Private Thread Testing Grounds

Bloodlines of strength ignite fierce souls
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  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.

Bloodlines of strength ignite fierce souls
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  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.

Bloodlines of strength ignite fierce souls
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  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.

Bloodlines of strength ignite fierce souls
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  Wildcry could feel the woodchuck’s strength waning beneath their combined assault, its thrashing turning desperate but increasingly futile. She tightened her grip, her jaws firm and unrelenting as the creature's movements grew sluggish. The taste of blood filled her mouth, a clear sign that they were nearing the end.

Stormfall's efforts were critical, keeping the woodchuck pinned and preventing its dangerous kicks from landing. With each passing moment, Wildcry could sense the creature losing its fight, its gargled breathing a clear indication that it was close to giving in. Her body coiled tighter.

For a moment, Wildcry held still, ensuring the beast was truly defeated before she released her grip and stepped back. Panting lightly, she shook out her fur, blood dripping from her muzzle as she turned her amber eye toward Stormfall. "Seemed a bit sluggish, but it still put up a good fight." She rasped, her voice gruff but laced with a hint of respect. "You handled yourself well." The tip of her ear was shredded, but it was superficial. She'd survive.

Bloodlines of strength ignite fierce souls
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  Wildcry flicked her tail as she wiped the blood from her muzzle, her breath steadying as she observed the large creature at their paws. "We make a decent team, you and I." There was a brief pause as her gaze lingered on him, something unreadable flickering in her amber eye before she turned her attention back to the woodchuck.

She prowled around the lifeless body, nudging it with her paw to assess the weight. "It'll take some muscle to haul this back" She noted, her voice gruff but businesslike. "But nothing we can't manage." She was silent for a moment, then added, almost too casually, "We can't underestimate Leaf-Bare, but I think it's the right time for my next litter, as you know." Her words hung in the air, subtle yet unmistakable.

She didn't look directly at him as she spoke, but her meaning was clear. "Strong kits, ones that can handle the cold and carry on what we’ve built here." Her tone was firm, but the hint of invitation was unmistakable.

Wildcry crouched down beside the woodchuck, preparing to lift it, her ear still stinging from the shredded tip. "But first, let's get this beast back to camp. Plenty of time to ... slip away after that."She shot Stormfall a sidelong glance, the faintest twitch of amusement curling at the edge of her muzzle.

Bloodlines of strength ignite fierce souls
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  Wildcry nodded, her gaze unwavering as Stormfall accepted her unspoken proposition. There was a sharp glint of approval in her eye; she appreciated his willingness to meet her halfway, to understand without the need for flowery words. "Good." She said simply, the roughness in her tone giving way to something softer, almost thoughtful.

Her paws dug into the earth as she positioned herself at the woodchuck's side, her muscles tensing with the familiar readiness of a seasoned warrior. "We’ll get it back. Between the two of us, there’s no prey too heavy." Wildcry’s ear flicked, the torn tip stinging in the cold breeze. She ignored it, focusing instead on the task at hand.

She crouched down, sinking her teeth into the woodchuck’s thick neck fur. With a grunt, she lifted, straining against the weight. "On three..." Muttering through its fur, her voice muffled but firm. "One, two—" With a synchronized heave, they hoisted the woodchuck onto their shoulders, the dead weight settling heavily between them.

Wildcry steadied herself, adjusting her stance. She cast a sideways glance at Stormfall, the corners of her mouth twitching in what might have been a rare, fleeting smile. "I can only imagine the looks on everyones faces when they see us bringing this back."

With that, she began to trudge forward, every step measured and deliberate, as if she were already envisioning the future she was determined to forge.