One could say the man was riding on a winner’s high. Or he simply had a death wish. Either way, the splotched man had gone north past the beach and up into Armada territory. It wasn’t that he wanted to get himself killed but after his recent successes down south with Tojo-Kai, he wasn’t ready to come back yet. Truthfully, he was rather disappointed in his sons who had done fucking terribly in the raid against Valhalla (not like he’d done much better). So what better way to ask for forgiveness than to come home with the one prize the Pirate King wanted most? Well, Gilgamesh at least hoped Sparrow still wanted banana-what’shername to come back still.

So he approached the Col with slinking steps. His paw had been bandaged terribly after he had lost a toe, but that pain wasn’t bothering him anymore. After you get your ankle snapped, you don’t really notice a missing toe. Plus he had managed to grab a bottle of booze on his way up so that was helping. With his two companions in tow, Erich the owl and Urtur the wolverine, they paused only momentarily at the sight of Dreamer’s Col. What a dreary fucking place to live. Eh, more power to these assholes, right?

Crossing the border without a sound or a call to mister douche bag himself, Gil snuck into the Col in search for the pretty lady that he really couldn’t understand why Sparrow loved so much. His own wife was a lot better looking anyway. Moving through the corridors on silent paws, the pirate made his way deeper into the territory. Tucking into corners and hiding in the shadows whenever someone’s scent got close, he did his best to go unnoticed.

"speech"

CODE BY SHELBY

Hanako sucked in a breath, felt a tightness in her chest so suffocating it made her wonder for a brief moment if she was being held underwater. The air stolen for her very lungs. She recognised the scent long before she heard the clicking of his paws against stone, knew it was a Pirate and a particular one who wasn't fond of her, if memory served. Before she would have been a little surprised at his brazenness, pirates were ballsy, but this was really reaching new heights. But all she felt now was a stirring of anxiety, a spiralling hurricane of what ifs and things she really didn't want to think about. Now or ever. She pressed herself against the far wall, carefully backtracking as her gaze darted about, near desperate to spot someone, for anyone to come and help. She was still healing up, still battered and bruised. If she ran would she even be fast enough?

It would not take long for her scent to reach his nostrils. Both ears perked as he paused in his steps. Listening intently to try and locate her position, it was difficult. Everything echoed in the cavern hallways. Every little drop of mountain water and scurry from rodents. Ugh, why did the girl have to make this difficult? She had to be close at least if he could smell her.

Trudging forward, Gil kept his chin lowered and steps quiet as he continued to follow. Quickly he hops around a corner and is disappointed to see that she is not there, but her scent doesn’t fade. Eagerness and hope is alight in his yellow goat-like eyes. Picking up his limping steps, he continues to follow her. Knowing that she has the upper hand in this situation, he keeps his pace persistent.

“I know that you’re here,” he calls out in a hissing coo to her.

"speech"

CODE BY SHELBY

His voice was sickly sweet as it met her ears, making Hanako cringe even further into the wall, her ears flicking down as though averting them was enough to bring silence. She scurried back again, knew he's approaching that she had to use her knowledge of the terrain to her advantage. To move deeper into the Col, shift further from the edges where he'd entered from. But what after that? A lot of these passages resulted in dead ends, she couldn't keep stringing him on forever, sooner or later something would have to give.

Maybe she should call for help? But that would give away her position and-what might he do in the seconds between backup arriving?

Gilgamesh was not an intentionally violent wolf. Unless someone was really asking for it, he generally kept it to the bare minimum. His plan wasn’t to hurt the poor girl, but simply retrieve her. Not that he really believed he would get that far. Actually, the fact that he hadn’t been approached yet was slightly concerning. It made his pause for a moment and glance back at his companions with a raised brow. Their reactions were minor shrugs as they too didn’t detect anyone except for miss Bo-bana.

Not wanting to lose her, Gil continued on. Pressing closer with every twist and turn, he followed her deeper into the mines. ”I just want to talk,” he calls out again to her with a smirk playing on his lips. He could follow her until he dropped dead. Picking up his pace, he pops around a corner and again she just slips from view. She had to be close… right?

"speech"

CODE BY SHELBY

Hazel had been working with Dread on the other side of the Col when she caught the scent. It made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, and without hesitation she took off in the direction of it. No hesitation. None whatsoever, her head high and gaze burning bright. She'd send her companion for help, the hawk taking off in the opposite direction. Send for Az, send for Seer, send for anyone higher up than herself but she wasn't letting them get away with this intrusion.

Pirates are attack on sight. Hazel's hackles up along her back, head lowered to the ground, a menacing sort of snarl echoing from her chest. he could hear him speaking-- he just wanted to talk? It isn't in Hazel's nature to stay quiet, it's not in her nature to skulk around the situation. "Like hell you do," as she nears, she can tell that he's bigger. Bulkier, stronger. Hell, Hazel has spent her entire life training for things like this. Pirates are attack on sight.

Azure's words play back in her head. Hazel rushes the stranger, crystalline teeth flashing. She lunges for the space where his shoulder meets his neck, taking him as head on as she can manage. A Pirate caught out in the Col, and she'd take it upon herself to deal with it.

"Speech"

Hazel vs Gilgamesh for dominance (I think?)
Round 1/?
Age: over 1
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Porcupine quill cape
Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather Breastplate
Companion 1: Red Panda, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Hawk, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Crystal fangs - Offensive
Skills: Master Intellectual & Master Fighter
Specialty: Bard

I can't destroy what isn't there

The Warlord was a restless sleeper at the best of times. He was lying awake in his bed when Bast came creeping in. The leopard told him of what was unfolding with the Armada, and he immediately shook off any remnants of sleep. Getting to his paws, he skirted around his children, careful not to disturb any - now, more than ever, he didn’t want any following him.

Bear met him at the door, and flanked either side by companions, he made his way down the cliffside and into the heart of the Col. From there, he followed Marshal into the caverns, where Hana and the stranger lurked. His winged companion filled him in with soft peeps as they hurried. He was able to know, then, about how this wolf had tormented his Hanako.

Hazel found the pirate first, and he could see she was already lunging, preparing to fight him. “Hazel, wait. This wolf deserved a little more than just a scuffle. He should know what it feels like to be hunted, and afraid” He said softly, coming up beside his Lieutenant. “Hazel, you may stay or go as you please, but this wolf will learn a little healthy fear.” he turned to the pirate then, raising his voice. He wanted to be sure the other wolf heard him. “The caves here are a Warren. Perhaps you will get lost in them, perhaps you will find your way out. But run, little wolf. If I catch you, I’m snapping a limb.” He smiled then, and there was nothing warm or friendly about the expression. Sirius was tired of pirates making playthings of those that belonged to him. It was well past time to turn the tables.

"Speech"

Before he had a chance to continue following koko chanel any further, some brown and white brat was lunging at him. Was she seriously intercepting his advances?! He just wanted to chit chat! Okay and maybe kidnap the woman but hey, couldn’t blame him for trying. Gil instinctually pops his fangs out and hops back a few steps to avoid her attack. His wolverine slides in front of him to ensure nothing else happens as a second wolf steps up to the plate.

This one exuded confidence and was familiar but not. Was he related to douche bag #1? Oh, he could go toe to toe with that fucker right about now. Heh, get it? Toe to toe? Ah, anyway, Gil looked the Warlord up and down with an expression of and I’m supposed to be scared why? It was almost like an anime fight in the way the guy thought he had time to sit there and powwow with his packmate before initiating a boss fight. Pft, was there no respect for the enemy anymore?

As the Warlord’s deafening tones filled the hallway, Gil’s brow raised. Little? There were only roughly 3” difference between their heights! What’s with these dires anyway? They all got stick up their butts? Before he turned tail to continue the game of cat and mouse, except him being the mouse this time, Gil speaks. “May I have your name good sir so I can remember who let me get away when I inevitably escape?” A smirk pulls at his lips before winks and turns on his heels. Picking up his pace, he keeps it fast knowing the larger man and that pipsqueak of a girl would be hot on his tail.

"speech"

CODE BY SHELBY

Sirius wasn't far behind her, apparently. His voice echoes through the warrens, something she knows well. Something she knows all too well. It was a labyrinth, if you didn't know what you were doing down here. The Warlord has called her off the assault, and she took a step back. Hazel's expression was sour, between the intrusion and the false start. Still, if he had a game of chase in mind, then a game of chase they'd have.

The intruder ran. Hazel would do what she could to remain hot on his tail, reaching out where she could in an effort to nip at his heels. Though her legs were shorter, she was used to keeping up with wolves far larger than herself. A growl echoing in her chest as she does, eyes narrowed. She'd remain in pursuit as they made their way through the warrens, confident in her knowledge of the caves and how they connected.
"Speech"

Gil picked up his pace as he heard the drum of paws behind him. From what he could hear, it sounded as if only the girl was taking up the chase. Was the Warlord too much of a scaredy cat to try? Too old was he? The man smirked at his thoughts as he wound through the twisting warrens. He followed the scent of something or someone that was all too familiar. It was sudden but he knew it well. If he was going to escape, he was sure finding his daughter would be the best bet. Plus, he was growing tired as is and his ankle was getting sore with each step. Soon he saw the sky from a small opening down a thin hallway. The light of the setting sun cast shades of red and orange across the floor. Quickly turning and making his way down to the exit, Gil broke across the threshold with a yip. Not giving the stupid Armadans a look behind him because why waste his time, he continued on toward the edge of the territory. /exit Gil unless stopped ”Speech” ’Thought’