REAPER OF THE OLD BAILEY [ hunting patrol ]

[SILVERSMOKE]

Re-hash the basics. That was what Orangeblossom had recommended to him before he dragged his patrol out towards the Tall Pine, he was positively bereft over being given such direction. He was convinced this would be the patrol to age him by fifty moons, surrounded by children and former WindClanners, Silversmoke didn't know what to expect other than endless chatter about whatever mundane topics interested them. Chrys and Banana were close, weren't they? And there was no doubt the WindClanners were like peas in a pod. It left the lead warrior a good breadth away from the two duos, finding he would have little to talk about with either. Blue-green eyes fixated on the largest tree ahead of them, his neck straining from the angle as the patrol grew closer and closer. Prey hadn't been detected by the maine coon so far, he wouldn't be surprised if the mere presence of his motley crew had scared off all the birds in the vicinity. No matter. He trusted Orangeblossom's directions, if this was supposed to be a training patrol more than one intended to bring back prey, then the lack of food wouldn't be the end of the world.

Stopping before reaching the landmark, the male's plumy tail raised, commanding those behind him to halt. The scent of SkyClan was still strong around the Pine, but with it, came the muddled stenches of a variety of critters. Perhaps the patrol would get lucky in spite of their inexperience, perhaps the patrol would fail spectacularly. Time would tell. Silversmoke turned his head, glancing over his shoulder towards the four. "I believe in trial and error. I could spend until sunhigh telling you what to do but I don't want to waste your time or mine. Try hunting and learn techniques that work for you. I am here if you're truly struggling, but do what feels natural to you. You'll know you're doing something wrong if you come back empty-pawed.". Bananapaw and Chrys should be fine. Dandelionwish, as a former medic, Silversmoke was unsure of. His gaze finally settled upon Daisypaw, the weakest link of the squad owing to her age. He made a mental note to stick the closest to her. "I don't care how it was in WindClan, you don't eat anything you catch, understood? Now get going."

// @CHRYSALISPAW @Bananapaw @Dandelionwish @daisypaw !

Spoiler: optional hunting rolls for ya'll!

(can be adjusted with negative modifier to have a higher chance of failure for apprentices!)

1-2: critical failure! an injury occurs.
3-5: your character fails to find anything.
6-8: your character loses track of the prey's scent.
9-11: your character engages in a chase but barely misses the prey.
12-14: success! your character catches a small prey animal.
15-18: success! your character catches a large prey animal.
19-20: critical success! your character is able to catch two prey in quick succession.

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[Honeysplash]

.°☀ But every time I see you cry

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Little white paws trailed after the silver tabby tomcat as they traversed to the Tall Pine. Deep green eyes looked up at the tree tops as they wind gave a gentle push against pale tabby fur, it was going to be a good hunting patrol! If anything, hunting was something she was okay at. Something she could do easily without having to struggle unlike that of fighting where it took more out of her to do. Bananapaw was excited though! She wanted to make Silversmoke proud with her catches! If she caught anything of course.

Bananapaw looked to the tomcat as he spoke about what they should be doing, and she glanced to Dandelionwish and Daisypaw- would they be okay? Hunting in the forest was vastly different from hunting out in the moorlands. Took more skill than running after it like she assumed they did. She leaned down to Daisypaw with a soft whisper of, "Don't worry, you'll do great!" She smiled in what she hoped was encouraging.

Then the tawny and white cat brushed past Chrysalispaw with a playful flick of her tail, then plunged into the brush beyond. No time to waste!
"SPEECH"

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With these wings of mine I'll stay awhile .°☀

⟪ OOC ⟫ ⟪ INFO ⟫ ⟪ REF ⟫

• //​
• BANANAPAW named by her mother Alice
  — she/her, 11 moons. chatty.
  — skyclan daylight apprentice, mentored by Sharpeye.
  — overly friend, likes most
  
  primary character, high activity. penned by wolf_.​
• 

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[daisypaw ! [inact.]]

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SkyClan kits weren't allowed to become apprentices until they were four moons old, rather than three moons like in WindClan, as she had learned. Daisypaw hadn't been reduced to a kit by name, but she had still been confined to camp until she was deemed old enough to be let go. It was somewhat embarrassing. She wasn't a kit!

The bicolor apprentice had stopped paying attention to patrol announcements at some point, as it wasn't as though she would be called upon any time soon. She had simply bided her time, lounging about the camp while Dandelionwish continued to heal from his injuries, idly wondering if she would get a second apprentice ceremony.

She hadn't heard Orangeblossom call her name, but it wasn't long before a warrior by the name of Silversmoke fetched her for an unexpected patrol. A hunting patrol. Her heart had lurched in her chest, a mixture of nerves and excitement. A patrol? Her? She had never caught any prey before... would she just make a fool of herself?

The fluffy she-cat stuck close to Dandelionwish's side as they set out, her whiskers quivering in anticipation and head swiveling to take in unfamiliar scenery. She had only seen this pine forest once, in the dead of night. It looked vastly different when bathed in sunlight. With no knowledge of where they were headed, she did her best to follow close.

It was a patrol of three apprentices, Daisypaw had noted at some point. Maybe it would be a training session of sorts? She hadn't had much time to get her own training with Coldsnap. The thought of her mentor made her heart twinge with familiar guilt.

Only, Silversmoke seemed to have no interest in teaching. Figure it out, good luck. Her heart sank.

Beside, her, Bananapaw whispered reassurances, and wide eyes turned up to the older apprentice. Did she really look that nervous? Rather than reply, she nodded, gaze flickering over to Dandelionwish as the patrol began to spread out. "I don't know how," she uttered quietly to the sepia tom, tone carrying a hint of a whine.​

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[Dandelionwish]

He had been training to be a warrior before a healer and he continued to keep up with honing his ability to hunt and even fight during that time as well. Many nights spent with Coldsnap, slinging claws and teaching himself maneuvers to defend himself and his den in times of strife or attacks. Needless to say, the tree clusters of this place were a farcry from the open moors of WindClan and he was certainly going to need to adapt to this new way of life sooner rather than later. Dandelionwish smiled in face of Silversmoke's very professional and gruff demeanor, he seemed an alright cat if not a bit guarded and a stickler for rules; which was alright on its own. Some cats took those traits and drove them into madness, twisted them into vicious bullying and throwing their weight around to get their way, but he didn't get that impression from the other. Mismatched eyes glanced down to Daisypaw, uncertain and nervous and he chuckled because he was too-he was just much better at hiding it than her.
"We'll learn together now, don't ya worry. Huntin' is jus' like a game o'tag! 'Cept your always it and ye ought to use surprise instead of speed. Too many trees here for us to go sprint'n after no prey."
Stealth was not something he was particularly versed in, he had long limbs and tended to lean more towards speed, but he'd learn quickly; he often did.
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