this was great. just great. a whole place to fight it out. Dutch's little muzzle stretched into a wide grin as she set her eyes on the area before her. she knew her viking neighbours just duked it out wherever they wanted, even during and over dinner, but her people liked arena combat. she also knew she was at more of a disadvantage cause of her size though she didn't rightly care. the whole point was to get better. she needed to see others fighting up close anyway if she was going to craft some items related to combat. really take some measurements. those tall sylph wolves were different than her folk. she was quite used to the smaller wolves. "who wants to go?!" she'd shout to the heavens themselves, calling for an opponent of equal skill. Dutch wanted to, like, win a few times but it was really up in the air. she wasn't going to be that sore about it. the keyword was that. yes, she'd be damnable angry if she lost but she wasn't... exactly skilled yet as a fighter. it was always about making shit to put on other people to fight. she had to start somewhere, right? no time like the present and in a new, foreign land to boot. and though she'd prefer someone around her skill level, Dutch wasn't going to deny anyone who bothered to show up. ooc; beginner, novice spar only. 1x1. no maims or death.

An honorable man always came at the beck and call of a lady. Dag heard Dutch's cry from a ways away and snorted. Well, he certainly wasn't what she'd be looking for, he imagined, but any opponent would do. "Ahh, small lady!" He shouted across the field as he approached, yipping a short greeting afterwards. Dutch didn't seem like she wanted pleasantries, though, and he acquiesced by settling into a fighting stance once he was within range.

"Hope you're ready, luv!" Dag chuckled, then darted closer to her. He reared up, aiming to crash down on the much smaller female and wrestle her to the ground. She was wily, that was true, but was she a good fighter? It'd be good to find out. His no-holds barred style of brawling wasn't for everyone, and truth be told, was fairly easily countered. What Dag lacked in strategy he made up for in good, honest elbow grease.

Dagfinn vs Dutch for Spar
Round 1/2
Size: Medium
Build: Medium
Fight Skill Level: Beginner

the cry, or rather bellow, of Dagfinn announced his presence. he didn't waste time and neither would she. after a short greeting, the man rushed at her. he reared up at the last second to try and crash down on her. Dutch side-stepped easily, leaving him open to whatever she came up with. though he probably left no parts of him open - with all that fur too it'd be difficult to get deep - she aimed for his neck. the most obvious spot on him to take. reaching upward, she balanced her small body to shoot forward and grasp the front of his throat. though her jaws were open and her fangs were ready, she was quite prepared to not even break the skin. Dagfinn's shaggy coat was cushioned well; Dutch wasn't even trying to draw blood. this was a spar too. she wasn't going to get nasty and try to bite him with such force that he'd need a healer pronto. Dagfinn vs Dutch for Spar Round 1/2 Size: Small Build: Heavy Fight Skill Level: Beginner "speak."

Dagfinn landed on his paws, frustrated that the small female had eluded him. Her sidestep was surprisingly well timed, and he tried to adjust his tactics accordingly. She quickly went for his neck, and he let her. As predicted, his thick pelt barely allowed any purchase for her teeth. Dag wrenched his head violently back and forth, hoping to dislodge her.

He snarled and aimed a good bite between Dutch's shoulder blades. If he could get a grip on her back, he could easily flip her over and the fight would be over hardly before it even began. Dag bore down on her, snarling loudly. The heavy female wasn't easily scared, but that didn't mean he couldn't try.

Dagfinn vs Dutch for Spar
Round 2/2
Size: Medium
Build: Medium
Fight Skill Level: Beginner

And the winner is...

DUTCH! Dagfinn must now give up by either submitting, fleeing or passing out.

[Lazuli]

she met his neck fur as predicted, and he tried to shake her free. Dutch tried to hold on, digging into his shaggy coat and becoming more fur than wolf. he went for her shoulders as she pushed into him, and she let him get a good bite. there was the plan in motion. the wound smarted but he was also using his full weight on her. she twisted in his grip, rolling onto her back and pounding her free legs against his throat to wind him. the second strike made her break away from him, skidding against the ground. pushing herself to all fours, she eyed him in case he went at her again. but her words were sharp and tired as she addressed the Viking. "that's enough" she grunted. there was no clear winner in her eyes. both had done their job well enough, and she wouldn't boast about being more skilled than he was. though for the record, she did win. Dagfinn was a bandmate and she'd have to live with him. so she'd also have to live with his bitching if he took to it. she allowed an easy grin to break her face instead. "you fought great. for a shag carpet." she snickered kindly. "speak."

Her little tootsies pummeled his throat good. With a grunt, Dag released the hold he had on her neck and she had freed herself. "Ah well, you fight like the little scrappy cat you are," he agreed fondly, shaking off his thick coat. "I think I underestimated you, dwarf." It was a hearty viking's compliment. He gave her a smile and butted his larger head against his shoulder companionably. They had both put their all into the fight - or so he thought.

Making a mental note to try and take sparring a bit more seriously in the future, Dag pricked his ears and took stock of their surroundings. "Unless you're feelin' like another go, why don't we head back to camp?" Valkyrie had wrangled a surprising number of captives, and they would all need tending to before market day. Without pausing to see if Dutch would follow, Dag ambled off in the direction of the Hjarraandi.

she was a bit surprised that he said he underestimated her. of all the Vikings, he seemed the most accepting. maybe nobody could get over her height... "they always do" Dutch sighed, shaking her head as Dagfinn departed. people naturally assumed she was smaller and weaker than they. especially the bigger wolves. her shoulder burned a bit where he nudged, the bite between her blades still smarting. still, she wasn't bleeding as much as she thought. it'd be a good to stretch her little legs on the way back. with a further pause, she'd look back to the grounds before bounding after her band mate. "wait up! don't just walk away, ya brute!" / EXIT "speak."