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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2019 13:08:44 GMT -5
Sagefire's fur was caught in the wind as she entered the Scrublands. It seemed that today would be windy. She kept an eye out for prey that were upwind of her, and tried to stay as downwind as possible. She padded along carefully, trying not to make too much noise, until she smelled a mouse. She bent into a crouch, as her eyes followed the smell. The mouse was under some fallen bark, making the mouse already difficult to reach. Planning to sun the mouse by hitting it with her paws out of there, before giving it the killing bite, she began to move closer. She controlled her breathing, her eyes focused on the small rodent. Went she was close enough to leap, the wind suddenly changed direction. She froze as the mouse did, and unfortunantely, the mouse spotting her, and fled. Coming out of her crouch with a stomp of her foot, Sagefire was frustrated. She had already caught a mouse earlier, but her stomach demanded her to eat it so she did. She now, could not return to camp empty pawed.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2019 15:29:40 GMT -5
It wasn’t often that Pigeonpaw decided to go to the Scrublands for prey, much preferring the sparse greenery of Little Woods or the Moss meadow to the complete Barrenness of the Scrublands, he always found the descriptions by older cats rather creepy as a young kit and his impression as an apprentice wasn’t much different, however the wind was blowing heavier than usual that day and Pigeonpaw couldn’t bring himself to trek through the wind for so long to reach the other areas of the territory since he was already nearby.
Moving himself downwind he started to search for prey, a mouse maybe, possibly a bird he were very lucky. Searching fruitlessly for a while his wits were beginning to reach thier end, when a sudden change of wind almost made him give up. Just as he were about to head back he caught a brief scent of another Stoneclan cat. He turned to follow the scent back to its source, as he got closer the scent started to distinguish itself, as he got closer he recognised it as Sagefire, a warrior, probably out hunting too!
He approached carefully, dropping into a hunting crouch to quiet himself if Sagefire were hunting, he didn’t want to ruin her hunt, however he didn’t have to worry as the tortoiseshell warrior seemed in thought, not hunting, so he brang himself out of the crouch and bounded towards her.
“Hey Sagefire!” His excited voice broke through the strong winds. “Are you hunting here too?”.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2019 21:26:13 GMT -5
Sagefire @pigeon 174 words "Hey Sagefire!" The calico turned her head towards the direction of her name, "Are you hunting here too?" She saw a grey tabby, Pigeonpaw, and her face lit up. Her tail was raised and waving behind her as all thoughts on hunting seemingly disappeared from her head. "Yea! Oh my Starclan I didn't think there was gonna be another cat here." She purred as she trotted up to him. What was an apprentice doing out here? She thought. As she came up to him, her hunting trope came back to her. "So I hunting and ate a mouse, and I feel bad going back to camp without a catch." The words tumbled out of her mouth. Oh she was still hungry. "So, it would do me a super duper awesome favor if you could help. Of course you don't have to." Sagefire missed the company of another cat. She started thinking bigger. Maybe they could bring down an eagle? She wasn't sure whether she could do it with Pigeonpaw, especially since he was apprentice.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2019 1:11:44 GMT -5
“Yeah I was nearby, it’s too windy today, I couldn’t be bothered to go somewhere else!” He rambled, bouncing around the clearing they were in. "It is kind of empty here." He agreed, glancing around to search for any other signs of life.
He was glad that the green-eyed warrior was excited to see him as he was excited to spot another cat out here, hunting could be more fun with two people, he loved a competition and any chance to show off to a warrior he’d take with open paws. He listened eagerly as the other high energy cat rambled on.
“I’d love to help! I’m really good at hunting, I swear!” He bounded a little further away into the Shrub covered territory.
“We’ll come back with the biggest and best catch of the whole of Leaf-fall!” He gloated pridefully, a smile on his face and his tail high as he thought of the prospect. His mentor would definitely be proud of him and the other apprentices too.
“I’ll go this way and you go over there!” He quickly disappeared into the shrubbery dropping into a hunting crouch instinctually as he caught the fleeting scent of prey. He moved quietly and swiftly across the ground, dodging sticks and leaves as he went, he could almost see the catch in his head, it would be great. If Sagefire had the same luck they’d both be returning with prey.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2019 11:33:46 GMT -5
Hearing Pigeonpaw's excitement gave her more energy. She bounced around with him, giving him purrs of agreement. Suddenly, he had dashed off to hunt, but Sagefire had her eyes on something more. A bird of prey was circling high above them, and she was ready. Even though she knew the tabby was hunting, she felt as if her prize was bigger. "Pigeonpaw! Look up!" She paused for a moment, but she was far from patient, and she did not even wait for him. "See that? I think it's an eagle. I want to bring that back to camp." She purred, her tail waving behind her as she got chills. Having two cats to bring down an eagle? Realistic? No. Dangerous? Very. But did she care? Nope, not in this moment. She needed to think ahead, and she knew that. But did she? Nope. She knew the dangers and the warnings that the clan has been handing out. Maybe she could change things? Maybe it will help quell the fear in Stoneclan. Not that she was thinking, definitely will get hurt with only two cats to bring it down. Not that she was thinking that. "We can do it! I believe in us! We have Starclan's favor today!" She bounced around, her eyes in the sky. "We can impress the clan, and they'll forgive the mouse that I ate while hunting, and maybe make you a warrior!" She said to Pigeonpaw. Out of line? Yes. Not that she thought. Excitement and fear ran through her as her fur began to stand up.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2019 13:06:31 GMT -5
As he was sniffing the shrubbery in search of prey he glanced around to see if he could spot Sagefire, he’d wanted to impress the warrior so gaining her attention as he hunted would be the best way forward, however he saw the tortoiseshell staring up at the sky instead of hunting, he questioned this for a split second before she indirectly explained herself.
As she said he averted his gaze to the sky where he laced his shining eyes onto an eagle, circling high, a spot against the grey sky. His fur stood up on end, there were so many birds everywhere. He sprinted over to Sagefire’s side, strength in numbers he assumed would be useful here. Before he’d caught prey that were birds but never a bird of prey!
“Oh Starclan that bird is huge!” He whispered, it was true too, the eagle was exceptionally large, definitely larger than any pigeon anyway. “You really think we could do it?” The Grey tabby questioned, a shine in his eyes as he stared up at the eagle, flying just out of his reach!
His mind briefly flashed to all the warnings him mentor and the clan had given him the past moons, so many birds of prey had been spotted, however his fears were forgotten when Sagefire continued to ramble.
“You’re right, everyone would be so impressed if we took down an eagle! I’d be made a warrior on the spot!” The shine in his eyes seemed to spark into a flame as he bounced on his paws eagerly.
“I can already picture it, my warrior name and everything! Pigeon...Pigeoneagle! No that’s too weird.” He continued, losing himself on the train of thought. “Let’s do it!” He shouted, nerves racing and excitement in his voice.
He jumped around even more, barely able to wait for Sagefires instructions.
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Post by Fawn on Sept 23, 2019 20:20:09 GMT -5
BeetlepaW Will you be my breath through the deep, deep water “I can already picture it, my warrior name and everything! Pigeon...Pigeoneagle! No that’s too weird.”
"No, your warrior name would be Birdbrain so we'd have something to call you at your funeral." Beetlejaw couldn't believe what he was hearing. Alright, so Pigeonpaw was an apprentice - but that was no excuse to be an idiot. Sagefire was in a whole other category; he couldn't believe a grown warrior would be so--actually, yeah he could believe that.
Beetlejaw had not shown up alone to silently and verbally pass judgment on the mentor-and-apprentice pair; beside him was Kestrelclaw, who still bore the scars of his near-fatal brush with a pair of young eagles last season. Behind Kestrelclaw was Sootwhisker, the young blind she-cat who had lost her eyesight defending Beetlejaw (then Beetlekit) from a fox.
Prepared to guard her with his life, Beetlejaw had willingly agreed to go for a walk with Kestrelclaw and Sootwhisker as soon as he was asked.
Good thing, too, otherwise these two mossbrains would be getting themselves into huge amounts of trouble.
"Sagefire," Kestrelclaw had stepped forward, the stout ticked-tabby tom wearing an expression as serious as serious could be. "I know you want to impress your Clan, but risking your life - and Pigeonpaw's life - is not the way to do it. What if something happened? If Pigeonpaw was wounded, or worse, you'd carry the guilt with you for the rest of your life."
Kestrelclaw shook his head, forcing a hard swallow as if to get over a painful memory. "Pigeonpaw, when you're back at camp, ask Dawnpaw what it was like to fight an eagle. It was a mercy from StarClan that he didn't die of his wounds, a mercy that his eyesight came back and he's now well enough to keep training."
"If you want to impress your Clan, Sagefire, then why not teach Pigeonpaw a new hunting technique or battle move?" Sootwhisker chimed in, her voice soft and warm in comparison to the two toms.
Beetlejaw snorted, tail flicking. "I think they both need to learn patience first." Can't stay in the shallows, please tell me I won't wash away @aristapop @pigeon || 24 Moons || StoneClan || 345 Words @calico (Sootwhisker mention~) Ginger (Dawnpaw is the best boy)
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2019 22:14:21 GMT -5
"I think they both need to learn patience first." Beetlejaw snorted. Sagefire never felt such nasty chills go through her fur before. For a second, she didn't even think of why she had chills until she ripped her eyes from the sky and OH great Starclan there was Beetlejaw with Kestrelclaw along with sweet Sootwhisker. She knew she was in trouble. "I know but we haven't even tr-" She managed to stop herself before she went any further, although she was many words too late. At least Sootwhisker was nice about it. She went through her brain for anything in her defense. Her excitement had turned into shame, as her ears went down. She couldn't meet Kestrelclaw in the eyes. What should she say? There was not really much she could say. "I'm sorry but like... if it worked it would've done something..." No! Why did she say that? Sagefire regretted every word she said and wished that she could just shove it all back into her mouth. Perhaps she should've taught Pigeonpaw how to hunt one instead, or perhaps defend himself from one. Why couldn't she just think ahead? Her head and tail hanging down, she plopped her behind onto the ground and clamped her mouth shut. She felt words wanting to tumble out of her mouth, as she didn't know what she wanted to say, she had to stop the flow.
Should she apologize? She knew she should, however she already tried and it seemingly had not worked. Should she defend her actions? No, she knew that would not work out, especially with Sootwhisker and Kestrelclaw right in front of her. Beetlejaw seemed angrier then the rest. She knew she didn't want Pigeonpaw's life on her mind if it had gone wrong. But would it have? They hadn't even tried, and in Sagefire's mind, she didn't feel like she had done anything wrong. Yet.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2019 1:29:57 GMT -5
In the grey tabbies delusions of grandeur he hadn't even heard the approaching pawsteps of three of his clan mates but when a chilling voice cut through their excitement with bared claws he knew that they had done something wrong.
As the 3 approached them and Beetlejaw berated them for their arrogance he glanced to the other two warriors, Sootwhisker and Kestrelclaw stood beside the seething warrior. Kestrelclaw In particular held a serious look on his face. Pigeonpaw had known before but it hadn't really registered until now. So many cats had scars or injuries from fighting animals that were too big to win against.
Kestrelclaw had just been attacked by eagles, knowing better than anyone what it was like if it went wrong, and his apprentice too.
He glanced over to Sagefire who was sat looking down at the ground, ears back, mouth shut as she listened to Beetlejaw and Kestrelclaw dig into the pairs foolish actions. At least Sootwhisker didn’t seem that mad.
“I just thought that if we did manage to catch an eagle then everyone might not be so scared of them anymore” Pigeonpaw tried to validate his actions though he knew it wasn’t an excuse.
“I-I will Kestrelclaw, I’m sorry.” He looked away from the warriors up at the sky to try and spot the bird that had caused this tension. If this had gone wrong he might have been up in Starclan already. He felt shame as Sagefire struggled to get out a response. They had gotten out of paw and he was glad someone was there to stop them.
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Post by Fawn on Sept 26, 2019 10:40:23 GMT -5
BeetlejaW Will you be my breath through the deep, deep water Kestrelclaw nodded gently, accepting Pigeonpaw's genuine apology. Sagefire didn't bend so easily to the criticism, however, and it was clear in Beetlejaw's eyes that she wanted to argue her case - but the words weren't coming, or she just didn't have a good retort yet.
"Why don't we do some hunting?" Kestrelclaw suggested, gently brushing his tail along Sootwhisker's flank. The she-cat's smile had dropped just a little; being blind, hunting was beyond her capabilities, and Beetlejaw couldn't help but feel a deep pang of sympathy for her. He knew what it was like to be excluded from things due to a disability.
He was lucky to have lost his foot and not the rest of him to that fox, thanks to Sootwhisker's bravery. "Could do scentwork," he interrupted, "Sootwhisker's great at it."
Kestrelclaw purred in gratitude, addressing Pigeonpaw and Sagefire. "What do you two think? Pigeonpaw, has Cobrashadow taught you how to track yet?"
Doubt it, Beetlejaw thought with a suppressed snort, remembering how bouncy and excited the 'paw was when he'd first spotted the pair making birdbrained plans. Beetlejaw sat down, needing to take some of the excess weight off of his one good back foot. His gaze drifted skyward, pupils turning to slivers in the bright daylight as he scanned the wild blue expanse for another eagle. He hadn't been in camp when Kestrelclaw had come home, bleeding and carrying a near-dead looking Dawnpaw on his back; but he'd smelled the blood, felt the fearful energy in camp upon his return - the way it rubbed his fur the wrong way and sent a nervous ripple over his whiskers.
It had probably been far more traumatic for Kestrelclaw and Sootwhisker, but that wasn't the point. No cat present was eager to have a repeat of that. Beetlejaw smoothed down the short fur on his chest with a few swift licks, awaiting the group's decision. Can't stay in the shallows, please tell me I won't wash away @pigeon @aristapop || 24 Moons || StoneClan || 315 Words
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2019 13:21:36 GMT -5
"Why don't we do some hunting?" Kestrelclaw suggested and Sagefire nodded rapidly to that statement, reminded of her earlier occurrence. She also badly wished to get off the topic of birds, insensitive as she was, she knew that no other cat wanted to dwell on it either. She took a glance at the sky and saw it empty, with perhaps a few clouds in the sky. Sagefire could not seem to process that her butt had just been saved. Sagefire yearned to get off the topic about the eagles, even though she knew it would haunt her for some time. "Hunting sounds pretty cool." She said, trying to get her energy back. However she was nervous, in front of the cats who had just scolded her. Yet, her tail was in the air, waving about. She was not bouncing yet, but she thought of a fat squirrel that she could snatch and her mouth began to water. "Can you sniff out a fat squirrel?" Sagefire excitedly asked Sootwhisker in reply to Beetlejaw's comment on her scent work as Krestleclaw directed his question to the apprentice beside her. Forcing her mind off the eagle subject, they were making a hunting party!
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