With spring, comes spring showers. Though Rhazien preferred it over a hailstorm or snowstorm, the light drizzle beating down on his back was bothersome. It made his pelt lay flat against his flesh, carving out more of his musculature to the naked eye but it made him feel colder than usual. One would think the lumbering redwoods would provide some type of shelter. But Rhazien was so large, he would need to find a cave if he wanted to completely escape the elements.

Coming around a bend, Rhazien was searching for a place to hole up and wait out the storm. But damn, he was having the weirdest luck lately with running into predators. On the other end of the bend, was a grizzly bear, sharpening its claws on the trunk of a redwood. Slowing in his advance and feeling rather cocky, Rhazien let out a guttural, challenging snarl. One that served as an invitation to the beast. Wanna dance?

"Speech"

Vanta hadn't quite made the decision to return home just yet, but that didn't mean she couldn't slink around the borders and reassure herself that the pack was still okay... at least until she could confront the rogue who had stolen from her. Deprived of her bracers she felt an unsettling nakedness at her wrists, an absence that seemed to disturb not only her emotional equilibrium but also her usual physical grace. Wet and miserable, Vanta found herself weaving through the redwoods in what must have been circles.  

She was lost in a terrain once so familiar that she could navigate it with her eyes closed - literally! It should have been easier without the disability of blindness, but Vanta's memory of these northern lands had begun to fade seasons ago. She had anticipated the plains would soon reveal themselves, yet at every turn, there was only relentless repetition of trees.

Then, something caught her eye. A grizzly bear, immense and absorbed, sharpening it's claws upon the bark of a particularly thick tree. Vanta let her lithe form wrap behind the nearest trunk as she observed it, remaining hidden while she planned her next move. Taking on such a beast alone would be quite a feat, but it was marking it's territory awfully close to the Armada.

A snarl tore through the silence, originating from beyond the bear. It seemed she was not the only wolf who thought the predator had wandered into the wrong woods. The voice was not one she recognized, however, nor did she smell the familiar scent of an Armada member anywhere nearby. A happy coincidence, then.

Without breaking her gaze from the wolf, Vanta began to cautiously close the gap towards their hulking prey. She expected the stranger to have her back in the combat to come - especially as he had been the one to draw the bear's attention first - but she had been burned by strange men before. While she stalked across the forest floor with clear intent to strike, Vanta was holding off on her initiating lunge. She would wait to trade blows with the beast until she was certain that this stranger was as committed to the kill as she was. It was simply the sensible thing to do.

Large Predator Fight: 1/3

"Vanta"

Man, what was it with women and bears? Similar to his interaction with the Polar Bear, just as he started to close in on the grizzly, a woman suddenly appeared. She was on the opposing side of the clearing, slow in her advance, casting her crystal-like gaze in his direction. He met her gaze, offering her a single raise of a brow, flashing his devilish, handsome smile. The expression on his face served as a silent statement to her - wanna play?

Not one to wait for someone else to initiate a battle, Rhazien made the first move. Launching himself forward, he acted as if he would attack the grizzly head-on. It’s response? A loud roar, followed by the snapping of jaws. As he closed in, a paw swiped at him, which he sidestepped and dodged at the last second. Encircling, he went for the grizzly’s right hind limb, sinking his serrated fangs into its thigh where it was connected to its abdomen.

"Speech"

The stranger didn't shy away from the battle he had wrought, nor did he seem quite bothered by Vanta's sudden involvement. In fact, his welcome came in the form of a grin so unexpected that it threw Vanta off balance. She stumbled, her turquoise-tipped toes crunching loudly against the forest floor, a sound loud enough to catch the bear's attention. Its ears twitched, even as it moved for the male with alarming speed.

Vanta's ears flattened against her skull and she exhaled sharply through her nose, fighting the blush threatening to color her cheeks. Head in the game! she scolded herself, shaking off the momentary distraction. With renewed focus she launched herself into the fray, channeling her embarrassment into a powerful lunge.

She struck from the opposite side of the stranger, fangs targeting the bear's left forelimb as it reached to counter the male behind it. It was a risky move, exposing her to the bear's lethal jaws, but Vanta was no coward. Her training and instincts took over. Her fur stood on end, the crystalline strands along her spine bristling defensively.

The momentum of the bear's swing was almost enough to overpower her, but Vanta didn’t plan to hold on for long. She threw every ounce of her weight backwards as she bit, flexing her claws into the earth for purchase as she sought to oppose the paw's path. She had to hold out only long enough to distract the bear and shift its focus, giving the man a chance to reposition or inflict another deadly strike.

Large Predator Fight: 2/3

"Vanta"

Shaking his head to and fro, Rhazien used his serrated fangs to saw through the grizzly’s flesh. It created a gory mush of sinew and blood, hot and metallic as it spilled into his maw, and he welcomed it with a roguish smile. Squishy in sound, sloshy in texture. And finally, a pop erupted, as he tore the chunk of flesh clean off. Stumbling back, he took a moment to regain his footing, spitting the sinew onto the ground. The bear was being pulled to the side, which caught him off guard. Peeking over the grizzly, he caught sight of the woman, who was holding its forelimb, trying to anchor it down, wanting to prevent it from wildly swiping its paw.

He took this opportunity she made. Looking to her, winking in her direction, flashing that dazzling smile that was now tainted with blood. Before he charged forward again, this time, aiming for the side of its throat. Jaws opened wide, and clamped down, hard. Ensnaring part of its windpipe, his tongue dancing over the anatomical location of the vital veins and arteries. Flexing his jaw, his fangs dug deep. Moving in a sawing motion, as he intended on severing one of the vessels. Hopefully, the girl would keep the grizzly stationed long enough for him to complete the act.  

"Speech"

The forest floor beneath her feet was quickly becoming slick with the grizzly's blood, soaking Vanta's paws as she moved to repositioned her stance. She did not shy from the gore, merely anchoring herself more firmly, her crystalline eyes sharply focused on the bear's movements.

She noticed the strangers head shaking vigorously, his serrated fangs a blur of motion as he danced across the battlefield. Vanta’s senses were heightened, every nerve alight. The metallic scent of blood filled the air, thick and pungent, mingling with the earthy cedarwood and leather the male himself gave off.

As Rhazien stumbled back, regaining his footing, Vanta took advantage of the bear's momentary distraction. She adjusted her grip on the bear's limb, her teeth sinking deeper, pulling with all her might to keep it off balance; a task that was proving more difficult the longer that blood-tainted smile was directed upon her.  His wink and dazzling - albeit gruesome - grin was both unsettling ... and somehow oddly invigorating? Above all else, it was distracting. She shook her head harder, both to tear her teeth deeper into the flesh, and to rid herself of the foreign thought.

As the stranger lunged forward, aiming for the bear’s throat, Vanta knew this was the crucial moment. Her role was to hold firm, to keep the grizzly anchored just long enough for Rhazien to strike a fatal blow. Her muscles strained under the effort, the bear’s fur coarse and matted beneath her grip. She could feel the bear's struggle weakening slightly, its swipes becoming less coordinated as the vessels tore, one by one. Vanta held on, her entire being focused on this singular task, ready to adjust her position if needed, to ensure that the brute's attack would be a killing blow.

3/3

"Vanta"

The woman understood her role, it seemed. Fortifying her stance, tightening her hold, shaking with all her might to keep the bear from turning on Rhazien. He kept going to work on its throat, chomping and sawing, shaking and thrusting. Using his weight, shoving himself forward, sinking his fangs deeper, and deeper, and deeper… until splat! Hot, sticky, dark red arterial blood splattered across his face, spewing from the wound in pulsatory waves each time the grizzly’s heart took a beat. The roars of the bear morphed into something more childlike. Grunts started to sound like coos. Something akin to the noise that cubs make when calling for their mother. Rhazien had seen this behavior many times before. In the face of death, prey had the tendency to regress. Overwhelmed with fear, anguish, and pain. Wanting the comfort and warmth of their mothers.

And Rhazien drank it up. For a predator like him, animalistic in nature and overly cocky. It was a sign that victory was on the horizon. With the immense blood loss, and Rhazien’s constricting hold on its windpipe, the grizzly lost its coordination. Knees buckled, and it hit the ground. Still, he didn’t let go; still biting and tearing, nearly bathing himself in the blood. He wouldn’t stop until he was certain the bear was rigid and cold. Because only then would he be crowed the victor.


"Speech"

As the bear’s roars softened into pitiful, childlike sounds, Vanta felt a twinge of unease. She was no stranger to the hunt, but the transformation of the mighty bear into something so vulnerable was.... jarring. The beast's grunts - reminiscent of a cub's call for its mother - stirred an unexpected and confusing empathy within her.

Vanta’s crystalline gaze shifted to the stranger, taking in the blood-drenched scene. His relentless assault, the arterial spray painting his charcoal face in a macabre mask, was both terrifying and fascinating. She had met many males in her life, but none quite as primal and savage as this. The men of the Armada had a reputation for combat, but never had she seen one take such enjoyment in the kill.

Yet, amidst the chaos and bloodshed, there was something else - his glances towards her, those moments of acknowledgment. They left her feeling exposed, almost shy. It was a strange sensation, feeling this kind of vulnerability not from being a hair's width from the snapping jaws of the bear, but from the intensity of the stranger with whom she battled.

As the bear finally collapsed, its strength sapped, Vanta released her hold. The brute, however, was still fervently engaged in ensuring the bear's demise. She took a step back, one limb raised and held in hesitance, absorbing the ferocity with a mix of emotion; admiration for the male's prowess, a disquieting sense of empathy for the bear, and an unfamiliar flush of self-awareness under his gaze. "I think it's dead." She remarked softly, unsure of what else to say.

"Vanta"

Tearing, sawing, gnawing. Rhazien’s jaws worked like a well-oiled machine, culminating the death of the grizzly. Thoroughly coated in blood and feeling satisfied, the beast finally pulled his head away from the carnage. Gory sinew hanging from his mouth, stuck between his teeth, clinging to his whiskers. ”I think its dead.” The girl’s voice rang out behind him. His gaze reflexively shifted in her direction. And, for the first time, Rhazien actually saw her.

A girl younger than himself, thinner and appealingly more agile, and yet she was a few inches taller than him. Something he didn’t particularly enjoy. Swathed in earthen colors, adorned in gem-like markings. Actually- what the hell? Were those actual crystals? A single brow furrowed, but the grin on his face didn’t subside. It was long, toothy, devilish in appearance. Yet, it was suave, enchanting, and overall handsome. “I’d have to agree.” Deep baritones rolled from his jaws, smooth in tone and audibly pleasing. Sauntering away from the bear, gravitating towards her. He wanted to get a better look. “What’s your name, gorgeous?” A simple yet effective compliment. Rhazien truly wanted to know the name of the girl who helped him kill the beast.

"Speech"

Vanta watched Rhazien detach from the lifeless bear, his figure coated in the remnants of their brutal struggle. His casual appearance, despite the visceral scene, somehow didn't surprise her. It was in line with the fearless, almost reckless demeanor he had displayed. As Rhazien turned his full attention to her, Vanta felt a different kind of scrutiny. It wasn’t the calculating gaze of a fellow warrior assessing her strength, but something more personal, more probing. Her crystal-like markings seemed to pique his curiosity, and she couldn’t help but notice the puzzled expression and the slight furrow of his brow. It made her self-conscious in a way she wasn’t used to.

Rhazien’s approach was confident, his deep baritone voice smooth and oddly comforting in the aftermath of the chaos. Vanta found herself momentarily caught off guard by his directness and the boldness of his compliment.

Her initial instinct was to retreat into her shell, to respond with a snarl or to rush through a shy goodbye. But something about the stranger - his raw, unapologetic nature and the way he carried himself - made her pause. "Vanta." She stood her ground, her crystalline eyes locked with his.

"And you are?" She found herself strangely intrigued by this stranger who fought as fiercely as he smiled.

"Speech"

Gravitating towards her, invading her proximity. Rhazien would push her boundaries until he received some kind of reprisal. Of course, this wasn’t portrayed as overt perverseness. Even if inside his mind, he was already fantasizing about how he could fuck the life out of this girl. Outwardly, he was confident, suave, daring. Wanting to illicit some type of response, needing to ignite a wave of sparks inside of her. Even if he wasn’t successful in bedding her down today. This electricity between them, so primal, innate, and adrenaline-filled in the wake of a fresh kill, would continue on into their next encounter. Choose the participants, set the stage, and begin the scene. To a tactician like himself, it was all part of the act.

Vanta. Beautiful syllables, dripping from the lips of a gorgeous woman. Widening his smile, and finally halting in his advance. Rhazien gauged just how close he was able to come to her before a rumble emanated from him- feline-like in nature, similar to a baritone purr. “Rhazien.” He answered, providing his name in exchange for hers. And now that introductions were given, he could move on to something else. “Vanta, you must tell me.” His tone morphed, playfully pleading for her to answer his next question. The sparkle in his eye shimmering brighter, as he looked closer at her dazzling markings. “How did you acquire those beautiful crystals in your fur?” Genuinely curious, and dishing out compliments. Rhazien kept trying to worm his way beneath her skin.  

"Speech"

Vanta's faceted gaze met Rhazien's with a mix of shyness and intrigue. She took a moment to absorb the question and consider her reply. To be deceptive was not in her nature, and so the girl spoke the truth - her voice soft yet clear, "I've always had them - they're a part of me, inherited from my mother. She was blessed by a God." It was the story her mother had always told her, at least. Briefly, Vanta wondered if it was the same deity that Zee had gone to to meet her end. "I like to think these crystals hold a part of her spirit, a reminder of her strength."  

As Rhazien spoke and moved with a confident charm, Vanta felt a warm blush tint her cheeks. His smile triggered a shy one of her own, her ears twitching. She was unused to such attention, and it stirred a whirl of emotions within her – the desire to step back, yet a curious inclination to stay. Her heart beat a little faster, flooding her with a mix of caution and excitement. It was a feeling as unfamiliar as it was exhilarating.

Vanta shifted slightly, her posture a delicate balance between vulnerability and boldness. She was keenly aware of every move Rhazien made, each subtle gesture or flicker of expression. Taking a small, yet significant step forward - a choice to engage rather than retreat - Vanta continued. "And you, Rhazien," His name played curiously on Vanta's tongue. "Where ever did you learn to be such a formidable bear-slayer?" Her question, laced with genuine curiosity, was also an invitation; an opening for him to share more about himself.


"Speech"

Blessed by a god? My, was Rhazien intrigued. The concept of gods and goddesses, meant the girl must believe in the latter. Demons and devils. But was this girl mature enough to decipher between the two, he wondered? Seeing that she was standing before a monstrosity, enthralled by his suave, and naive to the perversities swarming inside of his mind. Purity always tasted better. “I see,” He said, still eyeing the crystals with obvious intrigue, admiring them. Gaze most attentive to the clusters that formed around her crystalline eyes. “Her spirit is always with you, then." He wasn’t sure if the girl was implying that her mother was deceased. But he wasn’t going to outwardly assume it. “What a beautiful thought.” He wasn’t foreign to the loss of those close to him. But he also wasn’t the kind of man to find solace in the death of another. In some instances, death was a release. An admirable sacrifice even. Did this girl feel the same?

His silent musing came to a halt, as the girl performed a daring act. Stepping forward, meeting his advancement, instead of shying away or cowering. The electricity between them was increasing- shockwaves rolling down his spine, sparks crackling in his dual-colored gaze. With their proximity, he could feel the heat rolling off her body. The scent of blood intertwined with her perfume- delicate, yet intoxicating. It made his nostrils twitch, as he fought back the desire to greedily inhale.

He had half the nerve to lean in and try to kiss her- fantasizing about the clashing of their lips, and the dancing of hot tongues laced in the metallic flavors of the bear. But when she asked him about himself, the thought crept back into the corner of his mind- for now. “I could ask the same of you, Vanta.” The way he said her name in his deep baritones. It was almost like a sultry purr. “Your mother provided your beauty- and your father, your strength?” His smile widened a bit. Eyes aligned with hers, peering deeply into those pools of ice. They were so clear, he could see his reflection in them. “My bear-slaying skills, are a product of my upbringing.” Leaning in closer, testing the waters. Just how close could he get to this girl? “Blood-sportage was quite the pastime. If you couldn’t kill a predator on your own. You were useless.” There wasn’t much else to say about the matter. He was going to admit to her, that they slaughtered animals for fun growing up. But, at least he half-assed answered her question.  

"Speech"

Vanta felt an unfamiliar flutter in her chest as Rhazien spoke, his deep voice rolling over her name with an unexpected intimacy. His proximity was disarming, the heat from his body mingling with the cold air. His attention to her crystals - and the way his eyes lingered around hers - sent a new kind of shiver down her spine The Fatalis princess was well accustomed to the rush of battle, to the adrenaline of survival, but this was different. This was personal, unfamiliar, and strangely exhilarating.

"Her spirit is always with me." Vanta echoed thoughtfully, her gaze briefly flickering away as she contemplated the depth of his words. His comment about the beauty of the thought had caught her off guard. It was a sentiment she hadn't expected, especially not from someone who seemed so rugged and battle-hardened.

At his question about her parents, a flicker of pride lit up her crystaline eyes. "My father is a leader, strong and respected." She said, her voice steady but softer than before. "He taught me to be strong, yes, but not just how to kill. He taught me the strength of character, of standing your ground, and to fight for what's right." She paused, a slight smile playing at the corner of her lips, almost shy. "And my mother... she gave me more than just these crystals. She gave me a spirit that doesn’t easily bow."

As Rhazien leaned in, testing the space between them, Vanta felt her heart begin to race. There was a brief moment where she thought he might continue in even closer, and for a heartbeat, she wasn't sure what her reaction would be. "That sounds like a... harsh upbringing." She managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. His breath, mixed with the tang of blood and the wild scent that was uniquely his, compelled her attention fully. She found herself taking a cautious breath, absorbing the moment. "But it seems to have served you well." Her eyes flickered to meet his, holding his dual-colored gaze for a moment longer than necessary before catching herself.

"Speech"