Hushed Willows mama, please—let me back inside

a lull - atwood takes advantage of ariel's absent attention and slips out, making a spirited break for freedom. he slows eventually, delighted by every new sight, smell the outside affords him. but today is not a fortuitous day for the little bird to explore, for he is soon overwhelmed by the presence of the wolves of elysium, and ahead, some strange, lumbering creature they all seemed upset by.

concerned, atwood seeks out a familiar face and lands on the woman shouting, who he dimly recognizes, and begins to toddle toward. behind him-

"ATWOOD," roars ariel, his gaze torn between the bear and his sweet, fearless son. he's close, too too close, to the commotion (how can one tiny boy move so quickly?), but ariel is, thankfully, fast enough. he gets his teeth into his nap and sends him back in the direction of the den, but does not--cannot--because the bear is advancing on the dens. "go, go," he urges even as he moves, coming to flank lily. they can't let it get any further than this; fear grips his heart, but he will not back down now.