Gilgamesh tried not to contradict his decisions as much as he could. Yet, he couldn't deny noticing what he saw among his pack members. They were missing something and he had a feeling what it was. Now that they had somewhat established themselves upon the isle (it still needed a ton of work - don't let him fool you), he figured that perhaps they could at least take back the beach. Claiming the archipelago would not be enough if they wanted to have some paw to stand on against potential future attacks. He wouldn't allow the Armada to blindside him again.

Taking whoever was interested in helping him take back the beach, Gil made his way through the frigid water. Unfortunately, there were too many of them to take the raft. Plus, navigating the rafts through the waters during this time of year was more difficult than just swimming the half mile or so. And though he was freezing, sure that everyone else was too, their icy swim would soon conclude as his paws hit the all-too-familiar black sand. He couldn't hide the smile that threatened to embrace his lips as he pushed the waves and gave his coat a good shake.

Inhaling deeply, he looked back to make sure everyone else had made it safely. Once his eyes had settled on each wolf, he turned his attention back to the beach. What he saw made his heart sink before it picked up pace. Lingering close to the cavern they once called home, a massive white beast appeared and began lumbering in their direction. Had they really been gone long enough for a fucking polar bear to show up and make itself at home?

"Looks like we'll have to take care of this before we can claim the beach again," Gil said as he kept his sights on the ivory ursine. "Surround it and pick at it until its too weak to fight back. Don't get too close or you're in for some pain," the Raid King warns them before setting forward to head straight at the bear's face. He wouldn't risk his pack if he wasn't going to do the same.

"speech"

Rivin may have still been getting used to the whole working with her pack thing, but she was doing her damndest to take the chance that Gil had given her and thrive as a member of the Raiders. So when he mentioned that he needed a paw in taking back the beach, part of their old home, the red streaked fae was one of those who had volunteered. The swim had been frigid, the water chilling to the bone, but Rivin would not let that stop her from following the Raid King back to her old stomping grounds. The beach where she bonded with Jack… it was a sentimental place of good and bad memories. But she wanted it back. Good or bad, they were her memories to live with. And like herself, she was sure many of them had feelings regarding their old home.

Once on the shores she gave another shake of her coat. Her breath could be seen in white puffs, but she felt confident that they would take back what was rightfully theirs. Her gaze flicked over to Gil, a nod given to the man, before she looked back towards their home. It seemed just as they left it… until her gaze fell on the cavern they had once called home. From its depths appeared a lumbering white beast and Rivin snorted in disgust. The fuck was a polar bear doing this far south? The fur on her neck rose and her lips lifted in a snarl. “It chose the wrong fucking beach.” Despite not having her companions, Rivin wasn’t going to hold back. This time she drew her knife, a serrated blade that would worsen any wound she caused and make it harder for the bleeding to slow. This thing was going down.

Following Gil’s lead, Rivin charges into battle with the beast. She circles to its right, heading for the things shoulder where she makes a lunge to drive her dagger in. Time to do some damage. Was she doing the exact opposite of what Gil said? Of course. But she didn’t intend to linger close to it. A hit and run tactic to avoid any attacks the bear might attempt in retaliation.

"Speech," 'Thought.'

Tarnish insisted on going with his father to the beach. He'd wandered there a couple times and enjoying prancing along its black shores, chasing after seagulls. The swim was rough but he was determined to make it work and when he got to tired he'd try to climb up on his father's back for a rest. Worf simply soared along making Tarnish jealous. some days he wished he could fly like a bird!

Once they were ashore, he shook the water from his coat and then flopped on his belly to soak up the warm sun. His head popped up at the large white mass moving toward them. "What's that? It's huge!" Apparently whatever it was it was trying to make the beach its home. No fair! They had the beach first! Tarnish popped up onto his feet as his dad gave out orders.

Knowing he was still too little to be a force against this creature he opted for stealth and annoyance. He could do both those things! While letting Rivin take the bear's initial focus he crept along the beach, his black coat melting perfectly in with his surroundings. Sneaking up on the bear's back side Tarnish took a flying leap, teeth latching onto the tail and claws digging into the bear's rear end as he clung there like a stubborn burr.

Raider Brats

They made landfall as a cluster, all of them sticking pretty close together. Wake found himself cutting through the water pretty easily, though he was chilled to the bone and shaking like a leaf by the time he got to shore. At least the sun shone down on his back, warming them all as they pulled themselves to shore. Wake took a moment to shake the saltwater from his coat before-- "Holy shit!" His eyes lit up, looking excitedly to his father.

Wait, no fair, Tarnish was already just going for it. He wasn't going to get all the glory of getting to help with the bear, no way, no-how! Matching his brother's movements, Wake too made his way to flank the bear. While Wake didn't blend in as well, he's light on his feet and he's damn fast. Moving quickly, he goes for the bear's unoccupied hip. A little growl in his throat as he does. Maybe he could at least do his best to be threatening, after all!

WAKE ME UP

Gilgamesh was pleased that Rivin had volunteered, but his other two... Why did it have to be his two of his youngest sons? It would only mean more stress as he tried to keep track of both the ursine and their shenanigans. As they stood on the beach, assessing their target, it did appear the boys wanted to at least try. Their sounding awe and maybe some fear left a chuckle in his throat. Ah why yes, it was perhaps the largest predator they could have ever come across. Hope they're ready for this. Gil thinks to himself as he watches the trio charge forward. Had he not told them to pick at the bear to run it off instead of taking it down?

Inhaling deeply, he gives his head a little shake before taking off toward the group. Sand flies up behind him as he stretches his legs out over the familiar terrain. Good and bad memories both, Gil was happy to be back. With Rivin on a shoulder, Wake on a hip, and Tarnish on its tail, Gil faced it head on. While the bear attempted to swipe behind it, its lumbering and large arms weren't quite capable of reaching that far. Instead, it turned on the Raid King as he lunged for its snout. Barking loudly and kicking sand up at its face, Gil taunted the bear so that its fury would be placed solely on him.

"speech"

Aided by his small size Tarnish managed to stay out of reach of the bear's claws as well as its teeth though he found his grip starting to loosen as he was slung around left and right and in circles. Thankfully his father got the bear's attention long enough for Tarnish to let loose his grip and drop back to the ground. He scampered a little ways away, panting and rubbing his sore arms. Ow! That took a lot more strength than he realized. "Worc! The face, the face!" He called as he spied his crow companion flying onto the scene. The bird nodded then dove down at the polar bear's face talons lashing out at the eyes before the crow deftly soared back into the air, just missing the jaws. Tarnish slunk back around, debating the best way to approach. Deciding the strike and run option was best for his limited strength and endurance Tarnish darted forward, claws drawn as he swiped at the bear's ankle before dashing off.

Raider Brats

If it had been Gil, herself, and some adult members of the Raiders Rivin would have felt much better about taking the thing down, but hearing his pups behind her as they came to assist had the red streaked woman rethinking her strategy. The kids went around the white beast, seeking to heckle its rear end. Rivin ripped the dagger from the bear’s shoulder as it swung and roared in pain and frustration. Rivin didn’t see where it swept - it didn’t really matter when Gilgamesh was flying at its face a moment later. She heard sand fly, and, holding her dagger, Rivin moved to slash across the things side as she kept her face as close to its body as she could manage. With Wake on the other side and Tarnish on the thing’s tail, she was confident she’d avoid hurting one of the boys. The metallic scent of blood welled up as her blade pierced through skin and fur, the metallic scent of blood growing stronger the more damage they did. Pain would make the bear run off.

She would break away as she neared the hip, rounding to see if the bear would need more urging or if it was going to attempt to make a break for it. She heard Tarnish calling from somewhere near the beast’s front and began to move back that way. The last thing they needed was for the kid to get in the way of a bear as it fled and get him trampled.

"Speech," 'Thought.'

Alright, it was on! Wake was having the best time-- likely because he had no idea the real danger of the situation. In his eyes, it's all an adventure. That's for the best, right now. His tail wags fiercely as his teeth sink into the bear. The bear, turning its attention on his dad, seemed... less than fussed about Wake and Tarnish both. The orange boy lost his grip as predator rounded. Tumbling to the ground and then springing back to his feet, he can't help but grin. Children are bouncy like that.

Drive it off or kill it. What was the plan again? Wake doesn't remember. He doesn't need to remember! The scent of blood in the air and the taste of blood on his tongue, he's hooked. There's something so fun, so exciting about it all. Wake cheerfully darts in for the predator's knee, going for the thinner skin to the inside. Cheerful as he throws his comparatively meager body weight into the creature before him, giggling like a fiend all the while. Chomping into the tissue packed so densely with arteries and all that-- he's little enough to reach it! Well and truly, Wake was having a blast!

WAKE UP

Gil is too distracted by the teeth and claws aimed for his face to notice the others taking on the bear. Blood splatters across his face as his teeth dig into the bear's muzzle. Sufficiently clamping down and muffling the angered roar that emits from the bear, he knows its close, too close. Though the others are taking out bits of the bear's extremities, there is still one paw open and available. It comes lifting and swiping with a fierceness that Gil cannot avoid. He feels the paw connect with his shoulder, talons digging into his flesh as he stumbles away. Releasing the bear's muzzle, he lets out a whine and gives his body a shake to collect himself. Thankful that Tarnish's crow has swooped in to try and dig at the bear's eyes, he hopes it is enough to deter the bear and force it off the beach.

"speech"

"On it!" Cried the crow as it swooped down, curving its flight path to the front of the bear. Worc then gained altitude before suddenly diving down, talons outstretched. He collided with the bear, talons digging deep into the creatures face. It roared and and swatted at him but the nimble bird twisted out of the way and took flight once more. Tarnish kept up his strike and flee tactic, diving once again for the bear's hind legs, slashing at the tendons before darting away. The bear started to turn, backing away from the wolves. They were close! So close! Tarnish moved back around and this time leapt higher, biting the bear on the butt before falling to the ground and taking off. If they could just encourage it to bolt!

Raider Brats

Rivin realizes too late the danger that Gilgamesh is in. Even with all of them on it, the bear is a beastly predator and it reminds them all of the danger it is as it slashes across Gilgamesh’s shoulders. Rivin hears the whine and her eyes dart up, seeing Gil draw back and wounded. Shit. At this point the smaller attacks are not enough. They need to drive this thing off before any additional injuries are sustained. The woman drops her dagger and lowers her head. The best weapons she has are the pronged antlers on her head, and as the crow swoops for the bear’s face and it swings Rivin lunges forth. Antlers meet the bear’s side and that sweet spot between leg and body as she digs in with a snarl! She can feel her fur stand on end, gaze flashing as her flesh starts to crawl. She doesn’t stop with just the impaling motion, tossing her head up as she attempts to rip through flesh and really cause some damage to make the damn thing scamper off for its life.

"Speech," 'Thought.'

Okay, okay, fine, they could just encourage it to get the hell out. They didn't have to kill the bear. Probably. This time. But Wake was still having too much fun. He moved out from under the creature, realizing that if dad had moved back to regroup he probably should too. With a mighty toss of his head and a big grumble in his throat, the boy set his wily gaze on his fearsome foe once more. Gnashing teeth and flailing paws, the boy has no concept of danger.

Perhaps... the first inkling something really could be scary was the way Tarnish's bird friend was acting. That... seemed like a rather serious injury to be trying to inflict. Then again, was going for the bear's thigh not equally as serious? Something about the eyes though, they really get to Wake. Unsure he likes how that feels in the pit of his stomach, the boy tries to shake it off.

Shaking himself out of whatever path he'd started down, the boy was bright-eyed once more. Snarling and snapping, he lunged toward the bear with a triumphant holler. "Be gone, beast!" The most commanding tone of voice the young boy could manage, making himself seem as large as he possibly could.

As if it was the first time the bear had considered it, the creature paused for a moment. Deciding this beach was too much work, actually, the predator turned. Started back north, from whence it came. "And stay there!"

WAKE UP