I'm Tired of Looking for Answers

Luckily the old caribou had not been dead for long. Ravens were starting to cluster around the carcass as Birna crept forward, muscling her way in toward the caribou's belly as she ripped long strips of meat to feed herself. She was on her own now. A yearling turned loose to make her way in the world and she was eager to eat her fill before meat froze solid or something larger approached. Speaking of…

Her round ears flicked forward and she paused in her eating to peer over the carcass. At first she saw nothing of interest and then a large, hairy snow drift rose to its feet. Polar bear… shit. Birna bent her head, frantically tearing off more food as her head popped up every so often to watch the bear lumber closer. He took his sweet time and why shouldn't he? Who would dare to challenge him. As it got closer she frizzed up and hissed sending ravens scattering into the air around her.


Speech

Ravens. Viðarr had seen them circling the downed elk, one that must have passed in the night (or day before?). Let them eat. Odin's birds would feast, and they'd be an omen of things to come. Maybe the all father himself was near... a comforting thought. Always a comforting thought, really. The gods lived and breathed, and walked among them. They were close, and it seemed they walked here just as they did at home. It was only a matter of time, Viðarr figured, until he encountered them himself.

Polar bear. He'd smelled the predator earlier this morning, but it was closer now. Worryingly, concerningly closer. Viðarr had his family to protect. He needed to find the bear, and he needed to push it back... or fight it. It seemed that the latter would be the option this creature went with. By the shadow's side, Fisk bristled. Ah, the dog smelled them too. Yes, it was a creature that had been bred for such a task. The bear dogs came from stock that was chosen for their particular aptitude in taking out bears... well, it was less dangerous than going alone.

The pair jogged in time, gaze fixing on the bear itself. Into the air, the ravens rose. The shadow stiffened, head dropping low and defensive. It was only now that he saw the snow leopard, puffed up and hissing as she did. "Need help?" It didn't seem to him that she had things under control, but if she wanted him to fuck off, he would. For as silly as it makes him feel, the shadow is grateful for his armor. His words shatter the tension in the moment, but they do not break the ice. Three against one? He liked those odds much better, even if the one was the great, hulking, powerful creature before them.

"Viðarr"

I'm Tired of Looking for Answers

Birna fixed her icy gaze upon the bear and it paused, hesitating for a moment before looking behind her. One of her ears flicked back at the sound of paw steps, much smaller than that of a bear. The creature behind her smelt of wolf and the voice, male, offered assistance. Her tail twitched but she did not dare take her eyes of the bear for its attention turned back to her and the carcass. "I would not say no. If we can drive this bear off I am happy to share this meat with you." The bear did not seem to understand the common tongue but it had no intention of walking way and instead its jaws shot forward as it lunged to place its body over the carcass. Birna sprang back, her right claws clubbing the bear hard in the muzzle and she put herself out of range of its mighty paws.


Speech

The bear. Viðarr's gaze is fixed on the bear, and he's stiff. He's stiff and he feels strange. Protective. He's a protective beast, and he wants to fucking brawl. There's something interesting coursing in his system, and he feels... he feels excellent. He feels strange and wild and wonderful. Viðarr's gaze burned, and he nodded to the leopard. The bear didn't understand them as they spoke, and it solidified the plan in Viðarr's mind.

He and the dog closed in on the creature with their teeth glinting in the sun. Both sprinted for a flank, diving and pulling back on the bear. They moved swiftly, in perfect time with each other. Viðarr snarled, throwing his weight backwards with great force. He would do his best to unbalance the beast so the leopard could get a clearer shot in on the bear's chest or throat. Teamwork. He was more than happy with teamwork.

"Viðarr"

I'm Tired of Looking for Answers

Birna watched the bear closely, her intense gaze tracking every muscle movement as she waited for an opening to appear. She watched as the wolf and a canine she did not recognize moved in on the bear, diving for the flank. The bear growled with pain twisting back for the wolf with incredible speed. Birna took the opportunity and leapt with her powerful legs onto the bear's back. Her fangs latched over one of its ears, her claws sinking into either side of its neck while her hind claws dug into the back. The bear roared and shook itself trying to dislodge her but it could not quite reach. Her tail lashed as she worked to keep her balance, fangs shredding through the ear as she used the bear's frantic movement to increase the damage she inflicted.


Speech

A berserker. Viðarr is a berserker at his finest, and he throws himself at the rear legs of the creature, heart pounding, head spinning. Every muscle in his body works in time, he and Fisk both doing their best. Doing more than their best. Something seems to take both of them over... rage. Distilled rage, and the songs of their people that span generations. It's far too much, and it's never enough, all at once. Two hearts beating in time, they hold the bear still. An ancient power flowed through them both, and it was beautiful. More than beautiful. They are wrath.

The bear roared. It shook. Viðarr roared too-- a great, deep growl that echoed from his very core. A snarl. An imagined count of three, as the man and his dog wrench backwards. The bear lost its balance, no match for the force that the pair was putting out. The creature would flail and stagger, but they were faster, both moving towards the places where its great, thick legs met its body. They would be tender places, rich with blood vessels. A great ripping and tearing, while not as impactful as the throat, would do enough damage to weaken the creature.

"Viðarr"

I'm Tired of Looking for Answers

Birna's claws dug in deep, aided by her dexterous paws which allowed her a powerful grip and in addition the electric pulses generated from her paw pads gave jolts of significant pain. In its desperate the bear thrashed and struggled. Through the effort of feline and canine the bear landed hard on its side. Birna released her grip and bounded away to avoid getting a leg pinned beneath the larger predator. The wolf was fierce, fighting like a demon as he and his dog ripped into the exposed underbelly of the bear. Birna saw an opportunity to end the fight decisively and she sprang onto the bear's neck. Her serrated fangs slicing through hide and fat into the bear's throat. Her claws dug into the side of the neck and it let loose a gurgling roar. A paw came up to strike her but she kicked out with her hind legs, the electric pulses from her paw pads warding off the attack until the airway was punctured and the bear stopped moving.

Speech

Viðarr took a long step back as the creature fell, lifeless. His heart pounded in his chest. He and Fisk both showed signs of the fight-- fur tousled, covered in gore. It was a good fight, though, and he was satisfied. The shadow gave a great shake of his dark pelt and crossed to inspect his companion for damage. Pleased to see that the dog was no worse for wear (and appeared to have enjoyed himself, as his tail was wagging), he returned to the leopard that had joined in the scuffle.

"You are okay?" It was a question to her, peering at the stranger carefully. If not, he'd ask Iðunn to patch his comrade up. "I camp close, we have a healer," it was an offer that Viðarr was happy to make, after all. The leopard had made for excellent assistance, and the least he could do was ensure that she was alright before going their separate ways. Viðarr recognized that he'd be sore tomorrow, but damn the fight had felt good.
"Viðarr"

I'm Tired of Looking for Answers

Birna sat down heavily, panting as she tried to catch her breath. She was bruised and battered but at least she was alive and sustained no serious injuries. She looked to the wolf that had assisted her and nodded. "I'll live. It's nothing serious." Too demonstrate she stood and shook out her coat. Most of the blood that stained her fur had been the bears and not her own. "I appreciate the offer as well as your assistance." She paused for a moment but simply nodded to the wolf before turning to head back on her way. She had said what she had wished to say and wasn't really the sort to partake in small talk. She was still growing used to interacting with wolves which seemed to be the primary predator of these lands.

-exit?-

Speech

She spoke, and Viðarr offered a curt nod. It made sense. He was glad to be freed of the trappings of small talk as well, especially in a language that he had an admittedly poor grasp over. The shake of her fur, and he was satisfied-- she'd be okay. No serious injuries, and the blood that clung to her was mostly that of the bear, and not the cat herself. Very well then. "Yours too." The words were colored with kindness, despite their stilted nature. There was something comforting about not having to fight alone.

As the cat left, Viðarr carefully began stripping away the hide. He'd need to return to camp and get one of the others to help him move the bulk of his half of the carcass, but that was fine. Thoughts coursed through his head... was it time to rig up a sledge of sorts for Fisk? Probably. Ah, things that he'd tinker with, all in time.

"Viðarr"