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Copperstorm
and in the storm of life, there was you
and in the storm of life, there was you
ThunderClan
Ranger
Council Member
You walk along the edge of danger
AND IT WILL CHANGE YOU
AND IT WILL CHANGE YOU
.
" Alright. " the brown-furred Storm Guard murmured, his tone steady but alert as he padded a few steps ahead of the patrol. The cool air of leaf-fall carried a thousand scents, moss, leaf rot, faint prey trails, and the distant tang of SkyClan. Neutral ground. Which meant they weren't alone out here. His whiskers twitched, and he lowered his head to taste the air again before straightening. Still, his thoughts drifted, as they often did these days, to Dewshine. She was growing rounder by the day, the gentle curve of her belly a promise of new life. The image brought a flicker of warmth to his chest, the corner of his muzzle curving into a faint smile. Soon there would be the tiny, mewling sounds of kits filling their den... Their kits.
' You'd better make sure there's enough fresh-kill for her to eat, Copperstorm... ' he told himself. ' Enough to keep her and the little ones strong. ' Leafbare was creeping closer. It would be Dewshine's first outside the safety of two leg walls, and though she was tougher than she looked, he couldn't stop the quiet thread of worry that tugged at him. He exhaled slowly and turned to face his patrol, Nightpoppy, Gingerflame, Cardinalpaw, and Thistlepaw, his eyes bright with purpose once more. " Don't stray too far. " he ordered, his voice carrying the steady authority of experience. " Keep to our side of the border, and stay sharp. Quick paws and quiet steps, let's make this count. "
With that, he moved forward, spotting a plump vole nosing through the roots of an oak. Instinct took over. His muscles coiled, ears flat, tail still.... And then he pounced, too early. The vole squeaked and vanished down its hole before his claws even grazed it. Copperstorm froze, a low growl rumbling in his throat as he glared down the burrow. " Rat dung. " he muttered, flicking his tail in irritation. Then, after a beat, he turned back toward the patrol with a wry, good-natured grin. " And that... " he said dryly. " Is precisely how not to do it. "
The humor in his voice lightened the moment, but the determination in his eyes didn't fade. " Right then. " he murmured, settling back into a hunter's crouch. " Let's try that again. "
Speech, thoughts/emphasis
HELPFUL HUNTING INFORMATION HERE!!!
ooc: he rolled a 9. nearly had it, but not quite...