Sunset Grove

[Moonraven]

There she was. Dustbunny briefly glanced at Littlepaw as she joined them. She retrained her attention on Fleetpaw as he followed her attention wonderfully. Blending in with his surroundings, crept as close as he could quietly, and his pounce was rather impressive, catching the rabbit with the ease of a well-seasoned warrior. She swore he had told her he hadn't had much training done, or perhaps she had just assumed it. Either way, she beamed as Fleetpaw returned to her and Littlepaw.

"Wonderful job, Fleetpaw. The way you keep your paws so close to each other is a little strange, but it doesn't seem to hinder you. Some cats might tell you you're hunting crouch is off because of that, but if it works for you you don't need to change it." She told him and frowned softly as he immediately started apologizing to Littlepaw.

"You mustn't apologize for feeding the clan. Hold your chin high, you're doing a great service, providing for your clan as a warrior should." Dustbunny said sternly at Fleetpaw's humility. There was such a thing as being too humble.

"There are always more rabbits to hunt. Littlepaw I need you to keep your attention on me when it comes to lessons, please. You should know what a rabbit smells like do you think you can find one on your own?" The she-cat challenged Littlepaw.

"Fleetpaw, leave your rabbit with me. Think you can bring me back a mouse on your own?" She chucked her next question at the more self-conscious of the apprentices. Dustbunny chose not to explain to him the best way to catch the small critters. He seemed to have some hunting experience already done.

@Luna16 @SuspiciousMindz [So patrol is due tomorrow, so giving us an extension to the 19th.]

[SuspiciousMindz]

[Littlepaw]
​WindClan Apprentice
No Purrks

Littlepaw was a little taken aback by the way Fleetpaw was apologizing. Small ears flicking a few times, she would hold a paw up to stop them from rambling. "Nonono, you did AMAZING! I dunno why yer apologizin'!" the calico commented before Dustbunny would step in and correct the other apprentice. Of course, Littlepaw noted the comment about not paying attention, she'd merely nod a little to acknowledge it before the next task was handed to her. Find a rabbit! Oh, she could do that! Yes!

A bright smile crossed her face before she'd nod eagerly, scampering away a few paces and getting down into the best hunting crouch she could muster. Of course, it wasn't pretty, but she'd been practicing this with her FireMa! Her paws were evenly paced and her tail and belly fur were off the ground. The only issue Littlepaw consistently had was keeping her rear from being in the air.

She'd pinpoint a rabbit grazing nearby and while her crouch was well-formed in right now, the moment she started moving, her rear slowly rose into the air followed by her shoulders. Littlepaw did her best to correct the stance as she stalked forward, her body lowering to the ground before rising again. Her paw steps were very close together, a little too cautious about not stepping on any twigs. Then, when she thought she could spring forward, she did.

The young rabbit gave up a chase. It was a short lived one and Littlepaw caught up to it rather quickly, putting an end to its life sort of messily. It took a couple bites for her to figure out exactly how to take down the young rabbit. Honestly, it the rabbit wasn't young, she probably wouldn't have been able to catch, let alone secure it. Once it was done moving, she'd stand up tall with the prey item in her mouth, turning to head back to Dustbunny for any praise or tips.

@Moonraven - Dustbunny | @Luna16 - Fleetpaw

[Luna16]

Fleetpaw felt warmth flood his body. He wasn't sure if he was embarrassed or...honored? It was a lot of emotions to process. Either way, he was grateful for Dustbunny's praise and correction, and for Littlepaw's praise as well. He dipped his head to them both, a raspy purr emanating from his chest. He didn't purr often, so maybe the crackling from it being...unused? He didn't ponder it, it didn't matter. His mentor was proud of him! His technique was strange...but it worked! If he thought too hard on it all, he felt like he'd burst or become dizzy with happiness. His eyes were still sparkling when Dustbunny instructed him to leave the rabbit there and continue with finding a mouse.

The dark apprentice nodded eagerly. "I-I'll do my b-best!" He purred, not even taking time to wince at his stutters. He felt...successful. Was this...was this a sense of pride? He watched Littlepaw head off before going in a different direction, not wanting their hunts to interfere with each other. Now...mice like to hide. He once more brought himself to what shadows he could find to conceal his pelt, crouching low to the ground before parting his jaws to taste the air in search of mouse-scent.

-rolled 17-

There! He picked up the scent of a mouse - maybe two? - nearby. He hoped there being two there wouldn't cause any problems, he didn't want to fail now that he had had a taste of success. Taking his time to plot his route once more, tilting his head upwards to sense the direction of the wind with his long whiskers, Fleetpaw's ears perked forward. He focused hard, feeling sounds around him drown out as he tried to narrow in on the sounds of the mice...until finally he picked up on their scuffling. Treading carefully, keeping his pawsteps precise, he positioned himself. Bringing his forepaws together again once he felt he was a good distance away...

-rolled 19- Fleet's on a lucky streak!

Fleetpaw sprang out from the shadows, swooping in and snatching one mouse with his teeth and bringing a claw down on the other. He killed the one in his jaws quickly, and then did the same for the mouse, silencing it's shrill cries. Shaking his head to clear out his hearing, and the ringing in his ears from the mice's shrill screeches of terror, he took a moment to give thanks for this marvelous catch. I can't believe I'm doing it! If you're really up there, StarClan, thank you! He blinked his dark amber eyes skyward before picking up both mice by their tails and returning to where Dustbunny was waiting.

He noticed Littlepaw returning with a rabbit as well. Fleetpaw set down the mice and shuffled his paws timidly. "G-Good catch, Littlepaw!" He purred, nodding to the rabbit. He turned to Dustbunny eagerly, not necessarily waiting for praise - he didn't think he was worthy of more praise in one day! - moreso because he was really enjoying himself in this session and couldn't wait to see what was next!

[ @Moonraven - Dustbunny]
[ @SuspiciousMindz - Littlepaw]

[Moonraven]

Dustbunny gave an excited little trill when Fleetpaw darted away to hunt his mouse. Her eyes followed Littlepaw as the apprentice padded away and dropped into a hunting crouch. It wasn't the best or the smoothest, but Dustbunny knew repetition would get that under control. Her hindquarters were too high. Huh? Dustbunny caught sight of the rabbit she found and frowned deeper as she watched the molly stalk it, butt lifting followed by her shoulders.

She appeared self-aware of the mistake as she dropped low again and tried correcting it. Someone must have trained her a bit in hunting as a kit, most apprentices weren't aware of their flaws otherwise. The rabbit she was hunting took off though it didn't get far before she caught it. Littlepaw would have to work on her kill bite, it was sloppy. Still, she caught it.

"You did a good job. It was a great catch, Littlepaw, you have got the paw position down and your crouch is great. But I think you practice a bit in the clearing. You lift your hindquarters too high, and when you take prey work on your bite. The neck is the best place to bite and it needs to be strong enough to get through all that muscle and fur." Dustbunny told her. Her blue eyes turned to Fleetpaw as the nervous apprentice returned with a mouse.

"Lovely, Fleetpaw. You're on the path to being one of WindClan's finest hunters." She complimented the apprentice. She could only hope he would take to tunneling as well as he did hunting.

"I've got to catch some prey of my own. I'll be right back, Littlepaw, you can leave your rabbit here. See if you can find a mouse to catch before I return." She purred. "Fleetpaw, you're on guard duty." She waved her tail to their tiny pile of prey. The she-cat padded off to find her prey, never straying from either apprentice's sight.

She found a squirrel with a nut in its mouth, gnawing on it. Her blue eyes focused on its bushy tail while she slipped into a hunting crouch. She slowly crept forward, careful not to disturb leaves underneath her paws, and pounced when the squirrel stiffened with surprise. She ended up missing its neck and ended up biting between its shoulders. It might have cost her the squirrel if she hadn't pressed her paw down on its tail. The next bite found its neck, she held on till it grew limp below her.

She left the squirrel near the tree with scratch marks and began hunting again. She found a blackbird but lost it when it flew off right after she pounced. Dustbunny ended up finding a young rabbit, which she barely caught before it ran its hole and a shrew she dug out of its' den.

"Okay, are we ready to head back?" Dustbunny asked after returning to Littlepaw and Fleetpaw with her prey.
[+1 rabbit, 1 squirrel, 1 shrew]
@Luna16 [Fleetpaw @SuspiciousMindz [Littlepaw]

[Lightningpaw666]

Lightningpaw would follow after Silverrose and Barleypaw Lightningpaw couldn't ever understand why but being around Barleypaw made him happy he just enjoyed their company more than other cats. Lightningpaw however knew he was here for a job and would say. "Yep I remember!" Lightningpaw would say to Silverrose not to mention he already saw them at the Twoleg Nests when he went herb collecting awhile back with Twilightstar and Snowybreeze. Lightningpaw would look around and see a clump growing nearby he would begin gnawing on the stems to get some for the patrol. However, Lightningpaw had to admit he hated the taste wanting to gag at every moment it was in his mouth. @Estelle @Witchy Madelaine (+1 Mint)

[Luna16]

Fleetpaw nodded eagerly, sitting by the prey to guard it. This was certainly...different. He was usually the one stealing prey. At least, before he joined the clan. At least now though, that experience can come in handy. Having been a thief in his younger moons, he knew most of the typical tricks. That said, he didn't think they'd have too many intruders here. WindClan territory was mostly open and exposed, a cat would have a hard time sneaking up on them. Oh! But there were predators too! He glanced up at the sky occasionally, keeping his eyes and ears alert for any sounds of predators from the sky or the territory.

He could still feel his fur tingling. He was a good hunter? Truly? The thought made him smile, a crooked and clumsy smile. He had potential! He wasn't useless! He wasn't a waste of air! There was more to his life, he could be helpful! He wondered when Dustbunny would start to show him the tunnels? Could he chase rabbits down them? His mind started to whirl, though his ears remained erect and pivoted to catch sounds around him. Birds wings above brought his attention to the sky, but they were neither predatory nor within reach.

Before he knew it, Dustbunny had returned. She had a good haul! He noticed the dirt on the shrew's pelt and his eyes widened with awe and curiosity. He wondered if she used her digging skills to get it? That would be amazing! Could he do that one day? He didn't ask though, not wanting to pester Dustbunny or annoy her with all his questions. He dipped his head to her upon her return, gathering his catches together to leave. At her question, he frowned and shook his head. N-No. Littlepaw i-isn't back y-yet."

[ @Moonraven - Dustbunny]
[ @SuspiciousMindz - Littlepaw]

[Madelaine]

Barleypaw
[ She/her - Windclan App -
Purrks: Flock Together(2), Lucky Duck(1)
& Heightened Hearing ]

She listened to Silverrose before nodding her head. She followed Silverrose until she found some, so she could get the scent of what she was looking for. Once she got it she moved on to find her own patch. Sniffing around it didn't take long before she caught scent of the mint. She sat down and pulled a few as gently as she could to not damage any of them. She stood up before making her way over to her mentor.

[ @Lightningpaw666; @Estelle; +2 mint ]

[Estelle]

Her own herbs in maw, trying not to strain her face muscles over its strong taste, Silverrose watched as the two apprentices gathered their own herbs. Her eyes flickered between them, uttering a few words.
"Get a little more if you can, but otherwise we shall be off. It is about time we report back."
Her tail waved, giving two more moments to gather anything more if they can before turning on her paws and taking them back to camp.


[ @Lightningpaw666 @Witchy Madelaine ]

[Cloverspring]

The chill of the nearing leaf-bare had caught Sixfoot off guard, and her paws ended up getting icier than expected. So much so that she found herself shaking them around every few steps to keep the warm blood flowing.

In spite of the cold ground the warrior's padding still slowed to a leisurely gander, so her blue eyes could take in the familiar surroundings. The herbs had started their retreat, leaving the ground barer than usual, but the hideouts of prey had become more visible and abundant too. Her greatest enemy, the tree roots, were also sticking out, lacking any grass padding or possibility for Sixfoot to chase escaping prey. And finally, the marker of the grove, a small aspen with claw scratches, was still standing as always. It wasn't a real marker, but nearly every cat left a mark on there when they came down with a patrol, though most were at muzzle height. Sixfoot made sure to, instead, carve her mark as high as she could jump.

The molly stopped walking and craned her up to make sure her jumping mark was still in place. It was right next to that dark patch... that looked a bit like Leechscar, if you squinted... Ah! And there it was, faded, but visible, though not as visible as the one- right above it!

The she-cat's eyes widened in a bit of shock, 'Hey- what? Who was able to get a scratch above mine!?' The warrior brought herself in line with the tree, and lifted her waving tail up in readiness.

"One tick, I've gotta do this before we start." Sixfoot mrowed, dropping down to the ground. Her shoulders wiggled, then stopped dead for moment, until she exploded into the air with her whole body stretching as far as possible.

There was a short swipe of her arm and a long fall to follow, giving the warrior enough time to prepare for the landing. She landed back on all her four paws, but let some buckle underneath her to roll off a bit of the fall. A clumsy landing usually, but a fitting one for such a big jump.

Sixfoot scrambled up and stepped back to get her a view of her new record. "Oh. Hm. Good enough." She noted, her original mark now showing off six fresh claw strikes. The other cat can have it this time, but when greenleaf comes back she'll be coming straight down to this grove again to reclaim her winning scratch.


( @Peril and @sylvia26 )

[Peril]

Gourdsun
she/her | 26 moons

The silver tabby was happily following Sixfoot, with the late Otterfur following her. As the trio arrived in the grove, Gourdsun seemed to finally start feeling the cold seep in. She shivered in the chill wind and shook off a paw that felt like it was frozen. Damn. Cold was coming in.

Well, it seemed everything was dying for now. But that just showed off all the hidey holes! As long as no one got all tangled in the tree roots, everything would be fine. But then there was the aspen and Sixfoot seemed fairly focused on that. Gourdsun heard the other warrior request the patrol halt 'just a tick' and... oh, wow. That was a nice jump! She just hoped the thump when she hit the ground wouldn't alarm the prey.

"Impressive!" The green-eyed warrior cheered, her tail flicking as she beamed, "I couldn't dream of jumping that high!"

She stretched and looked around, trying to catch any sort of prey in her eyes. Nothing so far.

"Where do y'think everything is hiding?" She asked, raising her head to scent the cold air briefly. (Rolled a 4) Hmmm. She smelled something kinda fresh. Couldn't pinpoint it.

[ @Cloverspring @sylvia26 ]