(On phone so no code right now!)

Thanks to his lovely wife, Viridian had been in constant pain since their fight. He held wounds to his frame and bruises as well- the fact Valencia had even thought to tear his skin made Viridian’s blood boil still. The only thing that made him feel better was the memory of him slamming her to the ground- and the image of defeat on her frame.

Trailing into the gardens, the devil gazed around the area with a slight frown to his features. He didn’t know anything about healing- herbs weren’t his knowledge nor did he believe that he needed to know anything about them. Healing was for the job of a lioness- not for the man. Licking his lips, he trekked forward with a thoughtful mind. Maybe he could make Valencia come out here and gather him some herbs.

Yet, the scent of another came and Viridian soon lifted his head to observe a lioness in the distance. @Calypso was afar, but her scent was noticeable much as her frame was. He watched as she gathered at the herbs around, picking certain flowers, and Viridian tilted his head. He wondered how to approach her- to get her to tend to his wounds. Staying afar, Viridian let out a chuff , looking to summon her attention towards him and his injured state.

It was a common state for her, picking flowers. Women's work, he might think, but she would be quick to lash him with her tongue for the implication. They were not just pretty flowers but deadly tools - for in her pile of growing herbs there were plants that could kill as much as there were plants that could heal. Of course she could not claim to know his thoughts and turned to the interruption with a neutral expression. An arched brow, at first, before it became clear exactly what the issue was. "Somet'in I cen do for ye?" No matter how clear it may be that he was injured she was not in the habit of giving without being asked. At least not when the second party was still capable of basic courtesy. @Viridian +5 Collect herbs

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Pretty and peach she was. Viridian was interested in her by her looks- she was attractive. Better than Valencia? Perhaps not- but enough to keep the devil’s interest pointed at her. His face remained cool and collected as she took note of him. Her words stirred a satisfaction in him. Yes. Notice me. “Have you gathered enough herbs to spare?” Mild was the question, Viridian taking a few steps closer- letting his question work in multiple ways as it was asked to her. A test… looking to see her behavior. Was she a bold lioness, or a weak one? Would she be a fighter- or a runner? A beggar? Oh, he couldn’t wait to find out. But he knew one thing- he’d be determined she tended to him one way or another. @Calypso "Speech." |

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she gathered her bundle of herbs and tucked them close to her paws, ensuring she did not lose track of any that she had collected. meanwhile she watched him, wary and cautious, unsure of the energy he was putting out. calypso had not survived to this point in her life by being naive. there was an energy in the air that she could not place, but she watched him carefully because of it. her crafted mask did not slip, her expression remained neutral, but she was cautious. "per'aps," maybe she did, maybe she didn't, though already she was taking stock of his injuries as she studied him. calypso did not live by a medic's creed, she would not give her skills to those that she did not deem worthy or deserving. thus her continuation - "depends who's askin'" she would watch him as he answered and she would make her judgement then. @Viridian +5 Collect herbs 2/2

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She didn’t fold into him as he had wished. Instead of jumping at the chance to heal him, to mend his wounds, she questioned him. How annoying, Viridian thought to himself. As if she really had the power to ask who he has? She should be lucky he was taking an interest in her. But alas, it seemed not every lioness was as obedient or grateful as his treasure. A smile came to his lips, sickly sweet. “Does that matter?” His head tilted, another step take closer to her- attempting to try and close the distance between them more and more. “You are a healer-“ A lioness, and should do as I say. He held back those thoughts though.. for now. “-shouldn’t my wounds be enough for your aid to be given?” Because Viridian wasn't the type to ask nicely. Oh, not at all. His patience was thin and if this lioness kept dancing around the act of helping him, well, she may end up being the one to need a healer. @Calypso "Speech." |

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The warnings bells flashed loud in her mind and she curled her lip in a snarl as he moved in to her space. While there remained some ground between them it was far too little for her liking and her warning was clear - back the fuck off. "Hardly. M' skills are not so freely given." He would do well to learn some damn manners, or at the very least recognize that not all would bend to his beck and call. Perhaps there were enough in the world meek enough to follow but she was not one of them, and if he pushed her any further she would not hesitate to retaliate. She had torn flesh from body for far less than the rudeness he had given. Narrowed gaze focused on his features and committed them to memory. "Ye will no' be receivin' my help." In case that wasn't clear.

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Rebellious. The lioness had no sense of order- how sad it was. So many females these days were brainwashed to believe they had power? That they were better than males- than him? The lioness beige him didn’t know of him- didn’t know his strength. Perhaps he could of forgiven her for that… but her snarling at him? Lips lifted to reveal his fangs, long and dangerous, beyond ready to tear to her flesh. “The skills of a female don’t come with a price.” Viridian noted with a dark laugh. He attempted to inch closer, eyes turning to a predatory glint, looking to her as if she was his prey now. In a way she was. She was a lioness who needed to be put in her place- and unfortunately for her she had struck both his interest and anger. “Oh? That is not up to you.” He responded as she declared he wouldn’t be receiving her aid. Shaking his head, there was a false amusement to his face, but soon switched to a dark expression as he let his anger at her disrespect take hold. Growling, Viridian attempted to lurch forward and close the distance between them, right paw extending in an attempt to slap across her face- claws unsheathed. Viridian vs @Calypso for dominance 1 / 3 Hits: Rolling 7d20: 13 + 9 + 10 + 17 + 19 + 1 + 6 Dodges: Rolling 4d20: 8 + 12 + 4 + 16 Luck: Rolling 5d20: 10 + 18 + 15 + 6 + 3 "Speech." |

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Note: edit ok’d by rhaps. Calypso was no fool. His intentions were clearly dark, his manner shrouded in a way that put her on edge. He reminded her of the beasts at home and the way they had sought to put her in her place - they were the reason her body was scruffy and dirty and unappealing. Everything she did was meant to deter. Guarded, she did not allow him to lessen the space between them any further, a step back taken in order to keep it. Calypso did not like to give up ground, especially to the likes of him, but her self preservation was strong. Sometimes. Her muscles tensed and her claws clenched the soft earth under her paws as she instinctively spread her weight evenly over all four limbs. Her tail snapped behind her and she watched him closely. His words elicited a rumbling growl from her chest and her snarl increased in volume, every part of her screaming at him to keep back. Evidently he didn’t listen. In the blink of an eye he was lunging forward and she was shifting her weight to scramble back, leaning away from his attack and feeling his claws scrape the fur of her nose. Her previous movements and her readiness allowed her to escape serious injury - here her smaller size and athleticism would work in her favour. The scratches bled but not heavily, and she did not take time to consider the damage before she went on the offensive. Her weight piled on to her haunches as she shoved forward to close the distance again and attempted a similar attack, right leg snapping up with claws extended as she aimed for his face. He wanted to make her bleed? She would happily try to return the favour. Meanwhile she kept her chin tucked towards her chest to protect her neck - she did not trust him to not try to kill her if she let her guard down. Calypso vs @Viridian for dominance 1 / 3 Hits: Rolling 4d20: 5 + 10 + 15 + 20 Dodges: Rolling 4d20: 8 + 11 + 3 + 5 Luck: Rolling 5d20: 18 + 9 + 8 + 4 + 15

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There was a deep satisfaction that played through his gut at her reaction. She tried to lean away from him, to miss his attacking claws- but she failed. While his claws didn’t cut her as deep as he would of liked, he still drew her blood regardless. To see her crimson stain the ground… it brought a feral growl from his chest. She lurched forward to him, and Viridian was more than happy to close the distance between them. He attempted to meet her- chest aiming to shove forcefully into her own. Her attacking paw smacked at his face- claws drawing blood before he reeled his head downwards and attempted to bite into that pretty shoulder of hers. He hoped not all females in this land were so resilient.. it would make his work so much harder. Viridian vs @Calypso for dominance 2 / 3 Hits: Rolling 7d20: 15 + 14 + 3 + 8 + 11 + 18 + 6 Dodges: Rolling 4d20: 17 + 4 + 20 + 1 Luck: Rolling 5d20: 18 + 20 + 2 + 19 + 8 "Speech." |

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Calypso could feel the first fluttering of panic in her chest - this fight was not like the rest. This felt more like a battle for something far more serious than her spat with Newt or her tussle with Leviathan - this was different. This was more like home and that made her stomach roll. Her focus did not slip, but it wavered, and her chest took the hit of his. Bruising spread, deep and wide and she stumbled back a step. Blood, though, and a sick satisfaction followed the knowledge that she had spilled his. The collision would cause her leg to drop from its attack, slamming to the ground with a heavy thud. Sharp eyes watched his head follow the downward path of her paw and she instinctively snapped her own forward. As his teeth found her shoulder she would attempt to sink her own in to the side of his face with the hope that her simultaneous bite would force him to relinquish his before much damage could be done. She would attempt to bite in to the meat of his cheek, below his eye, a vicious growl erupting from her throat. Calypso vs @Viridian for dominance 2 / 3 Hits: Rolling 4d20: 11 + 16 + 14 + 17 Dodges: Rolling 4d20: 19 + 3 + 18 + 13 Luck: Rolling 5d20: 16 + 15 + 8 + 20 + 18

image by shan, code by koi