Dutch hobbled her way to the battlefield again. whatever experiences she had in the past where in the past. this was the present. the here and now. the main event. the... whatever, she was tired of psyching herself up. blowing air from her cheeks, the dwarven woman approached the sparring grounds and halted. she felt a bit lighter. a bit more seasoned. but there was always more to learn, y'know. that's what she kept telling herself anyway. she may not be the largest wolf nor the most experienced, but damn. it felt good to get the blood pumping. lifting her head to the sky, she'd howl for a challenger. someone this time around her skill level. like her spar with Dagfinn days ago. Dutch fully expected some behemoth showing up. all the wolves bred in these lands were frigging huge. it was good practice though, to go against a taller opponent. it meant they underestimated her. reclining on the cool earth, she'd wait for someone to show. the scratches from her last few bouts were still fresh, but she was eager for more experience.

There was a weakness in him, since the incident that had seen him left for dead in the dying plains of his homeland. He would never show it in front of his Imperial Majesty, but there was a pain in his leg when he walked, and he believed that rigorous training and exercise would free him from this weakness in his flesh. As for the weakness in his heart… he had lain in the dirt for a very, very long time. Days, perhaps. The memory of the wounds that had been dealt to him, of the smell and taste of blood once he realised the only way to live, and return to her, was to consume the flesh of those he had slain to see her safe. It left a shudder through him, and he feared that he would cringe in battle, and any second of delay could cost him, cost her and he would not allow it. He had heard of the battlefield early on in his days in Boreas, and he would find his way there now. This was the type of practice he needed, a one on one scuffle with a stranger, with no promise that his combatant would give mercy to him, should he falter. The moment his paw touched the dusty earth of the field, he would hear the call, a battlecry of saughts, of a wolf that sought a challenge. Auspicious timing, for he did not wish to delay, the titan would make his way towards her. We would see the rusty, tri colored wolf as she stood at the demour, tiny, diminished stance well beneath him. He could not be certain if she was even half his height. His muzzle parted softly, through the elongated fangs that sat outside his mouth where displayed no matter if his mouth sat open or closed. His paws fell heavy across the earth as he moved towards her, and settled across from her. He had no doubt that her only upperhand here was cunning and speed, so he would have to be certain that she did not outsmart him. He did not know her, nor what she was capable, but she would bever topple him without some grant intervention. “Hello, little Dragonette. I am Sirius, son of none. I will try not to break your bones.” he smiled, spreading out the wicked saber fangs that adorned him as he invited her to unleash herself upon him. "Speech"

she didn't have to wait very long for someone to show up. the massive beast stood before her now, uttering a few words of... what? comfort? she burst out laughing. "hot damn" Dutch grinned, admiring openly the long fangs this man bore. imagine what he could do with those. "ain't ya a gentleman?" and good lookin' to boot. she supposed she could do worse for a sparing partner. stretching her body out a bit to get ready, she'd make a move soon. the spars she had so far were amusing. one with Valkyrie and one with Dagfinn... people she knew. people she could learn to trust. this guy was an unknown. to start with, she'd size the guy before her up. he was so much bigger than her but she felt confident she could get some blows in. the dwarf suddenly rushed forward, rounding him to his side. cause he was bigger, he was potentially slower. it'd take him a bit to turn. or so she hoped. flashing out her teeth, she tried to grab his front leg. not to pull or anything, but to just get the spar started. Dutch wanted to gauge his abilities. especially dodging. Sirius versus Dutch for Spar Round One of Two Size: Small Build: Heavy Companion: N/A Mutation: N/A Fight Skill Level: Beginner

He wasn’t expecting laughter, but he could roll with that, he gave an extra toothy grin with his long fangs flashing at her as he responded to her merriment. “I am not often called one” he admitted, somewhat pleasant at the compliment. This wolf might be small, but thus far she seemed outspoken and spunky. He hoped she was cunning in battle, and offered him a challenge. When she came to him, it was in a quick rush, and he hunkered down, grinning still as he spaced his weight and waited for her to come to him. He didn’t expect a head on collision, it would be foolhardy for the smaller wolf to do so. As she went for his front leg, he snaked his head forward, aiming to graze his sharp fangs across the side of her neck in a parting blow as she moved to grab at his leg. He wasn’t certain what she hoped to gain by grabbing the limb, and he pushed his weight down upon it so she would not be able to budge it. He made no attempt at moving from her attack, he found it as dangerous as the buzzing of a fly, and assumed she was testing something in him. His reaction speed, perhaps? Sirius versus Dutch for Spar Round One of Two Size: Dire Wolf Build: Medium Companion: Extra large companion, Battle Vulture Mutation: Fangs Fight Skill Level: Beginner "Speech"

he was an immovable object against her unstoppable force. he planting and putting weight on the leg as she neared. she didn't even budge it. after a quick nip to test the endurance, she felt his elonged fangs graze her neck. pulling away from him immediately - she was mindful that he probably knew how to use them - she snaked around to his back end. bits of her fur fell to the ground at his impact, a small gash forming with red liquid. though it stung like a bitch, she wasn't about to give up so easily. adrenaline pumped through Dutch's veins. she wanted it gone. after this spar, she'd probably rest for a few days without pushing herself more. probably was the keyword. but now? now she reached out for his tail, aiming to clamp down on it with some force through her jaws. he couldn't exactly put weight on it unless he sat down, and from what she gathered there had to be one weak spot on this behemoth. maybe it was as simple as his tail. but still, in case he did sit down, she tried to get it from a small distance. the last thing she wanted was to be crushed underneath his arse. Sirius versus Dutch for Spar Round Two of Two Size: Small Build: Heavy Companion: N/A Mutation: N/A Fight Skill Level: Beginner

She felt her teeth graze against the skin of his leg, and he allowed it. Any such attack would delay her retreat by moments, giving him further time to sink in attacks of his own. The Titan watched the smaller wolf, as she moved away from the grasping reach of his fangs. He had drawn blood, and it glistened on the tip of his elongated feature as it hung freely from his jaw. She moved behind him, and went for his tail. He felt her teeth grip onto his fluff there, and he braced himself. Once her teeth were properly dug in - a fact which made him grunt in discomfort as the pain reached the filters of his brain - he would whip around, aiming to move his rump around as fast as he could, and tip over the one who sunk her jaws into it. Likely it was going to cause him a great deal of pain, and some loss of fur in that area, but if he succeeded in unbalancing her as he whirled around, then she would be at his mercy, and easy game to pounce. Sirius versus Dutch for Spar Round Two of Two Size: Dire Wolf Build: Medium Companion: Extra large companion, Battle Vulture Mutation: Fangs Fight Skill Level: Beginner "Speech"

And the winner is...

SIRIUS

DUTCH must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Sirius: 151.15 Dutch 136.90

whelp, she knew when she was beat. flung aside like a piece of prey that didn't want to be eaten, she stumbled and tripped. her people believed if you unbalanced someone and made them fall to the earth, they should remain there in their shame. but this wasn't her land and this wasn't her rules. she quickly - as quick as possible - tried to get up. a bit wobbly at first, she was still reeling from the force behind his collision. she had been lucky with Valkyrie, but she knew that her size was a total difference. it didn't stop her from trying to get better though. "you won" she breathed, her pride stung from her actual effort failing. Dutch didn't make a move to continue the fight. she could accept things with grace if she actually bothered to. her head dipped to the man in her own politeness, eyes never leaving his face. "thanks for the bout, handsome." she snickered, winking to him before she made to leave. she may have lost but she did learn a bit. that's all that matters in the end. / ATTEMPTED EXIT

They fall in line, One at a time, Ready to play No time to lose, We've got to move, Steady your hand As he turned he realised that his attack had worked perfectly, and that Dutch had fallen to the ground. His tail ached from where he had pulled it from her jaws, but he ignored his pains. He moved to pounce on the fallen wolf, before realising that she had given up. She got to her feet quickly, if a little unbalanced, and pronounced him the winner. He released his tense stance, falling into something more easy, and offered her a warm smile. “Thank you for the match, Little Dragonette. It takes mettle to go against an opponent much larger than yourself, and you did not so much as flinch.” He gave her a very slight incline of his head, he saved his bows for his ruling class. “You have my respect” he told her. She was already turning to leave, thanking him for the bout with a wink. “Wait, may I know first your name?”

her head swirled around at his words, earning an embarrassed chuckle at his words as she rounded to face him again. Dutch didn't need the respect of anyone but it was nice to hear that someone actually didn't belittle her for her size. instead, they felt she had been courageous to face a much larger foe. "when mostly everyone is taller than you" she began with a grin "you sorta get used to it." else you just faded into the woodwork and wasted away while everyone else was having fun. she wanted fun but... she also wanted to better herself through work. "name's Dutch, though" she added in, refusing at this point of her life to admit her real name. the locals probably had trouble pronouncing 'Durin' when she had such a thick accent anyway. 'Dutch' was easier. "t-thanks. for your kind words" the dwarf added in awkwardly, not used to such praise from strangers. the wolf before her smelt of Ashen and her ears piqued forward. seemed the pack was trying to make waves. it was probably good for them to improve their skills when they were so new. cheekily, she added in; "next time I'm westward, I'll drop in. see if you want another bout. heh." though time would tell that was probably unacceptable considering her upcoming condition.

They fall in line, One at a time, Ready to play No time to lose, We've got to move, Steady your hand He looked to the small, dark pelted wolf as she stopped her exit, and turned back to look at him. He offered her a grin, still running on adrenaline from their fight, that the smile came easily to the warrior. He wasn’t often charitable, but he could respect the mettle of another warrior. “Dutch, I’ll remember that” he promised, wondering if he could seek her out in the future for fights. It was good to have someone who jumped in, fearless. He didn’t have to wonder for long, as she spoke his thoughts out loud, promising another bout in the future, whenever she was westward next. “I’ll hold you to that” he said, getting to his feet at last. “Well, Dutch, i’ll be seeing you” he said, offering her one last toothy grin, before he himself turned, and began to head in the opposite direction, his spars where only just beginning. -exit?-

the man didn't introduce himself, but instead gave her warm words. oh well; maybe he wasn't the type to give his name so easily. she wasn't going to hold that against him. and maybe she should stop him now and demand his name, but 'Handsome' wasn't a bad one to call him either. she'd stick with Handsome. call it an inside joke if you must. "see ya!" she called after him as his massive body departed. she waited for a split second before turning away, wandering out of the battlegrounds and into Boreas once more. she wanted to fight more, but right now she did need rest. and the bleeding wound on her neck to heal too. that was important. / EXIT