TW: Sensitive Content Open Territory WindClan We live and die in a vulture culture || Hunting patrol

[Merrystalk Merrystalk]

{$title} Similar to the issue that's happening at the Skyclan border, there's a large predator being pecked apart by some carrion birds. Is something around that might have killed it? Do you dare investigate, or just focus on hunting?

—————————————— Dreaming along in a pace you'll understand. ✦

TRIGGER WARNING

Descriptions of dead and ripped open animals (bison).​

Merrystalk wasn't so surprised his brother sent him on a hunting patrol; he was more than happy to oblige after all. It had felt like far too long since he stretched his paws like this amid friends, especially with Hollowmumble at his side. It was always a pleasant day with her to join him out on the moors.

Even if she watched him magnificently fumble a simple rabbit catch. Slipping on something and falling over his paws, watching with a huff as the thing skittered away. He had to chuckle dryly, looking up to his patrol. "Aye, promise 'm not that clumsy usually, somethin' made me slip." The gale guard clicked his tongue, standing up from the heap to see... "Shit that's blood-" Unmistakable crimson stained his paws, the scent faint in the air, but undeniably so.

His face scrunched up in an unavoidable horror, eyes darting around to the ground, seeing a streak of blood along the dirt. For a moment, his mind spun to the days before, seeing Dusty's bloodied form slumped in the grass, his hackles raising. Only for something else to catch his attention. "Carrion birds..." He whispered, suddenly far more on edge.

Merry's eyes grazed the sky and followed the winged vermin until their catch was in view, about a trees length away and down in a nearby valley in the hills. He let out a breath. Part of him was terrified that he might see the body of a clanmate down there. But in visceral detail, the birds had begun to pick apart the corpse of a bison, skin and pelt peeled back, revealing bloodied innards out towards the world as the birds tore into flesh. For a cat so used to hunting himself, even Merry grew rather woozy at the sight.

"Back down from 'em, no need to disturb." He tried to keep his cool, but honestly, having two apprentices with him and Hollow made him nervous; bison rarely just keel over so easily, part of him was terrified at the prospect that something had taken down the beast. "Keep- Keep 'n eye out, okay, we're gonna carry on with our patrol but keep yer wits 'bout yerselves, okay?"

— And it's harder than you think,

Telling dreams from one another. —

• ooc - tagging @charitypaw @Hollowmumble @scorchpaw but if anyone else wants to stare at freak ass vultures and you weren't in a patrol feel free to tag along !!
• 
  Merrystalk
  ✦—Windclan Gale Guard | 29 Moons
  ✦—He/Him
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  ✦—A skinny, tortoiseshell cat with bright green eyes and pelt speckled with hay.
  #9D6E46

 

[Hollowmumble]

Hollowmumble, -- 36 Moons / 'Windclan' Cat -- Ages on the 14th
Black spotted ghost tabby with bright amber eyes.
She is friendly, yet quiet, and always willing to help.

Tagging @Merrystalk @charitypaw @scorchpaw

---

It had been a beautiful day out, when the clan cats were all gathered around to listen to the instructions and orders handed out to each individual group. Hollowmumble was quite glad to be put onto the hunting patrol. It was a duty she took onto herself very seriously. Cats needed food, she could get them food. Border patrols didn't feel right to her. Guarding the prairie as if they owned it. They were only guests here, the land was not theirs to claim, just like how it was at the barn. She didn't see how other's didn't seem to understand that.

Regardless, it was nice to just go hunt, especially with Merry around. Hollowmumble took up the rear as they adventured, letting Charitypaw and Scorchpaw trail behind Merry as they travelled. She couldn't help but laugh when Merry slipped and missed the rabbit spectacularly, sure it did, was on the tip of her tongue in response, but it died out as soon as she saw the red painting the ground. Hackles rising slightly, she moved forward to be closer to the apprentices, staring at it and the area around them cautiously.

Following silently, Hollowmumble stared at the hulking bison corpse in the dip between the two hills. The thing that had killed it, if it hadn't died from some sort of disease, hadn't even bothered eating it. It was left to the vultures. The thought of something so dangerous out here made her nervous, glancing around a couple more times before padding a few steps closer to Merry so she could be heard clearly.

"...Are you sure we should be out here? I think we should take the apprentices back to camp. Maybe inform everyone else to be careful."