The daffodil starts to bloom (P) - Page 8

**HerbalTea** · #71 August 5th, 2024, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luna16

Daffodilpaw tried and failed to resist bouncing happily in response. "Yessss!" She cheered, prancing in circles around Elkjump. "That prey won't know what hit them!" She declared, immediately dropping into her best imitation of a hunter's crouch. Her tail waved excitedly in the air and she crouched with her haunches high behind her.

Elkjump beckoned the apprentice to follow “Lets go - we will be starting with mouse and birds for now since rabbits are more complicated

**Luna16** · #72 August 5th, 2024, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HerbalTea

Elkjump beckoned the apprentice to follow “Lets go - we will be starting with mouse and birds for now since rabbits are more complicated

Daffodilpaw l Agatha Kitty [ACTIVE] l WindClan apprentice l she/her

Part of Daffodilpaw wanted to start with the tougher prey first, feeling that would be more impressive. But on the other paw, she didn't really care what they caught. The idea that she was going to catch prey that was going to feed her clan was thrilling regardless of what it was. She half circled Elkjump before following him, putting in a great deal of effort into not charging ahead of him.

**HerbalTea** · #73 August 6th, 2024, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luna16

Daffodilpaw l Agatha Kitty [ACTIVE] l WindClan apprentice l she/her

Part of Daffodilpaw wanted to start with the tougher prey first, feeling that would be more impressive. But on the other paw, she didn't really care what they caught. The idea that she was going to catch prey that was going to feed her clan was thrilling regardless of what it was. She half circled Elkjump before following him, putting in a great deal of effort into not charging ahead of him.

“Drop into your hunting crouch, tail and nose raised high." Elkjump instructed, demonstrated what Daffodilpaw needed to do “Then see what you can smell." He added.

**Luna16** · #74 August 6th, 2024, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HerbalTea

“Drop into your hunting crouch, tail and nose raised high." Elkjump instructed, demonstrated what Daffodilpaw needed to do “Then see what you can smell." He added.

Daffodilpaw l Agatha Kitty [ACTIVE] l Heightened Perception (smell) [ACTIVE] l WindClan apprentice l she/her

Daffodilpaw stepped up to her mentor and tried to mirror him as best as she could. Placing her paws at a guesstimate to where he had his and crouching down. She lifted her tail and nose as he instructed, and opened her mouth to taste the air. Once more she was flooded with scents, but this time, it was a very pleasant experience. She closed her eyes as she sorted through the scents. The wind, the clan, the gorse, I can smell heather...there! Her eyes shot open. She flicked her tail to a nearby gorsebush. "There's something there!" She whispered. "I think...maybe a mouse or something? It smells like prey for sure!"

**HerbalTea** · #75 August 6th, 2024, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luna16

Daffodilpaw l Agatha Kitty [ACTIVE] l Heightened Perception (smell) [ACTIVE] l WindClan apprentice l she/her

Daffodilpaw stepped up to her mentor and tried to mirror him as best as she could. Placing her paws at a guesstimate to where he had his and crouching down. She lifted her tail and nose as he instructed, and opened her mouth to taste the air. Once more she was flooded with scents, but this time, it was a very pleasant experience. She closed her eyes as she sorted through the scents. The wind, the clan, the gorse, I can smell heather...there! Her eyes shot open. She flicked her tail to a nearby gorsebush. "There's something there!" She whispered. "I think...maybe a mouse or something? It smells like prey for sure!"

“Creep towards it gently then pounce, bite its neck with your teeth." Elkjump watched cautiously, eyes focused on Daffodilpaw.

**Luna16** · #76 August 6th, 2024, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HerbalTea

“Creep towards it gently then pounce, bite its neck with your teeth." Elkjump watched cautiously, eyes focused on Daffodilpaw.

Daffodilpaw nodded and crept forward, glancing between the bush and her paws until she got a feel for how to place her paws carefully. It was certainly not something she was used to, she had to move slowly to get used to feeling her muscles move so carefully. Before every-other-pawstep or so, she'd glance down to watch where she put her paws. Always checked that she was still following the scent of the mouse. Then, when she thought she was close enough she bunched up her haunches and prepared to jump, eyeing the bush hungrily... She released the energy grouped into her back legs and...one of her back paws slipped. She tried to catch herself but as she did, her paws thudded on the ground and scraped against the moorland grass. She hissed with frustration as the mouse took off. Instinctively preparing herself to give chase, she bounded forward to try and catch it.

**HerbalTea** · #77 August 6th, 2024, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luna16

Daffodilpaw nodded and crept forward, glancing between the bush and her paws until she got a feel for how to place her paws carefully. It was certainly not something she was used to, she had to move slowly to get used to feeling her muscles move so carefully. Before every-other-pawstep or so, she'd glance down to watch where she put her paws. Always checked that she was still following the scent of the mouse. Then, when she thought she was close enough she bunched up her haunches and prepared to jump, eyeing the bush hungrily... She released the energy grouped into her back legs and...one of her back paws slipped. She tried to catch herself but as she did, her paws thudded on the ground and scraped against the moorland grass. She hissed with frustration as the mouse took off. Instinctively preparing herself to give chase, she bounded forward to try and catch it.

“NO!* Elkjump yelled out of genuine fear “Just find another one, please!" Oh, no. His fears might come true.

**Luna16** · #78 August 6th, 2024, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HerbalTea

“NO!* Elkjump yelled out of genuine fear “Just find another one, please!" Oh, no. His fears might come true.

Daffodilpaw skidded to a hault at her mentor's cry. She looked over at him, disappointed that she missed her first catch. She didn't understand the panic in his voice, and couldn't help but feel like she'd done something wrong. "I-I'm sorry." She mewed.

**HerbalTea** · #79 August 8th, 2024, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luna16

Daffodilpaw skidded to a hault at her mentor's cry. She looked over at him, disappointed that she missed her first catch. She didn't understand the panic in his voice, and couldn't help but feel like she'd done something wrong. "I-I'm sorry." She mewed.

“No, it's my fault, I panic too easily. Just didn't want you running off injuring yourself." Elkjump sighed, secretly exhaling a breath of relief

**Luna16** · #80 August 8th, 2024, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HerbalTea

“No, it's my fault, I panic too easily. Just didn't want you running off injuring yourself." Elkjump sighed, secretly exhaling a breath of relief

Daffodilpaw tilted her head. She didn't really understand completely, but she did understand that her mentor was worried for her. She nodded and smiled brightly. "I'm okay though, Elkjump! Promise!" She declared. She turned her nose to the wind and took a deep breath, trying to find another prey trail. "On to the next right?" She asked, looking back to her mentor for approval.