KODAK

Big bad bear?
Never was such a thing

Not too far from that one particular lake with a waterfall pouring into it, was a den in a large ridgeside. There was snow all around it, and although it would appear deserted, a strong scent lingered around the opening. That scent was even stronger inside than outside. The opening was thickly brushed over with branches and twigs with long blades of grass, seemingly having been pushed and placed into position, as if to hide the entrance to this den. Everything was cold and bright outside, but on the inside, it was warm and dim. In the back off to the side, hidden particially by the shadows, was a large mound of brown-- a bear, grizzly, to be more exact. His sides heaved up and down lightly with calm, soothing breaths. This was winter, the time when bears deemed to be in hiberation. But this bear wasn't like most others-- he sometimes was up during the winter. Only because of other animals stumbling to his den and waking him up. That was about the only reason. He didn't make his dens too deep, so anything loud enough could easily reach his ears and disturb him.

A peaceful overcast winter day, snow abound everywhere, sparkling beautifully, and some animals had to miss it. What a shame.

KODAK
Grizzly Bear

My inspiration is my first northwest den
My enjoyments are napping and fishing
My occupation is being my easy self
My heart goes out to no one particular
My new home is nowhere particular

Painted

A Tick Tack Tick Tack clacked against the ice from hardened frozen hooves. A wooley gypsy vanner bounced a winter bulk around as she easily manuvered her weigh on the ice. She snorted and sniffed and looked around on the ice. She lowered her head and began to move fine lips against the snow to uncover what she hoped was foliage. To her dismay she was standing in the middle of the lake where not even the fruitful water plants grew. Tiara lifted and she pawed at the ice, cause it to crack so that she could grab herself a drink.

After some painful gulps of freezing water, she lifted her head and pranced on. Hoping that her hooves would land on the soft mush of land so that she could have herself something to eat. As she passed Kodak's cave she felt the ice below her become more sleek and she felt her legs fall out from under her. She landed with a loud thud and a noticable crack from the ice.

Her head lifted and she winced as she felt freezing water pass by her back. She began to wonder if she had already fallen in or if she was sinking. It was answered as a louder crack and splash sounded and dagger like stabs of ice water engulfed body. As she fell in she gave an ear-shattering squeel of pain and jerked her body as if she could escape from falling.

If any luck was on her side, it was the fact that her hind feet could touch the bottom. The water was seven feet deep in the particular spot and still five feet from the shore. She arched back and thrusted herself forward; but to no avail for she only slid back into her death trap. Help! She squeeled again, thinking no one was around to hear her plea. She continued trying to free herself, and continued to fail at it. She would only have five or six minutes before her life would be taken.

KODAK

Kodak continued to sleep in his short cave, quite warm as he huddled up in that big corner. Twigs and branches and dried leaves were made into a big pile for his bed, and some were scattered around him. At such a sight and in such a place, he probably never would have woken up, being so comfortable and all. Yet, his large ears twitched as the nearby sound of cracking ice echoed in the cave. With a gruff noise, the bear went to switch laying positions, but at the last moment, slowly drifted awake. It figured, too. It happened every year-- some animal woke him up somehow. Humans rarely ever got him up, but he probably wouldn't go out if one was there anyway.

Eyes popping open, his nose went to work, taking in the scent of horse, and ears still hearing the ice. Now water. Moving rather fast, alarmed by what was going on, he easily slipped out of the branches and other foliage that circled around the entrance to his den. He was met by the cold sting of winter, but didn't mind it much. He was probably the only bear who didn't care about the cold and snow.

Right after he took a couple steps from the opening, he nearly places a big paw on the edge of the splitting ice. A bit confused, and standing there on all fours in a dumbfounded manner, he soon got the idea. At first, he didn't see the large horse farther out. Although not much farther, Kodak had the habit of not paying attention to a lot of things.
Deciding that he would try to help this other beast of an animal, he eased himself into the freezing waters, going out until he couldn't touch ground anymore. Now he was swimming, but he liked swimming. One of his favorite pastimes. But that's too off topic.
With another gruff sound emitting from his vocals, he went to circle to the opposite side of the horse and then try to push her body back to shore, or at least the where it was possible to stand. The ice was quick, thick, and sharp, but Kodak's body could easily plow through it.

Painted

Her bodice was in pain as she continued to kick at the ice, trying to break it to set her free. It was only starting to work when the bear emergered from his sleep. Her nostrils widened in caution but she erased him from her mind and continued to set herself free. However, her movements were slowly decelerating, she was becoming to weak to help herself.

KODAK

Kodak gave a sigh, now standing on the edge of the ice. He stared uncaringly at the horse, seeing as how he probably wouldn't be able to get her out. Yet, he could scratch away at the ice and make it thinner.
Getting his paws in front of him, he slashed away at the topmost layers, tearing through them like it was a slab of meat. Once it was thin, he was careful to not hit the wrong place and send himself tumbling in. With his fore paws, he quickly slammed down on the ice, breaking through it as best he could. This was probably a worthless attempt with most reasons, but how else was someone to get an animal out of the water? Once he was finished with that section, he moved to the next section and did the same, cracking it all so it would be easier for the equine to crash through. A deep sigh was released, since the bear was still quite sleepy from before. Him, of all animals.

Painted

Bit by bit she seemed to slowly move toward the land, but at the same time, she was sinking and dieing of hypothermia. Her legs began to beat lifelessly and unwilling and when the ice finally broke by the land, she had collapsed in the freezing water with her head and snout in the dirt. She was laying on the bank now, but with her nose down, she would drown herself in 4 inches of water. Her body began to slip and she fell over, laying on her side, her whole rump under water while the rest of her coat began to freeze with the icey wind. She was almost dead and her body was as cold as ice. Muscles gave up on shivering, there was no point for them to shiver since they were going to die anyways from the cold. Painted needed help.