Guild: Bones Like Bare Roots
Channel: bright-realms-event
51 messages
Timezone: UTC
ooby (koby) Apr 17, 2021 07:00 PM
Time was fluid in the Bright Realms, but these cats know they’ve been in this terrible place far too long. Each day was a struggle to survive, hoping for the same strike of random chance that brought them into this strange new world to take them out of it. Unbeknownst to them, today would be their lucky day.

It doesn’t feel lucky, though, not when these three strangers are closing in on some big white structure in the distance. Around them is a field of flowers-- it started suddenly, the whole grim forest suddenly shifting to a bright and happy seeming place. It would be happy, at least, if there wasn’t something fiercely pursuing them. Efforts to hide have failed. The only hope is for safety at whatever the white shape is, perhaps another chance to hide, or perhaps a worse monster waiting to distract whatever it is that’s behind them.

These three cats are not all grouped together, not at first. They’ve seen each other in passing over the previous days, not quite ready to pair up when you’re not sure who you can trust in a place like this. As they grow closer and closer to the building, they notice movement in the tall foliage around them. When the flowers end-- leaving them standing on the white stone leading up to an open marble building, they notice there’s a few others with them.

The wild cat, the flame point, and the grey tabby meet each others eyes for just a moment before the chase continues.
The marble building has only a few rooms, as it appears from the outside and is very open. White, thin curtains catch the cool breeze in open, glassless windows. Inside are pops of colors on the walls, paintings and sketchings. Most surfaces are made of that same marble, left quite blocky-- only a few attempts at softer shapes being made around the arches of doorways. There’s not much time to consider this, though, they’re only in search of safety right now. Claws scrabble on the stone behind them--

Eventually, they end up cornered.

They’re backed into a windowless room now, shadowed with the patterns of water on the ceiling where little pools litter the floor. They’re not big enough to fit a full grown cat, it seems, and they hold… moving images? There’s, of course, no time to focus on this. It’s pure panic, pure fear. The silhouette of the beast blocks the doorway. There’s only one way out of this, for now. They’re going to have to fight for their lives and hope there’s enough time to get away… or hope that help is coming. Surely someone must populate this building, like how people used to populate their stone nests.
🪐 kendall (🦆|🌸| ☕) Apr 17, 2021 07:00 PM
(cw gore/body horror)
The Bright Realms beast before them is a terrifying sight to see. It's a wolfish creature, with a long snout, canine in figure, and much bigger than the cats. But it's far more terrifying than your average wolf; its eyes glow a golden yellow, its teeth are jagged and sharp, and its neck is full of thick fur with drips of matted blood in it. One can hope it's possible to fight back; something else has seemed successful at injuring it, since its thigh is a disgusting mess of heavily matted fur, wet and red and raw. The wound itself leaks yellow and white, a bit of bone visible beneath the receding muscle tissue, the smell strong enough that it can reach the cats even from across the room.

[@Unknown @Unknown @seth |👑Azmy |🧵Stitches ! Please roll initiative for your turn order and let me know in #beyond-ooc! d20 + your DEX]
Dinolil1 Apr 17, 2021 07:50 PM
Rubberweed

He ran as fast as he could, heart thudding in his chest. Is this how prey feels? Rubberweed thought frantically, his mind a mile a minute. Now I feel bad for all those mice... The grey cat didn't stop, his paws skidding over the cold marble floors. Any presence of the others was lost to him, as he saw only sharp, sharp teeth and a terrible, terrible beast hunting him down. Any sense of relief or fear at the strangers was dashed in those teeth, and as the world around him swirled and throbbed, an array of bright light, Rubberweed stumbled to a halt, legs aching and throbbing as he slowly turned to, perhaps for the last time, stare at the beast. It was bleeding, wounded and for a moment, Rubberweed wondered if it were only acting out cause it was in pain. ''Are you scared too...?'' Rubberweed attempted, ears twitching as he tilted his head slowly. ''...Is something haunting you?''

There wasn't time to wait for a response.

Licking his maw, Rubberweed felt his body tense and he looked at the strangers once more. A wild thing and a golden creature, though they were cats - or at least Rubberweed hoped they were cats, he'd enough of this place and all of its tricks. I have to help them. I have to help them. It was what he had set out to do, initially, before this wicked place had claimed him. I can't let them die. That would be terribly cruel, Rubberweed decided, his legs, despite all their trembling, tensing. He'd do it. He'd fly like a bird. ''Sorry, Mr Wolf.'' Rubberweed offered a sad smile. ''I know it hurts, but please don't eat me and my...friends.'' Friends will do, for now at least.

( Rubberweed jumps at the creature's nose, I rolled a 8. ) (edited)
seth |👑Azmy |🧵Stitches Apr 17, 2021 08:08 PM
Azmy

He just had to get there, he just had to get there. Once he made it to the structure he'd have had the time to think. He'd have plan that would send this monster into Pure, Utter Agony before its timely demise. If not, he'd have a plan to distract and flee. Even if it meant using these strangers who were unfortunately enough to cross paths with him as bait. No matter what this world thought, it was not his place to die and nor the time.

But as they scrambled into the building they realized that they... Didn't have a plan yet. This place was just about empty except for items that in other circumstances, would tempt them to claim this structure as their new kingdom. But that didn't matter, there was Nothing here to use as defense.

And still he turned to face the monster standing tall, hackles raised as he licked his maw with a stare that made it look like he eyed the canine as Prey, even as his heart pattered like a fear struck rat. Azmy was careful to keep distance from the other two. Cowardice was just as devious as active cruelty, and if anyone was going to trip someone to aid in their escape, it was going to be Azmy.

their ear only twitched to show their... Disbelief as one of these strangers seemed to babble to the monster as if it was a Child. That's it, that's the one. They'd sacrifice that one, if they had to. The wound on its thigh was an obvious trap, but with this idiotic cat all in its face, they Might have a chance.

Azmy launched forward towards the injured leg of the beast, teeth bared, claws outstretched. With a spring of large haunches they attempted to slam into the vulnerable leg with their speed and weight. It was their attempt to level the playing field by knocking it off balance and forcing it to look Azmy in the eyes as if it crumbled under their sheer power.

(Charge Attack! 17 with 3 damage)
morrysillusion Apr 17, 2021 08:27 PM
Faust knew this place wasn't empty, he was never alone exactly- whether it was the odd creatures or things that seemed like cats like himself. Part of him hoped they were normal, in the sense to not feel so alone..but he'd never taken the step to figure that out. Up until this point, this was his thing. His experience.. Yes, up until now, as the tom finds himself backed into a intriguing marble structure. One that almost sparks a sense of familiarity to something like his home, but the thought barely settles considering the circumstances.

There was barely a moment of pause to consider the next steps in his strange trial, as he found himself closed in further and further with these not-exactly-familiar faces. Faust felt a tinge of confusion for the grey cat speaking apologetically to the monster before them- to imagine anyone thinking such a way in this retched place was... hard to imagine. Not that he'd become a soulless, emotionless cat- but hell if empathy towards a slobbering and rotting beast was the first thing on his mind!

And back to that subject at hand, the beast-thing. Faust kept as much of a distance as he could, and watch the other two ready to attack, it seemed he'd do so as well. His ear flicked, glancing further across to the other stranger- a tall cat not much like any he'd seen in his life, but he knew it was a cat (hopefully?). And with no chatter to add, he failed to have much of an impression on them. No matter who they were or what they intended to do, Faust knew he couldn't stand around doing nothing- he had to get out of here, this situation. Out of "here"- where ever this was- would be a nice bonus if it was possible.

The amber colored tom goes low with his claws out, a swipe made towards the creature's right front leg, the one uninjured, as to be seemed closest from his angle.

(claw attack- 12, with 1 damage) (edited)
🪐 kendall (🦆|🌸| ☕) Apr 17, 2021 08:36 PM
The beast makes a noise of frustration when the cat leaps onto its face. The beast shakes its head, huffing and snarling, attempting to shake Rubberweed off, gnashing its teeth in an attempt to bite him. However, while Rubberweed doesn't succeed in grappling the beast, he's able to at least keep his grip on its head.

When Azmy slams into its tender leg, the beast recoils and makes an abnormal sound, sounding different than any other wolf or canine the cats have heard before. In a frenzy, it attempts to claw Azmy--claws surprisingly sharp--but misses in its blind rage. Because of its agitated state, Faust just barely misses the creature, though blessedly he escapes any injury.
@Unknown @Unknown @seth |👑Azmy |🧵Stitches
Dinolil1 Apr 17, 2021 08:50 PM
Rubberweed

Digging into the beast's head, the view from up here was...impressive to say the least. Grimly, Rubberweed gave a feeble smile and looked down at his companions. He'd thought they'd run, and privately he urged them to run. There was no need for them to stay and fight, not when Rubberweed had the beast distracted for the time being. As it gave a terrible screech, Rubberweed yelped and dug a little harder, a weak attempt at swiping at an eye just in his reach. ''Run! Run!'' Rubberweed cried out, tail lashing to and fro, his ears flat against his skull as the beast screeches and struggles, rage rolling off it in waves. For a moment, he wasn't sure if he was going to make it, his eyes watering. ''Guys, just...just go!'' Rubberweed gave them a tiny, almost insignificant, smile. He felt insignificant. What am I? An flea to a wolf? A gnat to an eagle? A worm to a king? There was a dreadful sense of death washing over him, only to be replaced with a bleak sense of acceptance. He'd make this final moment worth his while.

( Rubberweed got 14 with an attempt to claw his eyes)
seth |👑Azmy |🧵Stitches Apr 17, 2021 09:12 PM
Azmy:
cw warning for vague description of muscle and tendon trauma

Boy, did he Want to run as the frantic cat wailed for him to do. He would do it without a passing glance their way. However the beast was Still in front of the doorway, hogging up all the space with its open wound of an Ass. Besides even if he Did slip its legs, that cat would be tossed off in a second and what might the beast see as it shook the gray cat off? Azmy's Own Ass making his escape, prompting a chase where Azmy had way less ground than he did before. Just stopping for as briefly as he had has made him feel thrice as heavy as before, it felt like he had the grit of sand in his lungs.

In this situation, at least he knew that the cat upon its face would fight in his defense until meeting an end Azmy could only describe as _better him than me._ Until then, this cat was on his side. He couldn't quite tell about the other yet.

Still even they knew not to broadcast their thoughts that they Knew were incredibly selfish. What a way to make this cat who is So Terrified yet in the face of that terror trying to be a hero, change his mind? Like that would fair well at all. Speaking would cause attention and they weren't quite sure if in this state if anyone would hear them so they decided to not bother. (edited)
The sound the beast made was like music to their ears, a wail from a beast that wasn't supposed to cry. He wanted to hear it again in case he could translate it, preferably into a plea for its insignificant Life. The beast was still semi distracted anyways, so Azmy needed to make it count before this trap came down of their head.

Azmy leapt back up onto the wounded leg, claws scrabbling for purchase past hanging flesh and deeper into the meat of the leg. These creatures... They were not bound to Azmy's knowledge of anatomy, however even if his hypothesis was incorrect, it would still be in Pain and thats all he could want. The things that made bones move were like.. layers and layers of spiderweb holding together branches. Pulls and sprains stretch these strings that make bones move, and if you sever such strings you can halt movement entirely. So Azmy's claws attempted to dive deep, looking to sever tendons and rip muscle so the number of legs he'd have to worry about would drop to three.
(15 in attempt to hit, 5 for damage, claw attack) (edited)
morrysillusion Apr 17, 2021 09:38 PM
Even with his last hit just barely missing, it seems the chaos of fighting has truly begun, as one stranger manages to cling to its face as the other gets a horrifying wail out of it. In most cases he got away from such large creatures, or found the higher ground. But there was no higher ground here, just sleek marble walls. As much as he'd take the other cat's offer to just get out of here, Faust wasn't entirely sure he'd get out in any direction without the creature losing its distraction though.

Faust quickly tried to assess the situation- the larger cat was going after its odd wound, and for the moment the grey on was on the creature's face. He had nothing to comment- now was not the time for much chatter. His mind was honed in on just taking these hits and getting the hell out as soon as it was good to go. Talking after the fight wasn't on his mind either, to be honest.

It was simply coincidence they ended up cornered together and no matter how it ended he didn't plan to congratulate anyone and band together as a party. Helping out in this situation wasn't ideal to Faust. He expect to be alone, and continue being alone. Who knew what it meant to get help from others? He didn't rely on others.

From under Faust decided, he'd attempt yet another blow- a but towards the neck as the beast seemed occupied with pain and the cat upon its face. It could be a bad idea to get closer to its maw, but he'd rather go for something important than make a measly swipe to the legs.

(attempts bite attack- rolled with 3, rip- damage 1) (edited)
🪐 kendall (🦆|🌸| ☕) Apr 17, 2021 09:47 PM
The beast howls, snarling and full of rage from Azmy's claws digging into its infected, rotting flesh. It does a sort of roll, knocking Rubberweed off its face and dislodging Azmy's grip, and as the beast scrabbles with its limbs, it manages to deal 3 damage to Rubberweed and 5 to Azmy with its claws. The move also brings it dangerously close to Faust, nearly crushing him underneath its broad shoulder during the roll.
ooby (koby) Apr 17, 2021 09:47 PM
Shit, what is going on?!

Spades felt first the sensation of the threshold being crossed in her home domain, hard fought and carved out from the Bright Realms. This was rare. Things tended to avoid her home, as they knew she was proven out and could hold her salts should it come to a test of wits. She was nosing around the Green Cave, trying to get a feel for the new members that had appeared while she had been working on a new gardening project.

Spades sped to the Gateway, passed through, and appeared out of the twin pool in her room-- the one beside the shadowed room those poor cats were currently getting torn to shreds in. Hearing the commotion, she sprints into the room. Looking at the sight before her startles her deeply. She recognizes a few things. She recognizes that that’s a beast-- it’s in her home, and those are mortal cats!

In a panic, she calls upon the resources available to her. In the mind of each court cat, new or old, rings her voice.

I need help! Get to the Gateway right away-- healers or-- or any help wait outside, fighters please come quickly through the pool. Focus on me, on my home, marble and sunflowers, it should take you here. There’s a-- a THING and some cats that are gravely hurt!

If they could only keep it busy long enough for Spades to get those poor mortals out of here, she could help them chase it away and get everyone settled again.
[Alright, pardon the ping! @court member we're going to open this up to folks who might want to fight. We'll see whose interested in this before we let folks in, as we may do a raffle system to balance between old and new members. Anyone is free to appear though in #bright-realms-recovery , which is the slower paced side of this which will run at least a day or two. It's just the cooldown section w healers and chatting and Help for these poor kiddos.]
Dinolil1 Apr 17, 2021 09:57 PM
Rubberweed

A hiss of pain, grit teeth and pain exploding in his ribs. Shakily, Rubberweed rose to his paws and stared up at the beast. It raged and it seethed, there was no way he was going to be appeal to whatever part of it was hurting. Ears twitching, Rubberweed looked meekly at his companions and felt a cold dread creep through him. They'd not run. They'd not listened to him. Eyes agog, Rubberweed shook and shook and shook, thinking of the dead cats he had seen so long ago. ''N-no...'' Rubberweed couldn't fail them. He couldn't fail anyone. He was the golden child. The perfect one. Sinless and kind and trying his damned hardest. The grey tabby, half-limping, looked up at the terrible beast and crept backwards, tail curling over his spine. ''You're...an, an asshole.'' Rubberweed was vaguely aware of the feeble insult, coughing softly as he lunged forward.

Marble smooth and cold under his paws, Rubberweed charged the beast with a hiss.
seth |👑Azmy |🧵Stitches Apr 17, 2021 10:15 PM
Azmy:

The scrambling both ripped into them and shoved them, sending Azmy's claws scrabbling against the smooth flooring, "fuck!" Their first words were an irritated and pain filled gasp. They heaved, trying to catch the wind that had almost been knocked out of them. Ribs stretching for air only caused more bruised pain, making teeth bare down harder as they exhaled through those same fangs with a hiss.

Now, they were peeved and that growing anger began to warm their body like fire, cauterizing their wounds until they felt them very little. This beast thought with pure earnest that it could kill them, Azmy, the cat who couldn't be killed. It could sure try, but all it was doing was pissing them off.

When he was done with it, the he would make sure that if this creature escaped with its life that it would be marked with the everlasting regret of challenge Azmy instead of falling into a bow upon his approach.

It was trying to get to its paws, Azmy wondered if its leg slowed it down or if.. the dripping wound was merely a Decoration. Either way, he thought that trying to take advantage of the moments it spend collecting itself to charge, once again slamming into the injured leg with his weight and claws.
(Charge! 14 to hit, 7 damage)
morrysillusion Apr 17, 2021 10:29 PM
Yes, getting closer- not a great idea. But luckily he failed to find himself hurt much at all thus far and that was better above everything else- hits or not. Faust got to his paws as quick as he could as the beast flails around. It seemed he wasn't the only one hoping they could end this whole thing now. With the other two taking some hits, it seemed best this fight didn't last much longer.

The cool marble felt nice against his pawpads. For a moment it was a nice detail to take in as Faust tried to pause for a moment, just a moment to take in what he was doing. With typically finding himself on the sidelines and in the shadows, Faust had to put his mind somewhere else in order to make his next move worth it.

As the beast stumbled on its paws, it no doubt went to get back up. Now would only be the best time. Faust took his few steps back to give room between him and the creature, putting himself at just the right angle. He noticed the others making a charge at the beast and joined in with a powerful charge of his own.
(charging, rolled 19 (nat 20, -1), 10 damage)
ooby (koby) Apr 17, 2021 10:30 PM
Through the chaos, Spades met eyes with the battered trio, waving her paw swiftly. “This way, this way, I’m taking you out of this place! How did you even get in here?” she squeaks, gesturing them to follow. As they slip apart from the monster, Spades would lead them to the room next door. They were so, so close to their escape, so close to their exit.

This room is soft and cozy, charcoal sketches and paintings fastened to the walls. A soft nest of fabric lies against one wall. Slightly aged bowls of water and fruit juices hang around by the nest, she never claimed to be perfect after all. Art supplies are spread out all over the place, over little cat sized tables and other little storage spaces.

The important part though, is the shimmering pool of bright blue water on the opposite side of the room.

“Stay with me,” Spades says as she approaches it. “What we’re going to do is focus on the mortal plane-- earth, just think about that. There’s only one of these left in that world. It’ll take us right out of here. Deep breaths, okay? It’s like a trust fall.”

And she tips in, leading by example.
@Unknown @seth |👑Azmy |🧵Stitches @Unknown
seth |👑Azmy |🧵Stitches Apr 17, 2021 10:49 PM
Azmy:

He did Not trust this cat, At all, could be a trick of the light, leading him into this beasts food bowl. But it wasn't like he had made any moves that brought him further from this shitty situation. So, why not, how could he fuck this up more? Let's find out! He was sure if it Did fuck him over, he'd Probably get out of it.

Azmy's eyes darted towards the art, not long enough to figure out what the sketches were but enough to admire the skill. Almost jealous. Look at him, he was so Not stressed he was jealous of this mysterious home owner. _Out of this place?_ Did she mean, this House or--

They stopped at the pool. Everything within them froze.

Earth. Earth was home, right? That was home. This cat was saying... This would bring them home. This was a trap. This was Really a Wine Press, so she could drink their blood after they was thoroughly crushes. Yeah.

But was the slim gamble of it being real, enough to bet their life on? Would they be alright dying if.. if it took everything back, they lived, they got to go Home and pretend none of this ever happened? Was death worth that chance?

they barely realized that their paws had begun to shake, throat tight, they swallowed. Pale eyes locking on these other two strangers for just a moment. If they all went, at least Azmy would be Technically taking two down with them.

Deep breath, think of the hot, blistering warmth of the sun that reminded them of their father. Warm sand under their paws that if they dug deep enough into, it'd be the perfect amount of cool. The sky, the wind... Even the worshipers.

Everyone they ever knew, they would be doing this for them.

Azmy dove into the pool, claws outstretched as if he was challenging it.
cosmic {👑| 🌻 | 🌙 | ⚗ |🍷| 🐍} Apr 17, 2021 10:51 PM
🌻

It's an unnerving thing to hear a voice that isn't your own ring through your head. It certainly caught Grizzlyheart off-guard, who had straightened up from whatever task she had been busying herself with, and she quickly scrambled after recognizing it as Spades' voice. Grabbing her bat, she was quick to make her way out and to the gateway.

Doing as she was instructed as she pushed herself into the gateway fountain, she did her best to focus on the place she had been to a handful of times: white marble, sunflowers. A meeting room..

And, when she found herself there, she.. was immensely uncomfortable with the implications of it all. She wasn't a fan of the supernatural, and being in the heart of it.. Well, the sooner she took care of things, the sooner she could get out. Her comforts were second to protecting the court.

It wasn't hard to spot the beast- a massive thing with such a mangled hind leg that it caused her to falter for a moment. Didn't it remind her of someone? It certainly did..

She went to swing at it with her bat, but it completely missed it's intended target.

{ bat: 4 + 1 = 5 }

@wyrd {⛈/🔥/⚡/ ❤🔥}
wyrd {⛈/🔥/⚡/ ❤🔥} Apr 17, 2021 11:05 PM
⛈️

The ring of Spade's voice through their head, loud and panicked shorts Storm out of what they had been doing beforehand, pivoting back towards the gateway fast as their paws would take them. It was odd again, going down those smooth steps, but they're taking them in leaps and bounds, paws hitting the ground with a solid thump as they jet towards the gateway.

Storm's pawsteps stutter as Grizzlyheart leaps through the gateway before them, they know it'll be fine if they do it right but a part of them is scared, hesitant to have their paws leave the ground. It's a brief hesitation, and they leap through.

The feeling of it, coming through the other end is deeply unnerving and Storm comes through entirely off balance, attempting to shake the unfamiliarity off enough to slip back into the familiarity of the fight, falling back on muscle memory against an unfamiliar opponent.

It doesn't work entirely, they swing with their face contorting into a snarl, claws out and whiff, still off balance.

[ Claw: 5+3=8 ] // @Kitten
morrysillusion Apr 17, 2021 11:09 PM
Hearing a voice, a voice not within his view, was a surprise to say the least. And it it sounded pleasing, it seemed like someone wanting to help. While he couldn't be sure that was the full intention (it was so hard to tell these days), it did seem better than whatever was going on. This whole strange place just seemed to be about running out and into something else- good or bad- that just how it seemed to work. So whatever this was- he'd take it.

Obviously he wasn't the only one who'd step away from this mess, as Faust was swift to scramble out of the way of the beast. He thought it was odd, this cat would know a way out. Something put him in here... something he could only take as a godly concept. And as far as he knew, this was all a bit of a test. He ended up here for some reason, and if this was a test- why wasn't part of that test defeating that beast until it fell? Was this just a trick to see if he'd take an easy way out? If he jumped through, he wouldn't boat he'd just end up in another trick filled plane of where ever this was. (edited)
He flattened his ears, this whole thing- it was a hell of a mess. He didn't even feel like he knew what he was doing half the time in this "test". Whatever kind of test it was- he'd never know. Sliding to a halt in front of pool only moments before the other cat beside him dove in, Faust held his gaze upon it. As much as he had suddenly fallen into that pool that brought him here, it was hard to imagine trusting the thing that supposedly brought him here. To find comfort in the reflection, like it'd was something of window into a home...

Whether this was it or not, he tried to consider this. He recalled, however long ago it was since he had been in his church, the words of humans around him, their ideals. It seemed right- perhaps he had to find trust in the most dire circumstances. So he inhaled, he tried to think of what it was- mortal plane? Didn't understand that, but he thought of grass and dirt- the thing he ached to see again. He wanted to find this as nothing more than a step into something new, a step forward. Whether or not it was what a god looking over him wanted to see in his personal path, Faust felt it would at the very least be a step in the right direction.
Kitten Apr 17, 2021 11:19 PM
Otter


Otter was very, very startled, but not too terribly confused. He wasn’t used to voices in his mind that weren’t him, obviously, but he understood the situation well enough. Cats were in danger, and they needed help. There wasn’t really much to that.

Grizzly had been vaguely near when the alarm was sounded, and Otter had no qualms with following her. She, presumably, was going to do the same thing he was, and this way he’d really know where he was going. He hesitated, just a little, to go into the pool, but Grizzly had done it, and he’d seen other cats do the same, so obviously it wouldn’t just kill him. He thought of marble and sunflowers, as the voice had said, and with a last moment of worry, he slipped into the pool. The instinct to swim took him for a moment, but left him once he realized that the water was… strange, not really water.

He was glad to find himself in one piece on the other side, and where he was supposed to be. And that was when he saw the monster. The closest thing he could compare it to was a dog, but even that seemed far too tame. He’d never truly seen anything like it. Once, as a kit, he’d seen a fox, and maybe that might compare-- not the fox itself, but the feeling of it. Being so small in the face of something so huge was a very unique fear. Otter, though, was not afraid. He had faced his own demons already, and those were much scarier than some overgrown dog. Otter snarled, and without a moment’s thought, he leapt into battle with so many cats that he hardly knew, aiming his claws for its forelegs. Unfortunately, the beast was not so easy to hit, and he whiffed. If he was ever asked, he would just blame it on the shock of seeing a creature that shouldn’t exist.

(claw: 2+3=5)@Unknown (edited)
patchnotes Apr 17, 2021 11:31 PM
Saturn didn't hesitate to stumble out of their nap when Spades raised the alarm. They thanked their past self for making sure to learn the paths to all important areas. They didn't care who was in danger, they deserved help.

The canine smell mixed with the scent of blood only pushed Saturn faster, as they grew closer. This was like the coyotes but different. They were stronger now, a whole year of just recovering and strengthening every part of their selves, from physical to emotional. Saturn's paws now longer faltered in fear, instead the blood roared in their ears as they threw their self at the wolf with a screech, they were aiming for the Mystic Pool somewhere in this cave. No one else was going to die. No one else was going to go through what Ranch or Saturn did. The Bright Realms and everything else could push down on Saturn as much as they wanted, they were going to fight back.
(Brute Force Shove: 20 - damage:6) @Hayes (Thistle/Frost/Gwen) (edited)
Hayes (Thistle/Frost/Gwen) Apr 17, 2021 11:40 PM
@rylee • 🕯/🎀
So after returning to the court because of a case of the Gay Thoughts, Gwen had been just kinda chilling. Not really talking to folks other than Grizzly, really. A bit of unintentional self-isolation.

So Spades screaming in her head about some dangerous supernatural thing or whatever was a bit of a wake up call from autopilot. She saw Grizzly runnin out and holy shit was that a fuckin nail bat? Hot. and followed in her tracks, and all sorts of cats came out of the woodwork too. And all Gwen could think was "fuckers better not die because I'll kill them if they do." With all the young cats in the court, it was really her duty to do this kinda shit. She didn't have a whole lot else to offer.

She paused before the gateway, taking a moment to get into the right headspace for combat. Deep breaths and some rushed pre-emptive streches and all that shit. Clear focus was important. The battlefield was no place for any hesitation. When she felt she was ready, she dove in headfirst and teeth bared.

She didn't have a lot of time to assess the situation-- everyone seemed to be whiffing except Saturn, who was trying to force their foe (some stupid fucking wolf thing, honestly, she'd anticipated something freakier looking) into the Mystic Pool.

Well, this was a good opportunity to strike. She launched for its legs and latched on, biting down as hard as she could.

[Bite: 17+3= 20, damage: 4+3=7]
rylee • 🕯/🎀 Apr 17, 2021 11:56 PM
Spades' voice in his head always brings a chill down his spine. He trusts her now, but that feeling of something _other_ having any influence over him doesn't feel good. He heeds her call anyway, leaping up from his spot in the Green Cave and following after the group of cats rushing to the pool. He pauses at the edge for a moment before jumping in, closing his eyes against the feeling.

When he opens them again, he sees Court cats already launching themselves at a huge wolf-like creature. Snarling under his breath, Dorian launches himself at the beast after Gwen, aiming for its front leg with out stretched claws.

[Claw: 2+1: 3]
@Buzz {☀ | 🐧 | 🦎 |🍒|🍰 }
Buzz {☀ | 🐧 | 🦎 |🍒|🍰 } Apr 18, 2021 12:07 AM
Crowsong's been in a weird place since the new arrivals came to the court. Skinkthorn and Quailfang brought with them too many unpleasant memories and things that he would have rather lay buried and forgotten. Even with his talk with Icehawk, his mind was still scrambled, and he's been spending far more time in his den than he ever had before. Just... just thinking. Not reclusive. Not falling back into old habits... just thinking.

That's where he is, too, when Spade's psychic message rings loudly in his ears. His eye snaps open from where he's been dozing, and he glances at his paws. A fighter? Hardly... but. But if Spades needs help... he's told her many a time that he owes her a favour. Perhaps this is her way of cashing in.

So he's up in a bolt, glancing to see if anyone will join him on this journey to the Gateway and, by extension, Spades' home. When he enters the gateway, he seems to not even notice that other cats have gathered there, cats unfamiliar, and spades herself. Instead, he tosses himself into the pool with nary a thought other than what Spades has suggested, sunflowers and marble, and when he tumbles out of the portal he is met with quite a sight.

A collection of court cats enter with him, and Grizzlyheart gets right to work attacking the beast with some kind of... spiky stick. Crowsong watches with a wide eye, it flicking back and forth between the large cat and the large... wolfish creature in front of him. The rest of his companions lunge at the creature, first Storm trying and failing to grasp at it, then Saturn shoving and Gwen biting, followed by Dorian trying to get a good swipe in.
-
Crowsong though... Crowsong is a thinker. He's always been a thinker. Even when he was the deputy of BreezeClan and the leader of ShadeClan, he thought first and acted after.

And as he stared hard at this creature, realization dawned behind that sharp copper eye. He knows this creature... right? Doesn't he? There's recognition clapping symbols in his brain, but his intuition isn't always right... but then. He is a fool - and he always follows his gut, for better or for worse.

"STOP!!" He calls out, putting as much power into his voice as he can, though it's directed at his companions. "Stop!! I know this beast!" he thinks "And this... this isn't on anyone else! Everyone close your eyes!" He also thinks.

Thankfully, Crowsong, while he may not have 20/20 vision, had enough foresight to bring something along with him here. The dark tom throws one of the items he knows to make a loud snap and a flash on the ground with all his might, resulting in the desired effect as he turns his head away.

Hoping he has the creature's attention now, Crowsong's eye is wide and soft, voice pleading and as soothing as he can get it to go when mortal terror shakes his bones. Why. Why, after moons of things going... fine, why are they all collapsing now? "Copperstar, stop. You don't want to hurt anyone. You never did. I hurt you! So leave everyone else alone!"

[USED: one bang snap use to create a loud noise + flash || persuasion (on beast): 9 (3+6)]

@🪐 kendall (🦆|🌸| ☕)
🪐 kendall (🦆|🌸| ☕) Apr 18, 2021 12:22 AM
The beast is certainly overwhelmed, to say the least. It's practically visible as the beast roars with rage, lumbering and dodging attacks. When it's shoved, it snarls, stumbling back and falling on its side, though it doesn't make much progress towards the pool. It's enough to knock the wind out of it, however, priming it for a good bite from Gwen. It manages to scramble up, recoiling from the attack, then manages to dig its snout under Gwen and shoves upwards, tossing her back a bit and dealing 4 damage. However, its slightly disoriented by the bang snaps as it climbs to its feet, staggering a bit, before snarling and baring its teeth at Crow, lunging.
@cosmic {👑| 🌻 | 🌙 | ⚗ |🍷| 🐍}
cosmic {👑| 🌻 | 🌙 | ⚗ |🍷| 🐍} Apr 18, 2021 12:39 AM
🌻

Grizzlyheart let out a low growl at the beast as the other cats around began to assault the beast themselves. Only Saturn and Gwen seemed to get any good hits on it, unfortunately, but something was better than nothing. She readjusted her grip on the bat in her mouth, pacing towards the beast's bad side to see if she could attack from that angle.

That was when Crowsong called out, however, and her head whipped around to glare at him. Giving the beast another quick look, however... only revealed it to be a fucked up looking dog. This was nowhere close to being a cat, and the fact that Crowsong thought such a thing..

"Crowsong! That ain't no fuckin' cat! Get your head on straight 'fore you get it bit off by this god damn dog!" she yowled at the tiny tom as best she could with the branch in her mouth, fur bristling as she watched the beast throw Gwen. She made another swing at it, though.. it also whiffed. Maybe she should've done more practice on moving targets...

{ perception: 18 }
{ bat: 13 + 1 = 14 }

@wyrd {⛈/🔥/⚡/ ❤🔥} @Buzz {☀ | 🐧 | 🦎 |🍒|🍰 } (cause grizzly is yelling @ you) (edited)
wyrd {⛈/🔥/⚡/ ❤🔥} Apr 18, 2021 12:52 AM
⛈️

Facing this thing down makes Storm's pelt bristle out with unease like nothing else, sure, they're trying to fall back on muscle memory but it can't exactly stack up to the sheer unfamiliarity of this whole situation.

Crowsong hollering about how he knows their opponent throws them for a loop, pleading with it even further. If that was someone he knew at one point, it sure didn't seem to be anymore. More pressingly, according to Spades and how it seemed real intent on sinking its teeth into them, it was very much a threat to the court.

"If it was a cat, it isn't anymore!" Storm shouts over to Crowsong, forcing their voice loud as they wind up for another swipe at the thing.

This is. Too weird. They're off their rhythm entirely, and the next swing whiffs the same as the first.

[ Claw: 5+5=8 ] // @Kitten @Buzz {☀ | 🐧 | 🦎 |🍒|🍰 }
Kitten Apr 18, 2021 01:04 AM
Otter

Otter was getting a lot of mixed messages. Without knowledge of… whatever supernatural beasts lived around the Court, he was left to defer to the other cats there who did know what was going on. And yet they didn’t, really, because one of them claimed that this thing was somehow a cat. The beast, despite the black tom’s pleading, still lunged at him, and Otter was left wondering if it had understood the Court cat’s words, or if it was simply attacking him for the bright light and loud noise.

“You’ll have to prove it,” he calls, and it’s not a challenge. “Prove it can be reasoned with.” This thing is a direct danger to them. As difficult as it might be to reason with this thing while cats are nipping at its heels, Otter can’t just refuse to fight back. If the creature could understand them, it was another matter, but as far as he-- and the other Court cats, it seemed-- could tell, it was just a slobbering beast, no more reasonable than a dog.

Fitting that he was fighting yet another leader. It seemed most that he encountered were just beasts, in the end. All he had to do to really kick himself into gear was to think about Larkstar. Otter slipped around to the creature’s back, taking a swipe at its wounded back leg with a furious hiss.

(claw: 12+3=15, damage: 4+2=6) @Unknown (edited)
patchnotes Apr 18, 2021 01:06 AM
“Crow I’m so sorry, you know I care about you but right now? This thing needs to be subdued at least!” They dove for the not-wolf’s leg trying their best to latch on. The floor felt smoother than they anticipated and it was a struggle to get momentum now that adrenaline wasn’t pushing them like it was originally.

(Grapple: 2 laame) @Hayes (Thistle/Frost/Gwen)
Hayes (Thistle/Frost/Gwen) Apr 18, 2021 01:10 AM
@rylee • 🕯/🎀
Gwen dug her claws into the ground when she landed, steadying herself after the beast's attack. Her ears flicked as she registered Crowsong's words. This thing was a fucking cat?! ... It did look a bit weird, but c'mon. Well.

Okay, for the court, that wouldn't be too weird. But it also wouldn't be too weird if it just. Had some strange fucking ability that made Crowsong think he knew it. And she sure as fuck wasn't gonna let anyone die to it, cat or no cat. It'd hurt folks earlier, even before the court came in swinging. So she'd assumed it must've attacked first but... She didn't know. Could this really all have been some fucking misunderstanding? That would be pretty typical...

She threw herself in front of Crowsong, in the path of the Whatever the Fuck It Was. She glanced back at him for a moment, trying to convey a silent message.

She'd give it one fucking chance.

She looked it in the eye.

"If you're really Copperstar or whoever the fuck, just stand down and give us a sign and we won't hurt you! We don't wanna have to fight if we don't need to."

... With all that said, she still braced herself in case it kept charging for Crowsong.

[Persuasion: 8+6= 14]
rylee • 🕯/🎀 Apr 18, 2021 01:27 AM
Dorian tears himself away from the beast in time to hear Crowsong's plea, hesitating for a moment. Crowsong knows a Bright Realms entity? He looks from the tom to the beast, trying to make sense of the situation. The others _don't_ stop attacking, though. He grinds his teeth, stuck for a few moments between wanting to understand the threat and _stopping_ the threat. The beast doesn't seem to want to stop and listen, though. It lunges at Crowsong, and the fight rises up in him again.

He lunges again, swerving past the others to get to its other back leg. He swipes again, cringing when he misses again. They aren't doing enough damage - they might not even defeat this thing even if they _want_ to.

[Claw: 4+1=5]
@Buzz {☀ | 🐧 | 🦎 |🍒|🍰 }
Buzz {☀ | 🐧 | 🦎 |🍒|🍰 } Apr 18, 2021 01:32 AM
Even with the beast lumbering in his direction, it is Grizzlyheart's retort that causes anger to bristle the fur along his spine. "Neither was fucking Nala!" He yells back, watching as the beast's attention is diverted from him and returned to the other cats.

Ugh... why could no one in this StarClan forsaken court listen to anyone but themselves???

He ignores the little voice in the back of his head whispering pot, meet kettle.

The frustration builds as Storm ignores him too, though they're clearly distracted. Maybe he should feel bad about that, but maybe he also has some lingering animosity toward them. One of the new guys, Otter he thinks?, claims that he has to prove it, but how in the hell does he expect Crowsong to do that?

It hurts that, before he gets his thoughts together, Saturn too decides to ignore his claims. It's Gwen, a cat he only knows through others, that actually listens to him. That actually tries to speak to him. And... it should make Crowsong feel better. But it doesn't - knowing that the cats he trusts don't trust him? That hurts.

He moves carefully around Gwen as she speaks to what he believes to be Copperstar, telling him to stand down. Heh, fat chance. Copperstar had never been one to listen to getting sidelined. No... no he had to find a way to, as Otter had said, prove it.
-
But. It hits him. The scar - the scar on his neck. The scar that Crowsong put there. Copperstar would still have that, even in this form, right? Proof that Crowsong knows what he's talking about.

He uses his smaller size to skirt around the larger cats, and while his paws aren't nimble, Crowsong is blocking everyone out at this point. The only cat who listened to him is a cat he doesn't know. What's that mean for the cats he thought were his friends?

Head down, Crowsong lunges for the wolf's neck, claws outstretched and trying to snag some of the fur. Maybe... maybe not to injure exactly, but to move it aside and show what he's sure must be a scar underneath.

His short legs likely fail him though, as his paws miss their mark.

[claw attack: 11 (10+1); miss]

@🪐 kendall (🦆|🌸| ☕) (edited)
🪐 kendall (🦆|🌸| ☕) Apr 18, 2021 01:59 AM
The beast only grows more and more enraged, breathing labored in the frenzy of the cats attempting to attack it. In the constant motion of the battle, Otter's swipe at the beast's leg ends up reaching its neck, nearly swiping Crow's paw at the same time. Something sickeningly tears away, and the beast gives a horrible hacking, choking noise as the strip is pulled off. Scrabbling backwards, more panicked than anything else, it scrambles out of the room, bounding on all fours towards the forest, its labored, struggling breathing still audible.
ooby (koby) Apr 18, 2021 02:00 AM
It's quiet afterwards, cats breathing hard as they try to recover from what's happened. Left behind, in Otter's and Crow's paws, is an object, curled in defeat. It's a collar, muddy and blood stained-- bits of fur and flesh sticking to the inside of it where it's bonded with skin.

On the collar, staring back at the court cats, are little bright yellow ducks.
[Thanks for participating! This portion of the Bright Realms event is closed, but roleplay may continue in #bright-realms-recovery ! That'll be the aftermath, figuring out what's happened, talking to our newest additions. Your cats know how to get back to the green cave from here through the pool, so no worries there either!]
Buzz {☀ | 🐧 | 🦎 |🍒|🍰 } Apr 18, 2021 02:05 AM
It's the sickening snap of fabric that causes Crowsong to feel ill, deep in the pit of his stomach. As the beast lumbers away, Crowsong knows he was wrong, but. But. As he stares at the collar, covered in blood and flesh, the ducks seem to dance around his vision. He stares, and stares, and stares, before he turns that one glittering eye at Grizzlyheart.

"I hope you're fucking happy." He snarls, disgust and anger clear in his expression as he turns away from the group at large. If anyone tries to talk to him, they're resolutely ignored beyond a quiet "Nice to know you all have my back." As he wanders back toward the pool that he knows will spit him out back where he needs to be.

He's spent so long. So long looking for Ducky. Hours and hours spent in the city, in the forest, in the land by her house. And she was here, transformed and likely confused, and he was helpless. Helpless, and couldn't even get those supposed to be his allies to listen to him and to stop attacking.

"I hope this place chews them up and spits them back out." He growls, mostly to himself but not particularly caring if anyone hears him, as he dips himself back into the pool and heads back home.

The defeat... it's heavy on his back.

But it's not unfamiliar.

That empty feeling? Deep in the pit of his stomach? That's new.
cosmic {👑| 🌻 | 🌙 | ⚗ |🍷| 🐍} Apr 18, 2021 02:29 AM
🌻

A part of Grizzlyheart wanted to retort Crowsong's word, but she decided against it. If they wanted to bicker and argue about morals and such about dealing with supernatural creatures, they could do it later when everyone was safe and this thing was either gone or dead. Either would honestly work for her.

Then, in a turn of events, Otter of all cats was able to manage to rip something off of the beast, and it turned tails not a moment later, fleeing in some kind of wild panic. Grizzlyheart heaved out a few heavy breaths, watching it hobble off on it's three good legs, before she allowed herself to begin coming down from the adrenaline high that was coursing through her.

Her eyes landed on the strip that now laid on the floor, bloody and covered in fur and flesh, and the color seemed to drain out from the world around her.

She knew why it seemed familiar now. The marred leg that creature bore was the same leg Ducky had injured when she had run into that coyote. A-And it's fur was the same pattern as hers, and it's ears were tufted like hers. It's eyes weren't the same b-but..

Grizzlyheart didn't know what happened to Ducky. One moment, she had been in the medical stores, and the next she.. hadn't been. A part of her mind convinced her that she had simply healed up and gone home. That was fine, even if she never saw her again. Even if the rest of her brain nagged at her about how strange and how odd it was that Ducky wasn't around. How weird it was that she had vanished into thin air. But there was so much to do around the Court, even despite the dull ache that filled her chest whenever she wondered about how Ducky was and how she was doing-

It was her collar. She'd been here the whole time- twisted and distorted into some.. beast by this very place. And no one had known. That, or no one had bothered to tell her.
There's a solid few, silent moments where all Grizzlyheart could do was stare at the collar that was left on the floor. Stare as Crowsong spat his words at her to no avail. A deep, bitter part of her heart wanted to tear into that tiny tom; snarl about how he hadn't known it was Ducky either. Neither of them had known. He just thought it was some cat that none of them knew- that it was to be the same as Penny's situation.

But it wasn't the same. It wasn't the same because they had known it was Nala and they were able to figure out how to subdue her and-

Her paws began to move without thinking; mouth agape and dropping her bat as she moved towards where the beast had left- out into the open field of sunflowers that was surrounded by those unknown forests. And she wailed out for Ducky, calling out her name as loud and clear as she could, over and over and over again, as if it would change anything about what had happened. As if it would bring her back.

She didn't get far. She wasn't built for running, and there was no sign or sight of Ducky besides the scent trail left behind. So she just stood there, staring off into the woods with a look of anguish, shock, and horror etched into her flattened features, and cried out for Ducky's return.

{ running: 11 - 1 = 10 } (edited)
@🪐 kendall (🦆|🌸| ☕) @Buzz {☀ | 🐧 | 🦎 |🍒|🍰 } @Unknown @Hayes (Thistle/Frost/Gwen)
patchnotes Apr 18, 2021 02:36 AM
Saturn let out an annoyed hiss and almost turned to Crowsong. Bitter, emotional words boiled in their stomach, ones they would've never meant and the pure adrenaline almost pushed it out. But then there was a snap, and such intense emotion erupted from Grizzly that they followed without question even though they didn't know what was going on, but then Grizzly called out for Ducky and it clicked for them. Their paws pushed harder against the ground. Grizzly may not be built for this but Saturn was. And they vowed to help and protect everyone. Ducky wasn't getting away not if they could stop it! They may have lost Ranch, may have ruined their relationship with Ravinefrost, Crowsong could hate them it would all be okay if they could just do this one thing right.
(Running 18+1=19)
@🪐 kendall (🦆|🌸| ☕) @Buzz {☀ | 🐧 | 🦎 |🍒|🍰 } @Hayes (Thistle/Frost/Gwen) @ooby (koby)
Hayes (Thistle/Frost/Gwen) Apr 18, 2021 02:44 AM
@cosmic {👑| 🌻 | 🌙 | ⚗ |🍷| 🐍} @🪐 kendall (🦆|🌸| ☕) @Unknown

Gwen had no clue what's going on. She hadn't really been in the loop for a while-- been out on her own and then minding her own fucking business even when she cam back. But that collar... It was vaguely familiar. Ducky? ... Yeah, she'd interacted with the cat briefly before. Very briefly. At that costume party so long ago... And Ducky was special to Grizzly somehow, if Crowsong's jab and her anguished fucking wail were any indication.

"Grizzly! Hold on--"

Well shit.

Letting Grizzly go on her own was... Not a fucking option. This freaky supernatural shit was too dangerous to handle alone, even for someone as strong as her. So Gwen started to run after her but...

Hmm....

She pivoted quick and went back to recover Grizzly's bat. Just in case and all that. It was... weighted differently than she'd expected, and it was an effort to carry as she resumed her pursuit, Saturn dashing past her fuck, that cat could fucking run, did this mean Gwen was getting too old

... It took her a bit to catch up to Grizzly, and when she did, she... didn't know what to say. She wordlessly sat down next to the large molly.

... Damn her and her fucking inability to handle complex emotions and interact with other cats. If she could just-- if she could just take this pain from Grizzly, she would. In a heartbeat. But easing pain had never been her forté. Not in the same way as causing it.

[Running: 3 U_U] (edited)
ooby (koby) Apr 18, 2021 02:47 AM
Cats split out after the vanishing figure, some clearly affixing themselves to the lead of the pack.

Saturn tears out over the landscape, pursing the big shape that bends the foliage and flowers of Spades' land. They follow as closely as they can-- but their efforts, despite the speed, are still... fruitless.

One moment they're in a field of flowers, one moment they're in a deep, dark forest. The entire scent profile has changed. The warmth of the lighting has shifted. Ducky has vanished into the brush ahead, knowing these woods better by instinct than Saturn could even begin to understand. They hear the breaking of thin branches growing distant faster than Saturn can navigate over the thick overgrowth. Before long, they’ve lost her.

Grizzlyheart watches Saturn suddenly vanish. To her, it appears like they’ve passed through some invisible wall. There’s the terrible thought that Saturn might be lost too.

Should Saturn back up, though, they would slip back through the threshold and into Spades’ land.
patchnotes Apr 18, 2021 02:59 AM
Saturn stumbled to stop as they passed through the bubble. Their whole body stiffened with fear, this wasn’t somewhere they were meant to be...They need to find Ducky though they couldn’t go back to Grizzly like this. Ravinefrost’s words echoed in their head, “You’ll be sorely disappointed when you don’t find what you’re looking for.” Those words had cut so deep with Ravinefrost tossed them at Saturn but she was right. This was a moment where they could throw everyone away, abandon them. Just to be the hero. But that’s not who they were anymore. They didn’t need to be a hero, they just needed to be alive to find Ducky later. So they backed out, slowly to be safe.

It was a long walk back, all their energy was gone. Their paws hurt and they felt so small. Tears leaked from their eyes and little sniffles followed shortly behind as everything caught up with them.

They raised their head to meet Grizzly out of respect. “I’m sorry Grizzlyheart.” Their voice wavered, “I couldn’t follow in there it was gonna be bad. But...I don’t think she plays by the rules anymore. We can find her again.” @ooby (koby) @cosmic {👑| 🌻 | 🌙 | ⚗ |🍷| 🐍}
cosmic {👑| 🌻 | 🌙 | ⚗ |🍷| 🐍} Apr 18, 2021 10:35 PM
🌻

Grizzlyheart didn't know what to do. All she could think to do was cry out, over and over, for Ducky, but her voice was growing hoarse and she was sure that Ducky was getting further and further away with each growing second. She saw the flash of Saturn running after the scent trail and disappearing beyond into something, but-

Was she shaking? She was shaking- trembling, really. Ducky was gone. Saturn might be gone, too. Wasn't she supposed to protect them? She was. She was supposed to protect them and keep them safe. That was literally her job now. But she had let Ducky turn into whatever she was now, and she couldn't find the strength to go after Saturn.

Gwen's approach nearly went unnoticed by Grizzlyheart, whose gaze was still completely focused on where Ducky had vanished off to, her breathing still heavy and labored in her chest as she fought back those tears that threatened to roll down her cheeks. Yet, she spotted Gwen's red fur out of the corner of her eye, but couldn't bring herself to look at her.

"I should've known it was her, but I would've never thought that... she'd of been here this entire time," she croaked out, low and pained as she dropped her head. "I don't know how we're going to get her back- if we're ever going to."

Saturn came to join the two not long later, profusely apologizing about how they hadn't been able to catch wherever Ducky had gone off to, and all Grizzlyheart could think to do was press her nose to their forehead.

"I-It's alright. We'll get her back. She's... She'll be okay. We'll make sure she's okay," she tried to sooth them, though with how choked up her voice was, it was hard to do that.

Slowly, Grizzlyheart pushed herself back up onto her paws, took her bat from Gwen, and began to make her way back towards the pool that would take her back to the gateway, her head hung low and her tail dragging after her.

@Hayes (Thistle/Frost/Gwen) @Unknown
🪐 kendall (🦆|🌸| ☕) May 28, 2022 03:48 AM
s.export
Spades BOT May 28, 2022 03:48 AM
Please stand by, this may take a while.