Sunpaw's Assessment

Heatherpetal paced from side to side in the midst of ThunderClan's territory, right next to the Sandy Hollow, waiting for her first apprentice to arrive. Just a few minutes ago, she had told Sunpaw that she was going to assess him on his hunting skills, and that she would meet him next to the training spot. She was very excited for him, but she was also nervous for herself. She herself had never been given a hunting assessment from Reedheart as an apprentice, so she had to ask Emberheart what Specklefang had done for her during her own. She got a pretty good grasp on what to do, but she was still worried she may do something wrong, or that she wouldn't be quick enough to save Sunpaw from predators during his hunt.

She stopped walking and took a deep breath. She just had to think positive, like Sunpaw said. Everything would be just fine. Sunpaw won't get hurt, and even if he did run into a predator she would help him fight it off. They both could do this.

Sunpaw peered through the underbrush at his mentor as she paced the Sandy Hollow. He had arrived a little bit ago and had been planning on scaring her, but she looked somewhat nervous so that plan wasn't going to happen. Sunpaw stood from his crouch and approached Heatherpetal. "Good morning!" He called out in greeting. "Are you ready to get started? 'Cause I am!"

Heatherpetal turned her head to her apprentice, sighing in relief that he decided for once not to scare her. "Good morning, Sunpaw. Yes, I'm just as ready as you are." Somewhat... "So, here's how your assessment will play out: your task will be to catch different kinds of prey in different locations of ThunderClan's territory. I will be watching you during your assessment from a distance, but you mustn't think about me watching, otherwise you may become distracted. I need you to catch a squirrel from the Great Sycamore, any bird from the Owl Tree, a mouse from Snakerocks, and either a rabbit or hare wherever you can find one in the territory. If you can't find a rabbit or hare by sunhigh, catch another squirrel instead. If you encounter a predator, I will assist you in driving it away, and if you aren't too injured you will resume your assessment. Do you understand?" She hoped that wouldn't be too many instructions for him.

(OOC: As I had stated before, assessments are one of the only times you can double-post. Keep posting until you've either caught all prey necessary to complete the assessment or until you run into a predator, in which Heatherpetal will help him fight it off. Good luck!)

"Clear as ice." Sunpaw confirmed. He bowed his head, and when he raised it his eyes were sparkling with excitement. "So I need a squirrel from the Great Sycamore, a bird from the Owl Tree, a mouse from Snakerocks, and either a rabbit of hare. Got it! Can I start now?" Sunpaw repeated, bouncing with enthusiasm.

"Yes, you can. You have until sunset to finish your assessment. Good luck, Sunpaw. I know you will do me proud." She briefly nuzzled behind his ear affectionately before stepping back, allowing him to begin.

Sunpaw purred at the affection, then stepped away to begin his assessment. He decided to start at the Owl Tree; he could catch his bird there, and it was close enough to Windclan territory that there would likely be a rabbit or hare nearby. He stopped beneath the large tree and crouched, listening and smelling for signs of a bird or hare. He heard a faint chirping nearby, and he approached it to find a bird pecking at the little bit of cleared earth beneath the tree. He pounced, but the bird noticed his approach at the last second and took off. Sunpaw skidded to a halt with a huff. Well that's a great way to start off, he thought.

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 9

Sunpaw quickly got over his failure and crept closer to the Windclan border, looking for a rabbit. After a while of silence, he noticed fresh rabbit droppings, and was able to follow the scent to his next potential victim; a rabbit, nosing around in the faint underbrush. Sunpaw carefully crept around the rabbit, positioning himself between the rabbit and Windclan territory so that he wouldn't accidentally chase it over the border. Unfortunately, as he was doing so, he made enough noise to startle off the rabbit before he could even pounce. I'm better than this! Sunpaw thought in exasperation.

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 9

Perhaps if Sunpaw stayed where he was then another rabbit would come by. After all, their large ears allowed them to hear near anything, so if he let the prey come to him then he might have a better chance. Lo and behold, after a somewhat long wait a rabbit appeared, and Sunpaw crept forward, much more carefully this time. He pounced, but his missed his swipe and merely ran his claws through its fur, and it darted off. Sunpaw paused to take a calming breath. This is not going well, he thought. Maybe I should keep trying for a bird for now.

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 6

Sunpaw returned to the Owl Tree and waited in silence for a bird to appear. A short while later, he saw a bright red bird pecking around at the ground. He dropped into his hunting stance, steadying himself and careful not to make too much noise. Very aware of his own movements, Sunpaw took his time approaching his prey. When he was close enough he leapt, bringing his paw down in a fatal blow. "Finally!" He crowed, before lowering his head in gratitude to Starclan. He buried the bird in the snow and moved on, returning to the Windclan border. Perhaps this time he would be able to catch a rabbit.

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 5

Sunpaw positioned himself right at the border, returning himself to the previous strategy of chasing the rabbit away from Windclan territory. He heard scuffling under a snow-laden bush, and dropping down low he saw a rabbit ahead of him. But before he could pounce, he heard a squawk above him. He ducked as the owl swooped past him, its claws raking through the air where his head had just been. He leapt into the air, latching on with his claws and tearing the owl to the ground.

Sunpaw used Leap-and-Hold, doing 6 damage and costing 10 SP
Owl is stunned for One Turn

Sunpaw
20/20 HP
70/80 SP

Owl
44/50 HP
120/120 SP

"Heatherpetal!" The russet apprentice screeched as he clung to the struggling owl. "I need some help over here!" Sunpaw then released his hold on the owl with his back paws, instead using them to rake across the owl's underbelly, feathers flying everywhere.

Sunpaw used Belly Rake, doing 7 damage and costing 10 SP

Sunpaw
20/20 HP
60/80 SP

Owl
37/50 HP
120/120 SP

Owl is no longer stunned.

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 10