THROWING SHADE ;; raid

This was . . . going to be messy, wasn't it? Softvelvet had been circling around above, looking down from above to make sure no one was trespassing on their lands and to look for a quick bite to eat when he spots Always Dead and her army of dimwit Ruiners. Of course, she seemed to be accompanied by another clan and that clan so happened to be, of course, the Veil. Ugh, politics made everything so screwy and this was why he hated dealing with them. Angling his wings, he swoops down and skids to a stop before Always Dead, vermilion eyes aflame. "Go home, Always." He says, jaws tight with tension as his eyes flick across her and her accompanying Ruiners. "You don't want to ruin what we have, do you?" He was sure she could smell the Dynasty on him. He could only hope his threat would make her reconsider withdrawing her forces and that the rest of the Exiles would rally behind him soon. Would she dare ruin their "alliance" over beating the Exiles into the ground? Perhaps he could use this to his advantage in some way . . . The gears were turning in his brain whilst he held such a confident position, wings spread in case he needed to take off into the skies again.

✧

^{Always was not alone, as evidenced by the dark brown tabby following after the Ruins leader, her fur rich with the scent of pine and Shadow Veil. She seemed...ready, if not especially ferocious; alert and well-prepared as opposed to bloodthirsty. This premeditation was possibly more concerning than a mindless enthusiasm for war, but likely it would not be dwelt upon by her opponents, as she - as nothing more than a domestic cat - would easily be overshadowed by her broader and sharper of tooth and claw fellows. Besides, she wasn't especially noteworthy, not as Softvelvet descended before them. She understood as she paused beside the Leader that the focus was now on him, and this might play out rather differently depending on how Always (and Soundcheck, when he got here) reacted. The green-eyed feline did not attack, and instead stayed where she was, attention resting upon the winged hybrid.}

Ugh. This again. Everyone was sure to have a rational and empathetic discussion here now weren't they. He raised an eyebrow at Vel, in his opinion the 'angel' was throwing away his relations for nothing, but hey at least there was a small chance of it working, he supposed? He was actually impressed by the Saboteur's willingness to risk something for the Exiles even though nobody had asked him to - it was a stupid risk, of course (in the ocelot's opinion) but it still warranted some newfound respect nonetheless. Lock decided he'd wait and see how this played out before actually starting a fight, but as soon as someone attacked he intended to react, to defend his sister if nothing else.

//lock is here but only willing to fight npcs cause i h8 pvp roleplay

god another raid? i was beginning to think that everyone was against us. glancing towards my clanmates, i knew i had to fight here as gunslinger rather than medic. i couldn’t let the other side see how valuble it’d be to take me out. "oh bloodly hell what now? don’t you mutts know when to quit? just go home. " i glanced down at the domestic feline, wondering how she felt to see me towering above her. perhaps being a canien did have its advantages after all.

The sound of voices would draw the girl over and she would follow the scent of her clanmates. Coming to stand beside her brother, Blindlove would shift uncomfortably - though making an effort not to make her nerves evident. The girl was clearly not found of conflict and hoped that they would indeed reconsider their plan at Softvelvet's words. If not, Blind would retreat to the sidelines where she would help heal but do her best to stay out of the fighting. For a brief moment her concerns of meeting Smoothoperator on the battle field struck her hard, before she noted none of the scents matched the Blackheart Rogues. The silver mamba curled around her front feet, hissing softly as the snake lifted her broad head to glare at the intruders.

———— Belial Tathamet ————

I AM ALL EYES, I AM ALL EARS

This was troubling.

Perhaps Belial's vocalizations regarding the Toxic Accord had reached some ears that they shouldn't have. No matter. Softvelvet was trying to bargain with them-- though, should they proceed with their attack, Belial couldn't foresee a future in which Sofie would turn on the Exiles and aid his 'allies'. Indeed, he believed the other would have to make a very important decision here regarding the future of Agrelos, and he hoped that it would be the right one. Times were changing, after all.

The Exiles Leader was not happy with the situation, regardless. He had half a mind to tear those disgusting cretins apart before they even replied to Softvelvet's request. The male's presence nearly engulfed the canyon, this analytical gaze not missing out on any feature that could help them drive the invaders off. He strode up beside Glasshouse, allowing his tail to curl gently around her, giving a her a knowing nod. She was falling ill, and they would have to have a conversation later. "Glass, please go rest. I can tell you aren't feeling well." He mentioned to her in a hushed voice, gazing down with an almost pleading stare. Although he made his presence known, he nonetheless allowed Softvelvet to take the primary position, keeping Glasshouse company instead.

So, Belial would speak his warning. Perhaps it was more provocative than anyone hoped, but he didn't care. He did not allow filth on his land. "You are not welcome on our territory. Your crimes have never gone unnoticed. Read a history book if you think yourselves the victims. Leave before I tear you to shreds." Though his words were not particularly harsh sounding, they were true.

"Speech."

^{The group gradually got bigger and Lastbastion was - perversely - slightly amused. She had never before seen a fight turn into a negotiation, and wondered vaguely if they knew that she was just here as backup, to support the Ruiners. Not like she cared - she held in her heart no regard for the Exilers, even though by their leader's posturing they were yet again trying to remake themselves, trying to escape their sordid past. Their opinion of her or her Clan did not matter to her; all that mattered was this present moment. Surviving it, and observing it, gleaning all the information she could and living to tell about it. She curled her dark tail around one of her hind legs and kept her ears pricked for any sign of a response from Always, scanning mint eyes over the assembled crowd. As confident as she was in her own intelligence and stamina, and in the capabilities of Garrus's mother, it was nigh on impossible for her and the queen to take on six people - and she understood that she would gladly flee this battle without instruction, even if it meant a loss of reputation. What was much more important than her reputation was that she got home tonight, because she had kits to care for and hunting patrols to go on.}

^{This - war, aggression, political power moves failed and successful, temporary triumphs that would inevitably become meaningless, and losses that would in time lose their raw edge and be only a sour memory - was not what life was made of, nor made for. To her, the real meaning of life was the simplest of things, the theoretically least important - the scent of the air after a good, heavy snowfall, clean ice mingling with pine; the awe-inspiring sound of little feet pattering, especially when those feet belonged to her kids; the quiet moments of joy, pain, and companionship. These were what she lived for, where others might've lived for the conquest, the blood, the showmanship. She was not that sort. To her, battle and all its connotations were means to an end; occasionally necessary tools to use to defend what really mattered. She did not much like dealing with the former sort, but it was inevitable, particularly when you lived and worked in an AntiClan. When she found them in her own Clan, she gave quiet thanks for their fiery motivation and tried her best to keep them from going off-track; and when she found them in other Clans, well...mostly she did this. She watched, and listened, and readied herself for an attack of any sort.}

It had taken him a bit, but Soundcheck was finally here. He didn't see anyone attacking though. His gaze swept the area. Lastbastion was here...and so was Always. But they were outnumbered by the Exiles. He let out a soft gasp as he spotted Softvelvet. Why was he here? He didn't think Always invited him, and Soundcheck didn't enlist the Dynasty's help in this raid. Is he...part of the Exiles? Well. Didn't that change things. His thoughts were interrupted by Belial blabbering on about some crimes. "Oh? And exactly what 'crimes' have the Ruins and the Veil committed? Please. Do enlighten us, Belial. After all, you are the ones that kept my filth of a sister on your lands, no? That's criminal enough." He wasn't as annoying as Aleksei, but he was close. A small smirk was on the hellhound's maw.

//ic opinions!

(c)trexgirl

Softvelvet eyes the Veil's leader as he did himself, tail giving slow and apprehensive strokes behind himself as more Exilers arrived on the scene. Thank goodness he wouldn't get ran over now that everyone was at his side, clearly outnumbering the pathetic raid party. Ears are shoved forth upon his head, his glare unwavering as he turns to Soundcheck. The Shadowkeeper was . . . ignorant, should he say? No Clan is without their crimes and it was funny the hellhound thought that he and the Ruins had squeaky clean records. "I'm sure you and the Ruins had committed plenty of heinous crimes in the past since we're apparently bringing that up." The Dynasty leader says as his stance eases, taking up Belial's side with little thought. "As does the Dynasty as well - what is your point? You cannot feign ignorance here."

✧

Was Soundcheck . . . serious? Has the hellhound ever heard of an history book before? Softvelvet himself didn't read, but he could at least take the initiative and have someone read aloud the history of the clan he led. The Veiler that paraded as an leader was becoming more and more of a joke to the Emperor. "Oh, it's written down in your history books Soundcheck - ever tried reading it?" He responds coolly. However, when his loyalty comes into question, he snaps his jaws together as an hiss leaves his parted maw. "I am owned by no one, you overgrown mutt." His fur is bristling now and his blood quickly reaching its boiling point. It was then that Glasshouse rose to defend him and what seething fury he had that burned pale cheeks simmered down to an mere smolder. Vermilion eyes flicker over to the woman for a brief moment, eternally thankful as he raises his head higher, smirk enveloping deceivingly endearing features. "She's right, you know. You and the Ruins can quit acting like holy saints because neither of you are by a long shot." He shrugs slim shoulders, uncaring as he tries to smooth down his own fur. If Soundcheck wanted to play ignorance, then he would gladly let him reap the consequences of being so idiotic. "You're wasting everyone's time here by loitering on the Exiles' border if all you're going to do is make yourselves look like fools - to which you've already done fantastically, by the way. Go home if you're not gonna put up a fight."

✧

See? Everyone was being perfectly rational and empathetic just as he anticipated. Complete with name-calling and sarcasm. Lock chuckled dryly to himself. He did have to concede, though, he was surprised that both sides were capable of using their words. It was actually kind of nice, and surely it would be boring without a little bit of fire in it. But he was ready to get to the point. "Anyone care to enumerate exactly what anyone did and why? Is this about that one psycho killer we exiled?"

A laugh came from Soundcheck's maw as he waved a paw. "No need. He's already chosen a side. And I've already made my verdict." He rolled his eyes. "The Exiles is on everyone's "hatred" list. Remember when they were the Renegades? Remember when they actually tried to be nice? Yeah, I do too. Unfortunately that all changed due to one leader's ignorant foolish ways." His gaze drifted to Belial, and he snickered--but not before Softvelvet spoke up. History books? "Hey Softie, ever heard of "not every creature is immortal"? Oh, it's an amazing fact. I actually happen to fall into that statistic. I don't need history books when I have you. So go on. Educate me." At this point Soundcheck felt like his guts were going to go all over the place. "I thought the Exiles were to be feared. I thought you were no bark and all bite. Shrivenshade would have attacked by now but all you keep doing is flapping your gums making claims you can't back up." He rolled his eyes. "However...I'm always happy to make the first move if the Exiles are too lazy to get off their asses and do something. How pathetic. BlizzardClan has more decency. At least toying with Aleksei is more fun."

//ic opinions ofc

(c)trexgirl

Eat, kill, kill, eat.. The thought buzzed through her head, jaws slow to open as thick black ooze dribbled down from her teeth and tongue to curve around her bottom jaw and drip upon the ground. The large beast was hungry and she wanted to eat them but no one was doing anything. They were talking, talking, running their mouths with their civilized talk but her own point was to consume and devour. She sought pain and anguish, anger and hatred and it had led her here. But this was just pathetic to lay her eyes upon. Her primal needs needed to be met and she was starving. Her thick forked tail lashed back and forth as she looked over those that had showed up the smells of both Ruins and Veil siphoning into her nostrils. Though there was no real care for the stenches that were present here. All she cared about was devouring them till their bones were stripped of any flesh that could possibly escape her scrapping and gnawing teeth. Slowly she began to step forward with hackles raised and muzzle curled to reveal large and thickly sharp teeth, black tongue flicking out slowly.

"Who's said I've picked a side? I'm merely stating my opinions, Soundcheck." Softvelvet felt like he could pop a vein listening to Soundcheck talk. Now he saw why Michael terminated his alliance with the Veil - their leader was an idiot and their clan clambered after him like spoiled little children who didn't know any better. He snorts at the canine's claims of not being immortal - was this man some kind of fool? What did that have to do with anything he said? He rolls his eyes, turning to Lockdown as he inquired the entirety of the crowd that stood tense and ready at the border. "I'd assume the psychopath we exiled is a part of the problem but Soundcheck here also mentioned something about his sister? I've not a clue what that's about, however." He says before allowing his gaze to roll back to Soundcheck, snickering at his idiocy. "It's not my fuckin' job to educate you on what you should already know. Isn't this your second time leading the Veil? How can you call yourself a leader if you don't know of the history of the clan you lead? You have some pathetic excuses, Soundcheck, and it's not going to cut it here." He raises a brow as he shoved a paw in Soundcheck's direction, daring him to try and talk down to him any further as if he were a mere child. He continues smoothly nonetheless, vocals sickly sweet as he looks around for Breakout. Surely the other hellhound would be glad to knock out Soundcheck's lights on his command. "My god, he's deaf and stupid - someone save him from himself."

He silently looks to Belial now, since the panther had yet to speak at all given what's happened. He was rather sure the other could break the news to Soundcheck that the Veil was not at all as pristine as they claim to be simply because the male seemed much more knowledgeable about the clan's history than it's own goddamned leader. It was mere common sense, was it not? Not everyone was perfect. The Shadow Veil was labeled as an AntiClan for a reason - and it was because they all had blacker than black morals. Sofie merely watched as yet another person - someone he didn't recognize, oh my - crept onto the scene, clearly disinterested in all of the talk that was happening. She seemed a lot like the drooling Shadow Veiler over there, but Sofie was willing to bet that this mysterious lady would attack them anyway without much prompting.

/ ic opinions

✧

———— Belial Tathamet ————

I AM ALL EYES, I AM ALL EARS

Poor Glasshouse was not to be out here. Ears flattened, he gave her one finally glance before releasing a sigh. She was going to be out here whether he liked it or not. He gave her a tiny smile, nuzzling his nose slightly into her much smaller form before stepping forward. All bark and no bite. Very well, Belial would have to teach them how to bite again. These words, every lie spilled before him, this was too much. The leader was growing very angry very fast. This was not worth it. He needed bloodshed, now.

Shadow Veil filth had uttered too many words. He should have killed them before they even had the chance to spew such revisionist garbage. Proof? They wanted proof? Luckily for them, Belial lived and breathed that proof. "You may have scrubbed your own history books clean, but let me make one thing clear." The leader traipsed closer toward the small raiding party that had joined together, trying to shove his nose right into Soundcheck's. "Both your clans have harbored celebrated criminals for years. Domeric. Hostesscupcakes. Sitri. These are just a few names of those fiends I have seen with my own two eyes. You stand here and lie to someone who has seen more than you ever will." He stepped away, spitting on the ground before Soundcheck. He moved back toward the Exiles side, but he paused halfway, turning his body to the side.

On his hind right leg, a clear scar could be seen. Oh yes, he was going to show it off this time. The scar he had always kept so secretive he was revealing, for all to see. "Here's your proof you vermin! The mark of a Shadowclan rapist. Carved into my flesh for as long as I live. And that's something you can't wash from your dreaded history." He spat his final words. The memories were flooding back to him in a way he wasn't capable of comprehending. It was time for them all to pay. Too many years had past since he'd tasted Shadowclan blood. "Cover your eyes, Glass." And, before anyone could utter another word, Belial would raise hundreds of tiny stone shards, aiming to send each and every one of them clean through Soundcheck's skull.

"Speech."

"You insulting me as well as attacking me and my group for some history is proof enough, Softvelvet. No need to lead the Dynasty when you have good old Belial, right? Besides, if those are your opinions, why did you even bother to ally with our group, hmm? Seems a bit ironic." The hellhound sneered, showing pearly white teeth. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a slinking figure--Sekhmet. She didn't look...right in the male's eyes, and a wary expression crossed his maw as he paused in his addressing of Softvelver's words. However his gaze broke away, and he regretted not having telepathy. He just had to hope Always or Lastbastion spotted Sekhmet and dealt with her in the meantime. "Sure you don't. Surely you've lived as long as I've had here in Agrelos, Softie. Surely you've heard of Mingan in some shape or form. She lived here long ago until Shrivenshade kicked her out. She eats kiddies like you, you know. Better watch your back." Soundcheck was just having fun at this point. He felt like those creatures who drank...what was it called? Beer? Yeah. And it made you drunk and loopy. But Soundcheck wasn't a beer man. "So you admit to the Exiles being lazy asses? My, my. You do know I have no idea whom has stayed in the Veil other than Feliks criminal-wise, right? I don't keep a checklist of every single joiner. Scrutinize them as soon as their faces show up at the border. And I imagine neither does Always. You have some impossible standards for the Dynasty, don'tcha." He snickered. "I've only been in the Shadow Veil since the tail-end of Sekhmet's reign. That was only a mere few months ago. Time does move fast." A playful roll of his eyes hammered his points in. "Believe me, I'm not deaf or stupid. You seem to be describing yourself rather well, though. I love a good meet-and-greet." A hearty laugh escaped his maw before Belial spoke up.

"No idea who those people are, Belial. Again, you and Softie seem to think I'm an immortal being who's a well-versed native of Agrelos, when in fact I'm not. Don't worry--another leader made the same mistake. It happens." Soundcheck waved a paw. He eyed the scar on Belial's leg through half-closed eyes. It was an impressive scar, a battle wound as he called it. He changed bodies so often he didn't really have a physical scar to show. "Uh-huh. Well that rapist is now gone. No rapists lurk in our group--I've made sure of it." The hellhound was cut short as he spotted Belial lifting hundreds of sharp stone shards. They moved so fast the hellhound barely had time to move, and many shards did pierce his thin fur, leaving small cuts where they hit--however, he did put up a fire shield as soon as he could, watching as the rest of the shards bounced off the shield and fell to the ground, charred by the flames. "Good Belial! Now the real fun begins." With a grin as wide as the moon on his maw, the hellhound would attempt to hurl a fireball at Belial.

//p much everything he says is ic opinions at this point aha

(c)trexgirl