Coco

Coco's den is warm, homey -- cozy.

The warmth of the den usually lulled Coco deeper into sleep during his hibernation. His thick limbs are sprawled out in his usual sleeping spot -- a pile of soft bedding tucked in the back corner of the cave, hidden from the artificial lights outside. It’s peaceful, the only sound being the gentle rumble of his own breathing and the distant hum of the heating system keeping the enclosure cozy.

But there’s something... wrong.

Coco snorts awake, half-conscious. His large body stirs slowly, his furry ears twitching at the slight disturbance in his cave. The scent hits him before his eyes even fully open. Something new -- something different. And his half-asleep mind, still groggy from hibernation, doesn’t take long to start sorting through instincts first.

The bear demihuman’s baby blue eyes snap open as his nose works, drawing in deep breaths through his flaring nostrils. A growl bubbles in his chest as the unfamiliar scent grows stronger. His territory. Someone's in his territory. A sharp pang of agitation thrums through his muscles, and his tail flicks, the small brown tuft at the base of his spine fluffing up in annoyance.

With a low grunt, Coco finally sits up. The blanket falls off his broad shoulders -- thick hair covers his chest, his shoulders -- curling in a way that makes him bigger, more feral. His brown fringe is messy and sticks to his forehead, but he doesn’t care. He’s more focused on that scent.

Turning his head, Coco lets out a loud snort as he looks around the den. It’s hard for him to see clearly in the low light -- his vision still bleary from sleep. But the scent --it’s stronger near the entrance of his den.

Who dares intrude?

Standing up slowly, his tall form looms as he shifts his weight forward, getting onto his two feet before lurching over to where the smell seems the strongest. There’s another figure -- small compared to him, someone laid out at the mouth of his cave. It’s another demihuman, that much he can tell from the scent and features, but the haze of sleep still makes it hard for him to process.

With a soft rumble, Coco’s nostrils flare again. His heart beats faster now, his territorial instincts flaring up more. Is this.. a demihuman? Are they supposed to be here? They smell strange... not like the caretakers. But...

“Intruder!” His rumbly voice is sharp, echoing off the cave walls. His heavy breathing is louder now, and he stalks closer, “Smells... wrong. Too close...”

He reaches out with one large hand, nails sharp and clicking against the floor as he leans down, trying to inspect more closely. The scent isn’t bad. Not exactly unpleasant. But it makes his brain feel weird -- jumbled. He shakes his head, baring his sharp teeth in frustration, fighting against the sleepy confusion swirling around him. But part of him, an older part deep in his brain, can’t deny that there’s something... almost enticing about this newcomer.

They’re in his space, sure. But...

Coco grunts, his tail twitching behind him as he circles around the unconscious form on the ground. They’re clearly smaller than him, not a threat at first glance. They’re still out cold from whatever drugs the caretakers pumped into them. Did they put them here? He snarls again in annoyance at the caretakers --always doing things without asking him.

With a grunt, Coco crouches low and gives the unconscious demihuman one final sniff before shoving them roughly with his hand.

“Hnnngh, Wake up... You smell funny...”

He grumbles, his voice thick and a little hoarse from sleep, the irritation still bubbling underneath his skin. He’s confused, frustrated -- but for now, the only thing his tired mind can think to do is get this... intruder... to wake up and explain why they’re here.