TRIGGER WARNING: this post briefly goes into animal abuse and talks about needles in the second paragraph

Asmodeus ducked from his attack, though Dante could tell that it wasn't entirely intentional. Dante would quickly try to continue his attack by trying to place a paw on ASMODEUS'S neck - if successful, he would try to put mild pressure on the kid's neck, but tried to make sure he wasn't too rough. Dante was trying to use the fact that the cub was already knocked down to his advantage and despite his continued attempt to 'fight', the hybrid could relate to the feeling Asmodeus was liking dealing with - a rush of worry and fear of being hurt.

Back within the lab, Dante had his fair share of being hit by the humans that were supposedly taking care of him. They often used their hands to hold him down, poking and prodding his body with needles. Sometimes they held him down by his throat, choking him, and sometimes they had their hand over his mouth - preventing him from breathing. Either way, the sharkcat could relate to wanting to duck at the sign of anything remotely similar to someone trying to hurt you. Dante wasn't sure if Asmodeus was afraid per say, but the urge of wanting to hide when someone lashed out at you was something he related to.

Unfortunately the world wouldn't be so understanding. He had to learn that the hard way, and although he was being far easier to Asmodeus than what he experienced in the lab, the kid needed to learn that the world wasn't going to bend to him the moment he showed weakness. [glow=COLOR,1,400] ━ ✧*:･ﾟ[/glow]

Small, thorn-sharp claws dug into Dante's pawpad, forcing the hybrid to release the pressure he was applying to Asmodeus. The cub quickly scrambled up and tried to run off and away from Dante, to which the hybrid let out an amused rumble, "Not so fast, kid." With that, he whirled around in place, trying to use his long tail to trip ASMODEUS as the cub ran.[glow=COLOR,1,400] ━ ✧*:･ﾟ[/glow]

"You asked for a fair fight, I deliver." Dante replied with a mused rumble, shaking his fur out and fluffing up the feathers on his wings. He relaxed though, seemingly abandoning his aggressive stance. "You're far too little to really fight much, that's why I just let you attack me before." Was he too harsh on the kid? He hoped not. "But once you're an apprentice, you're free to talk to Gael about making me your mentor or somethin' if you want."

Asmodeus seemed a bit calmer now, which was reassuring. Good, that had been the plan. "Feelin' any better?"[glow=COLOR,1,400] ━ ✧*:･ﾟ[/glow]

Despite the fights Dante has been in, others feigning injury and pacifism wasn't something done very often. Maybe done once or twice, but it usually ended up with that specific creature dying. Suffice to say, Dante wasn't expecting Asmodeus to whirl back so quickly and being able to knock the hybrid over - paws on his throat, just as he had done to Asmodeus originally. Of course, not as dangerous, considering the size difference in between the two. Using a free forepaw, Dante tried to knock ASMODEUS's hind legs out from underneath him, trying to knock the cub back down.

Regardless, the hybrid was impressed with the kid.[glow=COLOR,1,400] ━ ✧*:･ﾟ[/glow]

Okay, so maaaybe he didn't think that attack through enough. Asmodeus came down on his face, causing Dante to grunt, trying to gently push ASMODEUS off of his face.

"Sounds good." The hybrid replied as he regained his breath. "I'd be happy t' mentor you, if that's what ya want." Which meant he probably couldn't get as high or as drunk as he wanted to but hey, maybe actually interacting with his clanmates would earn him some points.[glow=COLOR,1,400] ━ ✧*:･ﾟ[/glow]