glimmering scales (c)

Just as she had gone on a patrol with Harebounce, Perchstar had now found herself on a hunting patrol with the she-cat's daughter, Grebedance. As with many of the younger members of their Clan, the leader knew little about her. She had been sick, delaying her warriorhood, but recently gained her name. Wearing a raccoon pelt, no less. Not that such things bothered Perchstar. She had not lived through the Asylum, and had little difficulty with the two remnants of it that lived in her Clan-- Harebounce and Ashflight. They were both wonderful warriors and important additions to RiverClan. It stood to reason that if Grebedance was much like her mother, then she was a good warrior as well. She had certainly been good enough to become a warrior. As long as she took after her mother rather than her chaotic father, Jaystar... all would be well.

As usual, there was little emotion on the leader's face as they walked through the territory; not out of any dislike for Grebedance, but simply because very few feelings were normally evident by looking at Perchstar. It was simply how she functioned. With sparse conversation, they soon reached the river. It was at a fairly regular level. Thankfully. Out of habit more than anything else, she stationed herself downstream of Grebedance, and sat down, looking into the depths for a hint of glimmering scales.

To be invited on an outing with the leader should have been viewed as nothing but an honour; a recognition of her stance in the clan and a sign of respect. But Grebedance had accepted the offer with slight hesitation, wariness in her eyes and stomach as the mollies set out. It was nothing to do with the leader-- no, absolutely not, Perchstar was always lovely- but rather the circumstances the leader seemed to find herself in every time she left the camp as of late. Multiple fox attacks, even returning home quite injured one time after a trip out with a heavily pregnant Poppyshine? To the bicoloured molly, it felt so wrong, her gut twisting as she thought of what her fate might entail accompanying the leader to go hunting.

Regardless, Grebedance found herself walking quietly with the grey molly, sweltering slightly under the heat of her meticulously groomed raccoon pelt. Internally she resolved to take it off for the brief time they sat by the river hunting, knowing her limits and knowing the heat had the strong potential to make her incredibly ill for a day or two otherwise. She kept her ears firmly pricked as they travelled, refusing to let down her guard even as they arrived in silence, Perchstar sitting further downstream and beginning to look for prey.

Instead, as she slipped her pelt off her rather small frame, Grebedance stayed entirely focused on their surroundings. She took in deep breaths to try identify the scent of any predators, but her eyes were trained to look for one thing only- the tell-tale russet hue of a fox.

Perchstar was not the most emotionally intelligent cat. However, even she could tell that Grebedance was on edge, glancing around uneasily through the forest as if something might jump out at them at any moment. I suppose I can't blame her. There certainly have been a surplus of predator battles recently. The fox with Poppyshine, the one that nearly killed Yarrowblossom, then the eagle stealing a kit right out of our camp... Greenleaf isn't only a prosperous time for cats, unfortunately. A slight twinge of guilt wandered through her mind. She was the leader, wasn't she? Why hadn't she done something about this problem? What was there even to do-- hunt the predators on her own? And lose eight more lives to some fox? Unlikely. That would cause more harm than it solved. This was not a very solvable problem. And yet, it was her fault for not doing more, wasn't it?

Not knowing what to say, the leader instead momentarily turned her attention down to the river. A myriad of fish swam through, a nearly staggering amount that had been keeping all of RiverClan so well-fed they might have all gained a few pounds in the last moon. Still, food needed to be caught-- especially for the large number of apprentices that had swelled the Clan's ranks to twice their size. Aiming a paw at the water, Perchstar struck, claws unsheathed. She didn't get the fish she was reaching for, but she did hit the one right next to it, splashing it out of the water with an expert movement. It flopped around for a moment until she caught it in her jaws, ending its life swiftly. Thanks to StarClan. Once more, she glanced over at Grebedance. Was there anything she could say to assuage the warrior's nervousness?... Stars, she was bad at this. "I doubt any more foxes will come through here," she said, her neutral voice sounding odd as it attempted reassurance, "but even if one does... I do still have eight more lives to protect my Clanmates with." Was that even helpful? She didn't know. It was embarrassing to be in charge of a Clan and have no clue how to speak with most of its members. Her eyes made their way back down to the waters, pretending to focus on looking for yet another fish, even though it would be hard to miss one in this abundance. Her pelt felt uncomfortable on her back in the heat of the sun.

Perchstar attempted to catch a fish. Success! -3 SP

The member 'Ash' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 8

Her attention was drawn from her surroundings to Perchstar as the leader hooked a fish, making an easy catch of it and leaving it aside to continue. As the molly turned her attention towards Grebedance she looked away instinctively, intense eye contact focused at the lapping water beneath her paws, hoping the leader didn't take her for some staring, paranoid fool. The molly just didn't enjoy conflict where she or one she cared about stood to be hurt, and found herself deeply concerned that the gray leader may be some sort of bad omen. Of course, this wasn't to say she didn't trust that the leader wasn't doing everything in her power to protect them all - she had heard that Perchstar had opposed the Dark Forest's reign, and her father's involvement - but... Grebedance was worried to potentially be involved.

As light reflected off the fast-moving prey just a mere paw-length from her claws, the warrior shot through the rippling water, claws outstretched for anything. They tightened around something, mostly in shock as Perchstar mentioned her remaining eight lives. Catch forgotten - hopefully dead, as it was whisked from the water to land next to her - the bicoloured molly looked at her in fear. "Eight? I.. didn't you have nine? Did I miss something?" Her pupils visibly constricted in fear, ears pinning back a little. "Perchstar, did you lose a life to a fox?"

Ah, the immediate evidence of everything she feared. Grebedance knew that foxes were to be feared, but to know one had successfully taken a life of their fearless leader? She swallowed hard.

Grebedance successfully caught a fish! -3SP

Grebedance:
30/30 HP
77/80 SP

The member 'oryx' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 9