FIRST OF MANY || intro, first catch

[coldpaw]

It has been just under a moon since Coldkit became Coldpaw, and she finally feels like she's starting to get the hang of this whole apprentice thing. Darkleap, the mentor Sootstar had assigned, was strict, but she didn't mind. A strict mentor who actually trains her is far better than a mentor who let's her get away with whatever she wants. Most of her training so far has been spent learning how to navigate the tunnels. Darkleap had thrown in a few battle lessons and hunting lessons here and there, but not many. "I'd rather you be a poor fighter and hunter than lose your way down here and die," was his response when she questioned him on it. She supposes that made sense.

He had done some hunting training today, but only after most of the day had been spent learning more and more about the tunnels. She had actually caught her first mouse, a fact that filled her with pride. Darkleap, of course, had to mention that she only caught it because it's leg had been hurt.

Still. It was her first mouse. Her first real contribution to her clan. She's allowed to be proud of herself, and she is. It drips from every step she takes, her head and tail held high.

Unfortunately, all the pride in the world doesn't make her eyes adjust to the bright light of the moors any faster, and she finds herself squinting in order to make out anything. The smell of one of her clanmates is overwhelming, but she can't quite make out where they are. Oh well, it's probably a moor runner with better eyesight who knows to stay out of her way.

Except, they don't, and she finds herself tumbling straight into the other cat. "Hey! Watch it!"​

THE FUEL ON THE FIRE​

 

[WOLFSONG]

── .∘°°∘. ── I need to find more dandelions. It should be a fairly simple task, given the breadth of the moors and how the land welcomes such plants, but while there are many yellow-budded stalks, those suitable for use are not so abundant. It is a busy place, teeming with rabbits on the run from warriors or the faintest of threatening shadows. Powerful legs disturb the earth and tear at the plants present, and he needs dandelions which are whole. Some are missing a few leaves; others have lost sections of their bright heads; and others still are partially uprooted, and messily so that their roots are disconnected. Wolfsong can use every part of a dandelion, but only if he has the entirety. It would threaten the integrity of the plant otherwise.

He has managed to find such an herb. Wolfsong knows it is positioned in a not-so convenient area, but he had thought he would remove it before any issues arise. His remaining eye is facing the direction opposite the burrow, and fixed on the dandelion as he carefully dips his claws into the soil. And then someone jostles him and it's only the quick sheathing of his claws that preserve the dandelion from ruin.

Wolfsong twists to look upon the tunneler. An apprentice— Coldpaw. His eye narrows slightly. "It seems," he begins evenly, "that it would be wise to wait until your vision adjusts to move."
​

WOLFSONG of WINDCLAN FORMER ROGUE TURNED MEDICINE CAT. 36 MOONS, HE/HIM, NPC X NPC. MATES WITH SUNSTRIDE (07/05/2023). BIOGRAPHY, PINTEREST, & PLAYLIST.

medicinal expertise med. part ii med. part iii med. part iv

• — ★★★☆☆ WOUNDS: You're (mostly) in safe paws. You'll know if he's less experienced if he asks for your permission to try a treatment. No wound can scare him away from knowledge. — ★★★☆☆ INFECTION: He can prevent most infections. If you feel feverish, let him know— he'll hum thoughtfully over herbs and sniff your wound before saying, "With your blessing..."
• — ★☆☆☆☆ ACHES & PAINS: If you complain to him of pain, he'll ask where. If it's a headache, you'll likely feel a bit better. For anything else, "Try this, if you'd like, and tell me how you feel." — ★☆☆☆☆ BROKEN BONES: At best. he can ask you to remain lying down in the den. He may try to distract you with conversation while he considers what herb to feed you.
• — ★★★★★ TRAVELING HERBS: Going somewhere? No worries; Wolfsong knows just what you need to stay hale and healthy during your journey. The rest is up to you. — ☆☆☆☆☆ KITTING: He doesn't remember what it was like to be born. Coincidentally, that is the extent of his familiarity with kitting. At least he won't leave you without moral support.
• — ★☆☆☆☆ POISONS: It's best if you avoid eating anything unfamiliar to you— it's probably just as unfamiliar to Wolfsong. The best he can do is offer you yarrow and sit with you. — ★★☆☆☆ ILLNESS: If it's white or greencough, you'll likely recover. Otherwise, prepare for odd concoctions and the usual request that you consent to a little trial-and-error.

​

 

[VENOMSTRIKE]

( ) Venomstrike would never understand the struggle of tunnelers due to the fact he was massive and more fit as a moor runner, he supposes that it would be hard to even see in the dark. Sometimes, he was tempted to poke his head in was it not for the fear of ruining the work of his clanmates thus he stayed on the moors where he would hunt and patrol, the only thing he had to relatively worry about was predators and the sum above that was currently attracted to his dark coat. Awful. The moor runner had been out of camp in search of a prey though his attention wavered upon hearing someone tell another to watch it. Said curiosity would make him step forward and large paws carried him to see an apprentice and Wolfsong.

An ear flicking when heard Wolfsong speak up about how the tunneler apprentice should have waited for her vision adjusted, the moor runner approaches slowly speaking up with concern lacing his voice "A-are you alright?" An inquiry for the both of them, a small frown present on his scarred maw. ​

( ME GUSTA LA MAÑANA; ME GUSTAS TÚ )

 

[Beepaw —]

Beepaw grinned at the gathered group, tail twitching in excitement as they exchange some words. She hadn't been on their patrol, but her mentor Ashdust was eager to join them, having followed the patrol out of the tunnels after a tunnel-based sparring session in which she had basically fought for her life against the big, stocky tom. He hadn't been aiming to hurt her, she knew, but that didn't mean she hadn't come out of it with no bruises, no scrapes.

She followed behind the group until a commotion at the front made her ears perk and her stubby little legs reached on tip-toe to see what was going on. Giving up on that approach, the molly skirted the group until she could see the full picture. Wolfsong seemed annoyed, if anything, and Venomstrike seemed concerned... quite intriguing in the delicate molly's frazzled view. "Y'know ya ain't supposed ta run inta people, Coldpaw, that ain't how ya say hi!" Beepaw's smile was a foolish one as she gazed with squinted eyes at the small smattering of cats in front of her.

ooc note: mentioned 'group' is Coldpaw and her mentor!
​

walk "talk." thought​

penned by helly​

 

[SEDGEPOUNCE]

It's not often that large groups coalesce in the middle of the moors, but these high-traffic areas between the hunting grounds and tunnel entrances sure do get a lot of foot traffic. It's getting to be a problem, sometimes—if bumping into each other and starting arguments can be considered a problem.

Sedgepaw approaches with the rest of his patrol, wandering by with a healthy, plump hare trapped between his teeth. The bulk of the group slows to take in the burgeoning discussion at the tunnel side, and it doesn't take a genius to gather what happened. Sedgepaw drops his rabbit at his feet and smiles. He thinks someone should set up a sign or something. A skull by the tunnel, maybe—something that screams danger and foreboding. Or whatever can say: Look out! Sun-blind apprentices on the loose!

As Coldpaw gets one of those 'I'm-not-mad-I'm-just-disappointed' talks from Wolfsong, Sedgepaw is momentarily distracted by the dandelions held beneath the tom's feet. Of course, he only knows they're dandelions because he doesn't know any other yellow flowers, but he wonders what they're for. Then his gaze finds Coldpaw, and though she's all puffed up with pride, she's a tiny scrap of a thing—it's not hard to miss the little mouse trapped in her jaw, but Sedgepaw notices it nonetheless.

"Ooooh, got yourself a catch, Coldpaw?" Sedge chimes from the sidelines, grinning warmly. A lot of apprentices have been getting their first catch recently—it's a good celebration to repeat.​