Barrow Fields (ver)x gon' give it to ya

@Vaati

It wasn't often he strayed outside the territory, but today he found himself itching for something. Itching for trouble, specifically. He wasn't seeking it out in particular, but if it happened to cross his path. . .he wouldn't run away, that was for damn sure.

It was this and the fact that Aure hadn't returned yet, and he missed her something fierce. Normally, he'd take out his pent-up energy on her lovely body, but obviously that wasn't an option. Nor was pursuing Isleña. It was too soon to open that can of worms.

The brute trotted across the field, casting a dark look toward the trees that Rusalka called home. Beneath them, he knew, was the sound, the land that they'd stolen. Jumped-up motherfuckers.

hyperventilates

 

Outward-bound adventures across the gulf and towards the mountain range sated his restless spirit, but only by a fraction. No amount of exploration or tiresome journey could satisfy the need for a calamity that stirred within him. Perhaps in that sense, it was only fate that as he left Rusalkan territory did the scent of another cause the airs of his neck to stand on end. Loping forth to gather the stranger in his sights, cold optics narrowed upon a large black male lingering on the outskirts of his home. It is not Rusalka territory, but it is too close for his liking. Too close not to investigate. 

The man is not known to him, but smells of Drageda. A behemoth snarl develops in the young titan's chest, pushing out his throat in a heavy, guttural sound that rang louder than intended. He prowls forth -- head down and ears pressed flat against his skull, the rippling of tense muscle underneath his skin indicating that he found a reason to kill. The conflict between Rusalka and the pack from which the stranger came is unknown to Vaati, but the memory of Drageda wolves invading Blackfeather and slaughtering his uncle was still fresh in his mind. Coming to stand threateningly before the dark stranger, Vaati offers the other the chance to take his business elsewhere with a hostile snarl that seemed to mimic thunder. "Leave." Of course, there was no scenario in which the stranger left unscathed, nor without Vaati chasing after his heels. But, he wanted to look the other in the eyes as he realized there would be no returning to Rusalka's vicinity -- not while Vaati remained within its ranks. 

Leave.

He turned, lips curling upward as soon as he smelled the sound on the man. This guy was new; he didn't remember seeing him when Blackhead had led her band up the cliffs. New blood, didn't know what kind of powder keg he was fucking with. Verx rolled his eyes, continuing on as if the other hadn't spoken.

I'm just going for a walk, man, he retorted, ears folded slightly backward. Ain't a crime to walk on neutral ground. Part of him itched for a fight, but the more pragmatic side knew it probably wasn't wise to tear into a Rusalka motherfucker. Not so soon after shit had gone down. That might take it from a skirmish to all out war; you just never knew.

Even if Vaati had been aware of the strained relations between Drageda and Rusalka, it is highly unlikely he would have cared. He had seen the mountain wolves in action and had been left… unimpressed. Perhaps they had changed since he had last fought them, become more proficient and stronger -- but Vaati was a man who had taken on three packs at once. There were few extraneous forces that he truly feared, if any at all.
 
But his words were met with an eye-roll, causing a flare of rage to rise within him. “I don’t care. You have no business lingering so close to a pack that you do not belong to. Walk somewhere else.” His authoritative decree left no room for insolence. It was simply a fact. A universal truth that one did not embark on suspicious behaviour near borders that they did not own, unless they sought trouble. On a certain level, Vaati yearned for the other to be brave enough to just try, to place one mere step out of line... for Vaati was reckless enough to slaughter the other where he stood. Nothing had stopped him from doing so before, and to assume that he of all people would bend at the threat of war was foolish at best.

Oh, for fuck's sake. Vercingetorix turned again and leveled a cool stare onto the other. I feel you, dude, but maybe think about that next time you decide to park your ass right next to someone else's place, the warrior responded, smirking. We were there first. But I'm nowhere near your pretty little sound right now, so like, I'm gonna just keep walking, 'kay?

He began to stride off, fully expecting the sting of teeth in his hide a moment later. Good, please do it. Please strike first, you jumped up motherfucker. At least no one could say he hadn't tried to walk away from the situation.

Oh, how he itched for reason -- any reason -- to put the other in his place. However, mere snark would not excuse any physical attack he wished to commit to. The reprecautions of doing so were too great, putting at risk things he could not afford to lose. Perhaps a few months ago, Vaati would not have hesitated, but months ago he was responsible only for himself. With a belligerent grunt, he casts one stone-cold glare towards the enemy male and trots off towards Rusalka's jurisdiction. Verx's scent however, was now recorded within his black book with a personal note beside to eliminate at the earliest convenience.

To his utter surprise. . .nothing happened. Verx cast an astonished look behind him with a quiet snort of laughter, watching the pale man pad away for a moment before turning back to the path ahead. Well, okay, then, he remarked, chuckling, and continued on.

Guess today wasn't his day to get fucked up.