Sunkissed Creek

[Captain]

( Brightpaw | they/she/he | @Adderbite @Jayvines @Slushie )

➢ After a bit of searching throughout the area surrounding the creek, the slim apprentice came across a bed of flowers that were white in color with yellow middles. They matched Rosepaw’s description perfectly, so Brightpaw wasted no time in snatching up about three to hold carefully in their jaws. As the young tortoiseshell returned back to where all of her patrolmates were last all together, she could see all three cats still scattered, taking their precious time in finding the herbs. Ugh! Brightpaw was not going to get in trouble for this. There were already too many setbacks to them becoming a warrior, so they refused to stand around and let this one happen. Uttering an irritated huff through her nose, the slender Thunderclan apprentice kept a hold on the several daisies in her jaws and started back down the path back to camp, her short-furred fur lashing behind her with every step. Brightpaw had thought this herb patrol would be done quickly and without any issue regarding time, especially since none of them appeared to even want to be here! But, once again, her own clanmates seem to let her down. How shocking. Whatever. Brightpaw was determined to do their part and get these back to camp. These cats could suffer the consequences, but not her!

( Brightpaw has left the scene, lmao. Apologies for their behavior, y’all, but they refuse to be caught slacking. )

[dino.]

Originally Posted by Jayvines

~ Mistpaw ~
(Decided to get the starter out here going for us :3)

Timidly trailing after Nettletongue as she led the way to Sunkissed Creek, Mistpaw kept her eyes peering about for any signs of the plants that Rosepaw had described. Even if this warrior was gonna be a big old grump, she was gonna do the best collecting job of her LIFE. Then maybe that'd show them. She could out plant-hunt all of these cats, she had plenty of experience!

As they padded along in a rather silent march, Mistpaw let that thought swell up in her chest alongside the small spark of determination that Cindersky had sowed there. She would do well, and there was nothing Nettletongue could do to stop her! Not that she was aware of whatever caused her ire in the first place, but if she found lots of plants maybe she'd think better of her.

A determined hum of concentration escaped her muzzle, and her grey gaze swept across the newly budding plants in the territory. "What did Rosepaw mean when she said catmint smells wonderful?" she wondered aloud to no one in particular as she attempted to crack the awkward silence. "Like, there are a lot of wonderful smells, but what makes catmint so special?"

[ @Adderbite @masquerade @Slushie ]

>Bumblepaw<

Bumblepaw glanced sideways at Mistpaw, shook his head and shrugged. "I dunno. Rosepaw wasn't super specific. Guess we should just... look around for something that smells good?" He set to sniffing at the edge of the riverbank, where new flowers were beginning to bloom. After a moment, he bent down to pull up a leavy stalk decorated with a few small purple flowers, and another cluster of tiny white ones. He quizzically looked at Mistpaw with another shrug. "These ones all smell good."

[Adderbite]

NETTLETONGUE
@Jayvines @Slushie @masquerade
[ Sorry for the delay guys, I have been super busy these past few days in preparation for Easter. So I'm going to go ahead and quicken the pace a little. ]

Irritation burned beneath the pelt of Nettletongue when she noticed that Brightpaw had found their herbs and left. She was going to give them a few nice slashes to their ears for that. Not really, just hypothetically. She would be giving them a stern talking to though. Leaving a patrol was inexcusable no matter the parties that were present!

She needed to focus her attention though. Sorrel, right? That was the herb she had given herself? The herb supposedly had red stems and bright red buds. Muck started sticking to her fur as she stalked through the mud, carefully looking at each little plant she came across. Finally, she located a plant matching the description. In a drier spot beneath the tree. "This must be it," She breathed a sigh of relief. Crouching down, she began nipping at the stalks. These herbs were going to treat her Clanmates, so she was careful with them. Despite how she acted, she did love her Clan. Which only made her feel worse that she was unable to bond with them.

Once she'd collected eight of the precious stalks, she headed over to where Mistpaw and Bumblepaw were. "Brightpaw decided that it was a wonderful idea to return to Camp by themselves." She reported to them. The anger in her voice was unmistakable. It gave her a newfound appreciation for both Mistpaw and Bumblepaw. In a softer voice, she added, "Did you find the Catmint?" She bent forward, inhaling the leaves. It smelled pretty sweet. Almost mouth-watering. "This looks like the stuff. Good job. Let's get this stuff back to Rosepaw." She turned to go, only to stop and turn to Mistpaw. "I'm... I'm sorry for how I treated you before. It's nothing you did. There's... something wrong with me."

Pelt burning with embarrassment, she picked up her sorrel and headed toward the direction of Camp. Stopping only to make sure that Mistpaw and Bumblepaw were following.

[Jayvines]

~ Mistpaw ~

These ones smelled... MORE than good!

Pupils blown wide, Mistpaw was about to just go ahead and rub her face through the plant when Nettletongue appeared next to them. Jolting in surprise, Mistpaw quickly attempted to recollect herself as the warrior confirmed their find. The apology was... unexpected, but appreciated none the less. Mistpaw muttered a quiet, "Thank you..." before giving her head a quick shake to try and clear the weird happy haze that had gathered between her ears and plucking some stalks off the aforementioned plant.

Tail twitching as she forced herself to only hold the 4 pieces of plant (NOT eat them, she was NOT allowed to eat these. They were for ROSEPAW), Mistpaw quickly padded after the warrior that had escorted them out. Hopefully Rosepaw would like these!

[ @Adderbite @masquerade @Slushie ]

[wolfie]

Originally Posted by falling

Sootwind enjoyed the fact that Lotuspaw was grinning. If they were excited, then this couldn't be too bad. They appeared to be happy to be placed on a patrol, over which she did not ponder, but it was a good sign. "Well, I don't know what we will catch, it honestly depends," she gestured, chuckling lightly. "Goodmorning to you too. We can get going now, alright? Follow me."

@x ghostie (sorry that this is a bit short, i'll post at the sunkissed creek next)

// you're all good !
Lotuspaw wiggled excitedly, nodding in response before bounding after Sootwind. They were pretty sure this was a hunting patrol 'cause they definitely weren't heading for any borders. "I wanna find a frog!! Squishy green guys, they look so WEIRD!!! Maybe a uhm, I dunno, we shall see! I've kinda gone on a bit of a hunting patrols but I gotta be honest with you, uh, " There was a moment of pause, glancing over the warrior.

"Sootcat, I never exactly got a good ol' training session in. As in uh, " Lotuspaw licked their dry lips, rolling their shoulders, ".. won't be a big deal if we run over a few things? I'm a good vision learner!! Seriously!!! Likee!! The BEST!! Plus, I have some SPECIAL experience so I'm not that clueless!!" They were quick to babble out, nodding in full conjured up confidence. There was an attempt to follow through with body language but it ended up a bit chopped... they had other things they also had to brush up on.

Their stub tail lifted up slightly as much as it could manage while they began to try and figure out something that was eatable. "Argh, " their face scrunches up, "too much smell. too much." Lotuspaw made sure to glance over to Sootwind ever so often to see what she would say.

[falling]

Sootwind chuckled at Lotuspaw’s obvious excitement. “A... frog?? Maybe you will find one, but we are going to focus on hunting for now, okay?” Her head tilted curiously as the apprentice continued talking. Oh, it was just about Lotuspaw not knowing how to hunt. “Yeah sure, we can run over the basics.” She dropped into a hunters crouch. “This is a hunters crouch. You’ll have to sneak up onto the prey when using this, not making a sound as your paws touch the ground. Then, you can pounce, but beware that you must be close to the prey.”

She nodded a little, then raised her eyebrows. “Too much smell? What do you mean? Also, Lotuspaw, an essential to hunting is being quiet. Otherwise the prey will hear you and run away. Tell me what you scent - prey, not the weird smell - and then you can try to hunt it down.”

@x ghostie (sorry this is short, typed it up on mobile, and apologies for the delay.)

[wolfie]

@falling // it's alright! sorry this is kinda whack, wanted to get it out lolol
lotuspaw blinked owlishly at sootwind but gave a quick nod of agreement. they watched the warrior carefully but honestly, a lot of it was what they knew! that was the issue. they knew in theory on what to do but didn't really any experience in putting it to work. they offer a sheepish smile, nodding. whatever! lotuspaw was sure they would get the hang of it sooner or later. they were a natural, after all.

the bobtail opened their mouth to protest sootwind's uhm, okay, practical shut up statement but decided against it. wasn't like she was WRONG... but... !!! lotuspaw couldn't stand being quiet!!! instead, they huff, looking at her with glinted eyes. deciding to follow her advice, they respond non-verbally. "okay, okay. thanks. dunno, hard to explain. lots of smell. grass. tree. cat, " lotuspaw tried to explain, their sentences becoming choppy due to lack of use.

"..mouse?? maybe shrew. no!! no!! mouse!!" they rushed out, immediate to jump into action. mice were fun to chase but this time!! they would CATCH IT!! giggling, they broke into a light run. sootwind forgotten in the heh, wind, lotuspaw began to slow down as they neared said mouse. if they were right and took in soothound's advice, they should be okay.

stalking it closely, their gaze landed on it. dropping into a hunting crouch, they crept forward until.... pounce!!! lotuspaw leapt through the air, paws outstretched for the mouse. still lacking experience, they land awkwardly and try to scramble to get ahold of the mouse. just by an inch they miss it's tail. "sootwind!! quick!! get it!!!!!" they yowl with worry.

[starry]

| @poppy. |

Okay, finally Aspenstrike got herself together. Rainpaw followed the warrior out of camp, her limp slowing her down, but only a little. Gosh I don't know how to hunt this is so embarassing I just yelled at her when I can't even do a simple thing- Sighing she moved along. "So... how does hunting work? No one ever taught me."

[poppy]

Aspenstrike
she/her || @starry.

The molly felt her breath calm as they reach Sunkissed creek, and she sighed with slight relief, with an unnoticeable, haunted glance at the small clearing where she had died 9 times, breathed steadily as the apprentice limped behind. She kept her steps short, so she wasn't going too far but undetectable to Rainpaw, hopefully, that she was intentionally going slower.

At the apprentice's confession, she glanced back. "That's okay. I'll give you a quick lesson so you know how to do it." Her annoyance with the younger cat dissipated and she turned to face Rainpaw. "Do you know the hunter's crouch?"

[starry]

| @poppy. |

Rainpaw nodded. "Alright, thanks," she replied. Aspenstrike wasn't so bad after all, plus she needed to consider the fact that this feline had died 9 times - it must be hard for her. "Well - I kind of know the crouch, buuut I haven't used it since my injury... I'll just try, I guess." Hastily she dropped into a crouch, ignoring the biting pain. "Is this okay...??" Honestly it was a bit floppy but if she put any more pressure onto her injury, the leg would probably explode.

Sighing she tried to move forward a little, gritting her teeth. "I mean I can move fine, so should I just try to catch something? I could improvise..."