DARKLIGHT

-

You’re exhausted, after a successful hunt with your kin, you were happy they were able to aid in the hunt for the first time, but it made it harder since you kept a eye out for them. But at least they did the same for you.

You had laid down, letting your child dig in first while you caught your breath. You stretched, ready to retire for the day after you both eat.

While you two enjoyed your meal, you hadn’t heard another monster approach right away. As the monster watched you specifically with interest. You could sense someone watching you after a few moments, you stay close to your child, who hasn’t realized the situation yet.

As soon as you heard a rustle you whipped around and snarled as a warning, pausing in confusion. The monster was a male, looking like the same species as you, just built a bit differently, but the traits are typical of what you know your kind carry’s.

The male looks a bit surprised by your reaction, he tries to take a step forwards and before he can even finish the step, your young jumps in front of you protectively getting between you and the male, they snarl at him mimicking how you handle rivals.

“Stay back!” Your kin barks out, puffing up defensively. “I will not let you hurt my mom or steal her hunt!” They shout, despite being much smaller, they aren’t intimidated. You step forwards standing over your offspring, ready to protect your child if needed to.

-

Pierrot

Cw: nipping, Pierrot failing to get your pup to play, Pierrot having awkward social skills due to being so used to being around humans, dog behaviors, Pierrot pretends to be scared to make your kid happy

(i personally think he’s a furry beast with thick fur, canine like creature with a crocodile like snout ((but short)) and has a tail and long curved back horns)

-

He glanced between you and your kid, trying to find a way to approach without upsetting either of you. He hadn’t seen his own kind in ages, of course he got a little overzealous but…could you blame him?

Pierrot bowed his head, taking a slow step forwards, you stay close to your growling kin and only watch him. You weren’t keen on getting into a fight while you’re still tired from the hunt.

Your little one is practically barking at the monster, you don’t sense any malicious intent but step forwards to stop them from getting closer to Pierrot. Your little one huffs and stays close to you, nearly peeking behind you to try to eye the new monster…but you kept moving your arm to block their vision.

You didn’t want to risk escalating things when you’re already winded. Pierrot slowly lowered himself on the ground, peering at your puppy. He let out a higher pitched bark and play bows, slowly wagging his tail with an awkward half smile. You pause letting your kin see Pierrot invite them to play.

Even if they accept the invitation you’re not entirely sure he’ll be gentle with your puppy. When they don’t seem to take the invite, he frowns a bit, about to back off when your pup jumps forwards.

Pierrot jolts as your puppy jumps onto him.

They bark and howl, their tiny claws placed on his head. Your little one practically jumps around onto of the monster. You watch them, giving a glance to Pierrot, who seems more confused. He looks up to you, smiling trying to show his teeth, but quickly hides them at the odd look you give him.

“Uh…nice to meet you?” Pierrot says looking between you too. “I’m Pierrot, wh-“ He yelps in surprise as your puppy jumps and nips his ear, making him jump and accidentally shake your pup off.

Surprised he tries to check on your kin only for them to snap and nip at him, they headbutt his side, and when he doesn’t give a reaction they bluff charge him showing off their teeth.

Pierrot pauses but jumps back pretending to be startled by them. You can see the ego boost your pup gets as they excitedly yap at him.

You show him some mercy and give a low growl, making your pup back off, their ears folding back. You look back to Pierrot and say. “Are you lost? I don’t believe I’ve seen you out here before.”

Pierrot shakes his head and tries to take a step closer, but hesitates at your little one’s growl. “Ah, no just…visiting. My group is only gonna be here for a little while. Uh…speaking of, where’s your pack? And why are you hunting alone?”

You pup angrily huffs barking out. “She’s not alone, I’m here! We don’t need a pack!” They gave a short growl before looking up to you with a smile. “Mom has managed on her own too, a pack would slow her down, right, Mom?”

As they looked to you, you caught the concern on Pierrot’s face and say. “Our pack disbanded before my pup was born, it’s easier to hide as a small duo than a whole pack.”

Pierrot shook his head quickly and interjected. “But you’re weaker without a pack!” He flinches at the agitated look you give him. “I mean…my group and I have plenty of food, and we can help you two..you won’t even need to hide! None of us do, we can teach you to blend in!”

He jumped up a bit and added. “And you could tell me more about yourself…if you want to I mean. It would be nice.” He mumbled out the last part. “You’d be safe I promise!”

You weren’t exactly sure if he was telling the truth, but you turned back to the carcass, your kin follows suit, trying to bite off a large chunk of meat that was stubbornly staying attached to the body. Before you could aid them, Pierrot takes his claws and lightly slices the meat chunk free, freezing as he sees your pup fall backwards and roll as a result of the loss on tension. Your pup doesn’t seem to care or even notice, chewing on the chunk they’ve now earned.

Pierrot gives you a hopeful smile. “I…I know it’s a bit scary to go with a stranger, but you’d be able to sleep without worrying if you’re being hunted, wouldn’t that make you and your puppy feel better?” His ears droop at your hesitation. “You can leave at any time, I assure you no harm will come to either of, I’ll make sure of it.”

Doctor

Cw: crow like behaviors

Feathered, with a beak, specifically I see him as part crow monster so based behaviors off that

-

It was hard to not laugh at your little one, if he wasn’t so surprised by you being alone. Typically, monsters like him don’t raise kin alone, so something must have happened. Doctor looks to you with his feathers puffed up.

“I’m sorry to intrude, I heard a commotion and was curious, just the two of you out here?” Doctor asked, hoping it was subtle enough. Unfortunately, he knows if you’re alone with your kin, you’re more likely to work yourself to exhaustion, and though he wouldn’t say it, your feathers definitely weren’t in good condition, a sign you’ve been neglecting basic grooming.

The hatchlings his up, flapping their wings rapidly trying to get Doctor’s attention off you. “That’s none of your business!“ They squawk out. You gently pat their head with your talons and reply.

“That’s not nice Dear, and yes it’s just us, no flock.” You look to be eyeing Doctor with some concern, not that he can blame you. “Are you alone?”

“Yes.” Doctor lies, seeing you relax a little bit. You shouldn’t be without a group, especially with a little fletching who can’t even fly yet. How have you been feeding them? “I do know a group though, they are nearby-“

He stopped once he saw your feathers ruffle at the same time as your kins do. He can’t exactly blame you, not all monsters like being in groups. Especially with a vulnerable little one.

“We are fine, do you live here?” You ask, nudging your little one to go back to eating. They grab a few chunks of meat, messily eating beside you to keep an eye on him. Doctor shook his head taking a small step forwards.

“No, traveling through. But I advise you don’t stay here for long.” Doctor says, stopping to stand still despite your kin tosses a piece of meat at him for getting too close. “You’ll be easier to track if you remain in one area, you can travel with me, I can keep humans away.”

While you give him a semi curious look, before you can reply your fletching leaps between you two and caws with indignation. They face Doctor, poofed up like to look bigger.

“I’ll have you know my mom has way better options than you! She’s popular with males and she’s not going anywhere with yo-!” You quickly cover their beak scolding them.

“Don’t say that! That’s the worst way you could word it.” You half laugh out while your kin looks confused and still defensive. After your ‘scuffle’ with them Doctor uses the opportunity to step closer to you while your kin is distracted.

He eyes the feathers loosely falling off you and tries to sound softer as he ask. “May I help you preen? It looks like that hunt took a lot out of you.” He waited until you didn’t try to move away or blatantly say no. Once you seemed to not care and didn’t try to move away, he gently brushed his talons over your back trying to catch loose feathers.

Carefully Doctor uses his beak to better organize your feathers, careful with the feathers around your throat. It looks as though you haven’t had help grooming your feathers in a while, as lots were falling off as he tried to adjust them.

Your kin squawked upon seeing how many of your feathers are coming off. “Hey she needs those!” They protested, hopping up trying to claw away at Doctor’s talons to get him to stop. Doctor pauses but looks more to you than your offspring.

“Have you molted this year? Your feathers are very loose.” You shook your head and gently pulled your kid away from him before one of them got scratched. “Who dies these feathers around your shoulders and back?”

Your kid poofs up and proudly exclaims. “I do! I help her keep her feathers perfect.” Doctor was not going to argue with your kid. But…they did a terrible job it looks like they just pulled feathers out.