Given how strange the world had been these last few months, it was hard not to feel deeply unsettled. Not that their discomfort was evident- at least not any more evident than normal. Seiko's features were gravely set as they wove between the tall dragon blood trees, their companion Herijika skittering along behind them. The female tabby cat batted idly at a few loose bits of dirt, watching the way they tumbled over the dry ground before they crumbled. The feline's tail twitched in amusement, and Seiko's dark eyes followed her for a moment. They'd been slacking a bit on their training these days, which was understandable. They and their siblings had gone north in search of what was happening and some were still out looking for answers. Seiko preferred to stay close to home though, leaving the scouting to their siblings better suited to it. Imagining Tojo-Kai left without any family to protect their borders didn't settle well with them, so they had returned and remained. Pausing near one of the trees, Seiko lifted their head high and let out a call. They hoped to find a partner to spar with today. Their experiences seeking out strangers to brawl with had been beneficial so far, and they were eager to find another.

The Morningstar trotted through the dry expanse, his cyan eyes catching the flicker of movement in the distance just as the call reached him. His red-tailed hawks soared above him, their vibrant magenta plumage catching the sunlight like embers against the azure sky. The pair of them danced through the air, their sharp cries harmonizing with the rustling wind as Oath approached.

The devil-horned wolf's reflection caught in the curved surfaces of his golden collar, the diamond-edged plates shimmering faintly with each shift of his muscular frame. His elongated fang caps glinted when he parted his lips to taste the air, confirming the scent of another was nearby - a wolf. And from the sound of it, a sparring partner.

Seiko's call had been bold and clear. It piqued his curiosity. Not one to ignore such invitations, Oath quickened his pace, the rhythmic beat of his paws tapping against the dry earth. The dragon blood trees came into view, their crimson sap markings like the tears of the land itself. He admired their unusual beauty before his gaze shifted to the figure standing beneath them.

"Quite the spot for a challenge," Oath remarked, his voice warm but edged with intrigue as he drew closer. His birds swooped low, landing deftly on a nearby branch. The hawks' movements were precise and intentional, an extension of Oath's calculations.

"I heard your call," he said, tilting his horned head with a slight grin. "You're looking for someone to spar with, yes? Well, you've found me." His stance shifted slightly, shoulders rolling in readiness. The reflective sheen of his collar and fangs made him seem almost otherworldly in the dappled light.

"Shall we test our mettle?" he asked, cyan eyes sparkling with confidence. He didn't want to assume the other accepted him as a sparring partner, but adrenaline was already coursing through him. It took everything in him to restrain from starting off with an attack right away.

"Speech"

Oath Morningstar

CODE BY SIN