Ask Mired Beliefs

[Shale Vizsla]

Shale wanted nothing more than to run in the opposite direction from fear of herself, from fear of the potential hurt, from him turning from her. Truthfully, she hadn’t sorted through her own thoughts on any of this. She thought repeatedly about the rainy night at the tower, and it wasn’t until now that she realized the hurt she had put him through. All because she couldn’t sort through her own head. Shale was about to draw away when he spoke again.

She felt him grasp her arm, purposely where there was no plate. Shale didn’t withdraw from the grasp, though it sent a jolt down her spine. Shale gazed up at him as he stepped forward, her heart pounding against her chest. She felt her face heat up all over again, and she couldn’t be more thankful for the helmet. Shale heard his tone and his words, and she knew he meant every last one. He was as Solus as Solus got, which meant he never said anything he didn’t mean. It was to a fault for his people.

Shale gingerly brought a hand up, grazing her fingers along the side of his helmet where his cheek would be. She closed her eyes when he touched their foreheads, hearing that soft clink. She couldn’t help but chuckle very softly at the nickname, keeping her light touch against his face, “You are so stubborn,” She murmured quietly against his helmet, her tone tender and far removed from the rage she had before.

She withdrew her hand when he stepped back, glancing towards the tracks. Shale nodded and followed him along, “I suppose I don’t mind since it’ll involve you taking all your gear off,” She said with a tone of amusement.

As if on cue, Shale spotted what looked like fresh droppings. This was the surest sign that they were near. She could hear some angry hissing type noises and glanced over to see a massive figure and lots of sharp claws slowly emerging from behind the side of the mountain. Shale took a few steps back, eyes widening.

“That’s….that’s bigger than I was expecting,” She mumbled, “Are you sure we shouldn’t just…leave? This really is illogical as all hell. You already impress me, Nox, you don't need to do this to wave your dick around I swear."

 

[Nox Solus]

As they touched each other, a familiar ache he felt for Shale rampaged throughout his body like never before. When her hand came up to his cheek, she would feel Nox tilt his head slightly to put his weight into it. If it were completely up to him, the two would have stayed like that for a while longer, in each other's grasp.

At the prospect of her not minding the stripping of his gear, he laughed softly, I'm just supposed to be taking on a badger, Mudpie. Not both of you. Even with the helmet, there would be a fat grin that accompanied his words, any hint of what transpired before their makeup completely disappeared. Despite the levity, the two still had to get going with the sun only staying up for so long.

Shale would spot a fresh clue that honed them in on their target. With a little bit more walking, the two would be able to hear sounds that almost have long since been forgotten. Hisses and yaps could be heard over a small outlook and when Nox peeked over, he saw a pack of three badgers. Two were both black and white, about equal and size and then there was the third, its coat completely white and its eyes blood red. The other two followed around the bigger one, clearly the alpha of the small pack.

When the albino badger stood on its hind legs, he saw why. Even from their distance, Nox could tell the head of it would end right about his lower chest. It was massive and the biggest he had ever seen or heard about.

Ducking behind the outlook, Nox would glance over at Shale as she mumbled that didn't have to do this. Instead of speaking, he would simply remove his "wings" and place the jetpack on the ground as his answer. While I'm happy to now know that, this needs to be done, even if you were here or not. An exciting but slightly fearful tone in his voice but nevertheless, he continued disarming.

After about a minute, Nox would just be left in his armor weave and his helmet. With the pieces gone, it revealed his more athletic and lean frame but more importantly, he was much more exposed. With a turn towards Shale, his voice would become serious, Whatever happens, you cannot help. Even if I'm screaming bloody murder or am bleeding out, calling out for you. You stay here. If it gets that bad and you can't watch, then you leave and come back later. This is important Shale. The Solus needed to hear her say it. It was already risking bringing her to be a part of the tradition but if she assisted in the actual bonding, there would absolutely be no return for him.

 

[Shale Vizsla]

Shale shook her head, looking at the ridiculously oversized badger approaching. She kept her distance, taking a seat against a boulder to watch this nonsense play out. However, she was slightly distracted when Nox actually began to take off his plates of armor. She had no shame in staring, watching each piece fall away to reveal more of his natural tone. It was the closest she had come to seeing him. Naturally, she decided to embarrass him a bit by giving a playful wolf whistle once he was stripped down to his armorweave and helmet.

That was about where the lightheartedness ended because the badger was in no mood to play around. The beast charged towards Nox, but it moved unnaturally fast. At the last minute it reared up on its back legs to go for a vicious swipe across the torso. Shale winced at the sight, her fingers curling into fists. She recalled what Nox told her several times, and she knew she wouldn’t intervene.

The badger was far quicker than expected and Nox couldn’t go in with any guesses or expectations. The badgers of old were far smaller and less aggressive, so he had a whole new enemy to face.

 

[Nox Solus]

With an agreement from Shale, Nox hopped over the outlook and approached closer to the albino badger. Only a step was made until the creature bolted right at him without warning, Guh! The only sound coming out of him. It took him by surprise and he nearly stumbled back before he managed to pivot on his foot and avoid the strike altogether as he twisted out the way. The claws had practically almost reached the center of his chest and he was quickly grasping the danger.

The badger was agile and when back on all fours, it quickly spun to face Nox once more before charging after him again with no loss in speed, it all in one fidgety but smooth motion as well. This time, he wasn't able to get out of the way and instead just threw his right arm in front as an obstacle. Albino didn't swipe the second attempt but launched itself at him with a snarl, its jaw opened before clamping down on his arm, both its front claws gripping onto it as well as it held on and shook.

Both the claws would be dragged down, tearing through the armor-weave and revealing the black metal underneath, one of the plates denting slightly from the force of the bite. Nox grunted painfully as he remained standing but lifted his arm, stretching the animal out and exposing its stomach with it not letting go. Its legs barely lifted off the ground, a testament to Albino's size.

Pulling back his left arm, Nox quickly threw two but vicious punches right into the gut of the animal. It let out a whine but instead of just sitting there, Albino lifted its hind legs and swiped one of them across the stomach. Being attached, he couldn't easily dodge and the material of his armor-weave tore easily with an audible rip. The gash went across his whole stomach, piercing the flesh with no concern, five lines as blood poured freely from each.

Nox let out a painful yelp and wanting to detach, he shot out his leg and finally kicked Albino in the stomach. There was enough force behind it to finally get the badger off as it flew back a few feet before rolling along the ground. It got up after and shook its stark white coat, red eyes snapping to the Mandalorian instantly as hisses filled the air.

Nox reached down to his stomach with a slight grunt, seeing the blood pooled in his hand as he breathed heavily. As the badger inched closer, he would peel off the red scarf around his neck and wrapped it quickly around his left hand. He bent his knees slightly, blood from the claw marks dripping onto the stones below him as he waited.

 

[Shale Vizsla]

Shale had been expecting a fight, but even she couldn’t have predicted just how vicious these things were. Her entire body was tense as she watched it play out, the massive badger moving lightning fast. Shale winced when she saw the large claws tear through the armorweave and the bites. She saw some sparks flying, not realizing that Nox had a cybernetic hand that all but became abruptly useless.

She wanted nothing more than to rush to his aid, having bitten her tongue from calling out a few times. However, she knew this was the way and she would never step in the middle of tradition. She watched the badger do a number on Nox, surprised by her own strong internal reactions to seeing him get hurt. Wasn’t she the one that was beating him up not too long ago?

Shale looked away from the fight for a moment, staring at the ground and thinking back to a lot of different things. She thought back to how he brought her here, how he chose to share his vulnerabilities first. How he opened that door before she had to. Shale thought of her own vulnerabilities and insecurities, her thoughts racing.

He could have brought any clan member here. They would have cheered for him, raved about him just like that other Solus back at the construction site. Shale did none of that, but she was here instead of anyone else. After a moment, she was on her feet and simply observing. He wouldn’t hear her cheer or say a word, but he would know she was watching.

 

[Nox Solus]

As the two sized each other up, Nox took a quick peek at his arm, the damage extensive. The metal had been torn through and his whole arm was shaking slightly without his consent. Thankfully, his fingers were still able to open and close but it was painful, to say the least. With the small break, the scarf around his left hand would be transferred to his right.

Albino closed the distance slowly, its hisses echoing around the mountains and trees before it charged once more. It came in quickly but this time Nox was prepared and he quickly stepped to his right, pain flashing within him because of his clawed stomach but adrenaline kept him up. The badger whizzed past him before it sank its claws into the ground to turn around and launch itself once more at him. He would be ready this time as his left hand grabbed onto a corner of the fabric and pulled it taunt into a line.

As the badger closed in, it jumped through the air once more but instead of dodging it, Nox charged forward and headbutted the vicious animal. Albino hadn't expected it and was sent back and straight into the ground as it rolled through the dirt. Chasing right after it, Nox jumped onto the badger's back as he used his body to keep it pinned down on the ground. It let out a snarl upon his weight and shook its head, he slid his one messed up arm underneath to pin its claws to its chest.

Albino didn't just let him as it harshly thrashed around but Nox wouldn't budge. Staying pinned, the badger simply bit down on his metal arm again as the Mandalorian let out a painful grunt but it kept the animal still. The scarf was still held in his hands and with a quick jab to the creature's face to let go, he slid the creature's paws up before he would immediately wrap the scarf around both the badger's snout and claws.

The white badger continued to thrash viciously but much less threatening with its main weapons neutered. Nox would lean down toward Albino, speaking in Mand'oa as he kept a firm grip on it, "I am yours and you are mine, with blood mixed we lay our claim. Our souls entwined, may our claws strike true and as one, as Solus." His words came out in a whisper as they would only just be for the two of them. Albino continued to thrash but as the seconds ticked by, its efforts diminished until it just sat still and breathed calmly, like the words had unlocked something within.

Nox exhaled softly before he just rolled off and onto his back, his body cut up and bleeding but alive. He just stared up at the sky with the two laying beside each other.

 

[Shale Vizsla]

Silence ticked by long after both Nox and the badger laid on the ground. The entire thing had been a sight to behold and Shale still barely understood any of it. However, she knew the value of tradition and she wouldn’t question it. She heard the words spoken, most of it sounding like a marriage vow. It began to dawn on her just how powerful the bond was between a Solus and a badger. As Alor would Nox kickstart that tradition all over again?

Several minutes passed before she finally made her way over to the duo. The badger gave a low growl at her, but she held her hands up to show she meant no arm. The beast protectively curled around Nox, the sight curious. Shale kept a bit of distance, having no desire to fight something that fucked Nox up that bad.

“You…all right?” She asked quietly, wanting to help him up but thinking better of it. She was positive if she reached a hand out, it would be promptly bitten off.

 

[Nox Solus]

Nox just saw the blue sky, the only sound able to be heard being his own breathing. Every time he inhaled it was painful, the stretching of his stomach teasing the wound. With a slow turn of his head, he saw the badger staring right back at him but calmly, her eyes staring right through the visor of his helmet. It was as if a silent understanding passed between them in that short moment.

They held their gazes a moment before Nox outstretched his good hand and untied the scarf, a show of his trust before Shale approached. Nox kept his gaze locked on the animal, ready to see if she would rip his throat out instantly. But instead, the badger stretched before nudging his helmet softly and taking a position around his head.

Nox couldn't see Shale approach but he could hear the low rumble that came out of his badger. "Easy girl..." He murmured softly. The badger slowly eased the growl away but her gaze was locked on the obsidian Mandalorian. With Shale closing the distance, she would be able to really appreciate the size of the badger and how it was at the top of her shin on all fours.

The badger shifted enough that Nox could simply tilt his head back to look at Shale while he laid there. Before he gave the obvious answer, he lifted his metal arm, it still slightly shaking in the air before he lowered it, "Not really." Knowing he needed to get up or risk falling asleep, he rolled over to his side with a loud grunt, pain flaring through his abdomen. When he flipped over and got onto his knee, a small pool of blood would drop onto the rocks as he got light-headed. It would be the only thing that snapped the badger's gaze away from Shale as she turned to look at him.

Steadying himself, Nox asked out with strain but still a humorous tone despite his condition, "Was it a good show?" The Solus then glanced between her and the badger before he shook his head, "I won't let her hurt you..." Even injured, there was a steel to his voice. It was obvious Albino wasn't comfortable with the Vizla but he was still in command.