Falling Face First (Makoto)

[Andee]

Ryder was walking through the Caligo Marshes, his paw steps silent as his indigo form moved like a shadow through the mists. The mist seemed to muffle everything, he could barely hear the bird calls and insect songs, could barely hear his own breathing. The fog was so thick he could see hardly anything, his keen eyesight penetrating no more than a couple feet in front of him. His feet squished in the muddy land beneath him and he swore he was going to lose his footing any second.

Which was exactly what happened a mere minute later, the mud slid out from beneath his paws and his nails hyper-extended to reach for better purchase on the slippery ground. It didn't help, all it did was make the front of his body stop and the back of his body push him forward. Ryder, the great leader of the Tortus Clan, fell on his chin and felt his shoulder pop out of its socket. "SHIT," he roared, his deep bass breaking through the fog's barrier as if it were non-existent.

Panting, he onto the uninjured side and closed his eye. Trying to ignore the painful burn that persisted in his shoulder. The ignoring wasn't making the pain leave though, it was still there, still burning and every time he breathed it hurt worse. Ryder snarled, this was stupid, he hadn't even gone down in a fight. Now here he was in the middle of the Caligo Marshes cold and wet, covered in mud, injured, and so would likely starve to death. What an absolutely idiotic way to die.

No Hunger was burning in him, so he wouldn't be able to push back the pain to feed his addiction for flesh. And he had eaten a wolf before he came here. So he wouldn't need to eat another one for another few weeks. Starvation or dehydration would kill him before he could begin to ignore the pain enough.

Words: 335
Muse: Great
Song: I like it like that
Notes: New Charrie awesome ^^

[Makoto !]

[atrb=border,0,true][bg=99a2a7][atrb=width,450,true] Her paws sunk into the mud, causing a shiver to run up her spine. She really hated leaving the Bruma territory, and the marshland wasn't her most favorite neutral place in the world. Plus, she could barely see a few square feet around her, and she couldn't tell where the nearest tree was! If she met anyone hostile, she would have to find someplace else to hide. Running with this terrain was horribly hard. So, why was a little Sunda Clouded Leopard alone in a foggy place like this? It was simple, really. She was out of Bogbean. It wasn't like they needed it on a regular basis, but herbs dried and decayed much faster than she would like. She couldn't even keep a Bogbean plant alive, even with her plant growth powers, as the cave was no place for a marshland plant. With a sigh, the healer continued on her search. Rounded ears swiveled around on her head, intently listening for any hostile sounds in the marsh. They perked then flattened as a cursing roar--well, it was more of a growl/bark--sliced through the air. On instinct, she darted to one side, trying to find a tree to climb up in. However, her mind quickly reminded her that the fog wouldn't allow her to find one easily enough. She halted her steps, crouching down until the fur on her underbelly swept against the drowned mud and grass beneath her. With her long tail swishing low to the marsh, the Clouded Leopard began towards the general direction the curse had come from. It was curiosity that drove her forward, ignoring the little voice in her head to run like the wind. With each step, the Bruma shook her paw, flinging off any water and mud that clung to her. She really hated the feeling of mud. It irked her to no end. The healer's steps slowed as a dark silhouette formed in the fog. She was able to make out the form of a wolf, and she would have assumed it was a Solstitium had it not been for the tell-tale spikes running along the form's back. Symphonia halted in midstep, her body becoming rigid. The Plagued wasn't something she had seen in... Well, she's never seen one of the Plagued. A pit formed in her stomach, and she debated inwardly as to leave or not. But, something kept her from leaving. The panting coming from the Plagued wasn't like a normal, out of breath pant. No, she had heard this kind of pant while tending to injured felines. The wolf was hurt. She wasn't sure if it went against the pride to help a Plagued or anything, but, as a Healer, it was her job to tend to those who are hurt. Allowing herself a few moments to relax, the feline stared slowly walking forward, keeping her paws from sloshing the marshy water around. "Ex..." She cleared her throat. "Excuse me, sir? Are you hurt?" Wait, she didn't have her herbs... Crap.

[Andee]

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[atrb=background,http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k180/HawkfrostA/rydertablecenter.png] Truly he must look pitiful, Ryder thought. He couldn't even breathe that deeply because of the mud around his face, less it be dragged into his lungs. Anger and frustration filled him as the feline entered his limited vision, for he could do nothing to protect himself. But she didn't seem to want to hurt him, yet he could smell the stink of Bruma about her, that alone was enough to put him in danger. The possibility that he could die right there was very likely, and he couldn't do a thing to fight back. Ryder's amethyst eyes stared up at the clouded leopard as she came closer. The question was funny, and his panting breath was interuppted by an out of breath chuckle. "Do I look okay, sweetheart? My should must have popped out of place or something. It hurts like a bitch protecting her pups," he squeezed his eyes shut as he breathed deeply after the comments, careful not to suck in any mud or water, and a sharp pain shot across his shoulder. He didn't whimper though, he was the leader of the Tortus and the leader never showed pain. Besides he'd been in much worse situations. A snarl curled his lip, showing his white teeth and black gums as Ryder said, "So what are you waiting for cat? Take me out while you have the chance. Take me out so you can go pack to your King or Queen and tell them 'I killed a Tortus' that way they will praise you." He didn't say he was the leader, instead he merely made it sound like he was a member of the clan just in case this cat didn't know who he was. Mind games, he was the ruler of them. He didn't mind bending the truth or lying straight out, as long as it all worked out in his favor. She seemed far too worried about his well being to be the one to put him out of his misery. Perhaps she was one of the underlings or something.

[atrb=background,http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k180/HawkfrostA/rydertablebottom2copy.png][atrb=height,125] Words:354 Song:N/A Muse:Awesome Comment:N/A