Sneezepaw trotted after their mentor. "So we're gonna be hunting, right?" they chirped after he was silent for a bit. This was their first time hunting, so naturally, they were pretty excited. Their head was held high, face in a usual smile.
Rabbitfur nodded and smiled brightly. “Yessir! But first, a note. This place is Starry Meadow, where we lay our clanmates’ bodies to rest.” He meowed, his expression uncharacteristically serious. “So we need to be mindful while we’re here okay?” With that taken care of, Rabbitfur flicked his tail for Sneezepaw to follow and led them to an area away from any potential graves.
“Now! The hunter’s crouch.” He meowed, crouching down right into it. “When there’s not much coverage like this, especially in leaf-fall, it’s very important not to be seen by our prey.” He explained, crouching so his belly fur skimmed the ground lightly and lowering his tail. Being mindful of his long, thick pelt. “You’re more likely to be seen here before you’re scented or heard. Not that it isn’t important to check the direction of the wind,” he paused, angling his head upwards so the wind would rustle through his long and sensitive whiskers, “and be mindful of your paws.” He added as he looked back to his apprentice, demonstrating by stepping forward lightly.
“Now you try!” He encouraged, sitting back on his haunches to observe his apprentice.
Right, Starry Meadow. Sneezy was pretty sure they'd come here before as a kit for some event or other. Though they hadn't really paid too much attention to the significance of the place. They'd mostly just spent their time running around and eating bugs, or however they occupied themself back then.
They glanced down at the white flowers that dotted this place before turning back to their mentor, their face showing just the same enthusiasm as before. The hunter's crouch! They'd had plenty of practice with this when they were a kit. Okay, sure, maybe that was just them guessing about what exactly they were supposed to do, but how hard could it be, huh?
They glanced at Rabbitfur, doing more-or-less what he was. Do the thing, be mindful of your paws, no problem. Their tail remained upright, though, waving absently. "Right, got it."
Right, Starry Meadow. Sneezy was pretty sure they'd come here before as a kit for some event or other. Though they hadn't really paid too much attention to the significance of the place. They'd mostly just spent their time running around and eating bugs, or however they occupied themself back then.
They glanced down at the white flowers that dotted this place before turning back to their mentor, their face showing just the same enthusiasm as before. The hunter's crouch! They'd had plenty of practice with this when they were a kit. Okay, sure, maybe that was just them guessing about what exactly they were supposed to do, but how hard could it be, huh?
They glanced at Rabbitfur, doing more-or-less what he was. Do the thing, be mindful of your paws, no problem. Their tail remained upright, though, waving absently. "Right, got it."
Rabbitfur chuckled lightly, standing and approaching his apprentice. He used his nose to drop Sneezepaw's tail down. "Try and keep it still." He instructed. Sneezepaw's paw-placement was more or less okay. He would prefer they learn by doing rather than Rabbitfur give them all the answers. With a nod, he signaled that Sneezepaw could relax. "Now we try and scent prey!" To show an example, he opened his mouth and drank in the scents around them. Mouse! If this were a proper training session, he would allot more time for instruction. But since this was a patrol, that would have to wait.
He flicked his tail for Sneezepaw to stay still, wanting to at least give the apprentice an example. Dropping back into his hunter's crouch, the long-furred white tom tilted his head up to check the wind direction. Repositioning himself before creeping forward. He tucked his paws in to prepare for the launch and then...
- rolled 15-
wham! Not him most graceful catch ever, but the warrior managed to slam his large paw down on the tail of the mouse before it escaped. Killing it mercifully and quickly before burying it to get later.
+1 mouse
He looked up at Sneezepaw and blinked at them encouragingly. "Now you try!" He murmured.
So aside from their tail, Sneezepaw's hunter's crouch was fine. They watched Rabbitfur catch the mouse with growing excitement. That would be them soon! Hunting and providing for the Clan and all that... Just like a proper warrior!
They stayed still for a long time, until finally the scent of prey came to them. A bird of some sort, they supposed. There was no need for supposing, though, as the prey in question quickly revealed itself, weaving between Leaf-fall leaves as it chirped absently. They kneaded their paws at the ground for a moment before they leapt forward.
Oh, leaping at a little bird was quite different from, for example, leaping at a Clanmate during a play fight. It required more precision, but not as much as catching bugs. They found themself very nearly overshooting the jump, only being able to save the catch by suddenly digging their claws into the ground, striking and killing the bird in the process.
[ +1 Finch ]
Very quickly, all their mistakes were forgotten. "I did it!" they cried (apparently having already forgotten to avoid spooking the prey), breathless as they picked up the bird in their jaw. Their very first catch! Of many, surely!
So aside from their tail, Sneezepaw's hunter's crouch was fine. They watched Rabbitfur catch the mouse with growing excitement. That would be them soon! Hunting and providing for the Clan and all that... Just like a proper warrior!
They stayed still for a long time, until finally the scent of prey came to them. A bird of some sort, they supposed. There was no need for supposing, though, as the prey in question quickly revealed itself, weaving between Leaf-fall leaves as it chirped absently. They kneaded their paws at the ground for a moment before they leapt forward.
Oh, leaping at a little bird was quite different from, for example, leaping at a Clanmate during a play fight. It required more precision, but not as much as catching bugs. They found themself very nearly overshooting the jump, only being able to save the catch by suddenly digging their claws into the ground, striking and killing the bird in the process.
[ +1 Finch ]
Very quickly, all their mistakes were forgotten. "I did it!" they cried (apparently having already forgotten to avoid spooking the prey), breathless as they picked up the bird in their jaw. Their very first catch! Of many, surely!
Rabbitfur chuckled softly, a purr rumbling in his throat. He flicked Sneezepaw's nose with his fluffy tail-tip, nodding approvingly. "Very nice, Sneezepaw! Now don't forget that we mus'n't scare away any of the other prey." He gently reminded them. "Now, let's see if we can double our catches here." He added with a grin. "Bury that and we'll try to catch more." He wanted Sneezepaw to take back at least one more piece of prey. That would be a first hunting patrol experience any apprentice can be proud of! Rabbitfur himself intended to try and catch two more pieces for a total of 3. As a warrior, he needed to ensure to bring back enough for the clan.
Once they had buried their prey, Rabbitfur flicked his tail for Sneezepaw to follow. They needed to be respectful of the graves, and careful not to disturb any of their fallen clanmates. Once he felt they had found a new, good spot, Rabbitfur stopped to taste the air, glancing down at Sneezepaw for them to do the same. The white warrior immediately caught the scent of a thrush and sank down into a crouch. He lightly flicked his tail on Sneezepaw's flank for him to hold back, Rabbitfur wanted to get this one himself. Mindful of his position and tail, Rabbitfur lined himself up for the pounce...
-rolled 19-
Rabbitfur launched himself at his quarry like a flash, flawlessly catching and killing his target with honed precision. He promptly buried dirt over it, and once more crouched his body, nodding encouragingly at Sneezepaw as he blinked warmly at them.
Rabbitfur had reminded Sneezepaw to be quieter so as not to scare off prey. Right, right. In all their excitement, they'd kind of forgotten about that part. Their mentor was still grinning, though, so surely it couldn't have been that big a deal, right?
In any case, Sneezepaw buried their prey and trotted after their mentor. After a bit of silence, Rabbitfur gave them a prompting look, and Sneezepaw just stared at him for a moment as the gears in their mind slowly sprang to life. Uh, what were they supposed to do again? Oh, right! Yes, they were hunting and being responsible and not just taking a leisurely walk or anything. Right, gotta smell the air for prey... Don't worry Rabbitfur! Very aware and responsible Sneezepaw over here.
Sneezepaw scented the prey alongside Rabbitfur and lurched forward as if to go after it, but they were stopped at the warrior's tail. They managed to hold themself back as their mentor completed the catch, their tail tip flicking impatiently. Now that they actually knew how to catch stuff, it didn't seem fair that they'd have to sit back after all that. But fine, whatever! They guessed that two cats hunting at once would just end up scaring off the prey in the end, but still.
Once Rabbitfur was done, it was Sneezepaw's turn. They sniffed at the air once again, and quickly located the scent of a mouse. Crowtooth had been right; this place really was crawling with prey.
They crept towards the source of the scent, teeth bared in concentration. They had to get this right, too. They had to be a good apprentice. When the mouse finally made itself seen, poking out from the underside of a leaf, Sneezepaw made their move. Except that, well, this time they undershot the move. For half a heartbeat, they stood where they landed, about a tail length away from the mouse. It squealed with horror before turning and scurrying off in the other direction.
"No!" Sneezepaw squeaked before diving after the rodent, just barely catching it in their outstretched paws.
[ +1 Mouse ]
Sneezepaw stood upright again, the mouse in their jaw. Not a pretty win, sure, but a win nonetheless!
Rabbitfur had reminded Sneezepaw to be quieter so as not to scare off prey. Right, right. In all their excitement, they'd kind of forgotten about that part. Their mentor was still grinning, though, so surely it couldn't have been that big a deal, right?
In any case, Sneezepaw buried their prey and trotted after their mentor. After a bit of silence, Rabbitfur gave them a prompting look, and Sneezepaw just stared at him for a moment as the gears in their mind slowly sprang to life. Uh, what were they supposed to do again? Oh, right! Yes, they were hunting and being responsible and not just taking a leisurely walk or anything. Right, gotta smell the air for prey... Don't worry Rabbitfur! Very aware and responsible Sneezepaw over here.
Sneezepaw scented the prey alongside Rabbitfur and lurched forward as if to go after it, but they were stopped at the warrior's tail. They managed to hold themself back as their mentor completed the catch, their tail tip flicking impatiently. Now that they actually knew how to catch stuff, it didn't seem fair that they'd have to sit back after all that. But fine, whatever! They guessed that two cats hunting at once would just end up scaring off the prey in the end, but still.
Once Rabbitfur was done, it was Sneezepaw's turn. They sniffed at the air once again, and quickly located the scent of a mouse. Crowtooth had been right; this place really was crawling with prey.
They crept towards the source of the scent, teeth bared in concentration. They had to get this right, too. They had to be a good apprentice. When the mouse finally made itself seen, poking out from the underside of a leaf, Sneezepaw made their move. Except that, well, this time they undershot the move. For half a heartbeat, they stood where they landed, about a tail length away from the mouse. It squealed with horror before turning and scurrying off in the other direction.
"No!" Sneezepaw squeaked before diving after the rodent, just barely catching it in their outstretched paws.
[ +1 Mouse ]
Sneezepaw stood upright again, the mouse in their jaw. Not a pretty win, sure, but a win nonetheless!
Rabbitfur sat back and observed his apprentice's hunting, nodding approvingly. Not all catches were going to be perfect, even for a seasoned warrior. For an apprentice who was having their very first hunting training and patrol rolled into one? Sneezepaw was performing far better than Rabbitfur had expected! "Excellent work!" He purred softly, flicking Sneezepaw's ear with his tail-tip. "Judging the distance of a leap will come with practice. We'll work on it." He mewed reassuringly. "Let's see if we can't catch at least one more each, eh?" He meowed with a grin, offering this as a challenge. "Don't stray too far. Make one attempt and then come straight back here okay? Whether you succeed or not." He didn't sound harsh, or rather he hoped he didn't, he just wanted to see if Sneezepaw's luck and skills would hold out.
Even if they didn't catch anything, they hunted very well for their first time. Rabbitfur waved his tail and watched where Sneezepaw took off before heading in the opposite direction. He ensured he didn't go far before he caught a different scent, and instantly hunched himself down into a hunter's crouch. Thrush. The birds could be tricky. He hoped his own luck would hold out. He got into position...
-rolled 17-
Success! Rabbitfur soared through the air and swiftly brought the bird down before it fully took off, cutting short it's alarm call.
+1 thrush
With this new catch in tow, Rabbitfur trotted back to where he had asked Sneezepaw to meet up with him. Wondering if they had also been successful or not.
Alright! Sneezepaw was doing pretty well with this whole hunting thing, so going off on their own to catch just one more thing shouldn't be too hard, right? They gave Rabbitfur a confident nod before running off on their own.
Maybe their distance was pushing the bounds of "not straying too far" a bit, but it would be fine. They'd just have to follow their own scent trail back, right? No problem. None of that mattered, though, as they closed their eyes, trying to pick up the scent of nearby prey.
They caught the scent of another mouse, and Sneezepaw quickly opened their eyes to scan around for it. They couldn't find it for several heartbeats, though, and grew impatient. They knew it was there, but actually locating it was proving to be a challenge. They began to walk forward, shuffling the leaves around with their paws. Trying to stir the creature out of hiding.
And they were successful, except for the part where the mouse was long gone before they could even register it.
Did that count as an attempt? They wanted to try again (they could bring something back, and nobody would have to know they messed up), but they had already been gone long enough. So they returned to the meeting spot, and Rabbitfur returned only a few heartbeats later.
"I couldn't find anything," Sneezepaw said nonchalantly, suddenly finding the ground very interesting. It was mostly true, at least. "But I guess it's time to go back now, huh?" They'd gotten two pieces of prey, so it wasn't like they failed or anything. Actually, that was probably pretty good for their first time! They just would have preferred it if they had caught that mouse, that's all.
Re: Starry Meadow
