Ember was always eager for an opportunity to get to participate in bigger events with the Hallows or with other packs, so when her father asked her to join him at the pack challenge, the Carpathian princess was all for it! She grabbed her sword swiftly and hurried downstairs to join her sire and any other Hallows wolves that wanted to watch the show. She’d never seen a proper pack challenge before! How exciting! But as enthusiastic as she was to go watch the fight, Em kept herself cool and composed, still wanting to put on a good showing for her family and her pack.

They arrived at the Boneyard mid-battle. Aww, they’d missed the start! With a bit of a pout, Ember started surveying the other wolves around. She didn’t recognize many of them, but one small group of observers had her father tense and on guard. Em followed his gaze when he instructed her to only observe and keep to themselves, eyeing the strangers curiously. The woman she recognized from her distinctive markings and all her lessons on the other packs of Ardent—Medusa—but the others she didn’t know. Putting them out of her mind, Ember focused her attention on the fighting, watching and analyzing the combatants’ moves and maneuvers and silently critiquing them in her mind.

"Ember Carpathius" | "Carpathian"

The tiny winged wolf had heard the call, but he hadn’t wanted to believe it. While he knew Bellatrix was ambitious, a small part of him had hoped that she wouldn’t have to fight to initiate a pack for her family. His stomach churned in knots as he fetched Beauregard from where the man had been resting. He knew that he would want to be there for Trixy as well. But nothing would have prepared him for what opponent he saw her fighting. When they arrived, it was the same woman that had won the right to a pack before Bellatrix before. His fur bristled, seeing the supporters of the other woman. She might have been defending their pack, but if any of them dared talk bad about Bellatrix, Gavroche wasn’t going to stand idly by and just let them talk down on her.

Even with anxiety flaring in his gut at the fight, Gavroche helped Beauregard settle before pacing the outskirts of the fight. His green eyes betrayed worry, but he knew that just because you were tiny didn’t mean you weren’t strong. Giving his all against Dusk, he had done alright against her, but she had managed to win out with experience in the end. The pixie stopped and straightened, calling out to his friend. “Come on Trixy, you got this! It’s not the size of the wolf in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the wolf!” He barked. Win or lose, he was going to be right there beside her.

"Speech," 'Thought.'

table coding by bunni ♥

Trixy’s call didn’t surprise him, although Beauregard had wished his daughter had taken a little more time before plunging into a challenge. With his leg still healing, Beauregard was slow to rise. Thankfully, young Gavroche arrived to lend a paw in getting him to the boneyard. With ears perked and blue gaze thoughtful, Beauregard wondered what opponent Bellatrix had decided to take on. The fight was into the thick of it when they arrived, and Beauregard’s stomach churned when he recognized the woman that Trixy had fought before. Why would she challenge her again? Was it stubbornness? A determination to win?

Beau’s ears flicked back against his skull and his tail flicked anxiously behind him. He could feel Gavroche tense as well, neither of them liking what they were seeing. Gav moved from his side, but it was clear to see the pixie was anxious, wanting to jump in to defend his friend but knowing better than to interfere with the challenge. Beauregard remained quiet, gaze focused on the fight. It felt like he scarcely dared to breathe. He just hoped that the wolves of the other pack wouldn’t hunt his daughter down for her attempts should she win.

"Speech," 'Thought.'

When Fairytale approached, Atreyu waited for her to settle in before leaning her weight slightly back against the young woman. To only Fairytale she said, "The smaller one is the kind one who gave me the quail. The larger wolf threw dirt in my eyes during a spar..." Her holographic gaze didn't leave the combatants until new wolves showed up. She only spared a glance at them, though, and returned her eyes back to the fight before her. For Fairytale's ears only she spoke softly, "Take note of our neighbors, Fairytale, we will need to know them in the future." Atreyu had her own opinions, but for now she watched and silently cheered on the smaller woman in the ring. A few times she had to hold herself back, her front paw moving forward of its own accord before she stopped herself. It wasn't her place to intervene here.

She didn't want to draw undue attention to herself just yet, nor did she want to cause any untimely drama, so she didn't yell out like some did. Instead, she carefully watched the two and tried not to jump in, wondering who would come out the victor. A few of the wolves in attendance seemed to enjoy the fight, watching with open glee on their faces. A couple she noticed came in a bit late, with a wolf she had only met once along with them. Atreyu remembered her as Ember, though she couldn't quite remember the surname. Perhaps after the dust had settled they could go over and speak with them, for now, she simply watched and held herself back from jumping into the fray when things got hairy. Fairytale would be the only one to truly notice the antsy way Atreyu sat, her muscles tensing every so often as she fought internally to remain seated.

"Talk." || Think || 'Hear.'

code by bird, art by alo

The albino woman sat there, watching everything unfold before her eyes, she stayed quiet as the two combatants finished. Fairytale listened to Atreyu speak out, a smile offered to the smaller woman, and then eyes flash towards the woman of darkness. A slight snarl was offered, hackles rose. The other she seen as a threat now due to Atreyus tones. Shaking her cranium and centering herself once more. She couldn't intervene or draw unwanted attention to herself. No, however time would come. But she had a nasty taste within her mouth.

"That's a cheap move for anyone to pull on another. I do not care if it's a spar or not." The blood boiled within Fairytale who was almost always gentle and tender. A caregiver in a sense, someone that would go to the ends of the earth to protect her loved ones. But still it did not faze her from offering nods to others that came up to the battle.

Taking note to Bellatrix's stances a friendly smile was offered to the other woman before turning back to Atreyu. "I helped her trap some pygmy pigs, she taught me how to make traps, I want to master that when I can. And help with food also for the band."

Placing her cranium against Atreyus shoulder to try and help the tension that also boiled within the woman.

"Speech"

CODE BY SIN

It was no secret that the demigod would follow his queen and betrothed everywhere she went. As her body guard it was expected of him. He'd remained in the shadows long enough to see the pint sized warrior take on the massive alpha she was challenging, long enough to see more and more gather. His quills were standing as his hackles were raised to the tension in the air. He could remain no longer in the background.

He moved forth, taking a silent seat next to Atreyu as she spoke of the two combatants to their newest band member, Fairytale. The smaller was to blame for many things then, the pigs he heard about and the quail Atreyu was treating like pets. An ear cocked to the two females. Nothing need be said about the tiny femme from him then. The admission of the larger woman's actions in a spar had him chuckle. Dirty tactics but as a war veteran the man was aware of the need for such things. Fairytale's words causing a snort of indignation the teens neither had seen war then. "War calls for many things, and I recommend applying those tactics should you ever find yourself in those situations. Dirty as it may of been, it gave her the edge on the fight did it not?" Eyes cast to the two briefly before he settled himself beside Atreyu, keeping himself between her and the form of the male who resembled the demon king. Suspicious eyes then thrown to him and hackles rising.

There was something about that male that reminded him of the man and his demon spawn. He would be more lax if the scent of the man hadn't reached his nostrils. The man smelled of some closeness to the two. Azriel had tangoed with the demon king personally and he would not allow a family member of the Demon king near his betrothed and her followers. Just because Fairytale had not made herself an acquaintance to the man did not mean she was not afforded the protection of the bodyguard. She had become a follower of Atreyu and with Oath's actions towards the tiny thing, she was afforded every ounce of his protection he could give just as the rest of Judila was.

"Atreyu" || "Azriel"

code by bird, art by asena

Although The Syndicate’s Effendi Dhaka lingered in a neighboring territory, he was still late to the pack challenge that rang out in The Boneyard. It was coincidental- a summons for an audience occurring as he tracked Nilas scent down south, out of his own, morbid curiosity. She really fled to The Hallows, it seemed. And of course, Rhazien was never the type to miss an influential event- one that could manipulate the very world they lived in. He decided to attend the challenge, to gather information and report it back to the Sultan. That was his purpose, after all.

With his serval companions at his side, Rhazien arrives as the battle climaxes. And he has a moment of Deja Vu. He’s seen this pair battle before, over the same dispute. Would the outcome be any different this time?

A large group had congregated to witness the battle, including the alphas of other packs. Medusa, Artorias, and the former Norad king. Rhazien blends seamlessly in the crowd, keeping to himself for now. There was no point in drawing attention to himself just yet.

"Speech"

Reaper watched a new people gathered around. Wolves he had never seen before. Smells of packs he had never met before. He watched them all with a cautious gaze, his eyes searching for Mae. His seagreen eyes spotted her and he noticably perked up. As Mae approached, he kept his stripped tail from wagging too much. When she laid her head on his paws, he bent down to her ears. "I'm glad you came." He whispered sweetly, feeling the lick on his inner neck and then the nip. He gently napped at one of her ears back and placed a soft kiss on the top of her forehead. He watched his Queen battle on against the small, pink, challenger with no words to be said. He simply stared and watched, a knot forming in his gut. If his Queen lost, he would loose his home again. If she won, it would be secured. He could tell others of the pack were less neutral. Some were even seething with rage, and Reaper could not fault them for this. Their home was being threatened. He didn't see the wrong in their anger.

BELLATRIX vs WIDOW for PACK CHALLENGE

ROUND ONE

BELLATRIX:

STATUS

12/12 for Experience:

• +6 Master Fighter
• +6 Master Hunter

4/5 for Health:

• -1 Loner

WRITING

8/10 for Power Play:

Attempts|Godmoding|If/Then Statments|Excessive Movement|Realism


• -2 Each companion may only serve one attack. We counted the first one and are disregarding the rest. 

6/10 for Clarity:

Attacks|Positioning|Directions|Movements|Damage


• -1 where is Frank in relation to Bellatrix at the start of the fight? I'm not sure where his starting point is relative to the wolves
• -1 how is Frank moving to reach Widow's shoulder?  She is 45", as a mini-reindeer he'd be 25" at most.
• -1 what is Frank's intent with his shoulder throw. What kind of damage/result is he attempting?
• -1 what angle is Trixy attacking at in relation to Widow's body. Like is she facing perpendicular to Widow's hind leg or at an angle?

4/10 for Attacks:

• +2 Reindeer shoulder throw
• +2 horn stab

5/5 for Defenses:

• +1 each seen

10/10 for Injuries:

• list injuries (even first round, deductions beginning second)

BELLATRIX’s round one total: 49/62

--------------------

WIDOW:

STATUS

12/12 for Experience:

• +6 Master Fighter
• +6 Master Intellectual

5/5 for Health:

• no deductions

WRITING

3/10 for Power Play:

Attempts|Godmoding|If/Then Statments|Excessive Movement|Realism


• -1 how does Widow know what attack the reindeer is going to do? It seems like she's predicting it exactly without any reason given for the prediction.
• -2 too much movement. Widow is surging forward, lifting her paw, putting it down, curving her body, pivoting, etc. Bellatrix and the reindeer attacked at the same time. Fights happen in fractions of seconds. 
  
• -2 too much movement Widow is managing to attack Bellatrix with her rear leg then spin around (seemingly 180) to throw in a jaw attack. You need to give your opponent space to respond to attacks.
  
• -1 if/then. She's attempting to bite and throw. The throw attempt is reliant on the bite actually landing.
• -1 you need to acknowledge/respond to Bellatrix's horn attack.

1/10 for Clarity:

Attacks|Positioning|Directions|Movements|Damage


• -1 what is the first raven's intent with the talon attack? what's it trying to do?
• -1 what direction is the second raven attack from? if its diving down how does it alter its flight to get underneath the jaw?
• -1 make sure to specify whose left when writing direction
• -2 remember Widow is bigger and longer than her opponents. How is she getting her right hip all the way over to the front of the reindeer? How is she getting her hip down to his level?
• -2 how is Widow curving her shoulder to avoid the reindeer's shoulder? which way is she curving her upper body? Or whole body?  Why does the shoulder not hit her side?
• -1where on the rear limb is Widow aiming her bite attack? You should state the target in layman's terms. Also the semitendinosus muscle is a long muscle and jaw position could vary.
• -1 where on Bellatrix's muzzle is Widow trying to land her attack?

7/10 for Attacks:

• +2 raven talon attack
• +2 second ravens talon attack
• +1 hip throw
• +2 bite attack

5/5 for Defenses:

• +1 for each seen

10/10 for Injuries:

• list injuries (even first round, deductions beginning second)
• scrape to right scapula and rib cage

WIDOW’s round one total: 43/62

————————————————————————————————————————————————————

ROUND TWO

BELLATRIX:

STATUS

12/12 for Experience:

• +6 Master Fighter
• +6 Master Hunter

4/5 for Health:

• -1 Loner

WRITING

7/10 for Power Play:

Attempts|Godmoding|If/Then Statments|Excessive Movement|Realism


• -1 realism. Simply closing the eyes is unlikely to shield efficiently against talons.
• -2 powerplay (each companion can only make one attack. Counted first, ignored the other)

2/10 for Clarity:

Attacks|Positioning|Directions|Movements|Damage


• -1 where did the second raven's attack land?
• -2 which way is the reindeer turning and how is he moving away?
• -1 clarity make sure to clarify whose right Trixy is turning to.
• -2 how is she folding her body and in what way and direction?
• -1 how is she moving as she 'unfurls'. Is she attacking straight on or at an angle?
• -1 above as in on top of Widow's muzzle or above in above where it connects to her face?

5/10 for Attacks:

• +2 for raven talon attack
• +3 bite with grip attempt
• +0 paw to muzzle. This didn't really come across as part of an attack.

5/5 for Defenses:

• +1 for each seen

10/10 for Injuries:

• none seen

BELLATRIX’s round two total: 45/62

--------------------


WIDOW:

STATUS

12/12 for Experience:

• +6 Master Fighter
• +6 Master Intellectual

5/5 for Health:

• no deductions

WRITING

7/10 for Power Play:

Attempts|Godmoding|If/Then Statments|Excessive Movement|Realism


• -2 Bellatrix is going for the left side of Widow's face not the right.
• -1 remember fight movements happen in fractions of a second.  Widow was launching her head at Bellatrix to attack, then whips it all the way back to her shoulders(?), then whips it down again.

2/10 for Clarity:

Attacks|Positioning|Directions|Movements|Damage


• -1 the cat is attacking the wing portion then the writing suggests the bird's right side. There needs to be one clear target
• -1 is the cat attacking straight on or at any particular angle? how's she positioned to the bird when she attacks?
• -2 I'm really lost here, is "the woman began to turn away" Bellatrix or Widow? who is turning and how?  What is "over her own right shoulder" referencing?
• -1 "pulled her head up and back against her shoulders" I'm having trouble visualizing this movement did she whip her head so far back its up against the top of her shoulders?
• -1 what is Widow's intent with the jaw attack? Is she trying to cause damage or obtain a hold?
• -1 Widow is mentioned to be going for the scruff and also the whole neck. You need to pick a specific target.
• -1 at what angle is Widow in relation to Bellatrix when performing that paw stomp?

6/10 for Attacks:

• +2 cat scratch
• +2 paw stomp, added severity for size difference
• +2 bite to scruff

5/5 for Defenses:

• +1 for each seen

10/10 for Injuries:

• -0 for light bruising to right hip

WIDOW’s round two total: 47/62

Totals:

BELLATRIX: 94/124
WIDOW: 90/124

And the winner is…BELLATRIX!

WIDOW must give up by either submitting, fleeing, or passing out.

- By Lunarcat7 [with input from Ali and Tealah]

Don't go down without a The others head moved and she thought she was going to go flying past though the stomp to her foot kept her from doing so and she landed with her paws flat on the ground, lips still peeled as a bite to her scruff landed. The fight was over though, clearly. She had won and she wasn't about to stay so close to the larger bully of a woman. She wiggled and pulled, ripping a bit of fur out only to move a bit off and turning to face the woman. "Well fought, I hope you find somewhere you can belong with you and yours...." her words quiet and for the darker woman's ears only. A smile finding her face as she shook out her pelt. Then those dual toned eyes were looking out at the faces around. A black male she recognized from the syndicate her first eyes, a narrow of her eyes. Good he could run home and tell his alpha how Norad weren't weaklings. Then she fixed her eyes and moved them to other faces. Artorias gaining a smile and a nod from her. He would see her soon. Then there were the forms of the albino woman fairytale and the pink spotted one Atreyu. She could expect to see them soon she suspected. Then the strange woman and her entourage of black and white pelted wolves. She made a note in her head that the large black and white woman from the day she had caught the salmon had made it. Then the wolves that seemed to back Widow, an apologetic glance thrown their way. She was sorry they were losing their home but not that she was strong enough to stand up for what she believed in. Finally her eyes fell on her dad, Eltrys and Gav. She beamed at them. Everyone probably expected some big huge speech. She made to move to her place, chest heaving from the adrenaline wearing off. A stand taken where she had begun the fight, joined by Frank and then Charlie as he landed on her shoulder. "I am Bellatrix Ravenwood and today Norad rises once more. Those interested in joining or speaking with me about the relations of our packs may find me in the God's Garden. As for the wolves of her pack, you are all released of your bindings and if you find you are willing to work for someone else you are also welcome to seek me out." offer extended she turned to her dad sister and Gav. A smile at Imogen and her dad as she moved again to stand with her dad for a moment. He had a broken leg and she didn't expect him to go hunting her down and she wasn't sure how her sister would feel. "Join me in Norad Genny and dad? And your welcome as well if you like Gav. I appreciate you helping dad get here by the way." She was ready still for retaliation but figured none would. She turned to look at any that wanted to approach her though after her family gave their answers and seated herself ready to speak with any that wanted to today. Walk, "Talk", Think Fight, little wolf, fight, little wolf

_{Code by Asena}

A smile crossed her lips as the fight ended with a friendly female slightly smaller than herself, joyful eyes look towards Atreyu and then back towards the pinkish purple and blue hued woman known as Bellatrix. Her tail waving behind her with excitement. Twin peaks shifting upon her cranium. It was her first time watching that of a territory battle, one so severe. But the victor stood there then she spoke out. Stating what she wanted and wished for. Trixy had skills that Fairytale wished to know more about. She wanted to know the newest Alpha known as Bellatrix Ravenwood a little better. Fairytale moved towards the woman, a dip of her head was given as words fell from her lips. "Congratulations Ms. Bellatrix Ravenwood of Norad."

"Speech"

CODE BY SIN

Honestly though Imogen is excited for her sister she can't help but worry too. She'd never really been one for violence and she certainly wasn't about to change her mind any time soon. In fact there was a good chance this fight would do the opposite. It sucked having to watch her older sister fight like this, fighting down the impulse to jump in and break it up with every hit Trixy took. It was probably the most control she'd managed in a while. As the fight went on she picked up a familiar scent and felt a mixture of happiness and worry at seeing her dad. She moved to settle beside him once he and the little winged wolf stopped, leaning slightly into him though very aware of his broken leg, eyes glued on Trixy the whole time and the tiniest hint of a whine pulling from her lungs. And despite it all, it seemed the fight ended much quicker than she could have anticipated. Trixy stepping away... Victorious? Victorious! Imogen almost immediately sprang to her paws, literally jumping up. She wanted to run over to her sister and celebrate but Trixy was saying important adulty, leadery things so instead she danced from paw to paw. It was only when her sister turned to them, asking if she was going to join that Imogen finally gave into her impulse. A grin splitting her face as she answered with a "Duh!" before pelting full tilt towards her sister, forgetting that she was probably gonna need some medical attention as she aimed to gleefully scoop her sister into a playfully roll, planning fully to tumble onto the ground herself. "Speech"

Base by Srinyx

The fighting was intense, and Artorias watched the two women fight with such ferocity, silently critiquing the fight in his head as he observed each move made. In the end though, Bellatrix was able to secure the upper hand, and with a quick move she toppled Widow and secured her victory. Artorias harbored no malcontent toward Widow—hell, he hadn't even gotten to know the new Austral pack—but he was happy to see Bellatrix's desires to rebuild her family's home come to fruition. When the young girl looked up at him with a smile, Artorias returned the gesture with a smile and approving nod of his own. She'd earned her win. He listened while she proudly declared that Norad had returned, then followed her pointed gaze out to the crowd. The moment his eyes fell upon Rhazien his gaze narrowed, glaring daggers at the Syndicate brute. Of course the mongrels from the north would send someone down to watch...

Artorias was pleased to hear Bellatrix did not intend to keep any of the Hellborn wolves captive and instead released them all to their own devices. When she declared that Norad would be meeting to take the God's Garden, however, his smile faltered and fell. The God's Garden was a pivotal place to gather herbs and healing supplies from, both for the Hallows and for the public. If Norad was claiming this land, did that mean Trixy intended to keep and hoard these supplies for herself? Hmm... that was a conversation they were going to have to have. But for now, Artorias would let her enjoy her victory and get her family together again. There would be time to talk later.

Rising to his paws, Artorias motioned to Ember to follow him. "Come. We're done here," he whispered to her, keeping his guarded glare on Rhazien and Medusa. He didn't wish to stay around in case the violence spilled over into the crowd.

-exit Artorias-

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian"