Oh, so they were reduced to insults, were they? Leon furrowed his brow and frowned deeply as Cancer turned his wrath upon him, calling him a fat-headed jerk among other things - greedy, jealous - yes, that much was true. Leon was awfully jealous. And he was greedy, too. But he tried to put Makyna's needs before his own, and that was why he spoke out. He couldn't just allow Cancer to throw Makyna to the wolves like this. Leon's lips pulled back, an instinctive and defensive response to the sudden vitriol the leopard was spewing at him. The words were making him angrier and angrier - but everything he wanted to say, he had to hold back. What would Makyna think of him if Leon were to return the insults? What kind of a member of this group would he be if he disrespected his leader so openly? Even if he was blind and stupid.

"Diplomacy?!" Leon cut in, breaking his fuming silence as he narrowed his eyes at Cancer. "They don't even have ears! They won't be able to hear you!" And then, of course, he had to go off and insult Makyna's abilities again - did she even realize what he was saying? "And you don't think she can?" He spat, wrinkling his nose. He was more than confident that Makyna would be able to do this whole thing by herself. She didn't need Cancer by her side to tell her what to say - she would know what to say. But Cancer - Cancer was just as greedy as he was. This felt more like an excuse to stay by Makyna's side than anything. But the leopard had to turn it around on him, as if this whole thing was because Leon didn't want to let the two of them go off on their own. As if Leon was oblivious to what had been happening between them already. As if Leon had no clue that they exchanged sweet little nothings when they thought no one was looking.

The bear scowled at him, feeling his coarse fur stand on end. "This wasn't the plan. I didn't agree to come to Polaris so we could fight all these golems. All I wanted to do was show you - and I promise, if we do what you're planning to do, they're all going to come for us." He rumbled angrily. This was a death wish. Cancer had no idea - that was why they brought him here in the first place. To show him the golems. He didn't come here to fight anything. Rage still burned inside of him, and at this point, Leon wasn't lobbying to be the one by Makyna's side anymore. He'd realized just how dangerous this plan was, and cast a glance at Azazel, hoping for some kind of backup.

{ RATED M FOR SWEARING }

The bird hated the leopard's plans and ideas from the beginning. How could he be so blind?! He'd just about interject, but the bear cub stood in. At least somebody in this room fucking knew what was happening. In minutes, the two were reduced to insults and calling each other names. The Bone King narrowed his eyes into a glare, showing restrain. No... He couldn't go guns ablazing. He couldn't just fight someone for the sake of proving a point just yet. I hadn't come to that.

It was up until the point that Cancer was definitely set on the bullshit plan that he'd so brilliantly concocted.

Carmine eyes flashed and the bird would flap his wings, hopping close to the stubborn asshole of a leopard, aiming to have his face around a foot from his. "Do you really think that fucking diplomancy will help our situation?! We came to show you the golems. You saw them. And you want to try and negotiate with them?!" Grunting, the bird looked at Makyna from around the cub, then turned back to him with a glare of death. "Cancer, listen to yourself. Do you think that Makyna can't defend herself? Do you honestly think that she needs you hovering over her all the time?! When I look at her, I see the strongest and smartest Gembound that I know. Strength isn't in power, but it's in heart. When I look at you... sometimes I only see weakness and stupidity."

It was only the truth. Hardening his gaze, he decided he'd make one more point. Standing tall and ruffling his feathers so he seemed bigger, he'd give one more speech. "Besides that, Golems know nothing but magic, like Leon said. They have no fucking ears, no fucking eyes, no fucking noses. If you tried to use your ballsy-ness to talk to them, good luck. I won't help you with that, and I don't think the rest of us would either."

table and code © chelsea of ORIGIN

ooc: aww you guys hurt his widdle feelings ;-;

Leon shouted insults back at hime, and Cancer rolled his eyes. Who were they to judge whether or not something obviously living didn't have a mind, just because it didn't have a face? There were lots of living creatures without faces. Worms didn't have faces, but they still made choices. Then Azazel broke in, though, and the words from the bone king stung- hard. He turned that hot gaze on the bird and listened. He hadn't underestimated Makyna! What, was she hounded after by every god damn dick and harry in this place or something? She'd taken on the role of Coordinator! Not fighting was literally her job. Just as it was his. Their entire purpose was to talk things through! He knew she knew magic, and was strong, but she was faster than she was strong right now- just like him.

He scowled and for a moment, he considered biting the vulture square in the throat. That would shut the mouthy bird up. Then Leon really would have a reason to hate him! The cub replayed the words in his head, and those ears pinned back, and he backed up a step. Suddenly, turmoil. He could fight his case some more, but with they listen? Would they see it his way?

"Fine." He muttered crossly, then louder- but not too loud- he snapped. "Fine! We won't do shit all about the god damn Golems! You think I'm such a shitty person, fine!" His voice cracked now. He could handle some critism but this much? He'd been called weak, stupid and god knows what else they'd wanted to call him. If that's how they felt, then fine! "You guys are obviously right. God forbid anyone ever try investigating a thing before they make any final decisions on it! How dare I suggest such a horrible idea! Surely I must want to get my friends killed! OH!"

He whirled, teeth bared, at Leon and Azazel. "But you guys aren't really my friends, right? You guys think I'm a stupid, reckless moron, right?" He turned away, back towards Pisces. "Field trip over! We've learned so much today! GOLD STARS ALL AROUND!" He'd only pause after a few steps, then look back, seemingly crestfallen. "Oh, Makyna... I've never, ever doubted your abilities. I'm sorry if it sounded like that or whatever..." He tried a glance, to make eye contact for a moment, his own eyes moist with hurt. "...I just figured you wouldn't want to fight. I was just trying to play towards everyone's own skills, but I guess my plan was pretty awful to begin with." He turned that cold gaze to Leon again, this time with hateful spite in his tone. "Gods forbid someone offer an alternative before they jump down the throat of their supposed friend." With that, he turned to leave, hoping no one would stop him, or see the pained look of dismay on his face as he jogged back towards Pisces, to leave this terrible scene behind.

The not-white not-dotty white dots fluttered around in her vision, marking all of the vast bacteria in the room. It was absolutely overwhelming, and for a long moment the young bird was wrapped up in her own little world, up on a perch far high up away from both her friends and the golems. Yet, as the words in the distance grew harsh and growly, she shook away her magic. The white fuzzies faded as she turned her head to look at the scene not too far away, but far enough that she had to strain to hear what was being said.

And Bevy could not believe what was happening. She had zoned out for one moment, using her magic, and now... Now... How had she let this happen? She caught the end of Cancer calling Leon greedy and jealous-- and now her friends... Her friends, her sweet, loving friends-- were all fighting amongst each other.

Fur and feathers bristling, teeth and beak snapping at one another, the verbal fight made Bevy feel ill with anxiety. What was she supposed to do? Far away from the group, she felt isolated, an outsider looking in at strangers... And poor Makyna, who hadn't even got a word in on what she wanted to do. Bevy's heart ached for the girl. They couldn't just talk about her like she wasn't there! She couldn't believe what Cancer said, how Leon snarled, and the terrible, nasty words that spewed from Aza's beak. This wasn't how it was supposed to be! She should have waited until everyone agreed on the plan... But now...

Cancer stormed away, and she felt as though she had been forgotten, abandoned. Her friends all seemed to turn away from each other, and as if the earth had split open, cracking between them, she felt her heart mirrored the painful scene before her. There was nothing she could do, horrified and terrified on her perch, wings heavy. Even if she wanted to follow her best friend back home, she didn't think she could fly with such weight on her shoulders.

The little bird could only watch and hope she could stitch things together in the end. For now, she was a statue of a tiny bird overwhelmed by grief and fear.

How had it all gone so badly? One moment they were buddy-buddy with each other and having a good time then the next they were at each others throat. More precisely the males were at each others throats. If this what entitled having balls meant then she didn't want any part of it. Makyna looked helpless at Leon as he laid into Cancer. She didn't think his plan was that bad... well... a little reckless because the golems could hear nothing and apparently only wanted to get their rocky-hands on magick sources which had a hunch was their gems. It might be good to learn to fight them too, just o see what was effective and what wasn't but fighting amongst themselves wouldn't accomplish that.

Makyna opened her mouth to say as much but was interrupted as Cancer went on and insulted Leon! How could he?! Leon was only looking out for her well-being and while she didn't need to be babysat it didn't call for him insulting the poor bear. Makyna felt a bit of hurt and a little anger bubble up within her. She didn't appreciate her friend being insulted! He was only looking out for her well-being... but on the same note Leon didn't have to yell at Cancer either! Couldn't they both talk to each other calmly without getting angry? Obviously they couldn't because she was involved. Was this what it was like being a male? Being jealous and yelling and angry all the time when with other males? Ugh, how immature!

"Guys, maybe we shouldn't--" And more yelling from Aza'zel plus some very not polite words to Cancer. While she appreciated the compliments all of this bad blood with her in the middle wasn't making her feel to good. The lioness seemed to shrink, ears lowering and eyes staring up at the males as she silently pleaded with them to stop. Of course, it was to no avail as they continued to growl and snarl and yell at each other. Finally, Cancer started to plod off with this feelings obviously hurt. Makyna felt bad for him, he'd only wanted to try and do what was best. Sure his plan hadn't been the best but he'd tried and what had he gotten for it? Yelled at and beaten down... What about Leon? Her gaze found his as she stared up at him, hurt that he thought she couldn't handle herself and hurt that he'd let his temper get the best of him. Then she looked at Aza'zel... She appreciated the complients but even his outburst didn't help

They were all so silly! And how was she reacting? By being a damsel in distress and cowering and letting the boys duke it out! No more! The lioness looked up at Bevy briefly before unsheathing her claws, stepping to the middle of the group and fixing all of the males with a glare then she opened her mouth and released an ear-splitting roar, one that would make her lion ancestors quite proud.

GRAAAAAAAAWWWWRR!! Hopefully that would get Cancer's attention and bring him back. They'd all spoken her piece and now it was her turn! Momentarily her own shyness was forgotten as she saw how silly they were all being and how it was tearing their group apart.

Another glare around at everyone before she opened her mouth, fangs bared in annoyance and spoke in a voice that wasn't a yell but it was just as sharp as any fang, "What is wrong with you all?! We came here to look at golems and observe them! Not to talk to them, not to fight them, but to observe! Cancer, I understand your plan since you've never been around the golems. You want to see if they can be talked to but Leon and Aza'zel have their doubts. I agree with them, if golems can't hear then there's no point in talking! However!" Her gaze turned to Leon and Aza'zel, blue eyes blazing. "Don't you think pointing this out calmly would have been more beneficial to everyone? You don't have to yell! You don't have to scream to get your point across! Just voice them and we could have talked about them together and worked out another plan rather than coming to petty, immature, insults! There's no need for them and the words just hurt for no reason!" She stomped a paw on the ground as another issue came to mind. "I seemed to be the brunt of your conversation but here this! I am a person, I get a vote on what happens to me! I'm not afraid to observe the golems, me and Aza'zel trained together to make sure that I wouldn't be defenseless against them because I want to research them! Yes. I want to find out about how they move, how they work, and even how to combat them if the need arises! What if one wanders into our home? Won't we need to know about them to deal with it? I don't know about you but having knowledge beforepaw seems ideal over panicking when one is right in your face. If you all want to disband this trip then go ahead! I will continue on alone if I have to and watch these creatures, yes, perhaps I'll even try a spell or two out on them because I'm sure that I could get away if need be. I am a lion, I am fast and certainly can outrun those guys if it comes to it but you know what? Even if I can't I have the best spells to deal with these creatures! I don't even have to touch the things to take them apart if I need to! What about the rest of you? Minus Aza'zel who uses his wind but even wind can only work so well." She stopped, panting as she ran out of air and words to speak. Wow... she felt a lot better!

For about two seconds until she realized what she'd done. Oh... Oh... They would all lay into her now. She should have just kept her mouth shut.

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words: 1020
tagged: Cancer, Bevy, Aza'zel, Leon
ooc: Ky is sick of your shit.
muse: 6/10

"Talking looks like this!"
Thinking looks like this...

And backup he certainly did receive. Almost immediately, Azazel took his cue and hopped up to Cancer, spouting more about how diplomacy would be ineffective against the golems. Granted, Leon had never tried diplomacy, but he felt that if they had any semblance of intelligence, then the one Leon had tried to melt probably would have done a little more besides mindlessly lunge at him. He and the bird seemed to be on the same page, both of them believing Makyna was more than capable of handling herself - except, Leon was subject to another twinge of jealousy when even the vulture commented on his friend's strengths. Whatever, that didn't matter now. It wasn't important. What was important was deciding what they were going to do, and getting out of here alive. At this rate, if Cancer was so keen on continuing his plan, their chances of survival were probably going to plummet.

Admittedly, Azazel's words had been a little harsh. Leon may have been thinking the same thing, but he didn't have the guts to speak it out loud - at least, not with Makyna around. Still, he felt a small bloom of guilt after Azazel had finished his spiel. Cancer was quick to pick it back up, jumping to conclusions and putting words into everyone's mouths. Leon had said little in comparison to the leopard and the bearded vulture, but he imagined his words had left an impact of their own, especially when Cancer decided the call the plan quits after such a violent upheaval. Enough so that Cancer opted to lay a thick guilt trip on the lot of them, speaking sadly to Makyna before squeezing in another poisonous hiss at the rest of them. Leon drew his lips again, but he was content to stay silent. He had gotten his way - there was nothing more to say on the matter.

Leon hadn't even shed a second glance at Bevy. In all honesty, in the heat of the argument, he had forgotten she was there. A thunderous roar tore him from his fuming; Leon nearly jumped out of his skin, swinging his head to peer back over at Makyna. He should have expected she wouldn't take this entire argument lying down. She scolded the three of them; while her words had first turned to Cancer and Leon felt a prideful swell in his chest, he soon pinned back his ears and hung his head, averting his gaze when she turned her wrath to him. He didn't believe calmly pointing it out to Cancer would work - if he knew Cancer (which he didn't really, not that well), then Cancer likely would have just brushed it off in his eagerness to carry through with the original plan. Then again, Leon had gotten so wrapped up in protecting Makyna he didn't bother giving a second thought to his outburst.

Still, her willingness to stay and investigate the golems left a feeling of discomfort in him. Leon brought his gaze back up to the lioness. "Interfering with them wasn't the plan," He repeated; his voice a little quieter this time, but still stiff. "We only came here to observe them. We aren't prepared to engage them." Leon huffed and finally glanced over at the golems. It seemed that even despite all the commotion, the golems were minding their own business. "Besides, there's too many. If we could find a way to engage just one golem, then fine, but this many? There's three times as many of them as there are of us. We stand no chance. You stand no chance." It was harsh, but it had to be said. He couldn't let Makyna walk into this alone. His gaze lingered on her for a moment more, hoping that she would recognize the sincerity with which he spoke. He didn't want to discourage her - he only wanted her to realize how dangerous it would be to interfere with the golems.

ooc: cancer doesn't apologize, but he can move on easily XD

A lion sure could roar when they wanted to, better than any leopard, so when Makyna roared to cut the tension, Cancer stopped, eyes wide (and tearful) when he glanced back in surprise. What she said next stung, but not for the same reasons as Azazel's words had. He listened, walking back over to them with a shake of his head to rid himself of those cubbish tears, and he sat a distance from them, pointedly ignoring the other boys. As she spoke, first to him, the boy's ears fell flat. Yes, there was certainly little to be gained from talking to the things, but he'd been hopeful. Now, it seemed there really wasn't any chance of getting them to hear or listen- no ears, after all, and none seemed distracted by Makyna's roar. Then she turned on Leon, and instead of the probably expected smug grin, Cancer nodded in agreement. If the bear had calmly suggested another approach, he would've been all ears. Sure, he threw insults around like confetti, but true friends, he thought, like Bevy and Makyna, looked past the meaningless words.

Really, who got so offended over fat-headed bear comments anyway? And baldy? Azazel didn't have any bald patches, except for his weird beak, so what was his problem with it? He thought back to that scene leading to this... and then thought ahead to Bevy joining them, so as Makyna spoke, his eyes looked up to find the bird. When he spotted her, the look he gave her pleaded forgiveness- he'd probably scared the poor little thing, by the looks of her clinging. She didn't have to fly off so quickly before, but she was the only one who truly believed in him. Bevy really was his best friend.

Then Makyna said something that chilled him to the bone, and made him proud at the same time. She'd go in alone!? Oh no, not happening. He was all for investigating them, but he wasn't about to let Makyna go it alone. Leon spoke next, about engaging just one, and the leopard resisted his disapproval. They could, in theory, separate one with a distraction, but how would they keep it from attacking them if they were so mindless?

Those yellow eyes fell on the Spire, glowing behind the others in the distance. "That's it." He muttered, gears turning full tilt now that the argument was ceased- he wouldn't start again, not with Makyna so worked up and Bevy so afraid. "I have an idea. A good one this time." He turned to Makyna first- she was the only one seemingly willing to consider it, with her desire to learn more like him. "We could herd one of the smaller ones to the spire. Mindless as they are, the others shouldn't notice one wandering off. The Spire over there is full of magic, a ton of it. Surely they'd be more interested in that once getting close than us?" He'd leave it at that, waiting for a consensus on this new plan. "Bevy!" He called out after a second, turning to face the bird. "Come back! Change of plans, we're gonna work something else out!" Considering Makyna's roar earlier, the cub wasn't so afraid of yelling now- and it was just enough to get the bird off her perch and over to them again.

The leopard was hurt by his words, and seeing the misery on his face almost made him feel bad for what he had said. It was Makyna who made the bird feel like he was a jerk. He almost appreciated that she stood up for herself... but he was sad that somehow in their verbal fight, they had made the lioness the blunt of it. Looking down guiltily, the bird adverted his gaze to the floor. A sigh escaped him, and he murmured a silent apology. He'd really apologize later to Cancer, who seemed to be gone already. "I am sorry..."

Cancer seemed to bound back, happy with a new plan. This one was still quite risky, but it seemed there would be less of a sacrifice to be made. "That's a plan. The spire does have a lot of magic, but I am not sure how exactly it would react to golems. A little fisher told me once that a yeti popped out of it and killed a Gembound with one punch." That truly was a sad tale. He didn't know who the Gembound had been, but it touched him just as much. "We could try, though. I can try to lure one of them over with my magic, and you meet me at the spire, and we can attack them all at once when we get to higher ground. They aren't good climbers, and as long as you don't use magic... they'll ignore you. It's a perfect opening for us to attack."

table and code © chelsea of ORIGIN

The roar had sent a ripple up Bevy's spine and now more than ever she was scared. Sure, Cancer had started to leave, but everyone was on the edge of fighting with more than just words and she was sure of it. The tiny birb listened, trembling, to Ky's firm voice. She was glad the lioness had finally got her say... But it did nothing to make the young ave feel better. Instead she wanted to disappear.

And so, disappear she did.

Cancer's sharp voice picked up after his return, and a curt call demanded Bevy return. Yes, yes, she had seen the puppy-eyed look the bossy brat had given her, but that wasn't going to make her feel any better. For now she'd keep her trap shut anyway, the furbrains and oversized turkey yacked on and on enough without her help.


Her wings carried her down to Cancer and the others, and once more Bevy made her perch on the leopard's horns. She gave a passing glance to Makyna-- the only one who had proved with much at all-- and then went on to preen her mess of feathers. Enna sure had been spooked, hadn't she! Well look, Calypso hadn't signed up for this.


She was curious about the golems, however. "Azazel and I can scout the Spire. If there is a beast that's killed gembounds there, best we don't put everyone in danger." With that, she gave a glance to Leon. For a massive gembound he sure could be a coward when his friends were involved. She did her best to sound like a teeny, nervous bird-- which wasn't too hard since she was already a bird and also quite small.

"Safety first, above all else, yes? We don't want to push our luck with these things."

The little fire which had caused Ky's explosion had burnt out, now she simply felt emotionally worn and guilty for the outburst. As such her ears sagged and her eyes lowered to her paws so she wouldn't have to meet any of her friends' gazes. Sure, it might have done them good to hear about themselves but that didn't give her any right to go off the handle so severely. She scuffed one paw in the dirt as she listened to Cancer outline a new plan. This one sounded far more doable, they just had to get one of the golems away from the other. Simple. However the thought of going near the spire where Deus had been killed set the kitty a little bit on edge. Her eyes widened and she looked up at Cancer then Aza'zel. "I was there... It was awful..." Her voice trembled as she recounted the memory, a memory that she had tried to keep buried as it was too painful to relieve. No. She couldn't retreat within herself now, she had to concentrate, had to help. "Fisher attacked the Spire. Perhaps if we don't provoke it the Spire won't send anything to attack us." Seemed resonable. Besides, if Fisher's story was true then the first time he had struck the thing and the second time he had shocked it. Both things were attacks so why not make that connection? After all, Ky had never thought it a good idea to unleash his energy upon it. "We just have to be careful not to accidentally hit the Spire once we lure one over." She would have time to grieve about that one event later, right now she had to focus on other things.

Now that that was out of the way she walked up to Leon, eyes softening. She knew he only wanted what was best for her, it made him a bit touchy. The lioness appreciated that she had someone looking out for her well being, she just wished not to be underestimated. "I know I stand no chance against a hoard, I just wanted to prove a point. Our chances against one golem though, that should be fine, right?"


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words: 366
tagged: Cancer, Bevy, Leon, Aza'zel
ooc: ---
muse: 5/10

"Talking looks like this!"
Thinking looks like this...