A cold breeze runs its fingers through Fern’s coat, rustling the fur and chilling the skin underneath. The sun has barely broken the horizon and the icy grip of the night still has a firm hold on the land. Each breath generates a puff of steam that coils up and away from her mouth as the gray girl moves across the grass. Rudy had showed her a spot he uses for training and Fern is determined to become a better fighter. After her talk with Artorias, Fern realized this is what she wants to do. This is the purpose that Art was talking about, something she had to find for herself. That is why Fern had slipped gently out of Rudy’s arms before the sun had risen and that is why she is going to start training every morning.

Making it to the training area, Fern starts by taking time to stretch her muscles. Once the muscles have loosened and her blood is flowing, Fern jogs a circuit around the training area, chasing off the chill of the morning air. Body loosened, Fern steps up to a straw dummy and works on setting her defenses. She runs through setting and dropping defenses, working in sidesteps and dodges as she goes. The sun slowly raises as Fern works her body. She wants fighting to become second nature to her, able to react without having to think too hard on what to do. So, she trains.

"Speech"

Frost crunched beneath large paws as the silver and slate male made his rounds around the Hallows borders, steel-hued eyes scanning the lands just past their scent markers as he went. Patrols had always been important to securing the pack's safety, but now even more so since Artorias had found a stranger skulking about their lands. The patrol routes were maintained with regular frequency, but it still kept Romulus on edge. The thought of anyone wanting to spy on the Hallows unnerved him, but he had the utmost faith that whatever was thrown at the Hallows, they would be able to handle it.

Romulus' route ran south along the border of Hallowed lands, and as he came by the castle, he spotted another wolf up in the early dawn light, already practicing on the sparring grounds. He paused his patrol for a moment to watch her as she practiced hitting a training dummy, smirking to himself. A quick glance around confirmed that there was no one else around, the borders were secure, and he was free to take a quick break to engage in something a little more fun than just walking circuits in the chilly morning. Roman veered away from the border and approached the training grounds, each paw step crunching the frosty grass as he walked. "Good morning," he greeted the smaller lady when he drew near, all smiles and bright eyes. "Don't believe we've met yet. I'm Romulus Armada. Or Roman if you wanna keep it simple."

He glanced up to the scratched and clawed up dummy she'd been attacking. "Nice moves. Wanna put 'em to the test?" With a roguish grin, the young brute stepped into the sparring ring and stretched out his limber body, giving his coat a nice ruffle for effect. "What'dya say to a quick one-on-one? Gods knows I could use a break from patrols."

"Romulus Armada"

Fern attacks the dummy over and over… and over again. Part of her knows she needs to build muscle memory but this is getting boring. The sound of frost being crunched under large paws, draws Fern’s attention away from the straw target in front of her. Breathes cloud the air as Fern pants slightly from the exertion. A slate and steel colored wolf makes his way toward her calling out a greeting. He wears a bright smile and his eyes seem to beam as he comes closer and offers his name. Fern offers him a warm smile and dips her head in greeting, saying, “I’m new to the Hallows. My name is Fern Lark and it is pleasure to meet you Romulus Armada.”

Silvery steel eyes glance over at the dummy she been attacking he compliments her moves asking if she wants to put them to the test. The warm smile is replaced with an eager grin and she quickly follows the taller wolf into the sparring ring. As he stretches his limber body, Fern says, “Let’s do this.” Quickly she settles into her defensive stance, legs spread apart, body crouched to keep her center of gravity low. Tucking her tail, Fern quips, “Those patrols haven’t frozen you solid… have they? ” Eyes flash with mirth as she pins her ear back, scrunches the scruff of her neck, and narrows her eyes. For now she still wears the smile as she waits for Roman to make the first attack.


Fern vs Romulus for Spar
Round 0/?
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Medium
Build: Medium
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Advanced Hunter
"Speech"

The lady introduced herself as Fern Lark and Romulus would dip his head in response. A simple name, easy to remember. "Likewise, Fern," he replied politely. She was eager to follow him into the sparring ring and emphatically challenged him as she stretched in preparation. The taller brute gave a bark of laughter and shot a fiery smirk at her. She certainly had the bravado! But could she back up her loaded words with action? Rolling his shoulders, Romulus crouched and bent his knees, muscles tensed and ready to spring while he assumed his combat stance. "Guess you'd better keep me moving so I don't freeze over," he quipped back and flashed teeth in a lively grin. Then Roman began the fight.

In a heartbeat, Roman was lunging for the monochromatic girl, charging straight for her. It would have been so easy for him to just rely on his bulkier frame or larger size to try and barrel her over or overwhelm her—and that was exactly what the brute was looking to make her believe. In actuality, it turned out to be a feint attack! As soon as Roman got within striking distance, instead of charging right into her like a tank, the athletic male leaped into the air, pouncing at Fern in an aerial attack with paws outstretched and jaws wide, aiming to leap directly onto her and grab any part he could to gain leverage.

Romulus vs Fern for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: 1+ years
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Hidden switchblade
Defensive Battle Accessory: Jaguar cloak with hood
Companion 1: Red-tailed Hawk, Male - Flying
Companion 2: Wolverine, Male - Battle
Skills: Expert Fighter & Intermediate Healer

"Romulus Armada"

As Fern sets her defenses, Romulus mocks back happily and then, the fight begins. The bigger male charges straight toward, probably hoping his larger size will make her take a more defense track in the fight. However, Fern is not afraid of his bulk and finds excitement in getting to test her skills. So, without much thought, the smaller girl launches herself toward Romulus and the two wolves are put on a collision course. Her mouth opens, readying to bite as soon as she is within attack range. Just when she is ready to strike, the bigger wolf leaps up, aiming to jump onto her.

Oh hell no.

Eyes widen as she sees his larger bulk raise into the air and Fern instinctively throws her body down to the ground, rolling over onto her back. Coiling her back legs toward her stomach and wrapping her tail up between her legs, Fern tries to protect the soft tissue and organs that reside there. As he lands, Fern snarls and snaps at any piece of Roman that gets too close trying to pinch skin and make him think twice about his life choices. Meanwhile, her front paws move to try and smack at his head and distract the bigger wolf, hoping to make him angry and perhaps, just a tad sloppy. Fern knows this is just a spar and she doesn't want to hurt him too bad but she still fights as if her life depends on it.

As she writhes on the ground, snapping and pawing wildly, Roman’s teeth find purchase, catching onto legs and giving her tail a rather painfully bite. Fern redoubles her efforts, trying to give as many bites as she takes.


Fern vs Romulus for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Medium
Build: Medium
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Advanced Hunter

"Speech"

The smaller wolf charged directly at him, clearly unafraid of a head-on collision. Noble—but foolish. Romulus saw the look of regret on her face the second he went airborne, his bulkier frame coming down on top of hers while she collapsed to her back to try and intercept him. It was easy for him to cover her smaller form with his own like this, so Roman wondered if she was trying some sort of technique or strategy he wasn't thinking of. Fern then began to bite and kick her paws wildly up at him and the brute realized nope, she had no strategy other than go buck wild. Fighting back against the writing opponent proved tricky, especially when she looked more like a toddler having a fit she was so unpredictable with her movements. At some point, he felt his teeth make contact with flesh, but so did hers, biting into his forelegs that were on either side of her body. Her flailing paws swung for his face, but he had a significant height advantage on her and she ended up just smacking his chest instead.

The fight had turned less into an organized spar and more into a wild frenzy with Fern's chaotic attacks. Realizing this was a losing fight, Roman quickly backpedaled away from the berserk wolf to put some space between them and reset the fight. He was going to make her come to him on her terms. If she was really going into this with no plan of attack, she should be easy to put off balance and get into a pin. He just had to let her get up and come to him. Romulus reset his defenses, blading his body and tensing muscles to prepare to intercept whatever she threw his way. One good counter and a pin. That was all he needed.

Romulus vs Fern for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: 1+ years
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Hidden switchblade
Defensive Battle Accessory: Jaguar cloak with hood
Companion 1: Red-tailed Hawk, Male - Flying
Companion 2: Wolverine, Male - Battle
Skills: Expert Fighter & Intermediate Healer

"Romulus Armada"

Fern’s crazy assault eventually has the effect she wanted, causing Romulus to back away and allow her to get up. Something about the wolf’s height had terrified her and it had become a fight for survival instead of a friendly spar for a moment. Standing up, Fern takes a moment to breathe deeply, resetting her mind and body. When she levels her gaze at the bigger wolf, the gray girl sees a friend trying to help her instead of an enemy. Rom is poised, ready to intercept whatever attack she throws at him. Giving a slight nod, Fern pushes forward, closing the short distance to the bigger wolf. When she is within range, the gray girl will try to dart to his right, aiming to capture his foreleg in her jaw and pull his paw out from under him. If she does, Fern will pin him and end this battle. wants to pin. All Fern really wants is to end the spar and apologize to Romulus for her lapse in focus.

Fern vs Romulus for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Medium
Build: Medium
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Advanced Hunter

"Fern"

And the winner is...

Fern

Romulus must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Fern: Attack Roll: 26 Defense Roll: 75 Agility Roll: 82 Perception Roll: 97 Total: 280 Attack[26] + 25% Bonus[6.50]: 32.50 Defense[75] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 75.00 Agility[82] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 82.00 Perception[97] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 97.00 Total[286.50] + 15% Bonus[42.98]: 329.48 Romulus: Attack Roll: 50 Defense Roll: 32 Agility Roll: 98 Perception Roll: 24 Total: 204 Attack[50] + 25% Bonus[12.50]: 62.50 Defense[32] + 25% Bonus[8.00]: 40.00 Agility[98] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 98.00 Perception[24] + 10% Bonus[2.40]: 26.40 Total[226.90] + 20% Bonus[45.38]: 272.28