Arrow Lake didn't see that coming

oooo this is great!

He couldn't do anything against the pinning weight of Kazimir; even injured as she was, she held a certain amount of advantageous power he could not contend with. It was a learning experience. He struggled and she loomed over him seemingly without care, eager to dole out a punishment that - to the boy at least - was unjust. He kicked his hindquarters at her, felt the pinch of his skin as he tried to writhe out of her grasp. There was more anger spilling from him now, but it didn't help him.

The woman condescended to him, belittled him, and Mesa was forced to listen. He was growling in the back of his throat by the end of her commentary and made a point to snap at whatever parts he could reach, utterly unruly, until he was released. Mesa didn't have time to do much else besides breathe a deep, relieving gasp before his mother appeared.

She dove between them, stern and protective. Mesa wasn't yet at an age where his mother's attention felt awkward; when he saw her standing over him like an icy monolith he felt strong again, and leered at Kazmir from the ground beneath. She tried to kill me! She said that I shoulda been with Ego, and she only lives here 'cuz we feed her!! He lied without issue, growing more ferocious with his claims as his adrenaline fluctuated, although his conviction was strong and his voice sincere in its hurt. Stigmata -- d-dad. . . I was defending his honor, and Diaspora, from her! She's a monster! 

That last bit may have been pushing it, but Mesa was on his feet and bristling, pressed against the comforting shape of his mother who he implored, with his every inch, to believe him.