Malachai had taken to regularly patrolling, he hadn't really been told to but it kept him moving, kept him active. It also kept him away from the other wolves for the most part. He'd never been social and things had only gotten worse as time had gone on. So he had given himself a goal, something to strive for, something so he could at least be proud of himself. That was about the only thing keeping him afloat still and the patrols were at least a way to help him keep his eye on the prize. He growled to himself, rolling his shoulders and cracking his neck. The only problem was that usually by halfway through the day he was bored to all hell, and today wasn't looking to be different. Or it would've have been if the wind hadn't shifted blowing down from the peaks that ringed the Col, carrying with it something wrong. A musky scent reached him, coming from somewhere deeper in the woods. Something distinctly feline but unlike any of the numerous cats that wandered the pack at their lupine companion's heels. This was an intruder and a brazen one if it was lurking this deep in Armada territory. The fur along his neck bristled, he was at the base of it a territorial wolf and his instinct was telling him to chase, to rip and rend and destroy whatever decided to invade his territory. Malachai turned away from the border, moving further into the trees, mismatched gaze scanning the curved trunks their unique shapes offering a decent hiding spot for any cat to launch an attack from. "Speech"

Art by LittleConundrums

Isa had simply been taking a stroll through the woods when she noted the moving form of another wolf. The man had a very intense expression on his face and it seemed as though he was on a mission. So, of course the older, caring woman had to make sure that he was okay. If he needed help with something, the blue fae would provide. Maybe he just needed a nice meal and a friendly ear.

Small paws picked their way through the woods, following the trail of the brute. His scent was rich in the air, but the closer she came, the more muddled the scent was. The acrid stench of a feline attempting to claim new territory bit into Isa's nose. It wrinkled slightly in distaste, lips peeling back from pristine white teeth momentarily. The scent was distracting enough that she didn't see the big cat creeping up behind her.

Without warning, a heavy paw slammed into the cerulean fae's hip, claws raking through the fur of her haunch and grazing her skin. A yelp pulled from Isa and she dove away, spinning to face the foe. It was a tiger, but it was a young tiger. It didn't seem to possess the skills of a practiced hunter based on the strike alone.

A snarl ripped from the fae and her coat bristled. Her stance shifted to a defensive posture and she was ready. If the cat turned and fled, she would let it. If it wanted to fight though, she'd do her best against it.

"Isa"

Malachai was getting frustrated, clearly this cat was giving him the run around. He had lost the scent and he growled under his breath, stopping to try and pick up the trail again. Luckily, or not if you were Isa, the cat was about to announce itself. A loud yelp sounded from behind him and the man whirled around, barely even processing the scene before him. A blue grey woman spinning around to face a young tiger. If she was okay or not didn't even cross his mind. The blood was pounding in his ears and he raced forward, past the woman and launching himself at the tiger. He was aiming for it's throat, jaws open and slavering. But the Tiger had had a pretty good view of him and certainly wasn't about to let him do that. It skittered away from him to it's side right side, lashing out it's left fore paw to try and batter his face but instead Malachai crunched down on it, frustrated he'd not gotten his target but not about to let the cat keep running. He growled and dug in, narrowing his eyes and ears flattening as the other paw lifted to successfully swat at his face, the tiger dropping down to catch it's balance and then raising it again to go at him again trying to get him to let go. Malachai didn't know if that woman would have turned tail or run but he hoped she hadn't. He wouldn't admit he could use help but it wouldn't hurt. "Speech"

Art by LittleConundrums