Hunting among the clouds (closed)

Sitting at the entrance of the cave, Daisyflame overlooked the range of Tall Peaks that practically covered up the sky. Clouds rested just at the tops of the giant rocks and forests and to a cat who hadn't seen such a sight, it was truly outstanding, but a bit baffling as well. Being alone gave the tom time to think, which was what he needed, but he found part of himself growing restless, as if he needed to be somewhere or do something. Of course, he assumed it was because of Scorchstar and the rest of the clan still being missing, but he couldn't fully put a paw on it.

Echo had been grooming her paws a short distance outside the entrance of the cave. The sun was nice this day, so she chose to let the warmth of it and the wind blow her fur dry for the first time in moons. As a stiff breeze ruffled her neck fur, it brought the familiar scent of the clan cat she now knew as Daisyflame towards her. She turned to look at him slowly, watching as the tom seemed to grow restless. After a moment's hesitation and one final lick to the rough pad of her paw, she made her way over towards him. Her head lowered respectfully as she grew close, taking up a position a short ways away from the warrior.

"Daisyflame. I hope I am not intruding your thoughts, you seem to have something on your mind causing you discomfort. May I assist?" Her accented words reached his ears, and she looked at him kindly. She wasn't sure what he was thinking of, but she could tell it wasn't anything particularly pleasant. Perhaps there was some way she could help.

Somewhat startled by the she-cat's sudden appearance after him being lost in thought, a soft smile grew on Daisyflame's muzzle and he dipped his head in return. "I'm alright, just a bit antsy to find the rest of my clan is all," he mewed, wishing the she-cat wouldn't worry about him. "I think a hunt might be of some help. Would you mind accompanying me?" the large ginger and white tom mewed as he stood up and gave his semi-fluffy pelt a shake. Hopefully a hunt would get his mind off things, at least for a little while.

The Tribe she-cat looked out over the peaks, towards the horizon. "I'm sure that the rest of your clan are doing well, wherever they are. After all, you are all strong and capable. I have no doubt that they are making their way to back to you." She glanced over to the warrior reassuringly. "You must believe in them, they will find their way." She stood with him, her paws ached from the number of hunts she had been on, but another venture out would be fine. "Of course I will join you. It would be a shameful waste of the day to not go out." She glanced towards the cave, contemplating requesting one of the cave-guards, but decided not to as she remembered that the clan cat had battle training. She led the way down the path away from the cave, relishing the sunlight, however weak, on her back.

Feeling a sense of pride when the she-cat spoke such strong words towards him and his clanmates, her being here was certainly lifting his spirits, one way or the other. "Let's get going then," the tom mewed with a smile on his maw as the two made their way out of the cave and onto the rocky yet somewhat brush filled territory. "Is there a way to know if Hawks or Eagles are more active or not?" he asked, curious on if there was a pattern to the Tribe's regular predators.

Glad to see the tom smile, Echo made her way through the mountain territory. At his question, she hesitated for a moment and looked up to the sky. "Not particularly. Usually if the small prey is running well, they will be out, same as us. The time of freed water is also when they make their nests, so we must stay vigilant. Otherwise, they have no true pattern or reason to their movements." Her pelt prickled, since she was a kit she had heard and witnessed many stories of cats, especially kits or to-bes, being taken by the predatory birds. Thanking her ancestors again for protecting her daughters as they had grown, she thought of her niece and the injury she received. Absentmindedly, she continued. "The best way is to keep an eye and ear out, which is why we usually bring a cave-guard with us as we hunt. They watch for hawks, eagles, or other creatures so we can focus solely on the hunt."

Listening as the she-cat spoke, what she explained made sense and he nodded in understanding. "Makes sense," he mewed, keeping his gaze to where he was walking as they walked along a path of rocks. "The clans sometimes encounter hawks and eagles back in the forest where prey is usually always plentiful, but luckily for us, they don't fly well through the trees so ShadowClan is usually safe," Daisyflame added with a smile. Yet another reason to be thankful for the clan he was born in.

"So as far as hunting, do you always go for hawks or is it just if the opportunity arises?" he asked, curious if the tribe cats always tried hunting for hawks, especially with them being such a threat to smaller, more abundant prey that might be occupying the area.

Echo returned the tom's smile as he spoke of his home in the forest, listening as he described what their experiences with the predatory birds had been. "It must be nice, not having to always look to the skies for danger. I was so worried when I found that Moth and I were expecting kits, they never wandered out of sight. Now they are wonderful cats who both work hard and make me proud every day. Rain took after her father, Moth, as a cave-guard while Rainbow took after me as a prey-hunter. They're both magnificent at their chosen paths, though my heart still worries for their safety and well-being every day." She finished, and glanced over to the clan cat. She hadn't meant to share so much, but... Oh well. What was said was said.

At Daisyflame's question she shook her head. "It's usually only when the opportunity arises. If we find a nest, we will wait until the eggs hatch and take them back as prey if we can. Otherwise, we try to catch them if they're going after the same prey we are." She slowed a little as she thought back to previous hunts. "For example, if we see a mouse and start to hunt it, but one of the cave-guards spot a falcon, we'll wait until the falcon swoops down to catch the mouse, attacking it once it's claws are preoccupied by the mouse. If we succeed, then we get the mouse and the falcon. Does that make sense?" She worried if she was doing a poor job explaining, but hoped the clan cat would understand.

Listening to the she-cat, he was happy for her and the tribe that kits seemed to being fine, even in such harsh conditions.
"Alright, makes sense," he mewed in reply as they kept walking. Keeping an eye out for anything moving on the ground or in the air, it was strange having to keep track of two places at once, but even so, he presumed it wasn't something a cat couldn't handle, seeing as though the tribe was able to manage such skills.

Echo nodded at the tom's response, and continued to pad along in silence. A sharp rock scratched her pad, and she hesitated, wincing at the sharp pain that shot through her foot. Raising her forepaw to check it, she was relieved to find that there was no significant scratch, and no blood was rising to the surface. That relief was swiftly broken as the sharp cry of an eagle echoed off of the surrounding peaks. Dropping immediately into a defensive stance, her attention turned skyward, spotting the eagle flying high above. Hissing to Daisyflame to duck and try to take cover, she moved slowly towards a small overhang. Before she could reach it though, the eagle swooped down towards them, narrowly missing her back.

"Well, Daisyflame, it appears that we have a chance to bring an eagle back. Shall we?" She mewed, never taking her eyes off of the eagle as it circled above, watching for its next strike.

---

An eagle has appeared, deciding that these two cats would be fun to attack.

Echo of Shattered Ice:
HP: 60/60
SP: 200/200

Eagle:
HP: 60/60
SP: 200/200

Taking cover next to Echo, Daisyflame watched as an eagle circled above, most likely hunting nearby prey. Turning back to the she-cat, he returned her question with a firm nod. He'd never hunted an eagle before and this was sure to be an exciting hunt, something that he doubted most cats got to do in their lifetime.

Waiting a few moments for the eagle to lower to the ground, the white and ginger tom crept forward so that he stayed hidden behind a boulder. Peeping around the edge of it, he watched as the eagle sunk its' claws into a small mouse, and with it occupied, he made his move.

Rushing forward, he slashed a pawful of unsheathed claws at the bird's wings, which sent it screeching up to Silverpelt. Jumping back, Daisyflame watched as the once silent area exploded into a flurry of screeching and flapping feathers. Was hunting eagles always such a loud and messy job?

Daisyflame used Front Paw Strike, causing 13 damage and costing 10 stamina.

Daisyflame
HP: 80/80
SP: 230/240

Eagle
HP: 47/60
SP: 200/200

The eagle had been circling, spotting a mouse that would make a good meal. Just as it had been caught, pain laced through its side and it shrieked, turning to spot a cat. Letting loose of the now dead mouse with one set of talons, it swiped out towards the figure that had attacked it.

Eagle used Talon Strike, dealing 10 damage and costing 10 stamina.

Daisyflame:
HP: 70/80
SP: 230/240

Eagle:
HP: 47/60
SP: 190/200

~~~

The Tribe cat met the Clan cat's gaze with her own for a moment as he nodded, a purr resounding in her chest. This would be the first eagle she was able to bring back without the help of many others, including cave-guards... She couldn't wait to see the look on Moth and Daisy's faces. She crept silently on the other side of Daisyflame, pelt blending neatly into the rocks. Watching as the eagle plummeted to the ground, snatching an unlucky mouse, she prepared to make her move as soon as Daisyflame had attacked. Right on cue, the tom's claws slashed through the air, striking the eagle before it could ascend back into the clouds. With a loud shriek, the eagle attempted to fly away, but before it could get the air under it's wings Echo leaped towards it, rearing up on her hind legs with a yowl.

Echo used Rear-Up to Slash, dealing 13 damage and costing 15 stamina.

Echo of Shattered Ice:
HP: 60/60
SP: 185/200

Eagle:
HP: 34/60
SP: 190/200

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 2

Watching as Echo took her turn and attacked the eagle, the battle seemed to be going pretty smoothly so far, which was a surprise to him. He'd imagined hunting birds of prey to be much more destructive and grotesque, but with two cats it didn't appear to be that much of a hassle.

Once she moved out of the way, Daisyflame took his place near the bird. Rearing up on his hind legs, he brought both paws down hard onto his weakened opponent's head. It was somewhat difficult timing when the he would be able to do such a move, but he managed and was proud to see the eagle beginning to grow weak.

Daisyflame used Upright Lock, causing 16 damage and costing 25 stamina.

Daisyflame
HP: 70/80
SP: 205/240

Eagle
HP: 18/60
SP: 190/200

The eagle shrieked again as the two cats continued their joint assault, taking to the skies once more before swooping down towards the cats. Sharp talons sliced through the white pelt of Echo as it flew past.

Eagle used Swoop, dealing 20 damage and costing 20 stamina.

Echo of Shattered Ice:
HP: 40/60
SP: 185/200

Eagle:
HP: 18/60
SP: 170/200

~~~

Echo let out a furious hiss as the talons cut through her pelt, tail lashing in anger and pain. Before the eagle could take to the skies again, she raised both paws, each hitting in rapid succession right to the side of the bird. Wings crumpling, it fell to the ground, sharp yellow eyes glaring at the two cats that had interrupted its hunt.

Echo used Front Paws Strike, dealing 12 damage and costing 25 stamina.

Echo of Shattered Ice:
HP: 40/60
SP: 160/200

Eagle:
HP: 6/60
SP: 170/200