Ankyra Sound if you ain't locked it down by now [challenge]

Challenging @Grezig for Epsilon rank!

Bottom rank didn't suit him. He'd occupied a place of power in Drageda, as Heda's bodyguard, and even in Diaspora, there had been some level of respect. Here, though, he was beneath everyone--everyone! And that wouldn't do.

He thought of aiming higher, for a hotheaded moment. But leadership was too high for now, and besides, Illidan had been the one to let him in, so Verx should probably stay in the young man's good graces. Vaati was a project for a different day, further down the road.

And Rosalyn and Erzulie? He respected them too much to make a show of snatching their rank, even as they nursed children. No, he needed them on his side, too. So then. . .

Grezig. The brown woman with children that were close to weaned by now, if not already so. She looked strong enough, and would pose a threat, but Verx was reasonably confident in his ability to take her down a few notches. Being within the upper tier of Rusalka was motivation enough--but he was bored, and craving a fight.

So as the sun dipped beneath the horizon, turning the sea to blood and fire, Vercingetorix lifted his muzzle and called for Grezig, hoping she would respond with haste. Game on.

Grezig did not know the voice who called her, but she came regardless. The pups were now well old enough to be left alone for a little while, though she gave Xizur the stink-eye before leaving and warned him not to mess with Tizir.

When she arrived at the place where the male had called her, she stood and looked at him. She did not recognize him, but knew he was a member of Rusalka. The pack’s smell was on him. A relatively new member then, or perhaps she’d just gotten out of touch with the pack as a whole, being so focused on her pups. “Hail,” she said. “What do you need?” She had missed the challenge in his call because she had stopped caring about affairs of pack politics, so she was not aware that his call was meant to be a rank challenge.

The woman heeded his call after a short time; he appreciated the haste, especially since he knew she had kids. The polite punctuality would make it a little harder to kick her ass, but he'd do so, anyway. No sense in backing down now--the call had been made.

Your rank, Verx said simply, lifting his head and tail to peer down at her. She was a good-sized female, but he was massive, and he'd use that to full advantage. I want it. So you can give it to me right now and we'll be chill, or we'll fight for it and be less chill. Either way. . .I'm gonna take it.

His lips curled in an almost imperceptible snarl, blue-silver fire in his eyes.

And he took it. Like pushing a Staples button. . .