A bulky shape trailed down the snowy path, weaving between decrepit, dead monsters. It walked with a purpose, eyes bared for movement, ears perked and alert. Large blue-green eyes peered out, vibrant against the white of the snow. The world had not seen much of Lichen since he fled his home. For all his loudmouth, obnoxious, mischievous personality, he had learned on his own how to tread with gentle pawsteps, how to scent the air, how to feel the wind against his whiskers. It had been mostly by trial-and-error of course, and long nights spent hungry, but he learned enough to get by.
Of course, he would be the first to admit he was not the greatest hunter that walked the earth. Even the young tom knew that much. But in the way he carried himself, it was evident that he shouldered his newfound knowledge with pride.
He often thought back to Wrenspring, his mentor. How they never got to spend much time together before the world ended. The tip of his tail flicked slightly. Maybe, hopefully, Wrenspring thought about him too. Although, he mused, it's only been two moons since I left. Hopefully the Clan hasn't forgotten all about me already.
He often thought about his family, too. Smokefeather, Bloodstrike, his siblings...Was Bloodstrike even alive? Lichen didn't know, and part of him was scared to find out. A flash of movement caught his attention in the late evening glow and the tom froze, pupils dilating and shifting towards the source. He had been walking quietly enough, right? His pelt also blended in to the weeds and brush along the path, especially in the dimming light. Scarcely daring to breathe, Lichen dropped into a crouch and locked his sights on a bird a few foxlengths away, pecking at something in the snow. It hadn't yet noticed him, thank the stars.
A grin crept up his maw and he prepared to strike, unsheathing his claws. Using powerful hind legs to propel himself, he launched at the bird, catching it before it was able to fly away. Pinning it down, he killed it with a swift bite to the neck and allowed himself a satisfied chuckle at his triumph. Carrying his catch with him, he searched around briefly for a safe place to eat it. As much as he didn't like aligning himself with Clan matters these days, true to his SkyClan heritage Lichen took a moment to scale the nearest tree, perching safely in the branches with his prey. He hunkered down, ensuring a stable position, and began to eat his dinner, watching the sun disappear beyond the horizon.
The silence of the evening was a tad deafening. The tom surveyed the snow below, sighing, simply to give himself something to listen to. "Y'know...maybe this is just me," Lichen said, speaking half to himself and half up at the darkening sky above. "...It's kinda boring out here by myself. I should find some company soon." He allowed his voice to fade along with the puff of breath in the air.
Or maybe I could just...return home.
Lichen(paw?) successfully caught a bird, using -5 SP.
Lichen
20/20 HP
75/80 SP (-5)______________________________________
