<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">THOOOOM! </span></span><br/><br/>The surprisingly soft<span style="font-style: italic">whizz</span>of a shell whirring through the air causes Arcea's ears to perk, her body stiffening. It was a sound she was not entirely unfamiliar with - artillery. She had never been on the front lines during a skirmish, but she knew all too well the destructive capabilities of a well-placed artillery shell, and how wide the area of that destruction was. Of course, as with most things...the Cal'Drua, and most of the other tribes, had figured out ways to combat even that overpowering weapon, even going so far as to capture a few for their own use. The explosion almost made her knees buckle in nervousness, despite it's distance from her. That shot could have very well been placed right in the middle of their little group, and the devastation it could have caused...was not entirely lost upon her.<br/><br/>Truth be told, she was a little scared. The numbers - and the firepower - was against them. She was outgunned, and whilst her shield was enough to provide her cover, trying to cover the enormous amount of distance between her and the closest group of raccoons was...suicidal. She'd be riddled with bullets in seconds, or perhaps simply blasted to death with the artillery before she could ever close the distance. Her legs suddenly felt weak, her heart hammered in her chest, every instinct told her to give in, to run, to surrender, to preserve her own life and give them whatever they wanted in hopes they'd just go away and leave her alone...<br/><br/>...It was THRILLING.<br/><br/>Fear was only natural. It was what one did with that fear that mattered. So many, she'd let it see control them, shape who they are...<br/><br/>..She was scared. Scared for her, scared for Celrie...perhaps even a little scared for her new acquaintances...<br/><br/>...But she was NOT going to let fear control her. Not today. Steeling her nerves, Arcea forced her shakey knees to tighten, solidifying her stance. She was no hunter. She was no maker. She was a warrior...and warriors didn't give in without a fight.<br/><br/>Placing a hand upon her blade, Arcea slowly draws it from it's place at her side, the neatly-polished blade gleaming in the light. With a slow, practiced swirl, the feline girl tested it's weight, allowing it to settle firmly into her palm, allowing her fingers to find the perfect points for the best grip, for the best leverage. Intaking a deep breath, Arcea held it for a moment, the cool, crisp air tingling in her lungs, sending another chill throughout her body. Then, with something akin to a sigh, Arcea exhaled - and in that single breath, every ounce of fear left her body, leaving behind nothing but the warm excitement of battle, the anticipation of the fight, the knowledge that her - and Celrie, amongst others - lives could be on the line sending a tremor of adrenaline shooting throughout her form.<br/><br/>All at once, Arcea's tail stirred back to life, flicking back and forth behind her in short, eager swipes, her ears swiveling forwards and standing up tall atop her head. In that single, brief moment, her slender, lithe body tensed for battle, her expression calm yet eager...Arcea could not have been more beautiful, more INTENSE. Like a Valkyrie decended from on high...<br/><br/>The moment is short, however, as the badger's call elicts an immediate and rather fearsome response from the catgirl. Fur bristling and her lips pulling back to reveal her teeth, Arcea takes a single step towards the badger girl, her eyes - even at such a distance - cold and piercing, and her voice no longer so gentle and 'chummy', but harsh and downright terrifying. Lifting her blade, she pointed it straight at the mounted badger woman, her exoticly-tinged voice ringing over the potential battlefield "I am Arcealandria Marlust, daughter of Chief Marlust of the Cal'Drua. If you take so much as one more step--" There was a sort of calmness in her voice, colored by just the SLIGHTEST edge of excitement, that was...somehow piercing enough to make even the stoutest hearts waver "-- I swear I will find you upon the battlefield, no matter how many blades or bullets should find me. You will not survive the day, even if it costs me my life." Her voice, so steady and strong, brooked no deceit - it seemed as though she intended every word she said.<br/><br/>Jerking her gaze to the two working the artillery, she added "And should a shell find this train, consider yourself my prey." It was a simple threat, but again, it carried with it that cool calmness that was both unnerving and surprising.<br/><br/>"...Know I claim this train, and those upon it, as my protectorates. If money and baubles are worth your lives, fire and approach at your own risk." To finalize her brief message, Arcea roughly raps her sword upon her shield, the loud *CLASH!* a resounding punctuation to her threats. In that moment, she seems to slump slightly, though it was something only those closest to her could truly see. She simply seemed...exhausted after the little exchange, though she still held her ground. With a quick glance back at the train, Arcea frowned. It was a sitting duck until it got moving, and perhaps even then. Yet, it would provide cover, and even should an artillery shell manage to hit it and penetrate the thick metal, it'd still do less damage to them as a whole than the shell hitting the ground right next to them...or dropping directly on their heads.<br/><br/>"...Get on the train." Arcea finally whispers, her blade clutched tightly in her hand "...Or if you want to stay out here, fine by me. I've no intentions of getting surrounded, though."<br/><br/>((Arcea is going to bide her time to let everyone get on the train. If people intend to stay outside, she'll...i dunno, lament or something!))<br/><br/>((Intimidation check -<a class="postlink" href="http://orokos.com/roll/345747">Badger intimidation!</a>:<span style="text-decoration: underline">1d8+2</span><span style="font-weight: bold">10</span><br/><br/>An Ace! My second roll is...<br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="http://orokos.com/roll/345749">Aced! Scary kitty is scary!</a>:<span style="text-decoration: underline">1d8</span><span style="font-weight: bold">7</span><br/><br/>Total of<span style="font-weight: bold"> 17 </span>intimidate. It was intended to be directed at The badger and her badger....but, after a smidge of discussion, the badger (Mount) would surrender if the rider surrenderd! So, the -2 penalty will be applied and I'll go for one of the two raccoons working the artillery!<br/><br/>This makes it a<span style="font-weight: bold"> 15 </span><br/><br/>Sorry for overdoing the dramaticness of the moment, I figured the ace and getting this high kinda warranted it! x3 ))