Before Dawn [O]

Ares was an early riser, that was just how he had always been. Mornings were never an issue for the tom, but they were for... practically everyone else it seemed. That meant that the camp was quiet, and he could finally do what he'd been wanting to do. Train. If he ever wanted to protect his family and friends, he had to get stronger. He had to be the best, he would be the best. He wasn't yet though. So he was on the lookout for anything to practice with, bugs, leaves, anything that might move with the wind even! However, it was still dark, despite the sun beginning to rise over the horizon. Finally, a leaf. It was long dead and crunchy, but it was still a leaf. Ares crouched down, and leapt after it as the wind blew it away. This chase continued on until the leaf finally blew out of the confines of camp, halting Ares in his tracks. It wasn't like he could just leave, even though he wanted that leaf. "Mousedung!" He hissed, golden eyes watching it float away into the darkness.

Apollo watched his brother chasing a leaf around until it blew away. He laughed a little That looks so tasty to bad you missed we could have had a feast he meowed jokingly.

Apollo was always the joker of the bunch whenever there was a sarcastic comment to be made or a stupid pun, or even something as stupid as answering the dung pile option to Aphrodite's earlier question about tree climbing. The way he saw it, the group needed someone laid back and joking, too many of them were oh so serious.

Now he usually acted more behaved around his father Klaus but that was about it.

He walked over to his brother Ares Your bored too? he asked, there wasn't exactly a bunch to do around this place, he couldn't wait to get out and cause some mischief in the larger world.

Wanna go hunt for real? he asked tilting his head.

Dad would probably be proud of us for taking the initiative and getting things done.

If Ares was up, Astraeus was up earlier. Blending in with the shadows that lay dappled on the snow, he watched his brother chase a leaf- and winced in sympathy when it just escaped his claws. His maw parted, briefly, to offer some sort of condolences, but Apollo was faster, offering some hare-brained scheme instead.

He sighed.

Leaping lightly to his paws, the tomkit padded over. “We shouldn’t go out on our own,” he pointed out. “I know the feeling of being bored, though, so why don’t we spar?” A spark of mischief lit in his eye as he backed up a pace, tail swaying behind him. “Betcha can’t beat me!”

Aether was not a morning cat, but alas, being a light sleeper did not help him ignore the chatter going on outside. Well, he was up, so might as well stay up, right?

Padding out, he heard mention of making papa proud by taking initiative, a thought that made him glad to be awake. It was no secret that Aether admired his father greatly, and he would like to please him.

Of course, the idea was quickly shot down by Astraeus.

With an irritated flick of his tail, Aether shot his brother a glare. "What's wrong with hunting? Are you scared? We've got to learn sometime, why not now? Like Apollo said, Papa would be impressed. And I, for one, would love some fresh air too!"

"You guys are going hunting?" A quiet voice emerged from a nearby snowbank as Anastasia peeked over it, the dark tabby stripes lending to her hiding spot. She had been anxiously waiting for her father to wake up, to learn more, but... The thought of being able to do something on her own was appealing. Almost appealing enough to risk stepping out of their small haven. Maybe she could bring back something for him to share with mother....

Where had all his siblings emerged from? It was as if they all had hidden there just to laugh at his failure. No matter, failure to catch a leaf was not acceptable to him, he had to be better, and what better way than actually hunting. Of course, they shouldn't leave without someone's permission, but the opportunity was just too good to pass up. "You know what? Fine, lets go hunting. We have to stay together though, because if something comes out of no where, I'm not going to run around figuring out where you all are just so you don't die. Come on." Ares felt that some of his siblings were more likely to die in the face of a threat than others, but it was easier to just keep them all together. He would lead their little expedition, and that meant he was responsible for their safety. The tom quickly trotted out of camp, leaving the others to follow if they wished.

There were trees around, which was nice, it provided some cover from the snow, made it easier to traverse the terrain. Ares's nose locked onto the scent of a squirrel, and he crouched down awkwardly. Not having trained much meant that his form was not the greatest, but he was trying. He stalked forward, moving on instinct rather than training. Everyone had the ability to hunt, training just made it much, much easier. It must've been a fluke, but results were results. Ares finally found the squirrel digging in the ground, maybe trying to find a nut in the harsh weather? It didn't matter, the young tom leaped with all his might at the prey, and he actually caught it. For a moment, he wasn't sure what to do with it, before biting down on it. Hard.

Blood tinged the sides of his mouth red as he held his catch until it stopped moving. Even he was shocked, prey had been so scarce, and he was so new to hunting, that he hadn't expected any of them to catch anything. But he was wrong, and he was using every ounce of self-control to keep from shouting that he was a good hunter, and run back to his father to show him. No, instead he watched his siblings, ensuring that they weren't going to get murdered by their prey.

Ares caught a Squirrel! -7 SP

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 3

"Wait up!" Atalante's soft voice could be heard as she hurried towards the little group of siblings, fur clearly still ruffled from sleep. Ana's voice had been what had finally woken her from a dead sleep, and Atalante had rolled out of her nest, curious to see what her siblings were up to and eager to join in, whatever it might be.

Hunting, it seemed like. Well, she did need to practice. And if they somehow ran into a predator, then they'd be practicing their fighting skills, instead. Ares had already caught a squirrel, it seemed. "Nice catch!" She purred, though there was a competitive glint in her cerulean eyes. If Ares could catch a squirrel, so could she.

Gaze sweeping over their surroundings, Atalante quickly found the scent of another squirrel and slipped toward it. She'd been practicing her form for days, not that she'd had the chance to use it on live prey. That needed to change, and that would change now.

Creeping closer, Atalante's muscles bunched and she sprang forward. Claws sank into the squirrel's fuzzy gray pelt, and she dragged it toward herself, quickly cutting off the attempt of a struggle. It wasn't the cleanest kill, but she'd succeeded! With a grin, Atalante turned back to her siblings, stashing her catch between the roots of a tree.

Atalante attempted to catch a squirrel for -7 sp. Catch was successful!
93 / 100 sp

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 2

Apollo was right behind Atalante and Ares.  As far as Apollo was concerned he was fine if Ares took point on the hunt, Ares was a pretty good leader for it. He didnt want the lead position that was for sure, there would be no time to goof off if he had to lead the hunt.  

Yeah come join us Anastasia! he purred

Wow Atalante and Ares had both already caught a squirrel each!? They were gifted that was for sure.

hee hee hey guys!?  What did the father squirrel tell his family?

he purred in amusement for a little bit letting them think

Acorn-y joke! he laughed easily entertained with himself
Get it?

Well if nothing else at least he could goof off out here away from camp.

He saw a squirrel as well a short distance away and snuck up on it as quietly as he could.  Unfortunatly it saw him at the last second and quickly made its way up a tree just seconds before he pounced at it.

Apollo attempted to catch a squirrel for -7 sp. Catch was a fail.
93 / 100 sp

Danngggg! he meowed

He looked back over to his siblings

Good thing I dont mind eating the dung pile from earlier huh? he laughed amused that he could keep the gag joke going from their earlier conversation about climbing trees.

Everyone here was so very formal so he really liked being the clown even if he looked a bit of a fool in doing so.

Maybe Ares will share with me? he asked tilting his head.

He doubted it but who knows maybe.

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 5

Astraeus met Aether’s eyes with a flat stare… before it turned into a playful grin. “I’m scared of having to haul all your pelts back to camp after you get your tails beat by a badger! No, Anastasia, we aren’t going hunting…” his voice trailed off as Ares clomped away into the snow. “Alright, I’m coming!” He called, bounding after his brother. “You’re right, if we’re all together we can take down nearly anything!” His voice dropped to a quiet whisper as Atalante joined them. “Not letting my favorite siblings go hunting without me!”

Ares was first to catch a squirrel, with Atalante not far behind. Apollo missed, and Astraeus gave his brother a sympathetic look. “Don’t worry, it’s an easy miss. Besides, we’re all sharing once we get back. We all tried, right? And if someone has worse luck than someone else, that isn’t their fault.” His ears pricked and he silently split off from the rest of his ‘patrol’, tail flicking to ask them to be quiet. Another squirrel- scrawny, like the rest of them, but food!

He stalked the squirrel, body low to the ground and eyes locked on its furry form. His tail twitched… a voice mistake, as the squirrel’s head shot up. Before it was up the tree Astraeus was on it, claws swiping at the squirrel’s face like it was an enemy to be vanquished. Bleeding, it shot up into the trees with a loud chatter.

Sheepish, the silver tom returned to the group. “If anyone sees a one-eyed squirrel, that was mine.” That wasn’t fair… leaves didn’t run when his tail twitched. He’d have to keep that in mind. “I’ll catch something next time I try,” he mewed, eyes already darting around for any choice prey. Or any prey at all, really.

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 4

Aether rolled his eyes at Astraeus. "It'll be your body we drag back!"

Trotting after the rest of the group, it seemed only half of them was having any luck. Completely ignoring Ares's order, he branched off, trailing his own squirrel.

A grin crossed his face as slowly, carefully, he started forward. Ares and Atlantes weren't going to be the only ones bringing back prey. He wanted to make Papa proud too.

The squirrel he was after was nibbling on a nut and, with whatever stroke of luck he had, he actually managed to catch it, proudly rejoining the group with it's bushy tail hanging from his mouth.

Aether attempted to catch a squirrel. Catch was successful! -7 sp

Aether
40/40 hp
93/100 sp

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 3