the third punishment

[faceofjustice]

An hour past dark, any door Tsia, Anders or Logan try to open will lead to the same blackened corridor. Inside, the Headsman waits, ever-sharp axe slung over his shoulder as he beckons them forward. Any attempt to fight or flee will be quickly silenced by the Headsman and the blunt side of his axe

Comments

[timid_kitty]

Anders had asked Alex to stay away altogether, but there was little chance of that happening and he'd said as such. The Mage had asked him to not interfere and as hard as that was, Alex knew there was nothing that could be done to help those the Headsman had been sent for. He'd experienced a punishment himself shortly after his arrival and though people had tried to interfere, it had only led to them facing the Headsman and being fended off

sorry this is so late!

[faceofjustice]

The Headsman splits form, one remaining with Tsia to press the brand to her skin while another moves for Alex. Axe in hand, there is no holding back when he lashes out at the Were.

Be thankful that he blunt side is what aims for Alex, intent on catching him across the stomach area.

Quite alright, bb! <33 Let's make this situation worse, shall we? So sorry, Nieta!!! T^T

[timid_kitty]

Alex has had a past encounter with the Headsman and would, much to the dismay of both he and his friends, not be his last. When he came to his senses later, this would really make him think twice about the concern and suspicion Anders felt about Tsia. After all, if this sort of a thing could happen once, it could very likely happen again

/sneaks on in

[sociopathicwolf]

Derek's here pretty much only because he knows Alex will be. He wouldn't have ventured out of his room to watch the punishment otherwise, but he wants to be there in case his friend needs anything.

And it turns out to be a good thing that he did, because it means he's close by when he sees Alex lose it, transform, and go charging towards the green.

"Alex, stop!"

He's running as he yells, especially when the Headsman moves in on him. He'd be faster in wolf form, but he doesn't have time to change, and really, it'd probably be better if he can actually talk. Derek keeps going even when Alex makes a leap for the Headsman, planning on running right into him and tackling him to the ground.

And then hopefully rolling away before Alex can actually injure him.

whoops

[faceofjustice]

The Headsman is quick to move, stepping back as Alex lunges to attack and flipping the axe that the sharp side faces the cat. All that is caught of him is his front-most arm, the werecats attack grazing enough to shred through both sleeve, glove and flesh beneath. If it hurts, the Headsman does not show it.

When Derek tackles in, the Headsman takes another step back, axe raised above his head and ready to strike. He nods to the other side of the fence-line. Go now, while you both still can.

<3 you both

[timid_kitty]

Alex sees the Headsman flip his axe around, but he pays next to no mind to the action. One of the few things that will stop him right now is a fatal blow of that blade; one of the few other things is what unexpectedly happens next. As he scores a successful hit on the figure before him, lips pulled back from his fangs in a vicious and feral snarl, he's not paying any attention at all to Derek's rapid approach

<3 all!

[sociopathicwolf]

As soon as Alex is down, Derek is rolling away, getting off of him and out of range of his claws as quick as he can. He'd just wanted to stop him from attacking the Headsman, he doesn't want to actually hold him down.

Especially not when it's obvious that Alex doesn't recognize him at all, which is exactly what Derek was hoping wouldn't happen.

He sees the Headsman nod towards the fence out of the corner of his eye, and he nods back. Right, get him on the other side of the fence. He's trying. Derek starts backing towards the fence, keeping his eyes on Alex and trying to goad him into following.

"Come on, Alex, you need to calm down." Or at least - attack him this way, towards the fence, so they can move this to the other side.

[timid_kitty]

Alex scrambles to his feet with a snarl, not connecting with Derek in any way as the other Were moves out of his reach. Blue-green eyes narrow as he begins to circle the boy, fangs flashing briefly as he growls low in his chest. For the moment, his attention is completely off Anders, Tsia and the Headsman. Unfortunately for Derek, he has the leopard's full and undivided attention now and he is out for blood.

He pays no mind to the intention Derek has of leading him to the fence, his narrow gaze unwavering as he walks on all fours despite his humanoid stance. While hearing the other Were speak, Alex doesn't seem to understand or care at all. At the suggestion he calm down, he simply growls and falls still, muscles tightening as he shifts his weight slightly and gathers himself.

It's the only warning Derek will get before the leopard man explodes forward in a rush of claws and fang; his intention of doing to Derek what he'd have done to the Headsman. He hasn't yet noticed that the other Headsman is raising the brand to Tsia's

[sociopathicwolf]

Right, this is going amazingly. At least Derek's gotten Alex's attention off of the Headsman, so one part of his plan went right. The rest of it? He'll get back to you on that.

He's not quite having to hold back the urge to Change, but he can feel it pulling a bit at him in response to Alex's predatory attention. There is a threat, and his wolf wants to respond to it.

When Alex lunges for him, Derek rolls away again, one again trying to angle it so that it puts them closer to the fence. Which proves to be his undoing, actually, as it means he's not quite fast enough to avoid getting hit. Alex's claws rake his shoulder as he dodges, drawing blood.

Derek can't stop the growl from escaping his throat at that. All right, he might have to start changing tactics now.

[timid_kitty]

The scent of blood is sharp in the air as Alex connects with Derek's shoulder, the salty tang reaching the leopard's nose as his nostrils flare. His pupils dilate and he snarls low in his chest as his cupped ears flatten back against his skull, whiskers fanning briefly before flattening against his muzle.

The growl that issues from Derek is met in kind as the leopard man begins to again circle the boy. The cat mind that has taken over is enjoying playing with its prey, tail slashing the air behind him as he skulks around on hands and feet.

Already having scored a hit, Alex charges in, looking rather intent on just bodily barreling Derek into the ground.

[sociopathicwolf]

Derek doesn't try to dodge this time, but holds his ground as Alex charges in at him. At least until the last second, and then he drops to the ground.

And fights dirty, bringing up his knee sharply, aiming for Alex's groin.

He doesn't know if it'll have the same effect on Alex in this half-leopard form, but right then, he's just going for what'll cause enough pain to hopefully have him down for at least a few seconds.

OH GOD I NEVER GOT A NOTIF!!! D: D: D: I'M SO SORRY!

[timid_kitty]

Unfortunately for Derek, Kevas tried this trick on him shortly after his arrival. Unfortunately for Alex, when he realizes what's being done, he doesn't quite avoid it altogether.

Derek's knee connects firmly with Alex's thigh, and though it's not his groing, it's still painful and it's still effective.

Pain stabs through the Were's thigh and the leg seizes, giving out beneath him. He scrambles to catch his balance, slashing at Derek with his claws as he falls to all fours again, favoring his right leg now.

If Derek is going to try to take advantage of Alex being downed, he better act, and quickly.