Hake

## Hake

* Adult
* Young
* Kitten
* Newborn

## Kin

### Half-Sister(s):

Sturgeon

**Hake** is one of the three main protagonists of *What Lurks Beneath*. He debuts in the prologue alongside Thresher, Trout and Sturgeon and is one of Trout's Advisors.

## Physical Appearance

**Hake** is a gray tom with dark gray ear tips, forelegs, eyebrow dots, and stripes on his tail and neck. He has a lighter underbelly and tail. His eyes are yellow. Hake also has large, distinctive ear tufts, which match his dark gray markings in color.

## Personality

Hake is a very kind-hearted cat who always wants what is best for everyone. He often acts as the mediator between Trout and Sturgeon when they have arguments, and tries to de-escalate situations. He is a well-liked cat among The Family, although many don't agree with his empathy for the Daisys.

## History

#### Prologue

Hake, along with Trout, is called into a small cavern by Thresher, who explains that his reign ends that night, but he is confident that he is leaving The Family and The Tide in capable paws. He says that if it were up to him, Sturgeon would be his successor, but that he knows that whomever is chosen will be worthy and lead The Family to greatness.
Thresher asks Sturgeon if she would help the chosen leader if not herself, in which she replies that she would. The four then leave the cave, walking towards the beach. Hake, Trout and Sturgeon look out towards Thresher solemnly as he wades into the ocean to his death.
#### Chapter 15

Hake is attempting to fish in the freshwater pools, though struggles to catch anything. He continues to splash in the water as Kelp and Tusk talk with each other, and after leaping into the pools, finally catches a fish. He presents it to Tusk and Kelp proudly, asking who was hungry, and Kelp congratulates him.
Later on, Hake and Tusk walk through the tunnels. Hake asks Tusk if she and Kelp had a nice talk, and that he hopes Kelp hadn't asked any prying questions, as she can be a bit nosy. Tusk says that she was fine. Hake then wishes her goodnight and begins to walk away, but pauses when Tusk calls after him, asking if he would stay with her that night and that something about the caves makes her dislike being alone.
Hake walks back to her and asks if everything was alright, and Tusk struggles to answer. Hake accepts this and lies down beside her, both eventually falling asleep. Later that night, Hake wakes up alone, looking around for Tusk and calling her name. He nervously exits the caves and sees Tusk by the shores on the beach. He walks up to her and Tusk apologises, asking if she'd awoken him. Hake reassures her that she didn't, and asks if she was okay.
Tusk hesitates, but explains that she could hear the ocean echo throughout the caves and it makes her feel like she's going to drown. Hake looks towards her sadly, then moves his gaze towards the night sky and offers to paint some stars on the ceiling of her cave. Tusk states that paint wouldn't make it feel anymore like her home.
Hake asks what he could do to make it better, and Tusk admits that nothing would. They share a short, solemn silence before Hake begrudgingly asks Tusk if she were leaving The Family. Tusk grimaces, but denies his concerns. Tusk eventually says that she was worried about her kits, stating that she was barely showing and that they must be due soon. She admits that she believes they may already be gone.
Hake hurridely tells her to not say that and that she's eaten well lately so they must be strong, so she probably just has a small litter. Tusk nods, but Hake's concern still lingers. Tusk changes the subject, mentioning how Kelp really acts like Hake's mother and that it's strange for a cat to care for kittens that aren't her own. Hake says that he is hers, in the ways that matter.
Tusk trips over her words, attempting to correct herself. She says that that had come out wrong, and explains that for Daisys, most cats are left to fend for themselves; some form groups to increase their chances of survival, but if you're too young to contribute or are a nursing mother, others will avoid you. Tusk adds that if you're unlucky enough to be orphaned or be a single parent, then you're on your own. Hake mentions that that sounded like a cruel life, and Tusk says that Daisys are just trying to protect themselves.
Tusk continues that when death comes so often, sometimes you have to take the least likely to die as your company. Hake attempts to lighten the mood, asking if he was the least likely to die with a soft smile. Tusk lets out a strained laugh, saying no and reminding him that he was her easy-meal provider. They smile together, before Tusk closes her eyes and tells Hake that he shouldn't get attached to the idea of her kittens.
Hake attempts to stop her from continuing, but Tusk interrupts him and states that, being realistic, they weren't going to make it and that she's come to accept that fact. She goes on to explain that she's been distancing herself from her kittens since the day she realised she was pregnant, because it feels so inevitable. Tusk admits that there are even moments where she forgets about them entirely. She looks back towards Hake, saying that she didn't want to see him get heartbroken when the worst happens.
Hake puts his paw over Tusk's, pressing his head against hers. He explains that Tusk didn't know the future, and tells her to have hope; the kittens may be perfectly fine. Tusk leans into Hake, saying that she just wants to spare his heart. Hake states that she shouldn't worry about his heart, and that she should just do what she needs to do. No matter how it ends up, Hake will be okay. Tusk agrees, and they share a solemn moment of silence together.
Tusk then apologises for her earlier statement, saying that she didn't mean to imply that Kelp wasn't Hake's mother, and that she was a great cat. Hake reassures her, saying that he knows and that it was okay. He explains that she was the only cat in his life that deserved to be called a parent, and goes on to state that Thresher had never earned the title. Tusk mentions that Daisys had called him the Blood King, and that she's heard all sorts of stories about him but never known they were true.
Hake gives her a strained smile and says that they probably were true. He states that he only has one fond memory of Thresher, and that he wishes so badly that he could forget it: Thresher didn't deserve any kindness in his mind. Tusk apologises, mentioning that she's known a few cats like that in her life. Hake asks her if she wanted to go and get some rest, but Hake declines, saying that she would like to stay by the shore for a little longer.
Hake asks if she wanted company, and Tusk says that she would, gently placing her tail over his own.
## Relationships

### Thresher

*"I only have one truly fond memory of [Thresher]... And I wish so badly I could forget it. He doesn't deserve any kindness in my mind."*
—**Hake** to Tusk about Thresher *What Lurks Beneath*, page 383
Hake has a strained relationship with his father and seems to react negatively whenever the late king is brought up.

*More Coming Soon*

### Trout

Hake and Trout are twins and have a very close bond. They get along very well and Hake is always there to help her or offer advice.

*More Coming Soon*

### Sturgeon

Hake and Sturgeon have a good relationship. He understands her fairly well and doesn't have much issue looking past her cold exterior. He accepts how she is and loves her for it.

*More Coming Soon*

## Images

### Errors

* He is mistakenly drawn without his dark ear tips on page 52 and page 53.

## Kin

### Members

**Father:**

Thresher (*Deceased*)
**Mother:**

Minke (*Deceased*)
**Adopted Mother:**

Kelp (*Living*)
**Sister:**

Trout (*Living*)
**Half-Sister:**

Sturgeon (*Living*)
**Uncle:**

Auklet (*Status unknown*)
### Tree

    = **Male**

    = **Female**

    = **Non-Binary**

    = **Gender Unknown**

## References

1. ↑ Revealed on page 62
2. ↑ Revealed in a message left by ArualMeow on their Discord server
3. ↑ Revealed on page 154
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Revealed on page 2
5. ↑ Revealed on the cover
6. ↑ Revealed on the Rank Chart
7. ↑ Revealed by ArualMeow (link)
8. ↑ Revealed on page 201
9. ↑ Revealed on page 52
10. ↑ Revealed on page 53
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Revealed on page 3
12. ↑ Revealed on page 104
13. ↑ Revealed on page 106
14. ↑ Revealed on page 111
15. ↑ Revealed in page 303