Noctisardor Bypass [r] fevered

merrick — goodness;
he was talking to himself again in a bald muttering that clashed and fell to the darkened floor of the cave. the bearwolf entered without hesitation.
aventus in his unsaid unheard thoughts might believe silvertip to have been a fel omen. and merrick did not know that his son possessed such sentiment. 
his own was as follows: there they were tested and the parts of ursus found wanting were chipped away. this was not his doing nor his choice. he was the mouthpiece for the bear spirit and that allowed fanned the flame inside his tattered skin.
that and perhaps —
"aunt @Laurel!" he hissed in a faux scolding tone, dashing after the movement up ahead. the end of her tail perhaps, bobbing desperately just ahead.
"i know you're not alone."
merrick drove on through the deepening black of the cave.
"i know you've got another brat with you, auntie. but i caught the other one —"
merry, cheerful, delighted laughter ringing out.
"— i got him."
he pounced now, aiming blindly, forepaws extended to strike and to hopefully knock against whatever body he found in the lightless passageway.
and then teeth would sear. woe betide laurel and poor unknown @Indra III.