Wapun Meadow tremble for yourself my man

@Kukulkan
tag for reference

Night fell over the valley hours ago. Orochi should have been sleeping. God knows he needed it. It's felt like ages since him and @Hide found a proper place to rest. They got lucky with an outcrop tonight. But Orochi was to restless to sleep. He had to find some trace of these nut jobs.

The dragon patrolled a nearby meadow. He kept an eye out for any signs of life, or some tracks, a smell, anyrhing. There was nothing of note out here, just a bunch of flowers. The smell made him sick. He must've gagged once or twice.

What was with these people and their inability to stay away? Would there always be curious children on Ursus' doorstep? These were the questions that filled Toad's head as he caught the scent of wolves. It was another day he had come to the meadow with the hope that he could smell the flowers and relax, secretly slip into his softhearted true nature, but alas, it seemed there would be more to chase off. He narrowed his eyes as he followed the trail.

The darkness did nothing to aid his search, and so he relied on his sniffing nose, but soon a dark silhouette caught his olive eye. What do you think you're doing here, bitch? He rumbled darkly and slowly, halting while he eyed the figure, whose features were still unclear. It took all his courage to hold down the tremble that wanted to find it's way to his voice- but he sounded confident, and Toad was fairly sure he was on the road to becoming a badass that might make the king of Ursus proud.

What do you think you're doing here, bitch?

Orochi shot back: None of your fucking business.

He was annoyed before, but now he was enraged. There was no way he'd let this random ass dude talk to him like that. Orochi spun towards him, hackles raised, teeth bared, ready to fight.

You got a fucking problem?

Raised voices roused Hide from his sleep. It would be difficult for him to tell, but it was still night - still chillier than normal, and there was no Orochi to snuggle up next to. So that was a little bit odd. 

The ginger wolf got to his feet and padded after the growls. Perhaps they weren't really angry - after all, Orochi just talked like that, sometimes. He managed not to stumble as he approached, just in time to hear Orochi snarl,

You got a fucking problem?

Hide frowned and padded up beside his companion, bumping his shoulder lightly against Orochi's flank. "Mmm, 'Rochi," he complained, still half asleep. "Wha's goin' on?" He had yet to hear the stranger in earnest, but he knew Orochi had to have been yelling at someone.

None of your fucking business.

Toad quirked a brow to that, as if amused. Anything in the meadow was his business, ever since Merrick had told him it was theirs. At his next question, Toad laughed aloud. Yeah, He uttered, You. You're my problem till you leave. He rumbled darkly, baring the tips of his fangs. Before he knew it, there was another one beside him, tiredly bumping against him and mumbling about what was going on. Here's what's going on. Your friend here needs to fuck off in ten seconds before I turn him into a warning for other kids tryna come this way. It's as simple as that, really. He uttered matter-of-factly, tail lashing behind him in the air. He drew closer slowly, now able to make out their features- a dark headed boy, and a ginger. Both kids. Ah, well- nothing personal. Yearling or not, Toad wouldn't be afraid to go all out. Anything to keep Merrick's land safe.

tagging @Evien for reference.

The days had been long, his muscles aches even though he welcomed the exercise. The warm sun to the south guided the two to their destination. But despite the long hours of their trek, it was the nighttime that weighed Kukulkan down.

The time of contemplation, when the quiet could not fight back against the worries that shrouded his heart. When he became swallowed whole by a black terror, a guilt without end. And it was during these times that he went for walks, leaving his new acquaintance to rest where they’d settled for the night. He found himself almost in a deep trance, led only by the wafting scents of the flowers in the darkness. That is, until, they quivered beneath the stench of other wolves.

Almost as soon as he’d smelled them, he heard them. Loud, obtrusive, drawing the stranger in close. His tall, lumbering form strode in, shoulders rolling and brows furrowing as he focused in on the scene he was closing in on. For a moment he’d considered calling for @Evien, but as the growls sliced through the evening air, he knew that moment was as good as gone.

Kukulkan closed the distance, his bright orange-red eyes squinting in judgement at the scene unfolding. ”Fucking off? At this time a’night? Seems but dang’rous, don’t ya think?” Words delivered without tone, simple, flat. Weighted. While he didn’t seek danger, the shadows that engulfed his heart, that ate away at him, left him feeling... unconcerned.

”These lands claimed? Ain’t no markers...” This time with minor inflection, his gaze turning over to the one who laid out the threats. ”Unless there’sa somethin’ else eaten’ atchya...” The darkness of his mask in the nighttime left his gaze to stand out in stark contrast. Even weakened from his days of sickness, Kukulkan still towered over the crowd, and those dagger eyes darted from one to the other, doing his best to piece together a puzzle with only two pieces.

A fight was not what he sought, merely interjection, but there was a prickling in his veins that would dance the dance if the tune struck.

For now he stood, watching, waiting.
Offering simple words.

An all too familiar feeling rushes through his veins and gets his heart pumping. Orochi wanted to fuck this guy up, plain and simple. The corner of his mouth curled up into a grin. It's been a long time since he'd been in a proper fight.

But he couldn't do shit, not now at least. Orochi snapped his head back when Hide approached. He was disoriented—probably just woke up—and didn't know what the hell was going on. Orochi opened his mouth to speak, but that fucker spoke for him. His retelling defeintly wasn't the way he put it. 

His glare was set back on the man. I'd like to see you try. There was still a fire in his voice, but it wasn't as booming as it was before. If Hide wasn't here he'd be screaming. No, he'd already be at this guy's throat. Now he was hesitant. He didn't know how the redhead would do in a fight and he didn't want him getting hurt. There were two options: show this guy who's boss or get the hell out of here. It was a tough decision.

And once again he couldn't do shit. Another stranger showed up out of nowhere. A middleman. Orochi simmered in frustration as he spoke.

Who are you? he shouted as soon as soon as he finished. He didn't need a middleman to calm the situation. He could handle this himself.

Hide wasn't that big a fan of fighting. Still, it wasn't really scary. Not when there were two of them and only one wolf to fight. Of course, Hide was at a disadvantage, and hadn't really had proper fight training, but he was sturdy. At the very least, he couldn't get pushed down that easily. But the way the stranger was talking was really beginning to grate on his nerves, and then there was another voice that confirmed what time of day it was, and that there were no markers around. 

"Don't think we crossed any borders," he reasoned, rubbing a paw over his muzzle and stepping forward, tail offering a slow wag toward the angry sounding boy. "We don't want any... well, y'know, I don't want any trouble," he corrected, hearing Orochi egg the other wolf on. "Uh," Jeez, it was difficult to focus on words and time and multiple individuals at the same time. And maybe Orochi was rubbing off on him, but he almost couldn't help the next words that came out of his mouth. "It sounds to me like you're outnumbered, here, 'n this place ain't even yours. Maybe be smarter about what fights you pick."

He came barrelling towards them by accident more than anything. A run away freight train of excess energy, coals made of boredom and stoked by bloodlust. The voices rose and met Revui's ears - familiar, for the most part. That stayed his proverbial hand. Whereas normally the toothy shark-beast was eager to chomp and maim and rend flesh from bodies, in this instance he was not launching to the offensive. He drew up behind the gathered bodies ominously; a curious gargoyle.

He slunk nearer to Toad at first, flanking his ally and bristling supportively, while his ice-shard gaze took in the shape and size of Kukulkan, then Hide, then -- You. His voice a low and distany thundering, his attention snags upon Orochi for a beat longer than the others. When he looks to Toad again it is with a question gleaming alongside the ever-present rage, wondering what exactly he has walked in on.

He didn't enjoy the way the new arrival seemed to hover between sides. One thing he hated- people who got wrapped up in business that wasn't theirs. And considering the fiery boy's second comment (for Toad only snorted at the first,) he didn't know these kids. So... why was he here? To cause more trouble? Toad listened to each of them quietly, a tiny smirk painted on his maw though his gaze was icy. The last words spoken truthfully frustrated him- for it was true, he was outnumbered severely- but he squinted at the redhead speaking... why did his gaze look... glassy? Was it what he thought it might be?

Directed to Hide, he finally sighed, If you don't want trouble, you better leave. He rumbled ominously, another step forward taken. As for why he defended this land? It wasn't Toad's job to explain the orders Merrick had given him, only his duty to uphold them. Fuck what they thought- if he looked like a fool, he looked like a fool. Each day he became more of Merrick's puppet. How long until he would dive into any battle regardless of chance, fearless of death? 

Luckily, he might not need to answer such questions today. Footsteps alerted him- and momentarily he believed they were closing in, and this would be his end- but instead it was the stone giant. Revui. He cane alongside Toad, easing his nerves- because a blind boy couldn't ward off the two of him. And oh, how Toad would be laughing if he knew the others were a sick man and a three-legged boy! Fighting a bunch of cripples! But he was paused by Revui's one word, uttered with familiarity towards the fireball. Toad turned green gaze to deep teal- but was met with inquisition. And yet, Toad reflected him- was there a story between these two? That could wait, though. The frog boy wondered whether Revui had recieved the same instruction- to defend the meadow just like it was their own- or would the man think him a fool? Finally Toad muttered simply to him, They're way too close, and I'm sick of kids hanging out near the valley. Then his attention fell to their audience again.

skipping kukulkan since he's inactive!

Hide was right; the piece of shit was outnumbered. Granted his teammates were a blind boy (who's fighting skills were unknown at this point) and a stranger who put himself in the middle of this argument. Not a very balanced bunch, but the man (now dubbed Piece of Shit) was none the wiser. That gave him a bit more confidence.

Even after hearing that, the man still threatened them. Orochi took a step in front of Hide and growled a warning. If he put a paw on him, the yearling would kick his ass.

The ass kicking was postponed once again by someone else. But he was no stranger. It's a face from the past, a face he didn't expect to see. One he thought he'd never see again.

Revui? Orochi stood up straight and with his mouth slightly parted. He assumed that the moonspear wolves would've broken him out, or worse, still in nightwalker's chains. He assumed he'd be anywhere but here. And he was with this.. this asshole!

But we're not in your stupid valley are we? he growled, parroting what was previously said. His glare shifted back to the Piece of Shit. Revui, tell him to fuck off.

Skipping @Hide.

Revui did not know what was going on here. It looked as if Toad had come across some rogues, and while Revui was pleased to see that Orochi had survived, he knew his own role was important, and he could not let either of these wolves get closer to the valley even if they were potential allies. He did wonder why the three-legged boy had come all this way, but did not ask.

He glanced at Toad with a grim expression on his face, not far from his usual stoicism, and then back to Orochi. The valley of Ursus is our home, but we patrol outside of it. You are too close. He was bristling as he said this. Had he truly wanted to harm his once-ally, he would have plunged tooth-first in to him and perhaps torn another limb away. The hard edge in his expression did not falter despite how he held himself proudly, firmly, in wait.

Get out. He commanded. He would not tell them again.

Oh, well, it sounded like they weren't welcome in the area. That wasn't a big deal for Hide personally, but he didn't have to worry about only having three legs to get around on. Besides, he didn't really want to get in a fight right now. The ginger leaned into Orochi's flank and nudged him lightly. "Maybe we should just go." There were just some fights that weren't worth having, after all, and if it could save them from getting their asses handed to them, then maybe they shouldn't stick around.

He could only hope Orochi agreed.

gonna wrap since this is old! someone feel free to post again, or just archive ^_^ thanks 4 the thread yall!
lmk anyone, if you think I should edit- just trying to move it along for flow 

 

No, they weren't in the valley. But Toad was pretty territorial ever since moving in with Ursus, and despite the occasional half-hearted exception for cute or charming wolves, Toad had no problems chasing people out of his flower-smelling place. When the boy tried to direct Revui, Toad scoffed. Why did this punk think the rock held more loyalty to him than Ursus?

Toad's prediction was satisfied when Revui told them to leave. The kid with the glassy eyes encouraged his brother that they ought to exit, and Toad nodded slightly, as if encouraging Orochi that he ought to listen to his smart companion. After they exited, grumbly or not, Toad would silently glance to Revui, a very appreciative look on his face- before he moved off to somewhere where no one would see him looking on and smelling the fresh tulips and daffodils.

Orochi's brow raised when Revui ordered the two to leave. He took the man's side without a moment's hesitation. After everything they went through, this was how he was treated? The history between them seemed to be erased just like that.

The dragon's lips pulled back, but Hide's nudge stopped him from leaping forward. Fine. He gave Revui one last look before turning around. Common.