Bloodlines of strength ignite fierce souls
──●◎●──
The air was crisp and biting, the kind of chill that seeped into the bones and signaled leaf-bare's looming presence. Wildcry padded ahead, her breathbarely visible in the cool morning air as she led Stormfall through chill touched underbrush. The forest around them was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves beneath their paws.
She glanced over her shoulder, her amber eye narrowing slightly as she sized him up. Today wasn’t just about hunting - it was about testing him, seeing if his boldness was backed by more than just words. Stormfall had always struck her as competent, but Wildcry wasn’t one to take things at face value. She had a sharp mind for details and an even sharper eye for flaws, and she was ready to push him to his limits.
"Keep up, Stormfall." Wildcry called over her shoulder, her pace quickening as they weaved through the bramble-strewn forest floor. " Prey’s not going to wait for us." She had scented a woodchuck burrow a couple days back, freshly taken by a fattened one readying for leaf-bare. It would be sluggish in getting ready for hibernation, but it would be a fierce foe nonetheless and their flesh was delicious.
(OOC: We will be going after difficult prey, Woodchuck! https://www.chosenofstarclan.com/prey/woodchuck/ )
28
Wildcry & Stormfall
Hunting and perhaps family business
East Thunderclan woods, near the more open area by the stream clearing
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettleplume, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat
Merrykit, ♀ Contented Kit
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlespice, ♀ Selfish Warrior
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, ♀ Striving Warrior
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
Heatherkit, ♀ Sweet Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Emberdust, ♀ Artless Warrior
Duskpaw, ♂ Opportunistic Apprentice
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Disturbed Rogue
Stormfall wove in between brambles and bush branches as he followed after Wildcry. Though he had practice in carrying his long fur through the tangled undergrowth, he still felt the occasional annoying tug of his tail catching on a thorn. Part of him wondered if Wildcry simply wanted to show off how naturally she could navigate the weeds, and he couldn't help but think, Show-off.
"Keeping up the best I can. I bet it's easier for you and your short fur," he jibed. He easily stretched himself across a small, dried-up stream as he kept his footfalls light, scenting the air every once in a while for the prey Wildcry had mentioned. "You said you found a burrow?"
Bloodlines of strength ignite fierce souls
──●◎●──
Wildcry let out a low, throaty chuckle at Stormfall's jibe, her tail flicking in mild amusement. "Short fur does have its advantages." She mused, her amber eye gleaming as she glanced back at him. "At least it'll help keep you warm during leaf-bare." There was a teasing edge to her voice.
Her paws barely made a sound as they pressed into the frosted ground, the cold earth crunching beneath her pads. "Yes, a burrow. It’s a woodchuck’s." She confirmed with a sharp nod, her pace steady as she led him toward the scent trail she'd marked days before. "Big, fat one too, readying itself for leaf-bare. It'll be slow but dangerous. We’ll need to be smart about this if we want to drag it back to camp. It'll be a feast."
Wildcry paused at the edge of a thick clump of browned foliage, her one good eye sweeping the area ahead. The scent of the woodchuck was strong now, fresh and unmistakable. She crouched low, her body coiled and ready. "We'll flush it out, but be prepared." Wildcry warned, her tone more serious now. "Woodchucks don't go down without a fight..."
With that, she flicked her tail, signaling for Stormfall to take his position opposite her. Despite the promise of a fight, or potential danger at confronting such a monster of a rodent, Wildcry was eager, and it showed from the grin that curled along her maw and twisting her whiskers.
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettleplume, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat
Merrykit, ♀ Contented Kit
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlespice, ♀ Selfish Warrior
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, ♀ Striving Warrior
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
Heatherkit, ♀ Sweet Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Emberdust, ♀ Artless Warrior
Duskpaw, ♂ Opportunistic Apprentice
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Disturbed Rogue
As the scent of woodchuck became stronger, Stormfall trained his ears, trying to detect any signs of crawling creatures. "What's the plan?" he asked as she pressed herself low. He listened to her warning, flexing his claws in the dirt with anticipation. It had been a good while since he'd gotten to take something big down.
With a now, he followed her tail flick, creeping over to the opposite side of the burrow. He moved slowly and carefully. He didn't want their prey to have any reason to stay hidden or dig itself further down. As he got into position, he brought his bulk low to the ground, muscles tensing and eyes wide with anticipation. He gave another slight nod to Wildcry to show he was ready.
Bloodlines of strength ignite fierce souls
──●◎●──
Wildcry’s grin deepened at the sight of Stormfall preparing himself, his muscles coiling beneath his thick fur. It seemed he was ready for the challenge, but she wanted to see if he had the instincts to match. Her amber eye flicked toward the burrow entrance, the scent of the woodchuck heavy in the air now.
"Simple." The lilac she-cat murmured, her voice barely audible as the wind swept through the brittle leaves above. "I’ll flush it out, you strike when it bolts. We take it down together. Aim for the neck or legs - anything to slow it down, but be careful. They kick."
With a quick flick of her tail, Wildcry crouched even lower, creeping closer to the burrow entrance. Her paws moved with silent precision, each step placed carefully on the frosted earth. A large brown nose popped from the darkness, followed by a head, and then a body. It seemed none the wiser as it started to groom itself. When she was close enough, her muscles tensed, and without warning, she darted forward, sending a cascade of dirt and leaves flying as she bolted specifically at the entrance of the burrow to prevent its escape.
The woodchuck stirred, startled, and Wildcry could feel the air as it turned, rearing up on its back feet before it made to flee into the underbrush. "Now!" Wildcry barked, her eyes gleaming with the thrill of the hunt.
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettleplume, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat
Merrykit, ♀ Contented Kit
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlespice, ♀ Selfish Warrior
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, ♀ Striving Warrior
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
Heatherkit, ♀ Sweet Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Emberdust, ♀ Artless Warrior
Duskpaw, ♂ Opportunistic Apprentice
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Disturbed Rogue
Stormfall steadied himself as he watched Wildcry creep forward, keeping as still as he could. He held himself back as he saw the creature's nose poke out. His tail tip was twitching in anticipation, eyes wide and unblinking, while Wildcry inched closer and closer.
When she darted forward, the woodchuck started, and Stormfall made his move. He leaped forward, claws extended, and barreled his mass into the sizeable creature. He dug his claws into its fur, biting into the back of its neck. He knew this first move wouldn't be enough to kill it, but he was prepared for a fight. As it squealed, twisting its body away from his claws, he kept his jaw clamped tight, searching for bone or at least a major blood vessel. He kept his ears flat as he attempted to fling the nearly-cat-sized rodent onto its back.
Bloodlines of strength ignite fierce souls
──●◎●──
Wildcry watched with keen focus as Stormfall sprang into action, his timing precise. The woodchuck squealed in fury, flailing its powerful limbs as it tried to dislodge him. Its sharp claws raked against the earth, sending clumps of dirt flying as it writhed beneath his grip. For a moment, Wildcry’s eye gleamed with satisfaction - Stormfall wasn’t just all talk. He had the strength to back it up.
But the battle wasn’t over yet.
As Stormfall wrestled with the creature, Wildcry lunged forward. She aimed for the woodchuck’s exposed throat as it reared up, but managed to clamp near its chest. The rodent shrieked louder, its attempts to escape now turning frantic, but Wildcry held firm, her teeth bared in a vicious snarl even as the woodchuck bit into the she-cats flattened ear as it tried to go for her eyes.
"Keep it pinned!" she growled through clenched jaws, twisting her body to avoid a well-aimed kick from the creature’s powerful hind legs. The woodchuck was strong, very strong, but between the two of them, it didn’t stand a chance. She scented blood in the air, and she wasn't entirely sure if it was her own or the woodchucks. Her ear might be shredded at this point, and she readjusted her bite at its throat, applying all the force she could muster.
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettleplume, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat
Merrykit, ♀ Contented Kit
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlespice, ♀ Selfish Warrior
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, ♀ Striving Warrior
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
Heatherkit, ♀ Sweet Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Emberdust, ♀ Artless Warrior
Duskpaw, ♂ Opportunistic Apprentice
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Disturbed Rogue
