----------------------------------------------
RESPITE OUTSKIRTS - JUST AFTER DAWN
----------------------------------------------
Florian walks along the outside of the western wall of Respite, mostly just enjoying the view of everything while he can before the day gets too hot for him to deal with. He's currently dressed pretty comfortably, if perhaps a little form-fitting, and he's got his tool case slung on a shoulder like always when he's out and about in the event inspiration strikes. He smiles to himself as he breathes in the cool, early morning air.
Narrator: There is a low, feral growl from the bushes near Florian. A not very friendly growl.
Florian looks around curiously upon hearing a sound coming from a bush nearby. Though he's curious, something about the growl makes his fur bristle a bit, putting him on alert.
Victoria stalks to view from the undergrowth, the feral leopard baring her teeth at the perceived intruder. She continues growling, tail swishing slightly in agitation as she stares at Florian.
Florian 's eyes are immediately drawn to the leopard stalking into view, though the familiarity of the leopard and parts of her outfit gives him a moment's pause. "...Vee? What... what in the world...?" He pauses, waiting for a response that doesn't come, then prompts again, "...Vicki?"
Victoria growls a bit deeper as she stalks closer, starting to circle Florian slightly. The feral leopard is agitated and clearly annoyed by something, and there is no sign of Florian's sister being home at the current time.
Florian slowly turns to keep Victoria in view square in front of him, knowing it's really, really stupid to ever let a predator find an opening... even if said predator is seemingly one's own relative. "Victoria... come on, that's not funny."
Victoria bares her teeth again, pawing at the ground, flexing her claws. One last warning for the intruder.
Florian isn't quite sure how to respond in the moment. He knows if he tries to run, that'll instantly lead to a chase... but if he stands his ground, well... he'd rather not hurt or get hurt by his own sister. Instead, he tries something else entirely as he raises his voice and shouts at the leopard. "Vee! Cut it out and get back to your home! I'm gonna tell Dad if you don't knock this off!"
Victoria pauses for the briefest of seconds at the shout, before crouching down in a way that makes it very obvious a pounce is coming next. If the teeth, the growling and the agitated tail swishing weren't enough of a clue.
Florian grips onto the strap of his tool case a bit tighter, paralyzed by indecision. Should he try to run? Should be take a swing at her? Should he throw his bag as a distraction? Try as he might, he can't decide in the scant moments he has.
Victoria crouches for a second longer, then pounces towards Florian with a fierce roar that is sure to wake up anyone nearby still sleeping. The leopard gave enough warnings, now she's out for blood.
Florian 's decision is made for him as he instantly reacts to Victoria's pounce. Panic seizes both his thoughts and his voice, but his body knows how to avoid obvious injury as he crouches low and pushes himself sideways away from the pounce.
Victoria leaps past Florian, skidding on the sand with a growl and turning back towards Florian, now legitimately pissed.
Florian staggers and stumbles as he avoids the initial pounce, and he scrambles back to his feet as he watches Victoria in shock. He doesn't waste anymore time, however, as he finally makes a choice... then turns and sprints away as fast as he can into town.
Victoria sprints after Florian with a growl, skidding slightly on the loose sand but getting closer by the leap regardless.
Florian looks over his shoulder as he continues to run, adrenaline pumping through him and leaving everything a blur except for the furry ball of fury that's very quickly catching up to him... and a clear path in front of him. It doesn't take him very long to reach, and immediately tear through the open Western Gate, leaving the guards posted there looking after him in confusion.
Victoria confuses the guards even more as she dashes past a second later. The guards aren't really used to feral beasts just running into town and are unsure what to do when one of the blurs look fairly familiar... they end up doing nothing but just staring after the leopard and leopard. Victoria pounces and claws her way after Florian, chasing him away from her turf.
Florian risks another glance over his shoulder again, only to let out a startled shout as he dodges sideways, barely avoiding Victoria's sharp claws. He lets out a hurried apology to a wagon he nearly runs into while dodging, but doesn't stop. "S-sorry! Didn't mean to get in the way!! V-Vee...! C-come on, it's me, Florian!"
Victoria is momentarily stopped by the wagon, then dashes around it from the other side, growling fiercely. She's now fixated on her target and nothing short of a minor earthquake would stop her. She pounces towards Florian when she gets an opening, claws open.
Florian manages to barely avoid Victoria's claws again, but it's even closer this time as her nails rake through the fur on his legs, missing his skin by a literal hairsbreadth. That alone is enough to make him hitch his bag a little more securely around his shoulders and focus way more on keeping his momentum, even if it means occasionally scrambling on all fours to take turns as sharp as possible.
Victoria follows Florian with every jump, dash and pounce ever getting her closer, but she is unable to quite land on him well enough for him to not be able to dodge it and go another direction in this unfamiliar terrain. The leopard is growing frustrated, but does not give up.
Florian is more than a little winded as he continues doing what he can to avoid Victoria, even if it means weaving dangerously between wagons and other traffic in the town streets. He shouts apologies all the while, and occasionally tries to get Victoria to understand him. "S-stand aside, please! Watch out! Sorry, sorry!! Vee, kn-knock it... knock it off! G-get out of the way!"
Victoria is more slowed by the traffic than Florian is, if only because she's not used to this much of... anything, in the way of her hunt. Still, she dashes after her quarry, momentarily losing ground but gaining it just as quickly.
Florian starts getting bolder as he realizes obstacles stymie Victoria, and he begins to vault over, swing around and dash under various objects large and small as the two tear through the marketplace. One goal lodges in his mind as a way of escaping her wacky sister: The Thirsty Minnow.
Victoria growls in frustration as more and more people and obstacles get in her way, but she is intent in not losing her target. She continues giving chase, even as it gets harder to do.
Florian careens onto the street that leads to the Minnow, his hands reaching out to grab onto a lamppost so he can swing around and keep running at speed. He barely manages to avoid slamming into a person, but all he can offer is a hurried apology as he continues to flee for his life. "Sorry! Didn't mean to get in the way!!"
Victoria pounces after Florian a moment later, but is unable to anticipate the swing from the lamppost, nearly crashing into a wall instead. The rather pissed leopard dashes after her quarry again, roaring in frustration.
Florian yells at the top of his lungs as he barrels towards the Minnow's front door, practically commanding anyone nearby to get out of the way. Seconds later, he blasts into the common room and makes a hurried turn towards the stairs, likely knocking back anyone that was near the doorway at the moment.
Victoria dashes into the Minnow as well, but loses sight of Florian as she does. She growls around at the patrons staring at her, and it starts to finally sink in how many potential dangers she is surrounded by. With a warning roar, she stares about to crowd for a few moments more, but can't see what she was chasing.
Florian has already scrambled up the stairs and practically launched himself into the room he's been renting out. He keeps his back pressed against the door, half expecting a thud as a certain leopard tries to gain entry.
Victoria does not as she realizes to vacate the establishment before any harm comes her way. She growls in defeat and rapidly skulks her way out to the street and out of town soon after.
Florian waits for a minute or so, just keeping himself propped against the door as he starts to recover from his wild sprint from the gate to the Minnow. His heart is beating a mile a minute as he tries to mull over what just happened, but it's not for at least an hour or two before he's able to calm down enough to rationally think the whole thing over... and resolve to confront Victoria when she's less... bite-y.