Foxes and Love
The gentle kiss of feather-like fronds skimming her fur was like the morning’s tranquility, a delicate call towards that secret, untouchable place tucken within, away from the chaos of clan life. But it was hardly enough to block the stench of death assaulting her nose.
Kestrelspeck crouched low, rounding the base of an old, crooked tree. The source of the stench was too… overpowering. It was impossible not to follow. And she’d follow it, track it down until she found the source. Till the end of dawn.
She flicked a tail, gesturing for… a certain healer to follow. A certain healer… poking around the dirt. Not at all watching her for cues. Withholding a sigh, she waited an extra second. Two seconds. Maybe three.
Her claws tapped against a tree root slithering across the dirt. Oh for the love of━
“Okay, okay! I’m here!” A long, golden tail sailed over the crest of ferns as the healer stepped close, shoulders lifting in an apologetic shrug. “Sorry, just needed a second to snag something. This.” Goldenblossom thrusted a faint, delicate flower towards her, a wide grin painting her muzzle. “You like? Well, you should! It’s an important herb!” (+1 bright-eye)
One breath in. And out.
“Great.” Taking a few steps aside, she managed a strained smile. Stars, it probably was more of a grimace. “Now come. And watch your head ━ by the Stars, don’t hit it again. There’s something…”
Oh.
The scene unravelled like a flurry of feathers caught in the wind.
Oh.
The harbinger of the acrid stench ━ it was nothing more than a crumpled creature of the skies. A carrion creature, once crowned with glory and majesty, revered by the mighty and small. But now… one with clipped wings, fragile and broken, like ice splintered under the weight of harsh claws. A dead vulture. (+5FP vulture)
And they weren’t the first here. Another scent, another creature━
“...what? What did you… oh.” The healer meandered close, sniffing the bird. “It’s dead. There’s also… huh another scent. Maybe of a━”
“Fox.” Copperflight’s voice slipped through the clearing, a gentle cadence rising above the solemnity, flowing with urgency. Her ears flicked as her partner flanked her side. “Mapleheart and I spotted a flash of red fur not too far from here.” A nod towards the fallen bird. “And I’m willing to bet it’s responsible for the prey scattered about.”
★ Copperflight has spotted a fox nearby!
Does the patrol choose to pursue to fox or leave it alone? ★
Kestrelspeck yawned, shaking off the sleep from her coat. She nudged Copperflight awake, trying not to step on Beedrop on the way out of the den. Copperflight followed and instantly brightened when she saw Mapleheart and Goldenblossom pop out of the Healer's den. The she-cat's paws sped up as she greeted Mapleheart with a lick to the forehead.
Kestrelspeck rolled her eyes comically and flicked her tail, signaling the she-cats to head out for their patrol.
"Oof, wait, Kestrelspeck. Can we eat first? I'm reallyyyy hungry, and I can't focus on plants unless I'm properly fed. Right?" Goldenblossom tilted her head towards the two lovers, Copperflight and Mapleheart. The latter smiled warmly and nodded, giving permission for the quick stop before the journey.
Kestrelspeck sighed, and grabbed a plump bird and some scraps. [ -1 bird 4 FP | -1 scraps 1 FP ]
Goldenblossom followed suit and nicked a simple mouse. [ -1 mouse 2 FP ]
After eating, the cats of LagoonClan ventured into the familiar forest, with Kestrelspeck in the lead, Goldenblossom in the back, and Mapleheart and Copperflight side-by-side.
-----
"So, how are Honeykit and Lavenderkit doing, Copperflight? I heard Brightwhisker just adores them!" Goldenblossom had her tail lifted up and she smiled.
"They're both almost apprentices, Goldenblossom. And I wish I could spend more time with them, especially when they were kits, but a Hunter's duty is really important. Although, Mapleheart here made sure to spend lots of her free time with them." The she-cat nudged the other playfully.
"The two little ones are so pure and truly a gift to us from StarClan. And Brightwhisker is an amazing Life-Queen. Definitely meant to be one," said Mapleheart. Although she was a Healer and couldn't really afford to have her attention split, Seastar made the rank of Life-Queen, so any cat who wanted to could start a family and not worry about being torn between duties and loved ones.
Goldenblossom's heart brightened with the two cats' remarks. They were such a cute couple, and she was really proud to be Honeykit's and Lavenderkit's adopted aunt. Oh what fun they would have together once she got a hold of them!
"Hey, you three. We're gonna divide into groups. Hunter to Healer," Kestrelspeck barked, growing slightly agitated at all of their laziness in the back to the group. She rounded up the rambunctious Goldenblossom and said a curt goodbye to Mapleheart and Copperflight as they set off into the fern-adorned forest.
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