Dawning Woods

[Mica]

Mistlewhisker
ShadowClan Deputy
she/her | 45 moons
[Large black cat with a half white muzzle and a pale green eye]
Purrks: Killer Aptitude T3, Shadow Fiend, Mind Reader
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽ The Chariot ☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
· · ────────────── · ·
[Dawnstar - @Undertaker ] [Ratflame - @Nalia ] [Mistfall - @literalcobweb ] [Marigoldpaw - @Madelaine ] [Sagewhistle - @Killua-DaBoi ] [Silentpaw - @Starphobia ] [Salmonshade - @Spooky_Blossom ] [Shadepaw - @Snowflake ] [Foggymask - @otter ] [Bristlethorn - @Rowan ] [Newtbelly - @sleepyyjax ]
· · ────────────── · ·
Mistlewhisker followed behind the patrol silently, ears pricked for any indication that the snakes were on the move. But it was quiet. The Deputy paused with everyone else, jerking her head to her assigned cats and splitting off from Dawnstar and her own. Mistlewhisker settled into the brush, making sure her patrol did the same, before staring out into the forest, waiting for the moment to strike. She felt eyes on her, and her single green eye caught two golden ones from across the way. She smirked, and wishing she had two eyes so she could effectively wink, nodded. It was all up to Briarsplash, Sleepysunrise, Gutspaw and Birdpaw.

[alec]

ROOKFIRE
[ he/him | shadowclan medicine cat app | purrks ]
[ #rookMCA24 ]

rookfire followed along, sticking close to dawnstar and thereby the front of the group for once, they had apprentices with them yet he didnt see a reason to keep an eye on them to ensure they follow given they had been selected for a battle patrol. for once, they could look after themselves without rookfire at the back of the group.
dawning woods was a lovely part of the territory during green leaf and early leaf fall but as the deciduous trees shed their leaves and the cold moistness of leaf fall settled ever the area, leaves were turning into mush and tinting the air a uncomfortably heavy and oddly spicy scent. unlike the last time he had visited this place and passed out from the heat, the rotten leaves lay thick enough for it to be hard to see the ground and the air had a cool bite to it which did a good job at easing his discomfort at remembering that incident and absolutely nothing for the uncertainty that he may step on a snake on accident.

on high alert and once again internally thanking sleepy for her night hunting and roachflare for his stealth lesson, rookfire managed to avoid startling any snakes when dawnstar came to a halt. the quiet sound of snakes slithering over moist leaves and dry bark and him want to shiver, entirely unfamiliar and both interesting and mildly terrifying. at dawnstars command, he nodded towards willowpaw to carry her share of herbs up to a tree stump with a slight dip in the middle in which rookfire felt save placing the herbs. that location would provide some safety regarding the rats or snakes messing with the herbs and it was easier to avoid having wind carry the lighter herbs away. in position and ready, he gave willowpaw the okay about either returning to the group or taking her post a few tail lengths away from him to keep the vermin at bay. eyes focussed on dawnstar, the medic attempted to catch her eye again to confirm he was prepared and ready as well.

[ @Myling ; @Undertaker sorry i'll try to get a reply out faster next time ]

[Naila]

Ratflame
She/her, 22 moons, Warrior


As Ratflame walks, each paw step carefully placed, her body is tensed and ready. Her ears angled in the direction of any noise that caught her attention and her eyes shone brightly with anticipation. She thought about digging her claws into the fur of the rats, disposing of the pests that had been causing Shadowclan trouble. She ready, ready to face those eyes always filled with such malice, face those sharp teeth and claws, but most importantly, be the last face those rats would see.

[squidz]

~ BRIARSPLASH ~
stocky, large, & fluffy dilute gray tortie she-cat with goldish-green eyes; just a scratch
[ shadowclan enforcer | she-cat | 28 moons | abrasive, standoffish, loyal ]

~

After awhile, the thundering sound of four cats careening their way into the woods could be heard, thumping pawsteps along the ground. Her eyes sharp and attuned for the danger both in front of and behind their patrol, entrusting Sleepysunrise to take up the rear, Briarsplash led her Clanmates into the Woods and motioned with her tail towards the tall trees.

"Alright... I think I see the snakes up ahead," she called, casting a glance over her shoulder as she allowed her pace to drop ever so slightly to speak, but not entirely; the horde of rats was far too close for comfort behind them, and with their sheer number and speed, they couldn't afford to waste any time. Not to mention the she-cat was more than a little unnerved to not only be baiting, but sort of being a bait herself to a mass of mindless creatures carrying StarClan-knows-what disesases."Remember, we don't come down 'till Dawnstar gives us the signal. Get climbing, now!"

Her voice was stern and urgent, with a note of concern; she didn't know the others well enough to gauge their climbing capabilities, but prayed it'd be quick enough and with no hesitation so that they were safely out of the reach of a rat's snapping jaws. Nor to be a further distraction to the rats; they needed the revolting horde to keep charging down the last bits of prey they'd dropped along their trail and straight into the mass of snakes up ahead.

At once, Briarsplash launched herself towards a tree with rough bark, her claws sinking into the darkened wood. She could feel some of it digging in and splintering into her paw pads, but didn't care a bit as she hauled her large frame up the spruce tree. She wasn't the most graceful of climbers, or really a graceful cat at all, so it wasn't exactly an impressive sight. But her general strength combined with her practice helped ease her up until she yanked herself onto a low-hanging branch, puffs of air escaping her as she caught her breath.

She made a point to carefully watch the other four, ensuring they'd be able to climb their way to safety. From her vantage point, she could see the snakes below and hear the approaching squeaks and squabbles of the angered rats following their trail, as bloodthirsty and ruthless as ever. Nasty critters... and so were snakes. Briar was almost excited to watch the 'show' of them going at it before any ShadowClanner had to intervene.

Once it was done, her gaze surveyed the shadows in the trees, knowing her Clanmates were below. It didn't take too much effort to see some ripples here or there in the thick undergrowth, pinpointing where it seemed they were waiting. Assuming Dawnstar had seen their entrance and was looking their way, she gave a curt nod in the direction of the undergrowth, as if confirming that it was done, that their plan was working. Now... they just had to wait.

And it didn't take long for the mass of squeals and the acrid scent of rats, carrying the rotten tang of their disease and crowfood habits, to start approaching down the main path...

[ lmk if i missed or messed up anything <3 ]

[ @Estelle - sleepysunrise | @Mica - birdpaw | @wolfie - gutspaw | @Undertaker - dawnstar | @/Mica - mistlewhisker ]

[Starphobia]

╔══ ≪ °❈° ≫ ══╗
Silentpaw
Patched tortoiseshell tabby tom with deep blue eyes that look purplish in certain light sources and a short fluffy tail.
He/Him | 8 Moons| + every 1st | ShadowClan Apprentice | Silent
[N/A/100]

Purrks:
Ultimate Predator [Permanently Active] • Agatha Kitty [Permanently Active] • Katty Krueger [INACTIVE]
. 。・゜✭・.・✫゜・。.

. 。・゜✭・.・✫゜・。.
Silentpaw stayed close to the patrol, ears perked and eyes actively searching for any signs of movement other than the cats. He shot a glance at Shadepaw, who'd been unfortunately placed in the same patrol as he had. But, that did not matter now. What mattered currently were the snakes and rats. He stood, tail flicking, waiting for any instructions that may come his way.

{ @snowflake. - Brief Shadepaw mention! }
╚══ ≪ °❈° ≫ ══╝

[otter]

FOGGYMASK
HE/HIM | PURRKS: MIND READER, SHADOW FIEND, KITTY SOFTPAWS T1 | DEMIROMANTIC | 30 MOONS

Foggymask was ready. Rolling his shoulders and flexing his claws, he slipped into the shadows, footsteps silent. He would avenge those who died. And he would make sure that by the time he was done, everything was dead. He laid in wait, preparing to spring into battle.

[Estelle]

Sleepysunrise
[ 13 moons | She / Her | Shc Enforcer ]

It was an interesting discovery to find that although there were major differences in size and she could not quite identify everything, some of these animals’ insides actually seemed to hold similar elements as that of the badger’s. Much, much smaller, naturally, but the minute familiarity she found in these animals’ organs were there. It made the prospect of gutting and analysing another feline’s insides all the more alluring.

But with rats to bait and thus a duty to fulfil, Sleepysunrise had little time to further ponder these questions. Briarsplash was evidently about to kick off the running part of this mission, and the youngest enforcer had to be ready; flicking her tail for Gutspaw and Birdpaw to join her side and await Briarsplash’s signal, she kept her eyes strained on the grotto with thhe putrid smell.

The moment the alarm was called and Briarsplash rushed ahead, a heap of rats behind, Sleepysunrise turned to nudge Bridpaw into motion and get both apprentices moving with a baritone,
“Go.”
Urging them forth. Briarsplash did not have to tell her twice to kick up the rear, as that is what she did. Sleepysunrise took care to always remain behind both apprentices as the group baited these rats, a mind to ensure none could bite them.

Scattering the last of her prey’s limbs and organs along the way, the race towards Dawning Woods was a go. Her small stature meant a lack of leg length, thus forcing her to take just about twice as many steps as, say, a bigger cat like Brairsplash as the enforcer rushed down the path at the back of the group of four.

The pitter patter of paws and claws across the land echoed softly in her ears, the acrid stench of rat close behind. Not a second too soon did the ground arrive in the woods where the snakes – creatures she had never before soon – and Miss Grandmama’s patrol awaited.

Sleepysunrise skidded to a halt at the bottom of a tree nearby Gutspaw and Birdpaw, taking the risk of time to help them climb up the tree if needed by pushing them up with the strength she had, or merely ensure they were up high enough.

Only after ensuring both Birdpaw and Gutspaw were safely up in a tree did Sleepysunrise finally jump and haul herself up onto a branch with ease, climbing higher to get a better vantage point over the massacre below and all those involved, a meagre and shallow rat’s bite barely scratching the skin of her tail being the only sign of their recent race., aside from her catching her breath


[ @Mica @wolfie @squidz - You've all got full permission to PP Sleepy helping your cat up the tree or pushing them forth while they ran if needed, as Sleepy would've stayed at the back to kick up the rear and wouldn't climb up a tree herself until both Guts and Bird are up one o7 ]

[wolfie]

ⵌ ➜ #GUTSPAW
˗ˏˋ ✮ it . teeth . bite . // seventeen moons ˎˊ˗　
small spiky-furred black tabby with striking icy blue eyes. has a huge fluffy tail & a few scars in the shapes of bite-marks - notch in left ear.

❝HIGH ACHIEVER, DON'T YOU SEE? BABY, NOTHING COMES FOR FREE !!❞

---

『 彡 ➜ @Estelle @Mica @squidz 』
A last yawn escaped from Gutspaw, ears twitching towards the sound of Briarsplash's voice. At the signal, the apprentice braced itself - staying back with Sleepysunrise and Birdpaw. Its tail swished back and forth idly, senses keenly aware of everything going around it. Truth of the matter, this was technically the first 'battle' teeth was in. Bad luck, it supposed, considering there were cats younger than bite that were full-blown murderers. (.. Not like it was interested in doing so itself, anyway.)

The moment Briarsplash appeared in the view, a call to begin running being given out - Gutspaw was off. Distantly, teeth heard the sound of Sleepysunrise's voice repeating what Briarsplash had just said (seriously! they weren't deaf!) and failed to resist rolling bite's eyes. At least it bit its tongue this time around. Place and time, Guts, place and time.

Paws slammed against the ground as its lithe body sprinted across the territory, its heart beginning to pound at the exhilaration. See, this was what life about. Running for it! It was bloody fun turns out. On teeth's way, it would litter the remaining scraps of flesh across the trial, particularly near the end as ordered.

Soon enough, they broke into the Dawning Woods and Briarsplash was already gesturing towards the trees. Gutspaw didn't need to be told twice before teeth was leaping at the trunk, claws digging into the bark. It skittered up the tree as swift as a squirrel, its lithe body making heaving itself up relatively easy. It settled on a high branch, though nothing high enough to obstruct its view. It wanted to see the scene unfold.

It took a gulp of air, blood roaring in its ears. Now that it had a moment to settle down, a wave of nausea flooded over teeth to its dismay. .... Yeah, should've ate. Its ears perked up at the sound of squeaking, holding back a snort. For such silly creatures they sure knew how to wreck havoc.

---

⸝⸝⊂➜﹒silk spinner ✮ kitty softpaws t2 ✮ bewitched ✮ the collector ⊃⸝⸝

❝THEY SAY I'M A CONTROL FREAK - DRIVEN BY A GREED TO SUCCEED !!❞

[Daragca]

​​​​
Owlthroat
he/him | Shadowclan Warrior | 41 moons
Killer Aptitude T3 - Just A Scratch - Silver Tongue T2
The Dancing Bird

Owlthroat had trodden after the patrol head held high, there was fun to be had here. Exterminating the vermin the fox had sent scattering. It was simply a waiting game now, ready for them to rush forth into a bloodbath. Apprehension rippled through his fur.

He glanced over, a youngster. It would be interesting to see how she performed, the rats were big in numbers and likely hungry. A venomous combination. Pondpaw? He wasn’t sure if he remembered the name correctly, but the only thought that stuck in his mind was former Riverclanner. He held particular disdain for them, seemed far too many found themselves a new home. Nothing he’d verbalise through fear of retaliation, but he didn’t completely hide it.

His yellow eyes burned into the youngster’s fur before he shifted his vision away. Peering into the thick undergrowth, he couldn’t smell much of anything. Sickly sweet decay of leaves and damp forest clung to his blackened nose. How long would they wait yet?

[ @anika - slight mention ]

[Undertaker]

After she spotted Mistlewhisker, Dawnstar settled more comfortable in the undergrowth and listened. Aside from the moving snakes, she listened to the pounding of heartbeat and the shuffles of paws as the rest of the patrol settled around her. The wait felt like forever, but eventually, her ears jerked to the side and she sat up more alert as loud paws pounded against the forest floor.

The giant she-cat spots Briarsplash as she hurtles herself up a tree, the two apprentices hot on her paws, and Sleepysunrise right behind them. It wasn't long after the four were in the trees when she smelt the reek of crowfood. From where she hid they looked like a brown river flooding the woods. Rats, squeaking shrilly, came pouring into the forest. In mere seconds, she listened as screams filled the air when snakes slithered out of their nests attacking the invading rodents.

The scent of blood rapidly overpowered the sickening bitter odor, hisses and squeaks filled the ambiance. Dawnstar's yowl briefly drowned out the noise. "Attack!"

She would have preferred watching the vermin kill each other for a bit longer, but she grew too restless. The leader hurtled herself into battle, fangs wrapping around the scaled body of a snake with its jaws attached to a rat's leg. She felt bones crush beneath her bite while the body went motionless, in time for her to twist around and drag her claws through the beady eyes of a rat stuck on her hindleg.

It let go and fled, but there was no time to relish in the victory as the lengthy body of a snake coiled around her back paw and embedded its huge fangs into her thigh. She twisted as best she could, biting into the snake's body to untangle it from her leg. Dawnstar hissed in frustration when a bleeding rat leaped onto her back and sank its teeth into her flank.

How vexing. Dawnstar faintly wondered if she brought enough cats to deal with this mess. After flinging the snake around her leg straight into a tree, she turned to tear off the rat on her back only to find a new set of snake fangs sinking into her leg. Warm, wet, blood quickly became the only taste in her mouth while she ripped and tore the vermin. These might be worse then the minks.

 

@Mica - Mistlewhisker | @Starphobia - Silentpaw | @Silvershadow13 - Silvershadow | @Naila - Ratflame | @MangofDoom - Starlingcall | @Daragca - Owlthroat | @Rowan - Bristlethorn/Spiderthorn | @otter - Foggymask | @Madelaine - Marigoldpaw | @Suspciousmindz - Hawkbite | @Killua-DaBoi - Sagewhistle | @fruitebatz - Turtlepaw | @anika - Pondpaw | @Dark - Darkfall | @gs29513 - Shrewstep | @sleepyjax - Newtbelly | @Snowflake - Shadepaw | @literalcobweb - Mistfall | @squidz - Briarsplash | @wolfie - Gutspaw | @Myling - Willowpaw | @alec - Rookfire | @Estelle - Sleepysunrise