This young stag already seemed to be more trouble than what he was worth. If he thinks he could just run in here and claim his horse, well he had another thing coming! But upon hearing the small white deer's voice; he wanted to laugh! Defending!? Oh deer, if he wanted the horse dead there would be no discussion...plus didn't he see how KIND he was being to the frail pitiful beast? But that wasn't it, not quite the cherry on top; oh no! It wasn't till this yearling spoke about bringing the wrath of a GOD down on him did Vicktor unleash an uproarious laugh; bellowing out into the air and straight into their face. Why, it almost brought tears to his eyes! Almost.....

"PFT, whats a god to death?"

Vicktor paused for effect; that much rang through with intense clarity. But only to allow the deer to possibly answer. Except should he even try he would bellow out. Loud and proud; voice very much his own but not under the influence of mercy such as now. Twisted and beaten syllables dripping from his lips.

"N̢̫ͅO̟͙̼͈̙̺͍ͯ̈̀̎ͧ͠T̸͕H̯͒̒ͨ̃͊̚Î̡͖̳͒̄ͬ̾N̖̣̉G̨̟̣̠ͣ̚"

Pelt smoothing any bristled fur that raised he watched the young 'god'. The white stag prepared himself for another charge. Was he really going to try? Again!? Wearing an expression that was clearly unimpressed he dipped his own skull down. Prepared to meet the yearling, skull to skull. A smile twisted his lips as he pushed back; easy enough to simply walk them backwards. Using both his size and weight to push them down. He wanted to shove their pretty white fur into the blood riddle dirt below. Let them know who they were dealing with. Send them the simple and unrelenting message that they held no power here; this was HIS horse. Though he would not aim to necessarily harm the child. Least not while his veins ran thick with pity.

"They are mine...go wander some other tunnel and find your own dilapidated gelding"

This horse was his...should the young 'god' be humble. Maybe, just maybe Vicktor would let them play together...


"Speech"

"Thought"

Thistle was wandering, her brows furrowed. That pretty white doe with sparkling golden eyes had told her to find Cetus, and had told her it would be better to go and find it by herself, first, so she could lead her friends there. Which made sense, to her! She could play the guide to Baro and Nova and grin and sing as she led the group to glory and adventure and treasure!

But actually going away from Pisces on her own, without Baro, was really scary. She kept imagining all kinds of evil, scary monsters jumping away from the shadows to grab her and drag her down some scary hole in the ground to be with their bone friends while they sharpened their knives and commented on how to eat her for dinner! Or, or, that she would face innumerable traps that someone long ago had laid for trespassers to find on the way to their treasure, and Thistle wasn't so sure she could keep her eyes on the ground and the shadows and up ahead to see where she was going all at once! She didn't want to fall victim to a monster or a trap or a pitfall in the dark, and this tunnel was just spooking her with its barren and stagnant air.

She had to admit she was lost, and she should ask the first gem she came across where Cetus was and how to find it. She had this note that was slung around her neck with a piece of twine that the white doe had given her, but she couldn't open it, nor could she read it even if she could. She shrugged. The doe said that the note would find the one it needed to in very vague and important terms, and Thistle thought that was neat!

And as she was walking, her eyes all over the place of this spooky dead place that was most likely 100% haunted, she smelled something that made her nose wrinkle and made her cough. What was that awful smell? Smoke, and- and- something burning? Her fur stood up on end now, and she raced towards the smell, her hooves clacking on the ground. Was someone hurt? Did someone explode because of magic? What was going on? She didn't hear what was being said in her hurry to get there.

She stopped right short of what looked to be a jaguar who was pushing on a white fawn and a really really hurt horse lying there on the ground.

She looked between the three and let out a nervous noise.

Well obviously the horse was hurt and the big scary jaguar that was glowing with an inner fire and the white fawn were fighting over who got to rescue him....right?

"Excuse me," She said softly, looking at the jaguar and the fawn after walking towards them both. "He looks...um...hurt. You guys should....um...both help him."

The note around her neck swung gently, twisting a little.

His eyes had dimmed, flat shine against his sunken face, but they still tracked the fight, watched as the little avenging angel charged again at the demon, fearless, smoke pouring from its eyes - cold smoke without flame, like the comforting shadows that wrapped the gelding. Guardian angel. It was the first coherent thought he'd had in two months, and the gelding relished it, clung to it in the absence of his own self, like a buoy in a sea of completely disconnect. Guardian angel.

But Death was strong, perhaps too strong, mocking the angel with its open maw, swords glinting in the low light, blood-stained and unapologetic. He shivered, curled up closer, wary of the fire returning, dripping from jaws like acid into his skin. The demon used powerful claws to push the angel down, dirtying its beautiful white coat with the gelding's own blood, and he flinched, shame and guilt mixing in his throat, dripping out as bile. His angel shouldn't have come. It wasn't worth it, not for this kind of abuse.

Something new caught his eye - something skidding to a stop, as tiny as the angel, but tan, not pristine white. He didn't know what it was. It wasn't black, not white, something in the middle, muddied. He inched away from the unknown, propping his back up against one of the tunnel's walls, unsure if the tiny creature was there to help the fire or the shadow. It had something around its neck, but he focused on the angel, pinned to the floor, debased.

And felt his breath slowing.

He charged valiantly but he was met with the jaguar's own head. If he weren't so small, if he weren't such a young god he could do something! He could push back or slice the stupid black carnivore open with his tines! He was too weak though... It pained him. Burned a hole into his gut that made him want to sob with frustration at his own small size. He wished he were stronger! He wished he could do something more! "I am something! I am the Prince! I am the son of Lord Hasira and the Goddess Belladonna! I am better than you will ever be!" He screamed with anger, voice reaching a shrill pitch as he tried to belt out his frustrations in hopes that they would do something against the jaguar. It was to no avail. Perhaps this was the God of Death. His father told him that the gods walked among them in the forms of other gembounds. Could a carnivore be one of them? He never thought a carnivore could ascend to the same heights as an herbivore because it just threw dirt on his father's theory that the sharpteeth were just scum. His father was just a lord... He could always be wrong. His body was shoved into the dirt, the crown clattering to the ground and his white body stained with the blood of the very horse he was trying to save. King could feel tears starting to form in his eyes. Was this how Yarrowfeld felt when he goaded him into a fight he couldn't win? Was this how Yarrow felt since the beginning of his life? It didn't feel good at all to be matched with someone who could careless about you. Who was working to destroy you in any way they could. The tears rolled down his cheeks, making little rivulets in the blood. "No! I won't leave him to you! You're evil and I'm going to stop you!" Somehow... but if he didn't have the powers of a god yet... How? In any case, he wasn't about to lose. Even if he was weak he was still a prince and he would not be defeated. It wasn't right and it would be severely disappointing. But what if he died? The thought scared him, terrified him really but he didn't care. He would sooner die than let this thing push him into the dirt and lord over him. He was an honorable herbivore and despite this thing being some sort of God of Death... He was still better. The young stag rose up again, staring defiantly into the jaguar's eyes. The tears were still falling but he wouldn't give up! "Excuse me," He turned to the sound, seeing a small creature had just approached. His golden eyes widened, taking in her beauty. This was obviously some sort of deer and because of it she was gorgeous. She was draped in a gilded brown cloak with small horns atop her head. Normally any creature with horn nubs made him jealous for his lack of them but in her case it only added to her stunning appearance. "He looks...um...hurt. You guys should....um...both help him." Kingsfoil found himself at a loss for words. The tears on his cheeks felt like huge weights as he tried to rub them on his shoulders to wash away the shame. She walked towards them. His heart hammered in his chest. Swiftly, he found his words. "Wait! No no! Stay back! This demon will hurt you too!" If there was one thing he didn't want to see it was that. He shook his head, firmly stomping a hoof in the earth as he tried to take control of the situation. "That's what I'm doing! I'm trying to save him but this monster won't leave! Carnivores are all the same! But please, let me handle this! It is my job as a prince." His father always told him that the low-class citizens were to protect him but today he wanted to switch that. Especially for such a pretty lady and a creature that reminded him of his best friend. "Talking" @Eosophoros @Vicktor @Thistle OOC

Vicktor was taking a sliver of focus off the bratty child-god; turning his gaze just slightly to watch his gelding. They seemed as if they were trying to morph into the tunnel's walls. Wishing to be rid of such an event before themselves. A grumble in his throat Vicktor's full attention was now on the pitiful deer. So young, so naive and yet so bloody annoying. He didn't feel an ounce of sorrow for getting their immaculate coat dirty!

Especially not when they spoke of Hasira...So this was that vile red stag's bratty son!? Fire within his gut churned and the glowing lights that could be seen pulsated with violent life. They were just begging to kiss the child's hide, but they stayed internal. It was a well known fact that most gembounds loathed Hasira; especially Vicktor... But to see such an offspring from him!? One that was entitled, disrespecting and cut from the same disgusting genes. Well it made complete and utter vile sense. A brat of this magnitude could only be cut from the biggest foulest prick in the caves. Or maybe his son would rival the achievements his own father had made making him the biggest prick... He definitely was up to a great start.

Either way he was having no part in it, he would eradicate the problem before it even started! Kill two birds with one stone...he'll be able to keep his horse and obtain a healthy snack...But pity and mercy swirled into a pathetic concoction, Vicktor couldn't bring himself to spit fire at the bratty child. How quaint...

"If I'm soooo evil why haven't I simply ended this debate ye-"

"Excuse me..." No longer locked in a skull 'battle' with this foolish child Vicktor glanced at someone incredibly small. A small, fragile and yet adorable gazelle. He only smiled at the young herbivore; yet inside twisted thoughts swarmed. She was so fragile; so small and ripe and just ready for devouring. He could hear the sweet blood passing through her; nothing but muffled music. But as stated fickle thoughts they were against his merciful thinking and so they were all safe. She knew exactly what was going on...well sort of. The bratty child had no desire to help this horse; just simply claim them as his own! Vicktor on the other hand would make sure it gets the best attention he could muster; make it strong and mold them into companion for life...ok so maybe their desires were pretty similar but Vicktor found them first!

"Wait! No no! Stay back! This demon will hurt you too!"

Their words spat out; threatening to taint his name even before he could himself! Didn't even give the little gazelle could even speak to him! How dare he! And there he went on again; the talk of being a prince and how all carnivores were the same! Pft; maybe he should knock this kid in the head...give them a good lesson or two...but no, calm; kind words will have to do.

"Just because I look the part doesn't mean you should let your poisonous stereotypes get in the way of what I was actually doing...which was helping this horse..."

Vicktor stood there; calmly standing beside his horse. Bone white eyes flickered to the note that hung around her neck.


"Speech"

"Thought"

@Thistle

She frowned, looking from the prince with the remains of tears on his cheeks to the big jaguar with the scary eyes and the rumbling growl in his throat, and she was incredibly nervous. This could go so many ways, all the possibilities were just rolling through her head like stones hurrying down a hill. The jaguar could get mad, the prince could win, the horse could die while everyone was arguing, and she bit her bottom lip, her legs swaying one way then the other as she tried to decide what was the best thing to do.

"Mister jaguar...if you want to help the horse...you should help him." She said slowly and decidedly. "He really doesn't look good. And that means, um, stepping away from the prince."

She raised her brows. "You're n-not evil, right? And you want to help, right? Then you should help."

She looked from one side to the other, feeling rude and a little bratty that she was almost bossing the big scary looking gem around. Surely he already knew what he was doing.

"A-also, if you knew the way to Cetus, that would be lovely." She murmured softly.

The demon and the angel continued to fight, screams vibrating in the air, making him twitch and shudder, fading in and out of consciousness, struggling to stay above water and make sure that his guardian wasn't harmed. Death seemed too afraid to use the fire and the swords on the tiny angel, and the gelding's gaze stuck between them, only flickering to the little brown messenger when they turned to her. She was - speaking? Her mouth was moving as the others did, but such things were useless to him. Vaguely, a memory tickled at his mind, in time with a droplet of blood that trailed from his ear down his cheek, joining the pool on the floor.

His sister. His sister could talk to him. Make him listen. She had braided his hair, made it beautiful. The braids were ragged now, half fallen out in decaying clumps, matted with sweat and chunks of melted fat and skin.

But he remembered.

Slowly, he took in a breath, choking on the pain that followed, the motion stretching the torn and destroyed flesh of his chest. Again, and again, he took in gulps of air, until his side finally rose enough to gush out a breath - and he used the energy to move back closer to the cool tunnel wall, clenching his eyes shut tight, holding onto the image of white wings and speech.

They beat once, beckoning, and he followed, until stars enveloped the sky, until ruined buildings sprouted from the ground - until a dark shadow sped from the throne and devoured her, ripped her wings to pieces until nothing but feathers littered the earth.

The vision slipped away again, and his eyes rolled open, bile burning his tongue, gem flickering uselessly, destroyed by his total and complete disconnect from reality.

Helping? He was doing no such thing! The tiny prince scowled, golden eyes boring holes into the jaguar. If only looks could kill. "But you're the one who hurt him! That's not helping!" He couldn't help bu talk. His mouth was something that was hardly ever tamed. The prince's eyes turned back to the other ungulate as she spoke again. Her soft, angelic voice cut through the air sounding reasonable to his own ears... but about to the fiend? He was low enough to torture horses and then claim to be helping them. Perhaps reason was above this jaguar. Still, for once Kingsfoil fell silent but his head lowered slightly as he prepared to charge should the jaguar try to hurt this newcomer or the horse again. He would allow neither to happen! Until... well, he caught her almost whispered words. Cetus? What on earth was Cetus? His head tilted to the side slightly as he stared at the beautiful young gazelle. Then it shook as he remembered he was supposed to keep his eye on the carnivore. He couldn't let himself get so distracted. "Talking" @Eosophoros @Vicktor @Thistle OOC

He could feel the obsession to win this horse wash over him again. That neurotic trait rattling against the walls of his skull as he smiled sweetly to the gazelle. The small fragile gembound spoke up; her delicate voice like silk to his ears. He paid special attention; ignoring the puny 'god' all the while. Such an adorable, precious herbivore really. No doubt Mr.God would try and claim her too. He snorted inwardly; thoughts dancing over how to take this delicate plan into action especially since that child was throwing more rude accusations his way. Thoughts raced, until she spoke of Cetus. Eyes hardened as he raised a brow; smiling wide and taking a few steps past the puny vile offspring of Vazi...

"Of course I'm not evil...if I was then nobody would be standing here...I simply want to help my dear horse friend here. He had gotten himself into some trouble...but what junior here didn't tell you is I chased off the true monster."

Technically Vicktor was not lying; his words rang out true and just. The mercy running through his veins had chased off the hungry beast within. That was enough for it not to be a lie. And so he let those words sink in, eyeing the white deer with a hurt expression. Taking a few more steps away from them his body language relaxed and lowered. He was no threat to anyone, at least not now.

"But I agree...my friend need some assistance" Turning to the horse again he motioned for the young deer to take charge."Lead my dear friend somewhere safe...see to it he gets proper care. His life is up to you now...I'm afraid I am too drained from battling the monster off...especially to a place that doesn't welcome Carnivores..." Vicktor merely nudged the horse; motioning for them to rise up. Should the young god intervene they would seem like a great douche. After all this effort was for the best of the horse! Not some macho pissing match!

Now Vicktor wasn't so concerned with losing this horse; especially not when he could claim them back in time, perhaps with added interest. But right now this gazelle was on his brain, and of course Cetus. "And I know exactly what you are looking for my dear! I will help you, after my friend stands up of course."



"Speech"

"Thought"

@Thistle

Thistle nodded slowly; the things the jaguar was saying made sense, at least to her. If he was an evil villain he would've...taken them prisoner or something, or at the very least have laughed maniacally. Textbook villainy, right there.

But...was the prince saying it was the jaguar that hurt the horse? The jaguar was saying he chased off the monster who did it...and Thistle was just standing, looking between them, frowning intently. She was no judge. She could never be a judge. There were just too many possibilities, too many paths to take, and she had a difficult time even picking words together for sentences - how could she decide the verdict of a serious situation when she didn't even have all the facts? Nothing was clear cut, so she decided to give both the benefit of the doubt.

Besides, the jaguar was very persuasive and looked honest, to her.
She didn't think the prince could very easily help the horse when the horse looked so bad, but, she had no measure of injuries or wounds, having never been hurt before, herself. And the jaguar made a point that sailed right over her head. What did it matter if he was a carnivore? Did that...matter?

Then the jaguar said that he would help her find Cetus, and she brightened up. "Mm! Oh, I have a note for whoever was supposed to help me find the place! It was a pretty white doe who told me that I had to find the place, and she said this is for you." She motioned to the note around her neck. "I don't know what it says, though."

And then she looked to the Prince. "If you...need help, I can help you! Maybe we can get him to safety together?"