Intimidation Factor [2]

Intimidation Factor

“These oviraptors don’t seem keen to talk to anyone else, and that means there’s only one way to get answers: give ‘em the ol’ shakedown. Cornering, trapping, or otherwise catching an oviraptor will give you a chance to demand answers.”

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Hellbreaker 4578

Ari 5639

Sylvie 3629

Mischief 6215

Pokie 6214

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Word Count : 1735

Hellbreaker had just about had enough of these ‘oviraptors’ invading his territory. First they come into his land and then don’t even have the decency to answer his questions! He had tried to be modest with them, he hadn’t laid tooth or talon on the last one he cornered, and yet he still spotted the blur of their feathers in the undergrowth and new seeds being planted after he uprooted the old ones. It was no small news either that his case wasn’t the only one. Both islands were now being ravaged by the oviraptors' strange plants, and Hellbreaker had had enough. He’d make them talk, one way or another.

The low hiss of Sylvie approaching slugged him from his thoughts, her dark tabby feathers making her stand out against the near white beach sand.

“Evening Hellbreaker darling! You look as ravishing as ever, although you really must lose the brooding, it just doesn’t complete the look.” Sylvie trilled. Hellbreaker just responded with a curt “Evenin’” in response, choosing not to think about anything else Sylvie said. As much as he loathed her presence, the oviraptors didn’t seem to break with just one carnivore around. Stupid though they may be, they were unfortunately steadfast. “Dearest please, is that any way to respond? You know I do so hate it when you talk of nothing! Besides, we have a little time to kill, why not gossip? I’m sure you’ve heard lots of tea, dear I know I have! Oviraptors, here of all places!” Sylvie whined on, Hellbreaker hardly listening. He jerked his head to Sylvie, “You know where they come from?” he whispered, low and threatening. “Oh heavens no! But you know there were old tapestries in the Alpha labs, some of the locals there were generous enough to loan me some novels. They are quite captivating if I do say so!” she chirped, clicking her claws together idly. Hellbreakers eyes narrowed, obviously displeased with this new discovery. At least now he knew they used to come from underground like he did. Perhaps it could entice the oviraptors to give up information if he lured them into thinking he knew where their home was… 

The sudden fierce splashing of waves once again dragged him from his “unsightly” brooding, a rather large aristronectes breached from the water. Hellbreaker didn’t say anything, just gave a curt, but polite, nod to the water-dancer. Sylvie, however, burst out upon seeing them. “Oh Ari dear you are just in time! I was mentioning to Hellbreaker here about the oviraptors that have been terrorizing the island! Dreadful news I’m sure you know, but still quite fascinating, especially their beautiful feathers.” She once again rambled off while Ari was busy adjusting to being out of water. His head swayed back and forth in a lethargic manner, taking his time to reply to Sylvie. “Heard. Hurting hunting grounds. Poisoning the water.” He rumbled as Sylvie gasped dramatically. “Oh darling, that's truly terrible! I’m pleased that you could join us, we’ll put those oviraptors in their place." She patted his fin in a comforting manner as Hellbreaker rolled his eyes so hard he swore he saw the inside of his skull. “Come on, we’re wasting daylight out here. The oviraptors will be impossible to find once the sun goes down.” He growled, rising to his feet and tromping off in the direction he last saw the goblins. Sylvie shot a look to Ari, helping him back to the water before trotting to catch-up with Hellbreaker.

It didn’t take Hellbreaker long to find the freaks, it was like he had an internal compass to where they wandered. A small pod of oviraptors had nestled themselves in between the roots of a particularly knotted tree, just barely shielded from the outside world by its roots. The plan was for Hellbreaker to chase as many as he could down to the beach where Sylvie waited with Ari to corner them and force the information out of him. They knew him, and knew how dangerous he was so it was only expected that they scatter instead of fighting back. He just needed an opening…The brown oviraptor turned its head away from Hellbreakers hiding place, exposing its blindspot clear as day. He rushed forward, jaws wide, his teeth expectedly closing on nothing but a bundle of feathers as the bewildered oviraptors scattered. Unusually, most of the supported rather gruesome injuries. A gouged leg on one, too many plucked feathers on another. Just another passing observation as Hellbreaker herded them towards the oceanfront. By the time the soft sand was under his talons, only 2 remained. One was monochrome in color and the other brown, with orange eyes and brilliant blue running up its neck. The other had rainy blue eyes, but red streaks of paint along its wings, mixing with blood from a previous injury slowing it down immensely. The oviraptors swerved to try and evade Hellbreaker hot on their heels, but Ari burst from the depths right on time, causing them to try and double back to the woods right where Sylvie had emerged without them even noticing. Hellbreaker practically foamed at the jaws watching them panic.

“Hello dears! I’m sure you’re aware why we’ve crashed your party, it would really be kind of you to tell us why you’ve been spreading those rather dastardly plants around the island.” Sylvie hummed idly, like they were merely discussing the weather. The oviraptors hardly seemed to notice she said a word, their eyes frantically flicking between the 3 enormous carnivores. “Answer the question!” Hellbreaker snapped, lunging forward and forcing the oviraptor with the brilliant blue paint to stumble over the other to get out of the way. They shook their heads fervently, yet something in their eyes hesitated. “Darlings, this would be considerably easier if you would just tell us! I’m afraid my friend here is not so patient, and he has the unfortunate habit of playing with his food.” The oviraptors still didn’t open their strange beaked mouths, just shaking their heads more. “Fine, we do this my way.” Hellbreaker snarled, dragging the injured oviraptor by its injured leg. Instantly a shrill squawking filled the air, its wound reopening and dripping blood to the pristine sand. He rested it under his talons, careful to not injure it more, leverage was only good alive after all. “Speak, now! Or I’ll break their leg even more.” He growled, slowly putting more and more pressure on the oviraptors leg. Still, they didn’t speak, keeping their mouth shut with their own claws now. The crack of the oviraptors leg cut through the air like a blade. The enormous aristo pushed the uninjured one forward, causing them to stumble and look at their bleeding friend in the eyes. But Hellbreaker was only getting started. “What should I take now? Sylvie, you said you liked their feathers, yes? Why don’t we get some now for you.” He snarled, teeth already starting to deplume the beautiful bird. “Oh those feathers are simply divine… a shame they have to be removed in such a way.” Sylvie sighed. Hellbreaker got a mouthful of feathers before the other oviraptor cracked. “Okay okay we’ll tell you! Please, stop hurting them!” It shrieked, almost drowned out by the sharp cries of the other. Hellbreaker spit out the feathers, fixing them with sharp red eyes. “Talk.” The oviraptor took gulping breaths before speaking again, frightening disconnect rambling making most of their words incoherent. “We-we’re spreading seeds. I-I can’t tell you who, b-but they’re real I-I swear! I-I don’t know them m-myself I just- I swear I’m telling you the truth! Th-they told us to spread them! They showed us how! W-we followed a path underground, not like the one here! It was cold and dull, n-not at all like the paths here! P-please you have to believe me I swear it’s true!” The oviraptor prattled, wildly gesturing like they were performing in a play. “Where is it.” Hellbreaker demanded. The oviraptor didn’t speak right away, instead averting its gaze to its friend still pinned under his talons. He growled and moved to pluck more feathers when the oviraptor interrupted him. “I-I don’t know! I don’t know, I was little when we left. I just have vague memories, but I know it exists! I swear it, I swear its true! Please believe me…” they begged, moving forward on shaky legs.

Hellbreakers eyes moved to look at Sylvie and Ari, exchanging silent words. He growled lowly, releasing the stained monochrome oviraptor from its jail. “Th-thank you! Thank y-you…” the uninjured oviraptor sniveled, helping the injured one weakly to its feet. Hellbreaker moved past them without a word, Sylvie following as Ari moved back to the ocean. She glanced at Ari, clearly also sensing something was amiss. She sighed dramatically, placing a claw over her forehead. “Alas, it rests on me to go cheer our dear friend up.” Ari opened his mouth confused, but was cut off by Sylvie waving her hand in his face. “No, no, it’s my burden to handle! You go on back to the ocean, even though I do so enjoy your presence. We haven’t spent much time together lately, we should go diving sometime darling!” Ari just blinked, caught off-guard by the sudden interest. He instead sheepishly waved a fin in the direction Hellbreaker had gone, somehow already disappearing over the horizon. “A-ah, my apologies dear! You are right I must go, but I promise I will visit you soon! Au revoir!” Sylvie rushed, scrambling down the beach before she completely lost track of Hellbreaker.

She trotted up beside him, matching his pace. She didn’t say anything at first, but the silence was becoming increasingly nagging. “...Are you alright darling?” Sylvie tentatively asked. “Fine.” Hellbreaker growled back. She rolled her eyes, internally cringing at his ‘bad boy’ attitude. “Dear please, you are terrible at lying. I know you are displeased by what they told us, and you plan to go looking for this… path did they say? But please do consider stopping by before you disappear again, I would appreciate your company again after so long. You have no idea the news I’ve heard since we last spoke, and we hardly had time before you marched off!” Hellbreaker merely side-eyed her, which unfortunate for him prompted her to continue her rambles, silently wishing Ari was a land-dweller and not a sea-beast.