picking some prey {closed}

Palepaw had trotted up to the preypile after a somewhat boring walk outside of camp. Palepaw was hoping to go hunting with her mentor, but, alas, it hasn't happened yet. She had checked in with her siblings and foster parents before picking prey for herself. She had already gave a couple mice to them, which earned her a soft lick on the top of her head, and Palepaw in return grumbled and quickly retreated to grab her own food.

Palepaw tilted her head in thought. She was semi-excited for her sibling becoming apprentices soon, as she was three or four moons ahead of them. Her spiked along the ridge of her spine, and she shook away the excited-ness of actually spending time with them. She hasn't done much, because the time they were starting to become active as they grew, Palepaw was already an apprentice.

Palepaw had ran her tongue along her jaws, as she picked through the pile. She decided on a more..older piece so the elders can have something better, which had her pulling out an older squirrel that was at the bottom, and then Palepaw tidying it up so she didn't get yelled at for dusting,and messing up the prey pile.

Unfortunately, the elders didn't quite earn the same courtesy from Morningpaw. The tom padded up beside Palepaw, ignoring her at first. As if acting on instinct alone, he grabbed the fattest, most plump critter which sat near the top of the fresh-kill pile. There was no remorse in his actions as he settled onto the frosted camp ground and ripped a giant chunk from the squirrel.

He couldn't hide his moan of delight at the sweet and fatty taste. He almost lost himself in the satisfaction that came from eating before flicking his eyes towards the other apprentice, his head still facing forwards. Morningpaw smirked.

"That's a rather sad looking meal, don't you think?" He gestured to his own piece of prey. "There are more just like this one, I won't judge," the russet and white tom purred.

Palepaw had thought about it for a minute..glancing at the Elder's den. She didn't see any of the elders at the moment, and she really thought about it. I mean..it was her first outing..maybe she did deserve a better meal.? Maybe there was a naught kit..or apprentice that could have this instead. Palepaw had glanced back at Morningpaw, seemingly unsure of what he said. Was it really alright?

She prodded the squirrel that she had picked for herself, as she still sat at the side of the pile. It was probably one of the unlucky squirrels that hadn't really done much for hording nuts, as it didn't..feel very plump. Palepaw had glanced back at him, her mouth opening in reply.

"Are you sure...? I don't want to get in trouble." Palepaw had replied, glancing at the Elder's den once more. She was very unsure about rules on picking prey..but she's always seen the elders get the good prey.

He followed her gaze to the elder's den. He had heard cats talk about a pit in their stomach before, calling it guilt. He couldn't quite understand.

"Why should an apprentice eat scraps while the old and sick eat the best of the pick? They're not the ones who spend all day in the frigid cold searching for prey," he commented, disdain clear in his voice. "We need more energy than those freeloaders." The tom rose from his seat, padding up to the fresh-kill pile and picking out a fat bird from the mix. He placed it in front of the she-cat before sitting back down and taking another bite of his own meal.

"If Lightningstar makes a fuss, I'll convince him otherwise. We do all the hard work and dirty jobs, we deserve a good meal." He pushed the bird towards Palepaw.

Palepaw couldn't agree with that. She was sure the Elders wouldn't mind, as all they do is share stories with the kits, and sun themselves all day. Palepaw did sure need the energy, as she wasn't used to running around the territory all day with her mentor yet, and her currently smaller legs made it hard to jump over things her mentor did.

"Can't argue with that...they really don't really do anything all day except for sunning themselves, complaining, and entertaining the kits." Palepaw had replied, leaving the scrawny squirrel she'd picked out on the preypile, and hooking up the fat bird he'd left her with a claw. Palepaw laid down near him, taking the time to pull out some of the feathers to keep for her nest, and then slowly chewing on it.