A perfectly round elliptical sphere of tourmalinated quartz jutted out of the floor of Tunnel N, the colors almost completely blending in except for the jagged lines of black running across it.

There was a crack, then another one, and then the chrysalis shattered, dropping a sleeping.. thing onto the cold floor. The creature inside startled awake, lashing his tail from side to side as his body impacted with the stone. He made a short, growly noise of discontent as he slowly got up, stretching his limbs as he saw the world for the first time.

His ears swiveled as he tried to take in everything, from the distant sound of water to the cool feeling of the stone underneath his paws.

But, then, another sensation interrupted his reverie. An empty feeling in his stomach. He was hungry. He looked around, searching for something to hunt.

@Baffin

Baffin had found some time to wander. He was not far at all from his new home, so he was not worried about any trouble coming his way. In fact, he was looking to find something nice, a gift of sorts! The cub wasn't exactly sure what he was looking for but he was confident he would know when he found it.

He continued to plod on, not minding where he was going at all. At least, he wasn't until he heard a quick growling sound. Baffin turned his pink and black nose up and took several deep whiffs. There was something ahead no doubt about it! Perhaps whatever made that sound had something he could bring back home.

"Hello!" His voice bounced off of the cave walls and back to him. Baffin let out a short bark of laughter. "Helloooooo!" He called again, bounding forward to chase his own voice.

It was in this moment of glee that he nearly slammed into something about his size. Only nearly, because the cub turned forward just in time to slide to a precarious stop.

The thing standing in front of him was very strange indeed. It's head looked like that of some sort of canine, but its body was not at all! It also had a very very long tail. It was also standing in some very pretty stone. Baffin wanted that stone, it would be the perfect gift!

"Uhm... hi.." Baffin took a few steps back, this creature seemed to be displeased. "Can I... have some of that? If you're done using it." He swung a large paw towards the shattered gemstones.

@poppet

He looked up at the sound of footsteps. Something was approaching. He turned as it called a greeting, just in time to see a thing nearly slam into him. He moved back two steps at the sight of whatever it is, internally cringing in revulsion. He had only been in the world for a few minutes, and yet, he knew deep in his soul that whatever this was, he hated it. It didn't deserve to live. He wanted it dead.

His tail started lashing as the creature spoke again- whatever it was saying this time, he didn't care, tuning the words out in his rage. His hunger went ignored for the moment as his ears laid back, and he started growling for real this time, a snarl intended to intimidate the creature, to wordlessly tell it 'I don't like you.'

That was the only warning the thing was going to get before he pounced, fully intending to leap upon the creature and pin it down.

Round I of Combat.
Poppet attempts to pin Baffin down.
No notable defenses.
No notable injuries.

@Baffin

The cub continued to look at this... thing hopefully. He had even put a little grin on his face. That grin, however, quickly turned into confusion when the other gemling snarled. It wasn't like the other one that he had heard further back in to the tunnel... No this one was very angry sounding. Very... scary.

He didn't have much time to contemplate whether or not he should leave because next thing he knew it had lunged at him. A startled chirp came out of the white bear and he attempted to turn and flee. His efforts were futile and the other creature charged into him, knocking him off of his paws. Now, not only was he covered in tunnel dust, he was also pinned down.

Fear lanced through him like fire in his veins. This feeling was not a good feeling. He had to do something to get this creature off. However he hated the idea of hurting another.

"I'm sorry!" He squeaked before the bear took one big paw and attempted to whap the other gembound upside the head to knock him off.

Round I of Combat
Attempt: Baffin attempts to whack Poppet.
Defenses: Whack Poppet to get him off
No notable injuries

@Poppet

Poppet, light as he was, went flying, slamming against the stone wall of the tunnel. The jagged, rough surface cut into his side, drawing blood. Distantly, he registered its voice, but it was lost in the haze of hatred as he prepared his next attack.

A low, deep snarl began in his throat, increasing in intensity before culminating in a roar as he charged at his opponent, tail raised high as he attempted to do the same thing the beast had done to him- slam it into a wall.

Round II of Combat
Poppet attempts to slam Baffin into a wall.
No defenses.
Scrapes and scratches along his right side.

@Baffin

Much to his surprise, the creature that attacked him had flown across the cave into the wall. It was light for it's size. But the cub rose quickly to his feet and watched for a moment as they rose again. The metallic scent of blood reached Baffins strong nose. Something primal in him stirred but he had little time to dwell on it before was shoved against the other wall.

He only stumbled, but with enough force for him to hit his head. His skin split across his right brow. Blood quickly began to flow from the wound and into his eye. The cub staggered and swiped at his eye. It was then that he realized this creature was not going to leave him alone unless he did something crazy. Well, crazy for him.

The cub let out the scariest roar he could muster and charged forward before rearing on his back legs. Baffin needed to try and pummel this thing into submission or until it couldn't fight anymore. Something told him it wouldn't stop otherwise.

He swung a large paw back at it's head again, but this time attempting to pin this creatures head to the cave floor.

Round II of Combat
Baffin attempts to pin Poppets head to the floor
No Defenses
Split on right eyebrow, bleeding profusely


@Poppet

Poppet cried out in pain, making an odd, birdlike sound as he felt his head hit the floor, drawing blood. Although he couldn't tell, part of his cheekbone had fractured, driving itself into his skin, causing even more pain. Poppet was forced to look up at the bear, taking in its ugly appearance. It disgusted him.

As the bear stood above him, Poppet made his next move- taking his tail, he slowly lifted it up from the floor, pulling it back before stabbing the sharp keratin formations towards the bear as fast as he could. He wouldn't let this, this thing get the best of him. Not if he could help it.

Round III of Combat
Poppet attempts to stab Baffin
No defenses
Scrapes along right side, bleeding head, broken cheekbone

@Baffin

As the cubs paw made contact with the strange creature, he felt it fall immediately. As its head made contact with the cave floor, he felt a crack reverberate up his thick leg. The white bear cringed, he didn't mean to do that. He was hoping to knock the thing unconscious so he could run away. He wanted to go find comfort from Blackberry, surely she would understand. Hopefully he wouldn't get in trouble for hurting this thing.

The cub blinked hard, "Stop fighting! Stop" He cried, shaking the blood from his eyes. "I don't want to hurt you anymore!" Clearly his cries meant nothing because he was narrowly missed by the sharp tail that could have stabbed and wounded him greatly.

Maybe if he could stop the tail, this thing would give up. He wasn't sure if it would work, but it was all he could think of. He opened his mouth, attempting to clench his teeth around the tail.

Round III of Combat
Baffin attempts to bite Poppets tail
No Defenses
Split on right eyebrow, still bleeding

@Poppet

Poppet pulled his tail back just in time, hearing the snap of bear jaws as his opponent’s mouth closed around nothing. He gave a low growl, pulling himself into an upright position. The rush of battle had taken the edge off his hatred- he could think more clearly, now.

He still hated the creature in front of him, of course. Its appearance made him want to vomit. But as dull pain throbbed in his cheekbone, he realized something.

It was asking him to stop fighting. Its guard was down.

Poppet smiled softly, showing no teeth as he put his head down and tucked his tail between his legs. The growls he had been letting out during the battle’s duration turned to a gentle purr.

He refused to actually speak to the thing, of course. It was too far beneath his notice for that. But, maybe, just maybe, if he made himself appear kind and vulnerable, he could punish the creature for existing.

Round IV of Combat
Poppet attempts to trick Baffin into letting them get close
No Defenses
Broken cheekbone, scrapes and scratches, head still bleeding

@Snowberry

Snowberry felt his jaws close on nothing but thing air. To him, this was no disappointment. In fact, he felt relieved to not have to hurt this creature again. He watched this creature now, taking a few steps back.

It had seemed as though his pleas had been heard. The cub was about think that this thing could not speak and was completely feral. Of course... it didn't really speak but it seemed to understand what he was saying.

The cub watched as its posture changed into a more submissive position. Had it given up? The cub was wary. Would it give up that easily? And yet, it was purring softly. The sound was soothing to Snowberry.

"Are you done?" He asked quietly, daring to step closer to the creature. "I'm sorry if I hurt you, I was just scared. You seemed so angry. Why were you angry?" The cub tilted his head, sounding remorseful. Something in the back of his mind told him not to get too close, so he remained about a body length away from the creature.

Round IV of Combat
Nothing Notable
Nothing Notable
Bleeding gash on eyebrow

@poppet