite, and Ratpaw wanted to shake it, he felt the urge in his throat, but it was too heavy!

Ratpaw used Snap on Snake, dealing 7 damage (6+1 Night Finesse) and costing 7 SP.

Ratpaw
20/20
53/60 (-7)

Snake
3/15 (-7)
65/70

Duskpaw
14/20
52/60