[center]
[img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/908192588157313074/909987162156568616/Dris_header_1.png[/img]
Before the Hershel could even answer Dris's questioning, the young rat felt something... terrifying.

A harsh bite at their shoulder, pressure building up on their clothing, threatening to break through and get at their tissue underneath, weight on top of them, CRUSHING, suffocating, engulfing!! Dris couldn't comprehend what was happening at first, they felt like they were drowning, felt their body jerk in reaction as they tried to squirm away from- from...

A [i]wolf[/i].

The ratfolk tried to yank away, over and over, pushing with their paw at the wolf-thing's shoulder, making GENUINE panicked screams and squeaks that sounded like nails on a chalkboard, yet... more pitiful and frightened. Even though the teeth had not gotten to their skin yet, Dris could feel it tearing at

[color=8dc73f]"HRRRGH- AAAAGH!! GET-GET OFF ME, FUR-THING- YOU- YOU-"[/color] Dris shouted, as they raised a shaky paw in the air. In it was now revealed a- a dagger... made of green metal and adornments, a bright blue gem at the end of the handle.
[img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/908192588157313074/910020018870321192/dris_knife.png[/img]
And it was now raised above the ratfolk's head, aiming for their aggressor.

[color=8dc73f][h2]"DIE-DIEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!"[/h2][/color] Dris was about to plunge the knife down... when... when...

As soon as it started... it ceased...

The pressure was removed from Dris's shoulder, revealing visible gouges in the thick animal hide fabric.

[color=8dc73f]"W... what... what-what..."[/color] Dris's chest slowly rose and lowered, as they took very [i]VERY [/i]deep breaths.

[color=8dc73f]"I..."[/color] They tried to speak again, but simply gripped the curved dagger in their hand and held it very close to their chest, the way a child might hold a doll, like it was some precious item they never could let go of.

And it was. It was so important to them...

The slowly rolled over, their vision of the world clearing, their senses returning to normal. They didn't even bother looking where the wolf had gone, they had been so frightened... Dris's ratty ears began to rotate around as they suddenly registered Hershel's voice, speaking to them.

[quote=@RirisStride1]
[CENTER][IMG]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/469247809233879061/909263309688168468/Hershel_Avad_header_progress_4.png[/IMG][/CENTER]
He turned to the place the poor rat-folk had been suddenly attacked, looking with a touch of sympathy amidst the polite neutrality. Maneuvering the small magical stone in his hand, he places it on top of his thumb before speaking up.

[COLOR=#2d6870]"Hey, rat-fellow, catch"[/COLOR] The piece of magic jewelry was skillfully tossed so they could catch it easily, right after a slight smirk being shown towards the animal person.

[COLOR=#2d6870]"Use this to fix your clothing before anything else. We can talk later if you want"[/COLOR] A more casual and kinder tone was used this time, still hints of politeness but far less deliberate about being 'pure business' than the last instance.
Next, he turned to the puppet who had ultimately undone their stupid decision, but the duke had a feeling they would be troubled again if he didn't at least [I]try[/I] to do something about it. With a slight sigh, he walked up to the puppet of unknown name, took out the bullion from his pocket... and spoke up.
[/quote]

[color=8dc73f]"W... what what..."[/color] Dris caught the stone, for once their coy attitude melted away by the shock of having their shoulder bitten.

[color=8dc73f]"... Ok... ok-yes..."[/color] Dris nodded, shakily holding the stone in one hand, and using the other to sheathe their dagger somewhere underneath their clothing, concealing it once more. Sneaky little thing, hiding it so well under bulky clothing...

Dris then turned back to Fret and Ralsei, brushing their own fur back down with a hand.

[color=8dc73f]"... What... what-what you say your name was, man-thing?"[/color] They looked up at Fret, their ears pinning down to show... non-hostility.

[i]Mentions: [@RirisStride1] [@Cloaked] [@Starmaker] [@teapartybs] [@QizPizza] [@Thatguyinastore][/i]
[/center]