Vultures in the Sky [Vulturepaw]

Losing one kit had been hard, and realizing that she'd unintentionally neglected another for far too long had been harder still. Smokefeather usually did (try to) manage to make time for her kits outside of her own duties, and today she'd decided to take Vulturepaw out hunting. She had gotten the distinct impression that Adderflare hadn't been thrilled to be named a mentor to any cat, much less her own niece. The scarred warrior's reasons were beyond Smokefeather's understanding, but then, Vulturepaw was her kit. She genuinely enjoyed training her own apprentices, who by some stroke of luck were... also her kits. Less luck and probably just the simple fact that Smokefeather had been one of the few warriors without an apprentices at both ceremonies, really.

Vulturepaw wasn't hard to find, or maybe Smokefeather had simply grown used to tracking down her kits and mate over the moons. Still, she padded over to the fluffy apprentice with a smile.

"Hey, Vulturepaw. Feel like hunting?" It didn't look as if she'd been in the middle of anything else, so hopefully her youngest daughter would oblige.

If Adderflare's disingenuous attempts at shaking away the added weight of Vulturepaw's training were meant to deter the young molly, it was hardly an effective campaign; honestly, all it managed to accomplish was giving the young she-cat the green-card for relentlessly hovering like an inescapable shadow. However, fortunately for Adderflare, it seemed as though Smokefeather's timely decision to intervene in the discordant mess of Vulturepaw's training spared her from any further pestering on behalf of the flighty young molly. Carefully pitching her slight weight off to the side so that she could gently bump a slim shoulder into the silky mane of Smokefeather's coat, the speckled young molly immediately perked up at the mention of a potential hunting adventure. Sure, her skills were certainly lackluster compared to her siblings, but did that even really matter when compared to the prospect of leaving camp?

"Sure!" Vulturepaw hurriedly conceded, gentle features awash in delight, "I've been dying to get out of camp- Adderflare's always so busy it's like I hardly get a chance to do anything."

Smokefeather affectionately nuzzled the top of her daughter's head, a quiet purr rumbling in her chest as the apprentice pressed a shoulder to her. Eyes narrowed slightly in concern at her words however. Had Adderflare truly been avoiding the energetic apprentice that much?

"Come on, then. It'll do you no good to stay cooped up in camp." Smokefeather turned, leading Vullturepaw from the camp. The leaf-fall air was crisp, the shy above mostly clear but for some scattered clouds as she lead them a bit through the still-charred forest.

"Alright, Vulturepaw. Try and follow my example." Smokefeather mewed, coming to a stop before the fluffy apprentice. She dropped into a crouch to demonstrate, holding her tail, hips and shoulders in a straight line, legs bent so that she was lower to the ground without her fur brushing against it. Smokefeather explained what she was doing, holding the crouch so that Vulturepaw could examine it before trying the crouch for herself.

"Want to watch me catch something, or do you want to try yourself, first?"

Feathered tail neatly arcing skywards in a nonverbal exclamation of delight, there was a prominent skip in Vulturepaw's step as she dutifully followed Smokefeather out of the stifling confines of camp. Bright gaze eagerly drifting from various fixtures of attention, the young molly couldn't help but delight in the sight of the relatively barren forest- barren tree branches, naturally overlaid and carefully woven into an intricate webbing of finely-made knots, rattling softly under the occasional disruption of a stray breeze.

Flighty attention promptly snapping back into the focus of Smokefeather's calls for focus, the smoky willow of a young she-cat displayed an impressive amount of focus during the short lesson, honey sweet gaze sharpened by an undercurrent of determination. The question laid heavy and dry atop Vulturepaw's tongue, the metaphorical gears in her mind churning. It wasn't as though the entire ordeal seemed overly difficult or complicated, but the thought of revealing her admittedly clumsy skills was a tad bit embarrassing now that it was staring her right in the face. Her father likely wouldn't be pleased to learn that she was still stumbling through her kills with all the grace of a half-blind loner.

"You first," Vulturepaw eventually concedes, "then I'll give it a try."

((OOC: I'll refrain from using the hunting system myself because I don't need the req.))

"Alright" Smokefeather mewed, lightly brushing her tail over Vulturepaw's flank before stepping away from her, ears pricked and tasting the air for scents.

It didn't take her long to pick up the scent of quail, and Smokefeather allowed a soft smile across her face as she slid into a crouch and began to carefully make her way forward, creeping up behind the bird in silence.

One... Two... Smokefeather shoved off the ground, landing with a paw to either side of the bird's wings and quickly nipping the back of it's neck to cut off any sounds of alarm it could make. Picking up the kill, the fluffy tortoiseshell padded back to where she'd left her daughter, carefully placing her catch between the roots of a tree and covering it.

"Your turn." She mewed to Vulturepaw, giving the younger she-cat an encouraging smile.

Weight gently pitching back onto the curve arch of the heel, Vulturepaw remained idly shifting in the initial aftermath of Smokefeather's quiet departure, reflective pale gaze carefully fixed upon the rounded outline of the small bird lurking just beyond her reach. The cool afternoon air, heavy with the sharp spice of decaying foliage, was disrupted only by the faint patter of a struggling bird- a faint undercurrent of a blossoming strain aching through her nape as she perked up and lifted herself higher, struggling to catch a proper glimpse of her mother's skilled takedown. Absently nodding and gently rounded features knitting together in a purposeful attempt to look a bit more certain than she truthfully felt, a restless pulse of energy surged alongside her speeding pulse as Vulturepaw redirected her attention to the sprawling forest all around them, "alright."

Attention briefly waning to the diluted flashes of warm light that bled through the patchy canopy high above, Vulturepaw's features flinched occasionally as she caught sight of a blinding glimmer of golden light. It took several heartbeats of intense focusing for her to carefully push down the faint remnants of irrelevant scents, irregular flashes of anxious energy edging out the thin thread of focus she was grappling with. Tufted ears twitching violently at the sudden input of faint scrabbling in the distance, the young she-cat's features flinched occasionally as she began to drift towards the small squirrel that had unfortunately caught her attention. Abandoning all pretense of skilled or neat movements, Vulturepaw was careful and slow in her gradual approach, muscles tensing as she tried to gain a more comfortable distance between herself and the foraging squirrel.

Exploding forward in a clumsy, albeit powerful, lunge, a shrill squall echoed throughout the sparsely populated forest as Vulturepaw snatched up the unsuspecting critter, a hazy arc of dirt and pollen sent sprawling out into the moderately cool afternoon air. Carefully dispatching the thrashing creature with a hasty nip to the base of the skull, the young molly's pale gaze switched back to the faint shape of Smokefeather several tail-lengths away. "Not so bad, I guess."

-

Vulturepaw has successfully caught a squirrel, costing -3 SP.

Vulturepaw
20/20 [HP]
77/80 [SP]

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

---

'Hunting Dice' : 2

Smokefeather sat back to watch Vulturepaw's progress, noting the anxiety she seemed to have as she went after the squirrel. Her form wasn't perfect, but nor was the form of any apprentice. She'd improve in time, though Smokefeather still had trouble wrapping her head around how her mentor seemed to neglect her training.

"Good catch. It will get easier as you practice." She mewed encouragingly. "Bury that here to keep it fresh, and we'll see if we can get in a few more catches today." She nodded toward the base of a tree, where the roots left a gap large enough to fit the squirrel that the apprentice could cover.

With that, Smokefeather made her own way toward another bird she could see not too far off from where they stood. Carefully, Smokefeather crept toward it, careful that her shadow didn't fall across it's path and to keep her tail from brushing returning undergrowth.

When she was close enough, she leapt... And the bird took flight as a loud honk! split the air. Smokefeather whipped around instinctively, gray-green eyes landing on the overly large bird as it waddled out from behind a tree, heading toward Vulturepaw.

The goose didn't make it towards the apprentice before Smokefeather had leapt for it, claws unsheathed.

"Vulturepaw! Slash at it's belly if you can!" Smokefeather didn't know how much combat training Vulturepaw had, but if she didn't have any training, it looked like this would be a paws-on lesson today.

Smokefeather used leap and hold on Goose for -10sp, dealing -13 damage. Goose is pinned for 1 turn.

Goose -pinned for 1 turn-
27 / 40 hp (40 - 13)
130 / 130 sp

Smokefeather
80 / 80 hp
230 / 240 sp (240 - 10)

Vulturepaw
20 / 20 hp
80 / 80 sp

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 1

Delicately lipping at the prickly scruff of the squirrel's nape, Vulturepaw was idle in lifting the limp little critter, evidently unsure what to do with the unfortunate catch now that it had actually occurred. Smokefeather's gentle praise and redirection served as a sufficient course of action, a steady pulse of relief heavily intertwined with her throbbing circulation, her muscles loosening just a touch at the realization that she hadn't managed to flounder too much. Delight and repose gently shaded the pale depths of the unruly-furred molly's gaze, a prideful glint evident as she hurriedly set about stashing away the rapidly cooling squirrel within the cradle of roots pointed out by her mother.

Caught up in the equally drugging presence of relief and excitement, Vulturepaw's feathered tail was quick to curl into a neat arc as she hurriedly followed suit in Smokefeather's steps; too enticed by the fact that she wouldn't have to face the sour disappointment of her father if he had learned about her sorely lacking skills. Settling in to watch as her mother went after an unsuspecting bird, an odd quaver against the relatively still foliage hovered insistently in the shaded reaches of her peripheral vision. Apprehensive and softly wriggling movements gradually slowing to a curious halt, the pale-furred young she-cat fully turned to peer away from her mother just as the grouchy goose fully emerged from the neighboring crest of undergrowth.

Pale gaze catching in the chilly molten light of the early afternoon light, Vulturepaw hardly had a moment to blink in surprise before Smokefeather had returned, a silky storm of illustrious white feathers sent scattering up skyward as her mother attempted to grapple the squalling bird. Lurching her weight backwards with a surprising abandon for a cat who was previously settled with her entire weight against her haunches, the young she-cat was quick to scrabble to her paws and fling herself forward at Smokefeather's directions. "Is this a bad time to mention," Vulturepaw quickly puffed out, pulse violently throbbing within the tight confines of her tense throat, "that Adderflare's been a bit too busy to for any battle training?" Fronting a brave face and hurling herself closer to the admittedly terrifying bird currently thrashing against Smokefeather's claws, the speckled she-cat hurriedly lashed out at the long pale line of the goose's undefended belly, quick movements shaded by the trembling presence of sorely lacking skill and refinement.

-

Vulturepaw used Belly Rake, Dealing -7 in Damage & Costing -10 in Stamina.

Vulturepaw
20/20 [HP]
70/80 [SP]

Smokefeather
80/80 [HP]
230/240 [SP]

GOOSE
20/40 [HP]
130/130 [SP]

Smokefeather slashed at the oversized bird, ears flattening as she heard Vulturepaw's voice. How long had Vulturepaw been an apprentice? And Adderflare wasn't training her? Anger burned in her chest at the thought, both because Vulturepaw was her daughter, and because training the apprentices was something that Smokefeather genuinely enjoyed. Vulturepaw would have to work at it, but being behind in her training wasn't anything that couldn't be corrected.

"I'll pick up your training, then." She mewed in response. It wouldn't be the first time, though the circumstances were different. "It'll take a moment to get up, but avoid the wings and beak." She added as her claws slipped.

The fluffy tortoiseshell landed on the ground, rearing up onto her hindlegs to bring her front paws down onto the creature's head before it could find its' balance without her weight pinning it to the earth.

Smokefeather used Upright Lock on Goose for -25sp, dealing -16 damage.

Smokefeather
80 / 80 hp
205 / 240 sp (230 - 25)

Goose
4 / 40 hp (20 - 16)
130 / 130 sp

Vulturepaw
20 / 20 hp
70 / 80 sp

The chilly, terse afternoon air was disrupted by the sharp shower of bitter, prickly debris; a honeyed storm of broken foliage and thin soil sent whirling all around the tussling trio in the aftermath of Smokefeather's practiced movements. A reedy sting crept into the blurred reaches of Vulturepaw's vision as dust and small pieces of undergrowth showered against the soft fur of her face, a watery curtain of tears welling up in her screwed gaze, a futile attempt to ward off the worst of the irritation as she continued to watch the goose thrash and squall in spite of the multiple strikes purposefully tossed its way. Tongue curling sharply against her teeth, the young molly jerkily nodded at Smokefeather's assessments, purposed reply dying upon her tongue as the goose angrily snapped particularly close to her ear- entirely too close for comfort.

Squeaking sharply and jolting back a tail-length or two, Vulturepaw's heart thudded wildly as she watched her mother continue to grapple with the enraged creature, downy tufts of feathers and underfluff left to drift idly atop the stifling afternoon air. Nervous system alight with the trembling surge of adrenaline, the speckled molly continued to watch the struggle bird for several heartbeats, unwilling to get close so long as it was looking directly at her. Thankfully, there was a brief interlude in the struggling where the goose attempted to twist itself around to try and right its thrown balance- entirely desperate for this entire ordeal to end as quickly as possible, Vulturepaw darted forward towards the goose and promptly tossed a surprisingly vicious strike to its undefended head.  

Soft features creasing under the lingering dredges of surprise and unease, Vulturepaw did little more than peer in the general direction of the now waddling off goose, a silky trail of shedding feathers left drifting in the aftermath of its odd gait. Whiskers twitching in a final display of gradually dispersing agitation and adrenaline, the small molly eventually cast a weary gaze in the direction of her mother, feeling a bit worn out now that the worst of the danger had passed. "Well... I didn't like that at all."

-

Vulturepaw used Front Paw Strike, Dealing -6 in Damage & Costing -10 in Stamina.

Vulturepaw
20/20 [HP]
60/80 [SP]

Smokefeather
80/80 [HP]
205/240 [SP]

GOOSE
K.O.

Vulturepaw landed a blow on the goose, the white-feathered bird backpedaled, struggling to waddle away from the pair of cats. Smokefeather watched as it did, making sure it didn't try and turn back to the pair for more damage. Geese were nasty creatures, and while she'd have no problem killing it after it went after her daughter, she was also fine with letting the thing crawl off in defeat.

"Are you alright?" Smokefeather asked, concerned gaze turning to her daughter. She appeared uninjured, if a bit shaken. The pale tortoiseshell padded forward, gently licking the top of Vulturepaw's head.

"I don't enjoy fighting either, but we do what we have to." She mewed, curling her fluffy tail over the apprentice's back. "Or, most of us do. Adderflare shouldn't be neglecting your training like she has been."

Sinewy threads of tense muscles softened up under the familiar brush of Smokefeather's coarse tongue, a gentle tremor of achy tension sweeping through the rapidly loosening shape of Vulturepaw; relief and exhaustion coupling heavily within her tightly clinched veins. Tilting her head downwards in response to the careful touch of reassuring affection, the speckled molly did little other than tuck the soft crown of her skull beneath the gently rounded jut of Smokefeather's chin, content to take an idle moment of relaxation.

Somewhere in the distance, the faint honk of a bereaved goose resonated softly against the chilly afternoon air.

Blinking up at Smokefeather with wide, soft eyes, Vulturepaw's gently rounded features creased lightly for a heartbeat or so- obviously processing her mother's words, scrabbling for the best response that would alleviate the prospect of some fuss being kicked up. It was frustrating that her training had become such a neglected affair, but she also hated the idea of becoming bothersome. "It's not always so bad," She eventually began, ears heating unpleasantly at the thought of having to tattle on her mentor like some little kit, "I'm sure Adderflare is just busy right now, and that she'll figure out a better way to balance everything soon." Perhaps that was a bit too hopeful.

"Busy, perhaps. But there's always a way to work in training. It's just as important as other duties, if not more so." Smokefeather mewed, gazing down at her daughter. "And if your mentor is neglecting your training, you should be able to go to any warrior to ask them for help. I did it when I was an apprentice, there is no shame in that." She continued, lightly nudging Vulturepaw's ear with her nose.

"If you ever feel like you need help, I'm here for you." Smokefeather said, taking another moment to remain with her chin resting on the top of Vulturepaw's head before she stood once more.