[namen_roodles]

SPIDERPAW
Riverclan Apprentice | 9 moons | Lanky, amber eyed, blue-grey tabby she-cat with white paws, chin, and tail tip.
Heightened perception: Smell
~~~

Spiderpaw waited for Sprucepaw to disappear before she stood and looked around. She would try at least one thing that Wormbite had offered as an idea. With a splat! Spiderpaw dropped into the mud and rolled around in it to cover her scent, careful not to get any mud in her nose while she did. It wasn't the most comfortable thing to do, especially since she liked keeping her pelt fairly clean and well groomed, but it was hopefully worth it so that she wouldn't be detected.

Spiderpaw stood back up and shook off the excess mud, still feeling uncomfortable covered, before finally moving out after the other apprentice. She kept her steps long yet deliberate as she moved into the dark pines, clinging to the shadows and careful not to make a sound. Her blue-grey fur showed in small patches, mud breaking up her form quite well as she followed Sprucepaw's scent. There was no indication that the other apprentice had used anything to cover her scent like the older apprentice had. This made it far easier for her sensitive nose to keep up and allowed her to move swiftly.

A moment of confusion. There were multiple scent trails at a certain spot, and the apprentice hesitated for a moment as she tried to distinguish the old from the new. She raised her head, but the wind didn't carry a helpful hint for her. Her tail flicked and she picked a path. It was a waste of time, as about twenty seconds in she realized that the trail smelled stronger because the other apprentice had doubled back this way. Spiderpaw's tail lashed with a mixture of frustration and momentary embarrassment. She should've been able to tell the difference!

With a huff, Spiderpaw doubled back and followed the correct trail, carefully slipping far enough away that she wouldn't be upwind of Sprucepaw while still hanging close enough to track. She didn't want to alert the other apprentice to her presence, or else she might lose the round if Sprucepaw makes it back to the starting point once she initiated the ambush.

Once she spotted a flash of red, Spiderpaw froze and watched, holding her breath for a moment before very softly exhaling. Now to get in close. She stalked fully downwind of Sprucepaw so that, even with the mud dulling her scent, the other apprentice wouldn't have the chance to smell her. She carefully avoided puddled and pine needles as she moved, keeping to sturdy roots and rocks so she could avoid making a sound. For now, she watched and started formulating a good plan to catch Sprucepaw completely off guard.

@Nahbois - Sprucepaw