xThe nervous cackling of hyena thickened the air. A scent of sweat, fear, and blood perfumed around like a macabre beacon- something was going on. Something violent and vicious. On the sun soaked earth just outside the entrance to the caves a small brown woman stood protectively near a fawn carcass, freshly killed and bathed red around its throat. Matching makeup drawn over Vysemala's lips and speckled down her chest- seems she'd made the kill and now surrounding her a pack of scavengers. In total more body mass than her, five hyenas led by a vicious female with one eye paced near her and snapped between their laughs. One after another they took turns trying to distract her while another went for the steal on the food. Among their chorus Vysemala joined with a deep low growl of her own, warning each that came too near with a swipe but they were daring- bravery and stupidity looked so much alike.

The largest female snapped forwards and simultaneously another went for Vysemala's hind leg and bit deep into her upper thigh. The lioness roared and reached around to swipe at the hyena- all the while behind her the remaining creatures dove on the kill and began shuffling it off into the dark for their own feast...

OOC:
Tag: @Mariusx

Marius hadn’t been intending to seek out a meal, but the metallic, flavorful scent of a fresh kill was thick in the air and beckoned him with the allure of sustenance. The colossal lion followed his nose and was unsurprised when the rancid scent of hyena’s joined the savory aroma of his future meal, nor was he surprised when the din of their growling and snarling grew louder as he neared. Hyena’s were miserable, primitive creatures, after all, and he expected nothing more from their barbaric species. Only when the scene came into view, unfolding as several hyena’s congregating savagely around a lone lioness, did the dark paladin feel any sentiment aside from his appetite and his disconnected disregard for a lesser species. Indignation rose in his chest, igniting like a spark on dry kindling, and a roar heralded his immediate advance into the fray. Marius did not know this woman, but he was keenly displeased with the fact that a lesser species thought to take from her what was rightfully a lion’s meal. What his massive girth lacked in maneuverability, he made up for in power, as he would barrel into the hyena that was directly in front of the lioness. Jaws would close around her spine, teeth gouging into her distasteful flesh, and with a powerful heave he would toss her to the side. He would whirl then to face the one that had latched on to the lioness and he would lunge forward with an upraised paw, aiming to smack it against the hyena’s side, claws fully extended to hook into flesh. Wine red eyes were narrowed and focused, but there was a part of him that was vibrantly aware of both the lioness and the kill that she had guarded, which the hyena’s were making off with. @Vysemala

xVysemala had settled on the fact the meal was lost and set about how to get away from these hyena without losing her leg or suffering injury bad enough to put her out for some time. Her blue eyes were wide, worried, but fixed and trying to split focus between the largest female before her and the one gnawing on her leg. Miserable creatures- like the ants they were, useless on their own. Her voice trembled a fearsome sound, rolling around in her throat trying to get the hyena to think better of this when the thunder of the massive male's paw steps droned her out and she stood in the shadow of the colossus.

Menfolk had never really caught her eye but darn if he didn't come close with his impeccable timing and usefulness in this situation. Vysemala wickedly grinned down the hyena who was slapped aside and as Marius surged on the one upon her leg it released her, fully intending to run, and was set upon by both lions instead. Vysemala rounded herself and snapped for the hyena's brutish muzzle and face, teeth tearing and trying to find its neck for a hold. "Get the food!" Vysemala delightfully said between shredding her teeth through the struggling Hyena's spotted brown flesh and fur. Its whoops rang loud in her ear, the melody of joyful revenge.

OOC:
Tag: @Mariusx

The claws of his outstretched mitt were ornamented with blood and tissue as he connected with the flesh of the offending hyena, and the force of his attack coupled with the addition of the lioness’s efforts put off the miserable creature from its attempt. In the heat of his rage, Marius would not have been one to allow the creature to escape so easily, but when the lioness grasped for a hold on its neck, taking full control of the situation despite the injury to her leg, the lion conceded it to her, as the fight was hers by right of retribution. Marius would not interfere with that battle, and instead was turning his focus to the other beasts just as the woman bid him to take back what was rightfully hers. He turned away from her fight and followed the beasts into the dark mouth of the cave. The beasts were not intelligent, but Marius would not deny them what little cleverness they had; they had been quick to carry the kill as far away from the sparring lions as possible. Yet the scent of blood was easy to follow, and he found the remaining three easily enough with their backs against the wall and nowhere else to go. Marius snarled as he lunged forward, meeting one headlong as the other two attempted to attack his sides. Hyena jaws closed around the thick tresses of his mane just as his own fangs tore into the back of its neck. Another potent heave of his jaws snapped the creatures neck just as its companion raked its teeth across the lion’s ribcage, aiming for the sensitive flesh of his underbelly but failing as Marius hoisted the heavy deadweight in his jaws at its companion, knocking it slightly off balance. Another indignant snarl rumbled from his chest as he seized the second and finished him off similarly as he had the first. The third had decided that there were easier kills to be scavenged, and had scampered towards the mouth of the cave, and Marius watched it go with narrowed eyes, taking a moment to gather his breath before he would return to see how the lioness fared. @Vysemala

xVysemala battered but victorious in calls for revenge met the penumbric male half way- her gait severely hampered with the fresh wound. Blood curled around her limb and she was hesitant to put even an ounce of her weight on it when she stopped before him and held her crown aloft like she was not in pain and just as large as he. Somewhere behind her pained whimpers carried away into quiet. Let another scavenger have him, let his companions feast of him if they found him it was a fitting end and one Vysemala would prefer to consuming the hyena herself. "Your timing-" She sounded winded. "-impeccable." Without saying so much she expressed her appreciation and thanks by tone and nod of her head, temporarily lowering it from such lofty positions to momentarily submit to the large man. Her chest heaved, rib cage grew and shrank in quick time as she craved oxygen.

OOC:
Tag: @Mariusx

Despite her wound, the lioness deigned to meet him halfway, her carriage raised with a pride he could not find fault in. The dark paladin knew little of her, but he could attest to her bravery and tenacity, so when they came face to face in the caves, he inclined his chin to her in a courteous but sincere reciprocation. Her praise did not fall on deaf ears, although Marius could not help but glance to the wound that damaged her leg; his timing had not been soon enough. “If you say so,” He snorted, a rumbling displeasure emanating from his chest. “Miserable scavengers.” He would then glance over his shoulder at the carcass that the two of them had fought said pitiful creatures over. Without a word, he retraced his steps and then returned with the carcass between his jaws, only to place it between them and push it forward with the back of his forepaw. “You will need a healer.” He said then without preamble, lifting his wine-red eyes to meet her own.

x"Eh- technicality. Not dead is good enough for me." She too glanced backwards towards her injured leg as it hung an inch above the ground rubied red with macabre veil. Her toes flexed a few times and she twisted her ankle to make sure things were all in working order still. And although she winced against the pulse of pain that came from every movement she could still move. She felt the pain instead of numbness- all good signs and all signs that meant, he was right, she needed a healer. Their gazes met, her skull tilted upwards to a considerable angle to view his vision and dashing façade. "You know any? Healers not miserable scavengers." Her voice cadence flowed and bounced, interrupted by little breaths and slight twinges of pain.

OOC:
Tag: @Mariusx

Her dry wit inspired a semblance of a smile to flit briefly across the dark lion’s mouth, but it only appeared for the courage she exuded in the face of her injury. Marius had been in scraps enough before to recognize that she must be in a world of pain, and even if the hyena’s bite should offer no lasting damage, her attitude in the face of it was commendable. “I do not,” He replied as his striped features tightened with concern and his red gaze flickered back to her wound. The lion moved closer, shifting around the smaller lioness so he could better examine the injury. “I might be able to help, but to say I know the basics of healing is generous.” He offered after a moment of thoughtful consideration, and he tilted his head back to consider her reaction. Having been in fights before, he understood the general idea of what doctoring a wound entailed – although in the interest of transparency, he had always been the audience to those procedures. Still, it was simple right? Stem the flow of blood, put some moss over it, and rest… Easy peasy. @Vysemala | so sorry for the wait!

As best she could Vysemala hobbled herself around a paw and into a position where Marius could better take a look at the wound. Her head wove tightly around and over her shoulder, glancing backwards so hard she nearly was going cross eyed trying to fancy a better look herself to no success. "I don't think you can make it much worse." Vysemala said with more hope in her voice than certainty. The pains and aches were growing and she had taken enough bruises to know it was going to get worse before it got better. Especially if it ended up infected via whatever nasty microbes that Hyena harbored in its jaws. He was her only immediate option. Vysemala's forelimbs bent partially so that her chest came to the ground where she rolled onto a shoulder. Her hind followed slowly, twisting so her injury faced upwards. The relief that came from getting off her feet was palpable- she heavily sighed and closed her eyes to a smile on her features.

@Marius

Marius would not blame her if she refused his offer of amateur healing skills, it was certainly possible that she was better off taking care of herself or perhaps even just yelling for help until a good samaritan wandered into hearing distance. But she accepted with the same stoic grace he was coming to admire, and the corners of his lips twitched with the thought of a smile. “Let’s hope,” He replied, the barest trace of humor found in the depths of his baritone as his eyes flicked from her face back to her wound. As the lioness made herself relatively comfortable, Marius paced away to the entrance of the cave, seeking the healing flora he was familiar with. Having no experience being on this side of things, it took the colossal feline longer than he would have liked, but he returned soon enough with a layer of moss held delicately between his teeth. Placing it carefully on the stone, his eyes flicked over her once more to assess her condition, concern renewed in his expression. “I don’t have anything for the pain,” He explained apologetically as he reclined to his belly, maneuvering his figure so that he faced her and her injured limb. Marius fell silent then, his motivation subdued by a sudden hesitation. It seemed unfair to continue to ask her to tough it out, but he had no other solution to offer. Red eyes would settle again on her expression, expectant and apologetic all at once as he awaited her consent to proceed. @Vysemala