level of concern - [VIGENERE]

[Stryker]

⸺ STRYKER, THE KINGPIN ⸺

pleasing everyone isn't like you, dancing jigs until i'm crippled

Time had passed and it was time to set the plan into motion. Tanglewood was a strong ally to The Typhoon and getting rid of their alliance was key to keeping the Coalition of the Condemned on track with their goal: taking over The Typhoon. With information from Atbash, sister to Vigenere, and Caesar's assistance, the Kingpin was able to successfully track the leader down and find his place within the Tanglewood territory. Now he had to find the Luminary himself.

Sticking to the underbrush, Stryker lurked through the night with slitted eyes wide, chest close to the ground, and his ears perked. In the distance, a bright hint of yellow appeared. Before confronting the stranger, he waited for them to grow closer, but not enough to notice him.

[member=601]VIGENERE CIPHER.[/member]

"TALKING"

[VIGENERE CIPHER.]

[glow=white,1,400]A MILLION MILES FROM HOME, I'M WALKING AHEAD ! — ｡+ﾟ.[/glow]

Despite the lack of joiners lately, Vigenere still patrolled around Tanglewood's borders; the savannah didn't like sitting still, especially in comparison to his littermates, and getting out of camp and patrolling at least eased Vigenere's growing uneasiness at the lack of members in Tanglewood. It was really only him, Eternalknight and Sopheia, Moth, and Surna - and NPCs here and there of course, not that they were any less signifigant to him. But still, it was better to actually have others to talk to, to be around with, and not as if he was talking to a drone.

As Vigenere was walking, the sound of rustling grass caught the Luminary's attention; wind wasn't entirely common in swamp and there wasn't any strong winds flowing through the area at the moment. Perhaps he should have been on the alert, especially considering he didn't exactly trust The Pitt despite their new leadership, but truthfully, Vigenere was hoping he would catch sight of a joiner - unfortunately, he would soon learn that wouldn't be the case. "Hello?" He called out, ears flicking as he tried to find the source of the rustling.[glow=COLOR,1,400] ━ ✧*:･ﾟ[/glow]

[Stryker]

The crackle of the floor below him caused Stryker to pause, but it was too late, Vigenere had caught on. His simple, questioning greeting rang out. 'Hello?' There was no time to mess around. Exposed, the lion crept forward within the underbrush with his neon gaze focused on the smaller feline. Alabaster claws unhinged from their sockets. Rounded ears laid flat against his skull and his muscles begin to tense as he leaned back on his hind legs. In a swift movement, his tension sprung loose and the lion dove forward. Stryker attempted to land his front paws sharply on the leader's neck, pinning him to the floor with ease. From there, if successful, he'd take his right paw and grab Vigenere forcefully by the scruff and raise him to be eye to eye with the Kingpin.

Slitted eyes locked with the Luminary's. A wicked smile curled up on his maw, delighted that they could finally meet. "Vigenere," came his coo. His claws aimed to dig further in the male's scruff. "Your siblings have told me so much about you." His head leaned in further, coming mere millimeters away from touching noses with the other leader. Neon hues stared deeply into Vigenere's own gaze, hoping to catch any glimpse of fear or hesitance within him. Perhaps even a realization of who he was. Whatever the reaction, Stryker was satisfied. His goal had been achieved and the fall of Tanglewood and The Typhoon was on it's way.

With a huff, intentionally blowing hot air into the domestic feline's face, the lion continued on with his spiel. "I don't think we've formally met though," he continued. A capturer didn't have to be formal, especially one of high ranking, but Stryker preferred to be polite before he destroyed their dignity. It gave a false pretense. "My name is Stryker, exile of many and leader of the Coalition of the Condemned." With his available paw, he'd threateningly linger his claw over the luminary's eye after slightly pulling away. A snicker left him.

Finally attempting to touch noses with his hot breath running down Vigenere's face, his gaze narrowed. The Kingpin's playful demeaner faded. "But I am also now the leader of Tanglewood." Stryker craned his head to the side. "Understand me, Cipher?"

[VIGENERE CIPHER.]

[glow=white,1,400]A MILLION MILES FROM HOME, I'M WALKING AHEAD ! — ｡+ﾟ.[/glow]

There was no time to react before a horned lion shot out from his hiding spot, quickly lashing out and pinning Vigenere to the ground. He grit his teeth in pain, as Stryker's claws dug into his neck, and let out a hiss whenever the Coalition leader grabbed him by the scruff and hoisted him into the air. Vigenere's dark gaze was locked into Stryker's own neon one, though he initially showed none of the feelings Stryker was looking for. Instead, the savannah held an angry look to him, his tail lashing in the air as he focused on his enemies words. Vigenere bared his teeth as Stryker moved his face closer, having half the mind to lash out right then and there - but then the Kingpin's words hit his ears.

Siblings. Both of them. Stryker knew both Atbash and Caesar. That's when the recognition hit him; this was the very same person who destroyed Atbash's tribe, her dignity, and left her disfigured. Vigenere cared not for whatever Stryker's opinion was on Caesar, nor his affiliation with his hot-headed brother, but Atbash? Of course the Luminary would feel rage whenever he figured out who had a hold of him. Vigenere didn't react much whenever Stryker moved his free arm to threatening hover a claw before Vigenere's eye, as if threatening to do the same thing to him. I won't let you. Was the only thought that went through the savannah's mind, and he tried to convey that in the glare that he was giving Stryker.

The threat of Tanglewood being under his control is what appeared to be the straw that broke the camel's back however. Whenever Stryker touched noses with him - something that would have normally been a friendly gesture, but this was taken as a sarcastic one. One that Vigenere was not pleased about, and he tried to swat at STRYKER's face, trying to aim for one of the Kingpin's eyes, his claws unsheathed, of course. "I don't think so, Stryker." Vigenere snarled, regardless of whether or not his first attack succeeded. Even if his first attempt didn't work and he was still held by Stryker, Vigenere tried to swing in STRYKER's grasp - which of course only caused Vigenere more pain, seeing as the lion still (presumably) had ahold of him - and attempted to kick the lion's face with his hind legs.[glow=COLOR,1,400] ━ ✧*:･ﾟ[/glow]

[Stryker]

As he spoke, the glint of claws flashed in the corner of his eye. Before Vigenere could take ahold of his eyesight, his eyes closed and the cat's claws raked against his lid. A sick cackle left the Kingpin. How pathetic. "You think you have a choice, little kitty," he reiterated back. Blood began to flood his left eye's vision, causing his vision to run red. He mockingly attempted to sway the cat back and forth in his grip, but was met with the luminary's pitiful squirming. Paws kicked back at him, but the lion pulled away and dodged his claws. His claws, as mentioned, would only dig in further. Vigenere's complaining would do him no good and only get rid of the time he had left on this world.

A smirk met his lips. "Let's go." Narrowed eyes locked with Vigenere's, attempting to enter his mind. Once successful, he'd hypnotize the feline into a deep sleep and proceed to walk back to the shore of Tanglewood where he would take a boat back to the Coalition of the Condemned.