Hoshor Plains run rabbit run

“Bear — Noch, it’s a bear — it’s a fucking bear.”

It was with this statement that Rannoch felt as though the world had been torn from under his paws. Though he had not been given the finer details of his parent's demise, the young Alpha could only begin to venture just what the bear was capable of if it had been able to slain his parents. Feeling only the sudden thud of his beating heart and the weight of the situation, Rannoch looked from the shambling figure to the group, feeling a suddenly overwhelming need to find out what they could do to bring Titmouse back to them safely. Rannoch did not hide his fear for this, as his eyes flashed with fear and the finer hairs of his nape began to prick in every direction, as the contemplated something that could solve their dilemma. 

 He was only just starting to consider possible these solutions as Cypress and Redshank pulled them from the group, further putting them all in danger with a mixture of feelings and snaps, hellbent to drive the creature down. Feeling the both of them slip from his grasp, the turquoise-eyed lip quivered as Alpha raised his voice with a snarl, desperately hoping that his voice would draw them back to the group. But, the pessimist within him that nothing would derail Cypress from his conquest. Redshank, he figured, might be easier to sway. "CYPRESS— REDSHANK," he boomed, his eyes flickering desperately between the two retreating figures, feeling a pang in his heart.  "GET BACK HERE—NOW." But even as he roared, Rannoch knew his efforts had been in vain. Even with the defeat that he felt, Rannoch knew that there was no time to dwell on this and if all went well there would be a time and a place to unleash how he felt, and he knew that this certainly was not the time. 

"Rian, chase after Redshank. Knock him down and drag him back to the group." His command was brief as the idea came to mind. Rian would be the only one strong enough to bring him down and drag him back. As an afterthought, he added quickly, "Threaten to kick him out if he doesn't comply." He dismissed his jade-eyed cousin with a dip of his head, adding a quiet, "Stay safe," before turning to Liffey. "Liffey," he pleaded, splaying his ears upon his crown as he searched her face briefly. "Run back to the group. Let them know what's going on and lead them towards the cliffs." He reached out, touching his nose to her cheek briefly, knowing that this very may be the last time that he would be able to do something like this. Savoring the short moment, Rannoch inhaled, taking in her scent as a way of calming himself. Even with this, Rannoch's emotions still ran rampant. "Go, now," he commanded as he pulled from his embrace, giving her an extended look before turning towards the chaos.

With the tasks given, this left Rannoch with the job of saving Titmouse. Rannoch was confident that if he were to fall in this battle that Liffey or Rian would make outstanding leaders in his absence. These thoughts overcame him as he galloped into battle, feeling time slow as he advanced upon the giant. Though fear had paralyzed him just moments before his launch, the sensation subsided suddenly as the memory of his parents came to mind, filling him with a sense of duty. "Darlin', if you take your eyes off your opponent, you give 'em the advantage to strike when you're not lookin'!" said Eshe in his ear, her memory guiding him, and he felt tears prick in his eyes at this. Knowing that he could not look away, Rannoch attempted to blink away the tears as he raced, feeling her with him even though she had been gone for quite some time. It was as though she had bestowed the ferocity of a mother bear's protection upon him, replacing what had felt with a newfound strength. Though his first duty was to ensure Titmouse's safety, Rannoch also knew that he would have to protect Cypress, too, regardless of how boneheaded his sibling had been. 

Rannoch was nearly upon Titmouse as the bear changed course for Cypress. "Titmouse," Rannoch panted, pulling next to the frozen child.  "You gotta go now," he urged, bringing his nose to poke at the boy's cheek in the way of comfort. He could only imagine what was racing through Tit's mind right now and he wanted to soothe him in any way possible. Though he knew that the world was all too terrifying right now, Rannoch was confident that Titmouse would find strength and run. Getting him started, Rannoch nudged the child in the direction that, increasing the sense of urgency, wanting him to evade harm. "I need you to follow Redshank and Rian when they run. They will make sure that you get back safely. You listen to them now, okay? They'll get you back home."  Though Liffey was not far off, he did not trust the child to follow her successfully. Wanting to spot his earth-colored brother to usher Titmouse in the right direction, Rannoch tore his gaze away from the child to place Rian in his line of vision. Before shoving Titmouse, Rannoch barked at the jade-eyed male to get his attention and beckoned towards Tit, as if saying, "here he comes!" When the time did come for Rannoch to usher Titmouse forward, he did so by herding him in the general direction of the Beta. Once they were close enough, Rannoch urged the child forward with a find push before changing courses suddenly towards the raven and the bear. 

His tail fanned upon his back he focused his attention on his final task: getting Cypress out safely. Though his time had been bided, Rannoch rushed to his brother's aid, unsure of what damage had been done thus far. Fear did not matter to Rannoch now, as he focused on keeping his eyes on his target, and instead all he could feel was his innate sense of protectiveness over his younger sibling. Taking once last leap of faith from behind Harold, Rannoch aimed to strike the bear's leg from behind to distract it long enough for Cypress to slip away. He had had a perfect cover before he bellowed, "CYPRESS RUN," as he lurched himself towards the other's meaty appendage.