Fast As You Can (Closed Training Topic)

Quailfeather made her way out of the warriors' den, trying not to trip over her own feet in the chilly darkness of the early morning. It was always so hard to adjust to leaf-fall after the warm abundance of greenleaf, but she would make do. And hopefully, so would her apprentice. They were on the dawn patrol today- early hunting so the other warriors could get a good meal. The gray speckled warrior padded into the eerily quiet apprentices' den, maneuvering around nest upon nest full of sleeping cats until she saw the fairly large brown form of Hollowpaw. "Time to get up- dawn patrol," she whispered before retreating out into the middle of camp. It was time for Hollowpaw to hunt some on his own.

Hollowpaw moaned. The one day he decided to sleep in. With a stretch, the apprentice stood and the very tall apprentice followed his mentor out.

Quailfeather nodded when she saw Hollowpaw make his way out of the den. "I know you've learned how to hunt, so today we're going to go out and hunt separately. I'll be within shouting distance if you need me, but I won't be giving you pointers. You've got the basics, but it's time to prove your skills. I'd like you to catch three pieces of prey for the Clan, okay?" Her icy blue eyes found his, giving off a measure of pride and respect. She didn't want to teach him what he already knew, and he needed to start hunting on his own if he was going to be a warrior. "Head out when you're ready, and I'll be right behind you. You can clean out the elders' den when we're done." Her long, white-tipped tail swished from side to side as she waited for an answer.

OOC: FYI, this means it's time for you to learn the hunting system. Here's the basics. You choose a type of prey to find (hint: WC generally eats rabbits) and then roll a dice (click "preview" on your post and open the options menu below it, select "hunting dice" and roll once). I think you can figure it out, you're pretty smart. I'll start hunting to give you an example after Hollowpaw posts again. If you need help, just ask or pm me, 'kay?

Hollowpaw nodded, and then dipped his head to his mentor. "I am more than ready to show you what I am capable of, Quailfeather. I'll catch three hares before you know it." The older apprentice challenged, his multi-colored eyes blinking into the morning sun.

Quailfeather inclined her head to Hollowpaw, recognizing his statement. Hopefully, he was as good as he thought he was. She began a brisk pace, more of a trot than a real run, onto the territory. Hollowpaw would hopefully follow. When they reached the top of the valley, the warrior stopped and looked around to get a good vantage point. Her ears were pricked, eyes scanning to catch any hunt of movement on the still, silent grassy plain. Almost immediately, she caught sight of the form of a hare some few fox-lengths off, its long brown ears sticking up out of the moor grasses. It was eating what would be its last meal.

The lithe gray speckled she-cat dropped into a running position, claws unsheathed to give her traction, white-tipped tail flat out behind her, muscles rigid. Her blue eyes narrowed as they settled on her target. The wind was blowing towards her, carrying the rabbit's scent to her without alerting it to her presence. Everything was perfect. Coiling up like a spring, she suddenly and without warning shot out across the field, running do fast that her paws were almost a blur as they hit the ground, tearing up chunks of dirt behind her. She was totally intent on her prey, going in for the kill.

The small, furry creature didn't see her coming until it was too late. By the time it started to run, she had caught up with it. Overtaking its frightened, desperate pace, she gathered her adrenaline-fueled strength in one final leap and caught its scruff in her teeth. It was over. With a quick bite in its soft neck, the fat hare went limp. She gave a quick, silent prayer of thanks to StarClan for its life, as she had been taught, and buried the fresh-kill in a pile of loose dirt. Quailfeather turned around to look at Hollowpaw on top of the hill, a challenge in her light blue eyes. Your turn.

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 8

Hollowpaw nodded, watching Quailfeather curiously. His nose twitched, and the tall warrior looked around. Following his nose, he quietly made his way through the grass and up the hill over. At the base of the rock, was a rabbit. The tall warrior froze. This was the moment. Crouching low, he slid and moved closer. As close as he can without the rabbit smelling, the apprentice took off. His paws flew, barely touching the ground.

*rolls*

The rabbit didn't have a chance. Hollowpaw landed square on the shoulders of the rabbit. With a quick movement, he bit the jugular of the prey and as it died he gave grace to StarClan. He dropped the rabbit, grinning and licking the blood up his muzzle. He buried the rabbit, and moved on for his next prey, trotting back up the hill.

The member 'Headless Stagsman' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 2

When Hollowpaw reached the top of the hill, he opened his maw and let the air flow over him. With a purr, the warm scent of a peasant washed over him. Peasants were hard to catch, it would surely impress Quailfeather, Ashstar, and Brindlewhisker. Quietly slipping through the tall grass, he used the wind to lead him to a small group of the brown birds. Crouching low, he slunk through the grass until he was a couple tail lengths away. There was a strong breeze blowing into his face. Blinking, he struck.

*rolls*

With claws outstretched, Hollowpaw leaped from a crouching position. As soon as he came into sight, the birds took off in a squawking mess, but his sharp claws snagged onto the feathers of his target. The two thudded to the ground and struggled on WindClan's soil, a flurry of feathers and claws. However, the bird managed to struggle free and flap off weakly. With a growl, Hollowpaw sprung up again. Brushing himself off, he prepared to find his next prey.

The member 'Headless Stagsman' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 8

Hollowpaw had intended to head to ThunderClan's border to try for squirrel next, however after his last fail of a catch he decided to head deeper into the territory for a rabbit or a hare. He had to search a while, but luckily the apprentice soon spotted a white bundle nibbling on the grass below. In a desperate attempt, the warrior took off in a sprint. The rabbit took off, but with the momentum of going down a hill, the tom caught up quickly.

*Rolls a 9*

The rabbit was too fast, and before he could get in touch with it, it darted under a burrow. With a furious growl, he slammed his paw into the ground. Breathing heavy, his heart turned when the same rabbit popped out of the other side of the burrow a few feet away.

The member 'Headless Stagsman' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 9

With a yowl, the chase was on again. There is no time to breathe when your warriorship is on the line. Within two or three seconds the apprentice was upon the prey once again.

*rolls a 9*

He leaped, desperate to catch the rabbit, but missed once again. He stumbled, but kept running, the rabbit only making it a few tail lengths ahead of him.

The member 'Headless Stagsman' has done the following action : Dices roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 9

This was it. The apprentice could see the other tunnel looming ahead. With a final, desperate burst of speed he lept at the rabbit again.

*rolls a 10, battle encounter kill me*

As he did so, he heard a scree of the eagle's cry. Hollowpaw skidded to a hault, and the shadow of an eagle loomed over him. He barely had time to look up before the eagle snatched his rabbit. No! No way. With a screech, the apprentice through himself at the large bird.