what's on the other side [hunting]

Leopardsun enjoyed providing for ShadowClan, loved the thrill of hunting and the familiar marsh beneath her paws. SkyClan's territory offered prey, but there were no marshes on their unfamiliar land. Grass wet with only morning dew beneath her paws, the land of SkyClan's ridge dotted with rocks. She didn't feel daring enough to navigate any of the lower ones, though occasionally she moved toward the edge to look out at the expanse. The Twolegplace was something she'd heard stories about, but now she could see that it was real, if some distance away.

It made her wonder how many of those stories might be true, not that she had any real desire to find out. She was a Clan cat at heart, safe and sound and happy in the forest, but she was happiest in the marsh that had always been her home.

Chasing prey through the grass with its dew clinging to her fur, this was the most fun she'd let herself have since tragedy had struck ShadowClan. She wouldn't leap through trees as SkyClan cats did, but chasing their land-dwelling prey had proven a worthwhile exercise.

Stoatpaw trailed behind the Shadowclan warrior. He had never been to this part of Skyclan's territory before. Although it looked similar to where Frostbite had taken him hunting, he couldn't help becoming aware of the twoleg place. He had heard about it as a kit, but being able to see it for himself seemed like an accomplishment. Turning back to Leopardsun, the apprentice studied her. Her build seemed vastly different from the average Skyclan warrior's, especially those long legs. Despite their physical differences, Stoatpaw had begun to see Shadowclan as a part of Skyclan. When they return to their camp, will we end up fighting? The thought seemed to sicken the young apprentice. In an attempt to clear his head, Stoatpaw spoke up. "So, when do we start?"

Echomist had followed after Leopardsun, his paw was still giving him some trouble but nothing that prevented him from doing his duties. Green eyes took in the area around him, not used to seeing the twoleg place so close, or a ridge so high. The marsh was flatter than Skyclan's territory, it was weird to see. He was so lost in his when the apprentice spoke, he was a little startled.

"I suppose we are good to go ahead and hunt.." He said, before correcting himself. "Right Leopardsun?" He asked, he wasn't leading the patrol after all.

"Right!" Leopardsun nodded. "Go ahead and start hunting. But don't go too far- I don't want anyone getting hurt today," she added, taking note that there was an apprentice with them in addition to Echomist's healing injury. "Just be careful."

Startled back to reality rather than her own thoughts, she set about her task- hunting. It was different in SkyClan's territory, no marshes and fewer frogs about, but she'd like to think she was adapting well. There was no shortage of birds, but they tended to be small and lacking in meat. While she'd found a fascination with their feathers (bright colors and pretty patterns that caught her eye), she was hunting for food to feed two clans- not for pretty things.

She instead chased after a squirrel, but when it scrambled up into the branches of a tree she couldn't follow.

Leopardsun failed to catch a Squirrel, costing 3 SP!
117/120 SP

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 9

Stoatpaw chuckled slightly as he saw Leopardsun stop at the tree. He had known that other clans didn't climb like his, but seeing a warrior refuse to climb was just comical to him.

Stoatpaw splayed his paws on a nearby tree, climbing quickly to a branch a few fox-lengths off the ground. It didn't take long for him to find a fat magpie perched on a branch of another tree. It won't be like last time. The apprentice's haunches shook slightly before he leapt for the bird.

As his paws hit the branch, the magpie flapped it's wings in an attempt to escape. Stoatpaw quickly brought a killing bite to the bird's neck, or what he hoped was it's neck. The bird went limp in his jaws. Stoatpaw made his way down the tree, dropping his prey on the ground.

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 6

Echomist was a little slow on the uptake to start hunting, choosing to watch the others for just a moment. While Leopardsun had a miss, he knew she would make up for it just like she always had, and the Skyclan apprentice.. well he was impressed even if he didn't show it on the outside. Hunting in trees was a feat in itself, they moved so differently up there. Maybe one day he would learn how to do something like that, but now wasn't the time.

The spotted tom turned away, now focusing on his own hunting. The tom weaved around trees, moving quietly to not disturb anything he was searching for. It took a moment before he found a mouse. The tom crouched low, and then pounced. Of course as soon as he pounced the tom took a quick step back, the mouse being forgotten about quickly. His paw stung from the bite he just jumped into from a Snake. Hissing as the pain started to set in.. Of course it had to hit his damaged paw.

Snake used Serpent Strike dealing 6 damage, -10 SP

Echomist:
44/50 HP
117/120 SP

Snake:
15/15 HP
65/75 SP

The member 'Reaper King' has done the following action : Dice roll

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'Hunting Dice' : 10

"Nice catch, Stoatpaw!" Leopardsun praised the apprentice. "It takes a certain kind of courage and confidence, doesn't it? To go up into the trees and trust your own instincts, that you won't fall... Honestly, I kind of-"

Envy you.

Before she could voice this, though, her attention was shifted. "Echomist-!" To see one of the few cats she counted as a close friend in danger, all her own words of caution were tossed aside as she rushed over to help. "I'm here, let me help!"

A snake? Why now? I didn't want anyone to get hurt today... If someone had to get attacked, why not me? At least I wasn't already injured!

Somewhat frantically, she bit at the snake's tail in an attempt to subdue it before it could strike again. She bit down hard on something smooth, and the wriggling form fell still- for now.

Leopardsun used Tail Yank, dealing 8 damage and costing 15 SP! The Snake is Stunned!

Leopardsun
50/50 HP
102/120 SP (-15)

Echomist
44/50 HP
117/120 SP

Snake [Stunned]
7/15 HP (-8)
65/75 SP

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 1

Stoatpaw happily drank in the Shadowclan cat's praise. It didn't seem right to accept praise for something every Skyclan cat could do, but it felt nice regardless. Snapping back to the present, the apprentice turned to watch Leopardsun go. That was when he noticed the snake. His paws moved faster than he could think. They had to, if he was given the chance to think he would have remained frozen in his place. As the snake went still, Stoatpaw lashed out with his claws aiming a strike at the beast.

Stoatpaw used Front Paw Strike on the Snake, dealing - 6 HP and costing - 7 SP

Leopardsun
50/50 HP
102/120 SP

Echomist
44/50 HP
117/120 SP

Stoatpaw
20/20 HP
50/60 SP (-7)

Snake [STUNNED]
1/15 HP
65/75 SP

The other two cats were quick to jump to his aid, while he was thankful for their assistance he didn't want either of them getting injured either, so he acted quickly, bringing a single paw down on the snake where it sat ending it for good. It wasn't exactly prey.. but it was something they could still eat. The tom sat back, letting out a sigh, keeping his injured paw off the ground. Nothing felt funny so he didn't think it was venomous.. but he didn't know if he should stick around and hunt..

"Thank you for your assistance. It seemed we both had our sights set on the same prey." He looked down at his injured paw watching the blood slowly drip from the wound. "Such a shame too.. I was looking forward to hunting."

Echomist used Front Paw Blow dealing 1 damage, -5 SP

Snake:
Dead

The snake dead and dealt with, Leopardsun turned her attention to Echomist. "I'd ask if you're alright, but... Well."

The answer to that question was fairly obvious. About as obvious as the blood dripping from his paw. Part of her still itched to stay and hunt, but the worry she felt was more powerful than the urge to prove herself as a capable hunter.

"I suppose we should head back to camp? I feel bad that we didn't catch much prey to bring back, but I'm sure everyone will understand when we explain what happened," she reasoned. "I was looking forward to hunting with the both of you. Maybe we'll have another chance later...? For now, let's just go see the medicine cats."

She stood close enough that he could lean on her if he needed to, though she wouldn't force him.

Stoatpaw stared at the snake intently, as if expecting it to come back to life. Tearing his gaze from it, he focused on Echomist's wounded paw. "The clan will be fine, at least we're not coming back with nothing." What mattered right now was getting Echomist back to camp. Stoatpaw trotted back to the prey he had left on the ground, scooping it up in his mouth before returning to the Shadowclan warriors. He gave a slight nod to them, signaling that he was ready to return.