1000 times across 1000 lifetimes [c]

Darkspirit lead his apprentice to the Stony Hollow. He hadn't said much, only that he and Lichenpaw were headed to Thunderclan territory to hunt. "First," he began slowly as the sun began to peak over the treetops. "You need to crouch low. Low enough that you ate hidden but not so low your belly drags the ground. Watch your tail as well. Don't let it catch leaves or twigs. Move slowly forward so that you can stay quiet and keep your weight balanced across your paws." The instructions were simple, but as always, easier said than done.

"Try to catch something for me. I'll let you take the first crack at it."

Darkspirit crouched low behind his apprentice and prepared to follow quietly. He'd hunted many times, and he figured he could instruct better by observing and then critiquing afterward.

The first real foray into ThunderClan territory had been exciting for Lichenpaw. He spent half the time taking in the sights and new, exciting things, so when Darkspirit stopped and started giving him instructions, it took him a good long pause before he actually computed what had been said. After the delay, though, he instinctively dropped down, adjusting as the other tom said to.

"Like this?" he asked, a little too enthusiastic. A pair of birds startled from a nearby tree. Lichenpaw winced and sank down further, ears flat. "Sorry."

He cleared his throat gently, and then nodded when told to catch something. Stealthily, he moved off, creeping through the underbrush. What was he supposed to catch, though? The answer was made for him when he put a paw down... and it moved!! Leaping back with his heart in his throat, Lichenpaw's eyes zeroed in on... a toad. He tilted his head. That didn't look very appetizing... but it would do, he supposed!

Positioning, he angled, wiggled his shoulders, and then pounced! The toad, however, jumped at the exact same time, and his paws hit empty dirt.

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 8

Darkspirit kept a straight, stoic face as he watched the birds fly off at Lichenpaw's voice. A lesson learned, but no real harm done. Darkspirit shrugged once, patient with the new student. Watching him try to catch a toad, he could see that he was going to miss before he did. Darkspirit approached, his expression softened a bit.

"Even experienced hunters miss from time to time. It's alright. Keep your eyes on me and watch what I do. I only move when my prey isn't looking, and sometimes, that is slow progress. You just need some patience."

Darkspirit then stalked forward, expertly keeping his weight balanced across his paws as he moved toward a vole. The vole's head would pop up from a bit of grass it was nibbling on, then drop back down. Darkspirit would pause even midstride if needed, then progress forward once the vole was busy again. Once within leaping distance, Darkspirit dove for it.

Darkspirit attempted to catch a vole. He was Unsuccessful. -5SP

The vole had sharper ears than Darkspirit gave it credit for. The rodent was gone in a flash. Ah well. Being an example, Darkspirit looked back at his apprentice and shrugged.

"As I said, sometimes experienced hunters miss. What a good hunter doesn't do, is sulk about it. Pick yourself up and try again." Darkspirit nodded once at the apprentice, inviting him to try once more.

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 8