camp HOME FOR A REST ↷ PATROLS

[smogstar]

Sanguine eyes bathe the clearing in their study, equally unblinking and insistent. Leaf-bare's icy claws have found purchase in their lands, and in the days ahead, they will pull the grass away and freeze the mire solid. The frigid nip in the air is an omen, a premonition for what is to come: bellies teetering on emptiness, limbs gaunt and atremble.

Prey is scarce as is in this sodden marsh. The nearing season will only serve to steal the food from their hunting grounds, and all it affords them in return is a reason to pray.

"Gather around, all'a youse," decrees the deputy, who lingers in Clanrock's shadow. Tension grips his shoulders, and a subtle current of unease marks his words. "It's patrol time. So stand at attention, and try not to move too much while I count heads—I'm a wee bit tired." Same old, same old. Insomnia clings to him like age-brittled lichen. What with the ongoing search efforts and all, sleep eludes him even more stubbornly. A lingering sensation tugs at him, saying that their return is overdue—but time operates on its own rhythm, and shouldn't be questioned.

Impatience animates his tail just a little. "Startin' off with me," he begins. "I'm takin' @ASHENPAW, @DOGFUR, @Garlicpaw, @COYOTETOOTH, @scalejaw, @FLINTPAW, @lilacfur, and @GHOSTPAW. out ThunderClan ways. Thinkin' optimistically here, but our mouthes'll be too full of prey to talk to 'em. All the same, we're going to be on our best behaviour." Brows pinch together then, in what appears to be an effort to instill further emphasis.

"Next." In an owl-like motion, he pivots his focus so that lands on their snow-kissed lead warrior. "I've a special job for you, @Frostbite. You've a pretty agreeable reputation, I'd say. People listen to you. So, you're going to politely ask WindClan for Sabletuft's body back. We'll consider it a gesture of goodwill if they listen." The mysterious dance of time waltzes onward. "Take @ROOSTERSTRUT, @Skunktail, @Briarpaw., @DEERPAW, and @Swanpaw, please and thanks."

That's their diplomatic outings ticked off the agenda. Task accomplished. Now, onto the next point of order. "We need that pile" - his muzzle revolves towards their meagre fresh-kill reserves - "to be overflowing. Memories of last Leaf-bare still haunt my dreams." A barefaced lie. So rare is his sleep that there's no room for dreams. "@FORESTSHADE, you're in charge of keeping us fed. Have your two apprentices accompany you on a hunting patrol, and bring @sprucepaw, @POPPYPAW, @Maggotfur., and @MURKYPAW along for the ride."

An unceremonious clearing of the throat follows this, and his gaze rests on everyone and no-one in particular. "@GRANITEPELT, go to Carrionplace." The demand hangs in the air for an ensuing moment. "Sharpen up everyone's rat-hunting prowess, or tear open a crowfood pouch if you're not feelin' up to that. We're going to need to look for alternative food sources 'n whatnot 'cause of the coming season. Oh, and-uh, you'll have @APPLEPAW, @DOGSNARL, @SERPENTGRIN, @Scorchedmoon, @SCREECHPAW, and @SHARPSHADOW taggin' along."


// TC PATROL: Smogmaw, Ashenpaw, Dogfur, Coyotetooth, Scalejaw, Flintpaw, Lilacfur, and Ghostpaw.
// WC BODY RETRIEVAL PATROL: Frostbite, Roosterstrut, Skunktail, Briarpaw, Deerpaw, and Swanpaw.
// HUNTING PATROL: Forestshade, @orchidpaw, @Sweetpaw, Sprucepaw, Poppypaw, Maggotfur, and Murkypaw.
// CARRIONPLACE FIELD TRIP: Granitepelt, Applepaw, Dogsnarl, Serpentgrin, Scorchedmoon, Screechpaw, and Sharpshadow. ​

 

[FORESTSHADE]

Forestshade strolls towards the call of patrols, fluffy tail flicking against the heels of her clanmates so she doesn’t bump into them. Her sleepiness is evident in her face, heavy as she yawns. Her ears twitch as she’s ordered to take charge of the day’s hunting - the usual for her. Well, not always to be in charge, so that is enough to fill her with a bit of pride. That is, until she hears how many apprentices she’s dragging along with her.

“I didn’t ask to be put on babysitting duty,” She complains bluntly, realizing Maggotfur is the only warrior set to attend her patrol along with five apprentices. “What about their mentors?” Her two apprentices are fine, but she isn’t exactly eager to take everyone else’s apprentice out with her!​

 

[smogstar]

A grievance. It's almost unfamiliar territory for the deputy. Smogmaw's words carry such weight that all ears within reach perk up in attentive accord, whether they fancy it or not. Perhaps he'd receive the complaint with more lenience had he just expressed an unsavoury opinion; but this is an explicit order. Eyebrows knit in a delicate mannerism, wrinkling forehead fur. "What about their mentors?" he echoes, while trying to meet a gaze that he knows will not receive his own.

Funny. Balking at taking apprentices under her wing contradicts the image of a skilled hunter, does it not? Lest her capacity as one has dwindled since he last checked. A languid blink conveys his disinterest. "Let's get you up to speed, seein' how you're a little behind." Amused indifference shines in his eyes as he seeks out Poppypaw in the fray. "Stumpyspots isn't alive no more, Forestshade. Forward your complaints to the stars for that one." Disapproval may be discerned in the flatness of his tone, not anger. "You're taking Poppypaw and Murkypaw, like it or lump it."

If fate smiles their way, both cats will receive new mentors in the coming meeting. "Sharpshadow," he mouthes abruptly, focus lurching towards his former protégé. "You may accompany her on the hunting patrol if you desire." Tit-for-tat. He must endure her griping, and in turn he's given the privilege to demean; she's given another body for her patrol, as she wished, albeit a neurotic one. ​

 

[scalejaw]

—————————————————【 she/her | menacing 】————————————————

【◈】 Smogmaw gathers them like fish in a can- not that she knew what that was- and she came as called. Weary paws settled themselves down, head tilting forward as a small sigh left her. And names and times and places were rattled off- ones that included herself and her apprentice. Vision shifted to search for the son of Granitepelt, then swung back towards Smogmaw. "Kay." She called in response.

"yuh"

[penned by dallas].

​

 

[FORESTSHADE]

Smogmaw’s reply earns a narrow-eyed blind glare somewhere past his face. Her tail twitches in irritation, and she still doesn’t understand how her former mentor made this guy deputy. His patrol assignments suck more than the mud does at her paws. Sending five apprentices with two warriors is just about the silliest thing she’s heard, but the addition of Sharpshadow is at least somewhat compromising. “Thanks,” She mews back curtly, a note of sass in her voice. Toad-brain.

The torbie spins on her heels and moves through the gathering of cats to find her apprentices, glad to be out of the irritating tom’s presence.​