Marspaw crouches low in the undergrowth, his eyes locked on a plump squirrel foraging near the roots of an old oak. His tail flicks, a slight movement betraying his excitement. He draws in a deep, steadying breath, focusing on the rhythm of his paws against the soft earth. The forest is still, the faint rustle of leaves blending with the distant chirps of birds. The squirrel moves closer, oblivious to his presence. Now! Marspaw springs, muscles coiling and releasing in one fluid motion. His claws snag the squirrel as it tries to dart away, and with a quick, precise bite, he ends its struggle. The thrill of success surges through him as he lifts his catch, pride evident in the upward tilt of his chin.
But his triumph is short-lived. A shadow moves at the edge of his vision. Before he can react, a sharp, guttural snarl fills the air, and a fox bursts from the thicket. Its reddish coat gleams in the dappled sunlight as it barrels toward him, its bright eyes fixed on the squirrel dangling from his jaws. Marspaw's fur bristles, and a hiss escapes his throat. He instinctively tightens his grip on the prey, his claws digging into the soft earth as he considers his options. The fox lunges, its teeth snapping mere whisker-lengths away. With a growl of frustration, Marspaw releases the squirrel, leaping back to avoid the predator's fangs.
The fox seizes the squirrel and retreats a few paces, seemingly pausing to glare at Marspaw before disappearing into the undergrowth, its prize clutched in its jaws. Marspaw stands frozen, his chest heaving as adrenaline courses through him. "Fox-hearted thief," he mutters, his claws kneading the ground in frustration. His tail lashes behind him, but he knows better than to chase a fox alone. With a low grumble, he shakes out his fur and begins to move again, his ears swiveling for the sounds of other prey. "That won't happen twice," he vows under his breath, determination hardening his gaze.
[ rolled a 4 for an encounter (with a fox :3), then a 12 to catch prey but lose it ]
But his triumph is short-lived. A shadow moves at the edge of his vision. Before he can react, a sharp, guttural snarl fills the air, and a fox bursts from the thicket. Its reddish coat gleams in the dappled sunlight as it barrels toward him, its bright eyes fixed on the squirrel dangling from his jaws. Marspaw's fur bristles, and a hiss escapes his throat. He instinctively tightens his grip on the prey, his claws digging into the soft earth as he considers his options. The fox lunges, its teeth snapping mere whisker-lengths away. With a growl of frustration, Marspaw releases the squirrel, leaping back to avoid the predator's fangs.
The fox seizes the squirrel and retreats a few paces, seemingly pausing to glare at Marspaw before disappearing into the undergrowth, its prize clutched in its jaws. Marspaw stands frozen, his chest heaving as adrenaline courses through him. "Fox-hearted thief," he mutters, his claws kneading the ground in frustration. His tail lashes behind him, but he knows better than to chase a fox alone. With a low grumble, he shakes out his fur and begins to move again, his ears swiveling for the sounds of other prey. "That won't happen twice," he vows under his breath, determination hardening his gaze.
[ rolled a 4 for an encounter (with a fox :3), then a 12 to catch prey but lose it ]
