For the mountainous woman, it was one of those mornings where she had awoken with a fire in her belly. Nightmares that caused little sleep and restless pacing moved her body through Auster toward a deserted area covered in bones. An entire graveyard of skeletal remains stared at her from the dirt as she crossed the boundaries into the Boneyard. Unlike the Battlefield in Boreas, this area was not as stained. Lifeless and barren, yes, but not many had sparred here as they did in the north. It felt strange that Auster wolves carried themselves farther north to spar when there was a perfectly good arena right here. Stopping in an open spot, the titan lifts her muzzle to the cloudy skies. Calling out to an opponent to help keep her body in shape, she waits.

The place Memento Mori found herself that day was a bit on the unnerving side. Skeletal remains were scattered about and had earned this place it’s name. She walked ahead of the boys, her jackal companions who also served as her greatest company. She drew in a small breath, her ears perked forward as her pale gaze swept the area. She had to wonder how many lives were lost here, how many different species made up the remains of those who had fallen. It was kind of neat too. She had never seen a place with so many bones. Maybe there had simply been too many fallen combatants to bury them all. It must have stunk to high heaven at one point here. “Do you think jackals ever fought here?” Rein asked. “Probably. Especially if they were sweet enough to ever pair up with a wolf, like you two.” Meme shot him a grin. She was grateful for them. They were a reason she felt stronger, but not in the sense that she was unbeatable. But in the sense, she wasn’t afraid to stand up for the right reasons. Like she could make progress for herself. They were strength and courage, both brothers each representing one side, and they looked to her for her greater wisdom. They were truly a trio that was meant to be. A call rose over the lands and Meme set off at once, the two black-backed jackals in tow. It didn’t take long for them to find the one who called - a woman who appeared to rival her mother in stature… though she seemed a bit closer to Memento Mori’s age. The woman appeared ready, armored, and armed, Meme noticed, with companions in the wings. Memento Mori herself had Rein and Jacque, as well as a blade she had crafted herself from bone… not that it’d be necessary if this woman only wanted a sparring partner. It was better not to leave such opponents too injured. “Greetings,” Memento Mori rumbled softly. “I am Memento Mori Lore. My companions and I would like to answer your call for a sparring partner.” She had stopped a couple of wolf lengths away from the other femme. Enough of a distance for their spar to start where they weren’t on top of one another, at least. “Would you prefer the first move? Or would you like us to take it?” "Talk, 'Think.'

She had taken to keeping an eye on her pair of snow leopards when the tremble of paw steps vibrated the ground beneath her. Flexing her toes as she turned her attention toward the approaching stranger, Tenshi stayed ready for anything. It was not uncommon for someone to initiate a spar in these areas without a single spoken word. The element of surprise was sometimes greater than formalities that could be saved for later. Even still, her placid expression never changed as the fae approached with two jackals. With a slight raise of her brow, Tenshi nodded toward her in greeting. "A pleasure Memento Mori Lore, I am Yama Tenshi," there is a rumble to her own thickly accented vocals. Her eyes trailed over her new opponent as she slid her paw to slightly widen her stance. Tenshi's movements were subtle as Memento Mori asked if she would take the first move or should they. The girl was only slightly younger, slightly shorter, and with a slimmer build; she often fought opponents that were more similar to that than her own frame. "You may make the first move," her words are to the point as she lifts her tail to an even position and lets her ears begin to fall backward. She wanted to see what the girl was capable of or if she were more dependent on her companions. Her own three would wait patiently behind her in case Tenshi called them forward, but for the time being, they would wait patiently.

The woman was kind enough to respond to her pleasantries and for that Meme was grateful. She introduced herself as Yama Tenshi in a thickly accented voice. Memento Mori had not met many with an accent like hers, let alone so thick, but at least she spoke the common tongue and could be understood. After the introduction she even moved to widen her stance and prepared for the fight at paw, even saying that she, Meme, could make the first move in their spar. Very well, if Yama wanted her to take the first move, then she would take it. Memento Mori widened her own stance, legs spread equal distance apart before lining up with her shoulders. Her claws bit into the soil, hoping to aid her with balance and traction, and she aligned her head and tail with her spine to make movements more fluid and easily managed. Finally, she narrowed her eyes, pinned her ears back against her skull, and raised the fur along her body. She glanced to either side, at her companions, to ensure they were ready, and then prepared to rush forward. With the other woman being a bit taller than she was she’d need to be mindful of facial attacks, and grabbing her scruff would certainly be more difficult. Her shoulders were also a no-go, what with the studded pads so wore there. So Meme made her plan and attempted to lunge forward. Memento Mori sought to close the gap between the two of them swiftly, aware that every second she wasted in movement was a second that Yama could also move. She wanted to close the distance quickly and, as Meme came closer, she shifted slightly to her own left, Yama’s right. Then she came in a bit lower, head tilting to her right so that she was able to attempt a bite onto Yama’s right foreleg. She didn’t aim to bite down as harshly as she could have - this was a spar after all and hurting her opponent seriously would be in bad taste. But she still wanted to get a hold. She knew there were risks for every attack, however, and was mentally prepared for some sort of counter from the other woman. Meanwhile, Rein came alongside Meme’s left, hoping to assist his mistress by keeping the other companions off her on that side, while Jacques came in on Meme’s right and out so that he was at Yama’s left. He came in hot, barking and snarling, though he didn’t move to assist Meme with heckling the other woman just yet. He was to serve as noise, a distraction, and if one of both of the land-based companions came his way he’d be ready to rise up and meet them. "Talk, 'Think.'

Memento Mori vs Tenshi for Spar
Round 1/?
Age: Over One Year (Four Years)
Size: Extra large
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Bone dagger
Companion 1: Black-backed jackal, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Black-backed jackal, Male - Battle
Skills: Advanced Intellectual & Intermediate Fighter

The swift movement of her slightly shorter opponent was no surprise to Tenshi. Already having slipped into a sparring mentality, she would stay light on her toes. Both steel blue eyes of hers would focus on Memento as she sought to close the distance. As the inches closed between them, Tenshi tucked her chin farther but raised her head above shoulder width. Leaving her legs and chest open for the oncoming attempt, she shifted her weight and took a step to the right. Allowing Memento to instead grab ahold of her left foreleg instead of her right, her expression barely faltered at the grasp of teeth around her leg. Keeping her momentum going and thankful that her opponent chose a close-up tactic, Tenshi let her muscles coil for a moment. Releasing her built-up strength, she thrust her right shoulder forward. Keeping her left paw planted that Memento held onto, she aimed to bowl her right side into Memento's left shoulder and chest area. Hoping to leave a bruise or knock the wind out of the girl, she called forth her companions to meet the jackals. Kita and Fuji met the jackal that barked for distraction along her left side. Not attempting to attack, but aiming to fend off the small canine, they swiped sharp claws in the air. Pushing closer to Tenshi to try and create some distance between the companion and their master, they continued to swipe and hiss loudly. From the air, her egret, Aino, swooped down to try and distract the other jackal. Flapping large ivory wings at the other canine, it hoped to deter it away from Memento Mori enough so that the two contenders would have to fight alone. Tenshi vs Memento Mori for Spar Round 1/2 Age: Over 1 Size: Dire wolf Build: Heavy Offensive Battle Accessory: Shuriken Defensive Battle Accessory: Studded shoulder pads Companion 1: Snow leopard, Male - Battle Companion 2: White Egret, Male - Flying *Companion 3: Snow leopard, Female - Battle Mutation 1: Antlers - Offensive Mutation 2: Thick skin - Defensive Skills: Advanced Fighter & Expert Healer

Tenshi stepped to her right and as a result displaced Memento Mori’s bite, though not by much. She achieved her bite, just not around Tenshi’s right foreleg as she had hoped. Still, the woman got her hold, and with the woman’s leg held in her jaws Meme now had to do something with her hold. Meme made the attempt to pull back, the two now in a power clash against one another. Tenshi came forward with her right shoulder, thrusting it forth with another force into Memento Mori’s left shoulder where it connected to her chest. The impact was hard enough to cause Meme to grunt and bite down harder, though it didn’t seem to pierce Tenshi’s skin yet even still which was… surprising. No doubt the other woman’s attack would leave some bruising, but though it hurt the long-haired woman didn’t let go of her hold. To try and keep the other woman from attempting another slam to loosen her Memento Mori swiped her left foreleg out and wrap it around Tenshi’s right foreleg and yank it, hoping to pull her forth by both legs and compromise her balance. As the two grounded companions came at him from the left Jacques backed off, growling as he warily eyed the two. It was a spar, so he didn’t expect much of an attack, though their sharp claws swiping at the air before him was enough to discourage the jackal from trying to get close again. He tried to counter against them, leaping forth only to bounce back again away from claws. It wasn’t easy to manage against two opponents instead of one. Rein didn’t have it any easier, unfortunately. With three companions Tenshi had the advantage. Rein bounced back as the egret came at him, a snarl ripping from his lips as he focused on the bird. He snapped his jaws toward it, though he didn’t actually aim to get a hold. Birds were far more brittle than most land-based creatures. Still, the egret’s attempt to keep him away from Meme had been successful. He was held back, as was Jacques, leaving the two women in a power struggle. "Talk, 'Think.'

Memento Mori vs Tenshi for Spar
Round  2/2
Age: Over One Year (Four Years)
Size: Extra large
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Bone dagger
Companion 1: Black-backed jackal, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Black-backed jackal, Male - Battle
Skills: Advanced Intellectual & Intermediate Fighter

Her companions' efforts were successful. While their tactics were only to deter, not to harm, they continued to keep a barrier around Tenshi so their opponent's companions couldn't change their minds. Thankful for her animals being swift to help, Tenshi leaned all of her focus on Memento Mori. At first, she had perhaps underestimated her sparring partner, but as their strength struggled between each other to topple one or the other, she grew slightly impressed. It was not an easy feat to unbalance someone as large or as hefty as herself. Some females may enjoy the slimmer figure, but Tenshi was proud of her thick, muscular frame. She felt the grind of Memento's teeth around her foreleg but continued to hold her ground. Even as Memento snagged her forepaw around her other foreleg, Tenshi dug her paws into the dirt to solidify her stance. Bracing herself against the yanking force of her opponent's pull, Tenshi leaned against it so that she would not fall. This would be her chance to get in a good attack. Adrenaline was beginning to deteriorate and if they didn't declare a winner soon, she would have to back off. Before Memento could let go of either of her forepaws, Tenshi reached forward with jaws open. Aiming to grab ahold of Memento's vulnerable scruff area, Tenshi dove in quickly. Tenshi vs Memento Mori for Spar Round 2/2 Age: Over 1 Size: Dire wolf Build: Heavy Offensive Battle Accessory: Shuriken Defensive Battle Accessory: Studded shoulder pads Companion 1: Snow leopard, Male - Battle Companion 2: White Egret, Male - Flying *Companion 3: Snow leopard, Female - Battle Mutation 1: Antlers - Offensive Mutation 2: Thick skin - Defensive Skills: Advanced Fighter & Expert Healer

And the winner is...

TENSHI

MEMENTO MORI must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: memento mori: Attack Roll: 44 Defense Roll: 10 Agility Roll: 17 Perception Roll: 77 Total: 148 Attack[44] + 30% Bonus[13.20]: 57.20 Defense[10] + 5% Bonus[0.50]: 10.50 Agility[17] + 5% Bonus[0.85]: 17.85 Perception[77] + 15% Bonus[11.55]: 88.55 Total[174.10] + 10% Bonus[17.41]: 191.51 tenshi: Attack Roll: 92 Defense Roll: 4 Agility Roll: 39 Perception Roll: 47 Total: 182 Attack[92] + 50% Bonus[46.00]: 138.00 Defense[4] + 45% Bonus[1.80]: 5.80 Agility[39] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 39.00 Perception[47] + 10% Bonus[4.70]: 51.70 Total[234.50] + 15% Bonus[35.17]: 269.68

Her opponent's companions kept her own away from assisting her though that wasn't such a bad thing when sparring. Sometimes it was better to be down to just the two wolves; it left the playing field a little more even. Memento Mori could feel her stamina for the spar wearing, however. Tenshi was a formidable opponent and the larger woman leaning back against her pull was putting a strain on her that Meme did not want to admit. She growled lightly but knew that if she couldn't manage to throw Tenshi's balance in a moment it could all be over. The taller woman moved in to reach for Memento Mori's scruff and a surprised, costly gasp at being grabbed there, much like a child being grabbed by their mother, was enough to cost Memento Mori her hold. Tenshi's limb slipped from her maw and her own limb slipped down from where she had been trying to pull it forward. It was pretty much over. She had failed to bring her opponent down. "I've got to concede to you. You are a hard opponent to take down." This was it - she was submitting and giving the official rule of victory to Tenshi. "Talk, 'Think.'