Basil's mouth was twisted into a bitter grimace when she said that the devil didn't do anything. Her voice was betraying her and they both knew it - if anything, Basil knew the demon in him didn't need to act physically to be terrible when words could do the trick. He wanted to rip out his eyes just to make the demon struggle, and his claws extended into the dirt in answer to his dark state of mind, but before he could raise a paw, her breath was on his neck and her paw was on his chest, and any thought he had died on his tongue and any resentment he had vanished into smoke.

She smelled so sweet, like flowers and cleanliness and the fresh earth and it distracted him to no end, and she was telling him to relax for her.

Everything in him focused on her, tuning out everything else. She was telling him everything would be okay with a soft, imploring tone in her voice and in response he lowered his head to her as she stepped into his space, his movement slow and hesitant, yet drawn to her with the inevitability of two magnets pushed together. In the moment, he couldn't seem to focus on anything but her, her smell, her breath, her words, the feel of her fur on his, and the heartbeat in his throat like a drumbeat to the moment, and he didn't want to think about anything else. She was speaking to him and he didn't even want to breathe to dare interrupt her.

This girl who disregarded his demon and stepped into his arms anyway, whose only motive was to comfort him, him - this girl who acted like she couldn't see every twitch and shiver as her sweet little mouth ran along his neck when she nuzzled him - this girl who held his soul in the palm of her paw - caves, he'd let her do anything, tell him to do anything, and he would do it. She was the only one who saw him, saw the coward hiding behind the monster, and encouraged him to see the light. She was the only one who would brave certain death for him, and because of that she owned him, could demand anything of him, because he would lay down his life for her.

He loved her.

His breath turned husky and she was saying that she missed him and her nose was against his - all logical thought was just thrown out the window. Blindly he gently nudged her mouth and then, softly, sweetly, he kissed her once, finding his paws reaching up to grip her fur, then kissed her twice, her lips on his the most intoxicating thing he'd ever experienced. He said into her mouth,
"I missed you too," in the quietest of whispers.

Where to begin? Dovefeather had no idea. She found herself glancing towards the melting shadows, past the haze of red that was warm and inviting, up past where the drooping cap of the All Mother hung. She needed the right words, because if she failed... if she lost just one of them, she would lose them both, and she... She needed to make Basil understand.

But it was more than that, really. The feline knew that right now, the connection between the two was a chaotic stream of hate and loathing, frayed at the edges in a way that was so destructive that she had nearly watched the aardwolf die before her very eyes. She needed Basil to understand, but she also needed him to be happy. There had to be a compromise that didn't feel like one side was getting cheated, a way to stitch the two together so that they didn't eventually tear apart again.

Healthy relationships weren't exactly the delicate little curly cat's strong suit. She had fallen for a boy obsessed with whatever lady crossed his vision and one that couldn't look at her without becoming someone different, someone who made her breath hitch and her body go numb with what could only be described as awe: fear and excitement.

For a tender moment, Dovefeather simply let herself enjoy his company, his words, his oh so delicate kisses. Clumsy and blind, but sweet, his voice a thin line between Basil and Sorrel. She still didn't know how she knew the difference, but she did. They were completely and wholly unique to one another, and her biggest fear was that they simply weren't compatible.

"I was scared for you,"

She breathed after a moment, after returning his kisses with a gentle, soft purr that she could hardly bring above a whispering hum.

"Basil... It's just you and me right now. Forget everything, just... You and me. It's so wonderful... I... I could stay like this forever, Basil, I really could... But we need to talk. It's really important, because... I think I love you Basil-- Caves, I'm a fool for it, I know, but I do. I want to make this work."

She let her words sink in. She nuzzled against his cheek and let her own purring sooth her nerves. It was everything she could do to keep from going on and on with every careless thought to enter her head. It had been cycles since she had been so foolish as to think everything could be solved by just speaking and speaking until the answer came. Others could hear what she said, but not what she thought. Her thoughts were safe, and she could... She could speak once she had found the right words.

"Would you do anything to keep me?"

It was the question she had hand picked, the one she had tossed around in her head after the longest of debates. She had to be careful, precise. She wanted Basil to understand Sorrel, to know that the demon was just as scared and overprotective as he was. Common ground. Something she could stand on.

She ignored how much her chest hurt from the anxiety of it all.

"Basil Speech" "Dovefeather Speech"

@Basil

She was returning his soft, blind kisses just as gently back, and he was burning with mixed feelings swirling in his chest like fireflies radiating heat.

She was talking, mirroring the things in his own head. He wanted to stay with her forever too, just with his eyes closed, feeling her heat and her happy purring against his chest, feeling needed and safe and warm. And then she said she loved him, and....everything was perfect. Everything. He loved her, she loved him, she saved his life over and over not just literally but just by being here, with him.

"Anything." He replied, with all of the love and seriousness he could muster. "I would die for you, Dove."

It didn't matter what she wanted to talk about - if it was about raking out his eyes, if it was about cutting of his legs to keep her safe, he would. He would do anything for her. He pushed doubt and guilt and fear out of his head, because they had no place in the moment. For the beauty of the moment...no price was too high. Was there anything more perfect than -

A twig snapped. He moved his head up, his ears twitching towards the sound. Heavy footfalls carelessly made a rapport through the forest floor, close to them, and Basil frowned.

"Who's there?" He called out.

"Basil Speech" "Dovefeather Speech"

Moving through Eridanus he kept a low profile. Each step seemed to summon a familiar phantom pains. Ones that he knew were from his previous 'adventure' here. Move moderately but be the very definition of stealth, that much was doable. A foliage rich environment was a fairly advantageous place for him. Though the mists of Cetus were by far the best, at least in his book; he was a tad bit biased though...

Slinking through the assortment of ferns he had found a quick meal or two, snapping up unsuspecting rabbits that sat gaily in the grass. No sound, not a motion of distress...nothing but the sound of teeth, a solid clamp of jaws ringing out. It would be easy to lose such a sound in a flourishing environment such as this. Unsuspecting, most things were. At least until voices reached his silence.

"I was scared for you,"

Interest having been more than piqued he approached the sounds. Taking special care to approach the two he soaked up everything word they spat. Even it they were spoken in such hushed and love laced tones it seemed to be a lover's quarrel. Oh how sweet! It would be a shame if anything were to come along and bash it to bits-

"Anything."

That...that voice...It couldn't be..could it!? Vicktor inched closer, white eyes practically vibrating with such focus as he took their forms into memory. The cat Dove...he could not place her...but Basil... oh he knew that mongrel well. He spoke...promising that he would die for his sweet Dove...a smile curled Vicktor's lips as he straightened his form. With flagrant disregard he cracked a stick beneath his weight, and on que Basil called out questioning the unknown. Stepping out from the shadows and through the ferns he waltzed into view.

"I do hope that offer was sincere"

"Clover Speech"
"Belladonna Speech"
"Vicktor Speech"

@Dove

Dovefeather's soft humming purr settled down by her paws in a pool of fuzzy emotions, her pale, searching eyes watching his face for any hint of concern... But there was none she could find. Basil trusted her, loved her so wholly. It was impossible not to return the feeling, a smile tracing around her whiskers. Anything, he promised. She hoped he meant it, but trusted him in return to.

Her words hesitated in her throat, a sound snapping behind them. The aardwolf beside her tensed, perking up, his hyper focused ears turning out away from her and towards the sound. The feline retreated into his form, pressing closer, torn half-tail curling as her twisted fur prickled in goosebumps. She felt a hiss on the back of her teeth, golden eyes wide for fear of missing the intruder. It was too loud a sound to be anyone she could imagine.

For a half second, before the slick form stepped forth from the shadows, a flicker of hope managed to grow and die between her claws. All of her hoping in the world wouldn't make the far away Seer return from the chase of the poisoner of the All Mother. Grassy had not found Giggle and brought her back, no, instead a messenger of the poisoner had returned.

She did not know exactly how she recognized the slick, black feline. She had been barely conscious when the shadow cat with hundreds of eyes had escaped, cackling into the night, after wounding the All Mother so deeply. Yet, meeting the eyes of the towering, nightshade of a cat, she knew exactly who's allegiance the creature belonged to. The enemy of the All Mother itself, something worse than the crypt keeper of death. Something akin to chaos, she believed.

Dovefeather did not speak in outrage, in fact, her purring continued... If only to soothe her nerves, to keep Basil calm, it didn't matter. She did, however, say a few choice words, softly and calmly to Basil.

"Basil, dear,"

She whispered, pressing her muzzle to his chest, hissing words so softly that hopefully the traitorous gembound that easily outsized the pair of them wouldn't hear. She closed her eyes, summoning light as strongly as she had ever wished it. Beside the All Mother, protecting her from the chaos of the beast-- she knew that there wasn't much time. She needed to buy them a second while she spoke to Basil. She could see the light flare up before her, burning past her eyelids even as she cringed into the canine.

"I need you to trust me. Let Sorrel protect me. He loves me as strongly as you do, I believe in this. You can't fight blind, and I'm afraid we... We might need to."

The light sputtered out as quickly as it had came.

"Open your eyes."

"Basil Speech" "Dovefeather Speech"

@Basil

Those words the monster spoke were in an unfamiliar voice, purring its pleasure mixed with a threat of violence. It was barging in on their private moment, and he bared his teeth in the voice's direction, his ears pinned against his head. Before he could respond to it with an acerbic reply, Dove nestled into his chest and whispered so softly he could barely hear her. Dread prickled at his spine - she must see a bigger threat than he could hear.

With his eyes closed, he saw the build up of her light, and he turned his head away from it, the light burning even through his eyelids. And after it was done, he did as she asked and opened them.

What Sorrel saw was a great big blinded monstrosity towering over the both of them with huge, glistening, vibrant fangs promising a swift end bigger than each of his legs, and his eyes widened in instant fear, his fur standing on end. Swiftly he turned and pushed Dove away towards the trees, shouting, "Go, go go go go go go!"

She ran ahead of him, he made sure of it, and he dared to look back to the monster who seemed familiar in a very wrong sort of way - and then, suddenly, he placed it.

He stopped, his feet trying to get him to continue his flight, but he shouted to Dove, "Just keep running! Don't look back!" He saw her disappear into the brush, and then he turned back towards the monster who had turned into the beast he'd knew he would be, so many cycles ago.

"Still not satisfied with the blood you consume, monster?" He sneered, standing tall. "Do you still explode harmless rabbits for your amusement?"

Vicktor listened to the murmurings of the cat, how she cared so much for such a vile and discriminating pest. Though the jaguar didn't expect Basil to take charge as he did. Pushing his beloved 'Dove' out of harms way, and turning to face death itself. Ah there it was the aardwolf's expression suddenly shifted, from sheer panic to a moment of faint understanding. He much have finally placed him, well Vicktor didn't blame him. He did grow quite drastically, especially now that he sported a pair of beautifully vibrant fangs.

'Still not satisfied with the blood you consume, monster?'

He sneered, standing tall and acting as if he had a chance. It was enough to make Vicktor laugh! A small chuckle rising in his throat as they continued.

'Do you still explode harmless rabbits for your amusement?'

Ah, he was looking for a soft spot perhaps? A smile curled the cat's lips, uproarious laughter escaping his jaws. Deep, dark and dripping with excitement. Fur bristling he could feel the surge crawl through his skin. Yellow sparks dancing across his pelt. Immediately it shot from his form as he spoke.

"As you can see I've moved onto Aardwolves now..."

"Clover Speech"
"Belladonna Speech"
"Vicktor Speech"

@Dovefeather

The light had not stopped the shadow monster's disciple as much as she had willed it. Sorrel's voice raced in her ears, his nose urging her forward and she didn't doubt him for a second. She knew the perfect place for them to go, for them to hide-- the huge beast wouldn't be able to chase them through the underbrush. She raced through the foliage, vibrant greens of all shades flying past her eyes. Branches and vines and ferns whipped at her feet and face, thorns snagging at her pelt. The sound of her love at her heels kept her going until...

Until there was a larger crash, a skid and a turn. Sorrel had stopped, his voice roaring out to her. Just keep running. Don't look back. Dovefeather's heart pumped blood through her ears so loudly that she couldn't even think, and her body pelted forward. She raced towards the thicket, into the shadows, away from the oncoming battle.

"All Mother, protect him,"

The cat begged in a whisper as she dug thicker into the underbrush, blood trickling down her cheek. The minor scratches hadn't registered, not yet, her body shaking with adrenaline.

"Basil Speech" "Dovefeather Speech"

@Basil

Sorrel's eyes widened at the monster's sick, disgusting laughter, his cowardly instincts telling him to book it and run, but he overrode his feet. The longer he stayed here with the monster, the longer Dove had to get away. This thing was after blood. He couldn't stop his feet from skittering back a few steps when he saw those sparks of electricity though - his body remembered the --

His scream ripped through the forest when the bolt hit him, ripping through his veins mercilessly, causing him to spasm and collapse on the ground. He had to suffer the few seconds, the eternity, of his heart stopping, of his mind trying to tell it to beat and his choking lungs to recognize air again before he sucked it in greedily like a dying thing.

He clawed his way on the ground away from the monster, making horrible gasping sounds while his systems tried to do their jobs. Everything inside him felt fried and blackened, but the only thing on his mind was Dove. His eyes were wide open but unseeing, his thoughts dumb with frantic instincts on fire, all telling him that his death was just happily laughing right behind him.

He sent a blinking, desperate flicker of magic to where Dove might be, saying hastily, 'Don't look back' and 'I love you', the sparks of words overlaying the edges of each other like two sheets of paper lying on a desk.

The aardwolf had skittered back, most likely a reflex as they watched the sparks. A scream tore from Basil's throat and Vicktor mocked him. Yelling in his own twisted tongue with glee, yes this is exactly what he wanted. Oh how he dreamed of such a high! He could only imagine that salty sweet tang of their ichor on his tongue. He was salivating already, tongue running over his chops and revealing the vibrant white. Focused he watched them collapse, spasming across the ground. Sucking in air greedily, Vicktor was almost impressed. He had expected the aardwolf to burst open at the seams, just like any other small gembound would. But lessers were always different prey than what the two of them were.

Aw he was crawling away now, gasping horribly as he slowly moved from Vicktor. Pitiful. Another laugh crackled through the jaguar, rising up his throat as his hunger spread. Flames building up in his veins and he ignited internally. White hot saliva dripping from his jaws, eyes flaming as he approached Basil. A sickening smile across his features he took it slow. Claws outstretched he gently trailed them across his coat, up and to his neck. Taking extra care to turn the aardwolf over. White eyes ablaze as fire licked his lips with each breath.

"Tch, Tch. Stay with me...you promised you'd do anything for her...don't you remember?...there is no running away now"

"Clover Speech"
"Belladonna Speech"
"Vicktor Speech"

@Basil