lights go out [solo]

It was a rare day that saw Mudfrost at the Beech Copse of her own volition. Almost anywhere else on RiverClan’s territory was better. Even Sunningrocks, despite its proximity to ThunderClan and the ever-longer nights descending on the forest, had warmth and light and the occasional non-hostile medicine cat to offer. The Beech Copse had no points in its favor aside from the fact that it belonged to RiverClan—and that, for today, it was marginally less stuffy than RiverClan’s camp.

Mudfrost had missed her first catch beneath these trees. That was all she could think about, now. The damp, cold earth squished under her paws as she padded forward.

There was no time to mourn, especially not for a cat like her. She’d never really needed to before. Magpiepaw, Larkfeather, Heronflight—none of those losses had been hers to feel. In fact, of the three, Heronflight’s was the only name she could easily recall. This should have been the same. She hadn’t lost a mate or a kit, a sibling or a parent, someone meant to be truly important. A mentor was just a mentor. Life went on.

That was why she was here. Life went on, and the finer points of land hunting had eluded her long after she’d passed her assessment. Therefore, it was purpose, not grief, that had burrowed deep and stinging into her veins, demanding she act before anything else. Besides, she refused to fumble a pounce in front of Featherpaw. A few sunups ago, that thought might have made her ears burn; today, there was nothing. “Nothing” worked well for hunting, though, so Mudfrost chose not to linger on it. Slipping into a slow, easy crouch, she waited. Her gaze darted from tree to tree in search of prey gathering near their trunks.

It wasn't a shape by the trees that caught her eye, but one not far from the shore. A frog, small and slimy. Easy enough for a first attempt. Yet another memory pushed its way before her eyes, unbidden; she shoved it back before it could properly take shape. No distractions. She was here to train, nothing more. Mudfrost crept forward, actively straining not to dart at her target—this was a frog, not a fish—until she was within striking distance. Only then did she leap, both paws outstretched. To her surprise as much as her prey’s, she managed to trap the frog before it could hop even once. Mudfrost killed it with a swift bite, then carried it away from the shore.

Mudfrost attempted to catch Frog, using 3 stamina. The attempt was successful!

Mudfrost
45/45 HP
157/160 SP (-3)

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 1

At least the taste of frog was bearable compared to the rest of the prey that lived in the Beech Copse. Mudfrost still grimaced as she dropped her first catch at the edge of the trees. Then she buried her paws in the soil. Leaf-bare’s approach had inspired a desperate bravery in some of the predators settling near RiverClan’s territory; Mudfrost had to be especially careful to cover everything she caught, lest something steal it right out from under her. Not that she would allow that. Her wounds from her scuffle with that ThunderClan apprentice had more or less healed. At this point, a fight would almost be welcome.

Finally, the frog was hidden from view. With a soft huff, Mudfrost turned her attention back to the cluster of trees. Her first pounce had been relatively quiet; hopefully, the soon-to-be-prey here hadn’t noticed. Besides, if she intended to stay out here much longer, she couldn’t come back with one measly frog.

Her eyes flashed at the sight of feathers. Birds were fast like fish when they wanted to be, but they weren’t restricted to land or water. Bringing one down would be downright impressive. Her pounce fell barely a pawstep short. The bird fluttered upward—right into her claws. One bite stopped its alarm call short. Triumphant, Mudfrost uncovered the frog, expanding the pit to accommodate her second catch.

Mudfrost attempted to catch Bird, using 3 stamina. The attempt was successful!

Mudfrost
45/45 HP
154/160 SP (-3)

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 3

Something in the air shifted. There was the change she’d been waiting for. The tall calico worked quickly, tossing dirt beside her without any mind paid to where it landed, her mind fixed on the hunt. She’d come here expecting a struggle, if only for the first few minutes; now she had two whole pieces of fresh-kill to show for her efforts. Hunting ThunderClan’s squirrels hadn’t been necessary at all. If she’d known that, she might not have ventured so far past Sunningrocks.

Mudfrost opened her mouth. A familiar scent met her where she stood. She was downwind—she was quieter and faster and better than she had been—she wasn’t an apprentice anymore. For the final time, she sank down, tail held just above the earth as she advanced. Closer, closer. She breathed slowly, carefully, for fear of breaking the utter quiet that had seized the Beech Copse.

The water vole’s eyes met hers, dark and hollow, and suddenly, she was Mudpaw.

She blinked in time to see it scurrying away, a spot of dark fur that promptly vanished among the tree trunks. Even a WindClanner couldn’t have caught up to it. As the adrenaline drained away, that awful stuffy feeling from RiverClan’s camp settled in. For a moment, she’d felt like herself again, but now… Mudfrost sighed, giving an irritated flick of her ear for no one’s benefit but her own. Now she had to bring back what she’d caught. Then she could try again. Again. Again until the tips of her claws were as round as river pebbles. Until life continued the way it always did.

Mudfrost attempted to catch Rodent, using 3 stamina. The attempt was a failure…

Mudfrost
45/45 HP
151/160 SP (-3)

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 8