A BOTTOMLESS CURSE, A BOTTOMLESS SEA || CAUSTIC

[BLOODHOUND.]

They noted the discrepancies between Caustic and Octavio's experiences here. Perhaps it was something to discuss with the latter.

In the space between their thoughts, of considering the venom and the gas that spilled from the other's lungs, Caustic's threat was very much recieved.

Bloodhound felt that they had a healthy relationship with fear. They were not one to pretend otherwise, as they knew that fear, and reacting to it thoughtfully and constructively, were keys to their own survival, oftentimes. As Caustic drew closer, getting in their face, they feel.... vulnerable, like a fly under a magnefying glass, much smaller than the threat that seemed to loom much closer than they would prefer.

The way those green eyes seemed to bore into them, the promise of violence in a voice, that had, mere moments ago, had been talking of a colleague of sorts... This was frightening to them, instinctually. Intruding in another wolf's land, their very presence a challenge to the other, the mesh of millions of years of knowledge and their own humanity clashing in blood and teeth. It had their emotions reeling, memories flooding their mind, of the fear they felt on their first hunt, of the fear that filled them, when they had first died in that ring.

But yet... they were no child. And Caustic was no Goliath. Their ears fall back, and the smaller wolf clenches their jaw. A growl threatens to rise up their throat, but they find themself looking at Caustic's.

"You are not the only one with secrets, Doctor," They say, a growl evident in their voice. The arctic wolf steps just a bit closer
to him. The snout of Bloodhound's mask just barely brushes Caustic's neckfur. "Do not doubt that I will tear your throat out, if you seek that path with me."

They were not here to make enemies, they remind themself, letting their own threat sink in, before stepping back and away, slowly circling the Doctor.

"I do not wish to make you an enemy, Doctor. Your secrets are your own, and I will keep them safe. To even our odds, I will tell you only this, andskoti: from Talos, I hail. My kin lived and died there, frozen into the landscape; felled by a great beast. For the honor of my kin, I did slatrà a Goliath with my own hands, as a child." They pause, sitting down a distance away from Caustic, the raven crawing behind them. "For the glory of the Allfather, I have fought ever since. You are not the first to die by my hand. You will not be the last."

THE TRUE TEST IS BEFORE THE ALLFATHER.