Dead Empress Backwater we arm ourselves with the wrongs we've done

Open to anyone in the pack. Torianna has faced off against a singular coyote that is slightly smaller than her size (approximately 20in standing height) and won. Currently she faces injuries on her shoulder, front left leg, and torso that will eventually require medical attention. It is not urgent.

It's time to strap our boots on

Conquest

This is a perfect day to die

Drip. Drip.

It was near silent, but it felt deafening in her ears as she stared down at the limp body in front of her. The scent she’d come across had enraged her, and the fury had overtaken her in such a fashion that she couldn’t remember a thing… couldn’t remember coming across the slightly smaller creature, or how the scent reminded her of the scene that had been uncovered at the borders not too long ago… a coyote, tusseling with Sonnet… and now she was gone from the pack. She wasn’t dead, but once more another wolf had left them… just like her father… just like Euna… but this time, because another species, a lower species, had deemed it so.

So when she had come across the creature alone, the coyote, and noticed it’s smaller size she had lunged in a strike. Who would it try for next? Khalon? Tuwile? Perhaps even her? She wouldn’t leave it the chance.

It had clearly gotten a few good hits in, a few scratches that caused blood to seep into her ivory fur, ichor that she could wear as a badge of honor for any who dared question her fitness as a wolf… and it’s lifeless body that might serve as a pelt in the pack den… a reminder that no one messed with her own.

Her dark amber eyes showed that she was not yet sated, instead moving to grip the creature’s neck and drag it across the border, intent to drag it to the pack den so all could see the revenge that she had exacted upon those who had messed with the pack… those who had thought themselves stronger than the Backwater.

Or perhaps it was a statement… perhaps it was a statement that she was stronger than her father, whom had left them without a word… or stronger than Euna who had done the same. Perhaps it was a sign of loyalty… even she did not know.

All she knew was that it was done.

And she had won.

Many had left. Many which, quite frankly, Ozark didn't know so thus, didn't particularly care that they were gone. Vayko along with two of his pups. Nia for going around sleeping around. Sonnet too, whoever that was. What Ozark did care about was that Annie had gone on search mission. Helping by trying to hunt out one of the young leader's brothers. They had traveled quite a distance before to get to Dead Empress. They weren't too bad at it. Ozark figured it was "just in their blood" from their father. Ozark had desperately wanted to go, yet knew she had to remain, at least for now, to help keep guard for the upcoming litters.

Quietly, she grumbled to herself. Unhappy with the dealt hand. Maybe her mom had been right about this place and it had meant to constantly suffer. The name of Valle to ruin under Viorel's command. Ozark wondered if perhaps, should Eros ever come to rule without his father, this "curse" would be lifted. Regardless, Ozark had come to more or less enjoy her time here among her extended family.

Speaking of family - there was the white witch she had sparred with once already. Daughter of the "golden child" or so it was how Ozark's mother had spoken of him. Torianna was quite battered, yet she clutched by the neck was a coyote. Smaller then her, but full grown compared to the still youth which defeated it.

If it was a statement Tori was trying to make, she had done so well. "Yer one mean wretch, ye know that?" She said with a grin as she padded near. Color her impressed!

It's time to strap our boots on

Conquest

This is a perfect day to die

Her breathing remained slightly labored as her eyes locked upon Ozark. She was not a Valle that Torianna was horribly familiar with… but she had found that she did not mind her presence… when Tori had jumped her on the borders, she had presented a fun challenge that seldom few offered her within the pack and that alone made the woman tolerable. She dropped it from her jaws, letting the limp creature fall upon the forest floor as the blood soaked her paws. A hint of a devilish smirk played her features as pride flowed through it.

Yer one mean wretch, ye know that? The woman was not taken aback by her display of violence… instead she seemed almost impressed… and it caused her devilish smirk to turn wicked, a dangerous glint in her eyes that did not welcome a fight as it usually did but instead found a sense of camaraderie within it.

“You talk funny, you know that?” She asked after spitting out some of the blood that lingered on her tongue. “It was close to the borders. I took care of it.” She stated in simple explanation. Drip. Drip. Blood continued to drip from her maw though it’s pace slowed, the sting in her shoulder dulled from the sense of pride that she felt at what she had accomplished.

What she had done had served so many purposes… but most of all it was an act of protection… a foreign concept to her, but one that burned deep in her bones with Vanadis pregnant and expecting… a protection her father had not afforded them with his leave.

The coyote went sliding to a flop on the woodland floor. The devilish smirk of pride that the young carried turning into a more sinister sneer, yet not one of malice towards Ozark herself. That wicked little mark on her face reminded the sea harpy of a similar one her mother would carry. Modesto could be a vile thing and getting on her bad side could easily be a death sentence. She wondered if Torianna would grow to have the same qualities of good old mum, and yet not an ounce of that thought was off putting.

"Aye, so I've been told." She said with a snort and settled into a sit for a moment. "Good at ya then. Less guards 'round these parts wit' so many left." She grumbled out as she reached out a paw and nudged at the dead canine. Suppose they could eat it? Waste not, want not and all that.

"Don't suppose we 'ave a healer in the ranks, huh? I could take a look, I know yer basics." She stayed seated in her spot, not coming to nose around her unless she wanted it. "Dunno naught about helpin' wit' the pain though. Mom ne'er gave us anythin' fer it when we got hurt. Said 'twould make us weak." And Ozark had stuck by that. You take daring changes, messing around, climbing on things, getting into scraps, trying to hunt something you know nothing about... well, you suffer the consequences and suffer through em. In fact, it was not only injuries, but sickness- colds, upset stomach, fever... Ozark knew surely mom knew some flower or root you would have to knaw on to feel a bit better, but she sure didn't share it.

It's time to strap our boots on

Conquest

This is a perfect day to die

Torianna worked her jaws, feeling the tension as the adrenaline started to wear off and the pain became more apparent to her. She’d still muddle through it of course, her gaze focused instead on her cousin who stood right in front of her. She had, in some ways, taken her brother’s advice. Stop talking as much, asserting her claim on the weak like Khalon or Tuwile now that Euna was gone… look to something that might actually help. In some ways, she could see her brother’s logic. She hated it, and she’d never admit aloud that she was able to take his advice to some degree…

But she was ready for more. Eros would help her get there, as would the rest of the pack because that was the kind of wolves that lingered in the Backwater, and she’d continue to take and take and take until she was powerful in her own right.

Yer one mean wretch, ye know that?

“I’ve never found a problem I couldn’t fight my way through. This was no different.” There was a feeling of indifference in her voice as she remained looking towards her cousin. “What are you gonna do about it? Tell me I can’t bite my way through all my problems like everyone else seems to?” That wasn’t fair… it wasn’t everyone else, just most people… and it wasn’t quite as bad since her dad had left in the fashion that he had either.

She didn't ask for help for her wounds. In fact, she didn't deny the help, either. Her response had little to do with Ozark's offer and instead she retorted with a snapping off on Ozark about fighting her way through things instead of talking through them. "Ye mighty shall 'ave met me mother." She said with a smirk and bit of a chuckle. "Quite frankly mate, I don't care how ye handle yer problems- they yer problems." She admitted with a shrugging of her shoulders.

It was clear by her words, that this yearling lived a completely different lifestyle from Ozark, despite being family. After all, @Modesto and Viorel being vastly different is what caused the splitting of the family to begin with. "I say we should skin it. Keep the skull too. Make fer a good keepsake in yer bunk." She spoke as she smacked a paw down on the dead coyote.

It's time to strap our boots on

Conquest

This is a perfect day to die

The child didn’t understand the influx of emotions or care she’d begun to develop after Vayko and Euna left… as if they had flipped a switch in her mind that made her spiteful and resentful of her male siblings who seemed to hold ears despite their own weakness… perhaps that was a part of the reason she looked to prove herself. To show that her methods did work as much as her brother even if he had often sharp words. She was stronger, and she’d prevail in the long run.

“Good. You might be the only one with that opinion.” She muttered the last part under her breath. “I don’t know how to skin it… can ya show me?” She asked, her tail wagging from side to side as she found herself eager, if her balance wavered slightly in her standing.

Ozark's shoulders lift in a shrug to the teenagers words, though said nothing more on the subject. Modesto had a gaze that could send someone crawling onto their bellies or exposing it and their throat at a given command. Ozark had seen her mother strike out at others, cutting their faces, but she had never actually seen her in a full fledged fight. Likely, because she never had to. Likely, because she had managed to find many a pirate to do her bidding for her.

For Ozark, fighting for survival was nature. You fought for your position in the pack. Fought to eat by killing your food. Fought to protect your claim from intruders. Whoever didn't fight, well, they were weak in her eyes just as much as Torianna's.

Then, an excitement shown in the teen and the yearlings tail waved and she came around to circle the coyote, accessing it. "I can try. Thar was a harpy in me pack who was real good at it. Seen her do it. Helped a time or two, but I doubt I'll be able t' keep it as well put together as she."

Then, she flips the coy onto its back, situating the limbs to that they laid out and away from the torso. "Ye start at the head. Ye needs t' rip the skin off the neck all the way around. I'll work on the legs." And then Ozark began to bit and pull, using her front small teeth mostly and cranning her neck to the side to chew on more difficult pieces. Pausing to try and rid fur from her mouth and wipe her muzzle with the backside of her foreleg ankle. "It gets quite bloody." She says with a chuckle.

It's time to strap our boots on

Conquest

This is a perfect day to die

Torianna had no idea how coddled she’d truly been as a child… how safe she’d been despite her constant perception of danger that lingered. A harpy? She had no idea what the beast was, but had to assume it was friendly to wolves. “It’s better than what I could do myself.” She added in with a vicious gleam of pride in her eyes. She was pleased she’d be able to show the fruits of her work unlike Tuwile or Khalon who lazed about and expected others to do well for them.

“I don’t mind blood.” She responded back as she stepped in, trying to grab at the pieces of flesh that were exposed so she might be able to rip it off. She was certain her mother would be pleased with her efforts… perhaps Eros and Viorel would as well… or perhaps they would simply scold her for being too close to the borders. She had no way to truly know until it happened.

She mimicked the woman, though her actions were more harsh as she chewed on more difficult pieces, puncturing them with her teeth.

A quietness would then fall between the two pale coated wolves. Torianna, stark white and small, swift build. Ozark, tawny and coarse haired, stocky and loud. Her spar with Tori once before showed how they were still so young and needing of improvement, yet their differences complimented one another. Ozark figured she might stick around this one, at least while her sister was out, wherever she was.

After awhile of cutting and pealing skin and munching on the bits of meat that happened to get in her mouth (waste not, want not), she sat back and examined their work thus far.

"Now we shall chew straight along the torso, from neck t' arse." She waited this time for Torianna to begin and when or if she grew tired, would take over from there. It was quite the process and made for worn jaws over due time.