Twig tried to spend most of her time with her young cousins. They needed a constant presence in their lives and the Memoire girl was happy to offer it to them. All three boys were getting big, with Pitch far and away being the largest of them. They made her proud, but today they were with Shaye and she needed to stretch. Autumn felt like she’d been cooped up for too long already. She felt cramped on the island, despite all the room.

She had cabin fever, she was restless, so the young huntress took to the beach. She called out over the island, asking for someone to come and train with her. She needed a good spar to get her blood pumping.

She was happy to answer any call. It usually meant a break from the mundane: patrolling, gathering, hunting... Theory knew it was all important, but she couldn't help but long for a change in pace. Twig's call was just the ticket. The young alpha arrived a little while after her summons, picking her way carefully through the ash-covered undergrowth. "Twig!" She called happily, her bobbed tail twitching gingerly. Aside from their group hunt with Brandr, they hadn't spent much time together. It stood to reason: the huntress spent most of her time with her young orphaned family members.

"How are you faring? And the little ones?" she asked before dipping into an exaggerated play bow. Theo wanted to let her knew that while her call for a friendly spar had been heard, she was still interested in catching up.

It seemed Theory would be the first and only to arrive, and Twig wouldn’t complain about that. The yearling had grown much in the half season she held a leadership role. She was young enough not to look tired, but she did seem a little bedraggled. Not that the Memoire girl could blame her. She helped look after her orphaned cousins, which was becoming quite the full time job. She wouldn’t ever complain about it, she loved all three of those boys to the moon and back. They were all wonderful and beginning the road to recovery.

”Hello, Theory.” She returned, the tiredness a bit more visible in the older she wolf. ”I’m doing as well as I can, and the boys are too. Considering.” She commented sadly, trying to push away memories of the tragedy surrounding the loss of their parents. ”And you?” She asked with almost a second thought as she positioned herself in front of the alphess in a defensive position. ”You may take the first move.” She commented after, reminding the girl why she’d been summoned.

"We're all getting on," she agreed half-heartedly. It wasn't worth focusing on the negatives right now - they were here for some friendly competition, not to bemoan their situation. Living in isolation on these islands was difficult enough without constantly rehashing how terrible it was. Theory could do with some exercise that wasn't the endless monotony of patrolling.

She inclined her head as Twig gave her the first move, observing her as she dropped into a defensive position. Theory paced around her in circles, stopping at the other female's haunches and darting in to nip at her right thigh. Alouette had been watching for some time quietly from the trees, but as the wolves began to spar she took to the skies and circled above. It always helped to have another set of eyes.

Theory Cavaliere-Destruction vs Twig for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: 1yr+
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Alouette - raven - perception
Fight Skill Level: Advanced

Twig felt the same as Theory did, they could sit and complain about what was wrong or they could do something about it. That was why Twig had called for her in the first place, she had extra pent up energy that needed an outlet. This spar was the perfect opportunity to get her nephews off her mind.

Theory was quick to take her hint, and the two of them were quickly thrust into battle. Autumn wouldn’t allow her opponent to circle her, the tiger striped she wolf aimed to keep her chest perpendicular with Theory’s shoulder so when the younger girl attacked as was met with Twig’s own jaws as she aimed to deflect the bite. Twig was much shorter than the young alpha, and she would use the advantage of speed as she aimed to dart out of Theory’s reach for the next attack.

Autumn Memoire (Twig) vs Theory for Spar
Round 1 of 2
Age: 1+
Size: Small
Build: Light
Fight Skill Level: Advanced

Their jaws clashed, jarring her teeth painfully. Oof! She hadn't expected that. Theory shook her head back and forth in surprise, her teeth humming with pain. Twig was a sharp fighter and Theo appreciated the opportunity to spar with a new opponent. Her fights with Rhyme and Poem had begun to grow somewhat predictable; they knew each other so intimately, it was difficult to really surprise their opponent.

She gave a playful little growl as Twig side-stepped away from her. Fighting a smaller opponent was so very different from sparring with someone closer to her own size. It was an even fight between herself and most of her family, but this white wolf was so flighty! Autumn danced out of her reach without a second thought. How curious. They'd have to have a rematch once Theo adjusted her expectations. Frustrated, Theory attempted to grab Twig by the tail to pull her closer and try to wrestle her on to the ground (or at least a sitting position). Maybe if she could get on top of her, she couldn't just wiggle away.

Theory Cavaliere-Destruction vs Twig for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: 1yr+
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Alouette - raven - perception
Fight Skill Level: Advanced

Autumn seemed to have surprised her young, but oh so tall, opponent. Her own teeth stung a tad, but it was better than rending her flesh. Bright purple gaze didn’t leave Theory for even a second as she remained light on her ivory toes. Theory made grab for her tail and again the she wolf tried to evade her grasp. All the girl was able to accomplish was a few long hairs from the Memoire girl’s tail. Twig was happy to use the alpha’s frustration against her.

”Not fast enough, Theory.” She offered, more amusement in her voice than had been since her uncle and aunt’s death. She didn’t allow the thoughts to distract her as she aimed to dart in towards Theory again. She might not have managed to pull her close but Twig had no other way. Maybe she needed to get some kind of projectile. The thought had to wait as she aimed to snap at Theory’s right shoulder before keeping on with her quick pace.

Autumn Memoire (Twig) vs Theory for Spar
Round 2 of 2
Age: 1+
Size: Small
Build: Light
Fight Skill Level: Advanced

And the winner is...

TWIG	Theory must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Theory: 120.12 Twig: 171.12

Twig nicked her shoulder before Theory pulled back, breathing hard. "You win! she offered, tongue lolling out of her mouth from the exertion. The small wound stung, but she deserved it. She'd have to be quicker on her feet in the future, Twig was right. The alpha stretched long and slow, focusing on where her muscles were sorest. "Good spar," she offered. Theory wanted to be quicker on her feet, but for now they would both have time to rest.

She settled down and peered at Twig. "How are the little ones?" Times like this she always felt awkward. Asking after the puppies always seemed to remind her of just how young she was herself. Her concern came from a genuine place, both from her position as alpha and from her distant relation to the youths.