Heloise would walk more confidently to the battlegrounds, her shoulder wound healing nicely. she knew Acere worried she was over-exerting herself, but she had no willpower to sit and rest. as long as she was breathing and able to walk, she would fight. it was important for her to improve - not just for Winterfell but to make her believe even more she deserved a spot by Acere's side. he had accepted her love and given it back to her, but she felt if she could not earn a place in the eyes of Winterfell... she shook her head, sending such thoughts away. the alabaster woman had abandoned her plans to make a new pack in favor of remaining in Winterfell. she had to trust the population would be fine with her mateship. raising her head, she called for a challenger. Kresnik soared above her once more, his eyes scanning the grounds for a suitable candidate. the woman would recline on the cool earth, waiting patiently for someone to come. ooc; friendly spar, companions used. 2 rounds good for you as well? "SPEECH"

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ooc: sounds good!

Valdís strolled into the battlefield with Jynette at her side. In addition to sharpening her mind and gathering knowledge she also sought to keep herself battle ready. That meant working out and sparring. She chose to go to the battlefield to spar fresh blood and when she heard a call for a sparring partner she quickly sought to answer. She came across a pale woman and dipped her head in greeting. "You called for a spar? I would be glad to be your opponent." She squared off against the woman and set her defenses. "You may have the first move." Valdís spent a lot of her time leading the charge and attacking first so she decided this might be a good chance to change it up a bit and try something new. Valdís vs Heloise for Spar Round 0 of 2 Size: Large Build: Medium Companion 1: Fox - Battle Fight Skill Level: Expert "Talk" "You" Think

her call was quickly answered. a woman of unknown scent would appear, agreeing to the spar right away. Heloise dipped her own head in greeting, gladdened by the polite manner of which the other spoke to her. she was even offered the first move, and the alabaster woman would quickly look over her opponent. they were larger than her, built stronger. she would once again be forced to use her speed against them. "you honor me" her vocals spoke warmly before dropping into an attacking posture. there would be time for pleasantries later, when they had both exchanged blows. Heloise rushed at the woman, trying to circle around her. if she succeeded in this, she would shoot her jaws forward in an attempt to grasp hold of the back of the woman's neck. she learned by now if you had a hold on your foe, you had the advantage. but since her size was much smaller, she did not expect this to go smoothly. she had to reach up a bit to attempt to grasp, and that left her open to blows. Valdís vs Heloise for Spar Round 1 of 2 Size: Medium Build: Light Companion 1: Gyrfalcon - Battle Fight Skill Level: Expert "SPEECH" HOVER FOR COMPANION INFO

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Valdís set her defenses in preparation for the other woman's attack, making sure to keep her ears pinned to her head and her tail tucked in case the other decided to go for her underbelly. The pale woman charged forward and Valdís held her ground until the woman lifted to try and get at the back of Valdís neck. Valdís coiled her legs tightly and kicked off, jaws open as she tried to grasp hold of the woman's exposed throat, just below the corners of her jaw. In addition she hoped to slam her chest into the woman's chest and cause significant bruising and possibly even send her opponent reeling back. With a little luck this would give her an advantage in the fight. Jynette circled around behind the woman, trying to stay out of sight but the fox did not attack, not yet. Valdís vs Heloise for Spar Round 1 of 2 Size: Large Build: Medium Companion 1: Fox - Battle Fight Skill Level: Expert "Talk" "You" Think

It was clear that the other woman was more of a fighter than many of her opponents so far. Heloise was delighted; this would be a good application of what she had learned. The woman would kick off, at the same time reaching for her own throat. Abandoning her attempt, Heloise stepped back out of range. But the woman was relentless, shoving her to the side easily enough. Granted, she was already a few steps away by the time the other slammed into her, so the impact wasn’t as severe as it could be. Briefly winded by the assault, the alabaster woman would pause. Kresnik noticed the fox circling around and he shot at the other companion to try and distract it. he didn’t need two beings going after his mistress at once. Cawing, he’d flap in front of the fox and screech for its attention. Meanwhile, Heloise was already planning something else. Rushing forward, she’d leap and try to land on the other’s back. the woman was larger than her, and brute strength was an uneasy factor in this spar. So, it was important to take that away. Her claws attempted to dig into the woman’s shoulder as she landed, hopefully forcing her down with her meager weight. But she would be harder to bite at, so Heloise hoped this worked. Valdís vs Heloise for Spar Round 2 of 2 Size: Medium Build: Light Companion 1: Gyrfalcon - Battle Fight Skill Level: Expert "SPEECH" HOVER FOR COMPANION INFO

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The woman recoiled and stepped back and Valdís swiftly switched her strategy. He chest collided into the other woman, knocking her aside. Valdís quickly checked her defenses to make sure they were locked down when the other woman suddenly leapt high, clearly seeking to land on top of Valdís. The viking leapt a short distance forward, and twisted her head up seeking to catch the woman's tender underbelly in her jaws, just in front of the woman's hips where the fur was thinner. It would hurt to have this woman's weight slam into her but Valdís could not resist the opportunity. Being suspended in the air it would be difficult for the woman to change her course. Valdís spread her legs a little wider and coiled her limbs in preparation to take the other woman's weight. She felt paws slam into the lower middle of her back, displaced from her opponents original target because of Valdís forward movement. In the mean time Jynette contended with the falcon who had spotted her. She quickly leapt up, seeking to grasp the birds left wing and drag it back down to earth. Valdís vs Heloise for Spar Round 2 of 2 Size: Large Build: Medium Companion 1: Fox - Battle Fight Skill Level: Expert "Talk" "You" Think

And the winner is...

VALDIS

HELOISE must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Heloise: 150.06 Valdis: 228.18

there was an obvious difference in skill yet she liked the challenge. both women had fought well, and when Heloise came crashing to the earth she was quick to recover. she easily submitted to the more experienced fighter. panting a bit, the alabaster would face the other wolf. her head dipped in a sign of respect. she had no reason to bettlie or moan about the result. not when it was a hard fought battle and friendly. "you win" she conceded, lifting her face to smile faintly at the other. it had been a bit close at times, but Heloise knew when she had been beat. "I am Heloise cel Mare; might I know your name?" "SPEECH" HOVER FOR COMPANION INFO

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Valdís backed off when her opponent ceded victory to her. Panting she nodded, a slight smile spreading across her face. That felt good. It had been awhile since she'd battled an unknown opponent. In fact, it had been awhile since she'd battled another wolf at all. "A pleasure Heloise. That was a good fight. My name is Valdís Thyre." Perhaps they would run into each other again. The scent of pack didn't go unnoticed to the Legion woman but now that the fight was over she knew she had to be on her way. There was always so much to do especially with winter just around the corner. "I need to get back to my pack, but perhaps we will see each other again some day?" She couldn't not guarantee what the circumstances would be but she looked forward to battling the woman again some time in the future. -exit- "Talk" "You" Think

at least the other was polite enough. she half expected no name given; sometimes spars ended abruptly and the challengers left just as quick. an easy smile crossed her features. "Valdis Thyre, a pleasure" Heloise commited to memory, giving a curt nod to the other woman before twisting her body north. "safe travels. it was good to meet you as well." she watched the other leave and made to herself, calling softly to Kresnik to land on her shoulder for the journey. the gyrfalcon screeched and dove toward his mistress, landing gently on her. he had fought as well as she did, and she rewarded him with an easy ride home. "SPEECH" EXIT & END

art + code by Kara