She didn't know what to say. What could she say? Her relationship to Zee hadn't been a close one, but there was still fondness there. Fondness in her heart, though any sort of attachment was strange for Hazel. What could she even say to the Warlord now? Did he even want to talk about it? Hazel had never been one for feelings, and this? This was a lot more feelings than she even knew how to deal with.

Halo had sent her with an errand, dropping off more tea for Sirius. There was also a conversation they probably needed to have, one that was more business oriented. She was two now, and her skills seemed to be at least sufficient. She was getting stronger, and her lesson with Kite seemed to have gone well (or at least Hazel thought so.) Was it time? Did Seer think it was time?

One of Halo's baskets clutched in her jaw, Hazel called into the den that Seer called home. "Hey, Halo wanted me to bring you something, you around?"

"Speech"

The Warlord had returned from patrol, and found himself in his den. The fluffy cheetah coat wrapped around his paws. He knew that wallowing was a dangerous pastime, and moments like these were rare. But sometimes… he couldn’t quite help himself. He breathed in the scent of her and closed his eyes. He wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but Bast warned him first that someone was arriving, and then a voice was calling into the den.

Hazel. This had been her home once, but she seemed to have found her place with Halo after defending her ghosts, and then flatting with Basilisk. It was unusual for her to come to this den now. He stretched, and very carefully stowed away the coat before making his way to the door. “Hello, Hazel. Ah, thank you” He said. He knew what the teas were for, he had requested something to help him sleep. Something to keep him from dreaming. He took the basket gently, and placed it on the floor. “Pass on my thanks, will you?”


"Sirius Fatalis"

It had been her home. She'd been raised here, she'd been saved here, for the second time. The first time, of course, had been farther south. Both times it had been Sirius and the grace of something that very well could have been otherworldly. To Hazel, it seemed like luck. Someone, somewhere was looking out for her. That, and it seemed that the Warlord was the patron saint of children who needed somewhere safe to land.

"Yeah, of course," she hovered for a moment by the door, peering at Sirius. He seemed older now than he had the first time they'd met, wiser too. The passage of time felt so strange to Hazel. She still had to look up at him, the same way she had from the time she was a child. "How um, how are you holding up?" Awkward as she was, she meant well. Always, she meant well.

"Speech"

He placed down the tea, and then looked back at Hazel. Realising she was still hovering awkwardly in the doorway. He wasn’t sure exactly why she was reluctant to leave, but he wouldn’t shoo her away. Instead, he grabbed a spare coat and tossed it over his shoulders. “Let's go for a walk, shall we?” He suggested, making his way towards her and the door.

At her question, he sighed softly. It seemed he would be dodging that one for a while yet. “I’m holding.” He said, which was just another version of the same things he’d given to others. There was little one could say to someone who had lost their world, and little the one who had lost could say to describe it. He brushed gently past her. “How are your studies going?” He asked, changing the topic.


"Sirius Fatalis"

It was a rough question, one that Hazel wasn't really expecting an honest answer for. He'd done so much for her, and she wanted to help him now, but how? Things had always been weird, and Hazel would probably always be just as weird. That was alright. At least Seer knew her for how and who she was. A walk, that was something she'd be happy with. A soft nod to the Warlord, especially as Hazel realized just how infrequently she got out walking without a purpose these days. Winter would do that to you, she supposed.

The change of subject was one that Hazel welcomed, and she considered for a long moment. "I taught a lesson the other day, that was cool." Hazel spoke thoughtfully. "I sparred with Kite, and then we went over some stuff after." She explained as they began to walk out into the wintry Col. "I still mean what I said before the incident last year. I want to be the General." There was a sort of firmness, a sort of resolve to her. No longer the dreaming of a child, this was real. Her goals seemed to be closer to her reach every day.
"Speech"

They started back down the track from his den, heading towards the inner part of the Cole. As they walked, Hazel told him about her training, and taking on lessons with one of his kids. “Good initiative” He approved. The little ones needed training from anywhere they could get it.

She mentioned General, and he paused, and looked at her. He had gotten her an early birthday present recently in the form of a Hawk to aid her in battle. But the Season had changed, and she had reached that day now, hadn’t she? He was glad he had gotten her the present, for he had forgotten to celebrate. Too swamped with grief. “Happy birthday, Hazel. Two years old” He said thoughtfully. “If you want the rank for General, what are you going to do to claim it?” He asked her.

"Sirius Fatalis"

Good initiative, honestly, Hazel soaked in the praise. Though she would swear that she had no desire to please anyone else, that didn't necessarily hold weight when it came to Seer. This was different. Just like anyone else, she wanted her father figure to be proud of her. From the Warlord, approval looked different. Felt different. She carried her head a little higher, back a little straighter.

An affectionate knock of her forehead against his shoulder, a soft smile. "Couldn't have made it this far without you," in more ways than one. The words were sincere as they left her lips, and she was grateful for everything that he'd done. Absolutely everything. Hazel's heart was warm as she stepped in time with the Warlord, thoughtful as she did. "I'm going to ask the Warlord for permission to challenge for the rank of General of the Armada," a glimmer in her eye, a sparkle. A glint, even. "What do you say, Seer, sir?"

"Speech"

The Warlord chuckled, happy to be distracted with his thoughts, and pleased that Hazel saw where he was nudging her. “Your Warlord grants you permission” He said gruffly, bringing them to a halt at the bottom of the pass to his den. The area of the Cole was wide and flat, and familiar beneath his paws. “Let's see what you have learned, Hazel.” He said.

He was a tough old Warlord, and cocky enough to know the chances of her beating him were slim. It wasn’t about winning, though he would not grant her General if she lost. It was about showing what you learned, and having the courage to try. For making this challenge, and if he judged her abilities worthy, her loss would still grant her a move upwards. Lieutenant perhaps. But really, it all depended on what happened next. “The opening move is yours”

"Sirius Fatalis"

She had learned. She had learned, grown, and changed. A child no more, and ready to seize the things that had been in her dreams the entire time she'd grown up here. The fever dreams that had come to her last year, as well. All of the things that had been in Hazel's head, they were within reach. They could even be her reality-- maybe. Hopefully. Soon they would be. As Sirius spoke, a small smile played on her features. She was allowed to challenge, and challenge she would.

The opening move was hers. Something flickered to life behind her green eyes, and they settled carefully on the Warlord. She took what seemed to be an appropriate amount of space between them, hunched her shoulders under her cape, and took a moment to assess. Companions by her side as well, and a deep breath. In. Out. Hazel was mindful of her weaker right side as well, making the mental note to keep her guard up. It was now or never, and she had to show him.

Hazel was quick as she rushed into the Warlord's side, faking to the left and then moving to the right. She'd reach out with those crystalline fangs, hoping to make contact with the side of his neck or his shoulder. She pushed back off her hind legs, hoping that would be enough to get her out of striking distance. In. Out. Sirius was bigger, but Hazel was quick. She could rely on being quick, or at least, Hazel hoped as much.

"Speech"

Hazel vs Sirius for promotion (spar)
Round 1/2
Age: over 1 year
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Porcupine quill cape
Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather Breastplate
Companion 1: Red Panda, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Hawk, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Crystal fangs - Offensive
Skills: Master Intellectual & Master Fighter
Specialty: Bard

The Warlord set his stances, watching the young woman before him with a hint of pride hidden deep within his eyes. He had found her, and she would always be his. Halo might have taken over the wardship of the girl, but he had found her first. She was a part of his pack, and the Warlord was a possessive beast. Seeing her rise up, challenge for the rank the moment she hit adulthood. He was proud.

She took the opening move, rushing towards him. Moving in on one side, and then zipping towards his other. As her teeth aimed for his neck he raised a paw. Aiming to cuff her - hard - about the head. He knew it would be difficult to grab her when she was moving fast, so his intention was to disorientate her and knock her off balance.

"Sirius Fatalis"

Sirius vs Hazel for promotion (Spar)
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Front leg bracers with knife
Defensive Battle Accessory: Back leg bracers
Companion 1: Black Vulture, Male - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: Snow Leopard, Female - Battle - Boosted
*Companion 3: Spectacled bear, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Fangs - Offensive
Mutation 3: Thicker fur - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Bloodletter

The paw caught her, not quite in the head but at the point where her chest became her shoulder. A soft oof, but her guard was stronger on this side. She staggered for a moment, feeling her balance slip. A stumble, but Hazel wouldn't fall. It took a beat for her to re-orient, and she knew that her chest and shoulder would be sore tomorrow. Hazel grumbled deep in her chest, orienting herself.

Beneath her, Hazel's claws dug into the soft earth. She used the leverage to force herself forward, moving as fast and as hard as she could manage. Her teeth gnashed and snapped in the air around her, near wildly. Not pretty, but it suited her. Forward and into the Warlord, but where? Who was to say. Snapping and pressing forward for a heartbeat, and then dodging backwards. A delicate dance, but Hazel knew. She knew she was better off keeping him at a distance and getting in the shots she could make. Unrefined, but sharp and practiced all the same. A conundrum but then, so was Hazel.

"Speech"

Hazel vs Sirius for promotion (spar)
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Porcupine quill cape
Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather Breastplate
Companion 1: Red Panda, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Hawk, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Crystal fangs - Offensive
Skills: Master Intellectual & Master Fighter
Specialty: Bard

Despite his best attempts, his cuff only managed to collide with her shoulder. Not her head, but enough to knock her balance off kilter a little. He watched her with a critical eye. This fight was not just about winning, it was about assessing and understanding. Hazel fought as if she was facing a larger, heavier opponent - and she was - and she wasn’t afraid to adjust her style to suit.

She dove in again, and he knew his best tactic was to wear her down. Attempting to land heavy, devastating blows anytime they could land. If he could get her off her paws, just once, she’d be down. In the meantime, her teeth caught him in different places, tearing skin where she could. A deadly dance that relied heavily upon him knocking her down before she caught anything vital.

"Sirius Fatalis"

Sirius vs Hazel for promotion (Spar)
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Front leg bracers with knife
Defensive Battle Accessory: Back leg bracers
Companion 1: Black Vulture, Male - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: Snow Leopard, Female - Battle - Boosted
*Companion 3: Spectacled bear, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Fangs - Offensive
Mutation 3: Thicker fur - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Bloodletter

And the winner is...

SIRIUS

HAZEL must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: HAZEL Attack Roll: 40 Defense Roll: 9 Agility Roll: 63 Perception Roll: 98 Total: 210 Attack[40] + 45% Bonus[18.00]: 58.00 Defense[9] + 15% Bonus[1.35]: 10.35 Agility[63] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 63.00 Perception[98] + 25% Bonus[24.50]: 122.50 Total[253.85] + 25% Bonus[63.46]: 317.31 SIRIUS Attack Roll: 34 Defense Roll: 53 Agility Roll: 35 Perception Roll: 82 Total: 204 Attack[34] + 115% Bonus[39.10]: 73.10 Defense[53] + 20% Bonus[10.60]: 63.60 Agility[35] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 35.00 Perception[82] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 82.00 Total[253.70] + 40% Bonus[101.48]: 355.18

She kept up the dance, but it made defense difficult. Her guard could only be so good for so long, and Hazel made her misstep. The Warlord's teeth found purchase, catching the thick ruff of her neck. Hazel couldn't reach him properly to retaliate. She'd overcompensated for the weakness in her left side. A new weakness, and she still had things to learn. Hazel was still learning, still growing, and still healing-- in more ways than one. Maybe a bit more exercise on her still-healing muscles would be helpful too. Though it had been nearly a year now, she'd been down for so long.

Hazel slammed into the ground, panting. There was still fight in her, but the searing pain radiating through her neck and shoulder was enough to keep her down. "I yield," she wheezed, gritting her teeth. After steadying herself for a moment, the girl hauled herself back to her feet. "I'm sorry." The words were soft, her breath catching up to her. She'd failed, and Hazel couldn't help but feel like she'd failed Sirius too.
"Speech"

The fight was good. Good enough that the Warlord had to really work to reach and grab and claw at her as she dove in and out. She landed many of her hits, and he landed many of his own. She cared little for her own safety, only the win. But, in the end, that was her downfall. She dove in for an especially brutal attack, and his own jaws finally found a firm purchase in her scruff. Grabbing her and hauling her off her paws for a short moment. Effectively ending the battle as he knocked her lightly against the ground. Just hard enough to stun her.

She apologised, and he fully released his hold. Leaning back and appraising her. “You fought hard, and vicious. Determined to win, no matter the cost. Tenacious. That’s how I would describe you” He said, and after a small moment, offered her a smile. She had not lost because she was a terrible fighter. The battle had been closer than she likely realised. She had lost because he was better experienced, and she forgot herself in the thrill of the fight. “The point of a challenge like this isn’t necessarily to win. I am the Warlord, I expect myself to win more of these then I lose, even if my wolf is a worthy fighter.” He told her. “You fought well. I can see it in your eyes, you know what parts of your style came up short. You are ready to move up. Lieutenant, or Howler. The choice is yours.” Not the General position her heart was set on, but another step in the right direction.

"Sirius Fatalis"

Hazel wouldn’t admit it aloud, but it was clear: the praise left her glowing. A small smile on her face, and something straighter in her posture. Though worried she’d let him down, his words were a balm to her slightly bruised ego. She couldn’t help but find comfort here.

The Warlord’s offer surprised her, maybe a little. Hazel had lost the fight, but she’d still be promoted. Her green eyes shone with a little excitement, a little childlike wonder. “You told me once, that day on the beach, that to become the General I needed to be a Lieutenant first.” Hazel’s choice was clear in her mind. She stood straight and proud, resolve never wavering. The Armada had given her a future, and now she’d be a part of theirs.

He nodded his head to her, pleased that she had remembered his words. That she had taken it to heart. He had no doubt she would rise to General. She had taken the first step, and she had barely crossed the threshold of two years. She was ambitious, and not afraid to try. “Then welcome, newest Lieutenant of the Armada.” He said to her, and leaned forward to kiss her brow.

“I know you will bring honour to the position” He said without a shred of doubt. There was a lot to do as lieutenant, and how she handled the responsibilities would reflect on her eventual attempt to rise to General. He would watch her with pride.


"Sirius Fatalis"