High Achievers (Closed)

Orchidmask stretched out her already sore legs and back before sitting down near the fresh-kill pile, taking the free moment to quickly groom her long pelt of any building debris.  Ever since her warrior ceremony, the hardworking she-cat had thrown herself into Bloodstar's new programs, her favorite of which had been building and maintaining the camp barrier.  She found it easy to lift and drag around the tree branches that the patrols brought back, thanks to her strong build.  However, today she had been assigned to a hunting patrol with Newtspring, which though different wasn't disappointing.  Truthfully, she had been itching to get out of camp and feel the crisp fall breeze on her face, and being in the company of Bloodstar's son she doubted would be a hindrance.  He had always seemed to be a hardworking cat, if not a bit show-offish.  If Orchidmask was honest with herself though, she often fell into the same trap while on patrol, especially with cats ranked above her.  She didn't see much shame in it.  Looking around, she waited to catch sight of his dappled pelt, paws shuffling a bit impatiently.

All the changes Bloodstar had been set on making had seemed to wear the rest of the Clan down. Tired from the new patrolling schedule, from extra work put into building up the security system... Newtspring wanted to say he hadn't been as beat as the rest of them, but today, it felt like he was dragging. He'd spent the night before on guard, and today he was slow to drag himself out of his nest.

Heavy paws lead him out of the den and plodding towards the fresh-kill pile, eager to pick up something to eat and flop back over as quickly as he stood. But another cat was already there, looking... expectant. The tom's ear flicked, and he eyed Orchidmask quizically before something clicked in his head. Turning on his characteristic grin, Newtspring trotted close enough to playfully whack her flank with his tail.

"Kept ya waitin', huh? Sorry 'bout that. Night guard, 'n' all." The mottled tabby stretched his jaws in a wide yawn for emphasis, shaking out his pelt as he did. "Well, 'm here now. You're the shiny new warrior, so how 'bout you lead the way, eh? I don't make that offer t'many cats, so ya oughta take it before I change my mind." Newtspring snickered, then padded away, pausing to wait for her to follow. In truth, he just didn't feel like guiding her all the way through the territory– his head was still a bit muddled with sleep, and it would be much easier to just follow along than take charge. Not being wholly responsible for the hunt gave him a better chance to talk her ear off, too.

Looking the opposite direction from where Newtspring approached, Orchidmask wasn't expecting his physical greeting; when the tom's tail tapped against her flank the colorpoint warrior felt herself jump, and she turned quickly to look at the dappled warrior through surprised blue eyes.  I didn't hear him coming, ah stars now he probably thinks I'm some daydreaming ditz!  Rapidly regaining her composure and usual serious expression, Orchidmask nodded and calmly meowed "It's okay." in response to his apology.  She caught herself shifting away from him slightly, but made herself stop.  I don't want to look rude.  Truthfully, she didn't like being touched by cats outside of her family.  It wasn't that she was scared of her clanmates or anything like that, she just preferred to keep more distance than the average cat.

However, it seemed her blunder hadn't affected Newtspring too much, and she was a bit taken aback by his 'generous' offer for her to take the lead.  On the surface, it seemed to be out of kindness, but as Orchidmask got to her paws she wondered about that.  Is this some sort of test?  A way to embarrass me?  No matter, she had been given this opportunity so she would take it, and face anything that came with that.  At the sound of his laugh, her mouth curling into a half-smile as she looked over her shoulder at the torbie tom and meowed; "I'll accept your offer, it seems to be a rare opportunity."  With that, she pushed through the camp entrance and led the way out into the territory, sniffing the air and swiveling her ears as they went.  "Not much prey scent...should we try our luck over by the creek?"  It was the height of the day even though there was a chill breeze, surely prey would be looking for water.

Orchidmask seemed so caught off-guard by his greeting, and his offer to let her lead, that Newtspring couldn't stop the chuckle that rose up as they ducked out of camp. "'S rare alright," he agreed easily as they padded over their territory. "I'm not one for lettin' other cats do all the showin' off. Y'better remember this moment, I'unno if I'm gonna do this 'gain soon." Another laugh rose from him, louder and deeper, and the large tom bounded forward to fall in-step with his companion.

Nose twitching, Newtspring inhaled deeply after her remark about no prey. She was right, unfortunately– the only scents that came to him were those of stale leaf-litter and cold earth. Rolling his shoulders, Newtspring gave a toothy grin and a nod. "See? That's why you're leadin'. Let's go." But despite putting Orchidmask in charge of the patrol, the tabby turned and bounded off in that direction before waiting to see if she would follow.

The sun was high, the air was cool... and as he approached the creek, Newtspring was pleased to see there was a vole resting by the water's edge. Dropping into a crouch, he was careful to keep his feathery tail off the ground as he drew himself forward. The closer he got, he could see the vole looked scrawny... of course, he still wanted the first catch– and something about feeding his Clan, too –but seeing how the prey was starting to thin made his ears lower. Shaking away the thoughts, he drew a few gentle pawsteps closer before pouncing. Well-trained claws hooked the rodent easily, and Newtspring gave its neck a quick nip before lifting it gently.

"Hey, how'dya like that?" He called around his prey, finding somewhere dry to bury it for later. Newtspring's tail curled over his back as he sought out Orchidmask again, letting out a rumbling purr. "Lettin' me get that oh-so prized catch ain't gonna win ya any special favors." He teased, purr deepening into a snicker. "Well, I'unno, it might. Think ya gotta impress me with your own prey first, though."

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 5

Orchidmask was used to compliments, liked them in fact, but usually tried to react with her usual stoicness.  However, when Newtspring flashed her a slightly silly grin and applauded her on basil hunting skills, she found herself smiling back.  She didn't know why, what he said was usually something you'd say to a little kitten to humor them while playing, and she didn't even know if he meant it genuinely, but she found it a bit...charming.  Quickly though she snapped out of it and her neutrality returned, letting out a fake-shocked gasp when Newtspring bounced off ahead of her.  "Hey, I thought I was leading"  She took off after him at a run, quickly catching up.

Once they arrived at the creek, Orchidmask watched as Newtspring found his first prey, sneaking up on a vole sitting at the riverbank.  Sinking into the background so as not to interfere, she watched the dappled tom-cat slowly inch closer to his prey, well-trained muscles sliding smoothly under pristine fur, and his face was shadowed by a deep intensity.  She found herself looking almost a bit too closely, and shook her head.  Wow, what is with you today Orchid?  So what if he's handsome, you have better things to do than sit around and watch him.  She was about to go look for her own prey when he pounced, killing the creature with a quick movement she almost didn't see.  As he called to her with yet another boast, she stepped out of the shade and observed him from a distance, standing with her tail curled and head tilted slightly upward, accentuating her eager smirk.  "Oh, it was alright, don't pat yourself on the back yet though."  In the back of her mind, she cringed at the fact that she was being so rude to a higher ranking warrior, Bloodstar's son no less, but she was having a bit too much fun at this point to realize and reflect.  Instead, she sought out her prey, a squirrel scent she had noticed earlier.

She found the creature sitting up in a tree branch, and marveled at its greedy size for so late in leaf-fall.  It looked like its cheeks were full too, and it was already holding a walnut in its little paws.  Perfect, that would distract it.  Scouting out her route in her head, Orchidmask climbed up a tree right next to the one the squirrel had chosen, noticing a large branch running above her target.  Slowly making her way upward, using her tail to balance, she walked out onto the branch and looked down, trying not to catch a shadow down onto the rodent. It was now or never, it's nut was almost gone.  Taking a breath, Orchidmask quickly leaped down at the squirrel and grabbed it with her claws, sinking her teeth into it's throat as she pinned it to the tree.  Once the life had ebbed away from its body, she dismounted the tree branch (a bit unsteadily) and dragged the large piece of fresh kill over to Newtspring, dropping it next to his average-sized shrew.  Sitting down and licking a bit of squirrel blood off her white paw, she flicked one of her tufted ears and purred, icy eyes issuing a challenge.

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 2