Starting off on the wrong paw [closed]

"Hey, Coyotegrin."

Smallbean softly called her name across the camp, looking over to the larger she-cat. The dawn patrol had already gone out for the morning, leaving the deputy with paws itching to run. Luckily, many warriors were already awake, allowing opportunity for a cat to accompany him if he went out. One warrior would do, he figured, and Coyotegrin was the nearest warrior to him. He'd been meaning to check up on her, with the loss of Hawkheart and all. Besides, Coyotegrin was on Shrikestar's council, and he hardly knew her. It would do good to get to know her, even if just a little over the span of a hunting patrol.

Approaching the warrior, he continued. "How'd you feel about going out hunting with me? I'll be leaving soon, if you're interested." They could go out and be back before he had to arrange another patrol. The responsibilities that came with deputyship gave Smallbean a sense of purpose, but they also limited the activities he could do in a day. With a brief nod, he headed toward the camp entrance, looking behind him to check if Coyotegrin was following.

Leading the way out of the camp, Smallbean chose a thin, winding path. He wasn't completely sure where he wanted to go, he figured that if he smelled something close enough he'd briefly stray from the trail to catch it. Until then, it was just him and Coyotgrin.

"So..." He breathed, searching for something to say. "Thanks for coming along with me." He was used to telling cats what patrol to go on, he wondered that if when he proposed an offer for a patrol that the cat felt inclined to say yes, even if there was opportunity to say no. He'd express his gratitude.

Silence befell the small tom for a moment before he spoke again. "How are you holding up?" His mismatched eyes slid over to glance at Coyotegrin. "Cuz of, y'know...." Smallbean didn't feel like he needed to finish the sentence. "I know we hardly know each other, but I'm here to talk if you need it." 'I know what it's like.' Hopefully, Coyotegrin was managing her grief far better than he had all those moons ago. He shuddered.

Coyotegrin hesitated slightly hesitated when Smallbean asked her to go hunting with him, but in the end she went and padded next to the small deputy as they wandered into the territory. They were similar in size, so together they hardly made a dent in the tall grass. A small chill was approaching, warning of the soon-to-be-end of easy living, in regards to food and temperature. So, she supposed that they should hunt together. After a few moments of silence, the deputy finally spoke up. She mulled over a response- Shrikestar was the only cat she would allow to see her completely vulnerable. Especially to Smallbean, she felt as if she needed to be guarded on how she felt and her current endless sinking feeling. "I would be a liar if I said I was perfectly fine. I am mourning the loss of both Hawkheart and Goldenpaw at once. But Daisybreeze is still here, and sometimes death brings opportunity for another love you never would have expected." She thought of Shrikestar as she said this. It made her feel disgusting that she was slowly falling for the quietly strong and legal leader so soon after her lifelong mate's death, but feelings couldn't be helped. It was a new thing, a little seed in the ground, but it brought her the same rush of hope and giddiness as it had with Hawkheart when they were just fresh warriors.

When she opened her mouth to speak, the scent of prey caught her attention. With a flick of her tail, she let Smallbean know she was on to something. A hare, her favorite choice of prey due to the thrill. She slowly sauntered through the grass before approaching the rabbit down wind. A fat, plump one - stocking up for winter it seemed. It was an almost effortless catch; the animal didn't even see her coming. Soon enough, she dropped the hare down next to Smallbean with a little smile, her heart still racing from the thrill.

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 3

The response Smallbean received was one he'd expected- for the most part, at least. "Oh?" It almost shocked him, for Coyotegrin to imply she was falling in love again, although he'd also been in a similar situation to hers. He felt a sudden overwhelming urge to change the conversation.

He almost forgot that they'd originally come out to hunt until Coyotegrin paused and disappeared into the grass. Staying put, he waited for her to return, casting her a faint smile when she re-appeared with a rabbit. "Nice one." Figuring that he should also take some time to catch something, considering he was the one who asked her to go hunting and all, he raised his nose to the air and turned away. "I'll be right back." He muttered over his shoulder.

Slinking through the grass, he quickly picked up the scent of a hare. The further he followed the scent the thinner the grass grew until it was enough for Smallbean to see his target. Lowering himself, he crept closer until he was within jumping distance. Pushing himself from the earth, he leaped through the air, but his paws never reached the ground. A pair of razor-sharp talons pierced his flesh and the sound of the roaring wind filled his ears. It took the tom a moment to register his situation, but the view of the ground growing smaller as the hawk took him higher sure caught his attention. "AH- C-COYOTEGRIN!" His voice cracked, not used to the strain. "HELP ME!" He couldn't believe he'd been so ignorant of his surroundings. The more he squirmed, the tighter the bird's grip became. It was by some fortunate slim chance that he was able to graze the hawk's talon with his claws, releasing him from it's grasp.

For a brief moment, he felt relief, but panic struck when he realized there was no solid ground beneath his paws. As he plummeted toward the earth, bracing himself for impact, he squeezed his eyes shut. Hopefully this wasn't the end. With a deep thud he hit the ground, gasping for air as the wind was knocked from his lungs.

The first thing he noticed was that he was still alive. The second was that he could still feel and move his limbs. The third was the overwhelming feeling of nausea that washed over him. Still shaking from the adrenaline rush, he pulled himself upright and heaved. Stars, his head hurt. His whole body hurt. If he were still alive the fall couldn't have been from that far up, though. He was probably just being dramatic

Staggering to his paws, he remembered that he'd come out with someone, he should go find them- it wouldn't be good if the hawk got to them too. He tried hard to recall who he'd been with.

"Oh... Yeah... Coyotegrin."


Smallbean has encountered a Hawk!! Hawk used Swoop on Smallbean, dealing 9 HP and costing -15 SP

Smallbean
61/70 HP [-09]
160/160 SP

Hawk
40/40 HP
110/125 SP [-15]

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 10

Coyotegrin had glanced down for a mere second when a cry from Smallbean ripped her attention back to her surroundings. She watched, paws frozen for a second as a hawk lifted Smallbean from the ground, attempting to carry him away. The warrior was already sprinting to their location as he was dropped. She rushed up to the tom, checking him over swiftly. "StarClan, are you okay?" He didn't have time to answer as the hawk came cascading down towards the injured cat and herself. Leaping into the air, Coyotegrin managed to grip the hawk's wing with her maw and drag it to the ground, shrieking and flapping. Desperate to end this fight as soon as possible, she positioned herself on its wing and swiped visciously with her claws.

Coyotegrin used Snap causing 10 damage and using 7 stamina. Coyotegrin used Desperate Blows causing 6 damage and using 7 stamina.

Smallbean
61/70 HP
160/160 SP

Hawk
24/40 HP (-16)
110/125 SP

Coyotegrin
70/70 HP
146/160 SP (-14)

From his daze, Smallbean was able to recognize the cat rushing up to him as Coyotegrin. He offered her a weak smile. "Yeah, I'm... alright... Thanks." Even though he'd already gotten back on his paws he still felt disoriented. The headache he had was persistent and the sunlight made it worse. Despite his clouded thoughts, he was able to recognize that he was concussed. Every bone in his body, and every coherent though, told him to retreat, go somewhere he could rest, at least close his eyes. But there was immediate danger. He had to do something.

The swoop of the hawk, Coyotegrin's grip on it's wing, pulling it to the ground, it was all a blur, but he eventually found an opening large enough for him recognize it was there and take action. While Coyotegrin had the hawk on the ground, positioned over one wing, Smallbean took the chance to stumble to the other side and sit on it's other wing, albeit slowly. His head was pounding and he felt dizzy, but this was the least taxing for his sore body. This should buy Coyotegrin time to finish it off. Stars, he just wanted to go rest somewhere.


Smallbean used Leap and Hold on Hawk, dealing 10 HP and costing 15 SP for each turn in effect. Hawk is pinned for 1 turns.

Smallbean:
61/70 HP
145/160 SP [-15]

Hawk:
14/40 HP [-10]
110/125 SP

Coyotegrin:
70/70 HP
146/160 SP

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 3

Coyotegrin didn't respond, couldn't respond as the hawk thrashed about to Smallbean. She was vaguely aware through the feathers that Smallbean had joined in and laid down almost on the other wing. Sure, she could do this herself she supposed. With the hawk held down, Coyotegrin was able to bite on the hawk's neck, crushing it and snapping the spine. With a sigh, she dropped it and took a step back to catch her breath and survey the scene, including Smallbean. She wanted to scoff at how the deputy let him get himself in this predicament, but she withheld it. Finally, she spoke. "Can you make it back to camp?" Her tone was neutral and guarded. She had no idea how she'd carry both a hawk and Smallbean back.

Squeezing his eyes shut tight, Smallbean held the hawk's wing down until he no longer felt it writhing beneath him. He hunched over the bird and caught his breath, looking up from it's corpse to meet Coyotegrin's gaze. "I'm pretty sure I can make it back. Just um. Just a concussion, i think." As long as he didn't do anything too physically straining, he should be able to make it. Walking back shouldn't be too much of a problem.

When they began to traverse the trail back to camp, Smallbean mostly walked on his own, occasionally leaning over to hold up one of the wings in an attempt to ease the weight on Coyotegrin's shoulders. "Thanks... By the way." He said quietly... and without clarification. He really was thankful though, if Coyotegrin hadn't gone hunting with him he'd surely be birdfood by now. He was lucky that the worst he got away with was a concussion.