Dutch yawned, feet trailing as much as her tail was as she walked. she didn't know why she was so tired or sick in the mornings, but she didn't care. maybe she caught an illness. maybe she was just more tired from doing more work. all that was important to do was to better herself. crafting wise, skills wise... she'd done good work so far, if she had to say so (and she did), but there was always room for improvement. the leather soaking back at camp once more, she made her way to the battlegrounds again. she had weeks before it'd be ready to mold anyway. why should she sit around like an invalid? the way she was tussling with folks these days, they should buy her a big juicy steak before going at them. that was mostly comedical, since Dutch knew it wasn't required to buy someone dinner for sparring with them. she was just trying to be witty. finding her steps faltering as she neared the center of the area, she once more lifted her head and called out for someone. but who should answer but a familiar scent? "you again? we gotta stop meetin' like this" she'd grin, her voice clear as she waited for the man to show himself. it was Sirius, that guy from Ashen obviously. the one she had met back in the western deluge. he wanted another go? well, now was as good a day to lose as any. "SPEECH"

The howl, filled with a thick, rich accent, brought a smile to the titan’s face. He would recognize that voice anywhere, and knew he would enjoy another bout with the brave dwarf. With Marshall flying ahead of him, large black wings tilted in the midday air, he would follow his companion to the spot Dutch had chosen. “You must love being pushed around by oversized brutes” he commented, not bothering to hold back his toothy grin as he set his stance before her. Last time, the small wolf had come at him first, so he decided to change things up already. “Brace yourself” he warned, through he rather thought she might decide to dodge instead. With that as his only warning, the wolf who fell like a ton of bricks, charged the small, richly coated creature. He aimed to charge her, head high so as to miss her, and chest to collide with her body. If he hit, he would hold himself fast against her, if he did not, he would turn his head in an attempt to get in a bite as she dodged him. Sirius versus Dutch for Spar Round One of Two Size: Dire Wolf Build: Medium Companion: Extra large companion, Battle Vulture Mutation: Fangs Fight Skill Level: Novice "Speech"

[quote='Dutch' pid='167844' dateline='1563057363']

"you have no idea" Dutch sneered at the dire wolf as he neared her. so far she'd met nothing but large brutes, Sirius included. at least one of them lay with her and treated her like any other woman in this damnable land. Hannibal hadn't really pushed her around though. it was... mutual pushing. it brought a smirk to her lips as the man before her raced to meet her. she was far from a blushing bride type. that evening was only met with amusement now. Sirius, again, wasted no time. Dutch assumed he was actions first and talk later type of wolf. he aimed at her and the dwarf, no slouch anymore with fighting, rose to meet him. she twisted her body as he collided with her, giving her shoulder the brunt of the collision instead of her chest. this time she wouldn't be winded by him. though she jerked to the side from the force, she was quick to retaliate. twisting her body back like a spring, she snapped her jaws at the man's upper left leg in hopes of gaining some footing. she wanted to grab the meaty shoulder but he was too tall for that. she'd settle for grabbing anything she could get. Sirius versus Dutch for Spar Round One of Two Size: Small Build: Heavy Companion: N/A Mutation: N/A Fight Skill Level: Intermediate "SPEECH"

He smacked hard into the smaller wolf, and she managed to hold her own against him. He grinned down at, enjoying the second bout with this woman. It was good to have a regular spar partner, and he was tempted to look her up on a regular basis for a round or two. He was certain that once she got the hang of his larger form, he would be struggling to come out on top. Despite winning their last match, he didn’t treat this like a sure thing, and continued his attack to bite at her fur just below her ear, even as her own head snaked closer to grab at him just below his shoulder. Thinking of his spar with Rosemary, the man lifted a paw and aimed to smack it against her smaller toes, with the intent of smarting them, and possibly damaging her balance. Sirius versus Dutch for Spar Round two of Two Size: Dire Wolf Build: Medium Companion: Extra large companion, Battle Vulture Mutation: Fangs Fight Skill Level: Novice "Speech"

he was ready for her but then again, she wasn't exactly trying to hide. Dutch wasn't a sneaky individual. she liked it rough and upfront. the scars, cuts and bruises she healed from previous bouts were enough of a thrill for her. they were a trophy. the dwarf was far from the wide-eyed girl that had entered these lands last season. Sirius tried to bite her below the ear, and she leaned to the side to avoid him in this close proximity. but he also went for her toes, and she snapped the air in instinct as his blow smarted her. but the snap was a reaction, not an actual attack. it succeeded, with the lean to the side and the toe-smart, to nullify her attack completely. she ended up doing no damage at all. gruffing a snort, she went back into the fray. Dutch felt herself back away, quickly looking over his body before darting right under him. this time she shot her muzzle upward into the crook of his left front leg, looking to draw blood from the muscle there. he was meaty enough to have some satisfaction from a bite, however small it could be from her smaller jaws. Sirius versus Dutch for Spar Round Two of Two Size: Small Build: Heavy Companion: N/A Mutation: N/A Fight Skill Level: Intermediate "SPEECH"

And the winner is...

SIRIUS

DUTCH must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Sirius: 242.9 Dutch: 240.63

"enough" like before, she had lost. though there wasn't much difference in their skills this time, both had been equally matched, it was clear that she had lost. feeling the last of her endurance fading, she pulled away from Sirius to pant heavily. her sides burned with effort and she was worried for... well, her unborn children. this would be the last spar she'd do until they were born. she wouldn't risk her pups for her stupid pride. nothing was worth it. "you won, Sirius" she'd say when she caught her breath, turning to exit unless he had something else to say. but she really didn't have anything to add in. "thanks for the bout. tell your empress that her battle armor is almost finished." she added, twisting her bruised body and ego away from him. / ATTEMPTED EXIT "SPEECH"

Once again Dutch would call it off, knowing he had her beat. He relaxed his stance and took a step back, offering her a crooked smile from behind his fangs. He respected Dutch, she fought well, and didn’t react badly to a defeat. “Dutch” he said politely, offering her a tilt of his head, conveying his feelings into that single word. “I’ll do that” He promised as she moved to turn away from him. This time he didn’t call her back, he already knew her name, and knew that likely they would spare again.

With one last look at the battlefield, he turned and made for home.