Adelaide's white figure moved silently through the trees. She raised her nose often, trying to find the boundary line. This was the pack she'd heard about. The pack she had come to join. Ludicael. She felt a surge of hope as her bright blue eyes scanned the ground. Already she saw many useful herbs here. Dandelion, boneset, and even a patch of early wolfsbane. Her tipped ears caught the sound of a babbling stream. Perhaps she could even find watercress nearby. How exciting! Lost in a sudden burst of happy energy, Adelaide threw her head back and let out an open howl. For a moment she panicked, but then the feeling died away. She wanted to get this pack's attention, after all. Who cared if they heard her? She wanted to join, her intentions were pure. So the howl continued to echo through the grove of trees, bouncing through the territory until the girl was sure everyone had heard it. Then, as the last of the sound died away, Adelaide rested her haunches on the soft ground. Her thick white tail curled around her body like a fox. The dark black tip danced as she flipped her tail with excitement. This was the start of her new life. She would find a teacher here, someone to guide her in the art of healing. She knew a lot already, but she wouldn't stop until she'd mastered it. She wouldn't stop until she'd made her mother proud. Wherever she was. Adelaide's crystalline eyes lifted to the sky as she waited for a response. Walk."Talk."Think.

She had just finished up a small hunt when she heard the howl of an unknown wolf nearby. Licking the blood from her lips the woman would pick up her rabbit and set off in the direction and a brisk walk. Lately the woman's mind had been wandering, a question lingering that was incredibly important, something she had to speak with Haku with soon. She would shake her head, dismissing the thoughts. Within a couple of minutes she would see a figure come into view, a wolf sitting near one of the borders. A potential member? Stump of a tail would wiggle as she closed the distance, giving a small nod of her head to the woman before setting the rabbit down. "Greetings stranger, I'm Aria, Divine Guard of Ludicael. How may I help you?" She spoke in friendly tones, flashing a smile. "normal. talk. think. you"

The white maiden stood when a stranger came into view. She held a dead rabbit in her jaws and nodded upon arrival. Adelaide felt a small laugh rise in her throat. She gave a friendly smile at Aria's greeting. "It's my pleasure, Aria, and I believe you can help me. My name is Adelaide,"her deep voice paused for a moment here as she bowed in greeting. "I am here because I am interested in joining the Ludicael pack. I can assure you that my skills would be of great use." Her heart started to quicken, its beat lively and sure in her chest. She was terrified. Terrified of rejection, terrified that all would go wrong and she would never live up to her mother's expectations. But all of these feelings were locked tightly inside of her. On the outside, she gave a confident smile and kept her body language proud. But not too proud. She lowered her tail slightly, not wanting to offend this woman who held such a high, esteemed rank. But maybe someday she could hold a high rank too. Her exquisite blue eyes sparkled with hope. "Are you the one I should speak to on this matter?" Walk."Talk."Think.

Immediately Aria would get a good feeling from the woman, Adelaide. Friendly, happy, a nice thing to see. The woman was here today because she was interested in joining, and her skills would be of great use. She would also question if Aria was the one she should speak to on such a matter, which would bring a nod. ?Nice to meet you miss Adelaide, if you don't mind, what skills do you have exactly? Ludicael has many healers, but we are honestly lacking those with a warriors heart.? She would be upfront, the pack had enough healers and needed wolves that could protect them should trouble be knocking on their door. If that time happened to come, Aria feared the pack wouldn't stand a chance, even though they were a close knit family. "I am indeed someone you can talk to, any Divine Guard, Priest, Priestess. Our leader is the Oracle and her mate the Guardian." Would the woman get a small idea on what the pack was like by the names of the higher ranks? "normal. talk. think. you"

The white maiden continued to smile at the female as she spoke. But something was beginning to upset her. The smile wavered a bit at her words. They had enough healers? What could she do then? "Well, I... um..." Embarrassed, Adelaide took a step back, her eyes skirting about the ground. Her paw hung in midair, expressing her confusion. "Miss Aria, I'm a bit at a loss. My mother was a shaman, you see, and she taught me everything she knew about healing. I am very skilled at it. But if you have no need for me, then..." Could this be happening? Could her entire life plan really be falling apart? She kept a straight face and met the woman's friendly gaze. Her brilliant blue eyes were hardened. "I suppose I could learn a different skill, but I would have to start from the beginning. I guess I could be open to considering it-" she took a long, shaky breath. This was all wrong. "What positions do you have open? It was then that a thought occurred to her. She could learn a different trade, but when the time came, she could prove herself. She would show the leaders of Ludicael what a talented shaman she was, and she could soar to the top of the ranks. Adelaide knew it was a long shot, but at this point it was her only hope. She wouldn't let her years of training be for nothing. She wouldn't let her mother's dreams die forever. Walk."Talk."Think.

She wouldwatch the woman's response, waver at Aria saying they had enough healers. Eyes would narrow when the girl took a step back, ears perking up when she spoke. She was taken back, giving the Guard her life story that she cared nothing for nor asked about, then would stop. She could feel herself growing impatient and annoyed quickly, the weak wouldn't be tolerated, nor would she give in and baby Adelaide. Pity her. She went on, speaking of learning another skill but would have to start from the beginning since all she knew was healing, asking what positions were open. "If you can't handle it, then this isn't the place for you." She was short, her tones losing their friendliness as well as her face. Gaze would harden on the female, holding her ground. "To only train in one field makes you weak, you should be aiming for a primary skill then at least basic understanding in others should trouble arise for any pack your in." Weak links need to be fixed or else they could bring a whole pack crumbling down, that's why Aria had trained in healing, fighting, and politics, her primary skill being fighting and politics... but that was back when she had been beta of Ludicael before Song took over. "normal. talk. think. you"

The white maiden felt her temperature rising. Heat filled her cheeks and irritation bubbled in her chest. How had this female allowed her disposition to change so quickly? Welcoming her one minute and rejecting her the next. Her pointed ears pressed themselves to her skull. "That's hardly how one should talk to a stranger. How dare you call me weak? I am sufficient at fighting and I am very smart. I would still benefit you if you would accept me." Her brow was tight and furrowed as her hackles bristled slightly. There was no hiding it now - she was very offended. "You are mistaken. I am not weak. I am stronger than you know, which is why I have the bravery to leave this place. Ludicael is clearly not the place where I belong." Blue eyes were sharp and accusatory as the slender female began to turn. Her gaze remained locked on "Miss Aria", as she knew any wolf could turn into an opponent. All it took was one slip. Her ears stayed flat on her head, the blackened tips grazing the snowy color of her fur. "Sorry for wasting your time," she snapped, immediately sprinting into the trees. This had been a mistake. Just a horrible, awful mistake. Walk."Talk."Think.

This is one on one, so nobody intervene please.

Judge note; Aria is 35 inches and 120 pounds

Diagram of positions; link!

Quickly it seemed the girl would also change within the few words exchanged between them. Green orbs would narrow as they watched her, ears swiveling to the side then back forward towards her to catch what she said. Originally Aria didn't mean to come off as aggressive, annoying or bitchy just because this girl only knew about healing for most of her life and didn't voice any skill in fighting or hunting. If the pack had a few fighters, even if they weren't experienced then she wouldn't have cared if this girl joined for healing. But when the girl spoke she couldn't help but chuckle at her tones an what she said, was she stupid or were her ears just plugged up ad couldn't understand what she had said. In a way it was amusing to see her become annoyed, going on about how she was decent at fighting and was very smart, able to benefit the pack should she accept her. But with how she continued on, there was no way she would be accepted into Ludicael. Gaze would catch her hackles raise, which would only make Aria smirk as she watched the little show before her. Apparently she was mistaken, and this girl wasn't weak, was stronger than she knew which was why she have the bravery to leave this place where she didn't belong. Aria laughed. This crybaby could go someplace else with her whining, complain to somebody that cared. And then she would turn, which would make the Divine Guard take a step forward. There was no way she would allow her to leave just like that after being hostile, a child throwing a tantrum and expecting nothing to happen. Then she snapped and tried to sprint away, a very big mistake. ?If you had your ears open you would have heard I didn't call you weak, I stated that to train in only one area made you weak, vulnerable to those around you.?. Lips would pull back but not a single growl, grunt or snarl would be released. She wouldn't lose her composure. Nobody spoke to her like that hen just skidaddled on out. ?I don't think so.? She would snap at the female after she snapped first, quickly running out and in front of the little female, limbs spread evenly and head held high, blocking her path. ?With that attitude of yours your going no where till I'm done with you.? She would make this girl realize her behavior had consequences. And so the fight would begin. Face to face now they would stand with about three feet between them. Aria held her head high, but it would come back as her shoulders came forward, the skin around her neck creating folds. Ears would pin back and eyes narrow, limbs spread evenly apart, bent, toes spread and claws slightly dug into the earth. She would punish the girl for her disrespect and unnecessary aggression. Jaws would open wide as she lunged forward suddenly, back legs extending and pushing her forward, her head moving to the right [adelaide's left] and out of the way as she tried to slam her left shoulder into Adelaide's left with moderate force, nothing severe since they were close, but also nothing small since they had some space between them. She would aim to cause bruising and soreness for the smaller woman, her weight sure to cause some sort of pain when thrown forward. After her lunge she would swing her rear end to the right, trying to bring her side out of reach of the woman should she try grabbing hold of anything during her [aria] attack. Legs spreading back out evenly, ears still back, eyes narrowed. It was then that her head would swing back to the left, jaws aiming to clamp shut on Adelade's top front portion of her shoulder, around the base of her neck. She was hoping to puncture the flesh, whether the wounds would be deep or moderate would depend on how Adelaide reacted, but Aria would still aim to make it sting one way or another. Round 01 of 02 for MAIM; Torn ear (dominance/punishment)

Adelaide felt a surge of anger as the larger female kept her from leaving. The pair of blue eyes were indignant as they surveyed her opponent's position. Legs were balanced and head was held high and tucked. The white maiden felt almost like laughing. "Until you're done with me? I think we're already done here. I'm leaving. What more do you want from me?" She felt her lip begin to curl as the other girl refined her stance. Was she serious about this? Irritated, Adelaide assumed an appropriate posture as well, centering her body on defense. She would not act aggressively. She would stay calm. Stay calm, stay calm, stay calm. This was not how it was supposed to go. Not at all. The white maiden tightened her shoulders and squared off her hips, placing each foot equally to allow the most balance. These were the only similarities between the two wolves, however. They both held balance, but Aria held dominance. Adelaide let herself acknowledge this, as defying it could be dangerous. She pinned her ears back and leveled her body into one even plane, running from the blackened tip of her nose to the blackened tip of her tail. She did not submit completely, but also did not challenge the authority of this female. She was clearly angry, and defying her would only make things worse. In the last moment before the first attack was made, the white female tightened the muscles in her abdomen and back, bracing herself for any impact. Aria jumped forward, ducking her head, and crashed into Adelaide's chest. Adelaide let out a cough as the air was knocked from her lungs, but she recovered quickly. She, too, tucked her head, protecting her throat as she rammed the top of her skull into the base of Aria's throat. The snowy female felt a brief flash of pain as teeth dug lightly into her shoulder. She moved away before the teeth could sink further, maneuvering gracefully to the right. For a moment, Adelaide debated striking back. Her muscles ached to do some damage to this rude, unreasonable female. But she held back, her posture realigned and waiting. "Why can't you just let me go? This is ridiculous. I simply don't wish to join you any longer. Are you honestly going to resort yourself to punishing me for holding my freedom?" ROUND 1 of 2 FOR MAIM Walk."Talk."Think.

Aria would feel contact made, her left shoulder smashing into the female's chest, knocking the wind right out of her. Pinned ears twitched at her cough, a small spark of satisfaction lighting within her core. She made her first mark, now if only she could get the others she aimed for. Luckily for Aria, when she brought her head out to the right when going for the shoulder smash, she was able to avoid the woman's [adelaide's] attempt to smash her skull into the base of aria's throat, well, most of it. The blow would instead slide along the side of her [aria] neck from the angle they managed to get at, causing some soreness and a small bruise. Fangs would be successful in clamping down into the woman's shoulder, sinking into her flesh a small amount before being removed as Adelaide moved away and to the right. Limbs spread out and bent as Aria held her ground, green gaze focusing in on the white female, waiting for her to make a move against her. Instead the girl would speak, asking why Aria couldn't just let her go, that this was ridiculous and she didn't wish to join any longer, asking if Aria would honestly punish her for her freedom. It would only make her laugh, deep, almost mocking in a way. ?Silly girl, this isn't about your freedom.? And with that she would strike once again, body lunging forward quickly, jaws snapping at Adelaide's face. This was most definitely about the female's freedom, her attitude would be corrected, well... punished. Aria just felt bad for the pack that would actually even let her join. Jaws would snap together, fangs sinking into the thin flesh of the female's ear (which one you can decide). Aria would hold on tightly before her skull twisted to the right, left then jerked back harshly. She would leave a mark for her to remember her insubordination, one did not simply get an attitude then leave without punishment like she had tried. Upon jerked back, and how hard her jaws snapped shut, Aria would rip flesh off the ear, just above the base of her ear and below the black marking on the tip, taking about half of it out. Limbs would plant firmly on the ground before extending backwards, sending Aria jumping back with the torn part of Adelaide's ear in her jaws till she spit it out onto the ground. ?Now your dismissed.? Green gaze was narrowed on the girl, head held high as she watched for her reaction, voice cold and harsh as ice. Aria wouldn't leave till this disrespectful trash walked off and was out of sight. She was lucky she didn't unleash her full wrath, this was the worst she had ever had to display, and considering this was the first somebody ever made her mad, it wasn't too good.

Adelaide felt the heavy weight of dread drop into her stomach as Aria avoided her attack. The skin at her shoulder tore slightly under a set of cruel jaws. The same jaws which were about to cripple her in a more dramatic way. As the white maiden moved away, Aria composed her posture again and began taunting her. ?Silly girl, this isn't about your freedom.? Was she serious? Adelaide barked out a laugh of disbelief. This was so ridiculous. The girl had never thought it possible. But the fight was still on. Before Adelaide had time to regain her balance from before, her opponent leapt forward and snapped at her (Adelaide's) face. She was easily losing, but there was nothing she could do. Adelaide felt a sharp, intense pain as Aria's jaws fastened around the soft flesh of her (left) ear. The white girl tried to reel backwards, but that only made the pain worse. She whimpered. Then Aria began snapping her head from side to side, causing her victim to scream out in pain. No, this was wrong. This was so terribly, terribly wrong. Why was she doing this to her? Then at last Aria pulled away from Adelaide, releasing the piece of flesh that she had viciously ripped from her (Adelaide's) left ear. Adelaide continued to cry out for a while longer, the agony of her fresh wound creating spots in her vision. She could just barely hear the other female as she dismissed her. With tears springing to her eyes, the young healer sprinted far away from Ludicael. She would never walk these lands again. Never again. Damn this pack, she thought angrily, feeling a thick stream of blood running down the side of her face. Damn it and all of the wolves who live in it to hell. -EXIT ADELAIDE, MAIM COMPLETED- Walk."Talk."Think.