Balthier needed to tone his skills in an effort to protect his new pack. He had always held a strong family ethic, wanting to protect and provide for both his siblings and his father. But now his father was gone, and he left his other siblings besides Azzurra behind. There was a strong guilt behind him, but being with Azzurra smothered most of those feelings. He supposed he felt better leaving her behind in the pack rather than on an island somewhere by herself. He wouldn't have ventured this far otherwise.

Taking a seat and looking for an open area to have his practice spar, he called out and waited for someone to answer.

Balthier vs Usagi for Spar
Round 0/x
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Expert Hunter
Specialty: N/A

"Balthier Destruction"

Love for siblings was like no other love imaginable. The one that was with you at birth, the one that shared your familial blood, one that was tied to you in one way or another. It was the kind of bond that could be forged by nothing else in this universe. Usagi and Kuroo were tightly knit - two brothers that seemed to be polar opposites but were also incredibly close. Usagi was always a bit of a sourpuss, sulking and pouting for little reason other than things in this world irritated him terribly. The news of their father only made his bitter mood intensify. Poor Kuroo faced the brunt of his foul temper, and Usagi had nothing but appreciation for his optimistic, loving brother. He didn’t know if he’d be able to make this journey without him. Still, for the better good of their mission, he and his piebald brother parted ways temporarily. The absence left a hole in him that he wasn’t able to fill with the company of others, mostly due to his abrasive nature. It wasn’t easy for someone to get close to him or even befriend him. Once again, the koi wolf had wandered onto the battlefield, finding the same royal gold and black wolf he’d met the other day. He padded over, making sure to keep his temper under wraps. This guy had seemingly been cordial and polite, and he’d return the same formal mannerisms. He knew better than to be angry with someone who had done nothing to harm him in the least. He offered a brief bow of his head as he approached. "We meet again," He said. "Another round, I presume?" No expression was clear on his face, just a permanent frown and a pair of eyes that seemed deep in thought, yet still focused on the male in front of him. He left himself open for another attack, and he’d let him do the honors of beginning the spar as well. "Speech"

The familiar man came to his call and Balthier gave him a warm smile to his appearance. "It's nice to see you again." He spoke with a mirrored bow to match his. Balthier was definitely polite, and he could offer other's smiles as he did with this brute. But generally he was pretty stale otherwise. He had a subtle royal personality, but not in his blood. He was just raised to behave so respectfully. He didn't find any offense in this brute's even edging on angry behavior. He saw past his looks at least.

He was given the first move again, and he wouldn't reject. Moving forward, he closed the distance between them. When he got close enough, he rose up on his hind legs and attempted to wrap his front legs around the brute's shoulders in a hug-like fashion. His teeth attempted to come down on the left side of his scruff in the same motion, again not in any attempt to harm the man while this was only a spar.

Balthier vs Usagi for Spar
Round 1/x
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Expert Hunter
Specialty: N/A

"Balthier Destruction"

The intricately-swirled wolf, Balthier, mentioned it was nice to see him again. Usagi offered a nod in response. He wasn’t one for conversation, but he supposed he made that clear from the time they first met in a previous spar. He was ready for another round, but he wasn’t much for talking much like the male in front of him. He didn’t mind. They were both a bit stale, perhaps, in their ability to forward a conversation anyways. He didn’t really care. As the brute raced towards him, he felt his firelimbs press down on his forelimbs in a sort of bear hug. Usagi furrowed his brow - what kind of move was this? There was no bear hug move in spars he’d done in his homeland. They did also emphasize other forms of combst as well, so he presumed this was just how wolves on this land fought..very closely and a bit close for comfort. He’d have to get used to it, though, if he was to try and survive in this land. He let himself be swallowed up in Balthier’s grasp but sharply jerked his neck from the clasp of his teeth, feeling the male’s fangs graze what loose skin he’d managed to catch. With a soft and strangrly calm inhale - he appeared almost unphazed despite his uncomfortable and pressing position - he aimed to suddenly drop down from the bear hug and duck beneath the larger male, using the power of his limbs to push up his body beneath the male. If it worked, Balthier would be caught off balance from not having ground beneath his forelimbs as well as suddenly being heaved from below. Usagi vs Balthier for Spar Round 1/2 Age: Over 1 year Size: Medium Build: Light Skills: Beginner Fighter & Novice Hunter "Speech"

Balthier was only doing what came to mind having no real teacher, or at least just the couple moves he had seen while observing spars in Abaven. He never had any sort of intense training like the brute before him might have had. It made him weak sure, but it may have given him different ideas compared to one straight forward line of defenses and attacks.

Usagi escaped his grip while pushing under him and it was probably an obvious counter just not what Balthier was expecting. While struggling to find an even footing under his front paws, Balthier tried to back up just enough so he could attempt another gentle bite along the top of Usagi's rib cage and his arms tried to keep balance around Usagi's body. He was probably at a disadvantage with little balance, but this would be the final moments before seeing the winner.

Balthier vs Usagi for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Expert Hunter
Specialty: N/A

"Balthier Destruction"

Usagi believed that Balthier had some form of training before, no matter how informal. His moves suggested he’d at least seen them performed before and thus tried it on his own opponents. With quite good results, Usagi would admit (though not out loud). He didn’t know how his training in Iga would compare to the training these wolves received in their lands or respective packs, anyways. He’d do his best based on his own knowledge, because in the end, he didn’t care much for victory or loss. Experiencing new combat methods would provide him with plenty of foundation on which to build his own skills. Might as well adapt to different forms of fighting, if he was to try and continue his mission. His heaving move was not without some exertion - his opponent was a great deal heavier - but nonetheless it appeared to work. Balthier was caught off-balance, but before Usagi could move in to bowl him over, the male clambered onto him yet again and aimed a firm but not painful bite to the top of his rib cage. Forceful, he had to admit, but he’d try to wiggle his way out of this, even if it meant both of them would fall. He mimicked Balthier’s move, aiming to thrust his forelimbs on the swirled wolf’s opposite shoulder, and push down with great force.He aimed to swiftly but firmly bump his muzzle below Balthier’s chin and push it off to repease the male’s grasp. If his move worked, both wolves would end up on the ground, on their sides, and if this occurred Usagi would thrust his hind legs into the male’s underbelly, but at suhc a force that it’d be a surprise, but not a harsh punch. He knew better than to sock an opponent in a friendly spar. Usagi vs Balthier for Spar Round 2/2 Age: Over 1 year Size: Medium Build: Light Skills: Beginner Fighter & Novice Hunter "Speech"

And the winner is...

Balthier

Usagi must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Balthier : Attack Roll: 37 Defense Roll: 54 Agility Roll: 94 Perception Roll: 41 Total: 226 Attack[37] + 25% Bonus[9.25]: 46.25 Defense[54] + 5% Bonus[2.70]: 56.70 Agility[94] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 94.00 Perception[41] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 41.00 Total[237.95] + 15% Bonus[35.69]: 273.64 Usagi: Attack Roll: 86 Defense Roll: 33 Agility Roll: 32 Perception Roll: 30 Total: 181 Attack[86] + 10% Bonus[8.60]: 94.60 Defense[33] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 33.00 Agility[32] + 5% Bonus[1.60]: 33.60 Perception[30] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 30.00 Total[191.20] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 191.20