making it up [closed]

Bright sunlight poured through the canopy of trees and casted fractured shadows across the earth. Even without the tight covering of leaves, plenty of overlapping tree branches made it harder for light to pool and melt away the snow that had accumulated. It wasn't yet warm enough to melt away the snowflakes and shards of ice, instead rendering the ground a half-melted mess of slush and mud. Rays of sunlight provided a warmth across Chad's back as he traversed the territory. The daylight was the one pleasant part of the miserable state of the earth. With his pelt already slicked wet with mud, a sour expression had crossed the young tom's face. Already he wanted to turn and race back to camp where he could clean his pelt and avoid the unpleasant sensation. As if on cue, the rumbling in his stomach reminded him of why they were out here.

Casting a glance at his companion, he muttered frustrations under his breath. Clan cats stuck fast to their rules and regulations. While it was something he wanted to learn eventually, waiting to eat after a hunting patrol was inconvenient. That didn't matter when he hunted on his own. Besides, this could hardly be called a patrol. He stuffed away the annoyance knowing that voicing it would only be brushed off by the dismissive meow of an elder cat. The tip of his tail flickered back and forth as he continued onward in search of prey that was likely enjoying the brief reprieve from the leaf-bare chill. With eat pawstep, he could feel the muddied mixture of earth underfoot that seeped through even in areas with plentiful dead grass. Spitting as some spattered his maw, Chad paused for a moment. His eyes had caught sight of a flash ahead. Scanning the scenery, he quickly determined there was a fattened squirrel milling about. Gotcha, he thought, creeping closer before wriggling his haunches in preparation to pounce.

As he went to surge forward, the squirrel scrambled down the opening in the great stone log ahead. He pursued, breaking through the entrance and turning to the left. From the darkness exploded a furious creature, hissing and spitting as it chased Chad back from the stony hollow. Stumbling backwards in shock, he yowled to alert the other cats nearby, "Raccoon!" As soon as the word left his maw, claws raked his shoulder, causing a hiss to erupt.

Chad attempted to catch a squirrel. It was unsuccessful.[-5sp]
Raccoon used Quick Swipe, dealing 8 damage and using 10 stamina.


Chad
HP: 32/40 [-8]
SP: 195/100

Raccoon
HP: 20/20
SP: 110/120 [-10]

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

---

'Hunting Dice' : 8

Sleepycloud was determined to make the most of this excursion. It was only a matter of time before she was stuck in camp, weighed down by unborn kits. The more she could contribute now, the more she could feel better about not doing so later. Her eyes had gazed over the land, searching the bare forest for anything she could catch. Unfortunately, it was devoid of any life. Except for another cat's voice.

Chad's cry of 'Raccoon' sent the hair along her spine to rise. Despite Chad being a reluctant 'clan' member, he still needed her help. Spinning on her heels, Sleepycloud lept across a low batch of thorns and towards the grey creature that threatened her friend.

Sleepycloud uses Tail Yank against Raccoon. Raccoon is now stunned for one turn.

Sleepycloud
30/30 HP
65/80 SP [-15]

Chad
HP: 32/40
SP: 195/100

Raccoon
HP: 13/20 [-7]
SP: 110/120

His paws had a a heavy ache to them, unlike anything he'd experienced in either his days as a warrior or a rogue. The territory formerly belonging to ThunderClan's had covered a vast amount of space, and there were hardly enough of them to make the size of a full patrol. To say he tried to make up for the lack of paws might have been a slight understatement, but what choice was there? One of them, he hadn't even been certain was the age of an apprentice yet. Every now and then, his blue-green eyes squinted in Chad's direction. A part of him would quietly criticize the poor form the young tom had. Another continuously surveyed the short stature he had, the comical size of his ears.

Was that what kits were supposed to look like? Stormsong's attention moved to his mate, thinking it unfair she need tire herself with patrols when she should be resting. (Yet, admiring the determination all the same.) He had been in somewhat of a daze when Chad's yowl shocked him back into reality. The warrior blinked, and by the time he had processed what was happening, Sleepycloud had already left dust and leaves kicked up beside him.

A raccoon, a fat one; like the biggest, ugliest kitty-pet he'd ever seen. The moment he recovered his senses, he leaped into the fray after them, moving in swiftly behind the she-cat and sliding past, in a comfortable slick motion - like they'd done this a few times before. While the beast was distracted, Stormsong bared down the weight of his claws around the creature's neck, tearing and slicing down to its flank.

Stormsong used Front Paw Strike against 'Raccoon'. Raccoon loses 8 HP.

Stormsong
50/50 HP
113/120 SP [-7]

Sleepycloud
30/30 HP
65/80 SP [-15]

Chad
32/40 HP
95/100 SP

Raccoon
5/20 HP [-8]
110/120 SP

ooc; as discussed out of character, ebby will be playing the badger that was summoned

One cat was an annoyance, three was a threat. As claws raked the raccoon's pelt it screeched. As soon as Stormstong tore away at its flank, the creature turned tail and ran back down the dark tunnel until it was impossible to make out its form. Chad's heart thudded as he steadied his paws. Feral predators were less terrifying than the calculated attacks of enemy cats but they were vicious and startling regardless. He swallowed as he shrugged off the pain that burned in his shoulder. That was twice in two days now. The lack of resources seemed to impact every creature in the forest.

"Thanks." Chad meowed, looking between the pair of warriors. His gaze lingered on Sleepycloud for just a moment longer. It was impressive to see a pregnant queen battle so effortlessly. Each passing day made him realize just how much he had yet to learn. The words asking for training heavy on his tongue, right behind his teeth. Before he could part his maw, the squirrel he had chased down the tunnel burst forward and crashed right into him. Unfortunately, the tom was too stunned by the sudden sensation that he failed to entrap it and the squirrel went racing off once again, "Mousedung!" He couldn't even catch prey if it ran him square in the chest.

The wild Raccoon ran away!
Chad attempted to catch a squirrel, pt.2. [-5sp]

Chad
HP: 32/40
SP: 190/100

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

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'Hunting Dice' : 10

Stormsong was almost dumbfounded at how easily the younger tom shrugged off the scare. Almost, before his shoulders relaxed and his whiskers twitched in amusement. "Come on now, at least try to have a little humility here -" He laughed, turning his attention to his mate once more as it seemed their troubles had left them there. He heard little outside his purr then, pressing his nose tenderly to Sleepycloud's cheek.

The stench of raccoon and fresh blood clung to the air. He saw the shift of the bramble as a small squirrel frantically darted out, crashing into Chad and fleeting further with no hesitation. Not from them, he realized.

His heart jolted. "GET BACK!" Stormsong yowled, shoving himself in front of the others. Out of the undergrowth, a towering shape of scrawny bones tore through. It's rotten, yellow teeth snapped for the end of Chad's tail and instead embedding it's teeth deep into the warrior's hind-leg. The tom hissed and spat and swore and, most importantly, told his mate and the head of foxdung to run.


.
Stormsong
28/50 HP [-22]
113/120 SP

Sleepycloud
30/30 HP
65/80 SP

Chad
32/40 HP
90/100 SP

Sleepycloud fought the urge to chase after the raccoon. Sure, its meat was probably gross and acidic. But their typical prey was not as available as she would have liked. The queen finally ignored the feeling when Stormsong brushed her cheek. Giving her mate a grateful look, she turned to look over Chad and make sure the tom was alright. A few wounds. Hopefully, they could find some herb to help him heal.

But the forest still had more in store for the hunting patrol. The large badger seemed like a wall, rushing for Chad with the speed of a monster. To the queen's growing horror, the young cat was pushed out of the way by Stormsong. His hind leg caught in the creature's mouth. "No!" Sleepycloud cried, the fear vanishing into a cold analysis. Her father's advice and teachings for battle resurfaced. "I won't leave you." Was all the queen hissed, green eyes locked on the form of the badger.

Sleepycloud knew a few things immediately as time slowed for her. She was slower than her patrol. But heavier than average due to the kits. Stormsong and Chad would be better to deal enough damage to scare off the creature. What was her role then? The blood from Stormsong stained the ground. Sleepycloud needed to stop them from getting hurt any further. With a rush of power to her hind legs, the queen barreled into the badger with desperate claws, holding herself to its back.

She was not going to let her kits grow up without a father.

Sleepycloud uses Leap and Hold paired with Desperate Blows. Using 22 Stamina and dealing 11 damage in total. Badger is stunned for 1 turn.

The Big Bad Badger
79/90 HP [-11]
120/150 SP

Stormsong
28/50 HP
113/120 SP

Sleepycloud
30/30 HP
43/80 SP [-22]

Chad
32/40 HP
90/100 SP

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 1

ooc; desperate blows above is being edited out. damage is adjusted accordingly!

Chad prepared to grumbled back a respond to Stormsong, the words heavy on his tongue, but they never fell from his maw. He was still shaking off the encounter of the squirrel and raccoon when another hulking form appeared, lunging towards him. Hot breath was on his tail tip, and the next, gone. The large grey warrior had put himself in the way of gnashing, yellowed jaws. Blood pounded in Chad's ears. He had instinctively stumbled back a step away from the danger. Sleepycloud's shout rang in his ears and he watched in awe as she fearlessly pounced on the badger's flank. His jaw clenched. With teeth bared, he lunged forward in an attempt to help the cats he had come to know as companions.

Aiming for the black and white creature's monstrous underbelly opened him up to the oversized claws. A giant forepaw raked his ear. Chad hissed at the stinging sensation. Blood welled up instantly and was flicked onto the ground from the badger's claws. He darted back, trying to avoid another swipe. A mixture of adrenaline and anger churned in his stomach. I can't hunt. I can't fight. How could I have ever been a Thunderclan warrior? He wanted to sink his teeth and clans into the badger, longing to shake away some of the overwhelming sensation, one that amounted to frustration at his own inadequacy. Sometimes he could still picture his father's stern gaze. What had meant to be a warning of sense, had instilled in him the idea not even his own kin believed in him. As he ducked another swipe of massive paws, he thought bitterly, I'll show them.

Chad attempted to use Belly Rake on the Big Bad Badger. It was unsuccessful, using 25 stamina and dealing 5 recoil damage.

The Big Bad Badger
84/90 HP
120/150 SP

Stormsong
28/50 HP
113/120 SP

Sleepycloud
30/30 HP
50/80 SP

Chad
27/40 HP [-5]
65/100 SP [-25]

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 3

tbd

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

---

'Effect Dice' : 3