The confusion on the skyrat’s face was satisfying, although the immediately following expression of amusement was not. A low growl built in the jackal’s throat as she recognized the probable cause of the Resolute’s grin. Perhaps the shade was a bitch; in fact, she would agree to that statement rather eagerly. She didn’t exactly gain her status with flowers and rainbows, after all – no, she had fought her way to the top, same as Kri. Maybe she was a bit more of a verbal fighter than a physical one, but she had risen all the same. It was time that the feather-brain treated her with some respect.

Fear was not the predominant emotion that swept through the Empress – no, instead it was a skewed righteousness that fueled her onward. The Sultana had come to her lands, demanding things that were not rightfully hers, and so the Lady of the Basin would defend them. This was about more than just prisoners, about more than lies – this was about many moons of pent-up fury and distaste. The hornless had, after all, held her prisoner before – did she think that the shade had forgotten?

She most definitely had not.

Sharp teeth closed on flesh, and although it was not the intended target to which she clung stubbornly, it was something. It would seem that although Kri had gotten the first hit, it had been the Dark Empress that had drawn the first blood. The moment of glee is brought short by the abrupt shift of weight; her body slammed awkwardly against the skyrat’s buttocks before the upward kick sent her flying. Because of her proximity to Kri’s body, she was saved the worst of the kick, instead being simply displaced by the mare’s hocks. A snarl left her muzzle as she was catapulted into the air, snapping at the tail that she had held so firmly only moments before. It was, however, out of her reach by then, and she found herself flailing through midair.

The ground rushed up quickly – too quickly – and the shade attempted to right herself in order to land on her feet. Her front paws met the ground and bent, absorbing the impact, but her hind legs met the hard earth in a very jarring stop, sending a burst of pain through her tail and up her spine, resonating in the bruise that the feather-brain had created earlier. As she crouched low to the ground again, a snarl burst forth, for the adrenaline of battle was beginning to wear off, leaving the apparently deep bruising of her backside aching.

There was no time to change back, although she questioned now the intelligence of the shift. Should she attempt to regain her former shape and size, Kri would be on her in an instant, pummeling her into the ground with sharp hooves. But if she attacked now, she had a heightened risk of injury. Well, you know what they say: go big or go home. And since the shade was already home, it seemed just as fitting for her to take a risk. She took off in a lope around her opponent, looking for an opening. Hoping to find herself on the mare’s right side, she lunged. This time, she attempted to remain low to the ground, to better dodge any kicks sent her way; when she judged herself to hopefully be out of the danger zone, she launched herself into the air, paws extended and teeth bared, hoping to catch a portion of the right wing or shoulder. Should she hit, her claws and teeth might rip the skin to shreds; if she missed, she would have to get away quickly to avoid a very quick demise.

"Talk talk talk."

[W/C | 626]
[4/4 Attack] [2/2 magic]
[Defense: Tries to land on her feet after she is thrown; back end makes a hard landing, leaving her backside aching.]
[Attack: Attempts to run to the right of Kri, slinking low before leaping for her right shoulder.]