Cranky? Cranky was a good way to describe his mood, yes. Víðarr had woken up with one of his sister’s paws jammed in his face, and (barely an hour later) one of her elbows in his side. His back was sore, but he’d gotten enough rest. He’d gotten enough rest for now, and it was better for the valkyrie to sleep alone if she was going to be like… well, like this. With a scowl, the shadow set off to the polar sound. Breakfast. He could find some fucking breakfast out here. Posture stiff, icy gaze cold, and overall in not the best mood, there was little to rescue this day from the depths of his sourness. Hmmph. Maybe Víðarr wouldn’t even try. As he crossed the beach, it struck him that he wasn’t alone here. Who else would be awake at this godforsaken hour? It certainly wasn’t one of his family, he would have noticed. Right, language was a conscious choice, and he’d learned that his mother tongue wasn’t the common one. His head tilted to the direction of the sound that had tipped him off, paws on the rocky sand. It was a split second decision, mostly fueled by his piss poor morning. The best way to turn it around would be actually getting some fucking exercise… he could make the offer, at least. Lacking in social graces as he was, Víðarr made his proposition. “Not to be a dick,” right, good way to start this one off. “Do you want to spar?” The words were clouded with his heavy accent, but… well hell, they should be good enough. All he could do was dig his claws into the sand and brace himself, should his challenge be accepted. VÍÐARR Ragnarök awaits.

Víðarr vs Raylan for spar
Round 0/?
Age: over 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Skills: Intermediate Fighter & Intermediate Hunter

He had continued heading north, curious as to what lay ahead where it seemed the snow was still around even with Summer in its full throes. To his disappointment it was pretty much just snow. And rocks. And icy water. At least there was enough grass here that he could maybe hunt down a deer or something to eat, even if there was nothing else around of interest. This early in the morning herds would likely be beginning to wake and forage around for food, but he couldn't smell any nearby so he took no care in trying to be quiet, instead letting his stomping footfalls make heavy imprints in the sandy soil. His gaze was turned downwards, more curious about what was growing than anything ahead of him. So when a male voice asked quite rudely, not that he cared much, in a thick accent he couldn't place if he wanted to spar, Raylan wasted no time in swinging his head around, his own response lifting freely from his lips with a touch of his own accent. "Aye lad, I would." His red gaze finally landed upon the similarly behemoth sized wolf, and with an ecstatic grin he immediately launched himself forward at a dead sprint. Raylan kept his momentum going as he ran straight at the other wolf, aiming to ram their shoulders together, and then wanting to spin quickly on his hind legs once he made it past so his back end wouldn't be left open to an easy attack. Raylan vs Víðarr for Spar Round 1/? Age: Over 1 year Size: Extra large Build: Heavy Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Navigator

Snow and rocks and icy water-- really, they were all of Víðarr's favorite things. He liked it... didn't just like it, loved it. Lived for it. The cold made him feel alive. It was one of the few things that could, other than a good hunt and an even better fight. Still, sparring was fine too. Less gore but it was good enough. Training. Getting his heart beating in his chest. If Víðarr could hurt, then he was certain that he was still alive, and that was good enough. It would be enough for him. It had to be enough for him. The shadow would bleed simply to feel alive. And bleed he would. The stranger had taken his challenge and decided it amenable. Excellent. A rakish grin crossed the shadow's face as the creature approached him at a dead run. Víðarr took the crash head on, allowing the breath to hiss from his system, a certain indulgent nature to the way he took the hit. He snarled. He swore to the gods. He'd use the momentum from the crash to force himself upwards, wanting to catch the man on his own shoulder and knock him off balance. Víðarr needed to stay in close, knowing that he'd lose any battle that would play on his speed. Stay close, stay alert, stay alive. Oh how alive he felt. A certain sort of brilliance glimmered in his icy gaze. Excellent. VÍÐARR Ragnarök awaits.

Víðarr vs Raylan for spar
Round 1/3 (I messaged Melo on discord and asked how many rounds she'd like to go)
Age: over 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Skills: Intermediate Fighter & Intermediate Hunter

He saw the other wolf's grin for but a moment before they directly crashed together, both their immense sizes absorbing the impact with a dull thud that shoved most of the air from his lungs. Oh, how he missed being so rough in a spar with a wolf he didn't have to worry too much about hurting, or even squishing underneath him. Raylan managed to swing his front end around to face his opponent, saving his back end from an easy attack, just in time to be pushed off balance when he least expected it. A hind leg wobbled beneath him at the sudden forceful shove, and that was all he needed for his heavy weight to carry him down onto his front knees, but at least he hadn't fully fallen over. That would've been too much of a disgrace for him to handle. With a low growl, more exhilarated than actually angry, he ducked his head down and pushed off against the ground as hard as he could to basically jump up into the air. He'd try to firmly hit the top of his thick skull up into the softer underside of his opponent's chin, maybe even make him bite his tongue if the other wolf wasn't paying close enough attention. Raylan vs Víðarr for Spar Round 2/3 Age: Over 1 year Size: Extra large Build: Heavy Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Navigator

Heavy. Dense. The man that crashed into him equaled Víðarr in height and bulk... he was pleased. A brassy laugh rang from his chest, and the shadow was absorbed clear into the moment. Maybe today wasn't hot garbage after all. Even in practice, even in a spar like they were, Víðarr didn't need to be gentle. He did not need to hold back in much aside from the very pressure of his teeth. Built like himself, he could take a hit-- and dish one too. There were no words for how badly the shadow needed it. As the stranger leapt back to his feet, he made contact with the underside of Víðarr's chin. His teeth slammed together, and he bit hard into his own tongue. Víðarr could taste blood, metallic as it filled his mouth. Exhilarated was right. He lashed out with his teeth, looking for purchase anywhere he could reach-- scruff, shoulder, the side of the neck. Though it wouldn't be a hard bite if he could land it, and things were still all in good fun, the shadow could feel his heart pounding in his chest. Yes, this is what it's like to feel alive. VÍÐARR Ragnarök awaits.

Víðarr vs Raylan for spar
Round 2/3
Age: over one year
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Skills: Intermediate Fighter & Intermediate Hunter

His skull made contact with an almost sickeningly loud crack to the underside of his opponent's chin, and he couldn't help the rumbling laugh that emanated from deep within his chest. It was so freeing to really throw his weight around without worrying about any consequences. It made him feel alive. And so when he felt a pair of large and strong jaws clamp down on the side of his neck he simply grinned, raising his chin up so he was no longer looking down at the ground where he had noticed a single drop of blood. Ah, so the other wolf had bitten his own tongue. How fun. Raylan didn't bother trying to shake free of the grip on his neck; they were both strong wolves and he'd likely only end up getting some of his fur ripped out in the process. Instead he shifted his weight backwards to his hind end, and with a grunt heaved his front legs up in the air to clasp firmly around his opponents neck. His right leg came down over the top while the left grabbed the underside, and together he locked them in a sort of bear hug, taking a moment to inhale deeply before shoving all his weight forward and down. He wanted to try and pin the other wolf beneath him, hoping the move would be surprising enough to get an advantage given their similar weights gave neither of them any particular upper hand. Raylan vs Víðarr for Spar Round 3/3 Age: Over 1 year Size: Extra large Build: Heavy Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Navigator

It really was fun, and Víðarr would have no trouble admitting that. The piss poor start to the day had been turned around so incredibly well. He was comfortable in this environment, the scent of blood in the crisp morning air. How wonderful. How terribly, incredibly wonderful. Though the men fought, they laughed too. That was the best way of all. The playing field was level between them, and Víðarr was thriving. In all their shifting, Víðarr let go of the grip he'd had on the stranger's neck. No, he didn't want to harm the man. The shadow dug his paws into the ground with all his might, fighting to stay upright as he was grabbed. Driving down versus driving up, Víðarr was the one fighting gravity. Still, he held steadfast as best he could. He was surprised, but he would not be pinned-- not yet. He snarled, less in aggression and more as an effect of the sheer force he was putting out. Víðarr buckled a bit, stabilizing himself to reach out once more with his jaws. In their current position, Víðarr wanted anything soft he could reach, be it chest or armpit or really anything else. He'd stay tucked in close to the other creature if he could, throwing his weight back against the man with as much force as he could muster. In his chest, his heart pounded. He was alive. VÍÐARR Ragnarök awaits.

Víðarr vs Raylan for spar
Round 3/3
Age: over 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Skills: Intermediate Fighter & Intermediate Hunter

And the winner is...

Víðarr

Raylan must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Raylan 1: Attack Roll: 90 Defense Roll: 47 Agility Roll: 62 Perception Roll: 65 Total: 264 Attack[90] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 90.00 Defense[47] + 10% Bonus[4.70]: 51.70 Agility[62] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 62.00 Perception[65] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 65.00 Total[268.70] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 268.70 Víðarr: Attack Roll: 98 Defense Roll: 70 Agility Roll: 66 Perception Roll: 49 Total: 283 Attack[98] + 10% Bonus[9.80]: 107.80 Defense[70] + 10% Bonus[7.00]: 77.00 Agility[66] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 66.00 Perception[49] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 49.00 Total[299.80] + 10% Bonus[29.98]: 329.78

The other male was surprisingly steady beneath him, buckling only slightly but quickly regaining his balance. Raylan would have continued to push down, maybe even going as far as to envelope his opponent in a bear hug, but he felt teeth grab at the delicate flesh of his underarm, and even with his pulse hammering in his ears from the rush of adrenaline flowing in his veins, a chortle escaped him at the sharp tickling sensation, the bite being more annoyingly ticklish than painful. Unable to pin the other male beneath him he heaved himself backwards to move with the shove from the other wolf, hopefully not losing some fur in the process, and took a few lumbering steps away from his opponent, ducking his head down low to show he was giving up as he let out a proper rumbling laugh. "I see ye have great fighting skills." Raylan flashed a charming smile at the other wolf as he raised his head back up, fluffing out his fur to rid himself of the last tickling sensation under his forearm. Now taking the time to actually look over the other wolf, he regarded them with a keen gaze, a low appreciative rumble in his throat. The wolf was sturdily built, masked completely in black except for a dash of silvery hues on his cheeks and shoulders. Handsome and well-versed in the art of sparring? This was his lucky day. "Tha name's Raylan, a pleasure to meet ye!"

As the heat of the spar subsided, Víðarr panted. It would take the hulking shadow a moment to catch his breath, especially after fighting so intently to hold his ground. At least he was comfortable enough in the throes of a fight like this. Fighting made him feel alive and well. The picture of vitality, really. As he caught his breath, Víðarr can hear the compliment coming from the man. His accent was strange, different than his own, but at least he wasn't the only odd man out here. "I'd like to think so." Víðarr's smile in return was rakish, bold. "Not bad yourself." The words came from somewhere deep in his chest, playing in the strong accent carried by his mother tongue. Yes, he's comfortable here. There's something that he doesn't necessarily dislike about feeling the stranger's eyes on him either. No, it's not uncomfortable... not at all. "Víðarr Trygg," he introduced himself, first and second name. The shadow tries his best to be comfortable, despite his usual aversion to strangers... Raylan. It was, in fact, nice to meet him as well. "Why're you out so early?" Right. Conversation. This would be good practice, right? Víðarr could hope. VÍÐARR Ragnarök awaits.

A satisfied noise rumbled from deep within Raylan's chest as the compliment. He was always a sucker for compliments, even if they were courteously offered. The quick spar had left him in higher spirits than before, and even as the thrumming of his blood simmered down he could still feel that soft tingle in his limbs as the adrenaline began to slowly wear off. The stranger introduced himself, the name giving no indication as to what the curious accent was, and Raylan certainly couldn't place it himself. He couldn't tell if Víðarr was uncomfortable due to his presence, or because he was still so boldly staring, and so he finally let his gaze wander away, not wanting to seem too imposing to his wonderful sparring partner. A soft grunt left him at the question and he shrugged his shoulders, an easy smile on his face. "I like to explore, and early mornings are a good time to explore unbothered, but there doesn't seem to be much up here other than snow and rock." It wasn't inhospitable, and he didn't have any aversion to snow, but being able to sunbathe under the nice warm sun was too appealing to give it up for a playful romp in the snow. "And ye lad? What brings ye out this way?"

The shadow wouldn't say anything untrue for the sake of flattery, but Raylan's reaction brought a rakish sort of grin to his face. Viðarr was still electric, gaze glimmering in the low light as it took in the man. Yes, quite a bit higher than his spirits had been this morning. Viðarr was comfortable. His tail wagged lightly at his haunches. "Mmm," he nodded, thinking about the time to explore... unbothered. "It seems I've disturbed your peace this morning," he teased. It was gentle, though, the shadow's deep voice soft as he spoke.

"My sister," he took a moment to arrange the words properly in his mind. "She snores. Couldn't get back to sleep." Though his eyes twinkled, there was truth in that statement. Viðarr hadn't been able to fall back to rest after she'd woken him with her nightmares (and yes, her snoring.) It was as much a joke as it was truth. "Do you live here?" Here was conceptually, quite broad. The shadow asked the question simply, without wanting to pry. No, he was simply hoping they might spar again on another day.

"Viðarr"