pafp words, wars and symphonies .. HUNT

[hollowcreek]

( ✧ ) Another patrol to hunt in- Hollowcreek was growing tired of chasing after rabbits now. He found himself much better suited for simple patrolling and assessing and assisting with training apprentices but with the temperatures dropping he wouldn't deny he was needed to at least try just as much as any other warrior. It was uncomfortable, though, knowing practically every other Moor Runner had him beat in terms of hunting skill. It was no secret, he would never deny it either, but his allegiances have caused him more scrutiny than usual.

His preferred method always included a tunneler. Endurance was simply not meant for Hollowcreeks build and working with another gained more favorite outcomes than not. He had snagged Peonypaw away to do just that. A tall patch of brittle wheat had granted him coverage where the apprentice had ducked underground. Rabbit tracks over frost-bitten dirt led him through the growth, paws carefully placed to not thud and alert whatever was nearby. He held his breath as he saw the dusty brown fur of a rabbit ahead, not far from the maw of the tunnel Peonypaw would be perched in.

Another step forward- snap! - Shit. A pesky twig caught under a large paw, Hollowcreek couldn't give up. He burst from the wheat after the rabbit as it began to flee and flung his body aside to herd it back toward the apprentice. His teeth clenched together in seething anger as his claws dug into the earth, hauling himself over the field. Pale eyes flickered back and forth between the rabbit and the direction of the tunnel as they grew closer to it, waiting, hoping the apprentice had crawled through in time to be there and finish it off.

@PEONYPAW
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( I SEE YOUR COLLARBONE ; AND WANNA LOSE CONTROL )

 

[PEONYBREEZE]

❀༉˖° Pairing up with a moor runner was a nice change of pace; Hollowcreek was not one Peonypaw often found himself out in the moors with, but the warrior was dutiful enough that it was viewed as something positive. At least he had the chance to get away from judgmental eyes, too. As if they could've done better.

In sharp contrast to him, Peonypaw enjoyed the act of hunting. It didn't feel repetitive, not when each and every single bit of prey meant his Clanmates would not get to sleep with a hungry belly. Time was their enemy now with leafbare coming in to waltz over the territories. The more they slacked on hunting, the further prey would dive into the ground and their safe little nests, away from the reach of determined claws.

Peonypaw had stalked away and hid himself within the mouth of a tunnel, body tense as he waited for Hollowcreek to move.

Snap.

A quiet tsk escaped from his maw, assuming it had been a twig that definitely got the attention of the hare, making the pair lose the element of surprise.

His ears angled themselves towards the direction of the tussle, trying to gauge what was happening. He couldn't get out too early or the rabbit would change directions and run- and Peonypaw was no moor runner, of course. Claws unsheathed, Peonypaw darted forward the moment he felt the thum thum thum of their prey's strong hind legs hit the ground, and-

A squeak of surprise escaped the thing, but it had either been too fast, or Peonypaw had miscalculated. His claws missed its flank by half a whisker, and he struggled to change positions to snatch or bite it. Ultimately, it didn't matter; the rabbit fought for its survival with speed, and it whisked past him and into the deeper parts of the tunnel. Turning and following it would be pointless - it moved quicker than he would in there, and the last thing he wanted was to get caved-in upon due to an impulsive decision.

"Haredung!" Peonypaw spat, climbing out of the tunnel. His fur felt hot with shame and adrenaline, eyes glaring daggers into the ground rather than Hollowcreek. "I couldn't catch it."

°
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