Splish splash splooosh!

It was hot out and the midday sun lingered high in the sky as Ruin stomped around in the river with a bright and beaming grin on her face. Yes yes, she knew she wasn't supposed to wander off on her own but no one had been around to stop her. Besides, it wasn't like she'd gone far anyway, if she squinted hard enough the den was still in sight. Barely. The way she saw it, boundaries were meant to be pushed and rules didn't always have to be followed. And if an adult somehow stumbled upon her and thought she was up to no good then the little Cavaliere-Klein had ways of worming her way out of trouble. Sneaky thing that she was.

Wading further up the river, Ruin's tail waved high, sending droplets of water flying in all directions. She was so distracted and giddy she didn't notice that she had company in the snakey variety. Finally, when she did see the creature her mouth popped open in a shocked o-shape as her eyes grew wide. What was that? It was long and thin, cream with browny rings that circled it's body. It was like a stick but not, cause she'd seen and played with plenty of sticks and they'd never moved on their own before! Annnd it had eyes! How weird was that? Inching closer, she went cross eyed as she leaned in to see the noodly thing better. The sticky thing didn't seem to appreciate her at all though and made a loud hissssss sound as it bared it's fangs, how rude! It was time to teach this hissing stick a lesson, Ruin style!

Knowing that he had a raven just like his dad did excited the boy every day. She wasn’t a fan of being in the den, but every morning no matter how early he woke up, Prose was waiting right outside the entrance for him and Sen to come out and play. Today was no different, the small white raven was perched on his shoulder, right where she belonged. They were allowed further and further each day, and though he loved his mother dearly he much preferred being watched by his father. Rhyme was much more lenient, giving him room to get into a bit more trouble.

Still, he could count on someone having their eye on him no matter how far he went, especially if he got close to the borders. He wasn’t right now. Haiku was on Ruin’s trail. He wondered if her raven behaved similarly to Prose. The thought was dashed when he caught sight of his small sibling and the odd creature she was facing off with. His eyes opened wide in wonder as he surged forward. The gift of foresight would come with age, for now he was fearless.

”Prose, peck its tail!” As the words left his mouth the fledgling raven was swooping down to do so. They practically lived in a snake den and he didn’t want to count how many times he’d been told to be careful of the snakes. This one was going down.

Haiku made his way to Ruin’s side as the snake was distracted by the little white raven. She was too quick for the beast and hopped out of its reach before she could get a nice bite.

Poor Lyre wasn't quite as social as the other ravens. He much preferred to watch from a distance, only making himself known if Ruin called him down from wherever he perched. Ruin certainly liked bossing the bird around and did so regularly but she also-sort of- gave him the space he needed to. Instead Ruin's gaze locked onto Prose as she dove from the sky and began to harass the snake. Ruin was quick to shake her head so fast her vision swam as her brother settled by her side. No no he was ruining it! She had a plan and everything and he'd gone and messed it up! Sort of. Maybe, just maybe she'd be kind enough to let him in on the fun. Just cause she was such a good and loving sister. Only if he played along and didn't tell Ma or Pa.

"No! Stop!" Ruin shooed the bird, waving her paw till the raven backed off.

She then turned to her big brother, bumping into his leg with her shoulder, her grin almost maniacal. She could barely contain her excitement, the den had been so dark and boring compared to the big wide world. More than anything Ruin felt as though she'd been missing out and was eager to kick start the fun sooner rather than later. As to what this fun would entail well... To say that Ruin was a bad influence was very accurate, perhaps even an understatement.

"Get a stick." She ordered before turning around to get one for herself, just beside the waters edge. Not overly long but more than thick enough to be suitable for a good poking maybe even whacking. "'Ike ish un" She mumbled, mouth very much full.

Haiku wasn’t a fan of the way he’d been forced to play away from Senryu today. Independance felt more lonely than useful, but finding Ruin had been a bit of good luck. When she chastised him though, Haiku was filled with confusion. His bright eyes looked to his shorter sister as he barked for Prose to return to his shoulder. The pair of them were already such a good team. Or at least Haiku thought so. He’d been taking pointers from their dad.

Ruin looked simply delighted though, even despite having barely dodged a bad bite. Haiku’s light brows knit as he looked at her and leaned against her in return. She commanded him to pick up a weapon, but he much preferred using Prose. She was much more quick and nimble than he would be with a stick. But, with Ruin it was easier to comply than argue. The boy shrugged his shoulders and rooted for his own stick, much like hers as she bid him.

Prose ruffled her feathers on the boy’s broad back as he turned back to his tiny sister. ”Alrigh, wha’ for?” He mumbled through the wood, his half and half eye keeping watch on their victim or opponent. Haiku wasn’t quite sure.

Ruin grinned around her stick, now this was where the fun began. Since her big brother had been so easy to convince she was sure he'd go along with the rest of her plan, though they weren't as outwardly naughty she knew her brothers got into their own fare share of trouble. More than once she'd seen the pair huddled up, sides smushed together so close it was hard to tell where one began and the other ended. That they'd giggle and whisper amongst themselves, speaking of things for their ears only. The only sibling she knew would make a crummy accomplice was little Suspense, too good and pure for her own good. Ruin on the other paw would happily watch the world burn if she thought it'd make for a good time. Bothering a snake sounded like fun to her, she wanted to push all the buttons so see how it'd react, that was the aim of this game.

"'Unna oke eet!" The little Cavaliere-Klein proclaimed, skittering close to do just that.

She started poking the tip of it's tail, jabbing one spot with impressive accuracy. The snake obliviously wasn't impressed and wheeled around with a hiss, biting the end of her stick in an attempt to ward it off. In typical child fashion Ruin found this hilarious and a giggle slipped past her teeth as she poked it again, this time higher up its body, earning Ruin an even louder hiss.

"Hssss! Ruin mimicked, turning a little to see what her bro was up to.

Haiku let his attention stay on his smaller sister, he was bigger but her attitude made up for any difference in height. Maybe he got into a lot of trouble but most of the time it wasn’t his idea to begin with. He hadn’t been the first one to throw puke, and he wasn’t the first one to poke the snake now. The boy’s strange gaze watched as his sister tortured the serpent, her stick an extension of her jaws it was so precise.

He wasn’t really sure if he wanted to join, he’d have preferred that he and Prose just ward it off. Still, Ruin seemed to be having the time of her life. He hesitated just another moment before scooting forward and lightly poking at the dirt by its tail as Ruin let up her efforts. The snake must have sensed his weakness because without even a hiss in his direction it aimed to slither back to the hole it came from while it had a chance.

Snakes weren't known for their patience. Ruin was having the time of her life but the same couldn't be said for the serpent, having decided it couldn't be bothered to deal with its tormentors for a moment longer it turned tail and swam off, faster than Ruin could have ever anticipated. She dropped her stick as her mouth popped open in awe, her stick landing with a large enough splash to reach her eyes. She leapt back on  dainty paws and blinked the water from her eyes, for as mischievous as she was her attention span wasn't all that long yet, brief enough that she was ready to focus on something else for now.

Whipping around she turned to her brother, ready to focus her feisty energy at him. Despite her size she was always ready and eager to have a brawl with her brothers, the snake had fled but that wasn't an option for her bro. She'd chase him to the ends of the plains, he had no choice but accept her challenge. Or so she liked to think. Bowing down, Ruin wiggled her rear and launched herself forward with front paws extended, ready to smack his muzzle if she could reach.


Ruin vs Haiku for spar
Round 1/2
Age: under 6 months
Size: Extra small
Build: Light
Companion 1: Common raven, Male - Flying
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Intermediate Intellectual
Specialty: N/A

Haiku wasn’t super upset about the snake’s very sudden disappearance. He was also astounded at the speed in which it took off. Both pups would stand awe struck for a moment, and Ku didn’t hesitate to drop his stick as well. The game was over, but since the snake was the one retreating they had won right? He looked to Ruin with a victorious grin before he realized she was giving him a much more intense look. Their fun was gone and she wasn’t going to hesitate turning on him.

As she leapt forward the boy instinctively took a step back and lifted his head out of reach. All she got was access to his chest, and that didn’t hurt near as much as his nose would have. In retaliation Haiku would aim to push his bigger body forward in an attempt to bowl her over onto the ground where he could pin her and chew on her ears.

Haiku Cavaliere-Klein vs Ruin for spar
Round 1 of 2
Age: under 6mos
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Common raven, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Quill Whiskers - Defensive
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Healer
Specialty: N/A

Grr! Why did her brothers have to be so tall!? For the most part it wasn't really an issue and Ruin liked herself just as she was, but when it came to spars and puppy squabbles it was like she was fighting a titan. There was always a chance she could win, if she was clever or fast enough, but it always felt like a bit of an uphill struggle. Especially when they were mean and didn't just roll over and let her win! But then again where would the fun be in that? Ruin, whilst a girl of instant gratification, wasn't so lazy that she just wanted victory handed to her. It was better this way, she quickly decided as she was once again on the move.

If he'd just bent down instead of up then she would have certainly landed her hit where it was intended. Knowing that her bro would use his towering height against her, she was quick to try and dart out of the way, slipping between his legs as she went to chomp on his ankles. Her signature move, if you will.


Ruin Cavaliere-Klein vs Haiku for spar
Round 2/2
Age: under 6 months
Size: Extra small
Build: Light
Companion 1: Common raven, Male - Flying
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Intermediate Intellectual
Specialty: N/A

Haiku liked being big like his dad and brother, it was also easier to squish his tiny sister’s with his height. It didn’t much seem like Ruin was up for just rolling over and letting him win, but he wouldn’t do that for her either so maybe it was fair. She somehow managed to slip right between his legs as he moved forward to knock her down. Haiku shifted from foot to foot as he squealed with each bite at his ankles.

The boy did not appreciate her efforts. Her sharp puppy teeth often found his ankles and Haiku was almost sure that he was her favorite chew toy. Perhaps Sen really was but it didn’t matter much. In an attempt to put their fight to an end once and for all, Haiku aimed to drop his full body weight on top of her as she lingered beneath his form. He’d squish her and show her who was boss.

Haiku Cavaliere-Klein vs Ruin for spar
Round 2 of 2
Age: under 6mos
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Common raven, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Quill Whiskers - Defensive
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Healer
Specialty: N/A

And the winner is...

HAIKU

RUIN must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Adjusted rolls: 29 61 90.85 28.8 RUIN'S total is.. 146.76 Adjusted rolls: 120 82.5 11 28.6 HAIKU'S total is.. 169.47

Ruin saw it coming and went to dart away, but it was too late! She saw his shadow loom over her, the white of his belly got closer and closer and then she was smushed. Her tiny form crushed beneath her leviathan of a brother. The air was forced from her lungs in one great rush and her legs were splayed side ways as she was pressed uncomfortably to the ground. She couldn't move, couldn't protest as the weight continued to bear down on her- she knew she'd well and truly lost. That her brother had forcibly snatched victory from her, but Ruin wouldn't let him bask in his victory. Just because.

The yelp of pain that slipped from her muzzle wasn't a lie, not outright at least. He was starting to hurt her but not to the extent where it warranted such a shrill and squeaky alarm, genuine and convincing, with a little bit of a wheeze thrown in for extra measure. Just to run home how awfully mean he was.

He grinned with satisfaction as Ruin crumpled beneath him, not that he had much doubt of his own prowess to begin with but victory was sweet. Even if he was a whole lot bigger than his sister no one liked to lose. Her squeak didn’t deter him too much, but he stopped laying his full weight on her. The boy giggled with amusement as he was assured he had won. He didn’t rub it in any longer and lifted his much bigger body off his small sister.

Had he been a bit older and more experienced he might have been more concerned about hurting her, but he wasn’t. The young boy was well versed in his sister’s dramatics but he wouldn’t show it beyond only removing himself from her squirming form. ”Don’t be a baby, Ruin.” He laughed at her good naturedly with a huge grin. ”Maybe you’ll get me next time.”

Her brothers response was telling, leading her to suspect that she was currently being squished by Haiku. Her paws scrambled against the earth as she tried, and failed, to muster the strength to raise herself and shove him off of her. But it was a losing fight and he only budged of his own violation, nothing to do with her strained efforts sadly. He didn't seem interested in her complaints and instead took to teasing her, all cocky and smug, which made the teary sheen in her eyes become all the more apparent. She hated losing and this first taste was as foul as it came, never again did she want to feel this way. She'd just have to do better next time, be better.

He was all smiles and she was sniffles, still holding onto the guilt trip approach even though it showed no signs of working yet. Maybe if she amped it up a bit he would relent. Worth a shot, right?

"That hurt." She shuffled over to his leg and leaned against him, as though seeking comfort. Surely he wouldn't deny her, no one had so far. "Didn't have to be so mean..."