Post by haze on Apr 14, 2024 20:44:07 GMT
MAGGOTCHEER
Who's in the shadows? Who's ready to play?
Squish. Squelch. Squish. Squelch. Squish.
Maggotcheer grimaced as fresh mud suckled her feet, painting her snow-white ankle fur a sickly brown. Although she'd only walked for maybe ten minutes, the former rogue's sensitive, pink skin -- poorly insulated thanks to premature balding -- already itched as badly as an ant bite. A well-composed cat most days, Maggotcheer had to fight the urge to chew on her irritated flesh until the itchy sensation waned. After all, potential employees -- er, her clanmates -- were watching. She couldn't look weak-willed.
The gaunt she-cat shot a pained look at the two youngsters bringing up the rear of the dawn patrol. Beefur and Honeyhoot, cousins of the sniveling GaleClan deputy Wapatofur, were among the greenest warriors in the clan, so she was initially surprised when Heronfrost assigned both of them to the same patrol -- and under her care, no less. Maggotcheer was no spring chicken, but she was certainly still new to ShoreClan, having left her 'uncivilized' life of full-time banditry behind just over two seasons ago. Now, she was just part-time.
But, as always, her temporary bemusement quickly turned to intrigue. Who cared about the why? Heronfrost had given her a grand opportunity to expand her illegal trade business, even if the fish-eating dummy was none the wiser. Sure, she would make sure patrolling got done, but she also planned to sus out whether Beefur and Honeyhoot might make for decent henchmen -- er, collaborators.
They were certainly young and naive enough to be molded and trained, but what about competent? Maggotcheer studied Beefur with narrowed eyes. From the little she had observed of the tom, he had an attention span no better than a gnat, and he gabbed way too much. What if he let precious trade secrets slip? Although he was amiable and eager to please, two traits she could easily exploit, Beefur might be too big of a liability in a business that required focus and precision. However, his sister, with her exceptional eavesdropping skills and quiet demeanor, showed potential.
Maggotcheer slowed to a halt a couple of tail-lengths from the border with OrchidClan, beckoning the young felines to her side with a flick of her patchy, thinning tail.
"Would you two care to do the honors of marking the border?" She watched them with cold, unblinking eyes.
Maggotcheer grimaced as fresh mud suckled her feet, painting her snow-white ankle fur a sickly brown. Although she'd only walked for maybe ten minutes, the former rogue's sensitive, pink skin -- poorly insulated thanks to premature balding -- already itched as badly as an ant bite. A well-composed cat most days, Maggotcheer had to fight the urge to chew on her irritated flesh until the itchy sensation waned. After all, potential employees -- er, her clanmates -- were watching. She couldn't look weak-willed.
The gaunt she-cat shot a pained look at the two youngsters bringing up the rear of the dawn patrol. Beefur and Honeyhoot, cousins of the sniveling GaleClan deputy Wapatofur, were among the greenest warriors in the clan, so she was initially surprised when Heronfrost assigned both of them to the same patrol -- and under her care, no less. Maggotcheer was no spring chicken, but she was certainly still new to ShoreClan, having left her 'uncivilized' life of full-time banditry behind just over two seasons ago. Now, she was just part-time.
But, as always, her temporary bemusement quickly turned to intrigue. Who cared about the why? Heronfrost had given her a grand opportunity to expand her illegal trade business, even if the fish-eating dummy was none the wiser. Sure, she would make sure patrolling got done, but she also planned to sus out whether Beefur and Honeyhoot might make for decent henchmen -- er, collaborators.
They were certainly young and naive enough to be molded and trained, but what about competent? Maggotcheer studied Beefur with narrowed eyes. From the little she had observed of the tom, he had an attention span no better than a gnat, and he gabbed way too much. What if he let precious trade secrets slip? Although he was amiable and eager to please, two traits she could easily exploit, Beefur might be too big of a liability in a business that required focus and precision. However, his sister, with her exceptional eavesdropping skills and quiet demeanor, showed potential.
Maggotcheer slowed to a halt a couple of tail-lengths from the border with OrchidClan, beckoning the young felines to her side with a flick of her patchy, thinning tail.
"Would you two care to do the honors of marking the border?" She watched them with cold, unblinking eyes.
Are we the hunters? Or are we the prey?
xvinn, muffin
