Velasco didn't know why the Shaman Oriole had come to this place of all places. The crumbling of buildings made him uneasy as many things could be hiding out here. Scavengers, predators and even Nouls whom have gone mad and are hell bent on killing those that come into their territory. But this spot was still just about on the threshold of Homewood and could make for easy escape if need be. The large black buck looked at the Chestnut that was the Shaman, his expression passive as he hardly tried to show emotions. Velasco was more known for his muscle then anything else and had been appointed to watching the Shaman. "Whatever you are doing Shaman, do it quick, I don't like the feel of this place." He voiced his opinion as if it really meant anything.
In most cases he didn't as the Shaman rarely thought to ask him of it. With his things laid out in proper order, the Shaman had gone into an almost meditative state. This left him vulnerable and this is were Vel came in. He paced around the edges of the circle Oriole had scratched into the ground, ears flicking to listen... The silence was deafening... He didn't like it...
"I don't like this... Too quiet.." Velasco muttered as he stood to what would be in front of the Shaman.
Something rustled the bushes to their side, Vel snapped in that direction as stones fell behind him. Someone or something was out there, something that seemed hell bent to see what they were or worse. Head raised high, he sniffed at the air, nothing, seemed whatever it was was down wind. Smart creature whatever it was. With a flick of his tail he turned again to face towards where the stones had fallen, seemed the Shaman was also alert.
"Best be packing up and moving out." Vel said as the Shaman seemed to pack up the small stones he carried everywhere. "You head on back, I will follow as soon as I know nothing will follow."
As he said this a snarling sounded off to the side, something was hiding in the bushes. Snorting to himself as it seemed the Shaman made it back over the threshold and into Homewood. The Guardians there would protect him there, Vel on the other hoof remained where he was. A small grin crept across his face showing a small bit of delight.
"Might be wise to just turn around and walk away." he called out to the one beast that he saw.
Those burning eyes watching him as he squared up to take on any attack that came his way. The cat beast prowled closer, muscles sliding carefully beneath its pelt. The fur looked like it would be warm to sleep under, let alone on. Vel started to move as if to circle with the cat, ears listening for the sounds of others. He didn't notice any, but then again this one was making so much noise that he couldn't hear anything else.
"Fine you want to play things that way. Lets play Kitty cat." He jeered at the cat as he lunged towards it.
The cat leaped backwards out of Vel's reach, it was his attempt to scare it off, but the cat swiped at him as he did. Vel took a turn falling back as they cat circled again looking for an opening, Velasco wasn't one for letting himself have any openings. Again they leaped at each other, Vel knocked the cat away. It snarled as it tumbled along the ground, the loose stones making it hard for the cat to get back to its feet.
"Not the swiftest of beasts, huh?" he said almost in pity for the beast as it came back at him.
Vel threw the beast again, using his horn as a hook to toss it over his back. While this was not the greatest of ideas. The cat was met by his back hooves in the process. While the Shaman wouldn't allow such violence towards other creatures, predators or other wise. Vel had little problem with throwing them around some. There was also a summons out from a stonesmith. Seems they had created a stone for fighters. Only catch is, you had to bring back proof of defeating one of these cat beasts.
He wasn't sure if the beast had to be dead, or could something just be taken and still let the beast live. The summons only mentioned 'defeating' the beast and there were many meanings to the word. As it stood, Vel would gladly kill one of these, but they seemed to have a higher purpose... Hunting Nouls, but surely there was something else... So for this time he would settle with taking a claw from the beast while it was down or even a fang if one should be knocked out.
Velasco kept lunging at the beast until it was cornered. Though they say the more cornered they are, the more they fight. Just that this corner had a bit of a surprise. When the cat was where Vel wanted him. He kicked a board to unleash a tumble of stones that rained down on the cat. While he was sure the cat might survive, it would certainly be more careful of what it attacked. The cat screeched as the stones fell atop it. When the dust settled the cat was covered, unmoving from what he could see. Shaking his head, Vel stepped carefully over and tore one of its claws from its paw. This should be proof enough, as he did so there was a soft grunt from beneath the stones.
Well the cat would fight another day it seemed, all the more fun. With a grin, Velasco set off back towards Homewood and collect his prize. A claw, for a claw.
WC: 977
