Battle not with monsters;
Lest ye become a monster!

Lost. Oh, she was lost alright. Yes, definitely lost. This was nowhere near home, and she had no clue where she was. She went to sleep, woke up, and here she was. Did she wander all this way in her sleep? Who knew? Preacher would know, but he was not here. No, oh no, she was alone? Yes, she was alone and it was awful! 'That's okay. I'm okay. Yes, fine...no, not fine...lost.' She argued with herself in her head, the only place she could truly talk with herself and not make anyone wonder. Did she care about that? No, but it was better to not make others think she was crazy just yet. Did it matter? No, so she wouldn't hide it so much. She couldn't hide it anyway. Her stomach pinched and growled, Creature turning her head to the side to listen as if it spoke words. "Yes, eat. We will." Aloud, her voice soft and smooth, hiding the monster within.

Looking around, Creature watches the forest around her, ears swiveling to catch every sound. Winter didn't allow for many insects, but there was buzzing somewhere. Was it in her head? She didn't know. All she knew was that she was hungry and Preacher wasn't here yet to help her hunt. That left traditional prey. No...that would only egg it on, her hunger needed bigger, better. That melt-in-your-mouth wolf meat, made her shiver the thought of a true hunt. But, alas, she couldn't...her brother wasn't here to help her. She came across some plants in a clearing. She knew these plants even if they were frostbitten. Her mother had shown her these plants. Cannabis! Now she could relax. The buds were all dry on their stalks, which meant they would be very bad to eat but there was no other way currently. The witch chuckled and hummed to herself as she gathered the buds of the cannabis plant one by one until she had enough to consume and make herself relax. It was never fun on her own, Preacher was usually there with her, so she called out to anyone interested to join her. Hungry and about to be without inhibitions? Beware any who do come.

Word count: 368 words. || "Talk." || 'Think.' || 'Hear.'

Note: ---

ART

Cold as it was, Gil wandered. Something wasn't exactly... right. As of late, howls had been going off along the shores. Thankful he had moved his family to the isle, he knew they were safe. But it still picked at the back of his mind. Who? What were they doing? What did they want? He wanted answers. Needed answers. So he left. Swimming across the freezing water until his paws hit the fine black sand of Obsidian Beach. Familiar in the sense that he missed it, but also didn't at the same time. Continuing north, he tried to pick up that unfamiliar scent trail. Wolves that belonged to no one. Prints that faded all too quickly. Frustration grumbles in his chest as he passes through the mists of the Soulless Forest.

Here everything is spooky. Shadows lengthen, light dims, creatures rumble. Trying to keep his wits about him, Gil continues forward. Winding his way deeper into the forest until he loses the trail. No more prints, no more scent, the trail dying out as howls cease to echo over the canopy. Swearing under his breath, he stops for a moment, glancing around. Was he alone? Forcing himself to be still, his fur quickly stands on end as a call reaches through the branches of the winding trees. Both ears flick forward. Maybe the one beckoning him will have an answer.

Slowly pushing through the fog, Gilgamesh turns along the bend until he comes into a clearing. There he spies a wolf who is picking cannabis buds. His head tilts gently as he watches her silently. Was she the one requesting the company? It did not appear that she needed any or was in trouble. Letting out a low chuff, he approaches carefully, all senses on guard as he comes to a stop. "Do you require help?" Gil asks softly, his deep tenor breaking the silence.

"speech"

Battle not with monsters;
Lest ye become a monster!

Pick what you need. Only what you need. Oh, Mother Zeivah, when would you stop haunting your daughter? Never. Creature didn't listen. She never listened to her mother. She hated that abusive bitch. Creature grew angry, popping one of the dried-out buds into her mouth. As she guessed it was unpleasant, but she chewed anyway. There had to be a better way of consuming these. Snow crunching behind her made her ears twist backward on their own accord as the slightly taller male approached. "Do you require help?"

Did she? She didn't know if she needed help or if she would be alright. Preacher would come for her soon, he always did. So, she did not need help. Or did she? She was lost, hungry, cold, and in a few moments she would be higher than a kite. Eating another bud, Creature chewed before she turned around. Only a little while now. For a moment, those blood-red eyes simply stared at him. She didn't say anything, just looked at him for a long moment. Her expression changed as if she might have something profound to say, but the only thing that came out was a simple, "No." He seemed like he knew she could attack him at any time, but she wasn't stupid.

Her stomach growled as she looked at him. It demanded she feed. There was food right there, just take it. 'Kill him. Feed. Yes?' Creature smiled for a moment, then it was gone. '...No, can't, not yet.' Oh, but she wanted to. Salivating a little at the thought of killing the male and eating his corpse, Creature gave a growl but didn't move. Preacher wasn't here to help her yet, but she would not wait long. The urge to hunt this male was strong, his pelt would be a pretty present for Preacher. He would make a nice coat. Eating another bud, Creature sat staring at the man. "Do you require help?" She asked, finally, parroting his question to him with blank tones. She didn't care, nor would she actually help him if he needed it. She only copied his words, not his goodwill.

Word count: 357 words. || "Talk." || 'Think.' || 'Hear.'

Note: ---

ART

What left Gilgamesh feeling more uncomfortable was the stretched silence. How the female just stood there, facing away from him, chewing on those cannabis buds. Had she not heard him? He had not concealed his approach so the crunch of snow had to have been obvious. His ears fall back slightly as his brow narrows. Was she ignoring him on purpose? If so, that would be quite rude...

Before he could wrinkle his nose and get impatient, she finally turned to him. His body freezes as her red eyes stare into him. Not at him, into him. As if she could see into his soul. Quite disturbing honestly, but he wouldn't let it get to him. Instead, he molds his expression to be bland and slightly disinterested. Her simple answer was all that he needed and so he was fit to leave. Ready to turn and head back home, he noticed how her own facial features flickered and moved almost as if she wasn't sure how to feel. The smile that had flashed on her lips was... unsettling. Her continuation of staring at him only made the fur along his spine bristle further. Why was she just staring at him?

Gil's lips quiver, a rumble reverberating in his chest as she finally breaks the silence to parrot his question. Was she mocking him? Taunting him? Or was she simply crazy? He doesn't respond at first. No, instead he takes a gentle step back. The quiet creak of snow beneath the weight of his paw the only tell that he had even moved. "I don't believe you can give me the help I need," Gil speaks slowly as his head raises slightly, towering over her to potentially appear more threatening.

"speech"

Battle not with monsters;
Lest ye become a monster!

It was too soon to hunt the male, she was not with her brother and needed easier prey. Easier prey...how hard would it be to take the male down? Probably impossible for her alone. Was anything impossible? No, but there was a lack of confidence in herself just yet. Creature continued her unblinking stare after she asked his question back to him, the buds finally kicking in and making her almost zone out on him. Again, saliva pooled in her mouth as a strong hunger kicked in. Reclined on her haunches, Creature watched as the male bristled visibly toward her. Another flash of teeth in a wicked smile was given, this one lingering a bit before she wiped the expression clean off her face. Once again she stared blankly at the male, blood-red eyes not moving from the bright yellow of his.

Yes, he would be a pretty coat. His growl was not missed, nor was the gentle step he took backward, making a light crunching of snow as he did so. He tried to stand taller, but Creature was used to males much larger than she was. Her brother is one of them. Where was her brother? He should be here with her, instead, he left her lost and hungry without thinking that his sister might miss him. 'I don't believe you can give me the help I need...' Creature wasn't surprised by his answer, but she did wonder if he missed her meaning. She was not looking to help him, she was looking to eat him. He tried to appear threatening, but the step he had taken backward was all Creature needed to know he was not as scary as he tried to look. She let an unusually long silence stretch between them, chewing on another bud and waiting.

The witch was not easily cowed, and she would not be intimidated by a male who was only a scant two inches taller than herself. Her stare was unwavering, hunger slipping into those demonic red eyes as she licked her lips. Her stomach growled audibly, probably loud enough for the stranger to hear. A howl rang out in the distance, making Creature howl unexpectedly. When she stopped she suddenly moved fast as lightning toward the male. She didn't come close enough to attack, but she lunged in his direction with a hissing growl. "Run!" She yelled it at him, hoping to scare him or at least freak him out enough that he would run. She wanted to chase him in some sick game, having grown bored and high in his presence.

Word count: 432 words. || "Talk." || 'Think.' || 'Hear.'

Note: ---

ART

Impeccably still he stood there, looking back at her. Watching her as she chewed on the cannabis, nearly zoning out. Something was off about her. A tad odd in his opinion. Yet, he wasn't one to judge and if she were harmless, well then he would be on his way. Lingering on the balance of leaving or staying, Gil blinked quickly as he stayed alert to his surroundings. The whistle of the wind, the shift of scents, the rustle of leaves, everything intermingled together as the fog grew thicker around them. Why was this place always so creepy? He wouldn't understand and he didn't care to either. Rather, he was more keen on understanding why she stared at him. Her blood-red eyes stared at him, nearly unblinking.

Gil's fur continued to bristle, puffing up so that he appeared slightly larger. His toes flex into the hard dirt as his tail lifts slightly over his haunches. He lets out another growl as his lips begin to lift in a sneer. Unfortunately for the strange woman, he would not easily back down. No matter how weird or out there or creepy she was, he wouldn't back down. Leave because he was disinterested, yes. But run away scared? That was what cowards did.

When she lifts her muzzle to howl back at the echoing howl in the distance, Gil's muscles freeze. His breath catches in his throat as his body goes on full alert. Had this been a trap? Were others coming to her... rescue? If one would call it that. Furrowing his brow, he watches her. What a strange wolf she was. Something was definitely off about this one and that was saying something considering the types of wolves he knew. As his mind tried to unravel the mystery of the woman sitting before him, he blinked quickly as she lunged for him, screaming in his face to run. Flattening his ears, Gil let out a resounding snarl in response.

Lunging forward, Gil reaches to grab around her shoulders and pull her toward him. If he is successful, he aims to reach toward her left side and grab onto the scruff of her neck with his jaw. Pushing his rear paws into the ground, he uses his momentum and taller height to try and get the upper hand.

"speech"

Gilgamesh vs Creature for Ownership/Claim
Round 1/?
Age: Over 1
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Spiked bracers
Defensive Battle Accessory: Gold chainmail cuirass
Companion 1: Barn Owl, Female - Battle
Companion 2: Wolverine, Male - Battle
Mutation 1: Crystal spines - Defensive
Mutation 2: Tufted deer fangs - Offensive
Skills: Master Intellectual & Master Fighter
Specialty: Blessed

Battle not with monsters;
Lest ye become a monster!

She had wanted him to run from her, that was her favorite game to play with her prey. Unfortunately, that did not happen. She didn't get to chase him, instead, he lunged back at her and tried to grab her by the shoulders. Backpedaling away from him, she gained a couple of scratches from his attempt but ultimately escaped his clutches - even if it was only barely. She lunged back at him, aiming her fangs at the right side of his face, hoping to find a purchase on his cheek to keep him from biting at her anymore. Those fangs could do some damage if they landed a bite, and she hoped to avoid that.

Creature was no stranger to this game, she and Preacher often played it at mealtime. Her tail waved happily behind her as the violence broke out, despite the mismatched growls that came from the demonic witch. It was his blood she wanted to taste, his coat she wanted to make a gift out of. But it was too soon to hunt him, no, now she only wanted to get away. Gilgamesh made her miss her brother even more than she already did. Preacher would have had her on her back already, and she would be begging him for more of that delicious pain.

Word count: 218 words. || "Talk." || 'Think.' || 'Hear.'

Note: Bleh, will be better next time. Bird brain is mush at night XD

ART

Creature vs Gilgamesh for Dominance
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Healer

She backpedals away from him. His paws lashed out and he scratched at her. Fortunately for the girl, his jaw misses. Gnashing his teeth together, he wouldn't allow her to create any more space. Meeting her face to face, Gil allows her to latch onto his cheek. The closer she is, the easier it will be. Once more, he aims to wrap his legs around her shoulders and grab ahold of her scruff. If he is successful, he aims to toss her onto the ground and stand over her. No one would lunge and yell at him without consequences and he would see through it that the wretch knew that.

"speech"

Gilgamesh vs Creature for Ownership/Claim
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Spiked bracers
Defensive Battle Accessory: Gold chainmail cuirass
Companion 1: Barn Owl, Female - Battle
Companion 2: Wolverine, Male - Battle
Mutation 1: Crystal spines - Defensive
Mutation 2: Tufted deer fangs - Offensive
Skills: Master Intellectual & Master Fighter
Specialty: Blessed

Battle not with monsters;
Lest ye become a monster!

He hadn't even tried to get away from her fangs, she could tell she had fallen into a trap, and she silently cursed. Still, she would not release her hold on his cheek, even as he rose up to wrap his forelimbs around her shoulders. As he moved in for her scruff, Creature could no longer hold his cheek, her neck would not twist that far. His blow landed, but Creature was not easy to move. Preacher often grabbed her like this, so she knew to plant her paws out. She hunched down with her rear legs to avoid being thrown to the ground, making herself heavier even though doing so sent shots of white lightning through her body and blistering pain to her scruff. Creature opened her mouth once more, aiming a vicious, pain-fueled bite to the right side of his neck where it met the shoulder. She hoped to sink her teeth in deep and make him regret not running from her.

Word count: 164 words. || "Talk." || 'Think.' || 'Hear.'

Note: Sorry this took so long <3

ART

Creature vs Gilgamesh for Dominance
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Healer

And the winner is...

Gilgamesh

Creature has been force claimed by Gilgamesh. Totals: Gilgamesh: Attack Roll: 39 Defense Roll: 75 Agility Roll: 74 Perception Roll: 25 Total: 213 Attack[39] + 50% Bonus[19.50]: 58.50 Defense[75] + 30% Bonus[22.50]: 97.50 Agility[74] + 5% Bonus[3.70]: 77.70 Perception[25] + 30% Bonus[7.50]: 32.50 Total[266.20] + 25% Bonus[66.55]: 332.75 Creature: Attack Roll: 93 Defense Roll: 11 Agility Roll: 28 Perception Roll: 94 Total: 226 Attack[93] + 5% Bonus[4.65]: 97.65 Defense[11] + 5% Bonus[0.55]: 11.55 Agility[28] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 28.00 Perception[94] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 94.00 Total[231.20] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 231.20

Her bite lands but so do his arms. Wrapped around her shoulders, he throws his weight into her until she is on the ground beneath him. Releasing himself, he leans back and places a paw upon her neck. Lowering his muzzle until it is right beside her's, he lets out a rumbling snarl. "You do not fuck with me," Gil hisses into the girl's ear. "You're mine now and will answer to my beck and call," the sneer is evident in his voice as the hiss of his words slide viciously from his mouth. Pressing his paw down upon her neck so it is clear who is in charge of the situation, Gil waits until he sees an agreeing motion from the girl.

Once his words are understood, he steps away and lashes his head to the side to point her in the direction of her new home. "Get up. Let's go," he commands, ears flattened and lips pulled up to reveal his elongated fangs. "Don't waste my time," are the last words he says before he turns and starts to lead the newly claimed slave back to the isle.

"speech"