[private] Here Be Wolves || Lucent

[NPC]

Golden forest, golden man. Golden eyes watch you from the wooded shadows.

The wind, it is against you, so you cannot smell the heavy, carnivore musk. She is starving, or else she would not dare to take on one so large. Much more she would prefer the task of taking one of the smaller young. Alas, this is how opportunity works. He stands there, looking away, the wind brushing her scent behind her. And so with light, deliberate steps, she approaches. White teeth glint in the low light of the deep forest. Coiled muscles clench, wait, and release. 60 pounds of fanged and clawed desperation is leaping towards your spine. Will it hit home?

The battle is begun. The wolf attacking you is female, a lone opportunist. She is rangy, grey and thin-coated, but hunger overrules instinct. Your first post requires a reaction and a retaliation. Best of luck, Knight of Sylva.

@[Lucent]

[Lucent]

He was a heavy beast with layers of power-driven muscle lying in stillness beneath his sunrise gold skin. White tipped radars tilted forward in quiet contemplation of the surrounding woods. One large foot tipped forward to etch in the dirt, the only sign of agitation in the otherwise calm outer appearance. The stallion liked the lay of this land. Had enjoyed the company he had found. The only thing that gave him pause was the wolves. Nasty creatures, dangerous alone but deadly in force. Coral lined nostrils flared as his instincts begin to sing. Something was close.

It was the slight sound of claws digging into the dirt to thrust the flesh-hungry wolf at his back that gave her away. He spun, but not fast enough to avoid the iron nails of the she-wolf as they cut through his skin. The palomino stallion avoided a direct hit to his back but she still managed to land partially across his hip. His own daggers dig into the earth propelling him forward just enough to give him space to whirl on the scraggily creature.

At this point his ears are tight against his skull, his lips curled back in a snarl. His own child might not recognize the ferocity that shines brightly in the golden man’s eyes. It has always lurked, just below the pretty words and kind tone, the beast more inclined to fight than flight. His eyes and movement track the beast before he lunges out with forelegs flying. He aims for center mass but any direct blow could grievously injure the much small predator.

[NPC]

She has misjudged his senses, does not anticipate the flying stone-sharp hooves as they fly towards her as the large beast whirls to face it's assailant. By instinct alone she avoids a bashed-in skull, ducking so that the out-flung hoof impacts a shoulder instead. With a pain ridden yelp, she skitters away, left foreleg dragging from its broken socket. A snarl to match her would-be prey's distorts her thin face. With a low swish of her bushy tail, she eyes the beast, knowing better than to turn her back. It has gone too far, only one of them will leave this clearing alive. She intends for that one to be her. With a growl vibrating deep in her throat, she feints left before swerving back to the right, making a reckless dash at the golden creature's underbelly, raking slavering fangs towards the tender flesh there. It is a wild move, and she hopes the unexpectedness of it is enough to take her prey off guard.

@[Lucent]

[Lucent]

The dull thud of hoof connecting with flesh painted a grim smile across the face of the large stallion. While he would have preferred it have been his opponent’s skull, spine, or another such detrimental blow he would certainly take what he got over a complete miss. Still, he had little time to contemplate an alternative outcome for the wolf seemed preparing to attack again. Part of him was shocked. The creature had fang and claw on their side, but its other strengths would have been speed and agility and those were now severally hampered. Had she simply cowered and crept away his bloodlust was not so great he would have followed to see her dead. After all, the dislocated joint was enough of a death sentence. Yet, she eyes him still her low growl all the warning he needs that this fight will continue until she sees him dead or he her.

She jerks left and his head and hooves follow and before he can correct she had slipped back to the right and charges underneath him. Her wish is granted and the bold move catches him unaware. The last thing he expected was for her to place herself beneath his might of his hooves. His massive wings snap open and as he rears up he slams them down propelling himself just upwards and forward enough to avoid evisceration but not quickly enough to avoid the teeth leaving their mark.

His back hooves have barely left the ground and they meet the earth once more as his wings fold swiftly once more against his body. As they she-wolf had struck from near his front to back and he had leap partially forward he assumes she’s near his hind hooves and within the second of touching the ground has flung those power appendages in her direction.