Scrubbing into the second pool had taken over her day. It wasn't quite as bad as the first, but the deeper she dug, the more garbage it seemed had accumulated. Those that had come before really did make a mess of the place. There's only so much that Jael can take, before needing a break. After a long morning chewing away at her latest project, maybe she deserved a break. Maybe she could justify it. Slipping away for a bath in the Delta wasn't such a bad idea. It wasn't too cold yet, though it probably would be soon. Jael was content to scrub herself, a near religious action, though she's under no illusions. It's still dangerous, even in the relative cover of the Delta. As she slips from the water and back onto the beach, shaking the water from her coat, Jael hears a twig snap somewhere in the brush before her. A shift in the breeze, something foul. Tiger. Freezing, hackles up, head lowered. Tense. Scanning the undergrowth. There's danger here. Jael, The Pet

table coding by bunni ♥

It was a sanctuary amidst the chaos of the wetlands, a haven where Caedes could hunt and roam with impunity. As he moved through the tangled underbrush of the island, he caught the faint scent of something familiar on the breeze. Instinctively, he followed the trail through the dense foliage of the Delta, until Caedes also smelled danger on the wind – one that made his fur bristle with unease. Tiger. No matter for him normally, but in this wetland of mud and brackish water? A challenge. He smirked briefly to himself, all but forgetting that familiar scent as he continued on, trailing the tiger wherever he found its scent between streams.

And then he saw it – a sleek, powerful form moving with deadly purpose through the dense foliage, its eyes fixed on something ahead. Really, it’s the dog-girl, isn’t it? Rolling his shoulders with a silent sigh, he tensed. Then, without hesitation, Caedes surged forward, crashing through the brush with a feral snarl.

He collided with its back, grappling, his teeth moving to sink into the tiger’s back before it was able to whirl on him, sending them both to the ground in a ball of fur and claws.

"speaking"

Danger. Jael can't allow herself to be afraid, she can't let herself slip. There's something out here, but the tiger is a clever beast. Good at hiding. Fucker. A twitch that courses just beneath her dark coat. Tense. All of her is tense. Hard not to be, when you're unfortunately prey-sized. Clever as the tiger is, Jael is too. She's not alone against the beast for long. The large, scarred man and the beast both come to life at once, and Jael isn't going to be left out. She throws herself into the fray, taking the opening the large man created for her. A flash of teeth, and they sink into the tiger's hind leg. The tissue was vascular, it's the easiest place she can reach that will do the most damage. Sinking her teeth in, ripping and tearing. The larger the wound, the more trauma, the faster the predator would bleed out, right? That's the best Jael can do from this angle. She likes her odds far better now that she's got help. Jael, The Pet

table coding by bunni ♥

As his powerful frame collided with the beast's flank, they tumbled and then rose again, coming blow for blow as they grappled on hind legs; fores extended towards the other. Jael also springs into action, sinking her teeth into the tiger's hind leg, or so he thinks, the sound of hissing and snarling from both he and the tiger is loud in his ears. Its claws are cutting into his ruined hide, teeth snapping at his throat although he keeps a firm paw between them to prevent it from doing so. The brute is steadfast, his own jaws repeatedly making bites and tears, trying to rend as much of the tiger’s flesh as he can. All the while it grips and claws away more of his fur, carving long slashes into his shoulders. He does not budge.

"speaking"

A stranger... but not a stranger, all the same. Jael has seen him before, more than once, now that he comes into focus. Blinking hard against the pain, snarling as she forces herself forward. Digging in, pressing herself further. She has to fight for purchase, she has to push herself. Something about the size of the fight in the dog, right? Moving from heels to throat, Jael throws herself at the beast. Teeth gnashing, snapping, snarling as she attempts to sink them into the cat's neck. A fearsome claw catches her flank, sending the little dog staggering backwards. Stumbling over herself, landing with a hearty thud-- strong enough to knock the breath from her lungs. A yelp, then a whimper rush from the woman. No, it's not enough to put her off. Again she pushes herself to her feet, unrelenting. Jael, The Pet

table coding by bunni ♥

The struggle rages on, Caedes is locked onto the tiger — his focus unwavering despite the pain coursing through his body. His shoulders are bleeding crimson onto the ground, his obsidian maw dripping tiger’s blood from every bite and tear he makes.

He knows he must keep fighting, must keep pushing himself beyond the limits of his endurance. This isn’t even the worst he’s gotten, but the beast is strong, and he’s working over time to keep it from latching onto his neck.

But why work harder when you could work smarter? It was giving him all the clues he needed. A fire strikes out, delivering a hard smack to the tiger's jugular; making it cough in response and it falters due to the hit in the neck. Swiftly, he aims for the vulnerable spot at the creature's throat, focus honed for the kill. And purchase is made. He bites down hard, hears a crunch too.

"speaking"