Willow Ridge Mind that hubris

RE: Daegal, you've stumbled on a grizzly bear mid-meal, and it is none too happy to see you! @Hagar

Daegal was hungry. He was starting to want to find his own food, rather than wait for one of the adults to bring him something, and so today he decided to go in search of a meal. How proud would mom be when he came back with a prize worthy of sharing with his siblings? They'd certainly be jealous of his abilities! He could already picture Nineve's face when he dropped a squirrel or maybe even a fat rabbit in front of her.

He was determined to do this on his own. Mind swimming with visions of success and the phantom taste of fresh meat, Daegal wasn't paying complete attention to where he was going until he smelled exactly what he was looking for - food. There was something else too, though, and hopeful for a new goody to show off, Daegal charged forward without looking.

Instead of a new treat he found a hulking brown beast over a carcass.  Daegal paused and looked at the strange sight. The beast was even bigger than his mom. He didn't know anything other than deer were bigger than mom. But she and Hagar and the other adults brought them food that was bigger than them all the time, so he should be able to take down this one to feed everyone too.

Daegal gave a small growl as he stalked forward. The beast turned, just noticing him, and dark eyes narrowed as a bloody muzzle parted to reveal large teeth. It grunted at him in its own version of a growl. Daegal paused again. Something didn't feel right. His determination won out over his nerves, however, and the pale pup hesitantly stalked forward again, tail high, and letting out a challenging bark as he approached.

Hagar had smelled blood in the air as he stalked a pheasant, and it reeked of dear and something else, something far too muddied to discern without getting closer. He abandoned his pursuit to investigate, tail stiffening as it drew level with his spine. Hopefully one of his other pack mates had taken down prey, but if it wasn't? They'd had rivals cross into their territory before, and he didn't want anyone getting hurt if that was the case.

He would assess, call the pack if needed, and-

Two things struck him at once. The perpetrator was bear, and someone else was present. Someone who's pitched puppy bark Hagar could never not recognize. Thought abandoned him entirely as he now catapulted forward, around the trees and through the brush until they were visible and still he didn't stop. He launched himself overtop his young son and let out a bellowing snarl of his own, teeth bared and small, mossy eyes widened with protective rage.

(This post was last modified: Oct 02, 2022, 11:06 PM by Hagar.)

Daegal didn't know what this new thing challenging him was, but he was determined to bring it to mother and his siblings. She could tell him what it was, and then he would be the coolest brother ever for feeding everyone. The whole pack could eat off it for days, and he was going to be the one to-

Dreams were dashed upon stones as Hagar suddenly pounced over him, landing between the big brown thing and the pup. Daegal paused, surprised at the sudden appearance, and then gave an indignant bark. "Hey!" he said, ducking around his father's side. "I was here first! It's mine!" Not that he wasn't usually okay with sharing, but he was determined to bring this prize home and do so on his own. He was almost as big as Hagar now anyway!

Daegal's protest was heard but not promptly acknowledge. Now was not the time for compromise, the child clearly unknowing of the danger he had placed himself in. Hagar could not stop to explain things either, his eyes locked with the black pinpoints the ursine creature saw through. His nape bristled to its full height, and his tail began to curl high overtop his back, making him appear as large as was possible. The bear still dwarfed him.

He saw movement, and was horrified to recognize the blur of his pale son breaking cover to throw himself at the threat.

"Daeg!" the wolf shouted, lurching after the boy in desperation to reobtain his place between the youth and certain mauling, "No!

By now, the grizzly felt adequately agitated. It reared up on its hind legs to give one last warning, but the wolves were moving quickly and it evolved into an attack. It brought down a great, clawed paw upon Hagar's broad shoulders.

The strange creature over the deer carcass was growing louder, clearly displeased with the wolves' presence. As Daegal ducked around his father to try and attack the thing again, Hagar jumped back in the way, shouting at Daegal. The pale boy didn't pay attention, more intent on his mission.

The beast stood on its hind legs and it was so much larger than expected. Daegal stopped in his tracks and stared up, realizing his mistake - but too late. A great paw came down across Hagar's shoulders.

Daeg's dad stumbled with a huff of air, swaying in place. Daegal stared at him in shock. He and mom brought home big food all the time; why was this going so wrong?

Hagar braced as best as he could for the strike he knew had to be coming. They'd come too close, Daegal inexplicably eager to get to the towering predator and he not swift enough to prevent any of it. Still, things were far from over. As the heavy blow landed, his legs buckled but did not yet give. The bear curled its toes and dragged its claws through his chocolate fur and down into his flesh while preparing to swipe with its other paw.

Rather than retaliate, Hagar tried to break away, eyes on his son who looked so much like his mother.

"Run!" he instructed. He would attempt to as well, but not without Daegal safely in front of him. They had only seconds to try, unless they were lucky enough for the monster to relent.

Daegal stared at the events unfolding in front of him. Everything had changed so fast; he just wanted to eat! He wanted to be like the grown ups! How did everything go so wrong? He backed away a few trembling steps, ears ringing from the volume of the bellow the beast let out upon swatting Hagar. Everything seemed to be going in slow motion.

Hagar gave an instruction, and suddenly everything was back to normal speed - or perhaps even faster. The world came into sharp focus and Daegal found his feet, spinning and running back into the trees, looking over his shoulder to make sure his dad was following him. Should Hagar stand to fight, Daegal would return to help him. This mess was his doing, after all. He would face the consequences.

Hagar was relieved to see that finally Daeg was recognizing the severity of the situation and heeding him. Without having to worry about deflecting his own son, he was able to put everything he had into dislodging himself from the bear's claws. His flesh tore more but he gritted his fangs against the pain for it was the only way to avoid something much worse. The other paw nicked his flank as he fled out of reach, chasing after the boy's ghostly form.

He caught up to the child and encouraged him to go faster, afraid the greater predator would take chase. Not hearing it move behind them was a relief, but chances could not be taken. Hagar would not look back until they were all but out of sight. The towering carnivore had returned to its remains.

The adrenaline started to fade, and the deep aching in his shoulder became more and more prominent with every step. Hagar began to limp significantly and slowed because of it.

(This post was last modified: Jan 15, 2023, 04:26 AM by Hagar.)

Daegal knew he could run fast, but here he was careful not to go too fast - he needed to be close enough to help his dad if needed. Fortunately, even as he slowed to look back, Hagar caught up with him, urging him to speed up. This time Daegal obeyed without question, only hanging back enough to keep pace with the older man. As they grew further from the threat and it became clear it wasn't giving chase they slowed. Daegal noted Hagar's growing limp and stared in horror. He nearly tripped on his own paws and pulled to a stop.

"...Dad?"

(This post was last modified: Nov 28, 2022, 02:27 AM by Daegal.)

His mind began to swim with chattering thought, aware enough of the dangers he now faced even without the ursine competition. It had been worth it, a million times over, but still it was the first moment that Hagar had truly been forced to consider the veracity of his own mortality. A small voice broke him away from himself, and soft eyes of moss landed upon little Daegal's worried face.

Dad. He had called him dad.

Everything about his upbringing told him to correct the child, for as deeply as Hagar believed that the pale youth shared his blood, he knew he could not rightly consider himself the boy's father. That would likely become Camden's role, and certainly couldn't be assumed after his conversation with Avella... right?

Hagar had paused (glancing quickly at the bear in the distance to ensure it had not come any closer), his injured limb held up away from the ground in an attempt to mitigate the pain, and blinked down at his son.

"... yes?"

(This post was last modified: Feb 05, 2023, 04:51 AM by Hagar.)