Small Joys [open]

[Wrenstar]

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[scrolly:h(244),w(550),sy][atrb=background,http://i.imm.io/7mMA.png] Wrenstar crouched, perfectly poised, among the thorns of the Rosepetal Woods. She could hear the mouse in front of her more clearly than her own breathing. It was this moment she prized above almost all others; the calm before the storm. It appeared in many ways, but most commonly here, in the woods, as a warrior paused, sensing with her feet and eyes and ears, does it know I am here? The answer to Wrenstar's question came as the mouse ducked its head, continuing to snuffle among the leaves, ignoring the noise it had heard. The leader smiled; it was leaf-bare and every bit of prey counted. There was a flash of tabby fur as she leapt over the briar in her way and her paws found the mouse with the casual accuracy of a warrior, the one that comes only from years of practice. The mouse's body hung limply from her jaws as she raised her head, quietly taking in her surroundings. The only prey-scent that now lingered was the mouse itself, which she placed carefully on the ground, scratching earth over it to cover it. The forest was quiet apart from the occasional birdcall, calls that Wrenstar knew instinctively were far too high up for her to reach with her claws and teeth. As she raised her head, she could not help smiling as a snowflake landed on it, even as she cursed the cold. Leaf-bare was well and truly here, a harsh time for all the cats, of all the Clans. But there was a small, simple joy in that touch of perfect whiteness, that little cold speck, upon her nose. She sighed. If only there was somebody to share it with. [/scrolly]