Counterpoint [open]

[Edgar Christopher]

Once a month or so, sometime around the full moon, Edgar went out to practice his shifting and sate his beast's appetite for the hunt. Actually whether it was his appetite or the beast's was a matter coiled up in itself, but there the issue was. He wasn't about to question it. He usually referred to himself and the scaled fellow gnawing at his appetite as two separate entities. Edgar knew that wasn't quite true.

He lied to himself, to avoid the gravity of his situation. Sometimes it was easier that way.

Whether man or beast, he'd finished his hunt for the evening and resumed human shape. The Everglades were beautiful at night, so he slogged along barefoot, mindful of anything that could and would try to attack him. He wasn't the only predator there and he both realized and respected that fact. It was usually easier to return home before dawn, lucky for him it was around midnight. Nobody really questioned why he usually came home half-caked in mud and smelling of a freshly-killed whatever it was that evening when there wasn't really anyone to question it. He usually just drove home, parked, and ran inside to shower before taking a nap.

Practically speaking, there wasn't really much behind his preference for hunting close to a full moon other than the fact that it was much brighter and easier to see. It wasn't a ritual, he didn't shift with the moon or whatever, he just. Preferred being able to see a bit better. That was all he really needed. He wasn't exactly about to bring along a torch. That was the first few times. And it hadn't exactly gone well.

[Rowan Archland]

It wasn't often Rowan indulged aniself like this. But... today had been long and the moon was bright. So anee'd left his clothes folded neatly somewhere dry and then scrambled up into a tree as a lean, lithe civet.

Anee wasn't the most impressive predator. Wasn't really a predator at all. But the creatures anee ate certainly didn't know the difference between omnivore and carnivore, now did they?

It felt good, to be in the trees, in the darkness, surrounded by the sounds of nature with the constant hum of the city far away.

Well. As far away as possible right now.

The Everglades might not be the forests that aniz native cousins called home, but it was the closest anee could manage...

Calm hours passed, and anee paid no attention to the sounds below, claws digging into bark to make sure anee didn't fall.

Finally, carefully, anee made aniz way down, avoiding as much of the mud and muck as anee could. Anee'd certainly brought the things to clean aniself with, but anee'd rather not use them. Much better to just remain clean in the first place.

Just done pulling on aniz underwear, anee heard...

Company.

"I should have guessed I wasn't the only one enjoying the moonlight." Anee said, voice pitched to carry to the other person, whoeever they might be.

But Rowan was no fool, and anee flexed aniz hands, claws sharp and anee felt aniz pupils widen to draw in as much light as possible.

If aniz companion turned out to be unfriendly...well, Rowan wasn't going to die easily.

[Edgar Christopher]

Edgar's vocal cords could easily, easily handle the noises that crocodiles usually made. Aside from a roar, of course. He felt the low watery growl form in his throat far before he heard it. Of course, coming from someone of his relatively small size, it more resembled a cat's purr turned up to eleven. Not exactly the 'whoever you are and wherever you are, don't get in my way' kind of noise.

"I thought I'd level the playing field for my American cousins."

Sure, American crocs and American gators coexisted, but the crocodiles were far worse off population wise. He'd never attack another crocodile anyway. Even if he was desperate. He felt an odd sort of kinship with them that he didn't quite feel with actual people.

Sometimes he wondered if he was more beast than man.

Sometimes he wondered if it was 'bad' that he didn't exactly mind if he was.

Versi was a gift. It would be rude for him not to appreciate it in full. He was an apex predator, after all. How could he not enjoy that... that power? That increase in ability? That pure thrill that came with knowing that he was at the very, very top of the food chain. God. He loved it. He loved every minute of it. And he'd continue to love it even if it dragged him through hell and back.