Willow Ridge you'll be missing from the photograph

Random Event: Willow Ridge, a rattlesnake has taken residence in your den.
@Enoki @Nicolò @Ravenna @Eskil

So far, all he'd really been able to do about it was simply stare. The moment brought about a strong sense of deja vu, flooding him with a memory that he didn't particularly care for. It was a year ago from now even, and he had to wonder if by some sick twist of fate the beast had made it back on the very anniversary date. Perhaps it was even the same creature altogether; did snakes survive through the winter, hibernating like squirrels and bears? A hefty sigh left his lips. What on earth had he been thinking, teaching the reptiles that this was an acceptable place to dwell?

His paws began to walk the length of the cavernous den, eyes remaining fixed on the glimmer that was its scales, ears tuned to the soft hiss of its tentative rattling. He'd wanted them dead, some of them the wolves who remained at his side now. His co-leader, his aunt who he was closer to now than he could've ever imagined being. And the ones he'd stuck around to protect? Morganna, who stole everything from him, even @Renier. His father, who he still would not wish death upon but had abandoned him all the same. The ones he thought were going to stay, could be trusted, loved him.

Life took so many odd twists and turns. He had to wonder if it was god's goal not to care for them, but simply to keep them all guessing. That seemed to be the only thing any of life's occurrences had in common.

He knew already a way to eliminate the threat lying in wait, but Sven was still just as stubborn as he'd been as a teenager. He wanted to find his own way to handle the rattler, and certainly did not wish to mimic his traitorous aunt. Another exhale, but this time it came out as a thoughtful hmm as his paws stilled.

What to do?

Eskil didn't tend to spend too much time at the pack's den, aside from sleeping and the occasional afternoon nap. He was still getting used to the other wolves here and this place he found himself in, and wasn't quite at the point where it fully felt like 'home' yet. For better or worse he was attached to it, but he wasn't quite to the point of being chummy with the small, close knit pack. He wasn't sure what pulled him back to the den that day as the sun climbed up high in the sky. Perhaps a sense that he should try to get to know his other packmates a bit better rather than being a quiet stranger.

As Eskil approached the territory's hub he noticed someone rustling about inside the den. His ears pricked forward and whiskers bristled curiously, whoever it was didn't seem to be asleep at least. The large male strode forward, poking his head into the darkness and looking strangely at Sven, the young alpha who appeared to be staring at something towards the rear of the cave. Sven was silent, but there was a rustling sound like leaves in the wind. Eskil softly huffed so that he didn't startle the male before he came up behind him, peering around the man's shoulder to see just what had caught his attention.

As his eyes shifted past Sven he caught sight of the sinuous, legless form and was overwhelmed by a gutteral sense of alien disgust. Born in the far north, where the frigid climate and desolate landscape was too unforgiving to harbor reptiles in nearly any form, Eskil had never seen a snake before. 

"What the hell is that?!" The words slipped out of mouth before he could stop them, spruce eyes wide as he stared at the hissing, slimy looking coil. Two beady eyes looked in his direction upon his arrival, and the rattling sound began anew. Eskil lifted a paw as if to prepare to do something, though whether that something was attack the ugly beast or retreat he wasn't yet sure. He glanced towards Sven, hoping the younger wolf had some idea what this monstrosity was, and more importantly: "What do we do with it?"