It didn't matter how many times she carved her sigil around her, she hadn't been able to reach any conclusive prayers. She remembered their father saying how they were more powerful when their sigils were together. That's exactly what she needed. She sought out one of her siblings to try to give it a try.

Toxicity came across Pestilence first and took her time to explain the situation and the ritual she had in mind: draw their sigils along with their father's sigil, pray for his safety and his response, then wait in meditation for an answer.

Usually, that's where it stopped. Toxicity had been left waiting every time thus far. To be honest, the only sleep she had been getting lately was when she fell asleep as she waited in silence for an answer. Each time, she'd reawaken with a start, never remembering where she was anymore. Where was home? Where was the feeling of waking up slowly in the den with her family? Ever since the move, she had always woken up confused and upset. She hadn't smiled in what felt like ages. She didn't even know if she wanted to anymore. It felt much too frivolous to smile and play when such serious things were happening in the world around them.

"And so I need you to perform the ritual with me," Toxicity explained to her sister. "I truly believe with two or more of us present, we can get an answer."

She wasn't sure if her sister would go for it, but she needed someone to. She was willing to trade what little she had left and then some if her siblings would accompany her. She couldn't take no for an answer, not now, not when she was so close to getting some answers and some satisfaction.

WC: 300

Pestilence was happy when her sister sought her out - the days had been getting and harder and harder as the reality of her father's death hit her more forcefully. It was if every morning she woke up expecting him to still be here, and being broken down further each time he wasn't. Spending some time with her siblings might help her to get her mind off of the tragedy. Her annoyance and frustration grew as all Tox wanted to talk about was her father's death. Her stupid sister was dead-set on using their sigils to summon his spirit and speak to him to get answers. Well, Pesto had all the answers she needed. Dad was dead, the volcano had taken him. The Abraxas' were to blame for his being on the volcano in the first place. She didn't interrupt her sister's talking, but waited until she was finished speaking to say her piece. It was simple. "No." Pestilence responded, turning her head away from her sister. "It's all just made-up stories for kids, and you can't be a kid anymore when your dad is dead." Her voice wanted to break, and so instead she turned her tone venomous so the bite of it might overshadow the pain. Pestilence's sigil wasn't even complete - though she wouldn't give that information to her sister. She'd been thinking so hard on it, even going as far as asking her mother for help but to no use. The pup was going to ask her father's help... but he died, and his religious nonsense was far from her priorities. It was like Sirius said - strength was what mattered, not blood or gods. The volcano was stronger then dad, and so it took him away from them. Her eyes began to water at the thought, and she sniffed hard to hold back the tears.   Word Count: 312 "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

OOC: Shorty short to be able to get to the fighting

Toxicity was disheartened when her sister said no, but her sadness grew quickly to anger then rage as she called God made up and for kids. "He is not," Tox said indignantly. "You're trying to say Dad died for nothing? You think that would make him happy? Then what does Uncle Hanni disappearing mean to you? That the Kleins aren't real either?" Her fur fluffed and ears pinned.

"Come on, I'll show you. Prove it to you- that God is real," she said to her sister. There was no way she was going to let her sister fall to the twists and traps of her mortal heart. "I won't let you lose your faith. Dad would never forgive me."

She wasn't sure how she could convince her sister to take part in the ritual. "Tell me what it'll take," Toxicity said flatly, "To get you to come with me and do this."

WC: 150
TWC: 450

Pestilence' ear flicked towards her as her sister refuted her words. It was okay, her siblings were just children and children were allowed to believe in fairy tails. She should feel bad for crushing her sister's dream, but Pestilence found it easier to cause other people pain then to allow herself to feel hers. Toxicity assured her she wouldn't allow her to lose her faith and the small pup's heart clenched. She did love her sisters terribly, but if they loved her back then why did they keep pushing her on this religion she didn't want to believe in? Couldn't believe in. Sirius had told her the volcano took Archon from her because it was stronger then him. He said he believed in strength, and the strongest would rule the weak and always win. That's what Pestilence wanted to believe in too, and so when Toxicity asked what she could do to make her participate her answer came easily. "Fine, beat me in a fight and show you're stronger then me and then I will play your silly game." She answered. The pup knew it wasn't fair to do a sneak attack, so she steadied herself and faced Toxicity head on. She fluffed up her fur and spread out her limbs to show the other pup that she was ready, and then she waited for her opponent to make the first move. Total Word Count: 988. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

Her sister did not argue for some time. It seemed she was almost pulled into her own thoughts. Toxicity waited, panting lightly from her own little outburst. She didn't want to lose her sister to the evils of her mortal brain and heart. She wanted to prove to her sister that they could move forward with their faith. Finally, her sister asked her to beat her in a fight. Surprise flashed on Tox's face for a moment before she quelled it. She nodded. She would do it. She would fight her sister to save her, even if she was saving her from herself. Toxicity readied herself. She wasn't the most skilled, but she wanted to show that she was powerful still. They were both godlings and it would not be the worst think to be beaten by her sister under regular circumstances. It was just that these circumstances made it to where she felt like she couldn't afford to lose. When they were both ready, Tox nodded at her sister, then launched herself from the ground. She came at her sister head on, hoping to tackle her to the ground. She kept her maw open and ready to counter and bites from her sister. A flawless plan. twc: 1186 "Speech"

Toxicity Klein Abraxas vs Pestilence for Dominance- do the ritual
Round 1/?
Age: under 6 mos
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Fight Skill Level: Beginner

Toxicity accepted her challenge and Pestilence watched as her sister readied herself. A part of the pup was surprised that she would go to these lengths to convince Pesto to help perform the stupid ceremony, but Toxicity had always been so devoted to their father and his faith that she supposed it made sense. If he'd been watching, Archon might have been proud of his dutiful daughter.. the thought angered Pestilence even further. It didn't take long for her sister to prepare herself and Pestilence gave her a stiff nod in response. The other pup came flying head on and Pesto was surprised by the aggressive initiation. Most of her spars thus far had consisted of moves of cunning, battles of control, bites upon the scruff or face or neck. No one had ever charged her like this, and the pup felt her muscles tense as she wondered - too slowly - how to react. Toxicity's body hit her hard and she flopped against the ground with a sharp gasp. Pestilence tried to recover, lifting her head off the ground to see her sister's maw wide. She pushed off with her shoulder and lunged towards her sister, hoping to close her teeth around the other child's upper jaw as it hang open. Pestilence Klein Abraxas vs Toxicity for Dominance (To not do the ritual) Round 1/2 Age: under 6 months Size: Extra large Build: Light Fight Skill Level: Intermediate "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

Toxicity hit her sister and forced her to the ground. In her head she apologized. 'Sorry,' she thought. 'But if this is the only way, I'll have to.' Pesto shoved herself off the ground and at Toxicity. Teeth clashed against teeth as Pesto seized Tox's upper maw in her own. Pesto's teeth gouged at the sensitive skin around Toxicity's nose and Tox hissed in response, tears automatically pricking at the corners of her eyes in. In a quick counter, Toxicity attempted to clamp down on her sister's lower jaw and use her weight to force her sister to the ground. She didn't have to really hurt her, she just had to show her the flaw in her ways. "Speech"

Toxicity Klein Abraxas vs Pestilence for Dominance- do the ritual
Round 2/2
Age: under 6 mos
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Fight Skill Level: Beginner