The Hunter and The Hunted [c]

Silverpaw walked by her side as they peeled away from the group of cats to hunt. Not much older than an apprentice aged herself, Quailprowler was taking this seriously. Already, the timid she-cat was starting to get feisty. But today, they were hunting. Fighting would be tomorrow. Quailprowler, despite her name, wasn't the best hunter. She was large and bulky and it was hard to hide. The -prowler came from her long, stalky stride. Hunting cats, maybe. But this wasn't a cat hunt.

"Alright, Silverpaw. Run loose and show me how you naturally do." The mentor waved her tail as if to dismiss her and she stayed back, watching for now.

Silverpaw padded close to her mentor, taking twice as many steps to keep up with Quailprowler’s long stride’s. The silver tabby’s chest puffed out their chest, eager to show their pride at being an apprentice. The pair hung back as Quailprowler explained their training for today, Silverpaw listened attentively, drinking in the lesson eagerly. Eventually they fell into silence until the large she-cat dismissed the apprentice to show her skills.

For a moment, Silverpaw was puzzled, unsure of where to even start. She was frozen, and then her brain kicked in, and she scurried into the undergrowth. where to start… That was Silverpaw’s first issue, the shortage of fresh kill over her life left her a shade confused as to what to do. She stood tall, surveying the area. Her green eyes scanned the trees, for anything unusual, landing on a singular tuft of fur. Silverpaw crouched down, and cautiously prowled forward. She scented the tuft of fur, trying to put a name to the scent. mouse! Silverpaw grinned to themselves a prey animal scent that she actually recognised. They sucked in deeply, the scent was fresh. The mouse still be around somewhere.

Staying low to the ground, Silverpaw eased forward mouth open slightly to gather the scent as best as possible, her large ears swivelled for the snap of a branch or the rodent’s squeak. Her senses felt on fire, they’d never strained so hard at something before. A flash of brown caught her eye, and in an instant, Silverpaw was rushing forward, paws moving rapidly as she crawled through the trees towards the mouse.

Somehow, she managed to get a rabbit’s leap from the mouse. Her haunches raised in anticipation, ready to pounce. She leaped forward, but at the last second the mouse saw the silver feline and bolted. ”Foxdung!” she hissed. Silverpaw looked at her empty paws, before slashing at the dirt with unsheathed claws in annoyance. They’d beenthat close. A whisker away. Her eyes bored into where she’d seen the mouse disappear to. she should have been better, every morsel for prey counted at the moment.

Silverpaw used -2 SP due to harsh season conditions

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 6

Quailprowler watched her apprentice carefully. She stalked up after the mouse skittered away and kept her voice in a low whisper. "You were close, but too loud. Try to pretend you are air." With that, Quailprowler scented the air, her tall head held high. Hmm... Nothing. Not a thing. It seemed the famine was still chasing them.  "There is nothing left here... let's keep going deeper into the forest. Remember not to step on any twigs. That is the most obvious give away." Quailprowler gave her a nod to keep going.

Quailprowler has used -2 SP hunting.

[Forgot to roll]

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 8

“right,” replied silverpaw, moving herself into an upright position. She watched as Quailprowler scented the air, mimicking her mentor. She didn’t know what scents she was looking for, but still even she couldn’t deny that there was a certain lack. Their ears flattened, and Silverpaw looked to Quailprowler. “I will be quiet as a mouse.” she replied, turning to follow Quailprowler deeper into the forest.

Still deeper they pressed, and there was not a sign of prey. Silverpaw had heeded Quailprowler’s advice making sure each of her footfalls had been silent, but prey still evaded her. A sense of helplessness settled in Silverpaw’s stomach as they saw with their own eyes how scarce prey was. Would it ever return again?

Silverpaw used -2 SP

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 4