Bellamy and Gavroche had established a temporary base in the Orchard and, for now, that was where Bells had left her mate. When they had first arrived there the two had a heart-to-heart, their hopes, their fears, all laid out on the table. It had been necessary though. She was sure it had been especially necessary for Gav… the poor man had so much hurt harbored in his heart. So much blame, and self-doubt. She saw herself reflected in it… but Bellamy had decided back when she took the winged male as her mate that she would start standing up to her demons, her past, rather than letting them consume her. It didn’t mean she was proud of what she’d done… nor was she content with where their lives currently were… but for his sake, she would get better. For both of them.

The woman drew in a slow breath as she stepped foot on the plains known as The Battlefield. The wind tugged at her fur as she lifted her head up and let her green gaze sweep across the land before her. These bloodsoaked plains were where she was hoping to make a change in their lives. She had warned Gavroche of her intentions; at the very least she would get a spar to sharpen her skills once more… and in the best-case scenario? She would net herself and Gavroche a home. Her companions were on either side, Ears giddy and eager for the battle to come whereas Whiskers was much calmer, her gaze thoughtful as she waited for Bellamy to call to the wolves of the lands.

Bellamy did just that. She tilted her head back to the heavens and let loose a long, powerful howl to alert any recruiting leaders to her location. She wanted a home. A home where a fierce warrior and a delicate, soft healer could both be safe and wanted. What pack would fit that bill she didn’t know… but she would wait. And hopefully, someone would come. But any alpha who answered her call would need to show their resolve; for Bellamy to stand by them she would not accept an alpha who was all talk and no action. She would learn their resolve in the only way she knew how; on the open field of battle.

[[Ooc:: Bellamy is seeking a home for herself and Gavroche! Any alpha or would-be alpha to respond is welcome but keep in mind to ICly convince Bellamy your pack is worth becoming a home she will request a spar. I’d like to keep this spar friendly! Any pack that can fit a fight-happy warrior and a healer are welcome to show. I’m not picky, I just want to get this couple in a pack!]]

One last hurrah.

Wren wanted a fight before she was truly crowned as a queen - as Mercury said. She didn't feel like a queen. She felt elated and happy, and all the queens in the stories were envious and mean. She spotted movement ahead and slowed her pace. Her tail held high, her chin gazing evenly at the woman. "My name is Wren Baines of the Armada" she introduced herself, still being Sirius' wolf "I am not a leader, but I represent the strength of my community." She waited to see if anyone else would arrive.

Surely a fierce-looking wolf was a potential backbone to any pack? "If you want a place to belong, I won't force you into the Armada" Wren continued diplomatically "but I can at least show a bit of our power with a spar if you'll honor me with one?" Sirius would have the final judgment, of course, but she could get to know this woman and her need for a home. Who knew where it would lead? "and you're free to ask questions about my pack, of course." She added with a nod.

ooc; wren is here on behalf of armada, if nobody shows up! i can't speak for sea though ;D

"Speech"

A woman came. She was younger than Bellamy herself, young enough to be the woman's daughters but Bells did not judge her on that. She introduced herself as Wren Baines of the Armada. Bells knew little of the packs here, especially with Acere's pack being gone now. But the woman spoke diplomatically, with the air of someone she had been hoping to talk to. She said would represent the strength of her community, though she was not the leader of the pack. Bellamy dipped her head slightly to Wren, rumbling tones escaping her lips as she spoke. "Thank you for coming, Wren. I am Bellamy of Foi. These two are my companions, Ears and Whiskers." The badger and tasmanian devil were more than mere helpers to her; they were family. Their opinions mattered just as much as any other beast. Wren continued to speak. She was good at diplomacy, something Bellamy personally struggled with… but she was trying. She had to try for herself and Gav. "I do best in communicating by battle," The woman admitted. "And though it is important to me to get a feel for the strength of one who represents their pack… before we get into that I feel it… necessary to discuss your pack and exactly what we are hoping to find." She drew in a breath and flicked her ear. "The home I seek is not just for myself, but my mate as well. I am a fighter through and through, but my mate is a healer and well," Bellamy gave a soft chuckle. "He's… different. Tiny for one thing. He knows a fair bit about healing… but…" Bellamy straightened. "The Armada… Will they be willing to take in someone who is so small? Will they look past his differences and value the skills he does have rather than those he does not? I've never known a pack to turn away an able bodied fighter… but without my mate, my family, a pack is useless to me. Does the Armada hold such values? What do they stand for, at their core? What would I, if we both decided this was the right fit and went to see your alpha, be fighting to defend?" "Speech" 'Thought.'

Ah, so not just one member. Two potential ones. She listened as the woman spoke, calling herself Bellamy. "Armada welcomes wolves from all walks of life, as long as they pull their weight in some way" Wren replied to the other wolf "healer or fighter, hunter or scout... they value individual strengths. I would ask you to speak to our warlord, Sirius. Or alpha, as they commonly call the rank." She didn't roll her shoulders, knowing Sirius had fought for everything he ever had accomplished.

"Since I can't accept you on behalf of the Armada, you can judge my words in our bout and I can escort you and your mate to the Warlord so he can access you" Wren promised but the first thing was first! "family and friendship is everything to the Armada. They are part of a mighty namesake; many of the name Fatalis call it home there but others exist in other packs. They value diplomacy and their allies." She gives a nod, recalling her mentor's words about the Hallows and Ashen and Abaven.

Abaven... fell. She hoped they were all okay there though. But it was clear through Wren's words; she respected the pack. If she was going to be leaving it to start her own, she was not going to swipe potential skilled members from Armada.

"Speech"

The Armada was a pack that welcomed wolves of all walks of life, so long as they pulled their weight in some way. “That would be expected, of course.” Bellamy perked her ears forward curiously at the chosen title of the alpha. Warlord. It was curious… but she didn’t question it. She offered a small, almost sad smile as she mentioned the Armada being part of a mighty namesake. She didn’t know of them, nor their deeds. And the last “mighty” family name she had known had been Gavroche’s own, the Kedieo. Hopefully, this family would be kinder to the two of them than Gavroche’s own kin. But that was not a subject for the now. “I will test the truth of your words on the Armarda through your resolve, Wren.” Bellamy had begun to slip into a defensive stance, making sure her opponent had time to take notice and take appropriate action. This was to be an honorable spar, but an important one all the same. Bellamy closed her eyes for a few seconds, inhaling. “Let the truth be heard in words unspoken!” As the last words left her lips Bellamy’s eyes shot open again, narrowed, and like a shot fired she took off towards her opponent with Ears and Whiskers flanking either side. She was not a greenhorn, no, but Bellamy’s own style of fighting could be one considered barbaric and reckless. There was no fear in her eyes as she sought to close the distance between herself and Wren as fast as her limbs would allow. Weight remained distributed evenly across all of her limbs at first, yet, once she deemed herself close enough, Bellamy jutted her right shoulder forward to act as a battering ram. Typically wolves lowered their head to align with their spine and the taller beast was hoping for such a maneuver - she wanted to slam her shoulder into Wren’s face… head, or well, wherever really if the woman decided to move and she actually landed anything. But her current target was the center of Wren’s face. She swung her head to the right, over Wren’s own right as she sought purchase on Wren’s ruff with her fangs. Should her slam be successful, she aimed to add continued pressure by getting a hold of the brown-furred woman. But she sincerely hoped that Wren would give her a good show. It wouldn’t be any fun if she didn’t. For the moment Ears and Whiskers remained on either side of the women, close by as they snarled and snapped at Wren close enough to serve as a distraction but not nearing to do any damage. This was merely a spar - they didn’t need to go all out. But that didn’t mean Bellamy would completely restrain herself either. This was just as much a test of her own skill for Wren as it was for her to see if Wren faltered and caused doubt to stir in Bellamy’s mind about her pack. A fighter who truly cared for their people would give their best and nothing less… and if they didn’t? If they held doubts in their own heart? Their fight would not be as confident or sure. That was the key Bellamy was testing for. Bellamy vs Wren for Spar Round 1/2 Age: Over 1 Year Size: Extra large Build: Medium Offensive Battle Accessory: Bone dagger Defensive Battle Accessory: Snow leopard cape Companion 1: Tasmanian Devil, Male - Battle Companion 2: American Badger, Female - Battle Skills: Advanced Fighter & Novice Intellectual "Speech" 'Thought.'

It was time to put words to the side and let actions speak.

Bellamy went for the front, shoving her weight around as most wolves did. Wren wondered if any large wolves fought valiantly without using their superior mass against smaller foes. Euryale dove right in the middle of Bellamy's attack, fearing no beast that attacked her mistress. The peregrine falcon cawed and shrieked, beating her wings to distract the striped woman.

It gave Wren an opportunity. As Bellamy rammed her, Euryale put distance between the pair. Wren stepped back, aware of Bellamy's companions snapping at her heels. She didn't give a shit about them currently. The peregrine falcon lifted herself up, in tandem with Wren's forward lunge. The brunette snapped her jaws, trying to close the distance again.

She aimed for Bellamy's right, under her chin. Trying to grasp the thick fur that protected her throat.

"Speech"

Wren vs Bellamy for SPAR
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather Bracers
Companion 1: Peregrine falcon, Female - Battle
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Bloodletter

A falcon swept downard, one that she could only assume was Wren’s companion. Bellamy hadn’t noticed the feathered beast before and now she was wishing she had paid a bit more heed to the sky. She was used to fighting with a companions, mainly her own, but not birds. It was serving it’s purpose, a distraction and a deterrent from proceeding… partly because Bellamy knew going for the bird could cause some damage to it. And the last thing she wanted to do was cause some serious harm when all she wanted was a home. Hurting your allies was, well, frowned upon to say the least. Rather than lift her head upward, however, Bellamy ducked her head, hoping to dip around the beating wings of the beast. As the bird lifted up, however, the brown-furred she wolf attempted to close the distance between herself and Bellamy and those jaws, once aimed to where her throat was, now came for her cheek. Bellamy didn’t panic as Wren’s fangs pierced her skin and, instead, decided she was going to try and work this to her advantage somehow. Bellamy shifted her weight into her rear legs and pushed upward, lifting her forelimbs as she did so, in an attempt to wrap them around Wren’s neck. She wanted to bring the other woman down, even at the risk of causing some more damage to her own cheek, and try to pin her. Wasn’t like she could do much with her own fangs with Wren’s currently in her cheek. Taking note that their growling and snapping wasn’t doing much, Bellamy's companions decided to kick things up a notch. Whiskers knew what to do. The female badger aimed to tackle Wren's front right leg in hopes that, should Wren try to hold her ground against Bellamy's attack, it might shake her up and disrupt her. Ears followed her example on the left side though the Devil was a bit more zealous than his female friend and parted his jaws as he lunged in an attempt to clamp down around Wren's ankle. "Speech" 'Thought.'

Bellamy vs Wren for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Bone dagger
Defensive Battle Accessory: Snow leopard cape
Companion 1: Tasmanian Devil, Male - Battle
Companion 2: American Badger, Female - Battle
Skills: Expert Fighter & Novice Intellectual

Wren's fangs pierced Bellamy's cheek, and she was momentarily hit with the scent of blood. It poured from the wound, and she resisted coughing in disgust. Her spars had never been about drawing blood, so the shock flew her eyes open briefly. As if apologizing for her slight. But then it was back to business. It was clear the woman would fight tooth and nail for a home, to prove herself...

That at least earned respect.

She let go, leaning back just as Bellamy lifted them. Euryale dove again, trying to attack the companions that harassed Wren. Knowing the woman had leather bracers on her front legs to protect her, the peregrine went for the Devil. She beat wings against the companion, flailing her beak in an attempt to force it away from Wren.

The brunette allowed Bellamy to lift them and dove again at the neck. With arms around her neck and her face buried in Bellamy's fur, it was a sort of strange pseudo dance they weaved. Wren tried to keep herself balanced, momentarily stumbling against Bellamy heavily as the Devil staggered her. All it did was force fangs into the other woman's scruff.

The bracers had done their part to shield most of her from Whiskers.

"Speech"

Wren vs Bellamy for SPAR
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather Bracers
Companion 1: Peregrine falcon, Female - Battle
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Bloodletter

And the winner is...

WREN

BELLAMY must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: BELLAMY Attack Roll: 15 Defense Roll: 50 Agility Roll: 12 Perception Roll: 26 Total: 103 Attack[15] + 35% Bonus[5.25]: 20.25 Defense[50] + 15% Bonus[7.50]: 57.50 Agility[12] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 12.00 Perception[26] + 5% Bonus[1.30]: 27.30 Total[117.05] + 15% Bonus[17.56]: 134.61 WREN Attack Roll: 70 Defense Roll: 93 Agility Roll: 20 Perception Roll: 2 Total: 185 Attack[70] + 40% Bonus[28.00]: 98.00 Defense[93] + 15% Bonus[13.95]: 106.95 Agility[20] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 20.00 Perception[2] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 2.00 Total[226.95] + 40% Bonus[90.78]: 317.73

Their dance continued, her companion, Ears, staggering her opponent so that she landed heavily on her. Fangs went into scruff, though thankfully this time they did not draw blood. Bellamy, however, was satisfied. Wren had fought well for someone defending the truth of their pack and didn’t falter. She had no reason to believe the Armada was full of lies now. The only real test now would be to go see Sirius, the Warlord of the Armada itself. She broke away from Wren, shimmying backward and wiggling out of the other woman’s grasp. “That’s enough,” The woman breathed out. “You carry yourself well, Wren. I believe the truth in your words.” Her gaze shifted to her companions briefly as Ears and Whiskers scurried to her side. Whiskers was sure she was going to have a headache after this, but the Devil was in a good mood. He had had fun and for him, that was the bonus. “And you fight well for one so young.” There was respect shining in her eyes. “I thank you for your time, Wren. If you are also satisfied, I’d like to set up a time to meet with your Warlord. Whereabouts is the Armada located?” Her ears perked forward, breathing easily in and out. She would need to warn Lucette about the meeting, but she felt her daughter would be fine. She had been firm about staying with Bae-Syl… and though Bells was wary about her daughter and the yearling boy being on their own, she knew she couldn’t hold onto her little girl forever. "Speech" 'Thought.'

A win. Wren stood, a light pant escaping her lips. Bellamy congratulated her, and the alpha-to-be bowed her head in humility. "Armada is further north, you can't miss the border" if Bellamy and her partner were heading there, they may as well come to stay with the Menagerie, for now, "I came to you as an Armada wolf, fulfilling a debt to my friend" the brunette spoke truthfully now "I am leaving Armada to start my own pack on the other side of the mountain between us."

But it was up to them if they wanted to rest there before moving on. Wren would not push her. "We would be allies if you are accepted by the Warlord" she tells Bellamy "unless you prefer to come with me, I would welcome you and your partner" she didn't know if Sirius would truly accept them but it never hurt to try "but we've semi-claimed the Gorge; when you and yours feel ready to go meet the Warlord, come to the Gorge. Call me. I'll escort you to Armada's border." It would be a bit of a walk only to go back, but at least the Gorge was easier to spot.

Wren dipped her head and began to make off. "Thanks for the fight, Bellamy." She added politely. /exit

"Speech"

The Armada was in the North it seemed. But that wasn’t all, Bellamy learned. It seemed Wren might have come to her as a wolf of the Armada, but it turned out she was leaving to create her own pack. It explained her prowess. “I see. It is noble of you to do such. Remaining loyal to those you care for, even when your paths split, is a welcome trait for a leader. I’m sure you’ll do well.”The woman glanced down at Whiskers, double checking to make sure she was alright before glancing back at Wren. “You are kind, Wren. I will need to head back to The Orchard for Gav before I head that way, and say farewell to my daughter and her friend.” It pained her that Lucette would not come with them but she understood her daughter’s desire for adventure. She just prayed that Bae-Syl would be enough to keep them both safe. She dipped her head to the alpha-to-be as Wren prepared to take off. “Likewise, Wren.” She shifted her attention to Ears and Whiskers as Wren left. “Come on you two. Let's get back to the Orchard and let the others know the game plan.” She turned on her paw, feeling hopeful for the future. /End "Speech" 'Thought.'