Jupiter wove lazily through the mostly hidden tar pits stopping only once in a great while when a particularly macabre scene demanded his attention. He was amazed by the things caught in nature's hot, sticky snares. Some beasts, with eyes glazed and fly covered, were still alive but not long for this world. A man of questionable intelligence though he may be, Jupiter knew better than to approach them. He took the scenes in, the apparent greed of the predators trapped close to their would-be prey, the desperation of the large prey animals scrabbling at firm ground, and went on his way. He could neither free those stuck - should he have wanted to - or eat from the tar's recent victims so there was no reason for him to stay and gawk. The only thing that would stop him was something of immense value. Even then he would be hesitant to approach. Upon coming across a still living yearling puma who reached out to him with wide eyes, Jupiter simply tsked and shook his head. "Looks like you're up shit creek, buddy, and you ain't takin' me with ya." He wasn't going to stick his neck out for some dumb cat foolish enough to what, jump into a tar pit after a decaying springbok? No way, no how. The cat, clearly a young thing, wailed at him in despair. Jupiter was unmoved. He wasn't sticking his neck out for what was a rival predator. Not that he would have been more likely to help a wolf either, but eh, details. Jupiter shrugged, "The best I can offer is to stick this," he motioned to a long, skinny stick, "Through one of your eyes and stir it around a bit." Provided the skinny stick didn't bend too much he thought he could give the cat a fairly quick death. "But that's my only offer so speak now, bub, or imma go about my business." WC: 324 "Jupiter"   "Amadeus" ”You”

ooc: set before sirius thread-

She hated that her thought process had allowed her to continue into the dangerous pits of tar. Her bright blue and lavender eyes took in the gruesome scenes before her. The worst was the ones not quite dead, that moaned softly as she walked by and their life force slipped away into the cold. So far none of them were Motif and fewer of them were wolves. Each terrible face brought about a bit of relief.

She wasn’t really expecting to see any other upright forms in this land, she had no temptation to try and scavenge. She just wanted to find Motif. Dark ears swiveled as the sound of the voice reached her and his shape came into focus. The blue of his coat was vaguely reminiscent of her brother’s but the markings beneath his eyes really told the story. He looked a lot like Tyrian. She kind of felt sorry for the young cat, it was probably about her age. Really the man was right, better to put it out of its misery than to try and remove it from the ick.

Her inner Shaye always liked to shine through. What if they could save the thing? They’d be owed a debt and succeeded in trouncing fate. Not that she was any good at it, she hadn’t been given any luck in finding Motif. Or even a hint of her beloved sister. ”Before you kill it,” she interjected before any sticks were put anywhere. ”Lets spar, if I win you help me pull the thing out. If I lose..” She couldn’t dedicate much, her priority was finding Motif above all. ”I don’t know, I’ll do a menial task of your choosing.” She hoped he wouldn’t come up with anything time consuming. She couldn’t back down after offering the bet.

wc:307

The cat stared up at him with wide, terrified eyes and made no answer. Clearly it didn't like his ultimatum and didn't know what to do. The seconds ticked by until finally Jupiter decided it was enough. He clicked his tongue in disappointment and fixed the cat with a look that said this was his last chance.

He got no response so he shrugged and was on the verge of leaving when a youthful voice stopped him in his tracks.

He swung around to see who was talking and was surprised by what he saw. Jupiter's eyes roved over Poem speculatively. If he wasn't mistaken, the pariah Rhyme was the only one in their family to have markings like that which meant the girl was likely from his line. Not that her parentage mattered to him. He'd never met Rhyme before The Defrocking so he was neither saddened by the loss or invested enough in him to be curious about his family. The girl was simply a stranger.

Jupiter allowed his gaze to roll heavenward as he thought about what he might want in return. ”Hmmm,” he hummed thoughtfully. ”Seems unwise to bid sticking my neck out for a chance at winning a menial task, don't you think? So how about this: if I win,” he grinned devilishly, deciding he would rather stir the pot than gain anything. ”You come to Legion for a visit.” He might not have been curious about that side of the family, but he was curious the reaction of certain others to meeting that side.

WC: 250
TC: 891

”You won't even have to get your pretty paws dirty.” Poem told him as she looked him over again. He wasn’t the first member of her extended family that she had come across. She really liked meeting Tyrian and to be honest he would be the real reason for her giving into his part of the deal. He also gave her no deadline, so she could wait to hold up her end of the bargain at least. Her top priority was finding her sister, and there was little chance she was in Legion. She wondered what might have gone down if Motif had found her way to that pack, would they hold her hostage? Would they hold her position over their father’s head? She knew that side had hurt her father, enough that he barely spoke of them.

Poem had been given a little history lesson before the eruption. Rhyme had wanted to tell all of his kids together about their extended ‘kin’ but with the eruption and Motif missing he’d only told her. She vaguely remembered her grandmother from when she was a tiny puppy, but she’d really liked her uncle? Her father hadn’t been incredibly detailed, but she knew to be careful around them at least.

”I agree to your terms.” The cat’s life meant little to her, she didn’t even know if it would be able to recover after being pulled out. With all the tar clinging to its fur the prognosis wasn’t great. If Rhyme had still been with her she had no doubt he would have the skill to save it, but she felt woefully ill prepared for such a task. She took a deep breath and settled into a quick defensive stance.

There was little more warning after that, Poem was working against the clock. If she won she’d save a life. If she’d lost she’d still make an attempt but was more likely to get sucked in herself. She had to win. With determination Poem aimed to close the distance between her and Jupiter with a smooth leap in his direction. She aimed to slam her right shoulder into the left center of his chest and as she opened her jaws attempted to grasp hold of the back of his cheek under his ear where the skin was more sensitive.

wc:391

Poem Destruction vs Jupiter for Wager (spar)
Round 1/2
Age: 1+
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Raven - attack
Fight Skill Level: Advanced

His lazy smile broadened as his deal was accepted. Sweet. Jupiter didn't know if any other members of his family would be as amused by a possible visit from a black sheep and he didn't care. He would be amused and he liked the idea of showing Poem what he'd been brought up to think of as the "right" side of the family. None of that soft, bleeding heart hero stuff his grandpa liked to grouse about.

Technically this was bleeding heart hero stuff, but the flashy titan, though he took his grandfather's lessons to heart, wasn't one to write off a whole category. Doing that would, however minutely,  lessen opportunities to amuse himself - and he couldn't have that. Just think of all the entertainment he might miss out on if he won this little fight. It would be a shame to pass up the opportunity.

Jupiter watched as the girl adopted a defensive stance, but he remained unmoved. His own stance was lackadaisical at best and he continued to sport a lopsided, devil may care grin. As Poem prepared to pounce his grin hardened a bit but that was the only sign he gave that he might be bracing for a fight.

When at last she sprung Jupiter was ready despite what his stance suggested. He leapt to his left as she bore down on him so that her right shoulder grazed the outside of his right shoulder in passing. As soon as his paws were planted again - bunched under him this time -  he jutted out his right shoulder and aimed to drive it into Poem's right shoulder in the hopes of shunting her to the side (her left). Because of his dodge her teeth clipped empty air. For now no blood was drawn.

WC: 404

Jupiter versus Poem for Wager
Round One of Two
Age: 1+
Size: Extra Large
Build: Medium
Fight Skill Level: Advanced

Poem kept her balance on her toes, they were roughly the same size and evenly matched in all but experience. She knew she was younger than he was, but she didn’t want to lose. She didn’t hesitate in her movements, even when her (what she assumed to be distant cousin somehow) evaded her attack. She admired his dedication to looking in ill prepare. The move took her off guard as she closed her jaws around nothing but air.

Poem’s shoulder slam was returned in kind, a move that she had half expected. She was forced to her left, but it was intentional on her part to avoid a lot of bruising. She too coiled her limbs as she recovered and tried to throw her body against his. Poem aimed her right shoulder against his ribcage to drive the wind from his lungs. Her jaws parted they searched for purchase against his scruff so she could try and gain control over him and the battle.

Poem Destruction vs Jupiter for Wager (Dominance)
Round 2/2
Age: 1+
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Raven - attack
Fight Skill Level: Advanced

Jupiter was forced to sidestep to absorb Poem's shove so he could avoid injury. He was only partially successful. Though he had done what he could to avoid injury no doubt his skin would bruise later. He then ducked her searching jaws and then, head lowering further, sought to ram the back of his neck/base of his head and shoulder into Poem's right foreleg. Simultaneously his jaws parted as he sought to grab Poem's left foreleg. A grip/bite there coupled with his shoulder of her right foreleg would hopefully destroy her balance and bring her - one way or another - to the ground.

Jupiter versus Poem for Wager
Round Two of Two
Age: 1+
Size: Extra Large
Build: Medium
Fight Skill Level: Advanced

And the winner is...

POEM	Jupiter must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Poem wins the wager! Totals: Poem: 233.97 Jupiter: 211.68

The two of them grappled back and forth for another long moment before Poem was able to find an opening and pin his strong form. Catching her breath as she stood up she turned her attention back to the poor cat. She had won the wager, and she expected him to make good. ”I”m Poem.” She offered, blue and lavender gaze shifting from Jupiter’s form to the sticky black cat. This wasn’t going to be pleasant.

Poem grounded her feet on the ledge, offering another glace at Jupiter. ”I’m going to grab its scruff. Grab mine, and pull back when i give the signal.” She said he wasn't going to get his paws dirty and she meant it. With care she moved to wrap her jaws around the cat’s scruff and gave Jupiter the signal to pull back with her.

With a dramatic sigh Jupiter rolled over onto his back and put a wrist on his brow in mock anguish at his defeat. The girl was quick to roll off of him and introduce herself. After dropping the woe-is-me act Jupiter too got to his paws. "Poem, eh? With a name like that you have to be one of those Destructions. My name's Jupiter." As for the cat... He tsked at it and shook his head as she laid out the game plan. "Whatever you say, boss lady."

He stepped up beside her; his posture making it clear he was going to do what he'd been told to do. After she got into position he grabbed her scruff and awaited the signal to pull. Together the two of them surely could pull it free, but if not he had no problem with using her like a stepping stone to haul himself out of the muck.