This content might touch on topics that are sensitive or triggering for some readers. Trigger Warning for mentions of [Self Harm]

ooc: ** means French speaking, too lazy to translate. It hadn't taken long for him to catch up to his wife and son, he had lagged though. His ears were flat in his mane, and he felt sick to his stomach. He had almost lost not just his son, but his wife too. How could he have been so stupid? How could he think that he was strong enough to defend all of them? Sitting a few yards from the den he watched them disappear into it. Tripfire wasn't sure if she would come back out alone or with all the cubs. And a declaration of leaving. Sighing heavily he grunted in frustration as an eruption of emotions left him, he didn't even realize he had slid into a lying position. Or that in his stressed state of mind and consumed by the guilt he was scratching across his right eye leaving four deep lacerations to bleed heavily. And eventually, the left paw would seek to claw across the top of his right leg. He didn't even seem to feel it at this point. "talk"

Art and Code by Cloudy
@Pyracantha

Pyracantha had surprisingly stayed quiet all the way to the den, save for a few sniffles and her soft breathing as she carried her son to safety, though tears still slipped down her cheeks, the calico rushed him inside and sat him down gently between her front paws before laying down and hugging him once again to her chest. Don't you ever do anything like that again! Do you hear me? She wasn't so much as yelling as she was sobbing in his fur, finally away from the overwhelming crowd, where she could release everything, her cries broke like a dam.

Her voice was shaky as she spoke into Mars fur, her tone carried that of a mother's, a special power all mothers gave when discipling their children when they've done something dangerous and stupid. Do you have any idea what could have happened? You need to promise me you'll never do that again! She finally looked up, eyes searching for Beñat and Venus, making sure everyone was safe, the incident with Mars had caused the lioness to feel something she'd never truly felt. Terror, and the inability to actually do anything, she couldn't move the male off her child, she couldn't do anything from grovel at his feet, and it made her feel absolutely small.

She hadn't noticed Tripfires presence until she heard him growl outside in frustration, the female would nuzzle her son once more, Stay. Put. All three of you. It was clear she was not playing, the look in her eyes daring either of them to test her patience. As she came out of their den, She grasped as his harm done, her led carried hee over quickly, Trip, what are you doing!? She placed herself against him, if he went to hit himself, he would hit her.

This content might touch on topics that are sensitive or triggering for some readers. Trigger Warning for mentions of [Self Harm]

ooc: ** means French speaking, too lazy to translate. Ears could hear his wife giving Mars an earful, he would give his own later. Once he was done punishing himself that is. Suddenly she was pushing into him and he stayed his paw from causing himself further harm. Only because if he tried he would end up hurting her, and he was never going to do that. His wife's voice made him shake and he whimpered. The blood was pooling into his right eye making it hard to see, so he shut it. He was gasping now and he was hating how weakness was wracking his body. ""It's ok.. mon amour.." he muttered while he forced a strained smile towards her. "I am so sorry... Please do not leave ... I need you beside me," he found himself pleading like she had done to Dragos not but a moment ago. If she wished to cut his flesh for him being an idiot then he allow it. "talk"

Art and Code by Cloudy
@Pyracantha

The lioness was still shaky from earlier, she purposely held herself in the way of his paws, incase he got any ideas, she would take the brunt of the harm that would be meant for him. Her fur was staining with blood, but she didn't even bat an eye as crimson mixed with the sapphire and gold, and it rusted out of white, he shakes and whimpers, and she gently lifts a paw, wiping the blood from his eye carefully. My love... She whispers softly, Tripfire, why?

"I am so sorry... Please do not leave ... I need you beside me,"

She shakes her head softly, Tripfire, I couldn't leave you, even if I'd wanted to. That's foolish to think of, even if you mess up, even if you make a decision that is wrong and don't listen to me, I will still be here after the rubble has settled. To tell you, I told you so, and I love you. Now get your ass up, and get inside the den. Her voice got a sterner tone to it as she looked down at him.

ooc: Pyracantha began to cover him in such a way he could not access his flesh. And he was grateful. Hearing her words he let out a short strained chuckle before he spoke. "**I don't know what I did to deserve you in my life, but I am eternally grateful," he spoke to her tears had began to roll down his cheeks and he hadn't even noticed while he searched her face for even a hint of a lie. The bleeding had slowed by now the swelling came and he wouldn't be opening his eye for a bit. He knew it was still there though. Carefully he stood to attempt to nuzzle his wife, hoping she didn't mind the blood. "Wait," he uttered in hushed tones. He had to tell her what she had married into. "My family... we... are cannibals... That is why you always find us on the battlefield, hard to resist the smell of blood," he explained carefully French tones curling around his words giving it a poetic tinge to a dark revelation. "Soon, to carry the Dieudonne name, they too will taste the flesh of their kind. You do not have to of course," he looked dowm at his bleeding arm with a heavy sigh. "This is why. I punish myself for not revealing that to you sooner," he added and looked at her with a slightly scared and worried expression. "I do not like Nazonal's condition, and I shall seek her to find the rest of the story and apologize" he added seriously, Nazonal and Asteria could never be his enemies. But he could never go against family either. "talk"

Art and Code by Cloudy
@Pyracantha

He speaks of his gratefulness and she smiles gently, leaning against him to support his body as they walk back to the den, her eyes set forward, on their home, Saved me from freezing more than once. She offers, gently joking, an answer to his, What did i do to deserve you? question. She could see the bleeding had slowed, his eye was swollen shut, but she only gave a gentle huff.

I've half a mind to swat you myself after this. But you've banged yourself up quite good enough. She stated before he paused and told her to wait, the lioness did as told, obeying her husband. She lets his finish before she sideways glances to him and laughs, You thought I didn't know? Our second meeting you said if I'd been found by another male you would have ate him. She giggles and shakes her head, I'm not stupid, I listen more than you know, and I figure things out.

She hardened at Nazonals name, the days event still hot on her mind, She made her choice, what your family did was wrong, your uncle, he's a disgusting male. But she allowed my child to stay in harms way. She's no friend of mine. Am I grateful for her help? Yes, will I seek her out to apologize? No

ooc: ** means French speaking, too lazy to translate. That was true he had saved her from being frozen during those weird cold days they had. His ears folded back while he listened to her speak, he felt foolish, he never assumed her stupid but maybe naive. And she was right, he didn't give her credit where it was due. She saw things and understood them without much explanation. Beginning to walk again he gave a weak smile, they would disagree on his cousin being a 'disgusting' male. Tripfire sort of admired his work of late, breaking jaws and shredded faces beyond recognition. "For Beñat, I will make a peace offering. And we should probably not tell him what happened with Nazonal," he encouraged his wife while they walked to the den. Pausing outside its mouth he moved to kiss the top of his wife's head speaking quietly, "I love you Pyracantha, I am sorry to have caused you to worry," he let them have a few seconds of silence before he inhaled deeply then exhaled. Time to be the big scary dad he supposed. Entering the den he saw Mars sulking in the corner with Beñat trying to reassure him. Tripfire approached them and nodded for Beñat to move, ignoring his son wide-eyed gaze at his wounds. "**When we say 'run', you listen. When we say go with your siblings, you listen. You do not listen to your aunt's commands in battle right now," voice was firm and deep, driving the point home that Mars needed to pay attention and listen better. After a moment of cold staring he sighed lying down he motioned for Mars to come to him. "Come, let me see you," he encouraged his rebellious son who waddled over while sniffling. He gave a soft smile nuzzling his son to reassure him he was still loved, just that his parents were very worried. "talk"

Art and Code by Cloudy
@Pyracantha

ooc: ---

The second his feet hit the floor of the den he had intended to run and hide in a corner. But his mother was hugging him too tight to do so, he felt guilt swirl inside him and he hated the sensation. He was crying and trying to hide it but nodded his head quickly when she asked him to never do anything like that again. Beñat was quick to come to him but he growled at him, moving to go sulk in a corner. Mother had left the den but Mars had zero intentions of leaving it. In fact he didn't feel like doing much at all, he curled up facing the wall glaring at it. As if it was the wall's fault for his poor decisions and lack of bravery.

It didn't take long for them to come back, and he heard his father chuff to Beñat to give them space. Mars turned with an angry sulking face that softened into a slightly more horrified one. What had happened to dads face!? Was this... because of him?! Then he spoke firmly and Mars ears flicked back, he nodded sniffling while lifting a paw to wipe away the tears. Then he was beckoned forwards so he moved to snuggle up to Tripfire's chest wincing at the pain in his ribs. They weren't broken but bruised from the heavy weight of Dragos' paw. ""**i am sorry mama, papa... I will listen." he promised in a small voice.


""

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@Pyracantha

When they had left the challenge he had seen his brother run headlong for some big male. But before he could even entertain the thoughts of rushing in his mother was shouting commands at them. With a groan, he nudged Venus forward encouraging her to go. When they arrived at the den Beñat began to pace at its entrance. Worry consumed him, would they all make it back? He tried to be a strong positive big brother but he was finding that difficult right now.

Then he saw them and he grinned with relief, "Venus! They are back!" he called to her then quickly moved to allow Pyracantha into the den and chastised Mars for his foolishness. Where was dad? Before he could ask she was rushing out of the den and demanding they stay put. So Beñat turned to try and comfort his brother but was met with a growl. He growled back, "Watch it," he started then added, "I am still your big brother, I am just trying to help," he understood why Mars was growling but he wouldn't take his shit today or any other day.

Tripfire approached and when Beñat began to turn he had to hide a gasp of surprise. What happened to him!? A worried glance was given to Pyracantha but he moved to let his father scold Mars. Moving to approach Venus and give her a reassuring lick before lying down to watch.


"talk"

coded by flea + background credit
@Pyracantha

When Mother had begun leading the cubs away, Venus was in tow without a fight, she pinned her ears back and made herself as tiny as possible as she tried to get away, but then her Aunt's voice called out for the Bluffs to attack and she, in a moment of weakness almost did the same as her brother. But she stopped behind Beñat, horrified expression given as Mars ran towards a giant lion, and she had moved to run after him, always the protective sister, but Mother ordered Beñat to take her home and she cried out, No! But she had been hauled away, screaming, crying, scratching until she was plopped in the den.

That's where she sat now, eyes red still from crying, when Mother had came in with Mars gripped tightly, she'd ran over, but stopped once she realized Pyra was sobbing and chastising Mars. When Mother walked outside, Venus threw herself at Mars, trying to hug him but being ignores as he stalked away to glare at the wall. Mars..

She watched and waited when Mother and father came back inside, her eyes looking to her father's wounds curiosity before Mars gets all of everyone's attention and whines, a pout on her face. She was supposed to be Papa's princess, did she have to almost get killed to get attention? Of course, she was just being a drama queen .

code by corvus