hunting hares (open/russet)

A hearty laugh echos across the field as Russetface trots towards Emberpaw. He had been the one to assign Ember's target, though perhaps he had underestimated the rabbit's agility. All the same, Russetface stands over Ember with a grin.

"Perhaps if you had invited the rabbit to dinner instead of telling it to stop, it may have listened," Russet suggests, his tail held high. He sits next to Ember, his head swiveling to scan the horizon. She would learn, and he would be there to watch. He would ensure that she became a renowned hunter, or the best at whatever she chose to pursue.

A steady purr involuntarily rumbles in Russetface's throat in response to the thought, though he does not fight it. "Ember, my dear, look at the size of this mouse that you have caught! My my, it will certainly fill Fallentree's stomach this night!" Russet smiles down at the red she-cat, and he doubles over to groom the white tip of her tail that he lacked, despite their similar coat pattern.

"This next time, you will catch it. You will see! Oh, how the warriors will be impressed with your victory!"

And he meant every word that he said. If Ember knew how much she meant to Russetface, it might have frightened her.

”There was a snake hole in the ground,” as Emberpaw explains what happened and makes excuses for her tumble, Russet watches his apprentice with the barest of smiles. He could count the amount of times that he had tripped after slipping because of a hole. He also knew that sometimes, cats needed to visit the Medicine Cat for sprained paws.

Russetface examines Ember's paw, noting the angle at which she held it. Perhaps it was a minor tumble which would not cause long lasting damage. "I know it hurts, my Dear. You are not the only one that has fallen in a snake hole," Russet chuckled, and his smile grew when his Apprentice began to purr. He did not care about the size of the mouse, it was still a catch. Her growing skill was all that mattered to him

Yet, he knew that more prey would have to be presented to the Kill Pile. Emberpaw would not be able to continue hunting, but who was to say that Russetface could not instruct by example? When Ember rubbed up against his leg, Russet lends his tongue to slick back the fiery fur on top of her head. 

"No maybies. Next time for sure! Until then, We must find a couple more volunteers.." Russet peeks above the lavender stalks to examine the clearing. Still early, the field would still provide many pickings for birds. Perhaps he would be able to catch one or two..

Confidence builds in the warrior's chest, and he hunkers down beside his apprentice. "Watch, my Dear.. This first one will count as yours.." The experienced hunter stalks forward through the grass, the wind blew in his favor. He could smell the delicate scent of grouse, and he knew that it foraged just ahead..

Through the grass, sandy eyes peered at the doubled over grouse. The last thing that the grouse saw before it entered its final sleep was a flash of orange and red, and a flash of white. The attack ended just as quickly as it began, and the grouse's head dangled limply as its body rested in Russetface's jaws.