looking for a beating — [COTC VISIT]

[Atticus Roux]

Wandering up, the tabby's expression drooped. What a conundrum. Atticus couldn't help but agree with Vale, especially after enduring Sweeney's trauma. Goldenluxury was family, but she was also a killer. His thoughts wagered back and forth, causing him to freeze. Both sides had their points. No one should have to die for another animal's issue, yet they were in too deep in the first place. The Pitt had always ravaged The Typhoon... and some cases, rightfully. Why disown their former ardent now too? What truly had changed? Their last reign with Silent was full of grueling violence, which wasn't so long ago. Those ideologies were still very much alive within The Pitt, despite Gael's denial.

His canines dug into his lip as he contemplated his words. "I think I agree with Vale, quite frankly," the acolyte answered. "Our jungle is burned down, we're low on resources, and it's about time we moved away from our pride. If you really-" Did Gael really want to change though? It seemed to be the opposite due to his response. "-want The Pitt to change, then encouraging allies would be our best bet." Hell, the melanistic shapeshifter even emphasized that they had no resources for one of their most important traditions. If they wanted to thrive, then they had to make some deals. Even if they weren't the most ideal. "Think about it. You have a former leader offering you an alliance, yet you're too afraid to accept because... why?" Atticus let out a growl. "Because 'everyone loses their home?' You selfish fucking cuck."

His ears pinned to the back of his head. Atticus was letting out his repressed frustration. "If I could have prevented my mother from dying during The Typhoon's shitty meteor earthquake, I would have. If I could have stopped Jervis' death for Sweeney's sake, I would have. All because of their shit, my family and friends have perished." Claws unsheathed from their sockets, yellow eyes piercing into Gael's own gaze.  Even if the earthquakes and meteor that decimated Tanglewood wasn't inherently The Typhoon's fault, their ally failed to help him out during a tough time. His family didn't bother consoling him, Tanglewood and The Typhoon alike, hence he ran. "I have lost my entire fucking family." But apparently it didn't matter because why? 'Your people are not the only who have suffered damage to their home.' Bullshit. The Pitt should worry about protecting their people, not cowardly standing down and allowing themselves to get repeatedly fucked.

Alabastor claws shot through the sand. "And for what?" he croaked. "Just for me to stand down and watch as my new home crumbles all over again?" His eyes began to well with tears, despite not being very apparent. A golden gaze shifted towards Aine, practically begging the medic to emphasize with their reasonings. While Vale might be fighting for chaos, he was fighting for what he believed in and that was togetherness. If he had to endure that loss all over again, Atticus would break. "We have a familiar offering protection and valuable assistance, something that could prevent us from losing more, yet you're too worried with our past ideals."

With hiss, he turned back to Gael. "It's time we change," the boy spat.

Weary eyes moved towards Vale, offering to put a paw on the feral dog's shoulder. He swallowed. Aine's words echoed in his head. 'Maybe you don't belong here.' Would he get punished for speaking out again? Had his impulses ruined him once again? Moving closer to the wolf, the younger being leaned in to whisper. "You belong here. Don't listen to her." Maybe he was even reassuring himself...

THE ONE IN FRONT OF THE GUN LIVES FOREVER

DREAMS OF LIVING LIFE

© LEXASPERATED

[VALE]

[align=center]

graphic gore ★ genderfluid ★ zombified wolf

Vale’s right shoulder and three vertebrae popped when ve turned to Aine. The wolf stared at the hybrid, noticing the sand curling around her paws and her harsh tone. Ve sighed, vis tail flicking lazily. Yelling at an adult fit Vale’s style, but children forced to grow up too fast always tugged at vis heartstrings.

“Aine, I understand your point of view. You’re the healer of this group of wackjobs, and it’s you that sees the horrors of war the closest.” Vale sighed, scratching at the side of vis muzzle. The flesh sloughed off, leaving vem with half vis skull showing. “I can’t pretend to understand why you care so much about keeping us all safe. But I understand watching from the sidelines while war burns all around you. My brother died, for the first time, in a war he had no say in. It took everything I had to bring him back to me, and I lost him all over again, anyway. And, haha, look at me now, still paying that price!”

The wolf cackled for a second, but the laughter died in vis throat. Vis red eyes looked back to Aine, and ve tilted vis half-skull head.

“You know the desert isn’t enough for a large group of animals, kid. Remember Jack’s justification for the blooding ceremony? A Pittian needs to prove themselves to be useful enough in an environment with minimal resources. Isn’t that what he said? I went a bit cuckoo during mine, and I’m strong as fuck! Wouldn’t it be better if we had enough resources and territory to do away with stupid ceremonies like that?”

Ve shook vis head again. “We’re not fighting for strangers. The enemy of our enemy is temporarily our friend! Why not band together for resources both our groups need?” And then stab this lion when his back’s turned and take the whole two islands… but that’s not a point a healer would give a shit about, aye, brain-of-mine? “I say we fight and take what we need. The Typhoon’s a bunch of pirates and that’s practically their motto, anyway, so those stupid bastards are asking for it.”

Ve glanced at Atticus, half of vis maw curling into a soft smirk. “Thanks for the support.”

YOU NEVER TRUSTED ME ★
BUT I’M OVER IT NOW
[sub][W]isker[/sub]

[SirDio]

Chernabog

Talons dug into the earth as the beast trudged forward, hearing just enough to aggravate her and urge her to speak. A deep bellow sounded from within as she stared at everyone. "Look around. In time, this damned desert and the small sanctuary we call home will not support the group. This group will grow larger and larger, and then collapse because there will be no room."

"My logic is that we take territory now, instead of hastily going as our ranks crumble in the future. This lads group and The Pitt share a mutual enemy. For the time being, it would be wise to join forces. I have seen villages burn from the slightest bit of ignorance." She added the last part quietly, sending an empathetic look to Aine.

Yellow eyes looking at Vale and ver... gorey form, then to Atticus, who shared the ideals of the shifter, she set herself into a powerful pose. Not challenging anyone, but just displaying the might of a dragon.

[gael]

[align=center]

♛ GAEL Ó BROIN

Gael found his eyebrows raising -- initially prepared to speak before his daughter snapped.  An occurrence he had seen very rarely.

He inclined his head, ear twitching in irritation but willing to listen -- weighing the opinions of those around him.  He held back a disappointed sigh. 

"I understand you all," the Ardent replied calmly.  "But they are strangers.  Should we not know and understand who it is we are backing, before backing them in full?  Stock our supplies together, before cementing a bond?  Or are you all so reckless, to jump on the first opportunity to pick a fight?  You should listen to your healer -- your only healer, when she pleads to err on the side of caution.  I understand we are not the only ones who have buried friends from petty conflicts before."

"As far as I understand, the Pitt was formed on a foundation of loyalty to only each other.  This is why," he dipped his head towards Stryker, "with no offense to those outside, we should not be so quick to ally ourselves with those we know little of."

"I am proposing this neutrality and trade as a compromise to these conflicting ideals within our ranks.  To first develop a relationship, with this potential ally, trading resources to each other's benefits, before any true commitments."

"Do you hold respect and loyalty for each other enough, to first accept a compromise? After all, the Pitt was always meant to allow for those of different moralities and opinions to live together." Gael regarded each of them expectantly -- in the end, a house divided cannot stand.

"We should at least," he added with a frown.  "Discuss this in full, privately -- as a group." And not in the presence of a foreign leader.  There were many present, but others absent; more opinions the Ardent would prefer to hear before settling on one side of the argument or the other.

"I AM A STONE" —-- gael ó broin / faerie / ardent / lamby

[VALE]

[align=center]

graphic gore ★ genderfluid ★ jaguar

Vale sucked vis teeth on one side of vis maw, and released the stinking flesh with a sucking sound. “You just said we should be loyal to our own. Stryker is a Pittian—or was, whatever—so he should count under your own logic.” The shapeshifter flared vis nostril, intaking a sharp breath of air. How frustrating arguing with this goddamn idiot was!

“Also, that is not a compromise. That is what you initially said, before I spoke up and two fellow Pittians agreed with me. Under what fucking definition is that a goddamn compromise?” A growl thrummed in Vale’s throat, and the wolf took three steps towards the fox. “Delaying the discussion is another tactic for you to win. You want to squash our momentum now and force us to agree to your farce of a compromise, which, as I just pointed out, is not a compromise at all!”

The wolf breathed out, lips pulled back into a snarl as vis teeth sharpened and grew. Vis back arched, spine popping and contorting as muscle grew along vis body. The black fur fell to the ground, and softer fur with rosette patterns grew along the squirming pink flesh. Vale bore vis fangs, staring down the ardent as a melanistic jaguar.

“If you are going to be so foolish as to argue logic with a child’s understanding of facts versus lies, then I do not see why I should follow you. I believe I would be a better ardent than you. Does anyone agree?”

YOU NEVER TRUSTED ME ★
BUT I’M OVER IT NOW
[sub][W]isker[/sub]

[Stryker]

STRYKER ☣ COTC ☣ KINGPIN

What was a peaceful meeting with Stryker muttering back and forth to Vale and chuckling as he went along, devolved into madness. Neon pupils widened. The leader was asking for neutrality, while the rest (besides Aine) wanted to fight for their right. Hell, one boy was crying. Even the weird crow thing shapeshifted into a wolf and then a jaguar. What was next, a dragon? The Kingpin, usually a chatty Cathy, merely stood silent as they bickered back and forth. He wondered if they could go back in time so he could interject, but the damage was already done. Although, admittedly, he didn't hate the chaos. Most of it was working in his favor.

The lion's eyes narrowed in on Gael as he spoke. His answer was very disappointing, especially for a Pittian leader. Back in his day, they wouldn't have been that foolish. Despite his former allegiance, he still wished to support The Pitt after Jervis' reign, especially after being a victim to it. Vale's comments only reinforced his points, making sure to note his former status within The Pitt and address Gael's own flawed logic. A sigh left him. If the new ardent wanted to be stubborn, so be it.

Before Stryker could even speak, the black bandit began to morph again. Vis teeth bared. A devious hiss echoed from them, implying they wanted to takeover. An enthralled smirk appeared on the Kingpin's maw. "Are we having a good old fashioned challenge?" he piped up. "After all, back in my day, you could confront a leader for their position rightfully." Stryker being overthrown was a different story. Jervis was a cowardly cheat, but that didn't change that he got bested.

He dearly hoped that tradition held up. After all, The Pitt wouldn't be the same without the chaos and the weak being persecuted. Slitted hues shifted towards the ardent. "Well, Gael, now what?" Stryker dearly wanted to be present for a spectacle and seeing that Vale didn't seem to give up, they were in for a ride.

THE WEAK ONES ARE THERE TO JUSTIFY THE STRONG
DON'T BOTHER TO RESIST OR I'LL BEAT YOU

— Reggan

[T. ROUX]

THE GOLD IS SLEEPING IN THE RIVER

"So, that's what your name is."

Approaching the group with a slight limp, the draconic jaguar's gaze fixated onto the white lion that stood at their border. With a flick of his tufted ear, he would continue with snark in his voice "I hope you brought me some get well soon gifts. It'd be a shame if you just showed up empty handed after nearly killing me, buddy." Trygve glanced around at the group that was gathered only to feel his muzzle wrinkle in disgust seeing that Atticus was fucking crying like some little bitch. Good god, I'm not related to that, the Pittian thought with a soft snort and well, he had heard most of what had been said. So, Atticus believed that the Typhoon was at fault, did he? Stupid son of a bitch. He concluded within his mind recalling the destruction his home had suffered when the meteors had struck... How he had been so scared to lose any of his family around that time.

"Vale as ardent? Nah. Shit for brains only cares for themselves." Ry said with a smirk on his maw "As far as I know, we'll only screw ourselves over if we try and fuck with the Typhoon... Especially with our given numbers," There wasn't a lot of them unfortunately and he doubted that Stryker's supposed group had much either so Trygve believed that it would've been better if the Pitt laid low for now. His gaze hardened and tone grew icy cold which was a vast difference from his usual fiery tone as his gaze locked onto Atticus "The world is a cruel thing, it picks off who it wants. Your mother came back though, which not all kids get the blessing of. So stop sniveling, get over it, and cherish those close to you instead of wasting your tears for those who are gone and not coming back." It was harsh but the truth, Ry could only recall a single Tanglewood member coming to their aid when the aftermath of the meteor shower occurred.

And it was true, crying didn't bring back Jaime or Eulia. It never would. Although, he knew that crying was a form of relieving oneself... Ry didn't do a lot of it and he sure as hell wasn't going to do so in front of some stranger. Pulling himself from his thoughts did the draconic boy find his voice once more "And if we were going to make any form of alliances with anyone, it shouldn't be someone who attacks one of the people within the group they request an alliance from." He raised an eyebrow at Stryker only to continue "That's just common sense." His mottled tail would lash to the sides behind him, lips peeling back to show off his sharp fangs as he stood there with fur raising "So, get your stupid ass outta here. Your opinion doesn't matter here. Go back to your shithole of a home." Fire began to lap at his jaws as he took a few steps forward until he stood beside Gael and Aine glaring at Vale.

"You are no ardent to me nor will you ever be." Trygve's tufted ears lay flat against his skull only to growl "So fuck off." Ry adjusted his wings at his sides, if the shapeshifter tried anything then Trygve would be there to stop it. He wasn't going to let anyone hurt those close and dear to him.

BUT THE FLOWER'S IN MY HAND
WITH A PALER LEAF AND BROKEN PETAL, I'LL PAINT THE KING AND QUEEN

— Reggan

[aine.]

[table][tr][td]

AINE NÍ BROIN
FLESHWEAVER
FAE DRUID
INFORMATION

[/td][td]

[div style="width: 360px; font-family: palatino; color: #2e8b57; text-align: left; padding-top: 15px; padding-left: 10px"]I'LL C[color=#36829c]OME BACK WHEN YOU CALL ME

Why didn't they see?  Why didn't...?  Aine took a deep breath.  Okay.  Okay.  Four... Seven... Eight.  Compromise.  "Da.  Da is suggest- suggesting we start-- we start.  With this neutrality.  Work- work up to alliance.  We don't actually know him."  Blind.  Why didn't anyone... Why didn't anyone care?  She didn't want them to burn.  Not again.  "Compromise."  I don't want to see you burn.  Please.

Stryker, count?  As one of them?  Abruptly, her head snapped up.  Bitter.  Done.  With the cause.  With Stryker.  A white lion.  A white lion with horns.  "He's not.  He's not a Pittian."  Ry.  Her chest burned.  Ry.

She didn't care.  Aine didn't care about this talk of challenge.  Of discussion.  No.  No she was done.  Done holding onto this thought.  This suspicion.  She felt like a boiling pot.  Bubbling over.  Frustrated.  Confused.  Lost.

Everything felt muted.  Distant.  The sand.  The ground.  It may be splitting or raising beneath her, she didn't know.  She didn't care to tell.  She was tired.  She was over it.  They could discuss their political standings later.  Aine knew.  Her father had thoughts of change.  His own ideas.  He'd want to listen.  To consider the others too.  Fine.  Later.  At least he cared to protect them.  Later.

First.  Stryker.  The root.  "He hurt Ry." How dare...? How dare? Her friend.  Her best friend.  Then ask for alliance? Her wings flared out at her sides, fury unfurling in full.  How dare?

"You.  You are no ally of ours." Leave.  Or by hell I will make you.

[/td][/tr][/table]

© MADI

[trojan g.]

The talk of an alliance was not something that Sweeney had ever thought would happen within her life time. She hadn't expected there to be anyone dumb enough to try and ally with them, considering the Pitt's past and what they did to other groups. Why would someone want to try and ally with that, considering they had no qualm about potentially stabbing their ally in the back if it so suite them to be what was best for the group. She didn't think a former ardent would think twice about being the one idiotic animal to try and ally with the Pitt either.

So at first, she thought that the best response to what was going on at the border would be to laugh a little. That was until the words fully reached the vixen's ears, and the tension in the air almost made her choke. Were Pittians really fighting each other right now? It might not have been a physical fight but Sweeney could see that there were arguments going on, and it frustrated her. "Stop wasting your energy trying to argue with each other for fuck's sake." The kitsune would chime in, eyes rolling as a small growl left her lips, "Or are you trying to make the Pitt look like a shit show to a complete fucking stranger?" If that was the case, she had no issue with chasing people out. They were a shit show, but it was a familial shit show, and it didn't need to show to someone from the outside, for them to make fun of all of them to their own group, talking about the Pitt as if it couldn't fight back due to their members so up in arms about what should happen. "Give them a chance, sure, that's fine whatever, I don't give a fuck. Neutrality is as far leaning towards that shit as the Pitt has ever done. We're not exactly a group that wants to be all buddy buddy with others around us, that's the whole fucking point of being Pittians." Ears would prick as she listened to words spoken further, and she'd let out a small sigh.

That was, until Ry continued to speak, and targeted his anger towards Atticus. Sure the feline was emotional, but he always had been, and it was something Sweeney enjoyed talking to him about, given their common bond of parents being dead and missing. She agreed that maybe he shouldn't be crying in front of this Stryker guy, but she wasn't going to begin to agree with Ry about that now. Aiming a small bolt of electricity towards Ry, just as a small warning to back off, Sweeney would narrow her eyes slightly. "I don't think we need a new leader either, given how many we've had already. Food and territory is something I agree on, but that can also be gained with a relationship starting with neutrality, stop trying to jump the damned gun. I enjoy violence as much as some of you but at least I know when's the right time to start, damn." That last bit was a lie, given her track record with Goldie, but she wasn't about to admit that now. 

THERE ARE RULES AND THERE ARE STRICTURES

[j a c k .]

The Kodkod was of a general quiet disposition, he preferred the linger in the back of the group- and with Gael’s earlier presence it was mostly allowed. With silent before his presence was almost non-existent to the extent of the Ardent. Ardents. Jack had been within the Pitt and knew of three personally, watched all of two of them fall within the short tenue of Jack’s own proving and the current day: within each the food was still just as scarce, the people here just as desperate to prove themselves as something more worthy than the flesh on their bones.

not that it had gotten to that point yet

Vale’s appearance wasn’t an annoyance- beyond what Jack had heard- seen of the other during the monthly meeting with the rest of the clans last month- ve was an interesting character of their own merits; worth the food they never earned if for nothing else their own viewpoint. Yet even the kodkod couldn’t shake the feeling of irritation as the crow landed along the lion’s own horns. Whispering among vemself and the lion- the Ex-Ardent if Jack heard correctly from the rest of them.

It was a wonder, did the lion’s bones lay atop the throne in the red temple? Did he manage to cheat this ruthless way that each Ardent found their end? silent had, cowardly a way it had been.

The lion snapping him sparked his irrataion only more so; Aine’s anxiety over the other seeming to stem from somewhere-

Attacus-

Ry-

Their own members were speaking out, and while Gael had made a point to include them in on a discussion, there was a time and a place. The kodkod felt his own pelt bristle. The itch of it showing as a fogged breath whispered from the wildcat. Iced eyes blinking quickly; Standing still along the form of the outsider.

“Whoever you were before means nothing, you are no longer a part of the Pitt. The fact that you left with your life intact proves that” The kodkod remarked, all attempts of trying to bring up the humor in the situation gone. Jack felt nothing but the cold unrelenting ice: and Ice does not forgive.

he wanted to release it, to breathe ice and to destroy the little lion who tried to stand here and claim a rite to something they turned away from

“Any good leader would die to protect what they considered their own. Until death You are sitting her and sowing discord among our group-” The kodkod spoke up, while Gael was trying to recover their own Jack didn’t turn away from the lion. “For someone coming to seek an alliance, you’re doing a poor job of it.”

[glow=#add8e6,2,300]I DID WHAT I HAD TO DO[/glow]

[glow=#add8e6,2,300]AND SAW IT THROUGH WITHOUT EXEMPTION[/glow]