Sky Glade

[Moonraven]

The prey stock was low. Batglare was aware that Crowtooth had recently sent out patrols, but as he hadn't sent Batglare on any he took it upon himself to help out anyway. A small, chunky, blind she-cat padded lazily behind him with a nervous-looking brown molly with dirt on her fur.

Dustbunny quickly darted away as soon as Batglare signaled they could start hunting. She had been shocked when the terrifying warrior showed up and ordered her on a hunting patrol. But as she was always happy to help, she trailed after him without complaining. The she-cat dove down into the first rabbit hole she found. Her fangs clamped around the necks of two prairie dogs with ease. She left them off to the side of the tunnel and walked further into the dark space. Dustbunny's large paws scratched at the walls when she heard the squeaks from within. She was expecting mice but found two large rats. She caught one by its tail bit into its neck, then had to chase the scurrying one down, barely catching it with her claws before she lost sight of it.
[ 2 praire dogs, 2 rats]

Above ground, Dreamlight flinched and pouted as Batglare growled at her for losing the second rabbit he had chased towards her. The tom proved to be far less intimidating once she could no longer see him.

"Use your ears and whiskers, and try imagining what's going on around you. You know how to hunt." The tom growled and padded off, leaving the younger warrior to pad behind him. The warrior located a hare after some wandering and started the chase. Batglare didn't normally waste time chasing his prey, but the things he does for the younger generation.

Dreamlight strained her ears, falling back on the older tom's advice. She found it rather helpful, imagining the hare running toward her using the beat of its paws on the ground. Using her whiskers, she swore she could feel the vibrations in the air. This time when she pounced, her paws met solid fur. She used her claws to grasp the spooked hare, and though bit the wrong place, twice, eventually sank her teeth into the hare's neck and felt it go limp.

While Dreamlight was praising herself for catching the hare, Batglare had wandered off to do some solo hunting. He hoped with that catch under her paws Dreamlight's confidence would return. He grumbled softly about fluff for brains and sank into a smooth hunting crouch. His forepaw landed on the fluffy tail of a squirrel after he pounced, and his teeth broke its fragile neck.

He tossed it towards the lone pine once it stilled and walked off. He stalked and wrapped his claws around a vole, and caught a thrush off guard while it was pulling an earthworm from the ground.
[1 squirrel, 1 vole, 1 thrush]

Gathering his catches, Batglare returned in time to watch Dreamlight bite down on a mouse. He saw she had a smaller rabbit hidden in the long grass nearby. Dustbunny popped out of some hole with a mouthful of prey. After Dreamlight missed a sparrow by a few whiskers, Batglare signaled for them to return home.
[1 hare, 1 mouse, 1 rabbit]

[Aroogi]

°•○♧ BIRCHPAW ♧○•°
He/Him • Apprentice • 8M • WC
A fluffy white & brown ticked tabby tom
POSTS: 30/100

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Birchpaw follows Dapplebreeze out to Sky Glade, still thinking about her question when he finally thought of an answer. "Well.. rabbits are a bit more pudgy and fluffy.. while hares are more hardy, wiry and have less fluff?"

He hoped he was right, but he knew if he wasn't, she wouldn't mind. Dapplebreeze was an awesome mentor already.

[ @Alchemist Kitsune ; sorry for the delay! ]

[Alchemist Kitsune]

| Dapplebreeze |
71 Moons - WindClan Fury Lieutenant
Agatha Kitty - Active | Silver Tongue - Active | Killer Aptitude [Tier 3] - Inactive

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Traversing through WindClan's territory, Dapplebreeze led her young apprentice towards Sky Glade. Despite the place having once been taken from them by ShadowClan, it was clearly WindClan's dominion once more, its flat lands and open skies a clear sign of who its rightful rulers were. While the patched molly would never lead a new apprentice to this part of the territory - the very real threat of predatory birds constantly there - Birchpaw had a couple of moons training now. No longer smelled of milk and soft moss. It was time to have him start honing his senses. Be aware of all surroundings as all WindClan warriors needed to be. They had no trees to shield them from danger like the squirrels and rats. No water to throw themselves into like the fish. Instead, they relied on themselves and their knowledge of the land to thrive, and thrive Birchpaw would!

Mismatched ears twitched as her apprentice gave his response on the difference between rabbits and hares, and while she gave a small nod and an encouraging purr, she quickly realized there was much to teach before she sent him to hunt his prey. "Right you are, my dear. One must always be able to identify rabbits and hares by physical traits, although scent is also important. Rabbits are indeed fluffier. Plumper. Softer all around. Hares in the meantime give the look of war worn soldiers in their own right. The warriors to the kittypet visage of rabbits, one could state."

Another purr escaped the patched lieutenant, a small smile of amusement gracing her round, demure features. "Now, there is a reason for this, of course. Hares are like WindClan. They run. Their bodies are built for near flight upon the grasslands. Unlike rabbits, they are also just as quick to turn on a warrior if they sense weakness. They can be rather massive. Why, I once hunted down a hare that was the size of Dawnstar. It made the mistake of seeing my smaller stature and assuming I would be weak. It did give me a fight as good as any true warrior would, too. Underestimating is a risk always, my dear.

Rabbits on the other paw are softer. Quick on their paws, yet. And swift to react. But when they flee, they don't do so to outrun you. They run to hide. For you see, where there is a rabbit, my dear, there is always a burrow. Which means that if they hear you, sniff you, or see you, they will be gone underground before you can even begin your run. Was that clear, darling?" the former queen mewed, her head tilted lightly to the side as she turned her attention on her apprentice, dark blue hues slowly regaining some of their brightness as she spoke.

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@Aroogi [Birchpaw]