Walking through their territory felt nice. Getting to see more of her clan with the safety of others was very nice. There wasn't much to say about what she saw other than 'oh this looks pretty' and variants on that but when compared to the camp she had to stay at all the time anything novel looked amazing. It took a great deal of constraint to not jump up on rocks and logs and to start saying she was the ruler of the land. The young apprentice was practically wiggling wanting to be... Silly!
Oh! She had to pick a prey item. Honestly she wasn't sure what there was to pick from so she ended up blurting out "Mice!" Without much thought to why she picked such an item. "Uh.. Mice would be nice! They should be easy to kill." Shadowpaw said with a soft smile. Honestly she didn't want to put effort into fighting anything. She wondered how it was like to be a frog.
Moonmeadow opened their mouth to speak but the sound of soft skittering was caught by their ears at the same time, causing them to snap their jaws closed and giving a small signal to her patrol mates to remain quiet. After a few still moments, Moonmeadow realized that it was likely a mouse, given the scent and gently smiled to the apprentice. Lesson time! The feline crouched down, distrubing their weight across all four of their giant paws and sending a glance to the apprentice before whispering in a low tone, "Alright, Shadowpaw, seems like you got your wish. Just over there," Moonmeadow pointed to the bushes off to their right, "is a mouse. Now then, crouch down just like I am. Try to balance across all of your paws, keep your tail low, make sure not to brush it against the floor."
Next the feline lifted their muzzle slightly, feeling for which way the wind was going for sure before confiding the information to the apprentice, "Be sure to stay downwind with your prey, like we are now, lift your nose up and feel the way the breeze blows against your nose and fur. Now, when you start to stalk forward, do it slow, watch where you set your paws. When you feel like you can pounce on it, shift your weight from all of your paws to your hind legs as quickly as possible and leap. The mouse will feel the vibrations so make sure you follow through, you won't have a second shot at the same mouse." Moonmeadow really hoped that it was too much information at once, but they didn't really have time to take their time given the mouse was sure to sense them and run off in just moments. The warrior signaled for the apprentice to try, waving a paw towards the mouse with a reasurring smile, "No worries, if we don't get this one, there are always more."
Moonmeadow kept an eye on the apprentice as she listened before turning away and focusing on catching some prey themself. The feline was careful on their paws, not wanting to scare away Shadowpaw's catch but was swift in anotehr direction not to far away. They lifted their muzzle to the sky, hoping to catch any scent but the only thing on the air was that mouse-oh wait! Taking another breath of air in through their nose, Moonmeadow noticed the smell of some sort of rodent, different from the mouse filled their nose. The cat was quick on their paws and made their way carefully to the prey, pushing through the shrubs that surrounded the burnt twolegplace, before finally their hazy eyes caught on a vole. It was poking its head out and into the ground quickly, tugging at a dandelion that remained stubbornly tied to its roots but it was going to come free soon and with it, the mole's escape.
[+ 1 Vole]
[1/5 carrying]
Moonmeadow crouched down and one pawsteps after another, the giant cat made their way into pouncing range and shot forward the next time the vole poked its head out. Claws hooked the small rodent as a squeal left its tiny little body for a split second before they were able to bite and break its neck. Moonmeadow, with the vole in their mouth made their way back to where they had directed Shadowpaw to go after the mouse. Ears pricked for any more signs of prey while also trying to hear if the apprentice had caught the mouse yet.
"Thoughts so heavy doesn't mean you're unsteady but that you're only getting ready to say "nice to meet you" to someone you never knew...you."
Faith Marie, Toxic Thoughts
Moonmeadow opened their mouth to speak but the sound of soft skittering was caught by their ears at the same time, causing them to snap their jaws closed and giving a small signal to her patrol mates to remain quiet. After a few still moments, Moonmeadow realized that it was likely a mouse, given the scent and gently smiled to the apprentice. Lesson time! The feline crouched down, distrubing their weight across all four of their giant paws and sending a glance to the apprentice before whispering in a low tone, "Alright, Shadowpaw, seems like you got your wish. Just over there," Moonmeadow pointed to the bushes off to their right, "is a mouse. Now then, crouch down just like I am. Try to balance across all of your paws, keep your tail low, make sure not to brush it against the floor."
Next the feline lifted their muzzle slightly, feeling for which way the wind was going for sure before confiding the information to the apprentice, "Be sure to stay downwind with your prey, like we are now, lift your nose up and feel the way the breeze blows against your nose and fur. Now, when you start to stalk forward, do it slow, watch where you set your paws. When you feel like you can pounce on it, shift your weight from all of your paws to your hind legs as quickly as possible and leap. The mouse will feel the vibrations so make sure you follow through, you won't have a second shot at the same mouse." Moonmeadow really hoped that it was too much information at once, but they didn't really have time to take their time given the mouse was sure to sense them and run off in just moments. The warrior signaled for the apprentice to try, waving a paw towards the mouse with a reasurring smile, "No worries, if we don't get this one, there are always more."
Moonmeadow kept an eye on the apprentice as she listened before turning away and focusing on catching some prey themself. The feline was careful on their paws, not wanting to scare away Shadowpaw's catch but was swift in anotehr direction not to far away. They lifted their muzzle to the sky, hoping to catch any scent but the only thing on the air was that mouse-oh wait! Taking another breath of air in through their nose, Moonmeadow noticed the smell of some sort of rodent, different from the mouse filled their nose. The cat was quick on their paws and made their way carefully to the prey, pushing through the shrubs that surrounded the burnt twolegplace, before finally their hazy eyes caught on a vole. It was poking its head out and into the ground quickly, tugging at a dandelion that remained stubbornly tied to its roots but it was going to come free soon and with it, the mole's escape.
[+ 1 Vole]
[1/5 carrying]
Moonmeadow crouched down and one pawsteps after another, the giant cat made their way into pouncing range and shot forward the next time the vole poked its head out. Claws hooked the small rodent as a squeal left its tiny little body for a split second before they were able to bite and break its neck. Moonmeadow, with the vole in their mouth made their way back to where they had directed Shadowpaw to go after the mouse. Ears pricked for any more signs of prey while also trying to hear if the apprentice had caught the mouse yet.
-Cornpuff-
Male, 48 Moons
SHADOWCLAN - Warrior
A yellow-eyed, white and cream-point tom.
The ShadowClan warrior swished his tail when his offer was drowned by Moonmeadow's kind initiative. He shook out his fur. He had already helped a cat with their hunting this moon, and other, younger warriors could always use the teaching experience.
Cornpuff tasted the air, letting his clanmates exchange words. As tasty as a mouse was, a rabbit could cover more stomachs. His eyes thinned as the scent of prey wafted to his mouth.
Quickly he dropped to a crouch, careful of his lengthy fur brushing against anything. Turning to his right, he almost floated across the ground. There wasn't a single glimpse he could catch of the prey, he could only listen to it's pecking of the ground, what sounded like a few catlengths away.
In a flash of grass and feathers, and the sound of a last chirp, the cry of surprise, Cornpuff arose with a sizeable finch in his jaws.
+1 Bird (Finch)
Carrying 4/5 (~Because carrying a bird would be a lot)
They were just about where they left Shadowpaw when they heard the sound of fluttering wings and a panicked but cut of chirping and peered though the tree veils and smiled as they noticed lift up with a bird of sorts in his jaws. At this range it was a bit difficult to make out what kind exactly but Moonmeadow didn't really take notice of it. Well, if Cornpuff was so close, then he could keep an ear out for Shadowpaw while Moonmeadow swiftly moved a bit further away to catch something else. So fair the hunt has been alright, but it was still a bit too meager for the feline's liking. Carrying themself on huge, black paws, Moonmeadow swiftly buried the vole they carried nearby and made a note of where it was before making her way carefully through the undergrowth and trees.
Eventually, the feline took notice of a scuffling noise and padded her way through the trees before their nose caught on the trail and they easily padded through the forest. Almost completely silent on experienced paws, the feline peered through the leaves with sickly eyes, landing on a mouse that sat a few tail lengths away. The thing was a plump mouse, which was surprising given the new leaf had not yet melted all the frost away which was when prey tended to fill out more. Well, more initiative to not mess this up, she wouldn't let this gift slip from her paws. The feline crouched carefully, running through the motions that have been ingrained in them since their first lesson.
They swung a paw out as they pounced, not quite landing on the mouse but the swing sent the mouse hitting a nearby tree leaving it in a daze that made it easy to catch and kill. Moonmeadow lifted the kill and grinned to themself, Shadowpaw would like this one and Moonmeadow. Oh! She realized that she never actually got Cornpuff's favorite. Welllll they would have to just catch a diversity. Vole, mouse...a bird would be a nice addition. Then Moonmeadow walked through the trees, not necessarily looking for only a bird, open to bring home anything. Their rounded ears flicked and her mouth remained open a sliver as they searched through the scents for any familiar ones of warmth and life to be caught.
[ +1 Mouse ]
[ 2/5; 1 Mouse, 1 Vole ]
Ah-ha! The warrior caught something and moved swiftly over a fallen log and saw a tiny little morsel of a toad...though it was an ugly thing. It was already dead but it hasn't been touched, she took in its scent and reared back at the odd smell it was giving, it seemed like some sort of scent of death and illness. She stuck out her tongue and quickly decided against bringing it back home. It wouldn't do to bring home tainted prey. The feline instead dug a deep hole big enough to completely bury the toad and then some and covered it up. Padding the dirt to help it settle completely, Moonmeadow looked up and chose a direction that was going back to where they left Cornpuff and Shadowpaw but in a different way to cover more ground. Hopefully, she could find at least one more thing to bring into camp.
It was quite a few paw steps into their way back when they saw a squirrel skittering across a tree, Moonmeadow dropped the mouse as quietly as they could as their paws began to carry them over to the tree. Steady, one, two , three- go! The warrior bounded forward with powerful legs and shot up the tree, the squirrel dove for a hollow that the tree had in its trunk. Moonmeadow shot a paw out and into the hollow, managing to catch the squirrel's bushy tail with a claw and scooping it out into waiting jaws to crush its neck. After, the little creature's struggling stopped Moonmeadow dropped from the tree and retrieved the mouse. Carrying both creatures by their tails, Moonmeadow finally walked back to where Cornpuff and Shadowpaw were. Three catches was pretty good for Moonmeadow during this time of year and it was only going to get better as more creatures stirred from their winter nests.
Moonmeadow waited in the little area where Shadowpaw branched off after being directed by the warrior and Cornpuff left to go catch the finch that she saw him with earlier. The patrol leader made a small note to next time tell the other members of her patrol to return to a meetup spot so that Moonmeadow could keep a better track of everyone. Live and learn, it was her first time leading after all. They awaited for each of their patrol members hoping that they had the thought to return to this spot, if not she could search them out real quick and then they can all head back to camp.
Moonmeadow gif made by ramen!
[ @Fish - Shadowpaw | @RoboPrism - Cornpuff ]
[ Note: Sorry if it feels like I am rushing, I just don't want this to be late. That's also why I condensed more hunting into one post for time. After Fish has some more time to post I will have Moonmeadow return the patrol :] ]
__________________
"Thoughts so heavy doesn't mean you're unsteady but that you're only getting ready to say "nice to meet you" to someone you never knew...you."
Faith Marie, Toxic Thoughts
Moonmeadow opened their mouth to speak but the sound of soft skittering was caught by their ears at the same time, causing them to snap their jaws closed and giving a small signal to her patrol mates to remain quiet. After a few still moments, Moonmeadow realized that it was likely a mouse, given the scent and gently smiled to the apprentice. Lesson time! The feline crouched down, distrubing their weight across all four of their giant paws and sending a glance to the apprentice before whispering in a low tone, "Alright, Shadowpaw, seems like you got your wish. Just over there," Moonmeadow pointed to the bushes off to their right, "is a mouse. Now then, crouch down just like I am. Try to balance across all of your paws, keep your tail low, make sure not to brush it against the floor."
Next the feline lifted their muzzle slightly, feeling for which way the wind was going for sure before confiding the information to the apprentice, "Be sure to stay downwind with your prey, like we are now, lift your nose up and feel the way the breeze blows against your nose and fur. Now, when you start to stalk forward, do it slow, watch where you set your paws. When you feel like you can pounce on it, shift your weight from all of your paws to your hind legs as quickly as possible and leap. The mouse will feel the vibrations so make sure you follow through, you won't have a second shot at the same mouse." Moonmeadow really hoped that it was too much information at once, but they didn't really have time to take their time given the mouse was sure to sense them and run off in just moments. The warrior signaled for the apprentice to try, waving a paw towards the mouse with a reasurring smile, "No worries, if we don't get this one, there are always more."
Moonmeadow kept an eye on the apprentice as she listened before turning away and focusing on catching some prey themself. The feline was careful on their paws, not wanting to scare away Shadowpaw's catch but was swift in anotehr direction not to far away. They lifted their muzzle to the sky, hoping to catch any scent but the only thing on the air was that mouse-oh wait! Taking another breath of air in through their nose, Moonmeadow noticed the smell of some sort of rodent, different from the mouse filled their nose. The cat was quick on their paws and made their way carefully to the prey, pushing through the shrubs that surrounded the burnt twolegplace, before finally their hazy eyes caught on a vole. It was poking its head out and into the ground quickly, tugging at a dandelion that remained stubbornly tied to its roots but it was going to come free soon and with it, the mole's escape.
[+ 1 Vole]
[1/5 carrying]
Moonmeadow crouched down and one pawsteps after another, the giant cat made their way into pouncing range and shot forward the next time the vole poked its head out. Claws hooked the small rodent as a squeal left its tiny little body for a split second before they were able to bite and break its neck. Moonmeadow, with the vole in their mouth made their way back to where they had directed Shadowpaw to go after the mouse. Ears pricked for any more signs of prey while also trying to hear if the apprentice had caught the mouse yet.
Shadowpaw watched the other cat carefully. She was glad that she was being taught without any rudeness to why she was just learn, it was just pure learning. So she was completely entrapped into what Moonmeadow was saying to her. Luckily there was already a mouse that had scurried its way into their way. She would get this mouse for sure!
Heading Moonmeadows words carefully she began to stalk the mouse. Soft steps. Steady steps. Her tail wanted to twitch so badly from how strongly she was focusing on this task, but she was the master of her own body so she demanded the tail to stay still. Slowly the apprentice got closer and closer to the mouse till she thought she was close enough to the little beastie.
She sprang like a spring waiting so desperately to release and landed down on the mouse's tail with one of her paws. The mouse was able to free its tail, so Shadowpaw scrambled to slam her other paw down on the mouse. This captured the mouse this time. Now was to actually kill the mouse. She wasn't sure how to go about it so she just bit it. It wasn't a painless kill but she ended up getting it.
"I dith it!" Shadowpaw said her voice muffled from holding the mouse. Purrs where visiting her right now.
Before much celebration could be had Shadowpaw dropped the mouse and covered it with dead leaves. She needed to find more so she happily sprang away a few leaps before getting serious. A scent was on the air, something that smelt very nice and familiar. It was a frog! She loved frogs so much because they were slimy and gross and she could get her paws all messy. They also tasted good so that was a perk I guess.
Frogs reminded the time she played with one of her friends in the mud. That was a good time.
Slowly the apprentice approached the water while trying to remember what Moonmeadow had said to her. With a quick leap she was able to get the frog. It tasted so nice right now she wanted to eat it right now. Maybe she could hide the frog under some other prey so no one else would take it. Before she continued to hunt she jumped around happily in the mud and got her lower side caked with mud.
The apprentice tried to find more prey but nothing caught her nose. Maybe she just didn't know what the other preys scents were like, the freshkill pile did make everything smell the same. So lacking any luck or knowledge she walked by her mouse and picked it up.
"I hope this is enough, I wasn't smelling much..."
Bump Policy: ✧I don't do things unless I'm bumped soooooo
Posts: 857
My Mood:
Re: Mourning Ruins
┊WisteriaCrescent
╰⸻♡ she/her⸻⸻╮
WisteriaCrescent sneaked out of the ShadowClan clearing to answer the call of LostSpark. As she roamed through the forest, she kept her senses sharp and her eyes peeled for any sign of the herbs. She didn't want to be caught off guard by any other animals or rival clans. After some time, she finally stumbled upon a small patch of purple flowers. She knew these were Lavender and felt a sense of relief. She plucked a few sprigs and tucked them into her fur, making sure to inhale the scent constantly to hide the smell of death. Next, she searched the forest for Marigold, which she knew grew best in damp and partially shaded areas. The search was tough, and she was getting worried that she wouldn't find it. But she kept pushing on, and finally, she spotted a bright orange flower peeking out from behind a tree. She let out a soft purr of relief as she plucked a few petals and leaves to chew into a poultice. She knew it would be useful for stopping infections or bleeding, as well as for inflamed joints.
[+2 Lavender] [+1 Marigold]
__________________
.・。.・゜✭ ・.・✭・゜・。.
❝ Marry me. I live in a trailer park, and I have no education, but my hair does this ❞
-Shawn Hunter
.・。.・゜✭・.・✭・゜・。.
Aaaaaaand then she was back out in the territory, this time heading for Mourning Ruins. This time she kept her eyes open. But why was she heading out again? Because ShadowClan needed marigold. Needed it to a fault. And apparently blindly trusting her Clan was making them incompetent. Apparently she could not rely on all of them for getting things done.
The thought alone made Lostspark let out a low snarl of annoyance, the fur on the back of her neck raised. Maybe it was time to try patrols a new way. Roaming Mourning Ruins as her thoughts fizzled in her brain, the heavily scarred Medicine Cat didn't stop collecting the flower she was after - marigold - until she could no longer hold any more. Only then did she return home to stash away her own personal form of treasure.
Re: Mourning Ruins
