high tensions (quillpaw hunting lesson) [p]

[idia]

QUILLPAW
he/him. 7 moons. dark grey tom; tabby markings; light grey markings, amber and blue eyes.
[ mind reader ]

darkfall's taunting remark earns him an wordless, unamused dead stare that quillpaw hopes makes him feel stupid. while he doesn't say anything, the bristling of his fur speaks volumes. the accolade does calm his temper, if just a little, and he responds with a quiet click of his tongue. but really, isn't the former enforcer just pointing out the obvious? of course he'd improve.

blah, blah, blah. quillpaw feels like all of this information is mostly common sense. of course you need to be quick and efficient when hunting birds - they have wings. same with mice and chipmunks. an unspoken rule of hunting is 'be silent', in his mind, this is common sense. "wow. I would have never known." he meows flatly with a shake of his head. anyway ..it seems his task is simple enough, just find some prey and bring it back.

much to his disliking, the last bit actually catches him off guard. 'Should be easy enough for someone of your abilities, after all.' – a comment (or..praise..?) recognizing his skills from his father feels different than when another warrior says similar words. the corners of his maw curl up into the beginning of a smile, but he swiftly looks away before the smile can fully form. he's quick to lick a stray strand of fur as a method of hiding the grin. it feels..not normal, not for him, at least. he does not like it. "such a shame she isn't here to do it again, I could use some entertainment." he abruptly says after a moment of silence, putting back up the steel walls of anger. the only way he knows how to deal with confusing stuff.

sharply turning away, quillpaw stalks off in the opposite direction of his father. jaws parting as he slips out of the open space and into the more forested part of the territory, he catches a scent. bird, he's certain – and begins tracking it, dropping into a hunter's crouch (the correct way this time!) soon enough, a plump starling comes into view. quick and silent, the tabby reminds himself as he creeps closer to the bird, keeping his pawsteps light and his gaze locked on it. luck is not on his side, clearly, when his back paw lands on a small twig and the bird cocks it's head to the side before swiftly flying away. with a slew of muttered curses, he breaks off into a different direction to try and scout out some more prey.

fortunately he catches the scent of a mouse. with renewed determination, he follows the scent and finds the mouse searching for food. the little rodent, focused on scavenging, doesn't notice quillpaw until it's too late, and by then the tom is sinking his teeth into the mouse. with a semi-satisfied hum, he heads back to his father. he drops the mouse in front of the massive tabby, then speaks up. "that was easy, I was expecting more of a challenge." though his tone suggests he feels he could've done better.

[ @Dark ]