(VITAL FAVOR) Valkymie

[elufae]

Gasp.

Nightmare-of-roses awoke with a sudden jolt. She peered shrewdly around her, realizing immediately that she was not at her den. And Thornprick was curiously missing. Her owlcat could be out hunting - she was not an overly attached companion - but the two of them always slept together. Waking without her was...suspicious.

But the only thing more suspicious was the blood beside her. A solid trail leading off behind the bushes caught the doe's eyes. She felt a tingle run through her flanks as she clenched her teeth. Thornprick missing...blood...

She shook her head and grimly followed the trail, hearing stuttering panting through the rustle of leaves as she passed the bushes. Seeing shock-white fur deeply soaked with blood sent a lump into her stomach. But she couldn't help but feel a rush of relief upon closer inspection. Not her owlcat, but a lynx lay wounded in the dirt.

Nightmare attempted to approach the creature, only for it to perk up suddenly and lash out with its claws and screeching hiss. The doe was taken aback slightly. It seemed to hardly have any white fur at all, given the amount of blood rushing from its wound. And yet the beast still had fight in it.

She smirked, admiring its vicious tenacity and will to protect itself above all else. It would be such a shame for that malice to go to waste.  

[elufae]

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 28/30
Current Trust: 12
Section notes: --

Nightmare tries to study the lynx but it's cautious stance makes it hard to really see its wound. She sighs, as the creature continues to yowl at her.

"Yes, yes, I'm clearly such a threat to you."

She knows she needs to gain the lynx's trust somehow if she ever hopes to get close enough to treat the wound. And what better way to a beast's heart than through its stomach?

Leaving momentarily, Nightmare finds an unsuspecting foxbun and quietly stalks it until she finds the moment to strike. Her hooves make quick work of the critter, snapping its neck skillfully. Carrying it back to the lynx, she makes note of the blood trail's extension. Was it trying to escape? It certainly didn't make it very far.

The lynx resumed hissing and batting the air between them with a clawed paw. Nightmare made her way through the blood, caring not for the stains it made on her legs, for they already mimicked it anyways.

The lynx paused for a moment in silence at it smelled the air, sensing the fresh kill. Thinking it a golden opportunity, Nightmare approached, dropping the foxbun at the lynx's feet. Suddenly it hissed again, swiping at Nightmare's nose before stealing the foxbun away a few feet.

The doe growled under her breath at the stinging pain before chuckling musically. The fire in this creature's heart! But Nightmare did so love a challenge.  

[elufae]

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 26/30
Current Trust: 14
Section notes: --

The lynx inhaled the foxbun and licked its chops, as if it hadnt eaten in days. Nightmare fetched a songbird, this time, hoping a full belly would tame the beast. But for a second time the lynx sucker-clawed the doe. At least this time,
it retreated less with its meal. It was lucky that Nightmare shied not from pain.
But it still wasn't a pleasant experience.  

[elufae]

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 24/30
Current Trust: 16
Section notes: omg my poor girl

With the eaten remains of both foxbun and songbird discarded nearby,
Nightmare dropped a second foxbun and nudged it closer to the lynx.

"Just how hungry are you?" she growled. The lynx bit her extended hoof in response, locking eyes with the doe who had half a mind to bite it back. The lynx released her and began to devour the second foxbun, moving only slightly away without breaking its gaze.

"This is getting old." Nightmare hissed, licking her bitten hoof.  

[elufae]

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 24/30
Current Trust: 18
Section notes: --

Perhaps food wasn't getting as much headway after all. Nightmare wandered off, limping very slightly, and returned with a stiff-leaf of water. She places it in front of her and waits for a reaction, but the lynx simply stares at her warily in silence.

Rolling her eyes, she backs off with a sigh, letting the lynx approach the water to quench its thirst. But still the beast keeps its distance, hunkering down. At least it's not scratching at her anymore...  

[elufae]

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 24/30
Current Trust: 20
Section notes: --

Nightmare mutters at the lynx about how she's not going her hurt it and she just wants to help it and such. The lynx's ears flicker back and forth as it stares wide-eyed at the doe. She moves closer, but the lynx moves back. No more hissing and scratching, but she still can't get very close...  

[elufae]

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 24/30
Current Trust: 18
Section notes: --

Nightmare inches closer just a little too quickly. The lynx hisses at her and backs off a ways. She clicks her tongue and flicks her tail impatiently at the lynx.  

[elufae]

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 22/30
Current Trust: 20
Section notes: --

Losing her patience, Nightmare moves closer to the lynx, getting slashed again with vicious claws. But the lynx stands its ground.  

[elufae]

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 22/30
Current Trust: 23
Section notes: success!

Nightmare stands her ground as well, and seems to gain the lynx's trust, finally, as it settles down completely in her presence. The doe sighs with relief.  

[elufae]

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 22/30
Current Trust: 25
Section notes: 0/3 clues

Nightmare sits patiently with the lynx, letting the pain of her own wounds dull a bit before moving a little closer. She manages to get within touching distance of the lynx.  

[elufae]

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 22/30
Current Trust: 25
Section notes: 1/3 clues

The lynx shifts its position as it reclines slightly. It's still panting from its pain, but doesn't stir much as Nightmare stands up slowly and steps back a bit. From this angle she can tell the wound is on the lynx's stomach, but not much else.  

[elufae]

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 19/30
Current Trust: 25
Section notes: 2/3 clues

Nightmare moves back to kneel by the animal, who still lays belly up.
She leans in to sniff the lynx's wound, only to get a face full of claws and teeth.
She reels back in pain, but as it starts to fade, she realizes the lynx must have been bitten, as it stares at her in fear.  

[elufae]

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 16/30
Current Trust: 25
Section notes: 3/3 clues

Looking to get to the bottom of this sooner, rather than later, Nightmare holds the lynx down with her hooves, nosing its fur away as it claws and bites at her. Shaped like a row of sharp teeth, it is. She's seen a bite like this before.
Caiman. Nasty creatures. She adored them so.  

[elufae]

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 13/30
Current Trust: 25
Section notes: Intruder HP: 3/10

Nightmare hears a rustling in the bushes beyond her. The lynx jolts up and spins around to face the intruder with a hiss and bristled fur. The doe looks up, expecting the caiman that had wounded this creature. But her stomach dropped when she saw him. A kin ugly beyond compare, his face was unforgettable.

"Impossible..." she uttered under her breath. He should be dead. DEAD. Shaking with a sickly mix of fear and rage, she simply stared at the buck, unsure of what action to take.

But unfettered he kept approaching, his gaze locked on the wounded lynx,
who backed up until it was pressed against her. The buck groaned in agony and rage, lunging at the lynx and snapping his teeth.

No! She had spent too much time trying to save this creature. She was not about to lose it to anything, let alone a wretch that had no business being here.

She stood herself over the lynx, taking a bite in its place, but she had the buck right where she wanted. She clamped her teeth down painfully on his matted neck, blood gushing from her bite.  

[elufae]

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 10/30
Current Trust: 25
Section notes: Intruder HP: -5/10 oops

The buck growled in pain, dropping to a knee. Nightmare panted heavily but she did not relent. She bit down harder as she suffered heavy blows from the buck's kicks. The sickly taste of his blood made her nauseous, but the buck began to fight less and less. She expected him to drop to the floor, but instead she watched as he simply faded away.

Staring in confusion, she did her best to catch her breath and make sense of it all. He was gone. Yet she could still taste his blood as it dripped from her mouth. She could still feel the pain of his bite and kicks....It didn't make any sense.