singillatim | ( open ) i'm guessing that i've grown horns

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( open ) i'm guessing that i've grown horns

Who: Bigby and you!
What: If there are animal tracks anywhere in the area, you know the big dog's got to chase them down.
When: During April.
Where: First prompt outside the populated areas towards the rockier areas in the wild, second prompt back in Milton.

Content Warnings: Nothing in the log itself, if anything comes up in a thread there will be a warning in the header!

( 1. outside town )

[ Maybe you decided to go along with Bigby out on a little trip - or maybe he invited you along, if he knows you. Maybe you even came out here by yourself, and Bigby ran into you.

Either way, you're standing here now together, out in the rockier area between the mining camp and the ravine - staring down at some tracks in the snow. Even if the fog constantly hanging around is making visibility more of a problem, at least it's still very much possible to just look down and stare at the rather feline tracks in the snow. ]

See? [ Bigby points out to you. ] This is what I was talking about. I haven't seen this here before, but.. judging by the looks of it, that's got to be one big cat.

[ More than just a cat, really. That's why the man's eyebrows are drawn together into a concerned frown as he stares at the tracks, but then looks back up and over at you. ]

It's usually not been a good thing when new tracks appear around here.

( 2. in milton )

[ Running around in the wilds seems to have done very little for actually managing to find whatever animal is out there.. and instead seems to have done a whole lot more to Bigby himself.

After all, with the weather being the way it is, it feels incredibly exhausting to be out there. Let alone going out day after day, since he's so determined to find that thing. And between that and everything that's been happening the past few months, and the stress of the situation and the worries about the Darkwalker..

.. well, Bigby isn't doing so great.

It might become obvious when you see him coming back into Milton after another day of futile tracking. It's like he has to drag his feet to keep on moving as he's walking across town to head back to his place, lines of exhaustion visible in his face. But apparently he's not exhausted enough to no notice someone staring at him, since he'll lift his head to look over at you after a few moments, noticing you there. ]

.. Is something up?

[ For once he doesn't even sound gruff as he's saying it.

Bigby just sounds tired. ]

( ooc: replying with either brackets or prose is fine! i will match! c: )

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[ Maccready has only seen small cats — the domesticated kind, and he's not entirely familiar with them if he's honest — big cats, though, are sort of a weird vague idea in his mind. There are the kind that existed before, but there's plausibly the kind that exist after, too. Whatever left these tracks, he's hoping it's the former, rather than some horrible mutated beast.

Either way; not a good sign, indeed. He crouches to get a better look at the print, takes in its shape, and commits to memory the way in which it differs from a wolf's. ]

Everything around here is just trying to stake a claim, huh? [ he huffs, pulls a cigarette from his pocket and sets it between his lips. ] I really can't imagine that there's just the one, though…

[ Bigby pulls his shoulders up a little at the first remark. Maccready is right on the money there, as far as he can see it - but it's often how things go in the wild. Bigby is used to it. Maybe not as used to this many different creatures trying to stake a claim, but maybe back home most of them knew better than to attempt to share woods with the Big Bad Wolf of all people.. ]

I think you're right. Felines are a little less likely to travel in packs the way canines do, but.. something about these tracks makes it seem to me like there's more than one too. [ Regardless of whether they're working together or not.

He frowns at the other guy. ]

And that could turn into trouble real quick. A lot of people pass by here on their way to the houses by the lake. I don't think all of them can defend themselves against an entire group of large wildcats.

[ Conversely, Maccready is more than used to fighting breaking out over claims of land — whether it's people, animals, or the mutants, there's always something. Cats though, well, he doesn't know a lot, the dogs he's seen in the waste are rarely alone, travelling in groups, so he'd assume they were similar. But if that's not the case— ]

Maybe we'll get lucky and they'll fight among themselves. [ It's said with a dry laugh, because it's wishful thinking at best, even if they do fight each other, it doesn't solve the problem. ] People should stick to the established routes for now, probably shouldn't travel without someone who can defend them.

[ Narrowing his eyes at their surroundings, following the tracks would be easy enough, at least give them some idea of where they're coming from. He's not entirely sure if noise and activity would draw them closer or deter them, though. ]

How likely is it we'd be able to chase 'em off? Most of the creatures I'm used to dealing with are, uh… Well, they'll attack and keep at it, regardless of how poorly it might go for them.

If they're regular cats? [ Well, regular wildcats. Bigby knows for sure that they aren't just regular house cats or anything, especially when you take the sheer size of these prints into account.

But even then there's still the difference between regular wildlife and the kind of wild, fucked up wildlife you sometimes find in this place. ]

Then we probably could easily do it. Even just some fire might work. Anything that'd seem like a threat to them. [ He frowns a little when he adds: ] If they're weird cats, it might end up being more of a pain in the ass than just that.

[ Not that the idea seems to deter the man. Bigby is already taking a step to follow the direction the tracks are leading in. ]

You wanna come check it out?

[ Otherwise Bigby will just go alone, but.. well, even he knows some backup probably can't hurt. Especially in a place like this, where it's so easy for people to disappear. Where that sort of thing happens all the damn time. ]

[ Maccready cants his head into a sort of nod, regular cats. He's following Bigby's lead on this, for sure, will consider the man to be something of an expert, simply because he has no other point of comparison — he seems to know what he's talking about, and that's good enough for him, for now. ]

I'm not gonna let you go out there by yourself and have all the fun.

[ Light-hearted enough, but his brow forms a serious line. He has his rifle with him, and a decent supply of ammunition thanks to Levi, if they're weird cats, whatever that means, then he'll give them hell if he needs to. Of course, he'd prefer not to start firing shots off, but better safe than sorry. ]

Do you uh, have any idea of how far these cats typical wander?

[ His eyes move to the sky, he's trying to be conscious of the time, of how much light they'll have before they start losing it. Travelling during the night is something he doesn't like, and though he's done his fair share of it back at home, the weather here brings with it its own difficulties to contend with. The tracks can't lead too far away, though, surely. ]

[ There's a hum like he's considering it. ]

Probably not too far. Especially since there's multiple tracks. This isn't just one scouting ahead - they got to be living around here now. [ Granted, that is bad news in the sense that Bigby isn't entirely sure if they'll be able to run into just one of these things, or that they'll have to deal with two or more of them right away..

But they committed to this now, and that thought sure isn't enough to make Bigby back away. Especially when Maccready has a gun, and Bigby is pretty confident in his own combat abilities against other animals, even while he's stuck in this human form.

He opens his mouth to say something more, but--

Bigby suddenly closes it, slowing down his steps before stopping entirely. He wordlessly points at something in the distance.

If Maccready follows that finger with his gaze, he'll be able to see that there are two creatures there in the distance. They're still a little ways off, but.. Even from this far away it's clear that they definitely aren't sized like a regular cat. Not even like a regular wildcat. Something about them is bigger. ]

Think you can get them from here? [ He whispers to Maccready, making sure to keep his voice as quiet as possible. Bigby has no idea how good these things' hearing is. Technically they should be far away enough to be fine, but if these things aren't regular wildcats, then he isn't as sure. ]

[ The revelation the cats are probably living nearby has him huffing, a little deflated at the news, but not entirely unsurprised. Hoping for good news in this place seems counterproductive, seems like a quick way to wind up disappointed. Easier to temper his expectations.

Maccready catches the changes in Bigby's demeanour, and with it is almost immediately on high alert from that kind of reaction. With Bigby using a finger to point out the animals, it's easy to spot them even without his scope. While he has no real idea as to how different they are, he can at least gauge their size, make an educated guess at how far away they are. He'll have to take the wind into factor, and depending on if he can move into a better position to rest his rifle atop something solid… ]

Yeah.

[ His whole posture has changed, like he's standing to attention. In spite of his certainty, there's no arrogance in his tone, more of a determined confidence. In the current conditions, provided the animals don't suddenly start running, it's a shot similar to ones he's made countless times. He tilts his head to the side, eyes still focused on the cats. ]

At least one of them, definitely.

Great.

[ He doesn't seem to question the other's answer in the slightest, despite the fact that Bigby has never seen Maccready in action before. Maybe it's the confidence the other seems to speak with, or maybe it's just Bigby's faith in the impression he's got of the other so far. Either way - he's willing to take that answer for what it is, relying on it. ]

Try it. If you don't get both of them right away and the remaining one lunges at us, I'll deal with it. [ As evidenced by the large axe he's carrying with him - one that he moves from where he was carrying it more casually to now having a very active grip on it with his hand. ] So don't worry about that. Just focus on shooting.

[ It doesn't sound like he's doubting this plan either.

There's two of those things, and there's two of them - and Bigby likes to think they're infinitely more capable than these beings. They're the ones who came prepared. ]

[ So, they're doing this. It seems like the smartest choice to him, he just hopes it doesn't blow up in their faces; guns are loud, they draw attention, but if they manage to spook the animals off it'll be a win. Even if only temporarily. At the very least, thinning their numbers out will have some benefits.

Maccready gives a stiff nod, takes a few steps back, before turning around and retracing his steps; there's a spot not too far with a small outcropping of rocks, and it's there that he moves. Hopping up atop them, he sits with one knee up, and shrugs his ever present backpack off of his shoulders and into his lap. It's clear now, that it's not just for storage, as he adjusts it, resting the stock of his rifle atop it while he locates the cats again. He fiddles a bit with the scope attached, and it isn't long at all before he zeros in on them. They haven't strayed too far, a couple of yards, if that. He exhales, slow and steady. ]

You sure about this?

[ Quiet, still, but no less serious. He seems sure, at least; relaxing into position, shifting his cap so that the light isn't in his eyes. They'll get one clean shot at the cats, after that they're going to need to take it as it comes, he can't exactly unfire his gun. ]

[ Bigby is quiet the entire time while the other sets up his sniper spot. It's not like he really knows anything at all about this stuff, after all. Bigby has been a staunch disliker of the use of guns - at least when it comes to he himself using them. It's fine that Maccready does, but with his own total lack of experience, he isn't going to bother or distract the other while he sets up.

Instead he just moves along to the rocks so he can stand in front of them. Out of the way of the gun, obviously, but close enough that he's confident he can tackle those cats if they run over in case Maccready misses.

Bigby isn't going to let anyone else get hurt on his watch. Even less so when they are involved in one of his own plans. ]

Yeah. Never been more sure.

[ Well, maybe that's not fully accurate, but he is still sure. They have to tackle this problem at the root, and this is where that starts. ]

I got your back. Just trust me. [ Bigby, after all, is also trusting Maccready. Trusting that the other will be able to take this shot well enough, despite never having seen the other do this sort of thing before.

But even if Bigby is a lone wolf, this place has taught him a thing or two about not being able to do everything all by yourself. Sometimes you have to put that little bit of trust in someone else's hands - and Maccready hasn't done anything to betray said trust so far. ]

[ Balancing his rifle, keeping it steady, he lets his eyes drift to Bigby just for a second. Trust isn't an easy thing; where he's from, it's hard won and lost so easily, but he's learned that it's not always a bad thing. To extend it to people, to let them in and rely on them, even if it's uncomfortable. Especially because it is, maybe. ]

I do.

[ And he does, is the strange thing. People here, he doesn't think they have a lot to gain by being manipulative, and as best he can tell, Bigby's been straight with him — hasn't tried to sugar coat the realities of life in Milton, showed him compassion when he didn't need to.

Turning his attention back to the wildcats, follows them with his eyes. They've started moving. Whether it's because they've heard something, or if they feel like something is off, he doesn't know, but it'd be stupid to delay any further. He lines up his shot, lets his aim drift just ahead, and steadies his breath. A beat passes, and he fires.

In the time it takes for him to pull back the bolt and ready a second shot, the first lands; the space behind its front leg, right where its lungs sit. It should be enough, but the bigger problem is in the fact they've been made now, the shot echoing while the second cat starts moving in their direction. ]

[ It's strange.

Bigby should probably be feeling worried about this situation. Especially since he isn't the only person whose safety is on the line here. But there's something about the way that cat runs towards them feels familiar, even though it's not like Bigby has ever really seen cats that size in the wild. It feels familiar. It awakens something inside of him. Even though this place has tried to block his access to what he really is, tried to rip him from it, there's still a part of it slumbering inside of him.

So when that cat runs far too quickly towards them, a strange sound escapes Bigby's throat. It sounds more animalistic than human, like a growl, and the next moment he does what he told Maccready he was going to do-- take care of the other cat. He figures Maccready is keeping an eye on the first one anyway, making sure it doesn't try to get up and surprise Bigby in the meantime.

Bigby runs to meet the cat-like creature halfway, letting out another growl as he throws himself at it, axe swinging wildly. The weapon knocks in the creature hard enough to knock it backwards, but doesn't seem to hurt it as easily as it would hurt any other animal. Usually his axe would have sunk into flesh already, but this one-- It seems sturdier than that, only knocked back for now instead of injured or downed. ]

Fuck! [ Bigby calls out, even though it sounds more annoyed than really worried about the situation, despite the reveal of just how much stronger than regular cats these things are. The growl is present in his voice even now. ]

[ The cat he'd shot is definitely flagging, no doubt its lung is filling with blood, and he feels confident enough in his skills that it won't present a further threat to them. Even so, he fires a second shot, and the animal falls heavily to its side, unmoving. It's the other cat that is the issue now, though, it moves fast, way too fast for Maccready to track even though he tries. He finds that he's always seemingly behind it, even when he tries to get it in his sights. No ordinary animal should be able to move like that.

From his peripheral, he catches sight of Bigby moving, the noise that the man makes has the hair on the back of Maccready's neck standing on end. He knows what the man had said, at the meeting, and if it hadn't been apparent before, it is now. All he can do is watch from above his scope as Bigby meets the animal head on, swinging his axe right at it. Even he knows that the blade should have sunk through fur and flesh with as hard as he'd swung it.

They're too close, he can't line up a clean shot like this, not without readjusting his scope, and if he moved to get into a better position he could wind up drawing more attention to himself. He could make an attempt at aiming for one of its back legs, forgoing the scope altogether; it's how he used to shoot, before he'd got one fitted. With both Bigby and the cat moving so much, though, it's a risk, and it's not one he's sure he's willing to take.]

Lead it away!

[ If Bigby can get the animal to follow him, to turn its back on Maccready, there's a chance he could manage it, to at least slow down the animal, to reduce the efficacy of its leap. ]

[ There's no direct response from Bigby. No confirmation. But it seems like the man has gotten the message all the same, because his actions show that he's doing exactly what Maccready is asking for here, figuring that it means he's got some sort of plan here as to how he can shoot this thing as well.

So he moves to the other side of the cat - so he's no longer standing between Maccready and the creature, but instead at a point where he can easily lead the animal further away from Maccready's sniping spot instead as long as it'll follow him.

And Bigby is sure planning on making sure the cat follows him. He lowers himself a little, just enough to seem a little more like an animal himself, especially with his face half-transformed like this, and then lets out another one of those weird animalistic sounds. It seems like it's enough to draw both the cat's attention and aggro at the same time, like it's considering something on a similar level as itself as more of a natural threat here.

It starts to move towards Bigby, and Bigby moves backwards at the exact same rate - making sure to keep some distance between himself and the creature so it hopefully can't leap at him and tear out his throat. ]

[ For a second — just a fraction of one — Maccready questions whether this is a good idea at all, the reliance upon others, of allowing other people to rely on him in turn. It's an errant thought, one that rears its head from time to time, and one that's pushed easily to the side as Bigby begins moving, shifting to the cat's flank and luring it away. It's replaced with a new thought, that Bigby truly is what he said at the town meeting; not that Maccready had doubted him, it's just… difficult to wrap his head around. Or was, he supposes.

Still, questions of how human someone is or isn't, they aren't particularly relevant when there's a killer cat around.

Maccready keeps still, silent as Bigby leads it away, lest he draw attention to himself again. It's eerily impressive, the way the man keeps pace with the animal, and the move further and further back in tandem almost — for each threatening step forward the cat takes, Bigby moves easily backwards. He has no intention of allowing the game of cat and proverbial-mouse to continue longer than necessary, though.

The second he sees an opening he lines up a shot, from there it's just a matter of waiting for the right moment, the right angle. Ensuring there's no risk of a bullet tearing its way through the cat and catching Bigby. Just a slight adjustment in trajectory, the cat looking ready to pounce.

He hits the upper thigh of it's back leg, that pounce it had been readying leading nowhere as it instead roars, a strangled sort of sound, louder than he'd imagined it would be. He's the one with the cat's eyes on him now, turning to narrow yellow eyes at him as he reloads, empty rounds falling into the snow below. Bigby's axe really better not be for show. ]

[ Bigby doesn't have any clue when the shot is going to come, but that's fine. He's dealt with surprises before, and he at least does know that it's coming. He'll just have to trust Maccready enough to believe the other will know the right moment to shoot. That Bigby can keep moving without being too worried about accidentally ending up in the line of fire.

And it seems he was right about that one. When the shot rings out, it's the mutated wildcat that's downed, not him. The timing of the shot seems perfect too with the way the creature ends up on the ground. Maccready doesn't even have to say anything - like Bigby wordlessly knows what he has to do.

Which is to finally swing his axe again - and downwards, hitting the creature's neck.

It takes a second swing, considering the strength of the mutation, but when Bigby swings the weapon down again, the cat's head is cleanly separated from its body. Blood sprays up enough to land on Bigby's weapon, hands and coat, but the man doesn't seem to mind in the slightest.

Instead he gazes up with his glowing eyes towards where Maccready is, just to see if he can still spot the other's form there. ]

You alright? [ He calls out, a little more confident in raising his voice now the danger's gone. He doubts there's more of these things anywhere nearby, or surely they would've approached after the first shot rang out. ]

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( open ) i'm guessing that i've grown horns

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cw animal harm

cw animal harm

cw continues

cw continues

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