Post by slack on Jan 19, 2011 22:25:05 GMT -6
The sharp aroma hit his nose like a monster, slamming through his nasal cavities and leaving a bitter trace in its wake. Whitethroat halted in his tracks, his bulky body stiffening beneath his flowing pelt. The pungent tang of fox was in the air. His legs stiffened and, had they not thankfully been anchored by the solidity of the ground beneath him, the large tom might have wavered on his paws. His translucent claws slid quietly out of their protective sheaths, mercilessly piercing the moist earth. His whiskers quivered in instinctive alarm, but his solemn expression and cool gaze refused to reveal his anxiety. He stretched his neck higher, lifting his broad muzzle to the gentle breeze. On impulse, his lips parted, letting the warm zephyr waft across the glands built into the roof of his mouth. A faint hiss trailed his exhale, but his broad body visibly relaxed. The scent was stale, at least a day old—maybe two. His tense muscles reverted into a slackened, comfortable state and he gave his large body a quick shake.
With a sigh of blatant relief, Whitethroat resumed his exploit along ThunderClan’s edge. He picked his way along the border of Tallpines, occasionally meandering off of his path to examine something or other. However, his heart and mind didn’t seem to be in the inspection. His actions were machine-like and automatic, as if his thoughts were focused on something else. In truth, Whitethroat couldn’t have been mentally farther from his task than he was at that moment. Tallpines was forever distracting him when he stepped paw into the evergreen shadows. His Technicolor eyes frequently strayed in the direction of Twolegplace, but his paws refused to step near the twoleg dens. He avoided the area completely, lending it a wide berth when he was forced to pass it.
Overhead, the sun shone, incandescent against a rich blue sky. Although a faint breeze caused the evergreen needles to rustle, the sounds were lost amongst the chittering and cooing of the local birds. Whitethroat paid no mind to the prey noises, but his steps were silent out of habit. He strolled casually across the needle-strewn earth, his ginger pelt dappled by the shadows created by the sun. He traveled without a clear destination in mind, his thoughts noticeably on other things.
With a sigh of blatant relief, Whitethroat resumed his exploit along ThunderClan’s edge. He picked his way along the border of Tallpines, occasionally meandering off of his path to examine something or other. However, his heart and mind didn’t seem to be in the inspection. His actions were machine-like and automatic, as if his thoughts were focused on something else. In truth, Whitethroat couldn’t have been mentally farther from his task than he was at that moment. Tallpines was forever distracting him when he stepped paw into the evergreen shadows. His Technicolor eyes frequently strayed in the direction of Twolegplace, but his paws refused to step near the twoleg dens. He avoided the area completely, lending it a wide berth when he was forced to pass it.
Overhead, the sun shone, incandescent against a rich blue sky. Although a faint breeze caused the evergreen needles to rustle, the sounds were lost amongst the chittering and cooing of the local birds. Whitethroat paid no mind to the prey noises, but his steps were silent out of habit. He strolled casually across the needle-strewn earth, his ginger pelt dappled by the shadows created by the sun. He traveled without a clear destination in mind, his thoughts noticeably on other things.