Creative Skill Prompt Title!

With a grim expression Valkyrie watched as the hefty tom cat leaped from the tree. He was spitting mad at having been woken up and didn't seem too worried about facing two wolves. Vengeance, it seemed, was a higher priority than safety to the big cat. His eyes were wide; so wide his irises were nothing more than slivers of gold around the hollow black of his pupils. The branches overhead, swaying on the breeze, occasionally allowed bright rays of light to break through and fall over the jaguar's face causing his pupils to flash lime green as they reflected the light back.

His mouth was agape, pink tongue lolling and lips peeled back as he tasted the air and assessed the wolves who now squared off with him. Valkyire could tell he was a young thing. His teeth were pearly white without so much as a hint of yellowing at their bases and his face, though wide, clearly masculine, and flecked with a few small scars, had a youthful hollowness that suggested most of the energy accumulated over the last few months had gone into growing up instead of filling out.

She could guess at his motives. Perhaps he had something to prove or was motivated by a naive pride that demanded he strut and posture. Regardless, he was watching. Assessing. Clearly trying to decide how far he should push and what might make the wolves leave.

Valkyrie sensed more than felt or heard Eisleif approach. In an instant the elder Finnvi's ghostly form was at her side. She could see Eisleif out of the corner of her eye and was grateful for her presence, but she refused to take her eyes of the cat lest he see an opening and take advantage of it.

After a beat Eisleif moved away; presumably distancing herself from her niece so that the hefty cat would have to bounce between them to successfully counter their movements or strike. Perhaps because she was the last to move, the jaguar fixed on Eisleif for a moment and feinted an attack by lurching forward and swatting at the air in front of him. It was a test to see what they would do and nothing more; it was clear he hadn't sought real contact.

Valkyrie was quick to respond in kind. She charged forward a couple feet with a growl in her throat and a snarl on her lips to snap at air before retreating with her tail held high over her back. This feint brought the cat around to face her. He growled, the sound a low rumble in this throat, and over his back Valkyrie could see his tail lashing angrily, but he didn't charge at her. Yet. She could tell he was thinking about; trying to decide just what he could get away with.

WC: 471
TC: 1,293