Sanguine Cove shards of graphite in my hair

Her struggling form finally realized who was pulling at her scruff, making the dark boy's task much easier. Feeling they were a safe distance from the fray Matos released his sister just as she flung herself into him. The momentum almost knocked his frazzled frame over. Large paws dug into the dirt as his head immediately pulled her closer to him while his dual-colored eyes remained on the grizzly scene before him. A snarl remained upon his ebony maw as he watched Stella and his grandmother take care of the feline who dared attack his littermate. It wasnt until stench of blood reached his nose. The strength of the scent was what concerned him. Looking down at Magg he saw she was drenched in blood. He pulled away just enough to see the rake marks across her face. A new wave of fury washed over him as he tipped his head back and called for their mother. She would need to see her immediately but the child knew she wasnt about to move very far from him. His gaze returned to the tumbling of family and the feline. He wanted to go and help end the cat but knew that his tawny sister needed him. He felt the pull between the two needs, but ultimately decided to put his sister's needs above his own wants. Stella and his grandmother were more than capable of ending the lynx.

I think I need help, cuz I'm drowning in myself

Razor sharp claws responded to the embedded jaws finding purchase along the salt and pepper woman's ribs. The sting cause Moonshadow to release her hold. A growl of frustration left her now empty maw as mercury orbs locked with yellow green. The moment was broken with a creamy flash as Stella came flying down on to the lynx, grabbing hold at the base of its nape. The new distraction was enough to cause the feline to make a fatal mistake. The cat reared its head in response to the new assault leaving the opening Moon needed. The elderly woman lunged with such power and accuracy that an on looker wouldn't think she was as old as she was. Her salt and pepper jaws met their mark, gripping the windpipe of the lynx easily. Without a moment of hesitation the large cove wolf ended the threat. One last yowl rang out amongst them before the cat's body went limp. With one final growl, the Eastfall grandmother made sure the threat was gone before dropping it. Three of her grandbabies were threatened and needed checking. She started with Stella who was the closest "Are ya alright love?" She asked breathlessly. Once she made sure the pale yearling she made her way to the two youngest.

Word Count: 213

Matos held her, but even the warmth and security of his embrace wasn't enough to ease her. She began to cry harder, her emotional distress peaking as the full reality of what had happened settled over her like a suffocating veil. Blood had long since flooded her left eye, but she couldn't stop thinking about it, her body trying to make sense of this disfiguration and only serving to further horrify her instead.

He called for their mother, and Magg wished dearly that @Aquene would appear and finally grant her relief in one fell swoop. 'Instantaneous" continued to prove unattainable instead.

The cacophony of killing fell away, and her tears ebbed with it. Hiccupping, she dared to peer over her shoulder with her one good eye, and saw their grandmother. Magg gave another sob.

"G-gramma..."

this can be the last round? c:

Moon's jaws were swift and sure, the Eastfall matriarch did not miss as she struck the feline beneath its neck, ending the fight in a final decisive blow. Stella felt the cat beginning to lose strength rapidly now. Still she would give one last hard shake of her jaws before she released, to be certain their work was done, even as the sounds of rattling breath faded in her ears. The cat was left to lie in the settling dust.

She'd try to dismiss any concerns for her own well-being, barely aware of the torn ear amid everything else. A hurried assurance was made before turning to check upon Magg and Matos, sniffing first one then the other from nose to tail to see what their condition was after the fray. Magg had had the worst of it, sobbing, scratched and bloody, and would certainly need to be brought back to her mother, @Aquene for care. Stella's heart lurched as she licked gently at one of the scratches, but the thought it wasn't as bad as it could have been was some small relief.

And Moonshadow, how had she fared?

She hadn't seen the scratches in her dark fur, yet. Golden eyes would flicker to the dark Eastfall once more as her pulse slowed, Stella's adrenaline fading as she caught her breath. Admiration for the surety of the woman's strength, and the help she had brought. Stella's head would dip in a low nod of respect.

"Everyone's safe?" the exhalation came as much to assure herself as to comfort her siblings. Right now, the Vuesain girl just wanted to go home.

The amount of blood that soaked the Eastfall siblings would've given anybody a scare. Most of it was hidden in the darker child's color, but its stickiness and warmth weren't missed by him. As he held his younger littermate, she began to sob harder, further burying herself in him. Before he moved to further hold her his dual-colored gaze went wide. Large feline paws came down across his grandmother's ribs causing her to release her hold. Like a blur she was back at the cat's throat with a startling crunch. Matos' inky ears fell from the sound, permanently etching itself into his mind. Horror washed away his bravado, leaving a just as terrified child as the mousy one who tried to disappear into him. The sounds echoed long after they ceased, leaving his gaze glued onto the limp body of the lynx.

His grandmother's and older notsister voices and concerns sounded far at first before coming into focus. Tearing his gaze away he first looked to the Eastfall matriarch before landing on Stella. A slow nod was given as Magg called out for their grandmother. Like Stella the young boy just wanted to go home. He wanted to curl up next to his mother but knew she would need to attend to Magg. So, after all was over, he was unsure how he was going to process things. Right now? He felt far far away...

I think I need help, cuz I'm drowning in myself

Her ribs stung but it was pushed from the forefront of her mind as she moved to eliminate the mangy feline. Finally, her teeth made their purchase and claimed their prize. The lynx fell limp and landed with a thud, something that didnt faze the seasoned woman but didnt realize was the first experience with a violent death for her youngest grandchildren. Searching Stella over Moon noticed the tear in the yearling's ear and made a note to have Aquene look at it as well. Once she felt that her ear was Stella's only injury she turned to the pups. It was a sight that truly broke her heart and continued to fuel her anger. Both tawny and ebony fur was soaked in blood as Magg curled tightly into Matos. The true extent of the injuries werent known until the mousy girl turned her head away from her brother. Air was sucked in sharply as claw marks appeared across half her face covering one eye. A flash of her beloved's face made its way into her mind. The small girl already took after her grandfather and now? Even more so.

Mercury orbs moved from her granddaughter to her grandson whose gaze seemed far off even as he answered the cream furred Vuesain. Still in protective mode Moonshadow moved towards their hurdled forms. "Lets go loves, we need to find yer mother." She moved to gently pull them apart and guide them towards the medical den. Looking back to Stella she added, "Yer ear needs a lookin' at too." Surely the matron would also need her injury assessed but only after the children were looked after. They were and would always be the priority.

-FADE-

Word Count: 283