Cold World [Daisypaw]

Swiftspirit led Daisypaw out of camp, shivering as an icy gust of wind stirring up a few snowflakes. Swiftspirit was quickly realizing they were pretty to look at, and that was where the good about them ended. Prey had become scarce and difficult to find, and predators would be just as hungry as Windclan was. Her paws turned to a section of the territory that had an abundance of rabbit warrens. Daisypaw needed to learn, the clan needed food, and Swiftspirit wanted the best chance of success for both.

"Watch your step, our prey like to make their dens here, and they can be easy to miss if you don't pay attention." Swiftspirit warned. The last thing she wanted was for Daisypaw to sprain am ankle or sustain another injury so soon into her apprenticeship. It wasn't the first time they hunted and wasn't the first time Daisypaw heard the warning, but Swiftspirit felt she could never be too cautious.

"Alright, can you scent anything? I know, prey wants to be out here even less than we do, probably."

Daisypaw trotted after her mentor, sneezing when a snowflake tickled her nose. It was unfortunate that her apprentice-ship was taking place during an exceptionally harsh season. Scarcity of prey and cold temperatures would make hunting practice harder. However, the she-cat was very opportunistic and Swiftspirit was a wonderful mentor. Bad weather would not stop the duo from doing their best.

Swiftspirit had led her to a snowy area, blanketed with a layer of white. Usually the young she-cat would be chattering away. However, hunting was one of the only times she shut up, partly because she had been scolded in her latest attempt to hunt. The rabbit had darted away as soon as her cheery meow was heard. Daisypaw offered a flick of the tail to show she had heard the familiar warning and parted her jaws to take in the scents of winter. Her lungs filled with icy splinters, but the faint scent of a hare was detected. "A hare! I can't see it yet though.." she said softly, careful not to speak too loud. Trying to pinpoint the creature, her ears swiveled around. At last, she found the hare digging into a burrow entrance blocked with snow.

Her paws quietly sunk into the snow, each step carefully planned. Remembering her mentor's instructions from her previous hunting expeditions, she crouched with her tail barely lifted above the snow. The white furred animal stopped scrabbling at the snow for a heartbeat and the apprentice pounced. Mid-air, the loud cry of an eagle startled the hare, sending it running. Mousedung!

As soon as her paws touched the ground, the eagle came swooping in at an alarming rate; Daisypaw felt sharp talons in her back, painfully digging into her fur. She scrambled to get out of its grasp, tearing her pelt out of its groping claws with a yowl. She retaliated by smacking the bird down before it could fly out of reach. It shrieked and hit the ground with a thud, struggling to get up.

The eagle used Talon Strike dealing 7 damage and costing 10 SP.
Daisypaw fought back with a Front Paw Strike dealing 6 damage and costing 7 SP!

Daisypaw
13/20 HP
53/60 SP

Eagle/Hawk
34/40 HP
115/125 SP

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

---

'Hunting Dice' : 8

"Good." Swiftspirit nodded in approval, picking up the scent of hare as well. She slowed, hanging back to minimize the chances of interfering with Daisypaw hunting, though was close enough to watch and interfere if needed.

Apparently, interfering was needed, as the shadow of wings above made her fur bristle in alarm. "Watch out!" Swiftspirit's warning was too late, but she was already rushing toward the bird with a growl rising in her throat. How dare it go after her apprentice? Claws unsheathed, Swiftspirit slashed at the predator furiously. If they did enough damage quickly the bird would flee... Or they'd take it back to the fresh-kill pile. Either was fine with her.

Swiftspirit used Jumping Strike for -7 sp, dealing -10+3 damage.
Moor Runner in effect, damage taken by Windclanners reduced by -1.

Swiftspirit
70 / 70 hp
153 / 160 sp (160-7)

Daisypaw
14 / 20 hp (adjusted for Moor Runner passive)
46 / 60 sp

Eagle
21 / 40 hp (34-10-3)
115 / 125 sp

Eyes flashing, she watched the warrior furiously attack the bird, realizing her back was stinging. She didn't dare look and decided she'd worry about it later. Daisypaw readied herself, fur bristling as Swiftspirit slashed at the eagle. At the right moment, she joined in with her mentor, jumping onto it and holding the noisy bird down with her weight. "Take that you nasty eagle!!" she shrieked. The eagle helplessly beat its wings, unable to move under the weight of the apprentice, cawing with all its might. You'll make good prey for our hungry clan..

Although it was only a little fight, adrenaline kept her heart racing. It was an exhilarating feeling she knew she'd grow to enjoy.

Daisypaw used Leap and Hold dealing 6 damage and costing 15 SP.
The Eagle is pinned for two turns!

Daisypaw
14/20 HP
31/60 SP [-15]

Eagle/Hawk
15/40 HP [-6]
115/125 SP

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 4

Daisypaw leapt on top of the bird, pinning it. Good instincts, and that left Swiftspirit free to attack while the bird struggled uselessly. The apprentice had managed a solid grip. She sank her teeth into feathers, knowing that the bird now stood very little chance at getting away from them.

Swiftspirit used Snap for -7 sp, dealing -10 damage.

Swiftspirit
70 / 70 hp
144 / 160 sp

Eagle
5 / 40 hp (15 - 10)
115 / 125 sp

Daisypaw
14 / 20 hp
31 / 60 sp

"It's getting weaker-" she reported, fighting to keep the bird pinned down. The eagle's attempts at getting up only made it lose more energy, making it grow exhausted. Struggling for a few heartbeats more, it finally went limp. She let go, quickly thanking StarClan for its life. "We did it!" she exclaimed, glowing with pride and satisfaction. Training had certainly payed off!

Suddenly remembering about her wound, Daisypaw turned to examine her back. Two short gashes left by talons latched onto fur were starting to well up with blood. With a gasp, pride turned into alarm and panic.



Daisypaw continues to use Leap and Hold, dealing 6 damage and costing another 15 SP.
The Eagle is KO-ed!

Daisypaw
14/20 HP
16/60 SP

Eagle/Hawk
KO

The bird's struggles became weaker and weaker, eventually ceasing altogether. Swiftspirit glanced over to her apprentice, "You did well, Daisypaw. It'll feed the clan, even if we weren't hunting it." She praised, though she'd noticed the blood staining her pelt as well. "Are you alright? Berrypaw should take a look at those scratches." The gashes didn't appear to be too deep, at least not to Swiftspirit's untrained eye, but it was better safe than sorry, especially with this leafbare as harsh as it was. "Come on, let's get you back to camp." Swiftspirit leaned down to grab the bloodied bird, though her attention was more focused on Daisypaw.

Praise from her mentor made her feel like she could do anything and the smile on her maw said it all. "I'm fine, the scratches don't hurt anymore.. Do you think it'll leave a scar? Imagine Coyotepaw's reaction when I tell her about this!! That eagle was probably watching the hare too and decided to go after me instead. It sure was feisty!" she mewed. Swiftspirit picked the eagle up and the apprentice led the way through the snow, fluffy tail held high. Cold wind rattled among the trees, blowing snowflakes into a pretty whirlwind. Daisypaw's cheery mew would soon be welcomed into camp.

"It's possible, especially if they go untreated." Swiftspirit responded. Her whiskers twitched at the comment about the bird watching the prey as well, and she nodded. "Even predators need food. Unlucky that it chose the same prey you were hunting." Swiftspirit easily kept pace with the younger apprentice, shivering a bit as the wind picked up. Our on the moor, there was little protection from the wind, though the trees visible in the distance were all snow-covered and barren. The forest territories couldn't have been that much better off, either.