ThunderClan Territory

[Arie]

Originally Posted by Aquilex

Astralpaw spotted his mentor's tail and realize he had the lesson all wrong - he wasn't supposed to be aiding his mentor in the hunt, he was supposed to be watching! Repressing a frustrated snarl at himself, he crept around the bush until Spiritfox's entire figure was in view. The young tom took note of every detail visually noticeable on his mentor. He silently adjusted himself until he was mimicking Spiritfox's pose. He didn't intend on trying to steal the other cat's catch, but he was here to learn so he might as well learn the posture he would need to catch this bird.

Sighing, the tom knew that his apprentice hadn't understood and it now left the task up to him. Loosening his muscles slightly he crept ever closer to the cardinal. It was a pretty bird, even though it was gonna end up on a freshkill pile. Maybe he would pluck some feathers to line his own nest with. It would be good around his front leg and chest muscle. Throwing those bewildering thoughts out of his head he was in pounce distance of the bird, but that wouldn't do. He would have to be quick with both front legs and he couldn't guarantee his one frontleg would actually hit the bird fast enough. So it was jumping he would have to resort to. Get it to fly then pluck it out with his mouth. Waiting the tom made himself visible to another bird he had spotted and soon the warning calls fluttered through the forest and just as the cardinal made its flight upwards he jumped. All the tension that he had kept in his legs was released as the powerful warrior snatched the bird right out of the air with his teeth and it was dead just as he landed again. It all happened in the span of seconds but it felt longer and Spiritfox let out a relieved sigh. It had gone better than he expected by far. Walking over to where Astralpaw still sat the tom laid down the bird, "It requires strength, technique and practice to catch a bird this way. I think you might have better luck than I but you need practice. Here you got to see a rather unconventional technique that I use solely because of the lack of mobility in my front leg. You have a chance of just making the pounce and catching it before it has a chance to flutter. Do you wanna continue your hunt?"

[Aquilex]

Originally Posted by Arie

Sighing, the tom knew that his apprentice hadn't understood and it now left the task up to him. Loosening his muscles slightly he crept ever closer to the cardinal. It was a pretty bird, even though it was gonna end up on a freshkill pile. Maybe he would pluck some feathers to line his own nest with. It would be good around his front leg and chest muscle. Throwing those bewildering thoughts out of his head he was in pounce distance of the bird, but that wouldn't do. He would have to be quick with both front legs and he couldn't guarantee his one frontleg would actually hit the bird fast enough. So it was jumping he would have to resort to. Get it to fly then pluck it out with his mouth. Waiting the tom made himself visible to another bird he had spotted and soon the warning calls fluttered through the forest and just as the cardinal made its flight upwards he jumped. All the tension that he had kept in his legs was released as the powerful warrior snatched the bird right out of the air with his teeth and it was dead just as he landed again. It all happened in the span of seconds but it felt longer and Spiritfox let out a relieved sigh. It had gone better than he expected by far. Walking over to where Astralpaw still sat the tom laid down the bird, "It requires strength, technique and practice to catch a bird this way. I think you might have better luck than I but you need practice. Here you got to see a rather unconventional technique that I use solely because of the lack of mobility in my front leg. You have a chance of just making the pounce and catching it before it has a chance to flutter. Do you wanna continue your hunt?"

Astralpaw nodded fervently, his eyes narrowed with determination. He tried to suppress his feelings of stupidity and embarrassment. He had let his mentor down, and he knew that would stick with him for awhile. Forcing himself to focus on the hunt, he silently stalked further into the forest undergrowth, carefully avoiding anything that would alert prey to his presence. He tasted the air and kept his ears perked for the sounds of prey. After a long moment, so long that Astral wasn't even sure there was prey around, he caught the scent of a squirrel. Scanning the area, he tried to pinpoint the scent. The apprentice felt dismayed when he saw that the squirrel he'd located was settled in the branch of a tree.

However, he didn't let this fact discourage him. Glancing back at Spiritfox, he beckoned his mentor closer with a flick of his tail. During this, Astral was careful to stay downwind so he wouldn't scare the squirrel further up the tree.

[Arie]

Originally Posted by Aquilex

Astralpaw nodded fervently, his eyes narrowed with determination. He tried to suppress his feelings of stupidity and embarrassment. He had let his mentor down, and he knew that would stick with him for awhile. Forcing himself to focus on the hunt, he silently stalked further into the forest undergrowth, carefully avoiding anything that would alert prey to his presence. He tasted the air and kept his ears perked for the sounds of prey. After a long moment, so long that Astral wasn't even sure there was prey around, he caught the scent of a squirrel. Scanning the area, he tried to pinpoint the scent. The apprentice felt dismayed when he saw that the squirrel he'd located was settled in the branch of a tree.

However, he didn't let this fact discourage him. Glancing back at Spiritfox, he beckoned his mentor closer with a flick of his tail. During this, Astral was careful to stay downwind so he wouldn't scare the squirrel further up the tree.

The russet tom padded up to his apprentice as he saw the tail flicker. He had buried the cardinal under a tree that was used for collecting prey - or well one he himself used - and knew he would have to steer the young and eager apprentice back towards the spot. As he saw the squirrel his eyes lighted up. It would be a good challenge for Astralpaw, even if he missed the apprentice would learn a lot from this. He dropped into a hunter's crouch and gestured for Astralpaw to do the same. "I dare speak quietly because it is so far away. The squirrel think its safe up in the tree, yet we can still manage to catch it. This time you're doing all the work. You don't have many muscles so this will all depend on your stalking skill. We'll train it of course but this is your first trip, don't be too let down if you don't catch it. Stalk as close to it you can, and then jump and try to grab its tail. Its tail is your best chance at getting it down on earth where you can actually control the space and make a neater kill. If you can manage to kill it beforehand that's alright too." He gave the apprentice a nudge and licked him on his head, "Just try your best. Thats all anyone can ask for."

[Aquilex]

Originally Posted by Arie

The russet tom padded up to his apprentice as he saw the tail flicker. He had buried the cardinal under a tree that was used for collecting prey - or well one he himself used - and knew he would have to steer the young and eager apprentice back towards the spot. As he saw the squirrel his eyes lighted up. It would be a good challenge for Astralpaw, even if he missed the apprentice would learn a lot from this. He dropped into a hunter's crouch and gestured for Astralpaw to do the same. "I dare speak quietly because it is so far away. The squirrel think its safe up in the tree, yet we can still manage to catch it. This time you're doing all the work. You don't have many muscles so this will all depend on your stalking skill. We'll train it of course but this is your first trip, don't be too let down if you don't catch it. Stalk as close to it you can, and then jump and try to grab its tail. Its tail is your best chance at getting it down on earth where you can actually control the space and make a neater kill. If you can manage to kill it beforehand that's alright too." He gave the apprentice a nudge and licked him on his head, "Just try your best. Thats all anyone can ask for."

He listened carefully to what his mentor said, but he had another idea in mind. He gestured to the other side of the tree with his tail and gestured to Spiritfox with a paw. He dared to make a small jump and bared his teeth in a fake snarl, then motioned to the squirrel. He indicated to it with his nose and traced a line down the trunk. When his nose ended the trail at the root, he gestured to himself with his tail and faked like he was going to pounce. Hopefully his mentor understood the message he was trying to convey - he wanted Spiritfox to scare the squirrel down the tree so he could catch it.

[Arie]

Originally Posted by Aquilex

He listened carefully to what his mentor said, but he had another idea in mind. He gestured to the other side of the tree with his tail and gestured to Spiritfox with a paw. He dared to make a small jump and bared his teeth in a fake snarl, then motioned to the squirrel. He indicated to it with his nose and traced a line down the trunk. When his nose ended the trail at the root, he gestured to himself with his tail and faked like he was going to pounce. Hopefully his mentor understood the message he was trying to convey - he wanted Spiritfox to scare the squirrel down the tree so he could catch it.

Spiritfox understood exactly what Astralpaw wanted him to do but he doubted it would work. He decided that voicing his concern would be best and mewed quietly, "I can't scare it down the tree trunk. In order to that I would have to be above it and I cannot appear there all of a sudden. I want you to catch this alone too, even though it might not follow your strategy. Say if it was something on the ground your tactic might have worked but when its something on a vertical pole it is quite hard to scare it down. You gotta rely on your stalking skills as well as your own muscles." He knew he'd had to learn this very same lessons many seasons ago when he was in Astralpaw's pawsteps.

[Aquilex]

Originally Posted by Arie

Spiritfox understood exactly what Astralpaw wanted him to do but he doubted it would work. He decided that voicing his concern would be best and mewed quietly, "I can't scare it down the tree trunk. In order to that I would have to be above it and I cannot appear there all of a sudden. I want you to catch this alone too, even though it might not follow your strategy. Say if it was something on the ground your tactic might have worked but when its something on a vertical pole it is quite hard to scare it down. You gotta rely on your stalking skills as well as your own muscles." He knew he'd had to learn this very same lessons many seasons ago when he was in Astralpaw's pawsteps.

The apprentice sighed. He'd hoped he would impress Spiritfox with his idea, but turns out he just looked dumb again. Shaking his head briskly, he circled around the tree until he found the place where the squirrel's tail drooped downward. Bunching his hindquarters he narrowed his eyes as he fixated on his prey. After a moment's pause, he sprung upward.

To Astralpaw's dismay, his claws only lightly grazed the squirrel's tail. As his paws hit the ground again, he watched as the squirrel shot up the trunk. But he refused to fail again. He sprung onto the tree trunk and dug his claws in desperately, scrambling up after his target. His movements were sloppy and straining, but his rage and fear propelled his upward. He found the squirrel lingering on a branch high above the ground. He secured himself to the branch with his claws and, trembling from the effort of staying up in the tree, maneuvered into a hunter's crouch. The wind buffeted him powerfully in the face, telling him that at least he was downwind. Astralpaw slunk forward and bunched his muscles, then pounced. He felt triumphant as he felt his claws sink into the squirrel, only for it to quickly be replaced with dread as he realized he had launched himself off the branch. He hurtled toward the ground, the squirrel held tightly in his claws. A sickening crack sounded from Astralpaw as he hit the ground chest-first.

[Arie]

Originally Posted by Aquilex

The apprentice sighed. He'd hoped he would impress Spiritfox with his idea, but turns out he just looked dumb again. Shaking his head briskly, he circled around the tree until he found the place where the squirrel's tail drooped downward. Bunching his hindquarters he narrowed his eyes as he fixated on his prey. After a moment's pause, he sprung upward.

To Astralpaw's dismay, his claws only lightly grazed the squirrel's tail. As his paws hit the ground again, he watched as the squirrel shot up the trunk. But he refused to fail again. He sprung onto the tree trunk and dug his claws in desperately, scrambling up after his target. His movements were sloppy and straining, but his rage and fear propelled his upward. He found the squirrel lingering on a branch high above the ground. He secured himself to the branch with his claws and, trembling from the effort of staying up in the tree, maneuvered into a hunter's crouch. The wind buffeted him powerfully in the face, telling him that at least he was downwind. Astralpaw slunk forward and bunched his muscles, then pounced. He felt triumphant as he felt his claws sink into the squirrel, only for it to quickly be replaced with dread as he realized he had launched himself off the branch. He hurtled toward the ground, the squirrel held tightly in his claws. A sickening crack sounded from Astralpaw as he hit the ground chest-first.

Spiritfox had been lying on the ground watching the hunt go on, his ginger fur speckled with grey blending in with red bush he was lying underneath. Yet as Astralpaw felt he shook his head but couldn't help the smile that spread on his long face. The grey apprentice had caught a squirrel and it was only after few hours of practice and on his first hunt. The crack that followed didn't shock the old warrior that much, after all the apprentice would learn and adapt. It wasn't that bad of a fall although Astral would have a bunch of bruises but you learned from your mistakes. Although Spirit preferred to avoid injuries as a teaching method it usually worked for younger cats. If something hurt, don't do it. Find another way of doing it and change up something up.

Walking up on over he nudged the apprentice with his muzzle and pushed him up on his paws. He looked at the dead squirrel with a soft smile. "You did good Astralpaw, real good. Although avoid jumping off branches next time?" His voice was slightly amused and he flicked his tail happily before nuzzling the tom with a happy purr bubbling deep in his chest.

[Aquilex]

Originally Posted by Arie

Spiritfox had been lying on the ground watching the hunt go on, his ginger fur speckled with grey blending in with red bush he was lying underneath. Yet as Astralpaw felt he shook his head but couldn't help the smile that spread on his long face. The grey apprentice had caught a squirrel and it was only after few hours of practice and on his first hunt. The crack that followed didn't shock the old warrior that much, after all the apprentice would learn and adapt. It wasn't that bad of a fall although Astral would have a bunch of bruises but you learned from your mistakes. Although Spirit preferred to avoid injuries as a teaching method it usually worked for younger cats. If something hurt, don't do it. Find another way of doing it and change up something up.

Walking up on over he nudged the apprentice with his muzzle and pushed him up on his paws. He looked at the dead squirrel with a soft smile. "You did good Astralpaw, real good. Although avoid jumping off branches next time?" His voice was slightly amused and he flicked his tail happily before nuzzling the tom with a happy purr bubbling deep in his chest.

Astralpaw winced at the pain spreading through his body, though it was quickly replaced with spiraling warmth at his mentor's praise and affection. Finally he had done something right. The small tom craned his neck, picking up his catch. It was a dumb decision to do what he had done, but it paid off. He would feed his Clan and wouldn't risk getting kicked out, at least not today. That was always his biggest fear - that ThunderClan would drive him out due to the fact that he had loner blood, so he always tried to prove that he was worthy.

[Arie]

Originally Posted by Aquilex

Astralpaw winced at the pain spreading through his body, though it was quickly replaced with spiraling warmth at his mentor's praise and affection. Finally he had done something right. The small tom craned his neck, picking up his catch. It was a dumb decision to do what he had done, but it paid off. He would feed his Clan and wouldn't risk getting kicked out, at least not today. That was always his biggest fear - that ThunderClan would drive him out due to the fact that he had loner blood, so he always tried to prove that he was worthy.

Spiritfox nudged his apprentice again and gave him a lick on his face. Three pieces of prey overall today, they'd done good. He could use with quitting the hunting lesson now, his front right leg was aching and it had become stiff as he'd watched Astral's hunt. "You really did great little one. Do you wanna continue to hunt or how are you feeling? I know the fall hurt, but I'm not exactly aware of the pain you're feeling." His ginger fur was fluffed up as some wind battered him and settled down again, making sure to fold his right leg underneath him. It needed rest but if Astralpaw wanted to continue he would be up for it.

[Aquilex]

Originally Posted by Arie

Spiritfox nudged his apprentice again and gave him a lick on his face. Three pieces of prey overall today, they'd done good. He could use with quitting the hunting lesson now, his front right leg was aching and it had become stiff as he'd watched Astral's hunt. "You really did great little one. Do you wanna continue to hunt or how are you feeling? I know the fall hurt, but I'm not exactly aware of the pain you're feeling." His ginger fur was fluffed up as some wind battered him and settled down again, making sure to fold his right leg underneath him. It needed rest but if Astralpaw wanted to continue he would be up for it.

Though Astral was hurt, he felt the urge to continue hunting. As he was about to start heading further into the territory, he noticed Spiritfox's leg - stiff and most likely aching. Astralpaw turned his head and pointed with his nose towards camp. He didn't want his mentor to strain himself, so they'd be heading back.