She giggled as she made her way to the room where she had managed to trap a bear. She had managed to drug it, just long enough for her to gather a group for a lesson before taking it on. The drugs would wear off soon, enough so that it wouldn't be hindered by them when it came time to fight. Peeking over the makeshift gate she had made to keep it contained (not that it would if it were at full strength, but it would do for a half-asleep bear), she made sure it was still breathing before popping back down and sitting beside the gate. She was eager to assess and impart some knowledge to the members who opted to show. This would be crucial knowledge, however, so she made it a point that those who should be here, better be here. With that, she tilted her head back and howled. Her voice ringing through the caverns and echoing throughout the tunnels. Her companions had gone to gather those who probably shouldn't miss today's lesson. "Speech"

He was among the first to hear his mothers call, abandoning the peeling of his latest rabbit victim to go see what she wanted. The tone in her voice conveyed that it was important, perhaps something even fascinating, so he made haste and was eager to see what she was up to. The skeletal marked boy slipped into the Gorge, following the trial of torches that led to where his Medusa waited. As he got closer, he could smell the strong stench of a bear, and although his hackles rose in brief alarm, he soon spotted Medusa sitting calmly beside a gated room and he could hear the sporadic shuffling of something inside. He approached with intense curiosity, peeking over the gate and spotting a bear that didn't seem quite right before getting down and looking at his mother in question. "Ripper||"Menace"

There were odd sounds and even more out-of-place scents that got the attention of Enyo. She had been going through the gorge, attempting to familiarize herself with the intricate cave system. The two scents she did recognize were that of Medusa, accompanied by the beckoning howl, and her son Ripper.

Enyo would hustle, her large frame moving through the gorge with urgency. As she arrived she would stare a little confused at the scene before her. Initially, her instincts caused her hackles to rise at the sight of such a large creature in such proximity. However, after a few seconds, she realized that something was off. Was it dead? No, it was breathing. She couldn't think of what the Queen could have possibly done to tame such a strong creature.

"What did you do to the bear Medusa?", she asked having decided the unpredictable woman would provide an answer.

"SPEECH"

CODE BY SIN

「knowing medusa for a year, he knew what to expect from his quirky mate. he never did question her or bring scrutiny to it; they had their own likings. but today it seemed medusa wanted to include him. a call from her and he set off into the gorge, smelling enyo first then medusa & her son. plus.. a bear? he quickened his pace, trotting briskly until he paused next to enyo. his body tensed up at the sight of a large bear, his muscles becoming taut with tension & urgency to attack it but he held back for the sake of her explanation. he chimed in after enyo spoke saying, "what's this?" curious and intrigued with today's potential lesson, even if he was unsure about it.」

"talk" - 'think'

table by scarlet, art by rott-gutt

She grinned as Ripper was the first to arrive, followed by Enyo and Erebos. Her grin grew even wider, coupled with a giggle as the look of question and confusion was written all over their faces. So maybe this wasn't your average (or even normal) sort of training, but when did she ever really do anything by the books? She waited a minute or two for anyone else to show up, but decided she was too impatient and chose to dive right in. "Okay okay, Medusa knows you are wondering! Today she is doing a lesson about the bear! That is why he is in there. He will help soon, though~" She said in a sort of singsong voice. "If anyone has fought a bear, what are important things to know? What makes bears dangerous? They are stronger than us, but they don't live like wolves! Medusa has never seen a bear in a pack!" She knew that Erebos and Enyo would know, but what about Ripper? She didn't know if he'd ever fought a bear before or not, so perhaps the other two could enlighten him with their knowledge as well. "Speech"

Erebos and Enyo joined, and the look on their faces were similar to his own. He wanted so badly to know what the hell she was doing with a bear trapped in that room, but that answer would come soon enough. She addressed the bear in the room, and that he would be helping with the lesson soon enough. His brow rose, unsure about what that meant. As for her questions, he had no damn clue! He had fought a liger before, but never a bear. "Uuhh...they're...big?" Well no shit, sherlock. He peeked over the gate again, watching as it shuffled against the far side of the wall. He could hear the clicking of its claws on the stone floor. But he couldn't see exactly how big those paws were or how long the claws were, either. He turned to the others with uncertainty. "Ripper||"Menace"

Icy eyes fell upon her brother during his arrival, seemed he also was unpleasantly surprised in the same way she was. Medusa would provide an explanation, and out of all the reasons to drug a bear... The Warlord was quite surprised. Risking all that for the sake of a lesson? Brave. Enyo would watch as Medusa asked a question akin to the way a teacher would her classroom. As the Queen looked around expecting an answer, Enyo wouldn't give. It felt beneath her to entertain such things. Clearly she knew the answer. Ripper would answer but no one else did until it clicked.

Oh. Was she waiting for them to answer?

Fine.

"Yes bears are big. Big and strong. Formidable opponents. You cannot grapple or rely on sheer strength. You wont win against a bear. You have to be quicker than them but do not underestimate their agility in the process. Tire them out, death by a thousand paper cuts essentially. Even overwhelming by sheer numbers poses grave danger."

"SPEECH"

CODE BY SIN

「"they have stamina," his cold masculine voice rang out over the others. their claws were another thing to be mentioned, too. but he left that for the youngster to say. enyo commented and she was entirely right, earring a nod from Érebos as he watched the bear then medusa carefully. it seemed to be drugged. he wondered of her knowledge with herbs, making a note to pay her a visit with such questions next time. was there something more she could add?」

"talk" - 'think'

table by scarlet, art by rott-gutt

While she was certain Erebos and Enyo didn't quite need the lesson, Ripper did. She noticed his hesitance and uncertainty as he peered over the gate, his single answer earning a nod from The Wraith. Her attention turned to Enyo who had a more thought out answer, and she nodded along as the woman spoke. "Mhhmmmm!" Lastly, Erebos threw his answer in the pot. And she nodded. "Yes! Yes! Bears are strong, and a wolf will not win by trying to fight it like it was a wolf," She said pointedly as her attention returned to Ripper. Knowing him, he would have very likely gone in trying to fight it head on, but he wouldn't succeed if he had tried like that alone. Much less when his body type was similar to her own, oh no. She relied more on her own agility versus her strength. Even she knew better than to go head on against a bear. She turned toward the gate as she heard more shuffling, her grin widening as she counted down the minutes in her head. It was almost tiiime! The drugs were wearing off, and she'd be releasing it to the hounds in just a few moments. "Ripper also needs to know they have bigger teeth and claws! And they are sharp! not like wolves. A bear could kill Ripper if he tried to fight it by himself." She said matter of fact. Turning back to the group, she looked between them before she stood and got ready to open the gate. But first, "Get ready~ Medusa will open the gate soon! He is ready, are all of you?" She quipped, giving them one final moment to prepare. "Speech"

He listened in silence for once, as the others said their input. "Ooohh.." Of course, it would make sense. The bear was much larger than all of them, so it made sense it would be stronger. If he hadn't known all this, he would've very likely gotten himself killed if not nearly killed had he encountered one on his own. They were bigger. Stronger. Potentially slower. More deadly. Their claws sharper, their jaws stronger, they're teeth bigger than their own. He nodded. "Ripper will remember!" He exclaimed. And then...the moment of truth. She was getting ready to open the gate, but waited a moment to let them get ready. He steeled himself, hackles bristling as he prepared himself for a fight. Despite his usual demeanor, he had to admit, he was a little afraid of going in first and much preferred to follow the lead of the other two this time around. "Ripper||"Menace"

Enyo listened as she watched Medusa guide her son into a more considerate way of thinking. Her eyes darted to the claws of the now stirring bear. Daggers they were. How different she was from her and Erebros' mother. If Nike had been in charge of such a lesson, she would've left the bear there for them to find. Probably lock the doors too so they had to fight their way out.

It seemed Medusa wasn't too far off. The woman wanted them to fight the bear. Now? So be it. Enyo was ready but she did not wish to be weighed down by the boy. At least Erebros was there to work beside her. Even the most daunting tasks were easier when the littermates could conquer side by side.

"Open the gate." she spoke, acknowledging the lesson was over for her.

"SPEECH"

CODE BY SIN

「medusa played the part, teasing them with what seemed like a game that enyo ultimately wouldn't have patience for. he reminded her with a lowly growl, in his own primal way beckoning she relax a bit especially under a lesson of the queen. ripper needed this, even if she did not. stay in place enyo, it said. he side eyed her with forward brows- his glare tight and cold, watching & expecting her posture to fall back from it's usual domineering pose. he then turns to ripper then medusa who prepared them to fight. Érebos splayed his claws, head aligning to his shoulders as he took on the stance of battle. "ready."

"talk" - 'think'

table by scarlet, art by rott-gutt