Lost Creek Hollow if i gotta take the high road i’m rollin’

he's trespassing so feel free to beat him up. Just don't tear his legs off or take his eyes or tongue or somethin lol, I'm cool with anything else!

That run in with that crimson beast of a wolf had Rafael contemplating over this life of crime. Thievery was such a grueling task. Maybe he should drop the hobby, join a group, settle down, get his own food. That would save some trouble right?

... yeah fuck all that.

Prey was getting slim around these parts. He'd be lucky to come across a sickly hare, there was no way he would even be able to lay his eyes upon bigger game. Even if the universe threw a doe his way it wasn't like he'd be able to take it down on his own. So why not just steal something from someone else? They could spare some rescources to a poor travel right?

The thief was back to his old schemes. He tip toed along the edge of this territory, observent and alert.

unfortunately (for who?) it was not the mighty terance or the fearless arbiter who arrived upon the scene first... no. it was pike. who was still growing into the giant paws and shoulders his parents had given him, and more likely that not had his lip stuck on his bottom tooth. he would one day be the epitome of a soldier but... today? he still looked like a lanky youth. not even entered the adult ranks yet.

pike, who was convinced otherwise, spotted the stranger on his patrol. if @Arbiter had done anything as a mother, it was ensure that pike knew how to walk along the damn things. he even marked it if he was feeling ballsy, granted, he knew that was mostly mom and dads job. besides the point. he paused along his patrol, nose twitching as he tried to decipher who the frick was standing in front of him right now. didn't smell like the hollow -- or too great, pike decided -- which meant... oh shoot!!! intruder!! pike did what his gut told him to do, though he wasn't sure he had too much experience on the actual matter, and howled for the pack. 

there's an intruder!!! he called as he tilted his head back and howled. nevermind that he was alerting the stranger of his whereabouts, his was definitely pretty positive that this guy would outmatch him. he was arrogant, but he wasn't an idiot!! then, pike took a stance, fur bristling, growling, just like arbiter had said. you're tresspassing!! he snarled.

but boy! didn't he look cute.

There was some distant rustling and then some not so distant footsteps. Ah shit, caught again in the heat of the moment. Such a shame, he didn't even catch a whiff of prey yet! What giant warrior would intercept him this time he wondered? Well it didn't matter who it was, they'd give him a beating either way. Rafael began to pick up the pace, but then he popped out.

The theif couldn't stifle a laugh. It was just some lanky old kid thinking he was all that and— wait... was he howling? Oh, yup, that wasn't good. Kid! shh... shh! Ah god damnit! There was no stopping the alarm, his whole family may be well on their way.

You're trespassing!!  Even in this dangerous moment Rafael couldn't hide his amusement. You're an observent little guy aren't ya, he taunted, Now I'd love to stay and chat but I'm on a real tight schedule. Catch ya later kid! And with that the criminal took off in the opposite direction. Hopefully no one else was nearby.

On other days, Arbiter had enjoyed toying with trespassers -- make them work off the err of their ways -- but the howl set things in an entirely different light.  With one of her children nearby, she was no longer willing to play.  Sure, the trio were large enough that they'd outsize a fair number of wolves, but they were still children and they were hers.  Oh, and there was also the whole fact there was nobody named Liffey here any more to tell her not to do her worst. Uh oh.

Before this happened, she'd been trying to shape Spook up so he could catch up with some of his siblings' training so they could spar, but that got dropped like a hot potato and she sprinted towards Pike's location.  The poor kid was left gawking in confusion, but he'd probably figure it out later.  She didn't give too much warning on her approach, but since a large wolf barreling through the underbrush like a rocket powered cannonball wasn't exactly going to be silent, was it really needed?  

Popping onto the scene, there was a slight interruption in her stride as she passed Pike and looked for the target.  Path adjusted, she went forward at top speed towards the retreating figure.  She was a picture of hostility, ears forward, lips peeled back, fur on end, tail up, the whole nine yards, and she meant business.  In all honesty she didn't care what part of him she sank her teeth into, she was here for her pound of flesh for his indiscretion.  She asked no questions, simply made a single demand: surrender in one form or another. Sure, he could try to make her stop and try to appeal to pity and try to keep his hide whole, but there were no promises that would work and he had only a few fleeting seconds to do so if he stopped and chose that path.  This was Arbiter after all.