CODE © SKELLE 2022

Winter would be soon, he could feel it. It was in the air if the light covering beyond the wall wasn't enough. Although he loved the cold, the sun was falling and he needed to find a place to settle down in this new land. Passing a giant structure earlier, he sought out the massive ship and approached cautiously. Having never seen anything like it before, despite its obvious abandonment he was still skeptical and gave the place a good scan before entering through one of the gaping holes in the side.

The place was eerie and strange, but it hardly stopped him from moving down the dilapidated hallway. He was intrigued but if he could find a good place to settle, then perhaps spending the night wouldn't be so bad. Though it seemed that as soon as the thought finished in his head, a suspicious sound caught his attention. Not a moment later, a cougar sauntered around the corner.

Sverre snarled and postured immediately, bracing himself and trying to appear threatening enough to the feline that it would leave. He wasn't so lucky however and the cat quickly came at him, reaching out their paw to swipe. He dodged it, snapping at the cat's paw as it swiped but also failed to reach his target. He kept the distance between them and snarled at the cat then, warning it.

230/1500


"Speech!"

**Takes place for the seasonal for Fall, Year 17**

Winter is just around the corner and the band will need of a new place to bed down for coming months. The empty shell of a once mighty ship had caught Tove’s attention and the nebula-cloaked wolf had decided to inspect it. There are many empty rooms that would do well to house her bandmates but the metal is cold and the scent of predatory animals hangs thickly in the air. No, this will not do. As she moves back toward the entrance she came through the scent of another wolf reaches her… and right behind that the scent of a large feline.

On silent paws she rushes forward, hoping she is in time to help the wolf. She appears from down the corridor that is behind the attacking cougar. Inwardly, she groans as two more cougars materialize from the shadows behind the wolf. Barreling forward, Tove shouts, “Look out behind you!” The cougar she is behind turns to see who is has joined in the fight and the colorful woman plows into its side… hard. The feline goes flying and she steps up next to the male, giving him a small nod before turning her attention back to the attacking cougars.


WC: 202
Total WC: 432/1500
"Tove Baade"

CODE © SKELLE 2022

One cougar was plenty, he could handle that on his own though not without the risk of a major injury. Traveling alone was dangerous, but something he had grown used to as of late. It would bode well for him today, however.

With the feline before him gearing up for another attack, the call from another wolf took them both off guard. Unaware of the appearing cougars behind him until that moment, he turned his head quickly as the first cougar went for the new wolf. Sverre snarled at the approaching felines as they began to split, circling around him on either side slowly. Standing between the two cats, he had a hard time keeping his eyes on both of them. On his left, one swept for a hind paw and successfully grabbed it and sliced his tender flesh. He turned his head to snarl at the cat but the other one was quick to take advantage of the weakness and swipe at him as well.

Pain tore through his shoulder as he felt claws ripping through the flesh and muscle. As the cat used the leverage to get closer, Sverre sank his fangs into the paw in retaliation and didn't let go while the animal fought. He couldn't tear his focus away from the cats to check on the one who had warned him, but hoped that they were fairing well against the singular cat, provided others hadn't appeared again.

While gripping onto the cats paw, a second set of claws pierced his flesh at the hip and caused him to let go of the other cats paw as he yelped in surprise and pain.

708/1500


"Speech!"

The cougars work together, encircling the pair and, as Tove stands next to the stranger. Eyes follow the feline she had knocked down, duel-toned eyes watching as it is quick to regain its footing. She lunges toward it, trying to keep beast off balance and on the defensive. Teeth find purchase in the tender flesh just above one of the front paw. It yowls in outrage and moves to swipe at her but she already backing away. Casting a look to the unknown male, Tove’s heart sinks as she sees blood seeping from his shoulder and back paw. The cougar before her is angry and preparing to attack her again. Its tail flicks in annoyance and Tove gives it a loud growl as it circles the wolves with its companion.

Eyes track its movements as Tove says, “This is not a good spot to fight. Think you can make it outside?” The cougar lunges at her right then and she answers by ducking under the blow and biting into the creature’s armpit. Hissing can heard as the cat slinks back, unsure how to attack the woman. Teeth flash as Tove suddenly rushes forward and the surprised cat has to jump backwards. One of the other feline’s notices its friend’s distress and turns toward Tove, lashing out and forcing her to back away quickly. Her backend butts up against one of the metal walls and she looks to the stranger to see how he is fairing. They need to get out of this place.

WC: 253
Total WC: 961/1500

"Tove Baade"

CODE © SKELLE 2022

They were outnumbered by these cougars and Sverre really didn't like it, but they probably needed to admit defeat and run if given an opening. Trapped inside the ship didn't give them enough room to repeatedly dodge the felines attacks, at least outside they could get a chance to escape or at least have a more even playing field. Beside him, the woman wasn't having any easier of a time against the cougar and it didn't take much for one of the cougars attacking him to move over to her. They didn't seem to be picky about which wolf they fought, only that they chased the canids out of their territory.

"Maybe." He huffed between breaths, his voice deep and very annoyed with the situation. Blood seeped from his shoulder, hip, and barely so at the ankle but it hardly stopped him. When there was a lull, he charged straight for the remaining cougar focused on him and aimed to shoulder it hard in the chest. He felt the massive arms of the cat wrap around him briefly before the wind was knocked out of it as it hit the ground flat on its back from becoming imbalanced. Sverre almost lost his own breath but struggled himself free of the coming-to cat. He felt the claws of the animal snag his flesh down his back as he wriggled himself free and scurrying towards the gaping hole he had entered through.

The cat was hot on his heels however, slowed only by the fact that they were on their back. However the cat was fast and managed to snag Sverre's ankle again on the way out, tripping the man and sending him sliding down the snow as the cat came after him. Sverre hurried to his paws to put distance between him and the cat, fiery eyes glancing towards the exit behind his own enemy hoping the woman would find her chance to escape now entangled with two of the three cougars.

He wasn't allowed his focus to sway for long however as the cat came for him again, but this time with enough space he was able to dodge the attack entirely and shift his positioning closer to the entrance while still keeping an eye on it the best he could.

1342/1500


"Speech!"

Tove continues to fight the two cougars while keeping an eye on the wounded male. His injuries are mounting and she needs to get him to the healers in the band. She growls and snaps at the felines working to try and keep them on the defensive. When her rump touches the wall, Tove plants both back paws against it and readies herself. She can see the stranger’s plan forming and, when he makes a break for the opening, the cougars attentions are caught by the sudden movement. The nebula woman takes that moment to launch herself off the wall. Lowering her head to slam into one cat while ducking under the attack of its friend. She runs down the hallway she had come from, mentally counting off her steps.

When she reaches six, Tove spins around to face the charging felines and runs straight for them. Claws come out as she nears the felines, deadly teeth ready to tear her apart. Paws leave the floor and she goes airborne, the felines are too slow to adjust and are unable to land a hit as she sails over them. Tail tucks as she lands, keeping clear of snapping jaws and reaching claws. She runs for the opening, lowing her shoulder once more as she barrels through and plows into the enemy before the male. The cat is knocked sideways sent sprawling into the snow. She barks out, “Follow me!” before taking off at a dead sprint in the direction of where the band beds down each night.

Tove hopes he can keep up, that the adrenaline in his system is compensating for his wounds and that she can get him to safety and a healer before he collapses. Eyes dart back and she adjusts her speed as needed to be closer to the stranger. She will not leave him and she doesn’t want him to lag too far behind.


WC: 319
Total WC: 1661/1500

"Tove Baade"

CODE © SKELLE 2022

Standing before the cougar with the entrance behind it was great because he could watch both of them, but it however proved to be a little too distracting. He missed as the cat swiped for him again, positively slapping him across the face and tearing claws down his cheek. It wasn't the worst he'd felt during this battle, but it was definitely the last time he'd let the cat tear him up. Tearing himself away from the cat, he moved away further to put more distance between him and the cougar, although it was approaching slowly and following him as he moved trying to keep them close.

He almost missed the woman running from the ship, closing the distance between them and colliding into the final cougar. He didn't need to be told twice to follow after the woman when she called and gladly did so, eager to get away from these cats. If it wasn't for his thick coat, his injuries would have likely been life threatening from blood loss, however the density allowed for at least a little room and so they weren't as deep as they could be. A few stitches would be all he needed, and a few good drinks or ten.


"Speech!"

Tove leads the way as the pair race away from the cougars and ship. Paws churn up snow as they run and only when she certain that the cats are no longer following does she slow down.  She pulls into trot while casting her duel-toned eyes to the male, noting the numerous patches of blood that litter his pelt. Worriedly, she asks, “You okay to keep going? I am part of a band that is not far from here. We can get you stitched up and offer you some food.” Watching the male to see his reaction to her idea, she adds, “My name is Tove.” A gentle smile is given to the wolf as she waits to hear of he will follow her to the band.

"Tove Baade"

CODE © SKELLE 2022

They'd finally escaped the angry cougars and Sverre's pace slowed as he caught his breath, worn out from the brawl. The pain from his injuries wouldn't take but another few minutes to set in with the adrenaline blinding him, but that didn't stop him from looking himself over as the woman asked if he wanted some of their band's help. He would be stupid to turn the offer away, especially if he got a good night's rest out of it. That's all he was looking for anyway, a warm and dry place to sleep.

"I think stitches and food sound perfect." He spoke between heavy breaths, his Icelandic accent heavy on his voice. At the mention of her name, however, his head tilted. He'd already met one wolf from a similar heritage, yet she was a loner. It was strange to find another, though he brushed it off as coincidence and respond as if it wasn't strange. "Sverre, and thank you for the help back there."


"Speech!"

Worried eyes look at the wounded wolf and, when he agrees to stitches and food, Tove gives him a soft smile accompanied by a silent nod. He offers his name in return and the nebula-clad woman muses, “Sverre? What an interesting name. You will fit in well with the band.” Giving a soft chuckle, but not elaborating, she begins to lead the way, moving them toward the wall and the camp that the band is using. As they go, the worried woman keeps stealing glances at Sverre, part of her afraid that he might collapse at any moment. But, he doesn’t and, when the pair get close enough, Tove tilts her head back to release a howl. She calls for Iðunn, the band’s healer, asking for her help, while also inviting Víðarr to come and inspect the man she is bringing in, since, he is the leader.

Soon, a crackling fire can be seen in the distance and Tove leads the man toward it, directing him to one of the furs laid out around it once they arrive. As they wait for Iðunn, Tove moves to where the band stores their meat and gathers a large chunk of a recent deer kill. She returns to deposit the food before the injured man before moving off again to grab some water and bowls. Once she has served them both, Tove settles onto a nearby fur, her duel-toned eyes watch Sverre with quiet interest but hold back her questions for now.


"Tove Baade"