Post by Heron on Aug 23, 2015 0:44:35 GMT -5
It was quieter than usual. The sun was set high and the winds were blowing furiously; a clear signal that it was just after mid-day. Prey on the low side of the hill were waiting; eating, unsuspecting. They were not aware -- even after all this time -- that this was a graveyard for them, and that bigger things lurked where they could not see. A predator with incredible patience mounted herself on the top of the hill, watching the meadow which the hill overlooked. Without a care, a silver-furred rabbit raced into the meadow, its nose pressed firmly against the lush grass it grazed. Every now and then it would stop to give the area a scan, and then busy itself with only twitching ears. For the predator, it was time. The long-legged cat broke into a hurried trot, melting into a race as it leaped down into the meadow, claws ready to strike the rabbit. The rabbit, now clearly in danger, bolted for the safety of the trees. The pursuer, however, was a WhisperClan cat; one particularly great at catching rabbits. It was her favorite thing to do, for rabbits were just like she; relying on vibration rather than sound. Instead of the typical noise, this cat heard the annoying hmmm hmm ef ef hm ef in her left ear as she raced after her prey.
WhisperClan could not be outran, and with a wicked leap she bounded and outstretched her body, claws unsheathed for the death blow. However, it was mid leaf-bare, and surely all the prey were smart enough to realize that they were in wicked danger. The rabbit dashed for the hills at the final minute, and the young she-cat gave her best chase. Her chest heaved up and down, blood pounding her ears. No! she scolded herself, slowing down to a stop. It was hard enough to run through the deep snow, but to come to a halt in it was almost impossible. She'd just given up an opportunity to feed her clan in the sickness. Had she done something wrong? Did the rabbit hear something she had not? Her green eyes scanned the area around her; something she'd been internally bred to do, seeing as her bad ear had made her a perfect target for an unsuspecting attack. It was best to look around and rely on eyesight rather than hearing.
Echopaw sat back on her haunches, the cold immediately taking over her body despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins. Tears stung in her eyes but she controlled herself, trying to make peace with what had happened and how she could not change it now. If only she'd been quicker, stronger...She hadn't been feeling particularly ill, thank Starclan for that. Green cough was nasty and dangerous, and too many lives were lost already. She'd been wanting to get a good catch to bring back to the prey pile.
but that was only part of it. Today, Echopaw knew that Thrushstar had to choose a new mentor for her. Her last one of only two moons had fallen ill and fled, the lack of a medicine cat too scary of a reality. She never had much time to truly bond with him; he'd seemed nice, but with Fangstar's withdrawal and other casualties Whisperclan was hit with it was a wonder if any of the mentors got to spend time with their apprentices at all.
This was bad news for Echopaw. She was already behind on her training at 9 moons and she knew it. Her initial approach to being a warrior was a slow one, and her old mentor had worked with her painfully slowly. Her friends were more advanced than her, and she felt with her rapid hearing loss that she'd somehow never make it to a warrior ceremony.
Empty pawed, Echopaw turned back and headed to camp. Once she was inside, she quickly ducked out of the accusing gaze of the others that liked to wait and see what kind of prey were brought home. Don't be ashamed, everyone knows prey is hard to find. but hunting rabbits were her thing! And she failed! The young cat sat outside the apprentice den and curled her tail around herself, deliberately giving herself a good view of the camp in front of her in case she were approached. Too often cats tried speaking to her from the side, and her horror would melt through her body at the look on their faces when she didn't respond. That wouldn't happen now. Nervously, she tried to watch cats and imagine them as her new mentor. Who could it be?
(Rogue)
WhisperClan could not be outran, and with a wicked leap she bounded and outstretched her body, claws unsheathed for the death blow. However, it was mid leaf-bare, and surely all the prey were smart enough to realize that they were in wicked danger. The rabbit dashed for the hills at the final minute, and the young she-cat gave her best chase. Her chest heaved up and down, blood pounding her ears. No! she scolded herself, slowing down to a stop. It was hard enough to run through the deep snow, but to come to a halt in it was almost impossible. She'd just given up an opportunity to feed her clan in the sickness. Had she done something wrong? Did the rabbit hear something she had not? Her green eyes scanned the area around her; something she'd been internally bred to do, seeing as her bad ear had made her a perfect target for an unsuspecting attack. It was best to look around and rely on eyesight rather than hearing.
Echopaw sat back on her haunches, the cold immediately taking over her body despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins. Tears stung in her eyes but she controlled herself, trying to make peace with what had happened and how she could not change it now. If only she'd been quicker, stronger...She hadn't been feeling particularly ill, thank Starclan for that. Green cough was nasty and dangerous, and too many lives were lost already. She'd been wanting to get a good catch to bring back to the prey pile.
but that was only part of it. Today, Echopaw knew that Thrushstar had to choose a new mentor for her. Her last one of only two moons had fallen ill and fled, the lack of a medicine cat too scary of a reality. She never had much time to truly bond with him; he'd seemed nice, but with Fangstar's withdrawal and other casualties Whisperclan was hit with it was a wonder if any of the mentors got to spend time with their apprentices at all.
This was bad news for Echopaw. She was already behind on her training at 9 moons and she knew it. Her initial approach to being a warrior was a slow one, and her old mentor had worked with her painfully slowly. Her friends were more advanced than her, and she felt with her rapid hearing loss that she'd somehow never make it to a warrior ceremony.
Empty pawed, Echopaw turned back and headed to camp. Once she was inside, she quickly ducked out of the accusing gaze of the others that liked to wait and see what kind of prey were brought home. Don't be ashamed, everyone knows prey is hard to find. but hunting rabbits were her thing! And she failed! The young cat sat outside the apprentice den and curled her tail around herself, deliberately giving herself a good view of the camp in front of her in case she were approached. Too often cats tried speaking to her from the side, and her horror would melt through her body at the look on their faces when she didn't respond. That wouldn't happen now. Nervously, she tried to watch cats and imagine them as her new mentor. Who could it be?
(Rogue)