AND I AM SORRY MY CONSCIENCE CALLED IN SICK AGAIN
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To be perfectly fucking blunt, wolfpack had no earthly idea why the prey had suddenly disappeared on them. The weather hadn't taken that much of a turn, and yet, their hunters continued to come back with less and less, the prey-pile never as stocked as it should have been. Selfishly– but not regrettably– he'd gone back to eating his share before bringing food back for the clan, snapping down whatever morsels he managed to snag before bringing back what he could for the others– assuming there was anything to catch at all.
And for the first time in a while, one could see true irritability on the deputy, sparking along tense muscles and a flicking, tail. The pocasin may have been damp and filled with slimy, scaly prey, but it was a hell of a lot warmer than fourtrees had been, and the prey had run just fine last winter.
So, why now?
Unfortunately, growing frustrated over the cause of something he couldn't control wasn't going to change anything for him or the clan– which was why he'd been nothing short of pleased when Sablestar had ordered him to start making use of the warriors specialties by searching for resources beyond their territory. The other clans were still off-limits, but that was fine with the mottled tomcat. There were more places out there to pull from, more food to be found that wouldn't require inciting war with their neighbors.
For now, at least.
Which brought us, to today.
"Shadowclan!" he called, taking his usual spot beneath Sablestars pedestal for meetings, broad, rolling shoulders coming to a halt. "I'm sure you've all noticed the sudden lack of prey within our borders. Rest assured, you won't be made to starve like you were back in the old colony."
He'd never understood it. Grief and tradition– madness that could make a cat choose to wither and rot rather than take control of their life. He'd never expect that from his clanmates– would carve it out of them with his own claws if he ever saw it began to fester in them. The ability to adapt, to do things differently– that's what would keep them alive when things got tough. Not clinging to a failing normalcy,
"First off, we'll be limiting where we hunt in the territory in order to allow prey to re-establish itself in different areas. This week, we're hunting the Northernmost part of the pocasin– Zone 3"
It was just one of precautions they'd be taking to make sure they didn't end up in the same place as last year. The colony cats had been left to hunt wherever they pleased, leading to prey being wiped out faster than it had a chance to replenish itself.
Grayflight, take a group out across the thunderpath and hunt along the border we share with Windclan. See if you can get lucky in snagging any rodents or birds that come too close to our side." he growled, knowing the odds weren't that much better. It they were, he wouldn't be spending the majority of his time away from the territory scouting new hunting grounds.
"Timberfrost." he called, gaze finding the Caregiver in the crowd. " You wanted an extra patrol to help with food for the nursery– you have it. Take a group to hunt the ponds north of our camp. If you manage to find anything, you can claim it for the nursery."
His eyes cut sharply to the rest of the clan, flickering over them with nothing short of warning. "Anyone found helping themselves to what's caught on that patrol will be lining the nursery with their own fur, understood?"
Not because he felt some moral obligation to feed the young first– hell, there were enough times in the last week when he'd fed himself before Jadethorn and the kits. Survival of the fittest, and all that. But rather, it was because Timberfrost had the mind to ask. And perhaps more importantly, because Wolfpack had the power to deliver. He could have said no. Could have told the caregiver it was every cat for themselves– but he liked the tom. Saw the value in having a cat like him around. And if he needed food to keep his part of the clan going, then Wolfpack would let him keep what he could catch.
Assuming he could catch anything at all with the shit luck they'd been having lately.
"For the rest of our hunting patrols, we'll be doing something different today. You were asked a few moons back to choose a specialty-- now, we put your skills to the test."
Time to see what these cats were made of.
"Thieves. I've pre-scouted a promising spot in twolegplace for you to do your thing. I've marked the way for you to follow so you don't get lost– bring back anything you can carry that's edible, and don't stray beyond the area that's been scouted."
It was bad enough that they were going into unknown territory to steal food to begin with, but at least the odd-eyed tom had the reassurance of knowing they'd done their best to lock the spot down and drive out whatever dangers might be there beforehand.
"Trappers, we'll be searching a different part of twolegplace today. Our goal is simple– find a promising place for the thieves to work, and then drive out any potential threats that might be there so that their run goes as smooth as possible."
This was why he was sharing his workload. As a Trapper, he couldn't just sit in camp strategizing all day. They'd barely survived the last famine they suffered through, and Wolfpack didn't intend to let the flock do as they pleased this time around. He would lead by example. Would show them how to rule and use the world beyond their borders.
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ooc : — Welcome to the first set of Hunger Games hunting patrols! Those who have been tagged are responsible for making their thread-- post the link below so I can organize them neatly here for others to find! These patrols all take place at different points throughout the day, so feel free to have your character attend whatever you like-- with the exception of the Thief/Trapper threads, of course, which will require you to commit to one specialty or the other (sorry guys, you can't be a Trapper and a Thief!)
@Grayflight -- you'll be heading an open hunting patrol (in our territory) to the Windclan border to find prey that's wandered into the pocasin. Keep in mind that we rolled a 1/10 for this month, so prey will be EXTREMELY hard to find. Optionally, if you wish to roll a 1d10 to find prey, you'd have to roll a 10 to make a successful kill :(
@Timberfrost -- You'll be heading an open hunting patrol near the ponds! Keep in mind that we rolled a 1/10 for this month, so prey will be EXTREMELY scarce and difficult to find. Optional, if you choose to roll a 1d10 to try and catch something, you'd have to roll a 10 to succeed in making a kill. Anything less would be a fail :(
@SABLESTAR -- You'll be making the thread for the Thieves in twolegplace. Here's your prompt, go nuts!!! The Trappers have been through this spot already and done their best in clearing off any potential threats-- but safety can never be assured! Wolfpacks trail leads your patrol to a twolegs yard. Inside, you see the rabbit hutch he's clearly meant for you to raid. But can you get to the rabbits before alerting the twolegs within? As soon as you open the cage door, the chase will be on to make a kill and bail before your caught and the family dog is turned loose!
@WOLFPACK -- I'll be making the Trappers patrol into twolegplace! Tonight, the cats are scouting a small park that looks promising under the dark of night. It's quiet, has preyscent, and oddly enough doesn't seem to be a haunt for any of the neighborhood cats. And the patrol soons learns why when an Owl begins swooping at them! If the Trappers wish to make this a hunting ground, they'll have to deal with that bird and destroy it's nest! - shadowclan deputy - male - a large, black & blue chimera with moderate white splashing, mismatched eyes, and several scars.
