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"
My mother says, "Your whole life's in the paws of the Stars"
.
Tickfrost's instructions had been clear, and though young, he expected no pouting, no back-talking, no fussing. If any of them so much as started, they'd earn a frown and if they continued, he'd make it simple. Either they covered themselves in mud or stayed behind. He wanted their scents disguised, their pelts dull in the moonlight, their outlines nothing more than shadows. Mirepurr and Bluegale followed close, one his mentor, whom he trusted with his life, and the other a fellow Trapper he hoped he wouldn't come to regret bringing.
" Alright... " he murmured, voice low, orange eyes flicking between them. " The plan's simple. We move into SkyClan territory and scout for the best hunting grounds. Not too far from one another, places that still carry the scent of prey. We move fast, and we move quiet. If a SkyClanner spots us... " He paused, tail twitching once. " You run. No arguing, no fighting, no explanations. You run like your tail's on fire and you don't look back. Got it? "
When he deemed his message received, he gave a nod, curt and decisive, before stepping forward. Mud streaked his flanks, clinging to his paws as he crossed the border. His fur prickled the instant his pads touched SkyClan soil. He didn't agree with this. None of it. It felt wrong. Borders existed for a reason, to keep the peace, to keep things right... But hunger didn't respect borders. And neither, apparently, could he. They needed food. His sisters needed food. His friends needed food. He would swallow his unease and do what had to be done, for the sake of keeping them alive another sunrise.
The night was still, and the air bit cold. His orange eyes swept over the terrain, noting where the earth grew damp and soft beneath the pines. Here... He could smell mouse. Squirrel, too. A perfect hunting ground. His stomach growled, but he ignored it, pressing his nose to faint tracks before pulling back. It would be easy to take one. Easy to feed himself and the others. But the cost of that bite could be war. He was not the thief in this story, just the scout... He would not incite a war. He straightened, forcing himself to turn away. They were only here to look. To learn. And when they returned, he would tell Sablestar where the prey still ran, even if it meant carrying the weight of this trespass like thorns in his pelt.
Tickfrost glanced back, his sharp gaze finding Mirepurr and Bluegale, a solemn nod given to them. The mission continued, and so did he, one careful pawstep at a time into forbidden ground.
Speech, thoughts/emphasis
ooc:
Tickfrost has covered his patrol in mud in the hopes of disguising themselves as much as possible! They are moving in the dead of the night, with shadows as their companions to keep them hidden. I'm uncertain if there are any cats up at this hour, but if there are... If all of us roll a good stealth, ya gotta roll to see whether you manage to figure out that someone's there. If not, then it gives the trappers a chance to skidaddle and leave the terrain! \o/ Also pls no post until both Mirepurr and Bluegale posted too!
I rolled a 17 for Stealth
And a 16 to scout the land for prey