Stone Circle Faced with Fear

@Greyback & @Zugzwang. Set a few hours after this thread! King, I did a minor PP of Greyback already being with her let me know if you want that changed.

Valette trotted through the dusk together with Greyback. After the date night Greyback had prepared for her Valette was definitely more charmed by the male. Now they had another walk together and Valette was really enjoying her time getting to know the male. In fact, she had been rather prioritizing her time with him. So much so, she had not realized that there had been a death in their pack. One of their recent members.

Valette frowned when she saw something move across the plains further ahead. The female grew alert. "What's that?" As she said that the female jumped forward into a run. She let out a loud growl and a bark to let the other know she was approaching fast. The shape was unfamiliar to her but as she came closer she realized that it wasn't a coyote or any other wolf hybrid. It was a feline. The scent instantly brought her back to when she found her mother bleeding on the ground. Cougar.

Valette dug her heels into the ground and came to a stop, instantly freezing into place with fear. It was the creature that killed her mother! Perhaps not the same but definitely dangerous. The female could only see her mother on the ground, close to dying. Her beloved mother. Suddenly she was not so brave anymore to face this intruder. She was nailed to the ground as she watched it in fear which she had never experienced before.

Totally okay with some scratches and/or bite marks. Feel free to make use of the moment that she is frozen in fear to attack Val! :)

I dont mind at all!

Greyback smiled as he trailed with Valette, his shoulder and side rubbing against her as they walked, occasionally bumping into her with a playful smirk. He was glad he got to spend more time with her, knowing more about her, seeing her for the real her instead of just a 'leader.' She was kind, humble, caring...radiant. He looked at her without fear of getting caught, his eyes shining with something of passion unrivaled.

But as soon as he heard her voice, he snapped his head into the direction she was looking. He had failed to see the movement on the plains with his attention on her. What could of alerted her? Bounding after into a run, Greyback followed his friend with a sense of caution, his face contorted into that of scrutinizing gaze and heavy frown. "Valette?"

As he neared where she stopped he instantly noticed her fear, her small frame rigid and stuck, her eyes wide. The fur on his spine rose, and with a curt growl the easthollow wolf eyed the intruder. It was some type of cat, a very large one at that. The older remembered hearing of them in the mountains- their impressive strength and claws feared by many.

Lowering his head, Greyback softly whispered to Valette "You need to duck down,". The grass was tall enough to hide her if the cat hadn't already seen her. There was no way she could fight off and defend the territory in a state of shock; perhaps she could get away without being spotted. "Valette, hide in grass." He repeated, nudging her in attempt to break her out of the spell. 

He had killed one more of the wretched wolves, and that had him in pretty good spirits, except that bits of dark hair were tangled messily between his bloodied claws and he didn't like the sensation after-the-fact. Once that bloodlust had been satiated Zugzwang had stalked off the scene; he headed through the forest until the trees fanned out in to open air, using the cover of darkness to escape before more creatures stirred come daylight — except he wasn't as successful as he'd thought. 

The beast paused once he found himself surrounded by grass, spying on the dark shapes of the spire-like stones, but finding them uninteresting. He began to clean his paws against a patch of grass peeking through a thin layer of snow — dragging them through the slush and across the broom the way someone might work dog poop off of their favorite pair of shoes, his face growing more contorted with disgust the longer he loitered there.

That was when the two wolves came upon him. The cougar would've ordinarily been long gone before any canine could lay eyes upon his massive shape, as he only liked being seen as a harbinger of their deaths (and so, he would relish the fear of their last moments over all else). When the scent of wolf became something strong and creeping, he caught the aroma - of Valette, of her fear, and of the deep masculine musk of her companion - and stopped trying to whipe pieces of Phyllis in to the grass.

Zugzwang lifted his head and surveyed the area, but wouldn't notice the wolves initially — Greyback was such a large specimen that it would be impossible not to see him, but the cat wasn't accustomed to such sights and assumed his looming shape behind the black void of Valette was just another stone monument. He did, however, spot the woman - and he moved swiftly towards her. The few trees dotting the area became his cover but it was futile, for there was no doubt in his mind that the wolf had seen him there — still, he crouched and took long, fluid strides in his attempt to cover ground and pick up speed, until he came upon her frightened figure and lunged.

Valette couldn't hear the male. She was frozen in shock of seeing the monster before her eyes. It was like staring Death in the eye. She could do nothing but to just watch as the monster headed in her direction. It all went so quickly. The cat readied their attack and Valette watched in horror as it came closer and lunged at her. The impact followed soon after, which was also what shook her out of her frozen state.

The female yelped in shock and also pain. She thought she felt teeth, but she also had seen the extended claws as the cat lunged towards her. She could not be certain. In her panic the female had the right reaction, her first instinct was to bite the one that was on top of her. Mostly to escape, but then she scented Greyback as well. "Greyback! Help!," she called out.

The moment she would feel the weight and the sharp claws of her she would dash. Which would leave her with another dilemma. She couldn't leave Greyback with this cat. She didn't want him to die as her mother had, then again, Greyback was a big and strong male. He was the opposite compared to her mother in size and strength. But that was only until the weight was off her that she could do anything.

 

Greyback notices when the cougar readies to lunge and his fur rises. He stands tall, his head and tail held high as his lips curl back into a snarl of untapped rage, showing nothing but teeth and gum. Normally it would be all for show, but at the moment he's a driving force. He's having a conniption at the thought of someone touching Valette, and it turns his insides sour. "DONT YOU TOUCH HER!" He roars in anger, lunging forward in attempt to block the blow.

But he's too slow, and life goes slow when he notices the weight of the cat land on Valette, her voice yelling at him to help while sounds of scrabbles fill the air. Something vibrates within him, and Greyback can't help but push his weight and run forward, crashing his head against Zugzwang's side in effort to dislodge them from his friend.

Getting up quickly, the male is quick to look around for Valette, his head swimming. Where was she? He spots her near the grass, her pelt ragged from the scuffle. Instantly, he standing above her, a limb placed over in an effort to protect what he holds dear, his paw on the ground near her face while he glares at the animal. "Leave!" He shouts, voice booming loudly like a firearm. "Before my fangs find your flesh."

---

Greyback sees Zugzwang hit Valette
He charges and head-butts

Hit: 5
Damage: 1

The cat is knocked away from his target by another body, one he did not see waiting - or rather, he saw it but presumed the wrong thing about it. That was no boulder, but a massive wolf guarding the black-coated woman. The woman is freed — and Zugzwang shrieks with indignation as he hits the dirt, but scrambles to his feet with the finesse of his nimble species. The wolf is demanding things of him but Zugzwang cares little for the opinion of the cur let alone demands; his voice incites the cat further, and he lunges for Greyback as soon as he's back on his feet, intent to draw his claws across that massive face. The one bright side of a giant target is that there's more real estate for him to tear to pieces.

Zugzwang is knocked off-kilter by an unseen opponent (Greyback).
He adjusts and changes his attack, charging for this new target.

HIT DICE: 10
DAMAGE: 1

Sooner than later the weight was off her thanks to Greyback. She groaned softly as she could feel her skin bleeding from the sharp claws. She wanted to scramble away but Greyback was stepping over her. She crawled more under him and wanted to stay there until the cat was gone, but she realized that such a thing wasn't really convenient for Greyback to fight if she was under him.

The female pushed herself from under him and stayed close to his flank. Though, she couldn't really look at the scary thing. She watched as that thing lunged for Greyback, which was the most logical thing since Greyback put the attention on him. Valette hid behind the large male, feeling completely useless and ready to cry since she felt she could do nothing to help him. "Tell me what to do,' she tried, though her voice sounded scared. Hopefully she wouldn't distract him from the fight too much.

Greyback watches as the mountain cat rolls across the ground, a feel of satisfaction rolling deep within him. He is glad that he was able to protect Valette, but soon feels her scruffling to get away. He glances to her, worried, wondering if she is still hurt but sees she is able to stand and nods.

The Easthollow male looks back at the cat, seeing him lunge for his face. A fire ignites deep within him, a reaction to the fear of death, and he quickly turns his face to avoid any wounds to his eyes. However, he is met with blistering pain to his shoulder and lets out an agitated yell at claws slice deep into the flesh and fur that sits there. He does not fall, but stands still to not let his body fail him.

Turning his face back, he lets out a sharp snarl and attempts to bite at Zugzwang's flank, his jaws snapping fiercely at the air and ripping the tips of fur from the feline's side. It does nothing but earn him a mouth of fur, he cannot reach. He hear's Valette's voice, and quickly trashed around, dropping to the ground and attempting to roll onto his back to dislodge the opponent.

"Run- just run!" He shouts angerly at her, fearful of her getting hurt more. He just wants her safe, away from trouble. If she is far she cannot get hurt.

---

Greyback noticed Zugzwang charging for him, he turns, taking impact on his shoulder and gaining a scar
He attempts to return with a bite to the cat's back

Hit: 3
Damage: 7

The cat knows that he is in danger the longer he lingers here; he knows that two wolves could overpower him if they combine their attacks, but he is mindless in his assault. He expects more teeth, and certainly the larger of the two wolves is defensive and desperate, but the other one - the smaller one, the female - is cowering, which gives Zugzwang the upper hand. He cares very little about the damage he recieves; they are more wounds for him to treat later, more scars with which he can impress a future mate, and more reason to loathe the pest-like wolves as a species.

He's doing his best to grip at the massive wolf and twist his body, trying to get a hold. Large paws seek purchase in the depths of a dense winter coat, and he begins to kick, to try and slice the grey wolf to ribbons and (hopefully) slow him down. He cannot overpower this wolf the way he has to others — his attacks are growing more frenzied as Zugzwang tries to do as much damage as he can, hoping to cause enough that the wolf will bleed out slowly. It is his only option. Except (and perhaps this is because the target is so much bigger than his usual) his grip is not as strong as he wished; he manages a few kicks but eventually loses stability, falling away from the wolf and rebounding off of the dirt with a hiss — barely harming him.

Attempting to grip Greyback with front limbs and cut at him with kicks.

HIT: 3
DMG: 9

Greyback told her to run but she didn't want to leave him! She couldn't just leave him to fight this monster. Even though the male sounded angry it was probably not meant that way. The female bared her teeth at the cat. She was fearful of it, fearful that it would kill her but she was not alone. She had Greyback. Valette watched as the cat lunged for Greyback. No!!!

The female jumped forward, instead of taking the hit for him, she tried to lung lower. In the cat's lunge forward, she moved forward in a c-shape with bared teeth to try and sink them in the cat's hind leg. Greyback might not like that she had not listened to him, but the female decided that they were stronger together. Plus, she should get over her fear and tried to attack it head on. She was still fearful but her dutiful nature beat her fear.

Notices that Z is lunging for GB. So she attempts to bite Z in his hind leg.

HIT DICE: 1
DAMAGE: 5

Of course she rolls a 1 :'D LOL

The male watches as the cat falls to the ground, bouncing away and rolling onto the dirt. His shoulder still burns from the previous attack, but he grits his teeth and powers through it. Valette needs him. Easthollow needs him.

Standing upwards, expelling a grunt through his teeth, Greyback snarls loudly before lunging forward, his paws placed outwards as he slams his body weight down onto Zugzwang with a sickening thud. He takes little pride in it, and quickly snaps his jaws downwards onto the nape of the cats neck. A metallic taste fills his mouth, and it takes everything in him not to gag on the acrid taste as he moved his tongue from the fur.

He holds there, his jaw working more and more into the flesh as grunts and growls muffle their way out. Before long, he decides he'd had enough and wildly thrashes his head about, attempting to drag the feline with such force. His teeth ache, and knows the mountain lion is big, but as heavy as he is, the Easthollow wolf has a solid 40 pounds of advantage.

"You come into my home," he snarls, dragging his head farther "You kill my packmate," another tug, "and you lay a fang on MY alpha." Tug. "So tell me why I shouldn't paint the earth with your blood?" He says heavily, his voice dark and quaking with rage. He's a capped volcano, ready to blow and spew his inner anger out onto the frozen ground.

Throughout all of this, the man does not realize Valette hasn't run. He's too absorbed in his fury, unable to see straight and focus on anything besides snapping the nuisances spine.

---

I know you don't want Zugz killed so reguardless of a missed attack via dice, you can land a blow and escape, or continue to fight back!

Greyback lunges for Z, attempting to bite down onto the back of his neck

Hit: 7
Damage: 7

Didn't roll for this; but tldr: Grayback bites his neck, Zugzwang backs up in to him and ducks (kind of like a judo throw), and when Grayback hits the dirt he's off and running!

As powerful as the cat was, and as agile and experienced, this wolf he now faced was bold and brawny, more-so than anything he'd fought before. He was more like a bear - and Zugzwang had always done his best to keep himself out of the reach of the oft slumbering giants. In this case, the fight backfired. The wolf continued to harass him and eventually, as Zugzwang fought to gather control and destroy both the giant and his woman, the beastly wolf had him by the back of the neck. His eyes went wide with shock at the misfortune of it all — that he might lose himself to this cur! No, no, he wouldn't let that happen — —

Zugzwang let out an ear-piercing shriek that carried through the plains. He felt those teeth sink in to the skin on his neck and he ducked his head sharply, forcing those teeth to tear through the skin and likely leave a scar that would brand him — he shrieked again as he threw his weight and forced the wolf up and over him, feeling the weight of the wolf collide with his broad back and then hearing him hit the dirt. It was enough of a break in the action for Zugzwang to tear himself away from combat — he lunged over Grayback and with reaching strides, tore off across the hillside for safety. A trail of blood flowed from him but the beast would not stop until he was safely hidden from the wolves.

But he knew, one day, he would return and get his revenge.

Valette hadn't done a good job at attacking the cat but at least it distracted him enough for Greyback to catch the animal by its neck. She watched as the cat was strong enough to topple Greyback. It all went so fast and before she realized what was really happening the cat was running away. "Greyback!," she called out worriedly and rushed to him.

The female instantly nosed over his injured shoulder. "Oh no! This is my fault," she whined and started to lick over his shoulder. She seemed to have some scapes and scratches herself but nothing too deep like Grey's shoulder. Valette disliked that he had gotten injured because of her. She was glad that he was alive though. It was very scary to think that a cat might kill him. Then again, Greyback had his size as an advantage. "We should clean your wound and make sure you rest." She instantly started to fuss over him.