,Wishing on a Shooting Star, :MB:

"It's Balthier," he said with a smirk, after Ganon had finished speaking, noting the larger wolf's approach. "A thief's word among his own is law, enforced one way or another. Even one who has abandoned their lifestyle never forgets, so for that reason, I wouldn't dare try to sneak Zelda away from the fight- she's in no immediate danger of dying. And for all I know, you have friends hiding elsewhere." He didn't like to speak so casually and distant about her, but he had to so he could get himself in the proper mindset. He had his fair share of fights and exchanged words with his kind, and it's something to never underestimate, no matter how many stories of stupid thieves one hears. Although it was generally easy enough to identify the stupid ones. This one, though, wasn't. It'd be a difficult fight, but feasible, depending on the direction the fight would lead...

"Let's start this now, then," he said after another moment. He'd finished physically sizing up his opponent. It was a pity he didn't have the foresight to dig around for his minor poisons, but how would he have known the pack was in trouble? The pack had better thank him for this after this was over- there was a chance of getting some scars unless he would be able to take care of them right away.

He made a bold charge, jaws open in a snarl. His body was positioned closer to the ground. His aim appeared to be at the legs, which he knew wouldn't connect. If Ganon merely avoided the attack, he'd wait for the next move. If the other wolf tried to bite him in return, Balthier would execute his original plan of locking jaws to get a better sense of strength and how much room for error he had. Any other possible outcomes would cause a spur of the moment reaction. First was to see how Ganon would respond to overconfidence. If that didn't cause him to make mistakes, taunting would come next. There'd be a few options after that, depending on what happens, although it was doubtful whether he'd remember to execute them or not.

He snarled angrily. Another wolf- one he didn't recognize had arrived, just before he got there. So much for a one hit kill. The fem had ruined his snipe. Oh well. Although he disliked it, he'd have to do this head on like a real warrior now. So be it as long as his coat didn't get any more soiled than it was now.

He discarded stealth for a normal run as the foolish wolf leapt at the large brute on Zelda. Not bothering to see the result of that, he barked out after he was sure that little scene was done with and before a retaliation could occur, "Before you continue your assault on either of these ladies, why don't you fight the stronger wolf one-on-one. The one I don't know over there will be redirected to your cronies-forcibly or not, and if you must insist on trying to steal Zelda from us... why don't we make a deal, hmm?" He paused, to take inventory of the other wolf's expression and spoke his next words slowly, "Whichever one of us wins our duel can take her as our prize and loser has no say. Victor wins by the opponent running away, dying, or any type of physical interference from his friends whether it be them coming into the fight or even throwing something at his friend's opponent. Apart from that, no rules." He carefully laid the stakes down. "I'd recommend taking this deal. You'd find yourself facing multiple wolves if you continue to attack Zelda otherwise, and there's a chance you'd actually be able to win if it's just against me. Oh, and to answer why I'm even offering? So I don't have to worry about an ally getting killed courtesy of me." His voice naturally grew a shade darker during his last bit.

He glanced in Zelda's direction, eyes changing just enough to allow a glimmer of apology in speaking of her as if she were an item. It was the way of thieves. As quick as it appeared, the look was gone. Turning to Storm, he said, "Stranger, I'm telling you only once- if this deal's accepted, go help over there. You heard my terms. Try fight here under my stated conditions, and I'll incapacitate you before you finish taking one step, and that's the last thing we need right now."

Turning back to Ganon, he said, "So, a duel against thieves fighting for one prize. Sounds like another good story starring me to tell my brother when this is over," he lifted a brow, as if daring the other to say otherwise. He had a suspicion what might have happened if things were let alone. Zelda was specifically targeted, if the cronies and the fact this wolf was the clear leader were anything to go by. Possibly a wolf-napping attempt or... something else. Whatever it was, Balthier assumed could classify him as a thief, and oddly enough, Balther was, or still is, one. He knew the lingo, although he'd always spoken above that his whole life. Having been raised to grow up with high expectations did that to a wolf.

"Well then. Shall we introduce each other, for the sake of the loser knowing the victor's name?" he asked, aloof. He didn't quite trust this wolf to keep his bargain, and he was intent on killing him in order for it to be kept. Nor did he trust Storm. She probably had pure reasons, but wolves always had some reason for any action they made, although he'd found some exceptions, like this pack. He could later make the excuse of using Storm as a way to prevent the two fighting Link and Cinder from helping their leader were he to break the deal. From one thief to another, though, word was normally as good as writing. Call him cynical, vain, overly confident, or anything else. But at the end of the day, Balthier was Balthier. That's all he'd ever be anymore. Never as his father had tried to raise him to be. Never Ffamran. He wouldn't allow it.

Bell had scampered off earlier, claiming to be unable to fight. Then Fran noticed the change in expression and posture, even in mid-air. It was highly unlikely the feelings that flashed through Mabaya's eyes could be faked, especially from a crazed wolf... or perhaps not as crazed as first appeared. She probably could have stopped her attack, but it was insult to not, especially since this wolf seemed resigned to his fate and what could be unpredictability. The best way for a wolf like this to go was through death. There were pups here, and any wolf who felt no sorrow killing couldn't be here.

It was over in a matter of seconds. Fangs and claws tore through flesh, promising a quick kill. This wolf didn't deserve to suffer, as he hadn't done wrong other than initiate an attack to the death for no reason. As they landed on the ground, she backed up, expression blank, a faint flash of acknowledgement in her eyes before it disappeared just as quick, watching for the life to run dry from his body.

Throughout this, she heard Bell's, no, Bellatrix's return and words before footsteps leading away. She hadn't been watching her, intent on finishing her fight, and was under what the wolf had spoken about.


"Excellent job, Fran. Now, with me. Be ready for another fight." He'd heard fighting in two locations, and less noise from this direction with no blood. That meant less wolves fighting in a more critical area of the pack. He'd arrived for the ending of the fight and hadn't missed the fem fleeing with blood on her maw, but a preoccupied mind assumed it was due to the fight. Having just come back through the sandstorm, with ease, he'd say, Balthier still has sand in his pelt, and the thought of needing to wash was thrown to the back of his mind where it'd wait for this mess to be over with. He didn't wait for a reaction from Fran, nor did he give Mabaya a second glance to check whether he was dead or alive, although he suspected Fran did a thorough job.


Fran turned to the sudden, familiar voice the pack hadn't heard for some time, but merely saw a grey form already moving away from her. She ran after him, knowing Mabaya had already breathed his last. She sped along, following behind, her pace matching his. Soon enough, she had to come to a stop, surprised at seeing Vaarak and Safira a fare distance from the apparent fight that was going on.


He slowed to a stop, hearing Fran behind him do the same. There was Vaarak, leading an unknown fem. His eyes didn't miss the glassy look in her eye. Blind. Taking stock, he looked off across the field and faintly saw wolves. Turning back to the three, he barked out, "Fran, take my brother and his lady friend back to the dens. Stay there upon arrival and guard the area from other possible attack." Glancing at Safira, he said, "Introductions later, but I'm going to ask that you help secure the dens. Your sense of hearing and smell should be far better than any of ours." He knew wolves who lost a sense would find their others much sharper. Plus, having a general idea of how females behaved, it was wise to give her something to do instead of sitting, not knowing what was going on, and waiting.

Turning to Vaarak, he said, "No arguments," then started to make a bee line towards Zelda, Link, and Cinder. He couldn't see exactly what was happening from the large distance, but had a feeling it probably wasn't that good.

Cruor saw his siter wake up, and saw her slowly moving her head down to his mother's tail. Oh noes... Like in slowmotion, he saw her mouth opening, and closing around mother's tail, waking her. He took some quick steps, trying to put some distance between him and them, but he froze in his tracks when mother addressed him. Slowly looking back, a slighty quilty grin on his face, he made eye contact with his mother, his ice blue orbs staring at her. "Looking around Mom." He spoke, trying to sound as innocent as he could.