Fishing [c]

As Hollypaw made her way torwards the river, she swiftly leaped to the other side, and managed to land safely on her four paws. The sunlight shone down her grey pelt, and she blinked, settling herself down to the smooth stone underneath herself. She had called for Ebonypaw earlier for a small hunt with her, and now began to wait. As time continued to pass by, her tail flicked, and she grew more concerned. Was he really going to come? She bit her inside cheek and stood up, tail hung high in hope. She scanned the area, and his pelt was nowhere to be found— neither was she able to locate his scent, too. She was getting worried, but she told herself he would arrive soon enough.

"Perhaps I'll hunt first, and he'll come along after, sooner or later." She mumbled to herself, and padded torwards the rapids. She looked briefly over the surface for traces of fish, and soon after she followed the river, she arrived at a decently-filled spot. Of course, she remained careful enough to not be spotted by them. It would.. be a shame if she had just been spotted right away, but she kept herself hidden. Then she waited for the perfect time. Then at once— she brang her paws down with a quick motion, aiming for a nearby shadow just under her reach.

She felt something brush against her paws, and immediately, she dug her claws into the fish and brought it up. It struggled and flapped, though as soon as her fangs pierced inside the creature— it went limp. She gave thanks to StarClan, holding the fish in her jaws, and carried it under a small bush. She'd only temporary leave it there though, and sat up, tail wrapped neatly beside her figure. She once again waited for the tom's appearance.

Hollypaw attempted to catch a Fish! It was a success!

Hollypaw:
20/20 HP
57/60 SP (-3)

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

---

'Hunting Dice' : 2

Ebonypaw had happily accepted the she-cat's invitation, but he had some duties he had to do first. Training with bearspirit, cleaning out dens, general busywork he wasn't nearly as enthused about. But it was important to keep the clan running, so he didn't fuss about it. However, it was taking longer than he expected, anxiety starting to rise in his chest the longer he had Hollypaw waiting. When he was finally released, he broke off into a sprint to get to their rendezvous spot, hopeful she was still there

He finally reached sunningrocks, late, but there. He looked up to see the gray she-cat and purred a greeting trying to hide his heavy breath as he did so. "Hey, sorry about that, I didn't mean to make you wait," he apologized, followed by a nervous chuckle. "Let's get started." Or, as the glint of scales in the bush he passed told, he was the one that needed to get started as Hollypaw already had.

The black tom made his way to the edge of the water. He usually preferred to get into the water to fish, but with the leaf-fall chill and the adequate hunting spots by the shore, he was encouraged to keep his fur dry for once. Green eyes scanned the water, focusing on rocky areas and where foliage shadowed the river. Fish preferred those spots, and he was quick to spot a small fish darting between aquatic flora. He crept a little closer to the hiding perch, his tail deathly still from his beginner days hunting land prey.

Then, once it was within his reach, he quickly dunked his head beneath the surface of the water, his teeth catching on scales. It flopped and floundered in his jaws, but a paw pinning it to the stones allowed him to get a more lethal bite to the spine, forcing the struggling to stop. He purred with pride. He always loved fishing. He felt no guilt when fulfilling this pleasure. It helped the clan, proved he was useful and loyal. "I would do this all day if I could. It's so relaxing, you know?" The sound of the water's hushed murmur, lazy fish being oh so simple to catch, even the cold that stuck to the wet lock of fur on his body seemed to soothe the soul.

Ebonypaw attempted to catch a Fish! It was a success!

Ebonypaw:
20/20 HP
57/60 SP (-3)

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

---

'Hunting Dice' : 3

(ooc: If you don't roll & encounter a predator right now, I can pull one in!)

As Hollypaw heard pawsteps coming closer torwards her, she smiled, turning her head over to look at the cat. As expected, it was Ebonypaw approaching. "It's fine, though I might have already caught a fish while waiting earlier. Hope you don't mind that." The molly chuckled. Steadily— and professionally, Ebonypaw had already caught a fish in his jaws soon after he made his way over the rapids. "I do agree. It is really relaxing, isn't it?" She purred. Not wanting to waste more time, she rose to her paws, making her way to stand beside the tom. Her eyes once again scanned the river, and she padded over to a further spot up the river.

She detected movements in the waters, and patiently waited until it moved close enough torwards her reach. With a determined look in her eyes, the apprentice quickly swiped at the creature underneath with outstretched claws. She felt her claws penetrate something soft, and immediately bought it up to the surface. Pleased of her catch, she grinned, looking over to the apprentice next to her. The fish didn't struggle so much underneath her paws as the other one had before, and she felt somewhat proud.

Hollypaw attempted to catch a fish. It was a success!

Hollypaw:
20/20 HP
54/60 SP (-3)

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

---

'Hunting Dice' : 6

(Ebony didn't trigger one, so you're free to bring one in!)

He nodded, happy the other apprentice agreed. He figured some might find it boring. When the water was calm and the fish were sluggish, it didn't seem like much of a challenge to fish. One could turn their brain off while land prey required much more attention and care. But that was what he liked about it. Fewer chances to fail, more chances to relax and adore the scenery when he normally wouldn't allow himself to.

"It's my favorite excuse to get out of camp. I mean, this sounds very Riverclan of me, but I've always liked the water. It makes your pelt feel heavy, like it's grounding you. Or like a hug from the river itself." He spoke softly as he watched the she-cat scan the water, soon coming up with another fish of her own. "Good catch! Much cleaner than I managed." A purr of praise burst from his chest as he smiled bright at her.

His turn to catch came around once more, and he turned his attention back to the water. He hummed quietly in thought before eyeing a fish just beneath the surface of the water, nestled in-between some rocks, hiding from the current. His tail flicked with interest as he got just a little closer, careful not to let his shadow cast over the water before swiping down with a paw. In a graceful scooping motion, he dragged the fish onto dry land and ended its flopping with a quick bite behind the head. "We might feed the whole clan if we keep up this luck."

Ebonypaw attempted to catch a fish. It was a success!

Ebonypaw:
20/20 HP
54/60 SP (-3)

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

---

'Hunting Dice' : 7

"That's true, isn't it?" She purred, agreeing with the tom's opinions about the waters. "And thank you!" She beamed back, although lightly. As Ebonypaw quickly caught a fish under his paws, she was looking foward to repeat the same action as well. His graceful catch was impressive, she had to admit that. They've caught about four fishes already, and she had a feeling they would be able to catch more. This was a good thing. Leaf-bare came closer and closer each day, and the nursery soon grew overcrowded with kits. She'd never seen so many before. "Fair enough. I thought the fishes wouldn't be so easy to catch, and yet, we've become so lucky today with them." She giggled.

Once again, it was her turn to fish. Eyes sharp, claws unsheathed, she scanned the stream for fishes hiding themselves behind the rocks of the current. She spotted a fast, sweeping figure against the waters— and her eyes pinpointed it as a difficult prey. Her eyes followed the creature, crouching down stealthily against the water's surface. Then gathering enough force from her hind legs, paws outstretched, and she leapt onto the creature. If she was able to catch it now— most likely, it'll be an impressive one for the clan.

But it wasn't. In just a blink of an eye, she felt sharp teeth piercing through her skin, and she couldn't help but let out a pained yelp in suprise. The creature surely wasn't a prey. Not any that she knew of, at least. Miraculously, she managed to keep her stance steady, and swiftly swam her way back to the land. The stream wasn't so wide, luckily— but the creature continued to grip on her shoulder. She held back a pained hiss, and instinctively spun around to slash at the unknown predator, claws unsheathed.

Weasel appeared! Weasel used Gripping Bite on Hollypaw, dealing 7 damage and using 15 stamina. (Turn one!)
Hollypaw used Front Paw Strike, dealing 6 damage and using 7 stamina.

Hollypaw:
13/20 HP (-7)
53/60 SP (-7)

Ebonypaw:
20/20 HP
60/60 SP

Weasel:
14/20 HP (-6)
135/135 SP (-15)

Ebonypaw purred quietly as he watched the other cat lock on to what he assumed to be more prey. He could only imagine the looks on their clanmates' faces as they drag in more fish than they can carry. Though, perhaps that was an ambitious thought. He would be thankful for any amount of fish they brought back, no need to be greedy and-

A yelp cut off his thoughts as his hackles raised in surprise. "Hollypaw?" A flash of familiar brown fur caused his heart to race. Weasel. He knew that creature all too well after one had attacked him on his first time out of camp. "Hold on!" He called, racing to his friend's side as she hauled herself back onto the bank.

"Keep striking it's nose and eyes! It will have to let go or be blinded!" The words of his mentor repeated in his mind as the muscles in his legs tensed before launching him forward. Outstretched claws raked across the weasel's face and muzzle as they were brought down upon it. This weasel wasn't going to ruin their day if he had any say in it.

Ebonypaw used Jumping Strike for -7SP, dealing 4 Damage! (+3 as Weasel is not focused on Ebony)

Hollypaw:
13/20 HP
53/60 SP

Ebonypaw:
20/20 HP
53/60 SP (-7)

Weasel:
7/20 HP (-7)
120/135 SP

Quickly, Ebonypaw had already come to help. She felt relieved that he was there— otherwise, who knew what could've happened to her? Though as grateful as she was to him, they both needed to focus on this predator first. The weasel let out a furious, muffled shriek as Ebonypaw's claws raked it face. Only then did she notice red droplets of blood trailing down the creature's sleek fur, and now down to her own. Even so, it continued to cling on to her, refusing to let go.

She drew her lips back to a snarl, opening her mouth to reveal sharp fangs. Determinedly, the molly dove at the weasel, fiercely snapping at the predator. It was forced to let go, and it leapt away from her, fury still blazing through it's eyes. It gave her and the tom one last glance, then scurried away, deciding that it wasn't so worth it. The apprentice exhaled out a sigh of relief, slumping down to the stone's surface in pain. That.. would leave a scar, for sure. Nonetheless, she turned her head over to the tom, exchanging him a grateful look. "Thank you, though I suppose I'll have to pay Cloverheart a visit again for this.." She sighed, looking down at her leg. She'd gotten into the trouble because of her own fault— and so troubling him made her feel guilty. Yet he helped her anyway, and for that she was thankful.

Weasel used Gripping Bite on Hollypaw, dealing 7 damage and using 15 stamina. (Turn two!)
Hollypaw used Snap, dealing 6 damage and using 7 stamina.

Hollypaw:
6/20 HP (-7)
46/60 SP (-7)

Ebonypaw:
20/20 HP
53/60 SP

Weasel:
1/20 HP (-6)
105/135 SP (-15)

It seemed just as quickly as it started, it ended.

After a rather harsh bite from Hollypaw, the weasel let go and fled the scene, leaving them alone. Though, he couldn't help but watch the reeds a little longer where it disappeared just to be sure it left. He didn't think they were smart enough to plan a false retreat, but his friend was hurt. He didn't want to risk more damage because he wasn't vigilant. If he had seen the weasel earlier this wouldn't have happened at all.

However, his large ears flicked to her as she spoke, regaining his attention. He took a step closer to the she-cat's side, assessing the damage for himself. He wasn't a medicine cat of any type, but the wound certainly looked painful. It made his stomach want to tie itself in knots. "No, don't thank me. I'm just glad you're alright... Do you think you can walk on it? You can lean on me if you need to, I don't mind." His tail twitched from side to side in concern as he spoke. He knew she would be fine, there was no need for such anxiousness. Camp wasn't far off and the wound didn't look too dangerous... unless it got infected and- No. He swallowed down the thought before it could fully manifest. Fretting wouldn't make this any better.

"That'd be such great help, Ebonypaw. Thank you again." She smiled, wincing slightly as she rose up from the stone's smooth surface. Her shoulder ached, but she had a feeling it would be alright with the help of Ebonypaw getting her back. With the fishes that they've caught. She padded over, lowering her head down to grab the two fish that she's caught earlier. Then with the help of the tom just a rabbit hop away, she walked over, using her tail to motion the two other fish set aside on the stones. Injured or not, the clan has many mouths that needs to be fed. More and more kits were arriving, and leaf-bare was coming closer than ever.

At least— with the help of their hunt today, Hollypaw felt as if they've contributed a pretty decent amount of prey for the clan, considering how close leaf-bare is. She waited for the tom to come back over beside her, then they'd finally be able to return to camp.

He gave a quick nod in response, watching the reeds one last time to make sure the predator didn't make a surprise return before picking up the remaining fish in his jaws. While a bit disappointed to have their hunt interrupted in such a way, they could always go on another, perhaps in a safer part of the territory.

Ebonypaw joined Hollypaw's side, offering a support to lean on. While rather lanky looking, lean muscle laid just beneith his thick pelt, allowing him to act as a sturdy crutch for the other cat as they started to make their way back to camp. He offered a small smile through his mouthful of fish, they'll make it home quickly and she'll be alright.