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Post by sparrow on Nov 14, 2010 19:34:57 GMT -7
Sparrowsong was taking the long way home from her unusual lone patrol, trotting with her usual slight limp across the morning moorlands. There had been nothing out of place along the border. She had renewed the marks and gone on her way without much trouble, despite the unease that had been growing in the atmosphere lately. There was something about the briskness of autumn that made Sparrowsong want to be up and about, however, and she was in no hurry to get home. The winds that were her clan's made her thick fur ripple and for a moment she picked up her pace, the tickle of air under her belly goading her on.
A race against the wind would be a very unfair one though (for the wind, of course). Sparrowsong slowed again and sniffed the air. Maybe she would even run into a rabbit on the way home... but her nose brought no sign of such luck. Autumn's dying plants did little to attract prey, and surely a cat's presence would defeat what little pull the wilting things gave.
Nevermind that idea then. Sparrowsong flicked her tail and picked up her pace again. Maybe she would just get lucky and run into someone else out and about to delay her return to camp.
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Post by løиetëaя on Nov 14, 2010 20:20:42 GMT -7
Her unmatched eyes scoured the landscape, looking for any kind of trouble. Illusionwind had taken to scouting alone on a daily basis. She always remembered to bring back prey so she had an excuse for being gone so much. Her long limbs quickly covered ground, her pink nose sniffing the air.
Her ears flicked when she caught the familiar scent of a clanmate. She was heading back in anyways so she veered in that direction. Her tail streamed out behind her, her pristine white coat glowing among the dried yellow hills. The feel of the wind in her fur was amazing, she lived for it and the freedom it brought. She slowed as she neared her clanmate, not wanting to startle her. "Greetings Sparrowsong." |
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Post by sparrow on Nov 15, 2010 14:18:57 GMT -7
Illusionwind came from downwind, which explained why Sparrowsong had missed her previously, but it was hard to miss seeing the white cat, especially when she was coming right at her. As the younger Warrior slowed, Sparrowsong turned to greet her. She had noticed Illusionwind a bit late, but there was no way the she-cat could sneak up on her.
"Morning Illusionwind," Sparrowsong replied. Had she been sent out alone as well? Or, knowing Illusionwind, she may have just gone out alone. Well, both could be spared a little trouble if they came back together. "Just enjoying the weather or did you have an assignment?"
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Post by løиetëaя on Nov 15, 2010 14:32:22 GMT -7
The young warrior nodded in response, slowing to a stop to the side of Sparrowsong. Her mismatched eyes locked onto those of her clanmate, showing her fear though she tried to hide it. "No one sent me." She wasn't on any official assignment, rather one of her own making. And she wasn't really enjoying the weather either, though it was still somewhat warm the wind was cold already.
Her ears flicked nervously and her eyes returned the land around them. It still didn't feel right to her, though her clanmates all assured her that all was well. "So, what are you doing out here?" |
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Post by sparrow on Nov 15, 2010 14:54:31 GMT -7
Sparrowsong gave a slightly disinterested nod. Going out alone, particularly without orders to do so, wasn't exactly recommended, but it wasn't something Sparrowsong had much of a problem with. She wasn't sure if Illusionwind knew that- the younger warrior was looking nervous.
Then again, Illusionwind had simply been anxious lately. Maybe that was all it was. The worries of the younger, often hyper and kitten-like, she-cat were not particularly interesting to Sparrowsong. "I was given a patrol. I'm headed back now." Slowly, but that went without mentioning, considering the pair had stopped to talk.
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Post by løиetëaя on Nov 15, 2010 17:50:13 GMT -7
She nodded slowly. More and more often they were being sent out alone to patrol. It was strange and she didn't know the reasoning behind it, but it wasn't her place to question her leader's orders. Her paws kneaded the dry ground and her claws itched as they dug into the ground.
"Yeah, I was just heading back in as well. I was planning on hunting on the way, so I at least have something to bring back to the clan." She wondered if Sparrowsong would like to join her or go her own way. Either way it didn't really matter to her. |
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Post by sparrow on Nov 15, 2010 18:14:25 GMT -7
Sparrowsong nodded. "If you don't mind, I'd accompany you on that." If she did, Sparrowsong would likely also accompany her. Illusionwind was a warrior, but new to it, and really... they shouldn't be out alone. Leaving her again after finding her out here probably wouldn't lead to good results for either.
An itch that often attacked her scarred paw came up again, and Sparrowsong rubbed it on the ground as discreetly as she could manage. "I haven't noticed anything though." Straightening, she turned her nose to the wind and sniffed again, but no luck.
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Post by løиetëaя on Nov 15, 2010 18:24:45 GMT -7
"That's fine." She began sniffing the air, searching for any scent of prey. It was strange, nothing hit her, she didn't catch even the smallest whiff of rabbit anywhere near them. It was troublesome, especially since leaf-bare would be arriving soon and they would need all the food they could get to last the cold moons ahead.
"I've noticed that too. Prey always gets scarce around leaf-bare, but its never been this bad." The lack of rabbits had her worried, add that to the strange things she had been feeling and she was completely on edge, which was strange for the normally confident and hyper cat. She only hoped that the two weren't connected. |
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Post by sparrow on Nov 15, 2010 18:44:24 GMT -7
Sparrowsong trotted forward a few steps and then bent over to sniff the ground, hopeful of maybe at least catching the remnants of a rabbit passing by. Nothing.
"No, it hasn't." And Sparrowsong had seen more leaf-bares than Illusionwind. It wasn't a good sign. If that was what was making Illusionwind anxious, Sparrowsong could understand it. "Not good with all the kits back at camp." Bad timing, them, but that couldn't be helped.
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Post by løиetëaя on Nov 15, 2010 19:30:15 GMT -7
She could imagine all the small bodies in the nursery. It would be hard this year, they would go hungry if they couldn't find enough food for everyone. Every cat would grow weak and they would be prone to sickness. She shuddered at the though.
"We'll just have to hunt longer and harder, going farther in our territory then we normally do." Her voice was filled with determination. it would kill her to see a kit die because they didn't have enough food to go around. Her eyes flashed, she would try her hardest to keep that from happening. |
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Post by sparrow on Nov 16, 2010 16:03:16 GMT -7
Sparrowsong nodded. "Worst comes to worst, we might have to hunt along the Thunderclan border," she said. It wasn't her favorite idea; like all Windclan cats, she preferred hunting out in the open. But the small patch of forest that Windclan owned could be their saving grace this year.
It would require altered hunting styles, but Sparrowsong was versatile. If it meant keeping all the kits strong and healthy, any cat would be up for it. They were the most vulnerable, but also what kept the clan going. She started moving again, keeping her nose to the wind and eyes open for prey.
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Post by løиetëaя on Nov 16, 2010 18:38:54 GMT -7
She nodded in agreement, she had hunted there a few times. It was different and didn't come as natural as hunting on the open moors, but it wasn't horrible. And if it would help the clan then that was what they would do.
Raising her nose to the wind again she continued searching, taking slow steps, moving away from Sparrowsong so they could cover a larger area. Her eyes constantly scanned the moors, looking for the slightest sign of movement that announced their prey was near. |
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