Wooooow... That actually was really tensing, not gonna lie. I love how described this buck's fear, just fascinating description. Loved it

Honestly, I was a bit worried I may have been off the mark with my description in this one, so you saying you thought it came across well enough means a lot.

Thank you much for taking the time to read it, very much appreciated.

And incredibly lovely story! The emotions were handled very professionally! From start to finish the uncertainty of what the buck might experience made the shifts and surprises all the more worth it and remarkable! And the ending despite what happened to the buck in the nature of it all, the knowing look between the reptilian and bear was profound. Great story!

I'm grateful that you'd say I managed the emotion well enough here. I do feel that it could have been a bit better though, as I do feel I just blatantly tell you that the buck is frightened too much throughout. Should really work on my subtlety at some point.

Very grateful that you would read over this one, thanks much for that.

Truly incredible story, you had me on the edge of my seat!

I appreciate you saying so; means a lot to hear you were drawn in a bit.

Thanks much for looking it over, greatly appreciated.

An intense tale. I liked it! And you are always quite good at setting the scene with your descriptions. The various descriptions of the woods here got me looking forward to spring.

Here's hoping when spring rolls around that you won't be harassed by an intimidating lizardman trying to train his, even more intimidating, pet bear to hunt!

I very much appreciate that you'd read though this, thanks much for that.

Awesome stuff! I love the little curiosity the buck shows towards the mysterious lizardman, before immediately switching to full-blown panic at the sight of the bear. It was crazy tense!

"Oh, it's just a scarred crocodile walking on two legs, covered in animal bones, and chucking sharp rocks on sticks with enough force to lodge them in trees at a distance of at least twenty meters" *Brief pause for bear to appear* "Scared now..."

I'm grateful you'd read through this, thank you much for that.

Excellent work. Quite an intense little chase you have here. After your comment in the last chapter I was afraid you were going to kill the bear. Are you planning on having all of this series without dialog? If so, I'm curious if you've watched the show Primal.

I appreciate you saying you thought it went over well; there are still bits I'm a touch iffy on, but I think it made for a decent enough draft.

Oh, don't worry about the bear. *Eyes dart down to manuscript again* For now. Truth be told, this is the last big name to my silly fantasy story; I do plan to add dialogue eventually, but the biggest reason I haven't yet is that the lizard folk don't speak English, so it'd just be a bunch of gibberish I made up on the spot.

I'm afraid I had never heard of Primal, though I did look it up. It started airing in 2019, yes? I'm afraid I haven't really watched much television since high school (too short an attention span). After watching a trailer, it does look like it could make for an entertaining show though.

Thank you very much for having read through this one, it's very much appreciated.

I only asked about Primal since the part I’ve seen (first half of season one… keep meaning to watch more but just haven’t gotten around to it) is presented entirely without dialog.

now that was a good read... it kept my mind held in its words...

Vix

I'm very glad to hear you say so as I still feel there is a lot of room for improvement in this one.

Thanks much for reading through it, always grateful for that.

you are most welcome...

Vix

Poor buck, though that's nature for you. Kind of get the impression lizardman and bear are now more partners than straight master and pet.

Just a couple of minor things I noticed while reading through.

Huh, I was going to say that deer don't have toes, but on checking their hooves can be described as such.

Again purely a stylistic choice but I found it a bit odd that the deer is specified as a male but still referred to as it.

And purely mentioned because I once recently read that the only non-primate animals that can instinctively understand the human pointing gesture are elephants and dogs ;)

It's a very special bond, one only man and beast might understand... err, lizardman and bear...

I too did not originally know about the deer hooves/toes thing until just a little while ago. Is most definitely an easy mistake to make!

To be honest, I hadn't actually noticed the point that I refer to the buck as "it" despite having given it a gender. I can certainly see why that might be a bit odd now that I look back at it.

I had not known that little fun fact, thank you for sharing. Does surprise me that elephants have that instinct, but I suppose their trunks make for good pointers after all.

Thank you much for having read through this one, and the feedback/fun fact; all very much appreciated.

heh you have, well, a point ;) And y/w!

Fwooo, that was tense. :)
Really put in the buck's perspective. Excellently captured, and a little anxiety inducing.
Very nicely done, FtD :D

Glad to see lizard and bear are working out well together <3 What a good hunt they had :D

I appreciate hearing you thought this one went well. It was a bit of a challenge writing from the perspective of the buck and I believe it could have been done better, but you saying you thought it was done well means a lot.

Very grateful you'd read over this, thanks much for that.

Naw FtD, you nailed it, my dude.
Your perspective on the buck and it's behavior,
was immersive and evocative. It had me on the edge of my seat.
Sorry it took me so long to get through to it Dx

Fun fact though, I actually faved this from the front page the day you uploaded :D
I was just logging in that day and bloop~ there was a familiar name <3

It was very good read and no doubt a challenge to write. So hats off to you, friend <3

Thank you very much for saying so, your thoughts on how it all came across are very much appreciated.

Please do not feel the need to apologize though. Although I've managed to stop openly discrediting my own work, I firmly hold the belief that nothing I prepare is really worth anyone's time (it's just too much fun to make something to stop). That said, you simply glancing in this one's general direction, let alone taking the time to read it, is an absolute thrill to me and I am simply grateful for that, so again, thanks much.