Ouroboros Spine [m] ⊡ ukaksitaak ⊡

The isbjørn was alarmed when sunman suggested punishment. Not for hatred of the concept itself, but because it left them with a cruel enemy forever threatening their doorstep. He was thankful when Kukutux spoke for Cen's removal, and afterward, finally lifted his voice to speak from above the hobbled man, one paw still clawing between the man's shoulder's.

"Punishment without love has no hope of true correction," he intoned, remembering something his aunt had once said. "We punish our children because we want them to be better — but this is a grown man. He ought to know better and he ought to do better, but he ain't. I don't trust him to be better, no matter what we tear off of him. I trust he's gonna be what we know him to be: cruel and vile. No matter what he deserves — and it's my opinion that it ain't much — I don't want the threat of him hanging over this woman's head. No matter how hard we try and protect her, we can't guarantee we'll catch him before he gets to her."

His claws had flexed unconsciously into Cen's flesh as the idea agitated him.

"I'll do it," he offered, "'Cause to be honest, I'm more worried about what we can do for that poor baby and his momma than what's left to talk about with this piece of shit. The sooner it's done, the sooner she can start to put their lives back into order. And that's justice, to me."