STAKING MY CLAIM

Perhaps fearless was not the best word to describe him. Careless would've been a much better adjective. He no longer had anything to care about. The man had nothing left to lose but his life -- and he had everything to gain. Basilisk's gaze was fixated unblinkingly on her, a fire ignited in those purple orbs. Her call had awoken the beast that lived inside the chest that had felt lifeless for so long, and he stood without wavering before her. Cataleya's anger was written plainly across her flawless features, and yet something else lurked there too. Amusement? Was she proud that he had returned to her? Or simply fixing to tear him limb from limb?


"I am only brave because you taught me to be," he spoke, his voice even, though his bass tones were laced with the softest hint of amusement. The smirk continued to pull at his lips, though he found his hackles raising slightly, mirroring her own visible aggression. The beast would slowly dip his head to the ground as though submitting, offering the unprotected nape of his neck to her. Basilisk slunk closer to her, aiming to touch his nose to one of her paws, shivering at the contact between them. "I will stay."


It took him a moment to notice the man beside Cataleya. His own teeth would bare as he pulled away from her, muzzle twitching in a silent snarl. His jaws would part as though he were to speak, but he found himself flinching as a stranger grew in proximity to him. She did not touch him, but moved as though she had been ready to. 'Oh brother I missed you!' the girl squealed, and a growl bubbled from deep within his chest. Slowly he turned toward her, eying the girl with a mixture of confusion and irritation. "I am not Neios," he confirmed with a chuckle. "Though Neios is my younger brother..." It seemed this girl was one of his siblings, then? How entertaining... "It is a pleasure to meet you, sister." Still he kept his submissive posture, despite the sneer that lingered on his lips, and his eyes held a manic sort of gleam as he watched her.