Live your own life, for you will die your own death

Not trusting her strength to shift again so close upon herself Aminta went to place herself bodily between the twins and Pepper as Mutton Chop as Pepper called him was attempting to clear the space of the other lions. he was doing a damn good job considering that behind Tibs he was the strongest lion that still lived in New Orleans. As he cleared a way the shots rained out loud quick and still echoing once Pepper had stopped firing.

Mutton chop nodded and made his way to hunt he was wounded and that was obviously from one of the other vindexes. It meant despite him moving all fury and strength that he was hurt much like Tibs that made Pepper the most senior lion/lioness who was able bodied. Aminta could have fought her for it but a she was not a local b she had no intentions of truly becoming one her business was in her mobility. And most importantly she loved Pepperlike a sister. She was more prone to go up side someones head for thinking about harming her than she would if they challenged her directly as a few of the local lionesses did when Tibs and Pepper were not around. 

It was funny that she took a vindictive Pride in the fact she had scared them without resorting to actually hurting them or herself to carve out a place in their mental pecking order. Moving alongside Pepper as she went to the house she bounded around back as Pepper took the men inside. Using the tree which made all but a staircase to the room she called home she climbed inside and prowled to the restroom. It was hard going squeezing herself into the upstairs tub but well worth it as it contained the bulk of her shift goo.  Just as she had the water on she felt it A rustling power that said trouble. More specifically it said vampire trouble and guaranteed death. Stopping her shaking she hurried through the rest of her shower and grabbed clothes her hair still wet barefooted she came down the stairs to find the source and Pepper.

Gates smiled as she stepped into his space offering a drink of her precious vitae. Rude was not a thing he ever purposefully. So he partook of the very personal offering. He’d fed already and had no intentions of drinking deeply enough to have a lasting effect on her. Bracing her with his left he pulled her into him allowing her to feel the strength of him how easily this could be something else. Sinking his fangs down slowly he knew she while not a player at the chapel could very well easily belong there. As he loosed her her blood and clamped down to taste of her he looked towards the stairs as a wet lioness came stalking their length. Freezing her with a gaze that was filled with far more passion than one would expect from the simple act of feeding. The moon was high their beasts even having been exercised still rode very close to the surface of them. It required more control than Gates would ever admit to not call them to him to not make of them what he would.



So he trod the middle road he raised his hand bringing the other Aminta to him as he opened a conduit between the three of them. Taking her wrist as she neared he brought it to his lips taking what she offered without realizing she had. Holding her firmly he returned to Pepper allowing a seldom used metaphysical muscle a chance to stretch itself. He scented of lion and Rexdom but held at bay the push to make so much more of this moment. Instead he turned his feeding into a kiss and finally after just enough moments to give the Rex time to make his way into the house he broke the embrace and forced that portion of himself back into the box he kept hidden form view.
 

Tibs didn’t know what to say. His mind was focused on how he would explain and who he should explain to the death of one of the Vindexes on his watch. He was sure the chance of death was one of the hazards of their job. Yet to die after the fight was over was hard to muster. He couldn’t right it in his head especially as the enemy that took him down was the very nature of what they all were. Still sticking of his shift and his relations with the other Vindex he was caught flatfooted by Gates presence. Him all but making out with Pepper and Aminta was a shock too much. Part of him could only imagine Chidera in his arms the same way Pepper was. Shaking his head he did his best to force that idea from his imagination. He couldn’t so he embraced it the idea that Gates would be getting his sloppy second helped somehow.

“I see my lionesses have helped you make yourself at home. Give me a second I will be back in a second.” Moving upstairs he skipped the shower simply taking a wet towel and soap to himself. He tried to not think on why was Gates here and not Chidera. He couldn’t help but kick himself for not slamming his shields tighter when he was with the lioness. Part of him knew he was lashing out but he knew he should apologize for not at least saving her the graphic details.

Dressed in shorts and tee he made his way back downstairs. He still smelled her on his skin and forced himself to not think on it. Taking a seat behind his desk he noticed the black lacquered box on his desk. He had to admit he was curious what sort of gift would the Master of the city give his newly crowned Rex and beast to call of his Enforcer. He had no clue so he ignored it for now. “What can I do for you Gates it must be important considering it’s the full moon and the challenge for Rex.”

While the saga at the pride house continued chidera oblivious to gates and his whereabouts and actions lay snuggled into the strong thick arms of one of her favorite pommes. The other a little red head snuggled deeper against her smelling like strawberry and oak. A lock of that soft red was twirled carefully around a finger.

They had never all had sex though she sometimes watched them toghether. It qas purely a comfort when they lay this way. The vampire hadn't even bat a lash at the rex and his dalliance with the female.

It ultimately in the space of years that shed out live them both wouldn't matter. So she lay quietly meditating on red hair and strong arms well fed thinking she'd check on the ulfric the next day and maybe even make a small amends with him as to what shed let her emotions over someone else make her do.

She gave a wane smile " you ain been gere long suga da rumors you hear bout him would make it seem he da boogie man his self and got more mojo den papa legba in his early days"

Shivering some inspite of her self "chidera is pretty boss so it take a bigger boss keep her in check think bout dat one momma let it sink in"

She shook her head and then smiled genuinely peeking at the other she had to admit girlfriend was right fit and sassy. Kinda the type peppers loved to pair with for a dance or more." I think we bess just dress and leave dem to it check on da ress of the pride keep dem outta here in case yanno? Though don't get mad ok? I think the vampire whoodoo was what started it but I think I kinda liked it more then I realized in the moment "

Tibs looked to the box. It was an impressive gift box smooth and lacquered to a shine. It was even wrapped with a ribbon and bow. Chidera wasn’t here yet Gates was he expected to find her head or her heart inside. He knew from Gates stillness that he would not like what was in the box. Yet he stood and opened it all the same. The scent hit him the moment the lid was removed. It was snake. It was his friends hand. He tried to not let the shock and anger show on his face yet he couldn’t fight it. His face screwed up into a mask of rage. It was all he could do to not fling the box across the room or at Gates. He driven with his friend to insure he made it to safety and yet hear was the proof that he had failed.



Raising his eyes from the box he met the vampires gaze. Protected as he was by his strength and the tie to Chidera Tibs feared no mind trick. Gates was older yes but this was a declaration of war. This was a moment where Gates was saying Tibs was owned lock stock and barrel. He was saying that while Tibs was the Rex he was no king. Gates was saying he and he alone was king. Meeting his gaze Tibs concentrated on is breathing. He locked down his shields hard and fast.



“Get…OUT!!!” he yelled his voice taking on the weight of a roar. How dare he attempt to trick him to lull hi into a false sense of security and do this thing. He was a monster and it was all Tibs could do to not rip his throat out. “GET OUT!!! Don’t ever come here again. If you do I will take it as an attack and do everything I can to protect my pride and my lands.”