It still hadn't quite settled in. Commander. Avantika, little scrappy ball of anxiety Avantika, now had an even higher Hallows rank than Vanguard. She'd gone up against a powerful fighter in his own right and won. Art had chosen her. And while eventually the doubt would likely set in, right now she was actually pretty sure she'd be able to handle the responsibilities of her new position. Pack security, combat training... that was her kind of work.

In truth, she hadn't really put too much time into training other members of the pack. A few, here and there, but she could definitely step it up. Considering that it was now a big part of her job, she had the duty to. And with all the pups running around underfoot, she had more than enough little trainees to nurture into warriors of the Hallows. She made her way to the armory and called for any of the pups. More than one would be welcome, although she could also just focus on one today.

"Speech"

The hodgepodge hued girl lounges near the fire in the great hall, her head resting on her paws as her eyes slowly begin a downward march. It is rough being a pup, all the excitement and energy expenditure often leave the young Caladia needing a nap… especially after she chases after Kipling. For only having three legs, he sure can get around quickly. Of all her siblings, she tends to follow after him the most, enjoying his determination to do anything she can do but better.

A call is issued from within the castle walls, offering for any pups to come and join the wolf. Eyes spring open and Caladia scrambles to her paws, quickly making her way to the armory. This place is usually off limits to her and the other pups so, to be allowed to go in is a big deal. Happily, the girl trots into armory, smiling at the pretty woman that had called and saying, “Hiya! I’m Callie! Hope it’s okay I join you.”

With a few wags of her tag, the pup plops down on her butt and waits for instruction. A yawn slips past her lips and she thinks that she should have napped before this.


"Caladia Carpathius"

One pup arrived quite quickly, flopping down in front of Avantika after announcing herself as Callie and yawning. Avantika smiled. "Hey," she greeted in reply. She waited a few more moments for anyone else to show up, but none did. A solo lesson, then. Alright. Avantika could do that.

"Have you done any training to learn how to fight so far?" she asked first. There seemed like there might be a justifiable chance that she may have, given all the warriors that filled the Hallows' ranks, and also her own parents, who were both very skilled fighters, and Mercury, the new Vanguard of the Hallows who was also in charge of teaching the kids.

"Speech"

The pretty wolf greets her and the pair wait a few moments to see if anyone will join them. Mismatched eyes look to the door, watching for someone… anyone to show up. However, it seems it will be a one on one lesson today and the lady pulls Callie’s attention back to her.

The pretty wolf’s question is met with a happy bob of her head as the little Callie chirps, “Yep! Mommy has taught me about defenses and daddy taught me center of gravity.” She slowly says the big word, rolling the syllables over her tongue as she tries out the unfamiliar sound on her own lips.

Tail lightly thumps the ground as she looks to the tall wolf asking, “Are you dad’s sister? Um… um… Tika?” Head tilts as she tries to pull up all of her father’s siblings, knowing that he pointed her out but, truthfully, the young Caladia hadn’t paying much attention. Oops.


"Caladia Carpathius"

Avantika nodded as Callie said that Briar had taught her defenses and Art center of gravity. Good. It wasn't surprising that she'd learned a few things from her parents, considering they were both strong fighters and obviously involved in their kids' lives and education. As the girl kept talking, the Commander's smile only grew. "Yes, that's me." Though it was familiar by now, a part of her was still warmed by being so casually called Art's sister. How could she have ever thought that he would actually throw her out?

"Alright, Callie, can you show me your defensive stance?" Avantika stood up, waiting. Once Callie was in position, she would walk around her, pushing gently with a paw on her chest, sides, and back. She wouldn't knock the kid over; she was just checking her balance.

"Speech"

Little Caladia looks up at her aunt Tika with great admiration and love. Her dad, Rudyard, has recounted stories of his younger days with the sweet, kind wolf and he always speaks of her in warm, glowing terms. Now, the pup’s tail thumps the ground as the pretty wolf confirms who she is and the girl finally has a face to put the name. She instructs her to show off her defensive stance and the pup’s mismatched eyes round as she suddenly scrambles to do as instructed. Little legs tangle as the girl’s coordination isn’t quiet there but her determination to make Tika happy forces her on.

It takes a moment but the pup finally manages to get her paws under her and Callie stands. From there, she immediately moves to spread her paws, squaring her body over her legs and bends her knees slightly so she can be springy if an attack comes her way. Bunching her scruff, she flattens her ears, and narrows her eyes before looking up at Tika. Her aunt moves around her, gently pushing the pup with her paws.

When she pushes against her chest, the girl sways slightly but readjusts quickly and readies for more pushes. On her right side, her aunt pushes against a ticklish spot and the pup happily squeals a laugh as the larger paw ruffles her fur. Tail wiggles as she tries not to fall over from laughter. Maybe she can have a tickle fight with her mom, Fern, after this. Mismatched eyes look up at her aunt as Callie smiles hopefully at her.


"Caladia Carpathius"

Callie's stance was passable. She moved a bit, but adjusted well in response. She did start squirming and laughing when Avantika poked one spot -- probably just ticklish -- but she was done anyway and pulled back soon, smiling. "Good," she said, before adding, with an obviously fake stern look, "Other than the laughing, of course."

"Now," Her tail wagged gently behind her. "do you want to try a spar?" It was important to learn by doing. You could practice all the stances and attacks in the world, and never do a single one right in a true fight if you never learned to keep up with the speed of real action. Technique was good, but so was honing your instincts and that couldn't be taught in any other way.

"Speech"

Aunt Tika smiles at her and telle the little Caladia that her stance is good. The girl’s tail begins to wag and she gives a serious nod at the remake of laughing. Looking to Tika, Callie’s stance loosens and she happily waits to hear what is next while a smile has already found its way back to her lips. Her aunt’s tail wags and she asks about a spar, which has the pup’s front end leaving the ground in excited jumps, as she happily declares, “Yeah! A spar!” Quickly, she works to reins her energy in and drops down into a play bow, paws slapping the ground in excitement. Body jitter and jives as she awaits the start of the spar and she idly wonders to be in her defensive stance.




Caladia vs Avantika for Spar
Round 0/?
Age: Under 6 months
Size: Medium
Build: Medium
Skills: Intermediate Fighter & Novice Hunter


"Caladia Carpathius"