✯ — You're not a monster, just a human

Plexus Kingsford is many things. Plexus is a male, Plexus is unable to romantically love, Plexus is a healer, Plexus is a treasured friend, Plexus is a murderer. No, wait, back up, that was-!. Plexus doesn't give up on his friend, his leader. He doesn't give up on anyone in his den who needs help. He refuses to let anyone else die on his watch.

Plexus refuses to let Romulus Malus die on his watch.

Quickly bustling to his den (it still took too long, he was so far, what if his leader was dead, what if his dear friend was dead, what if, what if), his vocal cords still shot why won't they heal? so he had go make his words count. The door busted open long after he heard Romulus was brought here, shaming creeping in his throat as he knew he shouldn't have wandered off to take care of the greenhouse during the monthly meeting.

The Guru threw his basic medkit at Diego, not even looking to question the other lion. His gaze solely on Romulus, and his internal horror at the bite mark on his neck. Green eyes sharpening, noting a loose bandage and something that smelled...like chervil. His voice gruff and crackly, snapped, "Medkit on floor, use towel, water, wash the wound, press on it so it'll bleed less. Already soaking through chervil put on and bandage. Good that there's already a bandage to help clot."

Pivoting, he sprinted to his stores, the large cat shifted through all his stores to find 'where is it, where is it, where - Ah ha!' Marigold, the little label on it read. Shoving it into his messenger bag he grabbed on the way to the stores, he also grabbed a jar of flour, a pot to heat water, and several strips of cloth big enough to place over the lion's mortal wound.

Snapping at the lack of motion, Plexus began setting up the small firepit in the Guru den just for making these small things. Taking his shaking claws, Plexus efficiently began shredding the marigold into smaller pieces. Satisfied with the herb, the male set up a small wok with water, impatiently waiting for it to lightly boil. His green eyes hard as ice as he gazed out to the other two by the Kingpin, stiffly approaching and helped part the massive lion's mane to examine the wound in better detail. His heart skipping several beats as he cursed, the bite looked half cauterized, which meant he'd need to make more of the marigold poultice, and possible make burn ointment in case it caused issues later on or started swelling as most horrible burns did. He'd have to let it breath so often, and make sure it stayed clean. Pressing a spare towel against the wound, "Please. Hold this here till done." Pausing for just a half second, he added, "Sorry for being so curt, worried." He had a dry remark about chervil being better for stomache aches and already infected wounds, but the words stuck to his tongue as he worked.

The words tasted like glass and acid as he spoke, his voice straining as he quickly put out the smoldering firepit. The water was hot enough to moisten the shredded marigold and add the dry powder to it. Quickly mixing it, he gingerly approached with a warm cloth covered in the marigold poultice and gently wrapped it around the torn jugular. His heart still racing despite the wound being better wrapped, and more preventative herbs on it (and cleaned).

Securing the bandage wraps around the cloth to press directly onto the wound, he turned to the female and lion in his den. The words cracking and broken, but sheer resolve could be heard through the words, for no doubt Plexus Kingsford would rather die than let the Kingpin die, a smouldering warning in his 4 words he spoke.

"Romulus Malus will live."

(permission to powerplay interactions with Romulus!)

✯ — HE/HIM. GURU OF COTC. REF. BIO. — ✯

WHERE'S THE PRIDE WHEN WE NEEDED IT?

Byriath didn't dare step into the crowd, guilt washed over him -- staying behind due to mental conditions and this is what happens. His leader, his brother, lay dying while others worked to save his life. The Xenosmilus, face downcast in somber, stood away, watching silently. He admired Plexus' ability to work, and he'd have to thank Diego for bringing the Kingpin back. But for now, there was nothing to say, nothing to do. It had been the first time in all his immortal life that he felt useless.

No. Byriath, quiet and guilt-struck, approached and stood nearby, a shadow, a mountain over them. "What the hell happened?" He whispered, voice cracking from lack of use. As he fell silent yet again, he looked to Plexus, and tried to mentally tell him, 'Good Job, Plexus.' It was, by far, the least he could do. He didn't want Romulus to die -- obviously no one wanted that, but he didn't feel ready to step in as a peaceful leader, especially after this. Whoever did this would pay.

BYRIATH-COALITION-FALLEN GOD OF VIOLENCE, CRUELTY, AND MALICE

    Saturn didn't go to the meeting, instead staying behind so they could watch over the kids and help keep an eye on the rest who stayed in the coalition. Yet now they were beginning to regret that decision. The winged snow leopard drifted after their husband, unseeing orbs staring straight ahead as their paws drew them along the path. The first thing they noticed as the pair drew closer was the stench of blood and so much of it as well. Their breath caught in their throat when the familiar scent of Romulus came sneaking past the smell of blood, causing the feline to stop in their tracks.

Ears would flatten against their head, eyes flicking side to side as they tried to process all the information that was being thrown at them. God this was one of the few times they were glad that they weren't able to see in this form. Had Saturn of seen the lifeless body of Rom just laying on the ground in front of them. Honestly they weren't sure how they would react to it.

Finally the scent of Plexus and Byriath wafted over them, calming their nerves ever so slightly. Saturn wasn't quite sure what they should say or they should even say anything in the first place. They didn't quite want to leave but at the same time they weren't sure if there was much for them to do without getting in the way.

✯ — You're not a monster, just a human

The male wobbled as he collapsed near the Kingpin's limp body, the words Byriath spoke gently in his head knocking around until all he could do was feel his muscles shake, his tears fall, and wonder if it really was a good job when he didn't know if Romulus was going to awaken.

Maybe he was right.

✯ — HE/HIM. GURU OF COTC. REF. BIO. — ✯

Natasha hung back, staring at a pebble she rubbed between her fingers. She knew she'd vomit if she looked at Romulus and his state. Especially since she'd glimpsed the beginning of the fight. Was his opponent that strong? Or had she underestimated the kingpin's strength? Either way, this wasn't going to be an easy next few weeks for Romulus or the Coalition.

"It was that wolf who came in saying he was the leader of... the Covenant? I'd never heard of them before the meeting, but that's who the wolf said he was before the fighting broke out." She chewed on her tongue before adding, "Maybe you did see him die, but... with how common the ability to defy death is, that doesn't put me at ease."

macaque - she/her - wears red elk cloak