How easily the dynamics of that very battle seemed to change with tetradore's arrival. Those odds far more even now. Tobias no longer alone in his efforts to defend the child against two hunters. Tetradore's very presence seeming to disrupt those two lesser men in the least. The pair near instantly more cautious now that they no longer outnumber their quarry. Tetradore and Tobias, together, well known throughout the West. Those reputations alone prompting that hesitation from the Hunter pair and their continued efforts to coax Meave out from behind Tobias' lanky limb where she hid rather then attempt to merely fight for her outrightly. The young Fae girls insistence that she was determined to stay was only further reassured by Tetradore's command that the girl was his. The emerald-eyed mans simple claim over the girl so assuring that lanky deviant of all he required to know in that moment. If Maeve was Tetradore's then she belong to pack. Yes. His role to protect that pack as it's Beta a job Tobias tookwith decided seriousness and one that, despite himself, he was distinctly skilled in undertaking. Few ever bold enough to take on the dominant pair of the Nightshade pack.

Tetradore's command was surely enough to prompt those Hunter's to leave. Their continued hesitation saw that lift of Tobias' hand and- with that subtle nod from his favoured companion- that easy affinity tak hold of the man he pointed towards. Dante readily seeming to lose his mind as that affinity for madness forced that Hunter into those bizarre actions that only further seemed to distress his companion. Rowan shouting at Dante then before shouting at Tetradore in turn. Maeve suddenly taking up that fight as she shouted because towards them from that place between his and Tetradore's legs. Tobias own gaze shifted to meet Tetradore's in a shared look of surprise before that simper found his lips as the girls defense of him. Tobias understanding enough of those words, it seemed, to understand she had spoken for him. Even if he hardly knew just what 'freak' meant at all.

That sudden shot that echoed through the air tore that scream from Maeve's lips in the same moment as it saw Tobias' hold break on Dante, the Hunter tumbling to the ground from utter dizziness as that new Hunter strode forward. This one holding an air of authority that placed him above Dante and Rowan. This man seeming to know Tobias and Tetradore both and yet that respect for either of them was...lacking. His command to his subordinates to merely take the girl readily seeing Tobias' gaze narrow in time with tetradore's own. Those fingernails replaced silently with claws in preparation for the onslaught he already knew was coming. Tobias' protective instincts decidedly...potent when triggered. Rowan already beginning to head towards them as Tobias dark gaze shifted to Tetradore's own once more, those stuttered words seeking that permission to finish that battle before it had even started. Tetradore insistence he could have Dante and Rowan alone prompted that curious look to his features. Just why he needed to take them away to be rid of them not a command his companion had ever issued before. Tobias oblivious, in that moment. To Tetradore's determination to protect that young girls innocence.

"Yes."

That simple utterance of agreement was all that was given as Tobias reached out for Tetradore's own affinity for teleportation, the lanky leopard reaching out to seize Rowan in that same moment as the both of them disappeared- the startled Dante recoiling backwards before Tobias suddenly reappeared again- this time within his feline form. That spotted golden pelt already marked with blood and yet Tobias was gone near as quickly as he appeared once more, that leopard leaping for Dante before sweeping the second hunter up in that shadow the way he had done the first- that scream abruptly cut off. That eerie silence prevailing. That final hunter left alone and staring blankly at the place his two companions had been before they had been stolen away by the shadow leopard. His features distinctly paling. That gun lifted once more to point at Tetradore then. Where are they!? Where did that fucking lunatic take them!? You'll be done for murder of Hunters if they're dead, Tetradore. The Council will hear about this...

Tobias reappeared readily within that moment several feet behind that remaining Hunter. Those blood-stained paws padding heavily against the smoothed concrete of the dock-yard as his lips pulled back from his fangs once more in that ready hiss. That saliva that coated his jaws a near frothy pink and yet the deviant had clearly made...some effort to lick that blood from his jowls and limbs in turn. Those stains far more pink then red and surely less alarming to the Fae girl should she happen to catch sight of them. That Hunter sandwiched between Tobias and tetradore now- quite unable to decide which one to point that gun at.

madness, as you know, is like gravity: all it takes is a little push