That low, deep growl continues to vibrate within his throat, ears laid back against his spotted skull in agitation as lips peel back to expose those whitened fangs towards his own Alpha, having taken Tetradore's momentary distraction with Nadya as a chance to wrench himself from the panthers grasp and turn so suddenly upon him. He cannot understand the situation, fails to perceive the delicate interplay of the emotions that so readily elude his fractured mind. He cannot understand- will not, cannot identify accurately the point of Tetradore's aggravation with him and as such that violent mind has merely coiled darkly upon itself, performing the single action he has left, the single response he understands. He is confused, frustrated and insecure and within Tobias such emotions so readily misunderstood merely converge entirely into a single surge of anger. He has forever been willing to accept the older males leadership, has followed him unquestioningly for so very long and yet he is, in turn, a dominant creature. He loathes being shouted at near as much as being forced to the ground in submission and as such he merely pushes back, demands Tetradore prove his right to do such a thing. If the reason behind it cannot be understood then Tobias demands a far simpler explanation, demands the other man offer him proof of why he should follow, of why he should bow- after all, he respects only those whom can force it from him and indeed it would seem the younger male is determined to test his Leader now.

The roar that very near explodes from his companion holds little effect over the equally enraged leopard, darkened mind twisting and shifting rapidly as a near equally vicious sound spills from his own throat, drowning out the hissing from Nadya, the female perhaps, wisely having shifted to the side to allow the two men to better solve their testosterone driven issues in this moment. His own claws slide readily from their sheaths, his right paw bloodied from his earlier assault upon the other man as each muscle seems to brace itself for the charge he knows will come. His Hunter's ability, after all, provides for an advanced sense of another's attack. Tobias however, is hardly a cowardly creature, the boy perhaps entirely to brave for his own good, entirely content to meet the panther head on. He lunges mere moments after his Alpha, very near colliding with the other cat mid-air in a flurry of teeth and claws and snarls before the other mans superior weight readily begins to force him down. Tobias is taller, longer, yet he never will outweigh his companion, to long perhaps, having suffered the effects of malnutrition to add anything other than athletically lean muscle to his lithe frame. His efforts to pull away from the panther are met with little more then claws raking into his fur, the boy very near hauled from his feet in a fit of furious hissing and spitting, claws slashing at Tetradores side before his legs are forced to give way beneath the weight of his opponent, forced to the ground beneath him once more as jaws seize his throat and neck.

Another snarl of dislike is forced from his lips before he seems to still, if only slightly, instinct alone demanding such a reaction, even Tobias holding some understanding of such a delicate position, tail lashing furiously against the earth seeking even the slightest moment of release on his companions part- if only to allow him to escape once more. When the weight of Tetradore only increases however Tobias becomes entirely content to fight him once more, attempting to throw the panther from himself, claws and limbs scrabbling at the earth in a final, desperate bid to pull himself to his feet before Teteradore moves to restrain him entirely, Tobias near incapable of movement beneath the other man now. There is perhaps a single moment of peace in which the younger man is held still, one that lasts only so long as it takes that single drop of venom to singe away fur and begin to burn away at flesh, that stinging pain, small though it is, seeing the leopard jerk wildly in an effort to escape it. It is an entirely futile effort, the boy unable to bring his legs beneath himself to escape it, forced to remain submissive, just as he is forced to do entirely as Tetra seems to desire in this moment. It is perhaps, this final realisation and ultimate acceptance of his lower position firmly re-established within his mind that, at last, sees the leopard still entirely, limbs relaxing beneath the other man- doing exactly as he knows is expected of him and remaining obediently still until Teteradore seems content enough to release him, the leopard rolling to his paws some moments later to nurse his battered ego. He is a difficult creature, in so very many ways and yet, within others he is delightfully simple, the balance of order entirely restored- boundaries and respect firmly established though indeed he is sure to mope for some hours yet over his deserved beating.

Nadya's approach, for once, is met without resistance, the man shifting slightly to allow her tongue to better rasp across his pelt, cleaning away any spattering of blood to be found as a rumbling purr of satisfaction seems to find him, remaining silent within his clear disgrace as the woman seems fit to scold him all the same, offering little more than a snort of retort before attempting to guide her cleaning efforts towards the side of his neck and the permanent mark burned like a brand into his flesh- the very same mark, signature, that he himself has used so often upon those he deems his own. It is this single gesture perhaps, that the boy has understood more then any other, this understanding of their relationship sealed, quite permanently upon his neck, the pain little more than a dull sting as he shakes himself before abruptly standing, brushing against Nadya in a moment of shared affection for the woman before striding back towards his Alpha now.

He pauses for another moment still, lingering upon the outskirts of the panthers personal space, ear flicking, ever watchful for a slash or snarl that may very well indicate Tetradore's refusal to tolerate him and yet, when no instant disapproval comes, Tobias simply proceeds to inch forward once more, form already lowering in very clear submission now, ears laced back as he approaches the older man. He comes to rest before the panthers paws before he seems to finally find his words.

I...will not...do it again. Not...any of...the things.

That he still does not fully understand why Teterdore had been so agitated is surely clear, the boy having decided merely to promise not to do any of the things within the images his Leader had shown him, along with the challenge he had issued, silence ascending the pair once more before the boy, finally, seems to utter that which he has never before offered another.

I....am......sorry.

It is only now that he moves to sit upward, merely resting back upon his haunches, waiting perhaps to see if there is any further punishment before leaning forward, jaws parting to sweep his own tongue across the panthers cheek, wiping away the blood from the wound he had given to his leader, grooming the fur there in a rare moment of affection for his closest friend. The matter, Tobias is sure, is over- the boy entirely unquestioning of his position beneath his chosen Alpha, the mark of Tetradore's ownership firmly and forever singed into his skin. A mark of which Tobias has entirely accepted.

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