[Dust]

@Dipper

Honestly, Frostflight felt more anxious than anything as he stared intently into the darkness of the forest, Fawnpaw bubbling with excitement beside him. The urge to explore was pulling at his paws and he was anything but tired now. What was the noise? An enemy? Prey? The curiosity was dripping from his pelt, overwhelming any remaining sense he had left. It didn't matter if Fawnpaw wasn't trained.... maybe.. I'm a capable warrior! He thought to himself with slight hesitation. His ears swiveled towards the apprentice as he spoke, mentioning that it may have been prey. "I'm not sure, it sounded a bit farther out, so the sound may be deceptive... but still, if we run into trouble you run straight back to camp and get help, ok?" Frostflight attempted to lock a quite serious gaze onto Fawnpaw, clear blue orbs searching for any signs of acknowledgement - it was clear this way his only /real/ rule for them being out this late exploring. If Fawnpaw decided to agree, that was up to him, but the warrior had enough faith in the feline that they would listen.

Pacing forward to once again fall in line with Fawnpaw, Frostflight gently nudged his shoulder and motioned his head to the side, "Here, follow behind me... Let's see if we can track it." He whispered, waiting just a few seconds before he slunk into the underbrush towards where he last heard the noise. His posture was rigid, his breath barely catching in his throat as the warrior easily slid through the plant-life, ferns brushing alongside his silvery pelt. The slivers of moonlight poking through the canopy illuminated the forest floor making each pawstep easy... predictable.

*Crack* *Rustle*

There it was again! It sounded closer this time too! Frostflight cast a determined look to Fawnpaw, eyes shining with pools of excitement. If Fawnpaw was able to see Frostflight in the vivid moonlight, he'd be able to see the warrior 's muscles ripple with anticipation, preparing himself for whatever lay ahead. Slowly, the tom let his mouth drop slightly open, inhaling the scents of the forest around the pair. Moss, dead leaves, familiar prey scents and some not so familiar ones. What? What was that scent? It was on the tip of his tongue. Furrowing his brow in slight thought, he stopped as the thick foliage began to thin out around them into a hollow, small twigs littering the forest floor, followed by ripe green ferns. In the center stood a small herd of deer, all busy munching on the goodies of the earth as the moonlight reflected off the backs of their pelts. Frostflight, in amazement, turned a silent yet incredulous expression to Fawnpaw. He couldn't speak, only watch as the creatures moved lazily around, currently unaware of their presence.