- Mar 21, 2024
- 14
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Life as an apprentice had only recently come to an end for the flame point and, though he was grateful for the tutelage of his mentor, having more freedom to spend his time as he wished when off-duty was a Star-blessed concept. He'd never liked having to do all the extra tasks his mentor had demanded of him but they'd been done without hesitation, perhaps some sort of penance for running his mouth at other apprentices, perhaps because he didn't know anything other than doing what was told. When the dawn patrols were finished, lounging in RiverClan's camp had been a big priority come midday, and the tom had basked in the sun like a cold-blooded creature for most of the hour. An inner peace drowned out the sounds of kittens playing nearby, but a fresh smell wafted past his nostrils just when it seemed nothing could stir him. Pale blue eyes opened to watch a clanmate delivering a freshly caught fish to a dwindling pile of them, plumper than anything else on there. Quickjaw's jowls began to ache before he realised his mouth was watering - there were other benefits to being a warrior, no more relinquishing kills to grown-ups.
At least... that was the way it was supposed to be once the old and young were fed. Out of the corner of his eye, Quickjaw spotted another with a hungry look, gawking at the drum as if their life depended on getting that prey. Their steps were casual, as if not expecting any competition, and the sepia flame point rolled onto his belly and entered a crouch. With the wiggle of spiky haunches, he bolted forward, carving through camp like a path of lightning. Ears fluttered at the attention he received from a few onlookers, what was pride in his speed to some may have been confusion to others about what in StarClan's name he was doing, but Quickjaw wasn't above making a spectacle. Age had mellowed the worst of his attention-seeking, but it hadn't eliminated it. Just as he saw the other about to reach their prize, Quickjaw snatched the fish up and bounced a fox tail away, spinning to face the other with a wild look in his eye. "Oops, too slow!" An impudent grin stretched across Quickjaw's maw, teeth flashing behind the large piece of prey he'd picked for himself. "Maybe I'll share if you say please," he teased.