Hattori knew this place was popular with opportunists, that the grapes brought in herbivores and omnivores alike. What he did not expect was to come across the sight of a strange looking bear feasting on the grapes, looking a little dazed and unsteady on its wide paws. It was obvious that it had overdone it and was intoxicated, but he did not expect the spectacled bear to take such great offence to him just being there. Watching it with furrowed brows, clearly judging its life choices. Like he was observing a drunk roll around in the gutter.

It huffed at him, still sitting squarely on its fat rump as it slapped a paw to the ground with all the bravado of someone who had too much to drink. In essence saying: whacha lookin' at chump? Hattori naturally rolled his eyes and made to leave it be, he didn't care what the bear decided to do in its spare time, but oh no, apparently the bear took even more offence to that, snorting loudly as it wobbled to its paws.

It fully intended to smack that haughty look off of Hattori's face.

"Speech"

This would be the first time Bramble Carpathius traveled outside of Hallows Territory without supervision. Sure, she had Corbin with her who flew with her own raven Bristle, but they were just birds. Having them soaring over her made it feel like she was out on her own. Brave and adventurous! She could do this. She continued to tell herself that she could have a day's adventure out and about and not be scared. Not that she really had anything to prove but she also didn't want to seem like a scaredy cat! Locking herself away in the castle all the time wasn't that much fun anyway. Late into the afternoon, Bramble found herself staring up at a large structure crafted from vines of grapes. A darkened doorway caught her attention and she didn't hesitate to enter it. Compared to the outside, it was cool and shaded in here. The perfect place to find something cool! Corbin and Bristle would quickly follow her into the thickened canopy and hang out on a branch to keep their eyes on her. Feeling rather safe with the bird companions nearby, Bramble was surprised as she rounded a corner to see a very wobbly bear and a large red and black wolf being smacked by it! A gasp left her muzzle as she froze in place. Both bear and wolf were considerably larger than her. Surely this other guy could hold his own... But what would her father think if she left someone to defend themself on their own? Quickly dancing behind a tree trunk, Bramble snuck around until she was behind the bear. As the bear raised a paw to smack the stranger in the face, Bramble did a sort of flying leap onto the bear's hind end. With both of her front paws reaching out and her cat claws extended, she dug into the bear's right thigh. The loud drunk yell from the bear made her question her decision to help... fight large predator 1/3

Hattori had been prepared to dip away, to seize the chance to dash in close for a counter attack-but the blur of a small pup had him hesitating for a moment. A short moment of indecision, wondering what the right move was, who was this pup and where had she come from? With claws digging into the meat of the bears thigh, Hattori realised the pup was in a precarious position indeed, that her idea of helping actually made this situation all the more tedious for the Kaicho. With a sigh, he rushed forward and grabbed at the bear's neck, digging his talons into the dirt as he heaved back with all his might. Attempting to drag it off its feet, with any luck it'd be too drunk to regain its footing.


"Speech"

From a distance, Bramble could be described as a ragdoll. Swinging loosely from the bear's thigh as she held on tight. Digging her sharp cat-like claws deeper into the fatty tissue, she grimaced when she saw the bear try to turn its attention on her. She hoped to the high heavens that this would be enough of a distraction for the other guy to help. That's what he had needed, right? Beginning to feel more and more scared that she was going to get walloped by the drunk bear, she squeezed her eyes tight. Letting her body get whipped around by the bear, she felt the beast lurch suddenly. Looking to see what happened, Bramble watched as the mystery man grabbed ahold of the bear's neck and began pulling him off his paws. Relieved that the larger behemoth of a wolf was gaining control, she released her clenched jaws. Quickly clambering her way up the bear's back, making sure to dig her claws in for a firm hold, Bramble made her way up to where the wolf had a hold on his neck. Without waiting another moment, she reached out and grabbed ahold of the bear's ear. Clamping down tightly, she shook her head until she felt the warm coppery fluid that could be nothing else but blood. fight large predator 2/3

He could tell the little one was doing her best to help, but she was more of a hindrance than anything else, if he was being honest. He hauled and shoved, teeth gritting as he tried to keep his eyes on both the bear and the pup. Thankfully she was fast on her feet, managed to avoid getting hit as she grabbed onto its ear and bit down till the scent of blood filled the air. Hattori's nose wrinkled as he forced the bear down, making it drunkenly submit. All splooted out on the ground.

Slowly and with wobbly limbs the bear ambled to its feet and wandered off, accepting its loss with as much grace as a drunken bear could.

Hattori turned his focus to the pup next, scowling slightly. "You shouldn't be here."

She felt the bear teeter on drunken legs as the man grabbed ahold of it. As the bear began to fall, Bramble released her bloodied grip on the bear's torn ear. Tumbling off of the sun bear's back, she felt her shoulder slam into the ground. Surely that would be a nice bruise! Squeezing her eyes closed for a moment and licking her teeth clean of the blood, Bramble caught her breath. Once she wasn't feeling so dizzy and drained from the adrenaline rush, she stood up onto her paws and faced the man. He was staring at her with a squinty annoyed look. The rumble of his tone made it very clear he was disappointed in her choice of actions. Flicking her ears back, Bramble frowned as she cowered slightly. "I got distracted," she said quietly while she lowered her gaze to the ground. This man did not hold a loving or kind gaze like her father did whenever he scolded her. This felt cold. "I was just trying to help," there was a tad more bravery in her tone as she forced herself to look back at him. One day, she would grow as big as he would and then she could really prove she could take on a bear! "I'm Bramble Carpathius, by the way. I know I couldn't have taken on the bear by myself but I didn't want you to face him alone either," the pup admits as she shrugs her shoulders as if to say it's not that big of a deal. fight large predator 3/3

Hattori hummed, low and deep in his throat. Wanting to help was admirable, but it was a risk she shouldn't have taken. At the very least she was unharmed, if not left feeling sheepish by this ordeal. And rightly so, he imagined she would get a scolding when she returned home as any diligent parent should take it upon themselves to steer their offspring in the right direction. He knew she had made it out here on her own, but he figured at the very least one of his companions should see her off. Just in case.

"Very well Bramble. I think it is time you return home now." He told her, stern but not wholly unkind.

The harsh squint of the Kaicho standing before her nearly made her quiver. He didn't even have to say anything to her. His silver eyes that glowed slightly said it all. Judgemental disappointment. Even when he did speak, it was short and to the point. Ah yes, she probably should be returning home, right? Her ears twist backward a little as she turns her gaze away from him and to her paws. Wiggling her toes as her cat-like claws extend slightly, she digs them into the soft dirt. If she were being honest with herself, she would admit that her shoulder bruise was beginning to feel sore and a nice long nap did sound nice. "Would you be able to point me in the right direction?" She questions as she finally looks back up at him. Her voice was quiet and hesitant to admit that she might not know where she was. After all, she had just been wandering and following the sweet scent of grapes. Which way home was was slightly beyond her. Bramble Carpathius