PAFP Event Border SC WC Awake, awake, you children bold 🌾 Windclan hunting patrol

[Merrystalk Merrystalk]

His first patrol since... The flood. It wasn't going to be taxing, but Dimmingsun had reassured him that as long as he didn't push himself, he wouldn't have any issues. The worst the tom had was a slight cough that even now had seemed to slip away day by day; his energy hadn't returned fully, but it was the beginning. For now, he had a clan to feed.

They pressed towards Shadowclan's border, even over the rich scent of rain and mud, that bitterness of the Thunderpath was still unavoidable. Acrid and awful. But, even still, to his surprise, there were guests on their side of the border.

It hadn't been his first run-in with the slimy things; the pond near the barn often had the weird beasts sitting croaking away. But, here they were, a bunch of frogs enjoying the suddenly far more damp environment of Windclan. He tilted his head, chuckling dryly. "Well, at least somethin' is enjoying the rain, I s'pose." Merry hummed as he looked to Harefoot. His mate, having been sent alongside him, didn't feel like a coincidence, but he didn't mind all too much.

Though the longer he watched the things, hopping about the puddles at the side of the thunderpath, a thought came to mind. "Shadowclan eat these, right? I swear Sablestar mentioned it... Ya'think they taste any good?" He squinted down at them, curious. Food was scarce, and he wasn't meant to run as he often did, but frogs wouldn't be that hard to catch, right?

Merry narrowed his eyes, raising his tail for his patrol to keep still for a moment. The tortoiseshell was creeping closer to the closest of the things, who sat still in a murky puddle. Whether it be his skills still being rusty after having to genuinely rest for once, or the sound of the squelching mud under paw, the thing croaked with indignation as it hopped away, leaving Merry to splatter the puddle instead. The tom spluttered, wrinkling his nose as the water splashed into his face, shaking his head as he deflated a little.

"Don't think it's impossible, though watch the Thunderpath, don't get too close." He flicked his ear, backing away as a monster rumbled nearby, seeming to dodge a puddle on the path. Merrystalk's face twisted in confusion, but with the frogs scattered every which way, maybe they should all just focus on trying to get some prey to bring back to camp.

---

OOC:
Prompt: It looks like there's an abundant amount of frogs littering this side of the Thunderpath, where puddles had accumulated from the serious rains. Do you decide to try this delicacy of Shadowclan's? Or is that monster going right for the puddle in the Thunderpath? Look out!

This thread applies to both Windclan and Shadowclan event prompts (thank you to Poe for confirming <3)!
Windclan & Shadowclan both roll a d10 and must roll a 9 or above to successfully catch a frog! (Merry rolled a 6)
Note to Windclan: Shadowclan are actively starving, so don't be surprised if an argument breaks out about prey stealing.

Tagging @STAGGERDANCE @harefoot @Chickpaw @Talonpaw
HOWEVER this thread is open for any Windclan cat who wasn't put on a patrol AND open to all Shadowclan cats (once at least another Windclan cat has replied!

​

MERRYSTALK He/Him, Windclan Gale Guard, 32 moons.
A lithe, tortoiseshell cat with green eyes and pelt speckled with rye grass.
mentored by none // mentoring Talonpaw
sibling to Goldenroar and Sunnyspring
NPC x NPC / parent to no one / mated to Harefoot
"SPEECH" // "THOUGHTS" // ATTACK
penned by Pheo ↛ phoenixwashere on discord, feel free to dm for plots.

 

[Jaypaw ⏾]

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆ Jaypaw ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☽⋆⁺₊⋆-

Jaypaw wasn't assigned to go on any of the patrols, so he was free to choose to join one. Of course Sunnyspring went too, either for the same reason as Jaypaw, to keep an eye on Merrystalk, or perhaps just to make sure Jaypaw didn't get into any trouble.

There were puddles everywhere, Jaypaw did all he could to avoid splashing his paws in them accidentally, startling any potential prey. But when Merrystalk stopped near a larger puddle filled with frogs and announced they would be attempting to catch the slimy creatures, he couldn't help but scrunch his nose. Those things? Though he had to admit that they shouldn't be picky at a moment like this and should instead take whatever they could get.

And so Jaypaw separated from the group and found a puddle near the thunderpath where a big fat frog sat, staring somewhere into the distance. Its green and brown body looked foul, Jaypaw didn't even want to imagine its taste, but food was food. That is, if he managed to catch it.

He observed it for a while from his position in the tall grass, but the fat frog didn't move at all, not even a whisker-length. Was it alert, just like him? Jaypaw knew he had to be swift the moment he pounced, otherwise the frog would bury itself in the muddy ground and he would not be able to find it anymore. He kept rearranging his limbs until he was satisfied with his position and counted three breath. And then he pounced.

The frog didn't have time to react at all, only when it was already between Jaypaw's fangs did it start wriggling and croaking and Jaypaw quickly bit into it to kill it, lest it disturb the whole territory with its croaks. The taste of the frog wasn't nearly as foul or slimy as he had expected it to be, he had to admit ShadowClan might have had a point. The taste was actually quite pleasant.

OOC: Mentor ping @Sunnyspring . Also, rolled a 9 in my channel! ​

 

[CROWPAW.'s icon CROWPAW. CROWPAW.]

CROWPAW ──

shadowclan | apprentice​

Crowpaw doesn't want to be outside of camp today. Hell, he didn't even want to leave his nest this morning. But here he is, sent on another hunting trip that'll probably be completely fruitless. There's a scowl on his face as he wanders the pocosin in search of prey, any prey. He'll even eat one of those nasty frogs at this point.

And, speaking of frogs, they hear the croak of one in the distance against all odds. Their eyes widen, and they instinctively crouch low to the ground as they trail after the sound, their belly brushing against the cold ground. There it is - right near the border with WindClan, blissfully unaware of its incoming fate. Crowpaw prepares to lunge at it, trying to ignore the way that they salivate in response to the frog's scent - and -
The low, guttural rumble of a monster can be heard as it hurls itself down the Thunderpath, and the moment Crowpaw pounces is the same one that the frog hops away, startled by the beast that rushes past them. Frustrated, they sink their claws into the ground where the frog had been, their face twisting into a scowl as they suddenly seem more aware than normal of how hollow their stomach feels with nothing in it. It's only then that Crowpaw bothers to notice the cats across the border.

There's a few more frogs that litter the area near the WindClan patrol - one of them has already caught one, even, seeming to enjoy the taste. Crowpaw's ears flatten as she marches up to the edge of the Thunderpath, silvery eyes glaring daggers at the cats across from her.
"What are you doing this close to ShadowClan territory?" she snaps, the tip of her tail twitching with irritation. Since when did WindClan ever eat frogs, anyway? The amphibian prey had certainly crossed over from ShadowClan's territory, meaning it was ShadowClan's prey to catch. Didn't they have anything else that was actually theirs to go eat?

blow a kiss at the methane skies

see the rust through your playground eyes

• ooc: rolled a 6
• "speaking" | thinking | action

 

[Talonpaw Talonpaw]

He didn't expect much from this patrol- seeing as their lands were not dry as usual but rather soaked and murky. Tiny ponds still littered their lands, and each step was a squealsh sound underneath his feet. He began moving slower, more carefully as the shadow lowered himself in the grass. One blue gaze swept across the fields, then to the shadowy tree lines border across the pungeant black rock.

"Frogs are good." He says, glancing to Merrystalk with his seeing eye, before back across the border. He sounds matter of factly- but to him it was. It was his favorite prey, and he could feel the saliva forming in his mouth. His tongue rolled over his teeth, watching as Merry and Jaypaw both struggled to catch the hopping erratically prey. Even another across the way seemed to miss trying to catch it- and he kept a gaze on it, tracking its movements.

Talonpaw flicked his ear, shaking the water that begun to soak his pelt off and before lowering himself. It wasn't about aiming where they paused, it was about aiming to where they were going to jump. His body twitched, and as soon as a frog began to jump- he leaped forward, crashing a large paw into the frogs body and biting canines into its flesh. A croak interupted- and the frog that the shadowclanner missed hung limply from his jaws. Well .. someone had told him you snooze you lose. This other guy chose to snooze, and it was not Talons fault.

Then a voice across the rancid smell of the border. "Hunting." He says bluntly, expression stoic. A cold eye lifts to the other, eyebrow raising- but almost daring. "Can ask y' why you're so close over here." He returns gruffly. He was only telling the truth ... But his pelt still bristled.

Rolled a 9//

​

Talon he/him, windclan 8 moons old.
black tabby with dark greyish brown undercoat and white underbelly. white crest on chest, and scars lining left side of face, blinding his right eye. icey blue eyes and white that is slowly starting to streak his features. Back scars non-existent for now.
mentored by Merrystalk // mentoring none
littermate to none
NPC x NPC / father/mother to none / mated to none
"speech" // "thoughts"
penned by Deidre ↛ deidre on discord, feel free to dm for plots. Art by PurpleCandyCorn.

 

[CROWPAW.'s icon CROWPAW. CROWPAW.]

CROWPAW ──

shadowclan | apprentice​

If looks could kill, Talonpaw would have to be rushed to the medicine den from the way Crowpaw's disgusted scowl falls upon him. It's infuriating enough that they were clearly catching prey as it crossed over the border, but to catch the frog that he had literally just attempted to on ShadowClan's own territory? It's obvious how he's fuming, his tiny body growing almost twice its size with how his fur stands up in spiky strands, a testament to his rage along with his tail lashing back and forth. And the way the tom had just said "hunting" as if that was a valid response!! He resists the urge to hiss as he replies to Talonpaw's rebuttal, though the words that fall from his mouth contain a near-tangible venom.

"Oh, is that so. Well I'm also hunting. What a coincidence - though I'm actually hunting for my own Clan's prey, aren't I? Guess there's a slight difference there." The tips of his claws are peeking out of his paws, tiny white daggers ready to tear into something - but she won't. Not now. Even she's got enough common sense to know not to start a fight when she's outnumbered, by cats less ravaged by hunger at that.

blow a kiss at the methane skies

see the rust through your playground eyes

• ooc:
• "speaking" | thinking | action

 

[Jaypaw ⏾]

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆ Jaypaw ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☽⋆⁺₊⋆-

Jaypaw put down the frog he had cought, ready to crouch near another puddle and hunt some more. The green and brown striped creatures did not see him as he crept closer, slowly and quietly, making sure not to disturb the grass.

A sharp voice disturbed the silence, making both the frogs and himself snap into reality. A voice not of this patrol and Jaypaw sighed, standing up. The frogs all but buried in the mud now, disturbed from their sunning. There was no way Jaypaw would be able to find them now.

He turned towards the voices and spotted the culprit. No, culprits. Crowpaw of ShadowClan and Talonpaw, one of their own. "Continue arguing and soon none of us will have any prey to bring back." Then he looked to the ShadowClan apprentice specifically, noting the hungry expression in their eyes. "I apologise." he started. "It seems not only we have faced great troubles in the past moon - WindClan ravaged by the storms...-" Jaypaw shuddered ever so slightly, not wanting others to see how he truly felt about the flood. How terrified he was. "and ShadowClan by lack of prey."

Jaypaw supposed the clan must be starving even more than they were, judging by the lean frame of Crowpaw. She was even leaner than WindClan, which was known for it's running with the winds. Leafbare wasn't yet upon them and already the clans were struggling, Jaypaw only hoped things would improve soon. At least the storms seemed to have stopped.

"Talonpaw." Jaypaw turned towards the tom. "Apologise to Crowpaw." he pleaded with his eyes, hoping Talonpaw would understand. Jaypaw didn't want more trouble on their paws.

Jaypaw paused for a moment, calculating. Could he spare the food? Then he thought of the tense look Crowpaw was giving them and decided Meadowpaw and Dimmingsun had enough on their paws as was.... they didn't need them getting into a scuffle. "How about this." Jaypaw smiled at the ShadowClan apprentice. "I'll give you the next piece of prey I catch and you won't claw our tails off." He tried to joke, hoping Crowpaw wouldn't mind. "A frown doesn't suit that pretty face of yours anyway."

OOC: Rolled a 2, works with my plan for the apprentices scaring the frogs away.
Interacting with @Talonpaw and @CROWPAW. ​

 

[Tickfrost Tickfrost]

When you're lost in the universe, lost in the universe, don't lose faith
My mother says, "Your whole life's in the paws of the Stars"

.

A flicker of annoyance burned in Tickfrost's orange eyes as he padded closer to the group that had gathered, his mangy frame leaner than he would like. His tail lashed once, a sharp sweep that mirrored the tightening in his chest at the sight of the WindClan cats. A part of him wanted to growl, to snap, to tell them they were too close, that their presence would scare off anything they could catch. His own attempts had been fruitless so far. Empty stomach, empty claws, and now these outsiders had the audacity to wander near.

As Jaypaw offered them his first catch if Crowpaw didn't claw off his fur, he narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. " Really? " he meowed, voice low, his gaze fixed on the WindClan apprentice for a long beat. His torn ear flicked once, and his eyes shifted toward Crowpaw, It wasn't much, but if the other WindClan apprentice managed to catch some prey and give it to them... Who were they to deny it now? They were all hungry. If they could bring back a hare, or anything else... Maybe they could even have a bite too.

And yet... Why? His chest tightened at the thought. Why would a cat from another clan give them prey? There had to be a catch. There always was. Still, hunger was a harsh teacher, and for now, Tickfrost knew better than to turn it away. He would wait, watch, and if needed.. He'd take what they were willing to share. But his eyes never left the WindClan apprentice, sharp and calculating, just in case the offer of generosity proved to be a trap.

Speech, thoughts/emphasis

16 MOONS

𖧧

SHADOWCLANNER

𖧧

SONG

𖧧

bio

 

[CROWPAW.'s icon CROWPAW. CROWPAW.]

CROWPAW ──

shadowclan | apprentice​

Crowpaw's eye twitches slightly as Jaypaw drones on about how both Clans are soooo disadvantaged and tries to be the bigger cat by making Talonpaw apologize. But before Talonpaw gets the chance to even open his mouth, Crowpaw hisses with hackles raised, their claws digging into the earth underneath them. "I don't need your stupid apology, so spare me the theatrics." Their glare turns back at Jaypaw - He's STILL TALKING?? - and although their Clanmate seems intrigued by the possibility of free prey, Crowpaw is not impressed, instead lashing their tail wildly as the roaring flame of anger in his gut strengthens. And the WindClan apprentice had tried to be cheeky about it too! The audacity of these cats continues to astonish them.

"I don't want your pity, either!! Keep your stolen prey, see if I care!!" For better or for worse, Crowpaw decides he's had enough and turns away, ripping up a chunk of the ground where he'd been digging into it as he stomps away into the depths of the pocosin. He'll catch his own damn prey, he's not a charity case.

blow a kiss at the methane skies

see the rust through your playground eyes

• ooc: crowpaw out!
• "speaking" | thinking | action

 

[Talonpaw Talonpaw]

Talon stared at the other, a drawl to his voice that the apprentice didn't understand. His thick tail flicked absentmindedly, before blue eye flickering to a movement in the mud as a frog tried to slip into the dirt. Talons long thin frame dove after it, paws digging and sending mud behind him as he dug, unfortunately to no avail-

And he was interrupted by Jaypaw, who's voice was directed to him. He did not hear the first part, nor did he care to. His paws stopped, and blue eye narrowed as he stared. "Apologize?" Talon echoed. His chin lifted, and his eyes flashed dangerously. He could not read Jaypaw- and he did not see any reason to listen to Jaypaw telling him what to do. "I see no reason t' apologize- nor t' give prey t' other cats. We have our own issues and stock t' rebuild." He stated plainly, his voice thick with his growl as Crowpaw spat. His fur bristled, and his claws slipped from their sheathes.

Keeping his good eye on the border, the apprentice would continue to dig- distracting his muscles, and his long frame pulling at the mud to try to find more frogs. Even though he was irritated, he wanted to bring home more than one frog. He hadn't done anything wrong, nor did he care to deal with two cats who let their emotions show. Jaypaw was spilling everything that their clan underwent- and quite frankly, Talon was not pleased with sharing their weaknesses and exposing them.

//Rolled a 2

​

Talon he/him, windclan 8 moons old.
black tabby with dark greyish brown undercoat and white underbelly. white crest on chest, and scars lining left side of face, blinding his right eye. icey blue eyes and white that is slowly starting to streak his features. Back scars non-existent for now.
mentored by Merrystalk // mentoring none
littermate to none
NPC x NPC / father/mother to none / mated to none
"speech" // "thoughts"
penned by Deidre ↛ deidre on discord, feel free to dm for plots. Art by PurpleCandyCorn.