Had this been a bad idea…? Gavroche knew his family was going to be worried the moment they realized he was missing, but still dressed in his fighting gear and wearing his leather bag the boy had followed after the Raiders as they left Ethne. It was hard keeping up with them though! He was tiny and too often it felt like he needed to stop and rest because he was trying so hard to keep up. His journey had led him to some beach with dark sand. As he stepped upon it he frowned, following the scents and bits of blood he found that fell until it led him toward the water. In the distance he could see an island… but there was no way he’d make it out there. It wasn’t like he’d been taught to swim yet… and entering the water without that knowledge would be nothing short of dangerous. Not to mention… his gaze flicks to the leather bag he carries. He had tried to get here fast so he could help, but he has no idea how long the Raiders have been back home. He is tired and hungry, but a sense of duty causes the boy to lift his head. Tilting it back, he calls out as loud as he can to the wolves on the island, wanting to speak with the Raid King himself. But… would the Raiders answer his call? Or would they leave him standing on the beach waiting…? "Speech," 'Thought.'

   

The meeting had barely been resolved when a thin howl carried across the bay. Her eyes narrowed and she set out with purpose, the flick of her tail an invitation for whoever wished to join her to come along. The swim was a long one, but she had time to shake off and stroll along the beach head turned to the wind to try and catch any scent of who it might be that was summoning them. The familiar scent of the pack they had just raided set her blood to boiling.

It didn't matter that the wolf was just a child, they had maimed hers, so all was fair game. At least she wouldn't be ripping the child open. She charged across the beach with a savage growl, god the thing was small enough she could probably swallow it whole. She certainly wouldn't show the same kindness Jack had. She instead would try to push the child into the sand, with every intention of picking it up, and carrying it home to keep, if only as a bargaining chip.

“Speech.”

Modesty vs Gavroche II for force claim
Round 1/?
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Spiked rings
Defensive Battle Accessory: Saddlebags
Companion 1: Brahminy Kite, Male - Flying
Companion 2: Jackalope, male - Battle
Mutation 1: Quills - Defensive
Mutation 2: Muntjac antlers - Offensive
Skills: Expert Navigator & Master Intellectual
Specialty: Professor

What had meant to be a mission of goodwill would very shortly be going south. Gavroche waited, green gaze scanning the ocean for signs of approaching wolves. Only… the one who was approaching was not the raid king… and she looked really mad. She charged towards him with a savage growl and Gavroche’s tail tucked immediately. He had been trying to bring them herbs for their wounded! The winged boy tossed the leather bag of herbs on the ground, a yelp leaving his lips as he turned on his heels. Ears fell against his skull as he narrowly avoided a paw that had sought to push him into the sand. His heart hammered in his chest, not understanding what he had done to earn the woman’s anger. The truth of the matter was he didn’t understand why the two packs had been fighting in the first place! But right now that didn’t matter… he needed to get out of here and fast! -Gavroche is attempting to flee- "Speech," 'Thought.'

The flick of Modesty's tail was a tempting one. He hadn't been at the raid, and everyone was patched up, for now. So when the newly minted leader set out across the bay, he followed despite the way his bones ached. Was he getting taller, or was everyone else getting shorter?

The swim loosened up his joints, and he considered that perhaps it was worth a daily swim just to keep himself comfortable until what ever this was sorted itself out. He wasn't the only one to come, and when their new Queen began her charge, he sauntered along more lazily behind her. Well, it looked like whatever happened would be worth the journey after all.

“Speech”

No rest for the wicked. With her shoulder all slathered up and the news from the meeting bouncing around in her head Flurry really should have shook off the call from the beach, really should have just let her parents handle it while she went to go rest. Flurry was very bad at doing the thing that would help herself. Curious she'd trailed after her mother. A familiar, and probably less than welcome scent hit her and then her mother was off to the races. That couldn't be good! Picking up her own pace she spotted the tiny form on the horizon and as it seemed to see her mother it started to run. Abraxas' sake! "Mom that's a gods damned kid!" She lifted her voice in protest. Why did no one know how to have fucking boundaries around children? "I already fucked up the bitch that hurt Sid!" That had to be it, that had to be what had set her mother off. Flurry wanted to jump in, to intercept her mother but she wasn't sure she safely could without hurting the poor frightened boy, Flurry was on her paws and looking for her opening, to get herself between her mother and the poor scrap. "Speech"

Art by Perencreste

She had been with Sid and Jael, ensuring that everyone was all patched up and okay when the call rang out. Her whole body on alert when she heard the drum of her mother's paws and that guttural growl that definitely meant violence. An intruder had landed on their sands and Calliope would not allow them to fight her mother alone. Quickly getting up, Calliope leaves Sid and Jael without a single word. They would know, understand at least as she takes off down the beach. Barreling across the beach as quickly as her legs will take her, Calliope reaches the scene in no time. Skidding to a halt with sand spraying all around, she watches as her mother dives in to try and grab at the little pipsqueak. Seeing the little Ethne pup alone puts Calliope in a rage. Before she can react, she hears Fluffball screaming at mom to stop because it was a kid. Didn't really seem like mom was going to do much... right? Fully bristled and ready to beat the shit out of someone, Calliope forces herself to stalk over to where Flurry and Sakana are mingling. "Doesn't mean we can't fuck him up," she growls, ears pinning back as she glowers over at her older sister.

Gavorche II's Flee Attempt is...

SUCCESSFUL

Modesty's Force Claim fails and Gavorche II is able to escape.

There was nothing but chaos in his mind. Other wolves were showing up, but Gavroche’s only focus was getting away from the woman who was trying to catch him. His heart hammered in his chest, the feathers of his wings puffed up as his tiny legs worked to weave him in and out of the path before the femme to try and shake her. Tears pricked his eyes in a lack of understanding, turning his head over his shoulder as he called back to her. “I was just bringing you herbs, you big meanie!” The bag that was now left on the sand somewhere on the beach behind them. They could take the herbs, if they were this mean it was no wonder his family had gotten angry when they showed up at their pack! Maybe that nice calico guy was just a one off compared to the rest of the pack. Shifting his gaze ahead once again, Gavroche reached the end of the sand… but he didn’t stop there as he made his escape into the neighboring land of Fern Gulley. -Exit Gavroche- "Speech," 'Thought.'

Gavroche had left the safety of the pack, after a raid, to track down the attackers. As if Haydée didn’t have enough on her plate, she now has to leave Ethne in order to track down two errant kids when all she really wishes is to sleep. Following the winged boy’s scent onto the dark sands of this beach, the young Leader arrives just in time to see the large woman barrel toward him in an attempt to fight the tiny boy. Pulling to a stop, she watches as he zig-zags away, avoiding the larger wolf and what would have certainly been a further complication.

He races toward her in his bid for freedom, she does not spare him a glance as she tightly says, “Go home Gav.” The kid had a good heart but he placed himself in the line of fire when it should have been her seeking out the Raiders to make amends for the maim her mother had caused, alone. Anger simmers underneath her controlled exterior as she moves forward, placing herself before the angry woman and the small crowd of Raiders.

The summer warmth does not stop the cold fingers of dread from curling around her stomach and tickling her spine but she cannot stop, not now. Eyes lock with those of the irate woman as Hay’s features remain calm and she says, “I am Haydée Kedieo, Leader of Ethne. If you seek blood for what happened on the battlefield, then I offer you mine. However, I remind you all that you started this and that child was the one sought to harm first. If you are willing to talk, we can discuss this otherwise, take your pound of flesh and be done with it.”

Head held high, the young Leader stands there, as if in front of a firing squad, ready to be maimed in retaliation for what had happened on their lands.


"Haydée Kedieo"

In the absence of the Raid King, Sakana stepped up alongside Modesty as the small wolf came barrelling their way, the ache of his bones leaving the healer in a foul mood even before he had had to stitch the small child up. A growl rumbled in his chest as the bitch suggested that perhaps Siduri had been at fault. As if a child should be held to the same standard as an adult who should have some measure of control over their fucking emotions. Hell, she wasn't even huge, even at his smallest, he probably could have sat on her to mitigate harm.

It had barely been hours, but who the fuck was she to show up on their borders and lecture them?

He moved before he thought, before giving his new leader a chance to say her piece. Teeth snapped at an ear with intent to take and keep. He'd never been much of a fighter, but he knew how to put someone back together, it couldn't be that hard to take them apart.

“Speech”

Sakana vs Haydee for (maim) - ear tear
Round 1/?
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Light
Companion 1: Lapwing, Male - Perception
Companion 2: Blond Capuchin, Female - Battle
Skills: Master Healer & Master Navigator
Specialty: Anatomist

Calliope had been ready for a fight. The adrenaline was already surging through her veins as she tensed, waiting for the right moment. Somewhat hoping her mother won't catch the miniscule wolf, she lets out an excited yip, her tail wagging though it doesn't mean she's happy.

As soon as the boy evaded the capture of Modesty, Calliope dove off after him. Her eyes are wild with indescribable emotion as she churns sand behind her. Only one look is tossed at the leader of Ethne before her tongue is sticking out and then her focus is turned back on the boy.

- Exit Calliope to follow Gavroche -
"Speech"

He had been about to call for the meeting when he notices not only Modesty but Sakana, Flurry, and Calliope dash off across the bridge to Obsidian Beach. His eyes narrow, lips pursing, wondering if it would be a good idea to follow. There had been a faint echo of someone calling, but the beach wasn't theirs just yet so he hadn't worried about it. But... maybe he should. Letting out a stressed sigh, Gil turns from helping Jael patch up Sid and Tarnish to begin making his way over to Obsidian Beach.

Even from a distance, he can hear commotion. See the dark blur of his not-wife racing across the sand after... someone? His eyes squint again as he tries to make out what is going on. Gil can't help but scoff under his breath and pick up his pace. Wasn't Modesty supposed to be the political one in this scenario?

As he makes it to the scene, he sees the winged boy take off as Haydee approaches. Seconds after, Calliope is following the boy and that is not a good sign. Out of all of his children, she is the one he is most concerned about. The one he believes will actually slaughter wolves for fun when she's old enough. Looking to Flurry, he motions after the younger sister. "You should probably make sure she doesn't rip a wing off, yeah?" The look on his face says 'this isn't going to turn out good.'  

His attention then turns to Haydee as she begins to lecture them. Gil can't help but roll his eyes. The young girl really needed a lesson in maturity, didn't she? Stepping up, he has no time to address Modesty (was she okay?) or Haydee (what the fuck was she thinking?) as Sakana started barreling toward her. "Fuck," Gil curses under his breath. If anyone was maiming a leader, it would be him. There was no way he would allow the healer to stick his neck out like this. Plus wow, okay, don't give him a chance!

Rushing forward, Gil aims to bump Sakana to the side and lean down to try and grab ahold of Haydee's scruff.

MODESTY & GILGAMESH

Gilgamesh & Sakana vs Haydee for Minor Maim (Neck Scarring)
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Spiked bracers
Defensive Battle Accessory: Gold chainmail cuirass
Companion 1: Barn Owl, Female - Battle
Companion 2: Wolverine, Male - Battle
Mutation 1: Crystal spines - Defensive
Mutation 2: Tufted deer fangs - Offensive
Skills: Master Intellectual & Master Fighter
Specialty: Blessed & Marauder

As the Leader stands there, ready for Gilgamesh or the girl’s mother to maim her, Haydée is instead met by a stranger. A stranger who had not even been a part of the raid. Anger boils in her veins, hot and thick as she watches the stranger approach, the outright fury that she has felt about the whole demandable situation finally raising to the surface. They had invaded Ethne, had taken what was her pack’s rightful resources, brought a fuckin child to the fight and then think they all get to hurt her because of what happened.

Ears pin against her skull, contempt seething across her features as her defenses are quickly set. He reaches for her head and Haydée dodges sideways, her head out of the brown male’s reach for the time being. Quickly she retaliates, seeking to strike the stranger’s check and force him to back away. Nostrils flare as she lunges forward, just as Gil shoves the brown wolf aside and grabs her scruff. Pain flares to life along her neck and she squirms, ripping her own flesh in an attempt to break free and strike back.

Haydée should have known the Raiders didn’t fight fairly, should have understood that they would only see her presence here as anything other than an attempt to apologize for what had happened to the pup. Paws lash out, seeking to try and strike the larger man’s face and force him to release her.





Haydée vs Sakana & Gilgamesh for Minor Maim (Ankle Scarring)
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Extra small
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Damascus Steel Bowie Knife
Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather Brace/Vest
Companion 1: Male Northern Cardinal, 20" - Flying
Companion 2: Female Fossa, 30" - Battle
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Intellectual
Specialty: Bard


"Haydée Kedieo"

When shit hit the fan around here shit really hit the fan. Flurry spares her sister only a quick glare. Trust Cali to be inflammatory. The next events where so quick that she'd never fully know the exact chronology. First the little guy got away. (Abraxas be praised!) Then the small Ethne leader showed up. (Fuck.) And then her father. (Feelings yet to be determined.) In the commotion she hadn't noticed her younger sister peeling away to chase the poor little bastard. With a quick nod to her father and an "on it." The young woman took off after the already disappearing form of her sister, towards the gulley. Behind her she could hear the telltale sounds of snarls and scuffling. A fight. Abraxas above! Guess she could add Ethne to the list of packs she was pretty damn sure would be their undoing. Because they needed more.   -Exit Flurry- "Speech"

Art by Perencreste

He usually wasn't a violent wolf, he was a healer and an explorer, but seeing the usually rambunctious and bullish child bought so low had unleashed something in him that he didn't know was lurking under the surface. Gilgamesh's arrival should have been enough to have the young healer falling back alongside Modesty, or peeling off after Calliope, instead the bump to his shoulder had him seeing red. The leader had pulled away from his snap and aimed one of her own towards his face, he leaned into the move, happy to risk an eye if meant finding his mark. Somehow Gilgamesh had ended up between them with a hold on the other wolf's neck. Whelp, if Gil ended up missing more of his ear-tip from getting in the middle of a fight, Sakana was sure he could try to reattach it later, once he'd had a chance to come back to himself.

“Speech”

Sakana & Gilgamesh vs Haydee for melee (maim) - ear tear
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Light
Companion 1: Lapwing, Male - Perception
Companion 2: Blond Capuchin, Female - Battle
Skills: Master Healer & Master Navigator
Specialty: Anatomist

With Haydee's scruff clenched firmly in his jaws, Gil held her. His paws would dig into the ground, staying as stable as he could. Lifting her from the ground so that her paws would hang in the air, he let her claw at him. Pain streaked across his cheeks and neck, but he refused to let go. She would need to calm before he even considered it. He didn't care if Sakana ripped his own ear off either. The fighting had to stop from either side. He was done playing games. Done dealing with children who believed they could do whatever they wanted. Done with adults placing blame and being immature. If neither side could understand why he chose to do what he had done, then perhaps certain wolves shouldn't be in positions they were in.

Releasing a chest deep growl, Gil turns his front half away from Sakana. Shooting the growing boy a fierce glare, he continues to place himself between Haydee and Sakana.

MODESTY & GILGAMESH

Gilgamesh & Sakana vs Haydee for Minor Maim (Neck Scarring)
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Spiked bracers
Defensive Battle Accessory: Gold chainmail cuirass
Companion 1: Barn Owl, Female - Battle
Companion 2: Wolverine, Male - Battle
Mutation 1: Crystal spines - Defensive
Mutation 2: Tufted deer fangs - Offensive
Skills: Master Intellectual & Master Fighter
Specialty: Blessed

Pain stabs at her brain as Haydée tries to twist in Gilgamesh’s grip, seeking to try and force him to release her but only succeeding in wounding herself more. Anger and sorrow burns at her eyes causing tears to fall as she growls in pain, her original plan having gone out the window a long time ago. Shame flushes her cheeks because as she struggles, she suddenly knows that she is no Leader since she couldn’t even protect herself let alone her own pack.

Violently she twists in the King’s grip as a sob rips free from her chest as she shouts, “I just wanted to apologize!” The plea is weak, even to her own ears but it is the truth. Haydée abhors violence in any form since it stole her father away from her and the raid wasn’t supposed to happen like it had. Slowly, the fight leaves her, a whimper rolling out as she goes limp in Gilgamesh’s maw while weakly repeating, “I just wanted to apologize.”

Eyes slam shut, blocking out the judging eyes of all those gathered here, wishing they would all stop staring and just fucking kill her. Everything she touches turns to shit and the Leader thinks the world would be a better place without her. Yet, Hay has never known when to stop and she suddenly twists, hoping once again to rip herself free and stumble away from the Raiders.





Haydée vs Sakana & Gilgamesh for Minor Maim (Ankle Scarring)
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Extra small
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Damascus Steel Bowie Knife
Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather Brace/Vest
Companion 1: Male Northern Cardinal, 20" - Flying
Companion 2: Female Fossa, 30" - Battle
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Intellectual
Specialty: Bard



"Haydée Kedieo"

And the winner is...

Sakana + Gilgamesh

Haydée must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Gilgamesh's maim is successful. Totals: Haydée: Attack Roll: 20 Defense Roll: 22 Agility Roll: 15 Perception Roll: 90 Total: 147 Attack[20] + 25% Bonus[5.00]: 25.00 Defense[22] + 10% Bonus[2.20]: 24.20 Agility[15] + 10% Bonus[1.50]: 16.50 Perception[90] + 35% Bonus[31.50]: 121.50 Total[187.20] + 25% Bonus[46.80]: 234.00 Sakana: Attack Roll: 22 Defense Roll: 65 Agility Roll: 59 Perception Roll: 16 Total: 162 Attack[22] + 60% Bonus[13.20]: 35.20 Defense[65] + 25% Bonus[16.25]: 81.25 Agility[59] + 30% Bonus[17.70]: 76.70 Perception[16] + 10% Bonus[1.60]: 17.60 Total[210.75] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 210.75 Gilgamesh Attack Roll: 62 Defense Roll: 76 Agility Roll: 20 Perception Roll: 22 Total: 180 Attack[62] + 50% Bonus[31.00]: 93.00 Defense[76] + 30% Bonus[22.80]: 98.80 Agility[20] + 5% Bonus[1.00]: 21.00 Perception[22] + 30% Bonus[6.60]: 28.60 Total[241.40] + 25% Bonus[60.35]: 301.75

Her strangled cries and twisting limbs touch something in Gil that only a father could understand. Another growl ripples through him before he's letting go and allowing Haydee to droop to the ground. Looming over the small leader, he feels no sympathy for her. The actions done by her followers reflected badly upon her. "I came for your chickens, that I cannot deny. But as you saw, I came with no ill intent other than take a few chickens. No one was supposed to be badly harmed that night and yet, you allowed one of your own to maim my pup over a few chickens. And now? You cannot control your pack enough to not come trespassing before you can get a word in for yourself? The embarrassment I feel for you is indescribable," his muscles clench, half-tempted to kick sand at her, but he wouldn't stoop so low.

"Leave now and if I see hide or tail of you any time soon, it will not be on friendly terms," the warning in Gil's tone is serious, perhaps more serious than he's ever been before. After having one of his own purposefully throw their fight in the raid and now this nonsense? When would others start owning up to their naivety and mistakes? Disgusted and tired, the Raid King scoffs once and the turns away from all of them. Leaving across the blackened sands without a look back at them.

-exit Gil unless stopped-

"speech"

As she twists in Gilgamesh’s hold, ripping her neck open more and more, Haydée cannot help but feel… weak. He growls at her and she finally stills, going limp in his maw as she gives a soft whine while the pain causes more tears to cascade down her cheeks. Unceremoniously, he dumps her on the ground and she lays there, curling inward on her side, tail tucked as the sand sticks to the blood on her neck and stings the open wounds. Emerald eyes divert as he looms over her, shame welling up inside her as he publicly berates her for the actions of her pack members.

Slowly, the shame gives way to anger as he rebukes her and the small Leader keeps reminding herself of the fact that they stole from Ethne. To them, they aren’t just chickens or livestock meant to produce egss and meat, they are friends and the fact that the Raiders stole them away from their home stings more than the wounds on her neck. Finally, as he turns to leave, Haydée pulls herself up, standing behind the male as she softly calls after his retreating form, “I came to apologize for what happened to the child and, for that, I am truly sorry. As for the chickens, they mean more to us than just being mere animals that produce eggs. While we are a friendly pack, we will seek to get our chickens back. If that means that you will see us as enemies from now on, then so be it.”

Eyes lift to rest on the molted man’s form and a sigh passes Hay’s lips. How had everything gone so wrong? Thoughts to the fact that maybe she really isn’t cut out to be a Leader after all. Holding her head high, she says, “Do not feel embarrassed for me. As a Leader, I stand behind the actions of my pack members and I take full responsibility for anything they did or will do. You may maim as many times as you wish but we will get our chickens back. That is a promise.” Turning away, she adds a little louder, “Goodbye Raiders. I hope that our paths will not always be filled with so much blood and hate.”

With that, Haydée swiftly moves to leave, knowing there is much she needs to prepare for along with collecting the two errant boys that had strayed from her pack.


-exit Haydée unless stopped-


"Haydée Kedieo"