Exploring, getting the lay of the land, and moving south. Iscariot couldn't pretend that she wasn't eager for warmer weather than the frigid north, but that's not the real reason. She's still learning all the places this strange new world has to offer, and becoming better acquainted with the... locals. Trying to sort out exactly who and what they are. What they are, seems to come into play a bit more heavily as Iscariot steps out onto the river bank. The hippo spots her, long before she spots it. When she finally does? It's a bit too late, and she's done something to piss the beast off. Charging her from the water, Iscariot turns to face it. Though it tries to move quickly, baiting it onto land has rendered it a bit clumsier than usual. She snaps, snarls at its heels as the thing comes in striking distance, dancing out of reach before it can bite her. Fuck, maybe Riot's bitten off a little more than she can chew with this one. Wouldn't stop her from trying.

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Yeah, she was a little far from ‘home’. But did she even consider that place her home? Not really. The only thing keeping her there was Chimera, and he looked like he might kick the bucket any day now. What would she do then? Probably not stay in Elysium, but where she’d go, she didn’t know. For now, she’d use her time wandering through Ardent, exploring the lands and getting a feel of where she might go next. She’d go back to Elysium, visit Chimera, and repeat the cycle. And she couldn’t shake the feeling that soon, it would come to an end.

Lingering in the southern region, she’s enjoying the warmth that lingers, even in the winter season. There’s a huge river winding through this area, flourishing with life and Nimue finds herself walking along the bank. She’s alone for a while, taking in the scenery and cautiously watching the water for threats. And of course, one shows up. A hippo suddenly bursts out of the water, but it's not heading towards her. It's barreling towards another tiny girl, one that’s almost her size and Nimue cocks a brow in interest. She hasn’t seen another wolf her size yet. Curious, she decides to join the fray, breaking out into a sprint to cover the ground between herself and the hippo.

Closing in, she lunges at its side, biting into its ribs with her needle-like teeth. But its hide is thick, and it’s quick to spin around; forcing her to let go and leap back in a swift retreat.

"Nimue Vasanti"

The mottled girl was following Nimue around, now that she had finally turned a year; she was free to come and go as she pleased. It had done wonders for her sullen mood, and her mischievous streak had reared its ugly head once again.

Just as she was getting bored enough to peel away from Nimue’s trail, a commotion catches her ears. Well, well, well, it seems Nimue has found herself in quite the situation, hasn't she? Following her through the southern region was proving to be more eventful than Barghest had anticipated.

Diving headfirst into a confrontation with a hippo? That's quite the bold move. And biting into its ribs? That's either bravery or sheer foolishness. Luckily, Barghest was in the perfect mood for foolhardy heroism. She shoots forward, partially ignoring the very small stranger as she snaps at the hippo’s opposite side, taking a bite of it’s ear as she attempts to get it’s attention off of Nimue.

""

Only a fool would interfere in the fight of two creatures of nature, and a bigger fool would choose to join them. But Cadaver, be it foolhardy or merely curious, found himself inexplicably drawn to the spectacle that in his mind, was more of an intriguing dance than a clash of beasts. The black and white of his fur made him a conspicuous spectator, standing out against the damp greens and browns that surrounded the river bank.

The hippo, its grey hide glistening with water and sweat as it writhed under the attacks from the wolves, was desperately trying to fight back. One wolf managed to dodge its snapping jaws while another attacked its flank only to retreat swiftly under the animal’s furious response. It was a spectacle of raw, untamed nature that drew out something primeval within Cadaver.

The young wolf felt a surge of adrenaline; he enjoyed the thrill of danger, the bloodlust that specked in the air. And he particularly delighted in moments where he had control over it. The hippo was immense, possibly even bigger than himself, but to him, size wasn't anything more than an illusion of power. True power came from exerting dominance over others—making them dance to his tune. With a guttural growl emanating from his massive chest, Cadaver charged into the fray.

"Cadaver Nightwing"

From the shadows around her, they seemed to melt. Appearing one by one, descending on the hippo in turn. The beast wouldn't be long for this world, and it seemed the tides had turned around Iscariot. Grinning rakishly, she now has no reason to back down from the smelly, slippery beast. The smallest among them, but she'd already grabbed the hippo's attention. Keeping it? That doesn't seem like it'll be hard. Iscariot dances around the thing's face, snarling and snapping. Ears pressed flush to her skull, gaze burning. There's something beautiful about it, and she's enjoying taking up the mantle of diversion, perhaps too much.

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Without hesitation, Cadaver targeted the hind quarter of the beast, tearing at its soft underbelly with his fearsome jaws. The creature roared in pain and fury, its eyes rolling back in its head as it turned to face this new threat. But Cadaver was agile, his large size belied by his fluid movements. He darted away from the lashing tail-end of the hippo, evading its attempts at retaliation in kicking out- stopping its enormus feet. The taste of its lifeblood only fueled his adrenaline, and he turned back to face it head-on. His eyes glowed in the dim light, reflecting a chilling determination that coiled tightly in his chest. As the hippo trudged forward, Cadaver stood firm. His lips pulled into a gruesome smirk as he braced himself for the next onslaught.

"Cadaver Nightwing"

With the other small girl keeping the hippo’s attention, Nimue takes the opportunity to steady herself. She was forced back several feet, missing an oncoming attack with only inches to spare. With a growl, she clenches her jaws and puffs out her chest, heaving several heavy breaths before jumping back into the fight.

There was a male here she recognized. Damn, how did she end up fighting alongside him so often. He was attacking the underbelly of the beast, but was forced back. Nimue lunged in, wanting to grab the same area and make the existing wound worse. Her teeth were tiny and needle-like, but they packed a punch.


"Nimue Vasanti"

Barghest is ruthless in her attack, her skull shaking as her talons rake the beast's face, narrowly dodging as it opens its jaw's wide and seeks to crush her within. The girl bounds away, taking a moment to catch sight of the actions of an impromptu hunting party. More like fighting in a mosh pit.

She shakes the dust from her coat and goes in again, this time leaping above the Hippo's back and beginning a new assault with teeth and claws, tearing her way into its shoulders as she goes. The girl is grinning all the while, her grip steadfast and brutal.

""

Dashing and diving around the beast's head, the others are doing well to make work of the hippo. Grabbing at its belly, fierce, ferocious. Excited. Excited and exciting, Iscariot is more than happy to continue being an annoying little distraction. Taking a leaf from Sloan's book, she begins to bark. It's joyous, perhaps disproportionately so. Confusing. She will confuse the beast, boxing it about the face and ears with her sharp teeth. Does she fly too close to the sun? Of course. The hippo gets a shot in at her haunch, but Iscariot is quick to wrench free. It doesn't do much beside rending some of the flesh at her hip, adrenaline too high to pay it mind. Already looking bedraggled, thanks to her companions, the bastard wouldn't be long for this world.

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Once she grabbed on, Nimue would shake her head viciously, savoring the feel of skin tearing between her teeth. Blood spilled into her maw, and she welcomed it; the sweet metallic taste that meant she was going to win.

She heard the other girl barking, and even Nimue couldn’t keep up with the sporadic shifts in her tone. Was she trying to confuse the hippo? The beast was shooting off towards Riot, which made it drag Nimue several feet. But she was relentless, refusing to yield as she used her front paws to brace herself. She kept shaking her head too, wanting the hippo to finally fall from their combined attacks.

"Nimue Vasanti"

She continues her assault, paying little mind to the others or their attacks. They are distractions for her, making the hippo focus on them instead of trying to buck her off with its fat, lumbering body. Though it does succeed in rushing forward, dragging Nimue with it and earning a barking laugh from Barghest in the process. She is having fun.

Her mental talons have done grisly damage to the hippo’s back, and she seeks purchase with her teeth – her goal? Bleed the damn thing. Make it hurt. Weaken it enough that it keels right over and dies beneath her feet. And as it begins to sway, muscles rapidly losing their strength as blood pours into Estie’s maw; she knows she’s done her part.

""

Again, he lunged at the beast, his jaws snapping at its exposed flesh with relentless precision. The hippo's rage-filled bellows filled Cadaver's ears, but he was undeterred. His heart pounded in his broad chest, echoing the primal beat of battle in a way that was all too familiar for him. Blood was spilled - the hippo's or his own, it didn't matter anymore. Only one thing mattered now; bringing down this beast. It no longer was just about proving his strength or asserting dominance. No, it had become personal. An instinctive challenge against nature itself that Cadaver had vowed to win.

Cadaver launched himself once again at the flailing creature. The spice of the hippo's blood in his mouth was intoxicating, amplifying his warrior spirit to feverish proportions.

"Cadaver Nightwing"