Heron Lake Plateau I believe I can touch the sky

Whoops! @Ridge @Towhee @Elwood @Finley. Other thread Will be deleted

Not understanding the majorly stressful events going on within the pack, Tywyll decided it would awesome to explore a bit. So on slightly more stable footing he wandered away from the den, slipping away from his parents. He had no idea of the danger that came from being out on his own, he was only weeks old and hadn't really ever left his parent's side. He spotted a small green thing and gave a fearsome growl (not really) and began to stalk it. The thing hopped and startled him and be gave a small gasp before shaking his fur out. He would not be bested by a small green hoppy thing!

Ridge was posted on a low branch, a little cranky, and a lot not feeling like being messed with. He was content to snooze until his mood swing passed, but the sound of a tiny growl made him open his eyes. The black pup was easily spotted just under the branch he was perched on, as it wasn't trying to hide. Did these parents not teach their kids that there were things in this world that would try to eat them? 

Well, their misfortune was about to be his gain. Ridge could not allow such a plump meal to pass him by, though the logistics would be a bit difficult, seeing as how the pup was under him. Usually, he'd fly in from a distance so that he had enough speed to lift his meal off the ground. 

Spreading his wings, he jumped from the branch and went into a controlled fall, his wings flapping to slow his decent. His talons opened just before he dropped down on the pup. Only one foot was able to grab the pup, but Ridge figured it would be enough. Flapping his wings harder, he attempted to lift himself and his meal off the ground. The pup was about half his weight, and the golden eagle struggled to get off the ground, all the while trying to keep the pup in his grasp.

The hoppy little thing froze quite still and Tywyll gave a growl of satisfaction, in his mind the bug was cowering in front of his mighty prowess. In the next five seconds as he prepared to crouch something happened that would change him for life. Just as Tywyll set to lunge something wrapped around him and he was being yanked into the air. First came pain, two areas hurt something awful where he had been punctured by the talons of the winged predator. Then shock as his young mind struggled to understand what has happening. 

Last came a mighty series of shrieks and howls, he called for mama, he called for daddy, he called toey (towhee, but he was unable to pronounce it) he called for Help . He thrashed and squirmed to free himself from the grasp of whatever had him and in a moment of panic, twisted and bit at the closest batch of feathers he could reach, tiny sharp fangs seeking hold of something, anything to cause pain and get free.

Finley and Elwood weren’t bad parents, per se, but they seemed unable to catch a break.

In the five minutes that Elwood had turned his back, Tywyll had toddled a short distance from him. At right about the time that Elwood was glancing around for the boy, having noticed his absence from the immediate vicinity, he heard shrieking and his blood ran cold.

He turned toward the sound to find a bird trying to make off with his son. He emitted an outraged snarl and flung himself at the puppy and avian, hoping to at least startle the eagle into letting Tywyll go — and if it didn’t release him, his teeth would be quick to aim in the bird’s direction.

Ridge struggled to get off the ground, and it didn't help that the pup started to squirm and squeal. It hindered the eagle even more from making off with his meal. All of a sudden, sharp teeth penetrated his feathers and skin. They were tiny punctures, but sharp teeth still hurt. Ridge screeched his opposition, just before he heard a much more fierce growl. 

He turned his head to see a wolf coming at him. He had no choice but to drop the pup to the ground and attempt to make his escape. Hopefully the wolf would stop to check on its offspring instead of retaliating against him. The golden eagle flapped his wings hard, lifting himself off the ground foot by foot, his talons waiting and willing to rip into flesh if the adult came after him.

The mighty screech of his kidnapper and the fierce snarl from his father blended into one as Tywyll tried to hang on to whatever was in his mouth. Feathers and blood could be tasted immediately and he growled, a true sound that came from his chest up until he was dropped and then it turned into a shriek. The talons sliced his baby flesh as he was released, plummeting for a few seconds before smacking into the harsh ground.

All the air in his lungs left in a painful rush and he lay frighteningly still for a few moments in shock. His world was shaken, it wasnt the safe routine of nurse,sleep,play, explore anymore. Now he knew of the scarier things outside the den. As he regained his senses he became aware of pain. He had a shallow cut and two puncture wounds from tbe talons of that eagle and he was bleeding. It stung and his body was sore from the impact upon the ground. "Dada!"the wail was sent up with urgency as he squirmed to get to his paws, just wanting to run and hide beneath his father's chest.

If his son's life wasn't on the line, Elwood might have thought the sight of the bird struggling to lift Tywyll was comical. Maybe in a few weeks he would look back on it and laugh, but for now, he found nothing about the situation to be funny. His lunge had been enough to make the eagle release Tywyll from its grip, and as it started to elevate itself with a few strong flaps of its wings, Elwood turned his attention to his son.

"Are you okay?" he asked as he examined the boy, nudging him with his snout and identifying his wounds. He didn't appear to be gravely injured, but the puncture wounds were bleeding, and he certainly wanted to have Raven check him out as soon as the coast was clear. Hunching protectively over the pup, Elwood craned his neck to growl up at the eagle, golden eyes watching sharply to ensure that it was really leaving.

He squirmed backwards into the safety and comfort of his father's chest and stomach, eyes squinting as he risked a look upward at the flying feathered creature of death that had attacked him. He nodded and sniffed at his father's question, still shaking anf frightened despite knowing he was safe. "wha wassat?"he asked, not knowing the name for the creature who had tried to nab him. He spat out a blood tinted  feather and then placed a paw on it, fright forgotten and replaced with a surge of pride. He squirmed out from beneath Elwood and picked the feather up betwren sharp baby teeth, holding it up to him as a gift,  as a thanks for saving him, and as a Look what i did dad! type of thing.

@Raven tagging you to join in, if you have time! If not, no worries! :)

Despite his injuries and being shaken up by the whole experience, Tywyll was curious about the animal that had attacked him. Elwood glanced up in the direction that the bird had gone, then said, "That was an eagle, I think. A bird." As the boy began to play with a feather, his fear seemingly forgotten for the moment, Elwood took the opportunity to send up a call for Raven, hoping that the healer would be able to give Tywyll a once-over just to make sure he was okay.

Then, he leveled his gaze at Tywyll. "Next time, do not leave the den without Mommy or Daddy, okay?" he said sternly. He didn't want to upset his son, but needed him to understand the danger of sneaking out without a grown up, especially in a new and unfamiliar territory.

An eagle. A bird. He noted this and tucked it away the best he could in his young mind. He had seen birds before but never ever as big as this one had been. He chewed at the feather and then began to hack it out as a bit of the downier bit stuck to his tongue. Once it was spit out he sat back on his haunches and sniffed at himself. The wounds throbbed and he was still a bit shaken up but he knew he was safe and his father didn't seem to be too mad, so all was right in his opinion. He looked up quickly as he was scolded, ears going back. He stood up and gave his father a quick,  apologetic lick under the chin "Sowwy..."he murmured and nodded to show he understood.

Raven wasn't far when she heard Elwood's call rise on the cool air. Since her heat had begun to fade, she had felt more free to roam and explore her new home without the threat of being assailed by everything with a penis and a pulse within 80 miles. Though it will still early in the season for many of the plants she liked to use in her work, she nevertheless scouted out areas where she might find some when summer drew closer and the greenery filled in more.

She found Elwood within a few minutes, noticing that tiny Tywyll lingered by his paws. She smelled blood, faintly, and judging by the concern etched on her uncle's face, she guessed that Tywyll had gotten himself hurt. She approached the pair with a smile, tail wagging as she caught the youngster's eye, and looked up at Elwood. "What happened?"

The boy apologized, and Elwood could see the remorse in his face, but he couldn't help but wonder if this was just the first sign that Tywyll would turn out like his older siblings. Fiadh, Clover, Lucca, and Tegan were the boldest of his offspring, and not only did Tywyll share blood with them, but he would be under their influence during his most formative days.

His ponderings ceased with Raven's welcome arrival, and Elwood nudged Tywyll's cheek reassuringly as the medic approached. "It's okay," he said quietly, then straightened to talk to Raven. "Thanks for coming. Tywyll got into a tangle with an eagle -- I think he's alright, but I wanted an expert to check him out," he said, gesturing towards the puncture wounds left behind by the bird's talons.

An unknown female walked up and at her smile Tywyll decided he liked her. He wagged his tail and piped up at the mention of the eagle "I bit it!". He didn't understand that the eagle was his first blood, his first attack against another animal, but he did know he was proud. "Bit me too" he admitted and showed the talon marks to Raven.

Concern colored her features at Uncle Elwood's explanation that the boy had crossed paths with an eagle. The pup was still small enough that a large enough eagle could carry him off with relative ease, and the thought of him being torn apart by razor talons and hooked beaks chilled Raven to the core. She smiled at the boy's words, affection blossoming in her at his bravery, and she edged closer to take a look. "You have to be careful around eagles, little one," she told Tywyll gently as she eyed his wounds. They didn't appear to be too serious, and she carefully licked them clean to remove any hair and dirt that might be stuck in them. "I bet you gave him a good scare though, didn't you?" She grinned at the sooty boy again, ruffling the fuzz on his head with a swipe of her tongue. Turning her attention to Elwood, she said, "The cuts will need to be kept clean, but they aren't very deep and should heal up well enough on their own. If you notice any swelling or infection, though, let me know." She flashed her beloved uncle a grin and her tail brushed the earth behind her. "Looks like you've got another fearless one on your hands."

Elwood nodded his agreement as Raven urged Tywyll to be more careful. He was bold, but hopefully this experience would give him a dose of caution. He watched as the medic gave the pup a once over and cleaned the wounds gently with her tongue. Her instructions for the father were simply to keep an eye on the injuries and to inform her if there was any sign of infection.

"Fearless is right. Thanks, Raven," he said with a smile. To Tywyll, he said, "Can you tell Raven 'thank you'?"

Tywyll caught the word Fearless and grinned, looking pretty proud and taking it as a compliment, not understanding the downfalls of fearlesness matched with foolishness. At his father's prompting he stepped forward and touched his nose to the woman's shoulder and stepping back again, looking up at her and smiling sheepishly "Thanks Waven!" he chirped out genuinely. Turning toward his dad he gave an eager wiggle of his tail end and then looked up with begging eyes " Can I go tell Cinder about the eagle?" he asked hopefully.

Last one from me! Thanks for the invite! <3

Elwood thanked her, and then Tywyll followed suit with an adorable thanks of his own. "Waven" -- her heart melted. She grinned and giggled, giving the boy one more kiss on his head and then rising to step forward and lick Elwood's chin with deferent affection as well. "You're welcome, guys," she responded, waving her tail behind her. "Love you both, and I'm happy to help anytime." Giving her Uncle El a wink, she turned and headed off to see if she could rustle up any early-season plant shoots that might help with an infection, just in case the little guy's wounds gave him any trouble.

You can fade with your next post Chey, or just archive! :)

Now that he had received a bill of relatively clean health from Raven, Tywyll was eager to tell his brother all about his adventure. Elwood smiled and, after saying goodbye to Raven, gave his son the go-ahead. "Yeah, let's go tell Cinder all about it," he replied, gesturing for the boy to lead the way.