Meet Me in the Afterglow [c]

Daylight spilled down to the leaf-fallen ground with the sunlight hour of the afternoon, joined by two shadows padding across the earth of the woodlands in aligned paw steps. Thrushnose lifted his head to observe his surroundings, the faint flutter of birds' wings and squirrels chittering hidden among tree branches and leaves.

Followed close behind him was Maplepaw, his recently-assigned apprentice for training. Stopping at a clearing with the least leaves being scattered around, he turned around to face her, a smile on his maw. "I hope you had enough rest yesterday, Maplepaw, since today we'll be practicing the basic skill any cat needs to know to be able to provide for their clan," He purred out softly, pausing, "And that would be hunting."

"I will demonstrate for you the hunting stance first, then you try it out yourself." Thrushnose nodded, lowering himself down close to the ground. He hovered just high enough for his fur to not brush up against the ground, but low enough to stalk prey so that they wouldn't spot him. "Shift your weight so that it'll be more towards your haunches instead of your front paws. That way prey won't get startled by your movements or detect them before you can hunt them down." Rising to his normal stance again, he smiled. "Now you try."

Thrushnose observed his apprentice thoughtfully, nodding at her attempt to descend into a hunting crouch. "Yes, like that. Though, keep your posture relaxed and fluid." He nodded. Although there was still plenty more to be refined, Maple could improve as they learned. He helped her fix some of the more major details to her pose before gently lifting her tail, making sure for it to hover just high enough above the ground. "Keep your tail hovering just high enough above the ground for it to not distract the prey when you approach."

His ears picked up on a nearby rustle of the leaves, and the tom perked with attention. "I'll guide you through a demonstration, alright?" He smiled. Quickly dropping down into a crouch, he stalked the nearby squirrel on the ground, it being blissfully unaware of his presence. Waiting until it was the perfect moment to strike, he leaped forward and captured it with a swift blow to the neck. "Like that!" Thrushnose beamed, grateful for the successful catch to show Maplepaw. "Now, the next thing you'd want to do is to hide your catches somewhere predators won't be able to easily find. That'll keep them safe until we can bring our catches back to camp." He nodded, gesturing towards the nearby roots of an oak tree, where a small space conveniently lay.

Thrushnose attempted to hunt Squirrel for 3 SP. It was a Success!

Thrushnose
117/120 SP (-3)

hunting system guide! cre:

Thrushnose's eyes lit up in glee as Maplepaw complimented him, feeling strange for being amazed at a skill so regular. "Well, you learn to just kind of do that with instinct over time. It's not that impressive, really." He chuckled, his tail lifted high up in happiness despite the modesty he showed. Moving over to put his catch under the hiding spot he had mentioned, the tom nodded, observing with attentiveness as Maplepaw went for her first catch.

As soon as the she-cat rose to show him the prey she held between her teeth, Thrushnose beamed with pride. "Good job, Maplepaw! You did it." He grinned, nodding in the encouragement of her abilities. "Now let's see if there are any other prey nearby here..." He hummed in thought, nose held high to detect scents of upcoming prey.

A flash of talons and a pair of wings whooshed by, followed by an immense sting that made him hiss in pain. The warrior's fur stood on end, bristled and triggered by instincts from the slash on his shoulder. "Stand back, Maplepaw! He yelled, tail lashing sharply behind himself as he stood protectively in front of his apprentice. "It's an owl. They're quick creatures with sharp talons—but they're only good on air. Let me pin it down for you first, then you can attack." He instructed her, keeping a close eye on the winged creature.

Perhaps the place they'd hidden their prey was too close to the owl's nest. Well, how were they supposed to know, anyway? Taking the opportunity as the owl swooped down again to go for his back, he leaped up and tumbled the creature to the ground, pinning its wings shut as best as he could to give Maplepaw an opportunity to strike.

Owl appeared! Owl used Talon Strike on Thrushnose for 10 SP, dealing 7 damage!
Thrushnose used Leap and Hold for 15 SP, dealing 8 damage! Owl is pinned for 2 turns!

Owl (pinned)
22/30 HP (-8)
980/90 SP (-10)

Thrushnose
43/50 HP (-7)
102/120 SP (-15)

Thrushnose bit back the pain, his eyes instead gleaming with an obvious sense of pride despite all the adrenaline. Good. She's not hesitating. The last he'd want to do is cause Maplepaw to worry and instead get distracted in the middle of the fight; they still had an owl to end, after all. "I'm fine!" He forced a grin, digging his claws deeper into the owl's flesh through its bunch of feathers, and causing it to cry out in pain. The creature writhed underneath him, kicking and barking desperately to escape from the tom's hold. "Just focus on striking its wings! Don't let it fly again."

Thrushnose continued to use Leap and Hold, using 15 SP and dealing 8 damage! Owl is pinned. (Last turn)

Owl (pinned)
8/30 HP (-8)
980/90 SP

Thrushnose
43/50 HP
87/120 SP (-15)

Maplepaw
20/20HP
53/60SP

Thrushnose watched as the owl struggled under his apprentice's claws, letting out one last cry of agony before eventually succumbing from its injuries. Once the bird had fallen limp, he let out a small wince, removing his claws from sinking into the creature and letting it free. He turned to his apprentice, keeping his voice calm despite the stinging pain of the talons that moments ago just tore into his skin. He briefly offered his injuries a glance, shaking his head in dismissal in hopes of reassuring Maplepaw.

"I'll be fine, Maplepaw. I'll go back and ask Echopaw or Fawnshine to give my injuries a quick lookover." Thrushnose nodded, looking back at his apprentice with a more concerned expression. "What about you? Did the owl get you anywhere?" He scanned her for injuries, frowning.


(ooc: small reminder that this is before echosong got his full name)