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Post by Dreamgate on Feb 8, 2018 20:49:47 GMT
Mossypath padded up to the tom purring delightfully before dropping her catch at her paws. She was sure the tom had seen her whole catch - and she secretly wished she could see herself. Her display must've been hilarious for Leopardstrike, and though Mossypath is very prideful and always wants to be seen a certain way, she couldn't help but join in the laughter with Leopardstrike.
"Was it really that bad?" She asked, glancing back at where she caught the mouse. Before there had been a neat pile of leaves in which the mouse she'd caught had been rustling through. Now the leaves had been strewn across the Earth - and she thought she saw some dirt on a few leaves which she had probably scattered at her hunt.
Before she was laughing, now Mossypath felt shame prickling at her pelt. It was really bad. The small clearing looked as if a fox and a badger had wrestled in the pile of leaves. The blue-grey she-cat perked up her ears and strained them to hear any sign of prey. Nothing. She hoped that she just had bad hearing and not that she had scared away everything by The Hollow Hazel.
She looked at the silver tom with a horrid expression. Did she ruin the hunt? Did she just ensure that the clan has no food tonight? Will Leopardstrike tell every cat about this? She should've just stayed at camp! But duties needed to be done!
Mossypath sighed to herself. What a disgrace.
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Post by Greymuzzles on Feb 9, 2018 20:33:01 GMT
Teasing a cat one barely knew was rarely a sensible move, but he’d not been able to clamp down on the impulse nor stop the light-hearted words. In truth they’d escaped him before he’d had chance to think, and once they were out there was nothing he could do to take them back – and little time even for concern before the she-cat’s response was turned his way. Thankfully, he proved lucky. Mossypath’s laughter found his ears even as the shape of his error fully formed in his mind, and it’s very presence was enough to reassure him: to press that same concern aside.
She’d not laugh if she were offended. No; she’d probably have clawed his ears already, and that thought—the lack of that very action—only encouraged his humour, drawing further light words from his mouth.
“It certainly wasn’t the usual way to catch a mouse—but you did catch it.” He purred lightly, previous mentoring experience making it easy for him to be charitable despite the fact that Mossypath was a full warrior. Treeclan had never expected its Boars to be good hunters, after all, and kindness came more naturally to him than spite. Even so, he couldn’t stop himself from scanning the forest floor again as the words left him, and he confirmed in a moment that there’d be no more prey found here. He’d be amazed if anything had stuck around after that—and as he looked back to Mossypath he guessed that she must have realised that same fact herself, for the amusement had melted from her in an instant, leaving her looking decidedly down.
That was no good.
“Cheer up, Mossypath,” he offered a smile as he padded forwards, not daring to risk more potent gestures. A tail-tap or friendly nudge might do good in most situations of this nature, but it would be foolhardy to apply them to a clanmate who was, to all intents and purposes, a stranger. Better to stick to words—and ignore the tiny spark of sadness that flickered within him at the thought that so many of his clan could be so…distant.
“There’s a whole forest to try—and if that fails there’s always the plains.”
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Post by Dreamgate on Feb 16, 2018 14:48:49 GMT
Mossypath nodded, standing up straighter and gazing around the clearing. She narrowed her eyes and looked stern - this was the usual technique she'd do to avoid appearing weak and glum. She always tries to imagine herself as a leader, this helps loads when she thinks of ways to act when sad or happy - she doesn't enjoy expressing her emotions too much other than the small jokes, laughs and a few sympathetic words.
She looked down at her mouse and hesitantly picked it up. She looked at Leopardstrike, "Well, I better not hunt anymore. I don't want to scare all of the prey in the forest and plains." She mumbled.
The blue-grey she-cat knew she wasn't a good hunter, and she certainly didn't expect her to catch anything, but she didn't realise how bad she actually was. Leopardstrike had probably seen new apprentices do much better than her.
Mossypath shook her head and looked at Leopardstrike, smiling slightly at the tom. "Since we seem to be done here, thanks to me, why not lead the way to the next area - and don't worry, you can hunt first this time. Way more practical."
OOC : I haven't roleplayed in so long that I've practically forgotten how to. Sorry if this wasn't very good!
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Post by Greymuzzles on Feb 17, 2018 15:31:37 GMT
His words seemed to do some good, and for that he was grateful – even if that good was small. The she-cat had certainly seemed to perk up, but she also drew herself into a sterner visage; a stance that didn’t fit the encouragement he’d tried to give. This new look wasn’t good, he was sure, but her relaxation was, and the combination of the two left him at something of a loss as to what he should do. This, he supposed, was another reason why the branches stayed apart. It was so much harder to understand a Boar than it was a Bird, and that very fact made it difficult to judge the right response: ensured that the tom could find nothing to do but stare, head tilted, as he tried to work round this latest change. He knew it was neither the right reaction nor a good one, but his brain refused to offer some alternative—not until the she-cat herself passed him a nod; spoke a few more mumbled words. Perhaps his reassurances hadn’t worked as well as he’d thought… But there was little he could do about that, for this was no apprentice; no young cat who could be brightened with such simple comments. He’d just have to hope her mood didn’t grow worse. Sighing to himself—and leaving her mutterings unanswered, for the time being—Leopardstrike set his mind on the question of where to hunt. He didn’t want Mossypath to forgo the task completely, for then she’d likely feel no better than a trailing kit, but if her first display was anything to go by then he’d need to avoid any spot likely to hold other cats – and give up on any idea of hunting in one place. It would probably be better to rove the forest and hunt as they went, if only because that tactic might lessen the she-cats embarrassment should she make a similar charge after prey. Their moving on would be less obviously ‘her fault’ if they were already wandering… Yes. That was what they’d do: and now he’d thought of it, Leopardstrike counted himself a fool for not applying that tactic from the start. Still, there was little he could do about that now, so the tom attempted to cast aside the thought and give Mossypath another, smaller smile. “Let’s just head east,” he suggested, already turning his paws that way. “If either of us find something, then we can go after it. If not, we just keep going.”Ooc: Your post's fine, Dreamgate--just keep doing your best  |
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Post by Dreamgate on Feb 18, 2018 19:55:12 GMT
Mossypath had taken note of the tom's reaction to her change in mood. The blue-grey she-cat wanted to explain her reasoning for this, but it would be an even bigger embarrassment. She just shrugged it off, he might as well get used to it - this is common for me to do, she thought to herself as she padded after Leopardstrike.
As the two made their trek through the forest heading East, Mossypath heard scurrying in front of them. She lifted her chin and sniffed the air - to her surprise it was a Blackbird. Mossypath glanced at Leopardstrike to see if he also scents or hears the bird.
While the tom's not looking Mossypath slowly steps back two pawsteps - though it wouldn't be likely that the tom would ask her to catch the bird, she'd rather have an unspoken excuse to not catch it than not to have one. It wasn't that she didn't want to hunt, it's more that she didn't want her pride and dignity to get ruined by another horrible catch than it already has. Being a Boar means being seen as strong, brave and serious. Being a Boar also means that you are not agile or swift - meaning that Boars can easily make themselves look like fools if they ever attempt anything but fighting. Unfortunately, Mossypath had done exactly that - hunt.
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Post by Greymuzzles on Feb 22, 2018 23:28:54 GMT
He received no answer, and that left him, at first, a little concerned. Something had indeed changed within the she-cat’s manner, but he was as clueless as to that change’s meaning as he had been before, and that made it hard to guess the meaning behind her silence. Was this simple wordless acceptance of his suggestion, or silent irritation at what had been said before—at a guessed-at motive of his latest idea? He couldn’t know, and that left him with little option but to make a choice and hope it might prove good…
Leopardstrike took the only one he could; he accepted her silence and padded onwards, making no further effort to talk. It was difficult to keep a conversation going when one wasn’t really sure how their words were being received, and it seemed, for the time being, safer to leave the sounds of the forest to accompany their forms. At least that way it wouldn’t be possible for him to say something that might offend Mossypath still further—if he had indeed offended her—and thankfully he had a ready-made excuse for muteness. They were, after all, meant to be hunting, and chatter could so very easily mask the soft passage of prey. But for the time being he needed no excuse—
And it wasn’t too much longer before the tom’s ears pricked, pinpointing a rustling that couldn’t have been made by the wind.
Leopardstrike parted his jaws, pausing just long enough to draw in the scent. It was a blackbird, and he flicked his tail just once in silent approval—and signal to Mossypath—before he dropped into a crouch and set all his attention upon the unsuspecting bird. It was as yet out of his sight, but that wasn’t a problem; scent and its own quick steps were all the guidance he needed to find it, and he crept forwards quickly, pausing only once it was beneath his eyes.
The bird was still unaware of his presence. That bought him a little time, and the tom considered a moment before he edged still closer, aiming to narrow the gap. Wings trumped paws, he knew, and he wasn’t quite as agile as others of his branch; wasn’t willing to pounce from as far as others might. Experience told him it wasn’t worth it. Experience warned him to get closer—
And to leap as the bird fluttered its wings, about to take to the air.
He wasn’t sure if it had detected him, but it didn’t matter. The spotted tom’s approach had already paid off, and one heavy paw swiped the blackbird to the ground almost before it had begun its flight. Better, the double impact of paw and earth was enough to stun the smaller creature, and Leopardstrike finished it off with a single quick bite.
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Post by Dreamgate on Feb 24, 2018 20:56:06 GMT
Mossypath's jaw dropped as she watched Leopardstrike leap into the air and grab the bird out of the sky before landing gracefully and elegantly. The blue-grey she-cat knew that cats of the Bird branch were excellent hunters, but she never actually took the time and observe the execution of their clanmate's skills. Having seen everything happen right in front of her, she couldn't help but stare in awe. A new found respect for her fellow Birds has blossomed within her.
Quickly, Mossypath closed her mouth and shook her head to avoid getting caught staring awkwardly. Smiling, she padded up to her clanmate. "That was an amazing catch! I never knew Birds were so good at hunting - well, I knew they're much better than us Boars, but I never really knew by how much," she praised the silver tom, a purr rising inside her. Her serious demeanour went away as fast at it arrived, and she knew that Leopardstrike would want to know why her mood is changing constantly. But Mossypath doesn't know herself - it just must be a bad day for her today, which would make sense.
The blue she-cat began to trek onward the direction the two were hunting. She couldn't scent any prey lurking nearby so she sadfely assumed that the Blackbird was the only possible find.
Mossypath was a few steps ahead of Leopardstrike for a change, and upon watching the spectacular hunting performance she felt as if she herself could execute such skill - though very unlikely. She felt much more confident than before, though still sulking a bit, she wanted to see if she could carry out a not-so-horrible hunt.
The blue she-cat's ears perked up as she heard scuffling inside a hollow log. She parted her jaws and let scent flow in. Mouse. The same prey-item she tried catching earlier an failed. She felt reluctant to go on as she didn't want to fail once more, so she looked back at Leopardstrike, striking him a gaze which asked him 'who's catch is this?'
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Post by Greymuzzles on Feb 27, 2018 13:08:59 GMT
It was a good catch, if he didn’t say so himself, and he purred softly as he looked over the fallen bird; reflected briefly on his approach and noted, with satisfaction, that the animal had a good amount of meat on its bones. It wasn’t as plump as it might be were it later in the season, but he could already see the work newleaf had wrought upon it, and he was sure it would make some cat a decent meal. That was what was important, and with that alone he could be perfectly content—
But he couldn’t deny that Mossypath’s eager praise bolstered him all the more.
He wasn’t some new-made warrior looking for an opportunity to prove himself, but even so he was pleased by the Boar’s response; couldn’t help but loose a louder purr as he turned his eyes to her form. Everyone liked a little praise from time to time, and he was no different—in fact, the words seemed almost sweeter for having been spoken by one of the opposite branch, for it was hard, somehow, to see a Boar admiring a hunter’s skills. But then, he knew little of those same cats, and Mossypath’s apparent changeability only underlined that fact.
“Thanks,” he tired to ignore the feeling that he’d never be fully able to understand this she or any other Boar; focused, instead, on the warmth bought by her words. That was a much easier matter to deal with than her shifting mood, and it wasn’t long before more words of his own were tumbling forth. “You should see Bramblefur hunt. I swear he could leap up and swipe a squirrel right out of the branches, if he wanted.”
Leopardstrike glanced upwards as he spoke, half-picturing his former mentor doing just that before he recalled himself to reality; flashed a wry look Mossypath’s way. Bramblefur was a better hunter than him, whether through greater experience or agility—or both—but it occurred, a moment too late, that it mightn’t be so good to draw the she-cat’s mind to such facts. If she thought that little manoeuvre amazing, then how would she feel to know that the clan held better than him, when she herself had made such a mess of catching a mouse? He didn’t want her feeling any worse about that than she already did…
But it seemed that the Boar’s attention had already drifted some other way, so perhaps she hadn’t even noticed the slip; perhaps this latest mistake would go ignored. He hoped so, and in an effort to brush his own comment away he busied himself quickly in caching the blackbird, trying to pretend that ‘thanks’ had, indeed, been all he’d had to say. By that time Mossypath had drawn a good ways ahead of him, and when he drew near her once more it was to discover that she’d noted some further piece of scurrying prey; was even then looking his way.
Again Leopardstrike paused, quickly scenting the air as he detected something of the question within her gaze. It was mouse—a chance for her to do a little better than before—and he dipped his head in quick encouragement as he recaptured her gaze. Murmured a careful “just go softly,” the he hoped might nudge her towards success.
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Post by Dreamgate on Feb 27, 2018 16:26:26 GMT
Mossypath nodded at the tom's encouragement and slowly crept towards the log in which the mouse scurried around. It was funny, really, how the she-cat had to look over to Leopardstrike for support much like an apprentice would look at their mentor. But this didn't bother Mossypath much, she knew that she needed practice if she ever wanted to get moderately good at hunting. When an apprentice, Mossypath didn't think she needed to do much hunting as she always thought of Birds as the clan's hunters - meaning her, a Boar, didn't need to hunt. Looking back now, Mossypath regrets thinking that way now that she's hunting and it proves to be much harder than it looks.
But she had to forget about the horrible catch earlier and focus on the mouse right now. She paused near the end of the log and carefully peered inside. There it was. The mouse seemed to be eating nuts of some sort - that's good, the plumper the mouse the fuller the clan.
Mossypath didn't want to risk making a move towards the rodent in fear of scaring it away since it was so deep in the log. Instead she waited at the end of it for a few moments before the mouse poked it's head out. The blue-grey she-cat hid further behind the log and waited until the mouse was fully out. Once the critter started to make it's journey back home, Mossypath leaped up and onto the mouse. Her claw caught the tail of the rodent but it loosened and got free - luckily, before it could start booking it Mossypath caught it with her other paw, killing it with a final bite.
She purred as she looked at her mouse and then at Leopardstrike - she done much better, though she did almost lose the mouse, she caught it without making a mess in the end. She picked up her catch and padded back to the silver tom, purring.
"How'd I do?"
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Post by Greymuzzles on Mar 1, 2018 22:20:56 GMT
Those few words were apparently all the she-cat needed, and it was but a moment longer before she turned back to the mouse; attempted a second hunt. At that a touch of quiet satisfaction bloomed within Leopardstrike again, for it was good to see his encouragement take hold so fast and with such success: good to see that the Boar was still willing to try. She might not be the best of hunters, but just making an effort immediately placed her ahead of others of her branch—and if she was willing to take a Bird’s advice then all the better. Instruction was as important to improvement as experience, after all…
And she had improved, even with that small, basic tip.
The she-cat’s steps were softer, this time, and Leopardstrike nodded to himself as he sank lower into the foliage, watching her progress. She could still be quieter, were she more practiced, but even so she made it the mouse without alerting it to her presence – and he was pleased to see that she was taking her time, too. That alone was an achievement, and he found his satisfaction swelling as he watched her: felt a glow not unlike that he had previously felt when watching the progress of his apprentices, albeit one of much smaller scale.
Then she made her pounce, and the tom winced as the mouse released a high, fearful squeak; broke free of her claws—
But she caught it all the same. It was a quick catch—a stark contrast to her earlier headstrong race—and though he knew that that one cry would have ended all hope of finding more prey in this spot, that didn’t detract from the improvement she’d made. At least the forest floor wasn’t strewn with leaves, this time—and that squeak might not have carried as far as her previous charge. Besides, he didn’t have the heart to be overly critical when the she-cat returned to him, now purring with delight and fixing him with bright eyes. So he wasn’t. He merely purred right back as he stood to his full height, answering with a simple—and very true—“much better!”
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Post by Dreamgate on Mar 2, 2018 16:25:23 GMT
The blue-grey she-cat smiled. She was certainly satisfied with this catch, though obviously she showed much room for improvement it was clear to both cats that this attempt wasn't as disastrous as the previous. Mossypath padded back onto the main path they're taking and she dropped her newly caught mouse beside the older one.
"Should I take these two with or bury them here and then come back later?" She asked, looking over at Leopardstrike. She knew she was relying too much on the tom but she hadn't paid much attention to her hunting lessons as an apprentice and so she couldn't make her own decisions on what to do with her catches. Personally, Mossypath thinks she'd better take the two with to avoid them getting taken by whatever lurks around here, but she'd prefer a second and a more expert opinion on the subject.
Because of this hunting trip, Mossypath had actually begun to wonder how her other clanmates hunt - and in truth, she actually is thinking on going more of these trips. She by no means wants to become a hunter, no - Mossypath loves being a fighter but she also wants to at least be not bad[/b] at hunting like she is now. It will save her from any future embarrassments, that's for sure.
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Post by Greymuzzles on Mar 4, 2018 19:25:57 GMT
He was answered with a smile, and he knew instantly that he’d made the right choice; that those two little words were the best he could ever have picked. Her returned enthusiasm and brightened mood were even easier to see, now, and that alone made the staying of his criticism very much worth the price it similarly brought, for it was better by far to see the she-cat happy than leave her in a darkened mood. She made a better companion, for one – and maybe, just maybe, she’d be all the more willing to learn, too.
As if to prove just that, Mossypath even then turned a new question his way, and though it was basic his own spirits were even further raised. He might have looked down on her for not knowing something so simple, true, but instead Leopardstrike felt almost honoured to be, for the moment, a cat she would ask that question of at all. It couldn’t be easy for a grown warrior to need another’s support in these matters, so he tried his best to keep his answering “you should burry them,” as unpatronizing as he could. Strove to sound a helpful clanmate rather than a mentor even as the reason rolled from his tongue.
“If you carry them around you’ll soon smell nothing but mouse. A rabbit could run right by you and you mightn’t even notice!” He finished with a purr, trying to highlight the joke that lingered within his words – and knowing, too, that even the jest wasn’t so far from the truth.
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Post by Dreamgate on Mar 4, 2018 21:12:08 GMT
"I suppose so, but at least you would be there to catch it!"
She purred to the tom before digging at the ground to create a small dip in the floor. She then dropped her catches in it and then buried them with dirt and leaves. Mossypath recognised the fact the tom had been very careful with his words throughout their trek, trying to not insult her by using jokes instead of constructive criticism in hopes to to not upset her. Some cats would, in fact, be upset with any cat being careful with their words around them in fear of angering them, but Mossypath saw no need to bring conflict into the patrol since she was having a blast with Leopardstrike - she enjoyed getting to know the tom and being able to learn the things she was foolish enough to dismiss.
Mossypath turned round and started to pad onward into the direction they previously headed in, glancing at Leopardstrike. "Should we continue?" She asked, slowing down her steps while waiting for the tom to join her and continue their travelling. Once he joined her, Mossypath gazed around the area - peering into bushes and leaves to spot any minor movements which could indicate any sort of prey around. Whilst looking for something to catch, she began to wonder what she could find next. 'Mouse? Hmm, hopefully not. I already caught two and the clan isn't really fond of mice. I hope Leopardstrike finds another bird, that seems to be everyone's top pick'.
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Post by Greymuzzles on Mar 5, 2018 13:38:03 GMT
“True—but I might get distracted by the mouse-scent, too,” he laughed, pleased at how easily she threw the joke back at him; at her apparent willingness to keep the lighter airs in place. He hadn’t expected to find that trait in a Boar: the others always seemed so serious, and even Tigerheart was not so quick to give up a sourer mood such as the one Mossypath had held not so long before. But then, his sister perhaps wasn’t the best personality by which to judge the branch, and he’d not, in truth, made much effort to mix with other Boars until today.
Perhaps that would have to change.
For now, however, he was perfectly content with the company he had, and despite the earlier hiccoughs he was beginning to grow glad for whatever impulse had led the she-cat his way. It was nice to spend time with someone ‘new’, and so his bright “absolutely” was quick to come – and exactly as enthusiastic as it seemed. He might not catch as much with Mossypath as he might with a fellow Bird, but the sacrifice, for now, was beginning to seem worth-while.
“I’m sure there’s plenty more mice where those two came from. Maybe some other prey, too,” he purred as he caught up with her, half-watching her scanning the surrounding brush. That was a good sign, too—at least so far as hunting was concerned—but for the moment he turned his own attention mainly to the path ahead. The squeak of that last mouse would most certainly have drive away whatever else might have lingered within this patch of forest, so there was little point lingering: a fact he quietly accepted simply by pushing on along the trail.
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Post by Dreamgate on Mar 5, 2018 16:25:22 GMT
Mossypath nodded at the tom's response, she was too busy observing every minor detail of the forestry. In all honesty, at this point she wasn't look for prey - by Leopardstrike's lack of interest in anything around here told her that they won't find much around here. Instead, Mossypath was taking in the beautiful sights of the forest. Other than being in the battle field, she enjoyed to stroll through the forest and listen to the distant calls of birds and the buzzing of bees - it was calming and it always put her in good mood whenever she's frustrated. But she had to snap out of her peaceful trance, she was slowing down as she gushed at the woods and she didn't want to have Leopardstrike waiting for her so she sped up to walk with Leopardstrike at the same speed.
As she padded beside Leopardstrike, she thought back to earlier today when she just asked to join Leopardstrike on the hunt. She felt foolish of coming along, and was scared that she couldn't trust her own clanmate! And even later on she embarrassed herself in front of him - she was convinced that he will tell everyone about her messy catch. At some point she began regretting even coming. But now, she felt happy - able to get to know a clanmate and a whole branch too.
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