It was time to really get serious about his training. But doing so meant actually interacting with his packmates, which felt more difficult for him than it seemed to for most. Things in the Armada were going just fine though, even better now that both of his siblings had found their way here. It felt even more now like this was where they were meant to be, and he was starting to really believe that instead of just hope it was true.

Making his way through the Mile-High woods, he paused to appreciate his surroundings for a moment. The harshness of winter was all but gone now, giving way to a much milder spring - at least as mild as they could be in the far north. He breathed a heavy sigh before lifting his head and letting out a call for a sparring partner. Anyone would do, he just wanted to practice what he'd learned so far. Already he was getting used to the bracers he'd picked out and currently wore, their weight no longer seeming quite as burdensome as it once had.

Dread probably should be interacting more with the rest of the Armada. More and more lately, he found himself unable to really keep his mind on things within the pack. He should be taking on more responsibility, but something was holding him back. Maybe it was the change in season, marking a year since... you know. Maybe it was his own desire to roam, finally hitting the wanderlust stage of things. Just as he was thinking about going to find Hazel or Halo for some sort of assignment, he heard the call come out.

It was one of their newer recruits, Dread knew that much. As he neared, he could see the creature's golden markings through the trees. The three, presumably siblings, that he hadn't yet figured out how to tell apart. The boy reached the clearing, gaze settling on the man. "Hey." The greeting was casual, and he offered a nod. "I'm Dread, the Warlord's son." That seemed... adequate. Good enough. He offered a smile as best he could, finding the gesture unnatural but... good enough. "Did you want to spar?"

"Dread Fatalis"

Dread vs Bronze for spar
Round 0/?
Age: over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Snow Leopard, Female - Attack
Companion 2: Tasmanian Devil, Female - Attack
Mutation 1: Thicker crystalline fur - Defensive
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Advanced Intellectual

The wolf that approached him was considerably younger than Bronze, but he knew that was no reason to underestimate him. If he'd learned anything so far from being part of the Armada it was that even the youngest wolves were trained in the art of combat, from a much earlier age than he'd been. He gave a nod of acknowledgment to the yearling, glad someone had answered his call - and so promptly, too. His explanation of who he was made Bronze even less likely to underestimate him. "Hey. I'm Bronze," he introduced himself succinctly. Small talk wasn't his biggest strength either and something he was happy to gloss over if the boy wanted to get right into it.

"A spar is what I was looking for," he explained. He returned the same slightly stiff smile out of politeness before settling into a fighting stance, lowering himself to the ground and setting his defenses. He made eye contact with Dread, making sure he was ready before he initiated anything. He was trying to practice, not be an asshole, after all - and while coming out on top wasn't unimportant to him, learning something new was a priority. He didn't need to fight dirty.

Bronze kicked off at a decent speed, not wanting to wind himself before the fight really began, charging Dread straight-on. Once he reached him his paws went up, aiming to bring them down on the yearling's shoulders.

Bronze vs Dread for Spar
Round 1 / 2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather foreleg bracers
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Novice Hunter

Young as he is, Dread knows that he has a lot to learn. Maybe too hard on himself as a rule, the boy is ready to come into this one and get his ass borderline handed to him. Sure, there's a lot that's expected of him now, and maybe... maybe he expects himself to fail. Is that right? Was he setting himself up in the worst way? Why was he so deep in his own head lately? Whatever. Whatever. Focus on the spar in front of him, and all that.

Bronze. He seemed normal enough, and that was... well, that was more than enough. As the man charges in his direction, Dread knows better than to stay still. He'd charge in to meet the man head on. Though Bronze's paws went up, Dread moved to slam forward with his shoulder. He wants to plow directly into his adversary, hopefully hard enough to stagger him some. Any contact will illicit an audible oof-- neither of them were small, and Dread was largely unprepared for just how hard they'd hit.

He works to maintain a close proximity with his adversary, trying to stay up close and personal. He's not the fastest, but as long as he was close, then maybe he could be the strongest?

"Dread Fatalis"

Dread vs Bronze for spar
Round 1/2
Age: over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Snow Leopard, Female - Attack
Companion 2: Tasmanian Devil, Female - Attack
Mutation 1: Thicker crystalline fur - Defensive
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Advanced Intellectual

Never underestimate an opponent. That was one important lesson he'd learned since joining the Armada. Some could be much younger than him and far more trained; assuming otherwise would be a grave mistake. Though he wasn't going too hard on Dread, he was taking this fight seriously enough, as serious as he ought to take a practice fight.

His opponent met him somewhere in the middle, charging right toward him and aiming his shoulders forward. They met hard, sending Bronze stumbling backwards a step as he tried to steady himself and not topple over completely. It was enough to cause him to jerk backwards, paws falling off where he'd tried to get them to land. This time though he hoped to lunge forward and grab hold of Dread's muzzle in one swift movement, trying to be firm enough to force him down but definitely not hard enough to cause any lasting damage to the younger wolf.

Bronze vs Dread for Spar
Round 2 / 2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather foreleg bracers
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Novice Hunter

Training. Dread feels like he's been slacking on the whole training thing, at least lately. Andromeda was lightyears ahead of him... he could only hope to stack up sooner rather than later. Dragging the other boys into sparring with him would probably be good, and he had Bronze here and now. Maybe he'd even want to do more, as time went on. That would be cool. He seems normal enough, and Dread considers that maybe he should be more social. Shit, right, he needed to be back in his own head. Mind back on the fight before him.

They both stumbled, staggered by the impact. It feels... good. Genuinely, it feels good. Dread is grateful for the exercise, and he can feel the ache bloom where the impact had reached his shoulder and chest. It's a good pain. He's earned it. He's still earning it. Bronze lunges forward to take him by the muzzle, and Dread isn't quick enough to dodge out of the way. At the painful sensation of teeth against the sensitive skin, he gives a soft growl. The yearling took a big step forward, striking out with his paws in the direction of the man's shoulder. It's an attempt to push him away, to gain ground back. Gritting his teeth through the stinging sensation, he presses on.

"Dread Fatalis"

Dread vs Bronze for spar
Round 2/2
Age: over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Snow Leopard, Female - Attack
Companion 2: Tasmanian Devil, Female - Attack
Mutation 1: Thicker crystalline fur - Defensive
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Advanced Intellectual

And the winner is...

Bronze

Dread must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Dread: Attack Roll: 21 Defense Roll: 81 Agility Roll: 2 Perception Roll: 82 Total: 186 Attack[21] + 35% Bonus[7.35]: 28.35 Defense[81] + 10% Bonus[8.10]: 89.10 Agility[2] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 2.00 Perception[82] + 15% Bonus[12.30]: 94.30 Total[213.75] + 15% Bonus[32.06]: 245.81 Bronze: Attack Roll: 99 Defense Roll: 95 Agility Roll: 51 Perception Roll: 96 Total: 341 Attack[99] + 5% Bonus[4.95]: 103.95 Defense[95] + 20% Bonus[19.00]: 114.00 Agility[51] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 51.00 Perception[96] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 96.00 Total[364.95] + 15% Bonus[54.74]: 419.69