Bisexual
lunapaw🐾
If anyone knows of any good clans to join (that I'm not already active in) please message me! :)
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Post by lunapaw🐾 on Feb 28, 2023 10:44:45 GMT -5
Finchpaw camp The tom awoke with a stifled yawn, and let out a long stretch before looking around the camp. The tom snuck through the clan and made his way to the forest. Once he reached the grass, he took off sprinting into the wilderness. Creeping through the underbrush, Finchpaw spotted a small swallow. He stayed alert and crept along his haunches so as to not make too much sound. Once in range, the tom pounced on the bird and caught it swiftly. Rather impressed with himself, he buried the prey and moved along. |
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Post by thistle on Feb 28, 2023 13:06:35 GMT -5
Palegaze's head snapped around to the moor runner, still on edge and embarrassed at losing his composure. He forced his fur to lay flat, reminding himself that Sandfall hadn't done anything.
"Fine," he grit out. "Eclipsesky and I just...had a disagreement, about these kits." He didn't elaborate any further for now; no matter how upset he was with his cousin, he wouldn't speak badly of him to his Clanmates. His claws itched with the need to be out of camp and away from the tension clouding over it.
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Post by Willow on Feb 28, 2023 16:10:39 GMT -5
Sandfall frowned, he had only seen the medicine cat angry when it had to do with his brother. He huffed quietly, guessing maybe Eclipsesky was finally coming to terms with Stormfury being happy in Shadowclan with their father. "He'll come around, he's never angry for long." Sandfall mewed awkwardly, never really the comforting type. "You wanna get out of camp? I could use a walk to stretch this bad leg."
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Post by thistle on Feb 28, 2023 19:08:48 GMT -5
Palegaze sighed heavily. If only Sandfall knew the grudges his poor cousin could hold.
"Sure," he meowed, idly checking the camp for his new apprentice. He'd planned to take Finchpaw on a hunt in the afternoon after returning from his patrol, but finding the kits had put a kink in that plan. Knowing his apprentice, the young tom was probably out looking for prey on his own again. "Maybe we'll find my runaway apprentice while we're at it."
He led the way from camp, pausing at the lip of the hollow to scent the air, quickly picking up Finchpaw's scent nearby. Good, he hadn't gotten far.
"How do you do it, mentoring? I've only just been assigned Finchpaw, but I already feel like I'm doing a poor job," he meowed, asking the more experienced warrior.
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Post by Willow on Feb 28, 2023 20:30:57 GMT -5
Sandfall walked beside Palegaze, the tom limping every few steps. "Well you're training would probably be a lot different as a tunneler I would think. But just teach him what you know. Think back to when you were an apprentice, what did your mentor teach you? You could always ask Sagefoot for advice as well, I'm sure she'd be happy to help."
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Post by thistle on Feb 28, 2023 21:26:12 GMT -5
Palegaze nodded, thinking back to the way Stonepath had taught him, and the infinite patience he'd granted him. "I suppose you're right," he meowed. He raised his muzzle again as he spotted a smudge of brown and white on the next rise.
"Finchpaw!" he called, grateful the wind had eased for a moment so his voice could be heard. "Is that you? Come over here!"
He chuckled, looking over at Sandfall. "He's a good kit, can already hunt by himself for the most part," he meowed. "But he doesn't have much tunnel-hunting experience. Maybe we could find an old warren and I could show him how to flush out rabbits, and you could grab them as they come out?"
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Post by Willow on Feb 28, 2023 22:30:29 GMT -5
Sandfall nodded, waving his tail at the apprentice. "Sure, it would be good to bring back a rabbit or two with the extra kits to feed now. I've only been in the tunnels once or twice so I'll stay above ground, but anything you send my way, I can catch."
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Post by thistle on Mar 1, 2023 10:50:16 GMT -5
"Sounds like a plan," he meowed as they drew closer to his apprentice. ( lunapaw🐾 !) |
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Bisexual
lunapaw🐾
If anyone knows of any good clans to join (that I'm not already active in) please message me! :)
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Post by lunapaw🐾 on Mar 1, 2023 16:42:19 GMT -5
"Sounds like a plan," he meowed as they drew closer to his apprentice. ( lunapaw🐾 !) "Great!" Finchpaw mewed excitedly, flicking his tail. |
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Post by VIXENCLAW on Mar 1, 2023 17:00:33 GMT -5
Brownleaf blinked at Ashsong's question, looking down at his kits. He hadn't thought of names, not until now. "This is Clovekit." He spoke, dipping his nose to the first-born kit that Meadowbrook had already named, who looked so much like her. "...This one is Copperkit." He decided for the second kit, naming her for her dark ginger patches. He paused at the last kit, hesitating. He wanted to somehow include Meadowbrook in this, to choose something that she would have liked... "And this is Jaykit." He said finally, knowing how important this name was to her.
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Post by Moonblazer on Mar 1, 2023 17:51:55 GMT -5
"You're lying. The kits of-" Furyflame hissed as Grasslight had told her younger sister the news. Of course, Swiftstar would have to announce to the Clan what was going on, but Grasslight was always a bit of a gossip when it came to speaking with her family. She nudged Furyflame sharply, as though telling her to relax. Beside them, Splashstone was still, staring right at the nursery where he could see Brownleaf's fur from afar.
Meadowbrook had taught him many things, had trained him to a higher potential in the Dark Forest. He had not gone back to it for a while, but he could piece together where she was now if she did not come back with her kits. Brownleaf had brought them in alone. The heavy tom sighed softly, not sure how to feel about the death of such a dark cat, but a cat who he once genuinely saw as his friend.
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Post by thistle on Mar 1, 2023 18:38:31 GMT -5
Palegaze nodded firmly. "Right, then," he said. Turning to Sandfall, he asked, "How are the rabbits near the gorge? I'd heard that the warren that way was starting to become more active again with newleaf coming."
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Bisexual
lunapaw🐾
If anyone knows of any good clans to join (that I'm not already active in) please message me! :)
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Post by lunapaw🐾 on Mar 3, 2023 23:17:20 GMT -5
Maplepaw forest The she-cat crouched on her haunches, shifting through the undergrowth as she tracked a mouse to its burrow. She stopped occasionally to refresh the scent, inhaling deeply as she did so. She knew the mouse hadn't gone far, and carried on her pursuit. Once she had spotted the rodent, she readied herself to pounce. Taking a leap forward, the molly triumphantly swiped the mouse with her claws, catching it swiftly. "Gotcha!" She said aloud to herself, pleased with her catch. |
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Post by thistle on Mar 4, 2023 12:12:02 GMT -5
Palegaze led the way towards the gorge, glad the sun was mostly set so that his eyes weren't strained. He stopped at the base of the rise leading up to the drop before the river, motioning with his tail to the dark opening before them.
"Finchpaw," he meowed. He thought back on the things Stonepath had shown him as a new apprentice before continuing. "As a tunneling apprentice, there's a lot for you to learn." He padded up to the tunnel entrance, rubbing his paw along its edge. "For example, you need to know the differences between our tunnels, rabbit warrens, badger sets, and fox dens. What is it about this tunnel here, aside from its scent, that tells you it is one of our tunnels?"
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Post by Willow on Mar 4, 2023 21:04:21 GMT -5
Sandfall sat back, grateful for a bit of rest while Palegaze instructed Finchpaw. The tom felt a twinge of regret that he hadn't brought Dawnpaw along as well. Tunnelers and moor runners rarely hunted together, it would have been a good experience for her. He flicked his ears, promising internally to bring her next time.
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Bisexual
lunapaw🐾
If anyone knows of any good clans to join (that I'm not already active in) please message me! :)
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Post by lunapaw🐾 on Mar 4, 2023 23:24:40 GMT -5
Palegaze led the way towards the gorge, glad the sun was mostly set so that his eyes weren't strained. He stopped at the base of the rise leading up to the drop before the river, motioning with his tail to the dark opening before them. "Finchpaw," he meowed. He thought back on the things Stonepath had shown him as a new apprentice before continuing. "As a tunneling apprentice, there's a lot for you to learn." He padded up to the tunnel entrance, rubbing his paw along its edge. "For example, you need to know the differences between our tunnels, rabbit warrens, badger sets, and fox dens. What is it about this tunnel here, aside from its scent, that tells you it is one of our tunnels?" Finchpaw followed Palegaze slowly, alert and aware of his surroundings as he moved towards the gorge. He admired the sun as it set before him, and listened closely to the tom as he spoke. Finchpaw examined the tunnel entrance, a bit puzzled. "The way it's been cleared out?" Finchpaw questioned, a mere guess. He knew the difference between some dens, though sometimes he faltered and didn't know how to answer. |
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Post by thistle on Mar 5, 2023 10:40:55 GMT -5
"Good!" Palegaze said. "Yes, you can see how the entrance has been packed with soil to stabilize it and see that it's only just large enough to let the largest tunneler fit. That's to prevent any foxes or badgers from entering." He padded into the tunnel, his ears brushing the top. "Rabbit's warrens seem hastily dug, with loose soil on the ground in front of the openings. Badgers leave huge claw marks around their entrances, and foxes' dens are usually dug beneath trees and the like."
He turned to Sandfall. "I'm going to take Finchpaw into this tunnel, we'll try to flush any prey upwind to you. Sound good?"
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Post by Willow on Mar 5, 2023 15:50:44 GMT -5
Sandfall nodded, moving to hide just out of sight. “Ready when you are!” He called cheerily, dropping into a crouch to take off after the rabbit the second he saw an ear.
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Post by Moonblazer on Mar 5, 2023 16:29:26 GMT -5
(Boop!)
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Post by thistle on Mar 5, 2023 19:03:30 GMT -5
(hi Blazer!!)
Cloaked in darkness, Palegaze felt himself relax as he could lean into his stronger senses. He felt the walls of the tunnel brushing against his whiskers and relished in the scent of cool, damp earth.
"All right, Finchpaw. While you are still learning, and especially as this is the first time in the tunnels, I need you to remember this rule above all else: keep your nose to the tail of an experienced tunneler at all times."
He paused at a juncture between tunnels, sniffing the air. To their left was an old tunnel that had been closed off a couple of fox-lengths down due to instability, to their right was a tunnel that lead to more branches, but he could scent fresh air.
"Okay," he meowed. "Tell me which tunnel we should take, and why."
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Bisexual
lunapaw🐾
If anyone knows of any good clans to join (that I'm not already active in) please message me! :)
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Post by lunapaw🐾 on Mar 6, 2023 8:57:55 GMT -5
(hi Blazer!!) Cloaked in darkness, Palegaze felt himself relax as he could lean into his stronger senses. He felt the walls of the tunnel brushing against his whiskers and relished in the scent of cool, damp earth. "All right, Finchpaw. While you are still learning, and especially as this is the first time in the tunnels, I need you to remember this rule above all else: keep your nose to the tail of an experienced tunneler at all times." He paused at a juncture between tunnels, sniffing the air. To their left was an old tunnel that had been closed off a couple of fox-lengths down due to instability, to their right was a tunnel that lead to more branches, but he could scent fresh air. "Okay," he meowed. "Tell me which tunnel we should take, and why." Finchpaw stayed tense and alert as he followed Palegaze, the darkness growing on him eerily. The damp walls of the tunnel felt as though they reached out to grab him, and he could smell what seemed like mud. "Right." Finchpaw nodded in an understanding manner, and followed Palegaze's instructions carefully. He kept his nose at his tail, following him carefully through the tunnels. As Palegaze paused and sniffed the air, Finchpaw did so as well. He could smell the fresh scent of the wind creeping through the tunnels, and began to relax. "The one on the right, the one on the left is a dead end, and on the right I can smell fresh air." Finchpaw said. |
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Post by thistle on Mar 6, 2023 9:56:13 GMT -5
Palegaze's whiskers twitched. "Correct. You know, not many apprentices can tell the difference on their first try, you're very bright, Finchpaw!"
The scent of rabbit crept down the tunnel to their right, and Palegaze began to silently pad along, listening for Finchpaw's following footsteps.
"When hunting in the tunnels, it's imperative to keep yourself away from a rabbit's claws. In such close quarters, they can easily hurt you," he whispered, falling into a crouch as he spotted the opening of the tunnel, seeing the silhouette of a rabbit there. "You must chase it into a waiting warriors paws, or kill it quickly."
With that, he darted forward, paws skimming the packed earth. He didn't bother to be quiet, wanting to scare the prey out of the tunnel and into Sandfall's waiting claws.
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Bisexual
lunapaw🐾
If anyone knows of any good clans to join (that I'm not already active in) please message me! :)
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Post by lunapaw🐾 on Mar 6, 2023 10:40:23 GMT -5
Palegaze's whiskers twitched. "Correct. You know, not many apprentices can tell the difference on their first try, you're very bright, Finchpaw!" The scent of rabbit crept down the tunnel to their right, and Palegaze began to silently pad along, listening for Finchpaw's following footsteps. "When hunting in the tunnels, it's imperative to keep yourself away from a rabbit's claws. In such close quarters, they can easily hurt you," he whispered, falling into a crouch as he spotted the opening of the tunnel, seeing the silhouette of a rabbit there. "You must chase it into a waiting warriors paws, or kill it quickly." With that, he darted forward, paws skimming the packed earth. He didn't bother to be quiet, wanting to scare the prey out of the tunnel and into Sandfall's waiting claws. Finchpaw's eyes lit up at the praise. He didn't think of himself as very clever, rather observant. He could smell the scent of the rabbit in which they had been following, and he began to drool at the smell of the prey. Finchpaw listened and watched closely as Palegaze began to chase the creature out of the tunnels. He wondered if he'd be doing this with a friend one day, chasing prey out of the tunnels. |
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Post by Willow on Mar 6, 2023 16:54:44 GMT -5
Sandfall tensed getting ready to leap as he heard chaos under ground. His tail waved as he kept his balance, he could only hope he was successful with catching the rabbit so he wouldn’t make a fool of himself in front of Palegaze and Finchpaw
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Post by thistle on Mar 6, 2023 18:16:07 GMT -5
The rabbit alerted almost instantly, tearing out onto the moor with Palegaze and Finchpaw hot on its heels. Veering right, he shouted to Finchpaw, "Go left and corral it towards Sandfall!"
The golden tom was dead ahead of them, ready and waiting.
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Bisexual
lunapaw🐾
If anyone knows of any good clans to join (that I'm not already active in) please message me! :)
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Post by lunapaw🐾 on Mar 7, 2023 8:05:49 GMT -5
The rabbit alerted almost instantly, tearing out onto the moor with Palegaze and Finchpaw hot on its heels. Veering right, he shouted to Finchpaw, "Go left and corral it towards Sandfall!" The golden tom was dead ahead of them, ready and waiting. Finchpaw's nose drove him crazy at the scent of the rabbit so close to him, and his ears stood up as he stayed alert. The tom sprinted through the tunnel, quickly veering to the left at Palegaze's command. A sudden burst of energy threw him forwards, and he felt an extreme sense of belonging as he tore through the tunnel. |
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Post by Willow on Mar 8, 2023 6:56:04 GMT -5
Sandfall bolted at the rabbit the second he heard its paws hit the grass. While his leg made him slower than other moor-runners, the tom had spent many moons building up his skills to keep up. Sandfall huffed with effort as the rabbit bolted across the moor, once he was close enough he leaped, tumbling with it for a moment before delivering the killing bite.
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Post by thistle on Mar 8, 2023 10:22:18 GMT -5
Palegaze slowed to trot as he came up beside Sandfall, panting heavily. The tunneler wasn't used to displaying quick bursts of speed, but his long legs and thin frame made him more than capable. The rabbit was plump, and would likely feed the whole nursery,
"Yes," he agreed with his apprentice. "That was a great catch. Finchpaw, you did great! You're a natural."
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