Blackfeather Woods First, we eat.

@The Night

The lynx had come down from the mountains in search of more food. He crossed the stream and headed for the forest, ignoring the borders of the wolves that lived there. He was not a wolf, and therefore he did not abide by their rules. Still, he knew it was a risk going near where they lived. They didn't like him, he didn't like them. But, this time, his need for food out weighed the risks involved of eating here.

He stepped purposely through the brush, trying to be as quiet as possible. He needed to get in and out as fast as he could. His nose pointed him in the right direction of a wolf den. Now was about the time of year they gave birth, and it was possible there were some plump little meals in there. Stalking forward, he peered into the den.

For the "How Mighty a Hero" quest - @Kove for visibility

Nyx was not the most protective creature, especially not if something wasn't hers by right. The babes born of a paring between Relmyna and someone else (she had yet to hear the exact details, but wasn't going to ask for them) meant very little to her besides that they were property of the woods. That alone was enough reason to protect them, to make sure they were save every now and then, but not to spend actual time with them or anything. She liked being alone and only often found herself craving Maegi's companionship (wherever she had gone).

But the woods smelled of danger. It was no wolf, not one of the coyotes either - she didn't recognize the scent beyond being different and therefore dangerous. She was quick to sniff the stranger out, spotting him just in time to see him longingly stare at their den (where the hell was the mother?). She glared at him for a split second and then, with the thunderous sound of rushing footfalls, made her way quickly in front of the opening.

She lowered her muzzle, protecting her neck, and her tail swept over her star kissed back. Her pearly whites shimmered only slightly in the shades of the woods, but she flashed them with all her might, a deadly growl erupting from the back of her throat. Get out. She spat as a final warning.

He barely made a move towards the den when a black shadow moved in front of him. He hissed his displeasure and jumped back, showing his own set of deadly teeth. Rocco was in no mood to be pushed around by a wolf, as his hunger was deeper than his need to get away from her. 

He didn't heed her warning. He didn't even understand why she gave it. Did she think he was just going to back off, apologize, and "get out"? No, Rocco wasn't going that easily. He had gotten a whiff of what was in the den, and he wanted it. So, instead of retreating more, he lurched forward, swatting at the air in front of the wolf. He hoped to make contact, or at least scare it into moving.

Good, she had caught the creature by surprise. What even was this hissing, ugly thing anyway? Trying to steal her look with his poke dots. It looked even more ridiculous with those strange pointy ears, kind of like one of their prisoners had. Her own ears pressed dominantly forward, and she stood there like a house. Whatever this was, it would not get past her.

When it lunched and swatted at her, she let its claws catch her healed scars on her chest and in the blink of an eye did she try and catch its paw with her mouth. If she'd miss, she'd stand again, her defense more important than her offense this time. She had to figure out what the other creature's style was first before she felt confident in making a move of her own.

Rocco cared for her just as much as she cared about him. He just wanted to get this mangy mutt out of his way so he could eat. Was that so much to ask? His claws scrapped across her chest, and Rocco thought that would be enough to send her running. But, no. There she still stood. In his way. He retreated quick enough that she just missed grabbing his leg. Try again, mutt.

He growled his displeasure and went for her again, this time full on as he lunged straight for her face with both front legs preparing to shred skin. Even if she moved, he hoped to make contact somewhere. If not, maybe he could slip inside the den as she recouped from the attacked.

A determined look had settled onto her face. Though she wouldn't die for the babes, she didn't mind getting a little wrecked for them. She had always been a rather heroic woman, making up plans to set their own prisoners free, and though she wasn't doing for the glory she at least expected a thank you from the mother because damn those claws had hurt. Droplets of blood dripped down upon the forest bedding, but at least she was still standing.

Just as the strange creature lunged, she did too, planning to headbutt the awful intruder while suffering the claws, now upon the sides of her face, and the mean cuts they brought. She hoped a good bump to the head was enough to send the other packing, but didn't know how tough this thing was going to be.

PP approved

He thought it foolish of the wolf not to move aside, and he wasn't going to grant any leniency because of her ignorance. He grabbed her head with his forelegs, attempting to dig his claws in where he could. His mouth sought out her ear, clamping down on it. Blood seeped into his mouth, and he jerked his head away, tearing the ear. 

Rocco was an angry little kitty who didn't like dogs, especially when they got in they way of his food. He would fight until the need to live was greater than the need for food.

She felt a stinging and warm sensation on her right ear as it got punctured and torn, the blood mixing with her star kissed white. She proper had had it with this bloke and with a rumble did she lunge for his back leg, trying to clamp down and, because she was so much bigger than him, send him flying to somewhere away from the den. It was safer for the pups that way, she believed.

Rocco was just about to go in for another bite when he felt jaws on his back legs. He growled in protest, and jerked his head around, fully intending to take out the eyes of his opponent. Before he could, however, he felt himself being lifted off the ground and thrown to the side like a ragdoll.

With a thud, he hit the trunk of a tree, and fell to the ground. The air was knocked out of his lungs, and he coughed, trying to get his breathing back under control. He eyed the mutt with pure hatred, but he didn't attempt another attack. A growl warned the wolf off as Rocco turned to leave the immediate area. Once he got his breath back, he'd leave quicker. If the wolf choose to come after him again, he'd defend his life. If left alone, he would leave the pack lands and find food elsewhere.

Luckily for her, she was able to do what she had planned before it could scratch out an eye or tear her other ear to bits. She saw it fly and hit one of the woods' many trees. She felt victorious but remained grounded. The creature could always come for her again, but it seemed rather defeated. It was angry with her, that much was clear, but it didn't attempt another attack. Wolves were superior, it had probably realized.

She threw her head in her neck to let out a warning howl, mostly to the mother of the children (@Relmyna - "you better thank me") and @Kove - "Intruder - stay alert". The others (@Aries @Shivali @Corinna ) were called too, that they must look out for a tufted-eared, spotted creature with sharp claws. After that, she rather calmly trotted to follow the creature, making sure it left their woods.

The wolf could mistakenly assume that Rocco thought the mutt was superior. Rocco felt he had simply lost a battle of an ongoing war, but it was not over. He retreated to heal his wounds, but as he glared at the wolf, he knew the time would come again when he'd go against another one. 

As he walked away, he heard the howl rang out. He couldn't really know what it meant, but he was sure it would bring more wolves. He trotted as quick as he could, as much as his lungs would let him. He still hadn't properly caught his breath, but if he wanted to live to see his next battle, he had to get out of here before another wolf came upon him. 

Before long, he was but a dot on the horizon.

cameo!

relmyna had taken the children below, into the tunnels that stretched beneath the densite. she had found no ability within herself to trust that blackfeather would not again be attacked — averna and astara must understand that the woodland was not safe. she herself could find no footing to a faith that shivered as did willows in spring deluges. and it had been the devil to shake her so.
when the woman's call came, the priestess' ears cupped forward; on small feet she made her way upon into the den's reaches, bidding her children stay behind.
relmyna crooned then, a low sound seeded with a gratitude she did not feel, before slinking down into the earthen shadows once more.