trying to be the [ PREDATOR ]

[thistle.]

This warm, green-leaf day was not unusual in any way. The sun was shining, the river was running, and prey was scuttling through the trees.
But something was creating quite a racket in a part of StreamClan's territory.

Something was moving in between leafy bushes. Something was keeping so low to the ground that its underbelly brushed the earth. Something was stalking a furry little creature.

And that something wasn't doing a very good job of it.

Rustle rustle. Thump thump.
Spottedpaw prowled through the undergrowth, patched fur fluffed out with excitement. She thought that she was doing quite well in her hunt. After all, the brown rodent ahead of her wasn't starting to run away or anything. The squirrel was just standing very still, perky ears upright, fluffy tail sticking straight up in the dusty air. That meant that it didn't know that a predator was lurking somewhere in the forest.
Or so the apprentice thought.

A dry twig cracked under a snow-white fore paw and the squirrel was off, chattering with alarm. The young she-cat hissed with frustration and darted after the fleeing shape, claws outstretched. Her pursuit, though, was obviously hopeless and all in vain. Soon the calico was just a panting lump of orange, black, and white fur.

"Mousedung!" she spat when she had caught her breath, lashing her fluffy tail. "Now I have to start all over again."
Spottedpaw huffed, glared at a tall tree in front of her, and flounced toward a clearing in the woods. Perhaps some curious animal would find their way there and be the apprentice's first kill of the day.

[Emily]

The air hung heavy, pestering insects just skirting the edges like an invisible strip of lace, and though the sun was high - it lacked its reddish glow, and beaming cheshire-cat grin. The scenery was a bit discouraging, save the sudden rush of hope which was determined upon the quiet scuttling of rodents, underpaw; that and the subtle gurgling of the river, which indicated its smooth running of late.

Grayfang quickly descended through the foliage, nosing his way through the undergrowth with light paws, and perked ears. If he were to catch the scent of prey, then perhaps he would've missed it, as his gait was much coming off to be a light-footed lope. With that thought lingering in his mind, the large tom slowed to a quiet trot. Each foot placed before the other seemed weightless, and he allowed his tail to carry a gleeful pride as it swung to and fro.

Something though, something seemed to through off the effortless balance that was displayed. Grayfang furrowed his brows, taking slow hesitant steps towards the wood's small clearing. Such a racket could not have been caused by any prey scuttling through the undergrowth, and if they ever did make such a noise than Grayfang would've found himself prowling after prey that very moment, left and right. The warrior was sure of himself that no trained warrior whom was hunting through the territory would even manage to make a sound. Of course, Grayfang had never suspected to bring about the thought that a proud, careless apprentice would be prowling about like so.

Grayfang's hesitation dubbed curiosity; the way his nose crinkled, furry brows knitted closer, pupils grew wider just a tad - the way his tail began to lash through the air in metronome. Prodded by a sudden impulse, Grayfang leapt into the clearing nearling bowling over the thing which was causing such a quixotic arrangement of sounds.

"Spottedpaw?" Grayfang hissed beneath his breath, quickly putting himself upright on his paws again. "What are you doing? You've scared all the prey off with such a racket, and you're sure not to do your mentor any proven good." Scowling, he licked at his chest to free it from a few clinging particles of dust; the color would never show anyways, as his own pelt was consisting mainly of a plain stone gray, but just the feeling alone was utterly frustrating. "Hm, what will I ever do with such a scatter-brained apprentice?" he said, his tone growing a bit lighter as he playfully batted the she-cat over the ear.

"Now, your intentions were good but... perhaps a bit more training would do you some good?" The tom hesitated before continuing onward. "I am certainly now your mentor, I am Featherpaw's, but perhaps you'd like me to show you a bit more into what will train your paws and head, for one, to becoming a good predator?" He seemed almost too willing, a tad over exuberant for the event. Then again, the proud calico could always turn his offer down. That, Grayfang could seem to understand in the aspect of an apprentice as Spottedpaw: why give up you prideful title to some ol' warrior?






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[thistle.]

"What are you doing? You've scared all the prey off with such a racket, and you're sure not to do your mentor any proven good."

Surprised, Spottedpaw jerked her head up and her yellow eyes met Grayfang's. "Oh, hi, Grayfang!" she mewed, instantly forgetting all of his harsh words.

"Hm, what will I ever do with such a scatter-brained apprentice?"
The calico grinned with delight. She liked it when someone asked her a question like this. (Even though they never expected a reply.) It was always fun to play around.
"You can eat me," she offered, ducking to avoid a gray paw and giggling at her own humor.

"Help?" The apprentice wrinkled up her nose, clearly thinking over the idea. "I dunno... maybe." She shrugged, acting nonchalant, though excitement gleamed in her bright eyes. "But I'm already doing sorta good, don't cha' think?" Immediately, she squatted down, her rump and tail sticking out in the air, and stalked up toward a rustling leaf. Her paws were slightly out of place, and anything, prey or cat, could see her orange and black tail waving from undergrowth, like a banner saying, "Look at me!"

She prowled toward the leaf and leaped as high and far as she could, but - an updraft raised the leaf off the hard ground and sailed lazily away.

So the only thing Spottedpaw caught was dirt.
She straightened up and shook out her fluffy pelt. "Oops, sorry."

[Emily]

"You really are a piece of work," Grayfang slipped, the words rolling of his tongue quickly. His thick tail swung in the air, only its tip offering a little wiggle or twitch every few moments. Clearly, Grayfang was thinking over some things, predictably of this young, mouse-brained she-cat. The tom turned, his pale yellow eyes twinkling in the light. Though in any case, it would have appeared so anyhow, even if the light was not directed towards the two cats.

"Now, why would I want to eat you?" the bulky tom replied, wrinkling his nose with distaste. His ears quivered for a fraction of a second before wheeling back around towards Spottedpaw. Grayfang couldn't help but chuckle along with the spotted she-cat, why not? Inside, though always known as the dedicated, loyal warrior - there had always been apart of him that was a bit more child-like.

At her voice, Grayfang pressed closer, sporting a lopsided grin. "Mmhm," he replied warily, his eyes flitting about. Spottedpaw's poor attempts gave Grayfang almost mere pleasure in seeing to how youth's mind seemed to work: they believed they were in power, they believed they had everything down, while they quite simply, needed direction from their higher-ups. Her tail waved high like a banter, as if calling out to tell all of her presence and her placement of paws and the way she stalked, was a tad too revealing. "Yes, you're doing alright... but..." Grayfang's voice trailed off, unsure as unstable.

"But perhaps, I can still help you, Spottedpaw? Firstly," he started, already beginning to crouch in the clearing. "Your paws are a bit off." Grayfang's own were slightly off, and he quickly corrected them- straightened them up, made sure that if he began prowling he wouldn't get the chance to stumble over his own two feet. "Secondly, you can't wave your tail upwards like that. And with your coloring, I'm sure it'll give even more away. You're only asking for it, when it's up," the large tom continued, eyes gleaming as he stared at her, making sure she was watching well. "Now, try to copy my position." After somewhat of a hesitation, Grayfang managed to drawl onwards, trying to make it as snappy as possible. "And... alright, good. When you walk, make your paws light. Here, try to copy this position and then I'll show you."

Well this was nice, and things were turning out quite well, Grayfang proposed. Perhaps, if Spottedpaw had never been as clumsy as she had when hunting, he would've never gotten his chance at some fun. In any case, he needed the training himself. He and Featherpaw hadn't gotten together in so long, and Grayfang certainly could not deny his enjoyment of doing so- as having a much more bubbly and exuberant student. Furthermore, the gray tom was entirely brimmed with energy, with little place to redirect it. Sure, a nice little tournament or battle would've been nice but that meant injuries - something in which, he was sure neither Badgernose or her apprentice would appreciate.

[thistle.]

The dappled she-cat meowed, "My paws?" She glanced quickly down at her snow-white feet and then looked at Grayfang's. She straightened them, her tail flicking slightly as she tried to balance herself. It stopped moving and dropped downward immediately when the warrior spoke again.

"Secondly, you can't wave your tail upwards like that."
The apprentice nodded, her yellow eyes rapt on the gray tom. Strangely, she was actually listened with her whole mind on the subject. Grayfang was lucky that he wasn't having to deal with a scatterbrained Spottedpaw staring up at a fluttering moth.

"Like this, Grayfang?" she asked, imitating his posture by crouching low, so low that her underbelly brushed the earth. She inched forward, trying to keep her weight on her hindquarters. It was a little difficult, and it took a minute for the she-cat to be able to walk quietly.
Spottedpaw gave a yelp of excitement; the thought of lurking prey made the sound die into a whisper. "I'm getting better, right?" She stood in that position long enough for Grayfang to be able to examine her hunting crouch and then sat upright, her head lifted to be able to connect with the taller feline's eyes.

"Can we go hunting now?" she begged, her bodice trembling with enthusiasm. "I bet I can catch a squirrel!"
She didn't wait for a reply; she darted past a leafy bush and set off to track down a rodent. The scents told her that a chipmunk was nearby, and a robin had settled down only to fly off again. But no squirrel.

She turned and ran to her Clan mate. "There's a chipmunk, but no squirrel!" she reported, almost breathing the words, and hurried back the way she had come, leaving the gray warrior to follow her through the undergrowth.

[Emily]

Examining the spotted she-cat, Grayfang couldn't help but feel a spark of pride. Though this was not his apprentice to train, he was quite sure that her own apprentice wouldn't mind all too much. And besides, it was about time that the scatter-brained feline had gotten a proper hunting lesson.

"Yes, mmhm," he coached, eyes glued upon the she-cat's shifting position. "You've almost got it down. Good work, Spottedpaw." Grayfang allowed a silly grin take over his lips as he pressed Spottedpaw onward, hesitantly commenting upon what was wrong, and swift to praise the young apprentice for her hard work and diligence. "You really are quick to learn, it takes other apprentices a bit longer than this," Grayfang added, the words rolling off his tongue.

"Hunting..." Grayfang mimicked slowly. The tip of his tail twitched, flitting back and forth with anticipation. Perhaps it would be nice to have a good little hunt, and of course it would be great help to Spottedpaw, as train himself when it came time to train his own apprentice: Featherpaw. After the gray tom took a bit of consideration over the idea, he obliged.

The large tom purred with amusement over the she-cat; she certainly was a trooper. "Alright, alright, let's go." Before Grayfang even had the chance to ask where she wanted to hunt, or what she scented as most mentors would -- Spottedpaw had taken off, briskly charging through the undergrowth and then returning again with a small report.

"There's a chipmunk, but no squirrel."
Hesitating, Grayfang slipped a few swift licks to his chest, smoothing his already sleek StreamClan fur into its proper position. "Alright then, you don't have to get a squi--"[/white] It was already too late, and as soon as Spottedpaw had taken off she was flying through the undergrowth once more, quickly disappearing down the cats' hunting paths.

Sighing, he could only follow, trailing after her quickly and silently- and for whatever reason the poor feline was determined to catch a squirrel, Grayfang surely hoped she would get her wish. Otherwise, he might have to face something much less pleasant than he had before.

[thistle.]

Squirrel, where are youuuu? Come out, come out, wherever you are. You won't get away this time!
Spottedpaw silently called the squirrel. Not just any squirrel. In her mind, the picture of the ginger rodent flashed. She could see it perfectly; it's rigid muscles and twitching tail. And then the explosion (well, not exactly an explosion, but it was close enough) of dirt as it raced away from the cracking-twig sound.

Ooh, she'd get her revenge for sure!

But a nice chipmunk was somewhere here too. A plan quickly organized itself; she would attempt to catch the striped animal first, and then look around for more prey. Hopefully, the, no, her squirrel hadn't gotten far.

The scent of Grayfang grew stronger and the apprentice knew that the warrior had followed her. She ignored him, though, and continued prowling through the undergrowth. Once in a while, her patched pelt would brush against damp, morning leaves, and she would freeze.

I'd better keep away from all that leafy stuff. Maybe that place over there would be a good hunting spot and then - wait, wait! Yellow eyes swiveled around.

The chipmunk! Right there!
Spottedpaw twitched with barely suppressed triumph, and scooted over the hard-packed earth. She put down her white paws in the way Grayfang had taught her, daring to flick her gaze toward him.

The muscles on her hind legs were bunched and taut, ready to spring. The chipmunk was wandering closer, it's tiny nose rooting out small seeds.
It went another step and - Spottedpaw's claws were on the hapless victim.

She jumped into the air, feeling jubilant. "Did you see that, Grayfang? Huh, huh? Wasn't it just awesome?" She sniffed the kill before her. "Mmm, it smells yummy. Where should I hide it?"

[Emily]

ooc: haha, sorry; i couldn't really reply much to it besides Grayfang's thoughts and his reply to Spottedpaw.

Normally, Grayfang would have been a bit more critical.
With Spottedpaw's undeniable eccentric muse, there was hardly time for critique, let alone physically getting down and managing to pitch a fairly accurate example. There was simply no time for stopping, no time for waiting in the eyes of the small she-cat.

Now, if I could only get her own mentor to really focus her on accuracy. Then maybe I'd get a little appreciation around here as a senior warrior.
Etching further away, just to assure that Spottedpaw's catch would not be disturbed by his own presence, Grayfang forced himself into a light pawed step from where he stood. His whiskers twitched as he examined the spotted she-cat silently, his entire body disguised in a patchwork of shadows.

Spottedpaw's catch had been swift and well caught; Grayfang intended to praise her lightly for this. It was not as if she had just battled off an army of PineClanners, though the irrelevant triumph was good enough for Grayfang to hand out a compliment. Padding towards her, he replied briskly, "Well done, Spottedpaw! Of course I saw it, mousebrain. I just had to stay hidden; I was rather hoping it wouldn't catch my scent but I don't even think it had time to!" The tomcat exclaimed his praise loudly and exuberantly, as to show the apprentice his own pride. "It does smell wonderful. Good work," he mewed again, whiskers twitching. "It doesn't really matter. I suppose here would be just fine, unless you prefer to go back to the campus now? The prey level is decent."

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[thistle.]

ooc: >.< Sorry, I'll try to give Grayfang time to reply without falling behind.

The calico's whiskers bristled in an exuberant grin. "Let's keep going! I wanna catch so much that we need three warriors to carry it all! You'll come and hunt with me, right Grayfang?" She didn't wait for a reply.

"Anyways, I'm going to hide this chipmunk under that tree root over there. Owls won't get it there, I think," jabbered Spottedpaw, stuffing the rodent in a shallow gap under the rough brown tendril. "There," she said with satisfaction, and looked back up at Grayfang.
"Soo.... are we huntin' or not?[/i]"[/color] She bounced around the warrior, fur fluffed up with excitement. The young feline acted as if this was her first day out of camp and she was still a kit, awed by the immensity of the forest and all the wonders it had in store.

Then a new thought struck her.
"Wait, wait! My mentor doesn't teach me much these days, ya know. So..." For the first time, Spottedpaw's expression gave off an unusual shyness, but her timidness was short-lived. "So d'you think you could teach me some more? Just a lil' bit? Just for today? Puh-lease?"
As she spoke, she paced on the forest floor impatiently, waiting for his reply.

Anyone else would've expected her to be tired out by now, but no, energy was still coursing through her body and legs. She wasn't even panting.
Grayfang would have to be very lively this day if he wanted to stay with her.[/size]