He bit into the apple with a loud crunch, the juices spilling out the corners of his mouth as he munched happily, but he quickly licked himself clean before it could drip down his chin. He had some standards after all, even if the fruit was deliciously tasty. Making quick work of the apple, Laith began to scout out the rest of the orchard for more fruits, deciding he would gather some up to take with him on his travels. This was far easier than trying to hunt down prey all by himself, and damn it if he was not going to make full use of this golden opportunity. Humming softly to himself as he worked, he snuffled among the tree roots, picking and choosing the best fruits that were just ripe, or very nearly ripe. It would do him no good to have them all spoil within a few days, so he was doing a smart thing, for once in his life, by gathering some that would last a little longer, even if they were not quite as tasty. After a short while of foraging he found himself with a small pile of a couple apples, pears, plums, and even a peach he had managed to not eat immediately, finding they were immediately his favourite fruit amongst the ones in the orchard. Laith eyed the pile of fruit he had set upon the small prey pelt, figuring he could fit just one more peach in it for the road, and turned his back on it to continue searching through the orchard. He wanted to grab the last piece of fruit and then bundle it all up before someone interrupted him as if there was one thing he was defensive about in the world, it would definitely have to be his food.

So he wasn't a ghost after all. During his only slight encounter with the hooded figure, where it had spoken with his friend, a strange feeling had overwhelmed him. His body felt as it if were an apparition. As if he wasn't a part of this world anymore. Days had gone by where he wandered without feeling whole. Was that what death felt like? Purgatory on this damn land would not be fun. It wasn't what he wanted, at all. One morning, he'd woken up and the thought of being a ghost was suddenly gone and Gil felt somewhat normal again.

Ooze still dripped from his ears, eyes, mouth, and wounds, but the heinous voice didn't scream in his head anymore. That he was thankful for. Paranoid and erratic thoughts occasionally took over his conscious but he would wait it out until it subsided. This sickness was nothing fun and he was ready to be cured of it already. Tired, slightly emaciated, injured, and hungry, the mottled man wandered toward the orchard in search of something to eat.

A rather masculine scent caught his nose and he paused. Turning yellow eyes toward the figure not far off in the distance, Gil could feel his hackles rise instinctively. Not that the orchard was his, but he didn't want something stranger taking all of the fruit. Spring was finally coming, even if the sun still never rose, and the land was trying to bear food for the inhabitants. His stomach rumbled quietly as he approached the grey monochrome wolf. A soft growl rumbles in his throat as he spits out a clump of ooze. Reaching toward the ground to grab an apple that had fallen nearby, Gil picks it up to eat it in two bites as he stares.

SPEECH
TABLE & CODE © SKELLE 2021

He focused intently on finding an acceptably ripe peach, muzzle snuffling around the trees for one that had fallen off but had not been pecked to ruin by any birds. It did not take him long, and he happily grabbed it delicately between his jaws, ready to take it back to his pile and move on from the orchard. However, when he heard a low rumbling growl from behind him he whipped around, teeth bared around the fruit he held in his maw. His hackles raised up at the sight of the larger wolf, head lowering to protect his throat at the aggressive posture of the stranger. He watched silently as the other ate an apple cleanly in two bites, but was put off by the sudden staring match he had found himself in. It was one thing to be aggressive in the presence of food, he was definitely one of those types, but this was just... passive-aggressive nonsense! Laith let out a low growl of his own, feeling saliva begin to pool in his mouth around the fruit, but not willing to let it go in case this wolf stole it from him. He'd only release it if he was attacked and had to defend himself, even if it meant being in a slightly more vulnerable position "Wha' 'oo wan'?" He said somewhat unintelligibly. A small tendril of saliva slipped out of his maw and down his chin as he spoke. He would stand his ground, glaring at the other wolf to try and get them to go away, but if it was a fight they wanted, he would not be opposed. No one would mess with his fucking food, and he would make sure this wolf learned it the hard way if that's what it took.

The reaction of the stranger probably wasn't the best idea in Gil's mind. He'd been in enough fights that he knew a challenge when he saw one. Lowering his own head as his ears fell back upon his crown, a small and slightly delirious smile curled at the edges of his lips. Watching as the other male went into his own defensive stance and questioned what he wanted, Gil tilted his head a bit as he stepped forward. Adding a bit of pressure, Gil had originally come for food, but now he was here for another thing. Always ready for a fight, he was determined to take this one for his own.

"You, now," he rumbled, eyes flashing deviously as he quickly blinked. In the next moment, Gil sprang forward with slobbery jaws wide open. Ooze dripped from him as his paws reached out and his toes spread apart with claws out. Gnashing his teeth together in a wild fashion, hoping to intimidate the smaller wolf, Gil aimed to latch onto the stranger's scruff along the right side of his body. There was no telling what sort of damage Gilgamesh was about to do.

Gilgamesh vs Laith for Dominance
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Barn Owl, Female - Battle
Skills: Advanced Intellectual & Expert Fighter
TABLE & CODE © SKELLE 2021

The other wolf did not seem put off at all by his aggressive display, in fact it seemed to actually incite the wolf further, but Laith was no bitch, he wouldn't back down from fluffed hair and bared teeth. Only cowards were that scared of a simple scrap, and while he had some bit of self-preservation that kicked in at some point, he was no coward. The stranger stepped forward and spoke threatening words, at which point he realised this was going to go beyond just them posturing at each other. What he hadn't been expecting was the wolf suddenly leaping at him with jaws wide open, clearly aiming to grab, hold, and maybe even shake. Laith raised his shoulders to try and protect his neck, but as he spat out the apple he became distracted for a second, and was unable to dodge out of the way of the incoming set of jaws. A gasp left his maw as he felt the larger wolf grab onto his scruff, and an enraged snarl left his lips as he snapped his jaws wildly in response. That fucking hurt! His fur was thick, but those jaws looked strong, and he quite liked having his head attached to his body, so he attempted to writhe and flail wildly in an attempt to loosen the other wolf's grip. He had noticed some type of ooze dripping from the mouth of his opponent, and maybe he could use that to his advantage to slip out before any real damage was done. As he tried to escape from the hold on his scruff, Laith's own jaws snapped up and to the side, hoping to bite down on the soft flesh of the other wolf's chin and throat. Two could play at this game, and he would take the chance that the other wolf wouldn't risk getting his throat ripped open just to keep a hold on his scruff. Laith vs Gilgamesh for Dominance Round 1/2 Age: Over 1 Size: Medium Build: Light Skills: Beginner Hunter & Beginner Fighter

Gil felt his teeth latch onto the thick fur on the side of the stranger's scruff. Clamping down until his teeth pierced the skin, his already ooze-filled mouth warmed with blood. As soon as his purchase was solid, his own head began to shake and tug on the male's fur. Feeling the sensation of the other begin to writhe under him, Gil held firm and planted his paws into the dirt. It was all or nothing for him.

Until the teeth of the other slashed into the delicate folds under his chin. With yellow eyes flinging wide, a guttural moan escaped his throat. Hesitating only a moment on whether or not he should release the poor thing, he finally did. Bouncing back to give them a moment's space, Gil's calculated gaze roved over the grey male with a frenzy. Not wanting to waste any more time, Gil dove back in with his left shoulder forward. Aiming straight for the male's body, he hoped to knock him down.

Gilgamesh vs Laith for Dominance
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Barn Owl, Female - Battle
Skills: Advanced Intellectual & Expert Fighter
TABLE & CODE © SKELLE 2021

Pain blossomed from where the larger male had latched on, and he could not stop the whimper that escaped his maw. It seemed his snapping jaws near the throat of the other wolf did the trick, and he was quickly released, to which Laith shook his head to try and clear his mind from the burning pain on his scruff. He needed to focus now. His gaze briefly dipped to glance at the throat of his opponent, but he could not tell how much damage he had done between all the ooze on the fur. At least he had been released. Laith barely had time to orient himself before he was rushed again, this time catching a broad shoulder right into his chest, knocking the wind out of him as he was sent sprawling backwards to the ground. He burst into a coughing fit, trying to get his breath back as he glared at the larger wolf who now had even more of a height advantage. How was it that he always ended up on the ground while fighting someone? Now enraged he snarled again, pushing himself back up into a standing position and taking a leap at his opponent with jaws wide open. He wanted to grab the other male's muzzle within his own, and bite down hard until he tasted blood. Laith vs Gilgamesh for Dominance Round 2/2 Age: Over 1 Size: Medium Build: Light Skills: Beginner Hunter & Beginner Fighter

And the winner is...

Gilgamesh

Laith must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Gilgamesh : Attack Roll: 61 Defense Roll: 26 Agility Roll: 72 Perception Roll: 15 Total: 174 Attack[61] + 15% Bonus[9.15]: 70.15 Defense[26] + 5% Bonus[1.30]: 27.30 Agility[72] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 72.00 Perception[15] + 15% Bonus[2.25]: 17.25 Total[186.70] + 20% Bonus[37.34]: 224.04 Laith: Attack Roll: 13 Defense Roll: 55 Agility Roll: 49 Perception Roll: 23 Total: 140 Attack[13] + 5% Bonus[0.65]: 13.65 Defense[55] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 55.00 Agility[49] + 5% Bonus[2.45]: 51.45 Perception[23] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 23.00 Total[143.10] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 143.10

Their bodies collided as he urged his body to halt from toppling over himself. Digging his claws into the dirt, his head lurched forward as he watched the stranger fall. A raucous of coughs sputtered from the smaller wolf's being as Gil watched with glaring yellow eyes. Smiling softly, he backed up a few steps as the other wolf struggled to get their wits about them. Raising his chin up a bit, he looked down on the wolf for a moment. Were they really that weak? Gil watched as the other male flew into a rage and attempted to fly at him with an open jaw. Letting out a huff of breath, he scooted out of harm's way before the other wolf could do anything. "I'd watch yourself if I were you," he rumbled under his breath as he circled around. Large paws met soft ground beneath him as he paused on the other side of the wolf. "It wouldn't be good if you got yourself killed," Gil warned as his ears lifted up from their flattened position. "Do you dare test me again or shall you share your food?" He offered, his face lightly tilting toward the pile of fruit that Laith had collected.

~Just realised in his first fight post I wrote he dropped the apple in his mouth but it was actually a peach. I was thinking about the apple Gil was eating when I wrote it I guess xD~

He felt like his aim was good, and he was more than ready to leave his mark on this stupid wolf's face for daring to test him. But just before he could actually latch on, the brute fucking sidestepped him. His momentum carried him forward, and he slid along the ground to a stop, spinning on his heels to face the other wolf. How could a wolf so large be so fast? Maybe he was better off just letting it slide for now, before this stranger decided to actually do some damage, instead of toying with him like it seemed he had been doing. Laith dropped his head at the other male's menacing words, watching as he circled around, tongue slipping out between his front teeth in a silent snarl, but he stayed put. Fuck, he was submitting like a little bitch, but a pile of fruit wasn't worth losing his head over. A growl slipped from his mouth as the stranger gave him an ultimatum: fight again and definitely lose, or give away his hard-earned food. Neither were great options, but at least the latter would result in him leaving this situation alive. "The peaches are mine," he said petulantly, eyes narrowing into a squint. He'd let this brute take whatever else he wanted, but he'd be damned if he let the wolf take the one thing that gave him happiness that day. Laith stepped to the side, always keeping one ear and eye on the other wolf, as he snuffled around for the peach he had dropped when he got attacked. There was just one other peach in the pile he had made, and if this wolf ate it, well, he'd... not attack him over that. At the very least he'd let off a stream of profanity and choice words directed at the brute.

With his chin raised in a confident position, Gilgamesh watched the other wolf submit with a variety of facial expressions. The smug look across his own features wasn't hidden as he paused his steps to glance down at the pile of fruit. Indeed, there was plenty of other fruit to choose from but after the loser took one of the peaches, there seemed to be only one left. His expression doesn't change when the other threatens that the peaches are his and only his. Turning to glance at the wolf with a curious expression, a rumbling chuckle emits from his lips. "This orchard is not yours to claim. Neither are these fruits," Gil says as he takes a step toward the pile. Without another word, Gil reaches down to pluck an apple from the pile, and in a few crunches, he inhales the sweet and juicy fruit. Never letting his eyes leave the smaller wolf, he doesn't wait for a reaction. "The name is Gilgamesh, in case you needed something to remember me by," he speaks as he picks up another fruit, this time a pear, always hesitating over the peach before picking something else.

What a smug fucking bastard. Laith seethed internally, only showing his displeasure of the brute with the pulling back of his lips, but he kept his head lowered to show he wasn't actually going to do anything. He'd take whatever shit was thrown his way without going in for a second round, but that didn't mean he had to act all nice about it. He set the peach down at his paws, a good bit of distance away from the other wolf and his pile of fruit the stranger had decided to steal from. "Never said it was, dipshit," he grumbled in response, tail lashing angrily behind him as he watched the other wolf grab an apple he had carefully curated and chomp down in a few bites. "But go find your own fruit, there's plenty enough to go around." He wouldn't back his words up today with any actions, not after the shit-show he just went through, but he was extremely miffed right now at the events that were happening. This was such a shit day. Laith resisted the urge to mockingly copy the words Gilgamesh said next, feeling that might be pushing his luck too far, but he didn't offer up his own name. No, this bastard didn't deserve it. Instead he watched silently as the other wolf went and plucked another of his fruits, purposefully hovering over the single peach left there. Part of him considered just turning on his heels and leaving with the one peach he had, but he stayed, dropping down onto his stomach and laying his chin over the fruit as he cradled it between his front paws. Laith scowled at Gilgamesh as he lay there. He'd wait the wolf until he got bored or full and hopefully decided to move on. Maybe there'd even be a few of his fruits leftover if the large brute didn't spitefully eat all of it.

His fur bristled high along his ridgeline at the word dipshit. Lowering his face so that it was closer to Laith's, his own lips pulled back in a snarl. "I don't believe someone who lost should be calling someone names," Gil seethed between clenched teeth. Pulling away as he tsked under his breath, he sat back on his haunches with a squinted look. It was apparent from the other's actions that they wouldn't do anything to instigate another fight. Not that it bothered Gilgamesh, but he found enjoyment in tormenting this one. If someone wanted to act tough around him, they would have to prove it. Scoffing loudly as the other wolf laid down protectively over his pile of fruit, his eyes rolled lightly. "Why find my own when I can take yours?" He says with a shrug of his shoulders as he picks another apple off of the ground that somehow wasn't hidden beneath the boy's body.

His ears flattened back along his skull as Gilgamesh brought his face closer until they were nearly muzzle to muzzle. He could see the glistening saliva on the teeth of the other male, and he found himself sinking lower down to the ground. Laith's nose crinkled in annoyance, not only at the brute, but also at himself for being such a fucking coward. This asshole was just rubbing it in now. He got it already; he fucking lost. There was no need to humiliate him any further, and that included stealing from his perfectly curated pile of fruit. "I do a lot of things others don't think is right," he mumbled in response, sounding like a pup who had just gotten scolded for doing something naughty after having been warned not to. Thinking for a moment that Gilgamesh was done tormenting him, Laith let out a soft but high-pitched sort of wail behind clenched and bared teeth when he plucked out an apple that he hadn't managed to cover with his body. It was a far cry from any sort of snarl, as he didn't want to antagonise the brute any further, but to see his fruits be picked off one by one and and being unable to do anything about it was torment. He tried to pick his words very carefully so as not to get a pair of very large jaws to the face, but still wanting to get his point across. There were only a few ways to tell someone to fuck off without also pissing them off. "Look man, you won fair and square, you've eaten a bunch of fruit, can't you just leave me in peace now? I wasn't bothering anyone till you showed up and made a fuss." He stared up at Gilgamesh as he spoke, but he was in no way begging for the other wolf to leave. He was above that regardless of how deep into shit he could get. "You can even take some of mine as you leave," Laith begrudgingly added, figuring that the best way to make him leave was to give him what he wanted, and he seemed to want his fruit.

The wolf cowering before him was making Gil's day all that much better. Oh, it did please his cold heart to hear him wail between clenched teeth. Watching with malicious yellow eyes, Gil grinned as he slowly ate the apple he had picked up. Munching it quite loudly with slobber dripping from his jaws, he swallowed. Licking at his lips in a taunting way, he let out a laugh. "Not sure why you're so possessive over fruit," he pondered quietly with a shrug of his shoulders. "I'm bored now so I suppose I'll leave you," Gil turned with a flick of his tail in Laith's direction. Glancing one more time over his shoulder, he shot the weaker wolf a wink. "Til next time, loser," he quipped before trotting off through the trees. -exit-

Laith simply glared at Gilgamesh, not even wanting to bother giving him a response to that dumb question. Food was food, didn't matter what it was. He'd fight over a piece of fruit with the same intensity as over a morsel of prey. A sigh of relief fell from his lips as the other wolf declared he was bored and began to leave, but not without throwing out a smug fucking set of words over his shoulder. Laith quietly mimicked what he had said under his breath in a mocking tone, his eyes never leaving the form of the retreating wolf until he couldn't see him anymore. He immediately got to work tying up the now much smaller pile of fruit in the pelt as best as  his paws would let him before grabbing it in his jaws and making a mad dash ni the exact opposite direction. Laith wanted as fucking far away from that mad bastard as possible, and wouldn't stop moving till the sun itself disappeared. Only then would he let himself rest and enjoy what remained of his collection.