The laceration on her side had also brought on something much worse. Hanaryō didn't know it when she entered the water, and knew it even less as she was separated from her siblings on the swim back home. Dragged north instead of south, cut from the herd in the most dangerous way possible. Buffeted by the waves, by the time she looks they're gone. No one else, as far as the eye can see. It's a wonder she makes it to land at all. Whatever clotting and scabbing had formed came loose on the swim. By the time she makes it to land, Hanaryō's side is dripping blood once more. Shaking the sea water and whatever else from her coat, the girl carefully limps inland. At least she's on solid ground. Getting home... could probably wait. At least wait for morning, as the red dusk began to settle around her shoulders. Keen gaze sweeping the plane, low tide leaving the area barren and soggy. Shoulders hunched against the stark breeze that kicks up as she moves inland, Hanaryō isn't stupid enough to think she's alone. No, the lone girl is a target in her current condition. Teeth bare by default, it's impossible to look any bigger. Have to look tougher, instead. That too, is difficult. Especially when she's keenly aware something is stalking her through the trees. Ryo is no prey. Red gaze narrowing, fixating on whatever skulked after her. A shift in the breeze... a man. The fight would find her soon enough, and it's best she greets it head on. Shit, is it? In her condition? Aching in her broken ribs a reminder, as her heart pounds in her chest. "You're no tougher than the monster I just took down. Especially not when you're hiding like a little bitch." An odd echo-- no, it's the ringing in her ears. Hanaryō tries her best to chase the tremble from her tone, but fuck, she's tired.

Winter was on the horizon and that meant shifting his hunting and stalking patterns south. Not too far south though. For his thicker coat never did so well in the arid heat of summer or the balmy humidity of Auster. South far enough though that the archipelago was his target. The cluster of islands was far safer than the mainland at this point. With the spread of disease, Ursus stayed on his toes. If he or Senua became sick, someone would have hell to pay.

He was in progress of hunting some mourning doves when his crow dive bombed him from the cloudless sky. Her screeching caws pierced his ears as her wings fluttered harshly at his face. The sudden alarm sends his prey scattering and Ursus turns a snarl to Marion. “It better be good,” he snaps, deep baritones agitated already. ”Danger! A male is stalking an injured girl,” Marion caws back, once more flapping her wings in his face to gather his attention. At the word stalk, Ursus was on edge. ”Show me,” come his words but she’s already taking back off into the sky.

Unfortunately for both he and the damsel, she’s on an island a bit farther south. Larger than the one he was on, but at least the swim isn’t far. Coating in a thin layer of salt and brine, he rushes from the waves without missing a beat. His paws thud against the packed sand, kicking up debris behind him as he scents the air and begins to pick up tinges of blood, sweat, and fear. No mongrel would attack harmless females if he could help it.

Ursus doesn’t wait. Doesn’t ask questions. It is clear that she’s injured by the scrapes along her ribs and it’s clear he’s readying to attack by how he lurks in the shadows. A bellowing snarl rips from his throat as he bursts from the brush, clearing the small girl’s dark form and barrels into the brush at the male. Slamming sharp bear-like nails into the guy’s shoulder, Ursus pushes him up against a tree for extra pain.

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma
pixel by moon810801