Clarity in Hunting

Clearpaw sat just inside the gorse entrance to camp, staring out at the moors beyond as his tail flicked back and forth behind him. It didn't show much on his face, but he was eager to go on a hunting patrol to practice his skills. Crowspirit was occupied often but he still had time to take his apprentice out in the mornings for hunting and battle training. The more Clearpaw trained, the more his lean muscles developed; he was still growing after all, slowly developing into his full adult body. Even at his young age he towered over other older cats, something he thought about often with a hint of amusement.

The apprentice's stomach rumbled out of nowhere and he flicked one ear, sighing. He probably should round up a patrol soon...Without turning fully around, he looked over his shoulder at the rest of camp and spotted his friend and denmate. "Sweetpaw!" he called, beckoning her over with his long tail. "Want to go on a hunting patrol with me? And..." His voice lowered. He was more talking to himself now than Sweetpaw. "We need a warrior, we shouldn't go out without a warrior. Let's see..."

Deep blue eyes took another look around camp. Who was available? His gaze pinpointed Clovertwist, and unfortunately for the older tom, he didn't seen busy. "Clovertwist! Come on a hunting patrol with Sweetpaw and I." A beat. "...That is, unless you're busy."

Sweetpaw's ears twitched at the sound of her name, and looked over to spot Clearpaw by the camp entrance. She padded over, a friendly purr rumbling in her chest. "Certainly, the freshkill pile is looking....meager, at best." She mused with a worried glance in the direction of the offending pile. The tabby occupied herself with flattening the wind-ruffled fur on her shoulder while Clearpaw mumbled about finding a warrior. She shot her friend an amused glance, but nodded along. A warrior would be able to offer pointers on their positions and help with bringing in more prey. It's safer too. She thought with a suppressed shudder, the startling image of Wildpaw with her mutilated eyes came to mind unbidden.

The molly follows Clearpaw's gaze, Clovertwist was as good a choice as any. She turns her attention to the moor, with its wind whipped grass and endless skies. She would gladly take any chance she got to  run the moor.

Clovertwist was mid-lick on his foreleg when a voice called his name. He froze, tongue slightly extended and leg raised, and swiveled his dark-striped silver head to the source of the call. His ears perked at Clearpaw's bold request, surprised that an apprentice he had never trained with would ask for his supervision, but the young apprentice asked nonetheless. It seemed Clearpaw, too, had realized how brazen his request was, for he added a hesitant condition. The warrior pulled his tongue in and smirked immediately, rising to his paws and heading over to Clearpaw and Sweetpaw. "Nah, I'm just killing time before Olivestone inevitably puts me on a patrol. She'll be happy we're out already being productive," Clovertwist replied with a chuckle, glancing between the apprentices. "Did you have somewhere specific in mind?" he asked them.

Thankfully, Sweetpaw and Clovertwist joined him with no complaint; he was glad he didn't have to unleash his carefully-thought-out spiel about how hunting was good for the Clan and whatnot. He gave Sweetpaw a nod of greeting as she approached and an ever-so faint smile, then offered Clovertwist a similar nod as the warrior padded up. This one, however, was less a familiar, friendly one and more one out of respect. After making sure his patrol members were ready, he got to his paws and loped out into the fields beyond camp.

"No, nowhere specific," he replied, glancing over his shoulder at Clovertwist. "I'm just happy to get out of camp some, honestly." He really didn't have a good place in mind, but he had figured out from experience and Crowspirit's guidance where approximately was the best distance away from camp to start hunting.

Clearpaw had to crouch a little to keep his ears and eyes above the moor grasses, but this also gave him almost an advantage at listening for prey. It was easier when your ears weren't clouded by the shuffling of the grass. Lifting his tail like a flag, he streaked off away from the little hunting party; there was a rustling off to the side and a quail squawked and fluttered out of the grass. Clearpaw froze for a moment, thinking, then dropped into a hunting crouch and unleashed his long legs, soaring towards the bird with claws outstretched. He grabbed ahold of it with his front paws and dragged it down with his weight, finally pinning it to the ground and finishing it off with a bite to the neck.

Silently, he carried it back to the group and designated an area to bury the prey in so they could collect it later, just as Crowspirit had taught him.

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 4

Sweetpaw dipped her head respectfully to Clovertwist in greeting, before following Clearpaw out onto the moor. She keeps pace easily enough, even though her strides were shorter than Clearpaw’s easy loping gait. The wind cards through her fur almost affectionately, and she is in love with the openness. It fills her chest with pride, bounding after the dark tip of Clearpaw's tail, the steady breath of Clovertwist behind her, the moor-grass brushing against her pelt. Contentment thrums through her chest, and her eyes are bright as the newleaf sun.

She pauses, tail-tip twitching above the bending grass. The sun is warm on her face, the clouds above leaving scattered patches of shade as they drift. She is stock still, an afterthought in the silver-gold grass as she waits. Her mouth opens, seeking prey-scent, before she drops into a balanced crouch. Green eyes flit back and fourth, sharp in their focused pursuit. The scuffling of a rabbit is hard to ignore. A steadying breath bends the grass before her as she moves, a lithe shape on silent paws, slipping closer, closer...

The noise is earsplitting. Sweetpaw doesn't have time to make a sound as the hulking shape erupts from the grass in a flurry of feathers. It's great wings beat in sharp clarity against the saturated blue of the sky. Her face falls under the shadow and she shrinks back, ears flat against her skull as the creature honks furiously. The feathered appendage comes crashing down with brutal force, and the apprentice is sent reeling away. The yowl that had been caught in her throat escapes in a ragged noise that echos the breath that leaves her heaving lungs in a whoosh as she hits the ground. Her vision is grey and black and much too blurry to make any sense of her surroundings, but she staggers to her paws anyway. "What is that?" She chokes to Clovertwist as her vision clears, backing away unsteadily. The pain in her ribs is a low throb that pulses with her war-hammer heart, but everything seems rather dull to her now, as if the world hasn't quite righted itself.

Sweetpaw attempted to catch a rabbit, it was unsuccessful!

Sweetpaw (20/20--77/80)

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 10

With nowhere in particular in mind, Clovertwist was happy to just let the apprentices lead to wherever they were familiar through their own training. It seemed a pleasant enough day; the grasses were growing taller, no longer dorment in the cold. He watched as each apprentice in turn took off to try to catch something for themselves. Clearpaw was the first to catch something successfully; unfortunately, what Sweetpaw found was not quite so impressive. He recognized the screeching honk immediately and almost rolled his eyes at the party's misfortune. The warrior charged forward placing himself protectively between the recently-battered gray tabby and the rearing, flapping predator. "A stupid, horrible goose," Clovertwist answered, glaring into the creature's beady eyes. Not taking his eyes off the threatening creature, "You okay?"

The goose's eyes narrowed in on the larger, sleeker silver tom cat as it charged forward defensively. It took the threat and squawked with fury, charging forward at the silver cat. It stretched its neck out swiftly, thrusting its beak forward to peck hard at the creature's chest. It heard the creature spit with pain.

The goose used Beaked Thrust on Clovertwist, using 40 stamina and dealing 20 damage.

Goose
40/40 HP
90/130 SP (-40)

Clovertwist
60/80 HP (-20)
240/240 SP

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Clovertwist tried to duck out of the way of the goose, but he grimaced as its beak made solid contact with his chest, jabbing him hard enough that he swore he felt his heart skip a beat at the force. He was breathless for a moment, then immediately overcome with irritation. He reared up much like the goose, lunging forward and battering his claws fiercely at its head, neck, and chest - whatever he could reach, though it squawked in protest and scrabbled backwards, raising and fluttering its wings against the blows.

Clovertwist used Rending Front Paws, using 25 stamina and dealing 15 damage.

Clovertwist
60/80 HP
215/240 SP (-25)

Goose
25/40 HP (-15)
90/130 SP

Clearpaw had just returned from burying his prey when the enormous bird attacked. It was angry and large, flapping its wings and honking so loud it made his ears hurt. Hackles rising from adrenaline, Clearpaw looked around for Sweetpaw. Was she okay? She was too small to face a beast like that alone. Thankfully she had jumped off to the side and Clovertwist rushed in to attack the goose. I'm so glad I got a warrior to come with us... he thought wryly, building up his courage. He had never fought a predator before. But of course, there was a first time for everything.

Clearpaw sprinted at the feathery monster, leaping at it with his claws outstretched much like he had done with the quail. He wasn't heavy enough yet to knock the bird completely off-balance but he did give it a good slam, slashing at it with his claws as it stumbled back.

Clearpaw used Run-and-Tackle, dealing 6+3 damage and using 10 stamina.

Clearpaw
20/20 HP
67/80 SP (-10)

Goose
16/40 HP (-9)
90/130 SP

The apprentice shakes her head, as if that would negate the fog that crowds her skull. "Fine,"” she answers, wincing as the goose’s broad beak jabs Clovertwist. Her tail lashes as she hisses at the fowl thing, ears protectively pinned, and fur bristling. As her clanmates slash at the goose, Sweetpaw waits, eyes darting, calculating and keen despite the lingering haze and the slow-throb of her ribs. She sees an opening, and takes it. Her back claws dig deep into the moor-grass as she leaps at the goose, still reeling from Clearpaw’s charge. Her front paws sink deep into it’s downy chest and hold fast as her back feet scrabble against its feathery underbelly with surprising fierceness. A cold satisfaction settles in her stomach as her back claws rend the creature’s supple flesh. She clings like a stubborn sand burr as the goose voices its offense in furious honking and hissing. She is dislodged by a particularly violent flail on the goose’s behalf, and twists away to land gracefully on her feet, a mouse-whisker away from it’s recklessly jabbing beak.

With a quick glance to her clanmates she is relieved to find Clearpaw practically unscathed, and Clovertwist no worse for wear despite the blow to his chest.

Sweetpaw used belly rake doing 7 damage and costing 10 SP

Sweetpaw (20/20--67/80) -10
Goose (9/40--90/130) -7

After failing to strike the smaller silver tabby, the goose turned its attention back to the larger one again, honking with fury. It raised its wings, stretching them to their full span before charging at the dark-striped tom again, buffeting the creature's head and shoulders with its wings and forcing the small patrol of cats back a short distance.

The goose used Wing Bluff on Clovertwist, using 20 stamina and dealing 10 damage. Roll "Effect Dice". 1,2,3 the next attack on the goose hits. 4,5,6 the next attack misses.

Goose
9/40 HP
70/130 SP (-20)

Clovertwist
50/80 HP (-10)
215/240 SP

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Clovertwist watched as Clearpaw came racing in, prepared for battle despite how early on he was in his training. The young tom made a solid collision, and though he still wasn't large enough to topple the goose completely he watched it stagger in a satisfying fashion. Sweetpaw had, thankfully, recovered fine from her jarring head-on meeting with the creature and joined in the fray, slashing at the gray-black-and-white creature with bravery as she scrabbled beneath the goose's belly. She was freed again when the creature charged towards him, crying out in pain and fury. Clovertwist lashed one forepaw fiercely out to swat at its head, trying to break through the buffeting wings.

His foreleg stung with the force of the sudden contact, and the goose staggered aside with a choked honk. Looking shocked and horrified, it scrabbled through the grasses before fumbling to take wing. Clovertwist considered charging after it, as it would be a mighty meal for the Clan, but it caught the wind and took off into the sky, well out of their reach. Panting and ruffled, Clovertwist glanced at his apprentice companions. "It's always geese around here," he stated with something almost like exasperation in his tone. He looked between Clearpaw and Sweetpaw, then asked, "You guys good? Would you rather head back to camp or try to hunt a little more?" Looking them over, he was pretty sure he was the only one who'd been pecked too hard. Sweetpaw had just gotten a good startling knock
at the start.

Clovertwist used Front Paw Strike, using 10 stamina and challenging the Wing Bluff. He broke through the Wing Bluff and dealt 12 damage.

Clovertwist
50/80 HP
205/240 SP (-10)

Goose
-3/40 HP (-12)
70/130 SP

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

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'Effect Dice' : 3

Clearpaw landed on all four paws away from the goose, his heart jumping into his throat as Sweetpaw flung herself at the beast, clinging to its underbelly and raking at it. Clovertwist went in for another attack and managed to chase the goose away, the bird leaving bruised and bleeding. Clearpaw's rump sank to the ground as he collapsed into a sitting position, breathing hard from the sheer adrenaline of battle. A quick scan of his friend and Clanmate confirmed that they were okay, they didn't need to see the medicine cats when they got back to camp.

As Clearpaw sat there, catching his breath and calming down, he became acutely aware that his hackles and tail were bushed out from fear and excitement. How embarrassing... He wasn't necessarily scared, just overwhelmed at his first battle. Honestly, the thrill of battle was rather...enjoyable. The apprentice suddenly realized that, while he didn't always condone fighting when it was unnecessary, it was kinda fun when it was necessary. Clearpaw shook his pelt out, doing his best to get his fur to lay back down flat, then got up and padded over to Sweetpaw and Clovertwist. "Perhaps it's best if we go back to camp," he suggested. "Although we didn't get much prey and the fresh-kill pile was looking rather scarce...I'm fine with another go at hunting if you two are."

Seeetpaw watched as the goose fled, before she rose from her defensive crouch. Thankfully the patrol came out of the fight with nothing more than some bruises, Clovertwist taking the brunt of the blows. Her muscles relax as the fur flats flat on her shoulders again. She never imagined her first battle to be against a goose of all things, but she would be happy to never see one again. She lifts a paw to pull a clump of downy feathers from her claws as Clearpaw addresses the group.

“I think it would be best if we went back to camp with more than a couple of goose feathers.” she says with an edge of amusement to her voice. “If that racket hasn’t sent the entire rabbit population to their burrows.” She gives her chest a couple of quick swipes with her tongue to settle the last of her ruffled fur, before easing through the moor grass with a bit more caution than before. She pauses every couple of strides to scent the air before the prey-scent reaches her.

With a twitch of her tail she drops into a hunters crouch, ears twitching warily as she stalks closer to the flash of rabbit fur hidden in the grass. She inches closer, one patient paw step at a time until she wiggles her rump twice for balance and springs with a push of her back feet. The rabbit whuffs in alarm and turns tail, a flash of white between the golds and silvers of the moor. Her claws outstretched they catch and sink into the course fur. She pulls the squirming creature closer and delivers a swift killing bite. Sweetpaw sits up, the kill dangling from her jaws. She takes a moment to find a suitable place to cover it with matted grass. Once she is satisfied she returns to the group, glad that they would have something to bring back to camp. Perhaps Clear would share the quail he caught with her when they got back.

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 1