by Arcaii » Sun Aug 17, 2014 3:40 am
Choices:
1. Make a false promise
2. Make a false promise
3. Head for the noise
4. Head for the noise
5. Head for the noise
6. Head for the noise
7. Ask to know more
Roll says... 5: Head for the noise.
You don't reply; instead, you just run for the most shallow area and cross over. Eveningtail catches up to you quickly, and together you run into the pines, where the noise has grown even louder.
A crow nearly swats you on the head with its wings as it flies past you, making you duck and cry in surprise. When you look up, you can see that a few are on the higher branches, looking down and fluttering nervously. It's a little unnerving to see this many just staring at you - you think you remember an old tale that one of the ancient Clan ancestors could turn into a flock of crows, and would often visit from the stars to watch over the Clans and peck the eyes out of naughty kittens. Whether it's true or not doesn't matter. You're wary all the same.
The source of the noise becomes visible once you get past the fourth or fifth row of trees. Cinderpaw currently has her jaws locked onto a rather large crow's wing. The crow in question is struggling to fly away, occasionally turning around and clawing at her with its feet or pecking at her ear, but she refuses to let go. You can't tell if she's purposely hurting it or if she just can't get it to sit still long enough to kill it proper, but the cries of the bird are awful and loud.
Eveningtail doesn't break her stride, running up and stealing the crow by the neck, biting down hard. There's one small noise from the crow, and then it gives up. The deputy spits out the black bird and glares at Cinderpaw.
"Taking out you anger on prey isn't the way we do things," she says.
"I wasn't!" The big molly bristles. "I was trying to kill it. It just wouldn't-"
"That's no excuse." Eveningtail narrows her eyes. "You've already attacked a Clanmate today, and, on top of hunting outside of our borders without reason, you didn't treat the prey you hunt with respect."
"If you didn't stick me in camp all the time, I could have hunted it more respectfully," Cinderpaw snaps, spitting out the last word. "It's not my fault that I barely know how to hunt."
You consider mentioning that it is actually her fault, but decide to say nothing.
"Enough." Eveningtail gestures towards the crossing. "Either come back to camp with us or don't come back at all."
Cinderpaw actually looks like she's having trouble deciding which one to choose, but eventually she just half-growls in resignation and stalks after the deputy, carrying the crow. You trot alongside her (though carefully keeping your distance).
She's mostly silent, but mumbles, possibly to you, "I was trying to kill it quickly."
I believe you.
Eveningtail's right.
I'd worry about Rowanpaw.
Say nothing.