of tufts and ripples [c]

Finally, it seemed that the cold was ending. Her tri-colored tail swiped across the ground as she adjusted to the still-chilly air that seemed to never be leaving the forest at this point, desperately wishing for it to somehow instantly get warmer. Newleaf was on the horizon, certainly, but it wasn't there just quite yet. Her breath still formed into a cloud before her face in the air, and she still felt the cold stabbing at her pawpads each step she took. Her fur dampened that effect, thankfully, but that meant it was left... well... damp. That simply perpetuated the chill. The young warrior was at least thankful that she had it better than her mother did, the shorter-furred leader no doubt having a harder time dealing with the cold temperatures. Or perhaps she didn't and liked the cold, but either way, Murkyripple was more than thankful for the warmth she had.

Catching a glimpse at one of the newest warriors that had moved into the warriors den, Murkyripple gave a mental twitch of her whiskers. Roaming the territory alone was definitely something she could do, but with the twolegs only recently gone, she at least wanted to have someone she could send running back to camp should they run into any trouble. "Curlyfluff," The warrior called out, her tone more piercing than friendly. Even if it sounded a bit harsh, the lack of malice was obvious. She was simply much more blunt with speaking. "Join me on a patrol?" That question was definitely much friendlier-sounding.

In all honesty, except for the fact that him and Rosepaw seemed to be spending less than acceptable time together, being a warrior hadn't felt too different than when he'd been an apprentice, but the curl-covered tom knew that being a warrior was more than important to the clan. Being able to protect them more, care for them, be every-cat's friend when they needed one... it was his StarClan given purpose and he would do everything to fulfill his duties.

Having just finished helping re-secure the brambles to the nursery walls, Curlyfluff's ears twitched at some-cat's call. Turning around, he spotted Murkyripple and gave her a friendly flick of his tail. Padding across the clearing, the young tom held a warm smile on his muzzle. "I'd love to!" he mewed happily, his ears flicking back and forth and whiskers twitching at a brisk breeze that blew. Though the air was still chilly and nipped at his pawpads, the warmth that continued to grow as well as stay in the camp dens was a reminder of the warm season to come. Curlyfluff had been keeping busy with his warrior duties and lately hadn't had had much time to spend in his nest, but he certainly cherished the cozy moments that he did have to curl up against the warmth of his clanmates.

Perhaps a friend was truly what Murkyripple needed. She often found herself existing in some semblance of solitude, of being away from everybody else. She truly only ever interacted with her mother, or her apprentices. The change of pace was certainly to be appreciated, and she found herself giving the slightest nod as the confirmation of Curlyfluff's decision to accompany her. The longer-pelted calico led the way without much hesitation, having grown rather used to the way their home was laid out. The best places to go hunting were easily settled into her mind, and without so much as a second thought did the molly lead them that way. "How is Rosepaw? Firepaw?" She found herself asking, given the fact that she knew that the tom spent a fair amount of time with her siblings. It was a bit of weakness for the warrior, deep down, that she didn't talk to them much. But it was just... hard for her to find connection with them. With any of her clanmates, really. A note was stored in her mind to take them out on a hunt at some point.

As they conversed, her senses went into overdrive to try and find a piece of prey. The aggressive sounds of a chittering squirrel caught her attention rather quickly, and her tail went flat as her stature moved to be able to stalk it. "One moment," She said quickly, the words more like a commanded bark. It wasn't intentionally rude, just a flaw that Murkyripple had when communicating. Her ears flattened back just slightly as she went after the rodent, hoping to catch it as she was ready to dart up the tree. But just as she was about to launch at it, the creature saw her, scuttling away with angered chitters as she sneered in frustration at the lost catch.

"Sorry. As you were saying?" She forced her tone to be much more polite, her body language to show that she hadn't meant to be rude to the tom. After all, he was a clanmate. There was no point in being mean.

Murkyripple attempts to catch a squirrel... and missed! -5SP
95 / 100 SP

The member 'Kitty' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 8

Padding alongside Murkyripple, the tom found himself content with the silence between them. Not all of his clanmates were big talkers like Rosepaw or even him at times, and he was perfectly fine with that. Over the moons, he’d found out that he was fairly good at matching the energy of whoever he was spending time with, which came in handy more often than not. As long as his presence made his clanmates happy; that’s all that mattered.

Thinking about her question, he was able to easily come up with an answer seeing as though he spent more than enough time with the sisters, even though he always wished that somehow he could spend even more with them. They were just the best to be around, no matter what they all did together. Hopefully he’d be able to spar with Firepaw sometime soon, he owed her that much.

Opening his maw to answer her question he quickly shut it at her command, not wanting to scare away any nearby prey. Watching as she went for a squirrel, he tried his best not to show any reaction as she missed the prey. He knew that some warriors didn't want pity or anything of the sorts in situations like these and so he always did his best to not make them more annoyed, though sometimes it seemed inevitable. Luckily, he didn't have any time to say anything about the hunt, seeing as though Murkyripple still wanted an answer about the sisters.

"They're doing great!" he purred with a smile. "Rosepaw can be quite cheeky and eager to do anything but sit still, but I can tell her adventurous spirit will really take her places when she becomes a warrior. Firepaw's really passionate and can be a little fiery at times, but I suppose she wasn't named Firepaw for nothing. I can't wait to spar more with her, she's really good at battling," the tom chuckled with delight. He'd known them his whole life, but anytime he talked about the sister's, butterflies fluttered about in his stomach and his pelt itched with excitement for all of their futures ahead. He would and could never grow old of the feeling, that was for sure.

Ears perking at some rustling nearby, he flicked his tail back and forth in efforts to signal to Murkyripple that it was his turn to hunt. Eyes dilated and focused on the prey ahead, he crouched down and made his way through some brush as quietly as possible. Not too far in front of him was a squirrel munching on some foliage, possibly the same one as before. Doing his best not to let his poofy stomach drag along the ground, he slowly inched forward. Bunching up his haunches, he gave his rump a wiggle before leaping forward with sharp claws extended. Unfortunately for him, the squirrel had taken notice to him too soon and bounded away from his grasp and quickly scurried up a tree. Letting out a sigh, the young tom gave his pelt a shake. "Maybe next time," he mewed to himself, not having noticed the feathered predator that sat silently in the canopy above, watching his every movement.

Unfortunately for him, the owl must've been more hungry than just wanting a squirrel, and without warning it swooped down from above. Grabbing onto the tom's fluffy tail, it did its best to lift him off the ground, but luckily for him he was just heavy enough for the bird to struggle a bit. Of course, its sharp claws still hurt as they dug into his skin and he let out a yowl comprised of both surprise and pain. "Murkyripple!" he yelled in a panic, unsure of what to do. Feeling himself being lifted ever-so-much into the air, he dug his claws into the ground and did his best to pull himself downwards. Great StarClan, what luck to become the prey for a day!


Curlyfluff attempted to catch a squirrel, costing -5 SP. Attempt was unsuccessful and caused a predator encounter!

The owl used Swoop on Curlyfluff; dealing -15 HP and costing -15 SP.

Curlyfluff
HP: 21/30
SP: 75/80

Owl
HP: 30/30
SP: 75/90

The member 'Ice' has done the following action : Dice roll

---

'Hunting Dice' : 10

The mottled she-cat couldn't help the smile that appeared on her face at the mentioning of her sisters doing well. She didn't spend nearly enough time with them, but it certainly warmed her heart to know that they shared a friend that could be trusted. Curlyfluff's mannerisms were certainly somemthing that the she-cat herself hadn't thought that she'd find appealing, but there was something heart-warming about the tom that made her enjoy his company. Perhaps it was simply the contrast to her usual broody, ever-the-perfectionist attitude that made her enjoy the change of pace. Or perhaps it was the fact that he made for pleasant conversation, as oppossed to the sass that she usually faced from her younger sister.

"I'm glad they've made a good friend, it seems. Keep an eye on them for me?" Murkyripple asked, her head tilting just slightly to the side. But she allowed herself to be quiet as the warrior himself found a piece of prey that would catch his attention, her own steps silencing just in case they would somehow ruin the catch. Unfortunately for the two of them, there was another creature with plans to ruin their day, and a hiss was quick to leave her maw as the owl appeared.

This was exactly why she pushed herself daily. To help her Clan in situations such as this. His cry for help was all it took for her to come running, claws and teeth bared to go right for the bird. She aimed for its wing first, sinking her hind claws into it as she lept, and used that as leverage as her front paws went right for its head. All of her weight went towards sailing the bird right towards the ground, hopefully to also release Curlyfluff. She did her best to keep her own weight away from here he was held below, lest it accidentally end up coming crashing down on him. That wasn't a fun situation for anybody. But in the way her paws slammed, she knew the bird's beak would end up jammed in a way to no doubt at least somewhat stun it.

Murkyripple used 'Front' Paw Strike and Thunderous Stomp! It dealt a total of 10 (8+2) damage, and used a total of 17 (7 + 10) stamina.
The owl is stunned for one turn!

Murkyripple
40 / 40 HP
83 / 100 SP [-17]

Curlyfluff
HP: 21/30
SP: 75/80

Owl
HP: 20/30 [-10]
SP: 75/90

With Murkyripple having come to the rescue, the owl unlatched its claws from his pelt and was smacked down onto the ground beside him. With a jump, Curlyfluff's heart raced. He knew he needed to regain his bearings; this was just an owl and between the both of them they'd be able to handle it. Even after telling himself that though, he still couldn't shake the frightened feeling that crawled up and down his pelt. He was a warrior... so why was he still so scared of battles? He wanted to protect his clan no matter what, so why was he always such a coward when they needed him?

Doing his best to push the doubtful thoughts away, he extended his claws. With the owl momentarily down, this was the perfect time to react and he needed to take advantage of it instead of getting lost in his own thoughts. Leaping forward, he slashed a paw at the bird's stomach. Unfortunately, its legs and talons were longer than he'd expected and between the flailing of its wings, it slashed its claws back at him, catching his cheek. So much for that idea.

Curlyfluff used Belly Rake; it was unsuccessful and costed -15 SP. Curlyfluff suffered the -5 HP recoil damage.

Curlyfluff
HP: 16/30
SP: 60/80

Murkyripple
HP: 40/40
SP: 83/100

Owl
HP: 20/30
SP: 75/90

The member 'Ice' has done the following action : Dice roll

---

'Effect Dice' : 1

The she-cat watched as Curlyfluff attempted to strike at the owl's underbelly, and the idea didn't go unnoticed. All things considered, it was actually rather smart. She herself went to try, but the owl's fluttering wings got in her way, stopping the warrior and causing her to end up hurting herself instead. Murkyripple let out a frustrated hiss, but wasn't about to give up on this fight.


Murkyripple attempted a Bellyrake! She also failed and took 5 damage, using 15 SP.

Curlyfluff
HP: 16/30
SP: 60/80

Murkyripple
HP: 35/40
SP: 68/100

Owl
HP: 20/30
SP: 75/90[/quote]

The member 'Kitty' has done the following action : Dice roll

---

'Effect Dice' : 1

Hoping Murkyripple was alright, Curlyfluff knew he had to think fast if they wanted to scare this owl off. Lunging forward, he snapped his jaw's at the bird's feathers which caused it to shriek and begin to flap its large wings. Watching as it began to float up off the ground, the young warrior stepped back in attempt to get away from its grasp, but unfortunately the owl had gained too much air within hardly any time at all.

Swooping down, it reached out towards Curlyfluff with outstretched talons and nicked his back, causing the tom to crouch down to the ground in a panic of being hoisted up into the sky. A stinging sensation filled his fur and he prayed that they could end this sooner rather than later, for Murkyripple's safety as well as his own...

Curlyfluff used Snap, causing -7 HP and costing -7 SP.
...
The owl used Talon Strike on Curlyfluff, causing -7 HP and costing -10 SP.

Curlyfluff
HP: 9/30
SP: 53/80

Murkyripple
HP: 35/40
SP: 68/100

Owl
HP: 13/30
SP: 65/90