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The [i]cat[/i] was speaking. It was [i]speaking[/i]! Amazement should’ve been the emotion any other person would feel, yet instead panic thrummed through Valora’s veins, in time with the pounding of her heart like a beating drum. Every time the creature spoke her slitted grey eye could only see the hint of white from his teeth, sharp and evolved to [i]kill[/i]. The graceful movements of a predator, the easy confidence of a killer. She couldn’t even register what he was saying as all the blonde could focus on was how every single nerve in her body screamed [i]danger![/i]

Some part of her recognized that Silas was speaking, trying to garner her attention or perhaps even draw the cat-creature away. The major part of her didn’t care. She had to escape, but to put her back to the ‘Onyx’ was inviting doom. Feeling cornered, trapped, a low hiss built up in her chest, bubbling on her already choking breaths.

He was so [i]close[/i].

Another voice in the ruckus, another body in front of her – taller than the cat, shorter than her. A hand on her arm. Valora’s eye darted left and right as though making sure the cat wasn’t sneaking around before finally settling on Alice. It helped to focus on her, pale fingers reaching out just for claws to dig into the other woman’s shirt. Some feral part of the shapeshifter just wanted to climb on top of her to get above everything and hiss at any threats.

She was being jostled into moving. Another hiss, interrupted this time by a hiccuping sob that caught in her throat and made it harder to breathe. There was a wall of light keeping the creature away, though Valora’s claws still dug in as Alice manoeuvred them by. Her gaze kept straying, wanting to keep the creature in her sight lest it attack, but one ear kept twitching hearing the voice of her Team Leader talking, soothing. Despite her hesitant steps and tense movements it was hard not to follow the promise of getting away.

Then the creature was gone, the doors closing with a resounding [i]thump[/i] and Phoenix Dawn’s voice ringing in her ears. Valora let out a shuddering breath, feeling some of the tension easing out of her body with it. It wasn’t complete relief of the panic that assaulted her system, as her hands still shook and she could feel a cold sweat against her skin, a faintness in her head.

It was only when the shapeshifter managed to take a few gulping breaths of air that no longer felt constricting and limited did she look to Alice, and some of that alarm returned.

[color=Skyblue]”I’m – I’m –“[/color] Valora’s voice stuttered badly, worse than her usual fear response. She carefully drew her hands back, careful of the claws that had been digging in. She cast her hands that alarmed look, flexing her fingers only to wrap her arms around herself instead and drop her gaze. [color=Skyblue]”I’m sorry,”[/color] She finally managed in what was no more than a faint whisper.

The door opened once more, causing the French woman to flinch. A grey eye flicked up, spotting Silas as he, too, retreated. He seemed to hesitate on seeing her, but vacated none the less. Valora was grateful, feeling crowded and cowardly. None of the others had reacted so badly. Even if the thing [i]was[/i] a predator.

The shapeshifter leaned against the wall, resting her weight against it as she slowly gained control over herself. The feline ears on either side of her head slowly unplastered from pressing into her hair, one of them flicking as she took in the noises still coming from the gym. All she wanted to do was hide in her room once more – Valora was lucky her Dampening Bracers were already put back on. Her panic could’ve led to so much worse otherwise, and in the gym full of other people... heroes though they may be, she could’ve easily hurt one of them had they hesitated at restraining a ‘friend’. It made her sick.

[color=SkyBlue]”I ...I should go.”[/color]