Tunnel Hunting [t]

[SuspiciousMindz]

[Littlepaw]
​WindClan Apprentice Tunneler
​56/100
Lucky Duck T1 | The Collector

Dustbunny had said something about hunting in the tunnels and that excited the calico she-cat. She knew she couldn't just bother Fleetpaw about it, they were both apprentices that couldn't leave the camp alone, but she knew of another warrior that might be willing to train her. Dustbunny needed a day with Fleetpaw anyway, and this warrior happened to be lounging in the camp when the excitable young apprentice would find him.

"Hi Vinesmoke!" The calico mewed in a friendly manner; her tail raised high to signal a greeting. "Dustbunny told me about hunting in the tunnels and I wanted to see if you'd show me!" She explained, taking a seat before the warrior. Littlepaw had grown quite a bit in the last moon. Her warrior ceremony wasn't far off her rper needs to up her post count. She only needed a few more things to touch up on before she'd ask for her assessment. This was one of them.

@Tallstar - Vinesmoke

[Tallstar]

Vinesmoke
15 Moons
He/Him
Tunneler


Vinesmoke’s blue eyes flicked up as Littlepaw approached, her eager energy catching his attention. He gave her a small, knowing smile, sensing the excitement in her voice. "Hey, Littlepaw," he greeted, his tail flicking in a friendly gesture. "Hunting in the tunnels, huh? I’m glad Dustbunny got you thinking about it. It's definitely different from hunting out in the open, but it can be just as rewarding." He shifted his weight, his posture relaxing as he spoke. "There’s more to hunt down there than just rabbits. You’ll find mice, for sure—lots of them. But there are also voles, shrews, and even other smaller creatures that make their homes in the tunnels. They can be tricky to catch because they’re so well-hidden in the earth, and they can dart into their burrows if they hear you coming." Vinesmoke’s eyes lit up with interest, and he took a few steps toward her, his voice dropping to a more serious tone. "Each kind of prey requires a different technique. Mice are quick and light, so you have to be fast, but quiet. You’ll need to listen for the smallest rustling of dirt or fur and stay as silent as you can. Voles and shrews, they like to dig deeper, so you’ll have to be patient, follow the scent, and know when to wait and when to pounce." He tilted his head, studying Littlepaw for a moment. "The tunnels can be tricky, but it’s a good skill to have. You can learn a lot about patience, timing, and stealth down there. If you’re ready, I’ll show you how to find your way around." He flicked his tail toward the entrance, his expression warm but determined. "Ready to give it a try?"

@SuspiciousMindz

[SuspiciousMindz]

[Littlepaw]
​WindClan Apprentice Tunneler
​70/100
Lucky Duck T1 | The Collector

Littlepaw listened carefully as Vinesmoke began talking. It was a whole lecture on things she already assumed to be true and other things she would learn with some experience. Some of it, she zoned out as too much talking often lost her attention. She was very good at forgetting what she needed to be doing when things dragged on.

However, she came back to Earth whenever Vinesmoke finished up and suggested her being ready for an attempt. The calico would nod eagerly, bounding up and out after him whenver they'd start towards the entrance of the camp. "Sounds jus' like normal huntin', but with less seein'," Littlepaw commented from what she did retain from the rambling. "I can manage that!"

Her pawsteps were a tad shorter than his, making her move a little quicker to keep up. It came from having a smaller stature altogether. She was practically an adult now but remained smaller than typical warriors. It wasn't extremely different, but noticeable. "I reckon you'd been doin' this a long time, yeah?" she spoke, trying to make some small talk on their way to the tunnels.

@Tallstar - Vinesmoke

[Tallstar]

Vinesmoke
16 Moons
He/Him


Vinesmoke gave a small hum of approval at Littlepaw’s enthusiasm, his tail flicking thoughtfully behind him. “That’s the spirit,” he said kindly, slowing just enough to let her catch up without making it obvious. His pace was measured and steady, each step confident as they approached the shadowed tunnel entrance. At the question of his experience he sighed “you could say Ive been doing it for a while more than most I got my name early and I guess that caused some cats not t like me as much..when Owlpaw died the only way I seemed to be able to cope was down here. Here I feel useful.”

As they reached the edge where the light began to thin, he cast her a soft glance. “We’ll take it slow,” he promised, his tone calm and reassuring. “Just stay close. I’ll be with you the whole way.” He stepped into the tunnel first, the dim light brushing over his fur before it faded to black around them. The air was cooler here, the scent of damp earth thick around them. Vinesmoke’s voice was a steady presence in the dark. “Start by listening. Let the sound of your own steps settle, then see what else you can hear.” As they walked, his tail brushed her flank gently now and then—quiet signals of his presence, of where to step, of when to pause. “You’re doing well,” he said softly after a moment. “These tunnels can feel endless at first, but your paws will learn the way. He paused at a fork in the path ahead, letting her come up beside him. “Alright, Littlepaw,” he murmured, his voice low and encouraging. “Your turn. Which way would you go, if you were the prey?”

@SuspiciousMindz

[SuspiciousMindz]

[Littlepaw]
​WindClan Apprentice Tunneler
​74/100
Lucky Duck T1 | The Collector

Littlepaw followed with confidence as Vinesmoke led them into the tunnels. Gosh, he was making himself sound old the more he spoke. It made her whiskers twitch with amusement. However, mention of another apprentice made her grow curious. Of course, she wouldn't press on the subject, that wasn't her place. "Vines, 'm sure lots o' cats like ya. I like ya," she commented, ears flicking as she let them and her whiskers guide her along.

The occasional tap on her flank made her nearly flinch every time. "I'mma chomp yer tail if ya ain't careful," Littlepaw teased, batting his tail half-heartedly before he gave her the lead. The smaller calico pushed forward, sniffing each direction and listening carefully. Where would she go, eh? Her ears shifted towards the direction of a light breeze. "I'm guessin' they'd stay near ta surface, yeah? So, follow a breeze ta stay closer?" She'd wait for the warrior to speak before moving forward.

@Tallstar - Vinesmoke

[Tallstar]

Vinesmoke
16 Moons
He/Him
Vinesmoke gave a soft snort, his tail flicking just out of Littlepaw’s reach as she teased him. “You’ll have to catch me first, Littlepaw,” he said with a light chuckle, amusement dancing in his voice. “Though I’m sure your bite’s just as sharp as your tongue.” His whiskers twitched with a playful grin as he kept moving forward. When she mentioned the breeze, his expression shifted to something more thoughtful. “You're right about the breeze,” he said, his tone more serious now. “It’s a good sign we’re headed in the right direction. But down here, the tunnels can twist, and if we follow the breeze too far, we could get disoriented. We’ll stick to it for now, though. You're doing well, Littlepaw." He glanced back at her with a quick smile before continuing down the dark path. His pace slowed slightly as he sensed the perfect moment to shift the lesson. "But there’s more to this than just finding your way," he said, his voice steady with a touch of instruction. “If we’re gonna be down here for hunting, you’ll need to adjust your instincts. The tunnels aren’t like the open ground—here, your senses will be everything. The air’s thick, and sounds echo. Don’t rush in when you hear something. Listen first. Figure out where it’s coming from and how far.” Vinesmoke’s eyes flicked over to her as he continued. “The prey down here is fast and can vanish into the shadows. You’ll need patience, waiting for them to give you an opening. When you do get close, move slow. Don’t just jump in—get as close as you can without being noticed. And when you're ready, you strike quick. One wrong move, and they’re gone.” He gave her a sideways glance, flicking his tail in a small, approving gesture. “So, what do you think? You ready to give it a try?”

@SuspiciousMindz