heat seeker

ooc. did I drop off the face of the earth for several months? Yeah for sure. Am I intent on ignoring that and continuing all my old threads? Yeah you bet.

The growl that was rumbling deep in Valkyrie's chest grew to a roaring crescendo and she lunged for him. He stood still as the grave and allowed the first blow to land, sharp claws tearing through the thin flesh of his face from the base of his right ear and across his eye until they slipped across his muzzle and lost purchase. Thankfully, he wasn't a fool and shut his eyes tight against the oncoming blow. It would be wise to let het blow of some steam, take out her frustration on him. "You idiot! Of all the low, weak mewlings I've heard that is the most pitiful!" well, her words might well have stung worse than any blow she might land on him. The echo of her cry rattled around in his skull until her voice began to sound like his mother's. Oh boy, her ghost would certainly skin him for abandoning Valkyrie like he had. At least as far as drawing the first blood. He heard the sand shift and the wind whistle through outstretched claws, and he flinched away from the worst of the second blow. It glanced off the broad plane of his left cheek, leaving only a few bloodless scores in their wake. Taking advantage of his size, he reared back and lifted his head out of the direct line of her attacks. If she was really determined, he was certain he wouldn't be stopping her any time soon from tearing his face into an unrecognizable mess. She was, after all, an unstoppable force when push came to shove.

"You were not some outsider, you were my friend! I was counting on you!" the raider bellowed, far too loud amidst the gentle ambiance of the deserted island.

Massive jowls parted wide and snapped shut, a show of force against any further assault. He wouldn't hurt her unless she forced his hand, because he'd earned this beating as much as he'd earned the one that would come in the next life when he encountered his mother's spirit. "Then I will right my wrongs!" he roared back, auds flat against his skull and ivories flashing. "Name your price, Val!" he snarled, daring to squint his eyes open. The blood weeping into his right eye stung, but he held firm. "I will work myself back into your favour until you can call me your friend again, and we shall see where we end up then." ragged breaths huffed through dark nostrils, and he stared down the woman he'd wronged so horribly. All he wanted was to belong again, but he wouldn't admit that to her right now. Perhaps he never would. There was some part of him that hoped things could be the way they were before he'd become a ghost of his former glory, but the realist in him knew that was impossible.