That Escalated Quickly (OTA)

[st_hotflashes]

Liz was out away from the Inn around noon trying to complete a science experiment that she thought might be useful for the obstacle course she and Kitty were almost ready to start building. She had all the components laid out including benign acids and basis. She wanted to see how she could cause a spray of foam jut out as an obstacle that might need to be avoided or at least distract for a while. It was like a much more sophisticated volcano experiment but instead of 'oozing lava', her goal was for spraying foam.

She was currently on the ground writing notes about a failed attempt - doing things like this was nice to get her mind off of other things that had been taxing her mind lately. That's when she heard panting. Liz looked up, expecting, maybe, to see Dante, but what she saw made her freeze. There was a wolf a few yards away. In her peripherals, she could see three more. Liz knew enough about wolves that she figured there had to be a few more behind her, since they hunt in packs. She started to do quick calculations on how fast they probably were and how fast she was not and then what chemicals she had with her that might be good distractions...

(ooc: Anyone who has a pup itching to use their powers or feel useful, feel free to come help Liz out. There is 6 or 7 wolves depending on your needs [a typical wolf pack size])

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[st_artrekodo]

Odo was gliding peacefully trough the arid landscape, in the shape of a big flying reptile he wasn't sure was from Earth, but who cared? He tried every body he could think of but no matter how fast or far he went, he always ended back at the inn. Still he could sample a variety of sights, which was a welcome change from the flashy colors and odd styles of the hotel which was now their tiny universe.

Given the very limited population around, even more scarce as he moved away from the lone building, he was usually alone save for some non-sentient wildlife. So when his temporary-predator eyes caught the shape of a human being, he dove for it without a second thought... and not a second too late. He landed between Liz and the local canines, his toothy beak wide open in a menacing snarl.

[st_hotflashes]

It was hard not to freak out more when a giant lizard thing came into view, but it seemed, at least, to be directing its attention to the wolves. Liz slowly climbed to her feet and turned around. Just as she expected, there were a few wolves behind her, too. "Um.. I'm not very good at fighting wolves." Or anyone, really, but Peter didn't exactly teach her tips for angry wildlife.

Liz eyed two beakers near her feet and slowly crouched to pick them up. One of the wolves facing Odo growled. Then it let out a barking howl and the animals seemed to advance in a sprint.

[st_artrekodo]

These wolves were particularly aggressive... or hungry. Odo wondered if they too were trapped in this pocket dimension or if they were a native part of it. Did they suffer the same limitations? After chasing a prey for four hours, did they find themselves back at their lair, frustrated and useless as the residents of the inn? Still, the urgent part was not to let Liz become their lunch, preferably without hurting the animals.

He put his wings on the ground and turned into a huge wolf, the mother of all dire-wolves, red eyed, bristling haired, growling and drooling. Then, as there was no reason he couldn't also fashion human vocal organs, he said "Hi Liz! Need a... paw?" Yes, that was a terrible pun, but he had learned that sometimes humor helped people in tense situations.

[st_hotflashes]

For a moment Liz was utterly confused until her mind, somehow, made a connection to who she knew in the inn that could change shapes easily. "Odo?" It was a relief to see someone even if for several long moments it had been confusing and slightly additionally terrifying.

The wolves seemed to react to Odo's new shape a little more. Their ears flattened and they took a few steps back, eyes trained on the talking dire wolf.

Liz brought her attention to the few wolves behind Odo. "Do you.. think they're just going to walk away?"

[st_artrekodo]

"I'm hoping they will, I have no desire to hurt them. But I don't wish to see you hurt either. Don't worry, I should be able to protect you... just stay close, just in case I'm not menacing enough."

[st_hotflashes]

Liz pressed close to Odo, trying not to look like an easy target to the predators around them. Her hands tightened around the chemicals she had. It wouldn't do much except cause a distraction, probably, but if they needed it.

Only they didn't seem to. After another moment of consideration, the Alpha howled and the pack dispersed for easier prey.

Liz exhaled. ".. thank you."

[st_artrekodo]

"You're welcome really. But these woods don't seem very safe. Were you collecting... herbs or something? If you're finished, I could give you a lift... home. But if you're not, I can wait. I litteraly have nothing else to do, and I would love to help."

Because.. Wolves

[st_arknaked]

As the wolf closest to her shifted closer another wolf, his coat a trifle more russet than the first appeared. It might seem like he came out of thin air but actually he'd been just inside the tree line and had been following the scent of the pack.

He didn't like it this close to the Inn, and for a variety of reasons not the least of which was that it was his territory.

It was split second timing, the pack leader baring his teeth at the girl as if about to attack and then Dyson was on him, going straight for the throat so that they rolled scraping and snarling away from the girl.

Dyson knew if he could master the alpha the rest of the pack would be his, and he hoped that the fight would distract them enough in the meanwhile that the girl might be able to scramble to relative safety in one of the trees.

Wolves were fast, so she may not get away from one at a full run but they were crap climbers. Not that he knew the girl would realize that.

Re: Because.. Wolves

[st_hotflashes]

She inhaled sharply when the wolf seemed to attack and then tensed when another attacked the leader. She glanced around and she thought the other wolves' attention were on the russet-coloured wolf. She moved slowly, trying to gauge if the wolves were going to stop her. When it seemed as if they weren't going to attack, she moved faster, reaching down as she moved to pick up two vials of something. Then she ran to the tree line. She had no idea what she was doing and she realize she could, maybe, climb a tree. Only there was definitely a wolf that veered off towards her and Liz was not a stand out in PE.

She pocketed the vials and tried to climb. It was awkward and she didn't find the footing well and suddenly there was a wolf biting into her sneaker. She let out a surprised exhale, though didn't scream, and tried to kick the growling wolf away.

Re: Because.. Wolves

[st_arknaked]

The alpha fought hard, but hadn't been expecting an attack of this sort from outside the pack so Dyson make short work of him. He flashed a bloodied muzzle and teeth at the wolves and howled, asserting his control of the pack - technically daring any of them to challenge him. Or to fall in line.

They scattered, and he backed up scanning for others, realizing just as the last wolf went for the girl that one of them hadn't been watching his display of dominance.

Likely that had been number two in the pack, young and hungry and more than willing to take advantage of the loss of his pack leader. Dyson loped toward the tree to help.

Re: Because.. Wolves

[st_hotflashes]

She managed to slip out of her running shoe and hoist herself up to the branch, but she realized she had no idea how to climb up any higher. It was probably a safe distance, though, from any teeth or claws of a wolf. The wolf chewed at the sneaker and then tossed it to the side, growling and jumping up at her.

From her vantage point, she could see the reddish wolf head this way. Liz felt her heart racing still and she was worried that maybe whatever or whoever the other wolf was would get hurt. Despite feeling terrible about it, she reached for the vials in her pocket, unscrewed both, and poured the together down at the wolf. A foam-like substance formed midway in the air and then hit the wolf on the snout and eyes. It yelped in surprise and tried to paw off the foam, but it didn't seem to come off easily - especially without thumbs. The wolf snapped a few times in the air, then seemed to sense the reddish wolf and take off in a random direction that was not where he currently was.

Re: Because.. Wolves

[st_arknaked]

It smelled unpleasantly like chemicals, whatever it was that the girl had dumped on the other wolf, and Dyson skirted around the fumes to give chase for a few hundred feet to make sure the other wolf really had gone.

Then he made a wide circle around the tree, getting closer making sure it was safe and then grabbed her blanket and dragged it into the tree line.

When he came out he was a fully grown man wearing the blanket around his waist (his clothes being over behind the stables) and his beard bloodied like that of the wolf's muzzle.

"You okay?"

Re: Because.. Wolves

[st_hotflashes]

To say Liz looked shocked and embarrassed at the same time was probably an understatement. She blushed, even if all the important bits were covered, and averted her gaze to be polite.

"Um, yeah.. yeah. I think so." She paused, then very slowly started to climb down. It looked clumsy and unskilled as she did so. When she dropped the last little bit she stumbled before she caught herself and stood more upright. Liz might be okay, but her shoe was completely destroyed.

[st_eelyourself]

Piotr was about halfway through a long run when he looked over and saw Liz surrounded by wolves. Without missing a step, he shifted to his metal form and increased his speed.

Seeing that the fighting was mostly under control, he opted to pick Liz up and sit her on his shoulder. She'd be safe six feet off the ground.

He felt the teeth of one of the wolves break against his calf as he moved away, but a swift kick sent the animal skittering away.

"Are you alright?" He could not see any blood.

[st_hotflashes]

Liz was almost a little winded from being picked up. Not that it exerted any of her energy, but because she hadn't been expecting it. "I'm, um. I'm fine. " She offered a smile, clearly having been nervous. "Better now, though."

[st_eelyourself]

"Good." One of the wolves jumped up to snap at her but did not come close enough for worry. In slow, steady steps, Piotr moved them even further away from the fray. "If you get lightheaded from altitude, you can use my head to steady yourself."

[st_hotflashes]

She blushed a little, not really knowing why. "I..." Her eyes went over his metal skin. "I didn't realize you could... change your skin. Peter had mentioned you had a power, but not what it was."

[st_eelyourself]

"Oh yes, this is my mutant ability," Piotr chuckled and wiggled his fingers, "Is not a secret but I do not often have need for it here. The cells of my body are replaced by a bio-organic metal."

[st_hotflashes]

"Bio-organic metal." She said it like someone far to interested in molecular biology, because she was, but she stopped herself after she heard her voice. "That's really neat. And, um. I guess it comes in handy, too."

[st_eampunk]

Molly was on her normal run around the terrain, when she spotted tracks. It wasn't that she was a hunter that would recognize them but she'd seen wolf tracks before thanks to Waldo's girlfriend's pack. Thinking werewolf, since that was what she was used to, Molly shifted directions to follow the tracks. That's when she noticed the wolves and the girl. Definitely not werewolves. If she got close enough she could veil the girl - was that Liz - and the wolves wouldn't even be able to smell or hear a heartbeat.

"Here's hoping that it's not just a Hollywood myth they don't like fire." She said to Liz as Molly let her fireworks fly from her hands and sparkle in the middle of the pack. It was as bright as a rave would be, which is why Harry had given the nickname to the spell one woman rave.

[st_hotflashes]

When the sky lit up around her like a big stage show, Liz took a natural step back to avoid it, though she realized quickly that she wasn't in danger from Molly's spell.

The wolves yelped in surprise, the pack leader taking several steps back while the others stepped back many more feet, ears flattened. The pack leader looked hesitant, but perhaps on the fence of it's next plan of attack.

"Looks like they don't like it..." Liz felt better having Molly there. Having anyone around, really, because things felt safer even if they weren't completely.

[st_eampunk]

There was relief in Molly's body that it was actual truth that they didn't like fire. She had to figure out how to get to Liz without getting too close to the wolves. Another reason why sometimes she hated being defensive in her magic.

She thought about the spell that she did that sent people to sleep, but the key word was people. Molly wasn't a hundred percent sure that it would work on wolves. Go big or go home. "Neru." Molly flicked her hand toward the closest wolf and lucky for her it dropped.

Unfortunately for Molly, the one closest to the one that just fell turned their attention to her. It snarled and swiped at her. "Neru." There might have been a little fear in that spell because two went down and Molly was able to get next to Liz.

[st_hotflashes]

Liz slowly bent down and then stood back up holding two beakers. Nothing like trying science in the middle of being terrified, right?

One of the ones still awake did not seem to like the fact that some of the pack was down for the count and growled, advancing on them. Liz hoped she'd have enough strength to throw the liquids and have it reach. . She sucked in a breath and threw the liquids at them. They mixed in mid-air and hit the wolf in the face, foam forming over its eyes and snout a little like foam shaving cream coming out of the spout. Liz frowned despite the wolf seeming to stop and retreat a bit, confused. "Sorry!"

[st_eampunk]

"Don't be sorry, it's them or us right now." Molly said as she got next to Liz. "I'm going to veil us. They won't be able to see or hear us, it's like an invisibility spell." With just a thought, Molly veiled them and she knew from being on the inside of a veil it looked like you were looking at the world through white shimmering lights.

One of the remaining wolves began to inch closer and Molly reached out to hold on to Liz's arm to let her know it was all right. The wolf snuffled at their feet but only for a moment before it turned away.

[st_hotflashes]

Liz tensed and couldn't seem to breathe, even when Molly took her arm. It was only when the wolf seemed to walk away and the blinded one somehow managed to retreat as well did Liz actually exhale. "...Thank you." And then she looked around. "Where... are we?"