Having Thalia around definitely put a certain spring to her step. Theory made sure she was relatively integrated into the pack, but they did spend most of their time together (which she certainly wasn't complaining about). Despite all the odds, she'd managed to create a life that she found infinite joy in. The past had finally been put to rest when they'd returned to their ancestral home and Theo felt at peace. Today was the first true snowfall of the season, but it was the light, powdery stuff that seemed to gather in heaps and disappear at the first thought of warmth the following morning. For now the snow had paused, but it had covered the thicket in a thin veneer of white. It was spectacular stuff to look at and one of the reasons she was grateful that the east saw all four seasons. They were cursed by neither extreme heat nor cold and saw the bounty and beauty of it all. Excitedly, she called for her youngest siblings - who were no longer so young - to come and play in the snow with her. Theo's raven Alouette tittered to herself while perched on one of the sturdier mess of branches nearby, equally excited to see her own family. It was time to get frisky!

The freshly fallen snow as a novelty that kept Ruin amused for about....half a day. Despite her small stature Ruin didn't feel like much of a baby anymore, her mind was as sharp as ever, her wit even more so, and childish games couldn't hold her interest for long. She was almost a yearling, spring was only a few months away and whether her family-or even Abaven for that matter- liked it or not Ruin would soon have her way. Finally. But for now she would play house, or at least to the extent she was willing to.

Her ears tipped forward as she caught the call of her tall and leggy sister, Theory. It wasn't often that she called on Ruin and her siblings, no doubt busy with very important things and most certainly not making goo-goo eyes at that browny looking lady. But that was none of Ruin's business, now was it hmmmmmm? Struggling through the snow, Ruin slowly but surely made her way to her sister, curious to see what she had in store.

With her snazzy, if not mysterious, sunglasses hiding her eyes, Ruin rocked up to her sister's side with a smirk.

"Sup Fee?"

The young Cavaliere-Kleins were barreling towards adulthood at a breakneck pace. Haiku and Senryu towering over their siblings as their yearling mark loomed over them. Almost to a year old and no one managed to kill or severely maim themselves. Though Haiku’s body was at an adult height his mind wasn’t near as close. For the most part Haiku was comfortable with the status quo, he had little desire compared to his sister to go out and take care of himself. Though he craved adventure ready to leave the nest wouldn’t describe the young boy.

He and his raven Prose scoured th territory, unable to find Senryu, when they heard Theo’s call. Haiku was quick to answer, eager and ready to please his older sister. Ruin beat him there, sporting a new piece of armor? Haiku wasn’t sure what they were but he’d keep his comments to himself all the same. If you could say anything nice after all.

”Hi, Theory. Hi, Ruin.” He greeted both before reclining back onto his haunches.

Ruin's casual attitude amused her. It was just family here, so there was no need to correct her little sister. "Uhh, 'sup' to you too!" she chuckled, quirking her head at the small girl's new getup. "Where did you find those shiny ... things?" Was it thing(s) plural? It looked to be one item, but the circular pieces were separate. They caught the light in a fascinating way whenever she moved her head. "Can you even see? All the better for a sneak attack!" Propriety be damned, Theo slumped into a lackadaisical play bow and wriggled her short tail just in time to catch Haiku's approach. "Perfect! The gang's all here. Just in time for - " she reared back and jumped down again, sending powdery snow flying, "some fun!" Wasting no time, Theory launched herself at Haiku, paws slipping and sliding in the thin snow. With any luck she'd be able to take him down, but she was surprised to find him much bigger than she remembered. Uh, wasn't he just able to fit in the center of her paw?! Alouette tittered and took the sky to have a chat with Prose. The Abaven kids were tightly knit with their family ravens to boot.

Theory Cavaliere-Destruction vs Haiku and Ruin Cavaliere-Klein for Melee
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 yr
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Raven, Female - Flying
Skills: Master Fighter & Advanced Healer
Specialty: Knight

Ruin struggled to hide her grin. The story behind her sunglasses wasn't all that exciting, she'd simply found them within a case that had washed up onto the beach and claimed them as her own. But where was the fun in telling the truth? Leaving folks in the dark even over matters as insignificant as a pair of sunglasses brought a rush of satisfaction through her system and it was a high she would continue to chase for as long as she could.

"Who knows?" She wiggled her brows, awfully smug with herself only to let out a surprised eeep when she realised her sister's intent. Now they were talking!

Prancing to the side, Ruin dropped down into a play bow as well, her tail wagging in a dark blur as her tongue poked out the side of her mouth. It had been quite some time since she'd indulged in some rough and tumble and to say she was game was a MASSIVE understatement. The fact that one of her big bros- man he was getting massive now- appeared onto the scene only made this all the more interesting. Theory made a beeline for her brother and so it was only natural that Ruin took full advantage of her distraction. Her lil nubbly tail was well within reach now, right there wiggling and practically begging Ruin to take a chomp. Who was she to say no?  Kicking off with her hind legs, Ruin lunged up to take a bite, whilst Lyre finally arrived on the scene with an apologetic caw. Even with wings keeping up with Ruin was no easy task.

Ruin Cavaliere-Klein vs Theory and Haiku for melee
Round 1/2
Age: under 1 year
Size: Extra small
Build: Light
Companion 1: Common raven, Male - Flying
Skills: Novice Fighter & Advanced Intellectual
Specialty: N/A

Haiku read the situation he stumbled upon all wrong as his bright eyes watched Theory lower herself into a playful bow towards Ruin. The tall boy tilted his head to the side curiously but swiftly realized he was better off settling into his defenses. He didn’t lift himself, but grounded his haunches as Theory leapt at him. If he was going down she was coming with him. He leaned back and opened his arms wide as he aimed to hold them around her nack and drag her down to the ground.

While his front end worked on her the boy’s long gangly legs would kick out to hopefully hit Ruin’s chest to send her flying away from him wrestling Theory. Of course this opened him up for her return and a bit of retribution but it was a free for all. You couldn’t trust anyone.

All the while Prose was enjoying her time in the sky with the other ravens that were her family.

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

Haiku took her down tumbling, eliciting a surprised yelp from his alpha sister. He was big and strong and smart! Rhyme and Samara had outdone themselves. Although Ruin's flippant response irked her (just a little, she'd never admit it), Theo was relieved to have her join in on the fun. She was a firm believer that rough housing was good for the soul, and luckily most of the immediate family seemed to agree. "Oh, you got me!" she wailed in faux woe as she writhed around in Haiku's embrace. He did take her handily down, but she had a few tricks left up her sleeve. Yipping to signal to Alouette in the sky, the raven folded her wings and soared downwards to aim some pecks carefully at his head - not enough to draw blood, but purely to annoy and distract him. The raven cawed and chuckled, flapping her wings carefully to suspend herself in the air.

Theory Cavaliere-Destruction vs Haiku vs Ruin Cavaliere-Klein for Melee
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 yr
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Raven, Female - Flying
Skills: Master Fighter & Advanced Healer
Specialty: Knight

Under her brother's weight, Theory tumbled to the ground, her legs a tangle as she dramatically proclaimed she'd been gotten. Despite herself, Ruin let out a giggle as she watched the pair tussle on the ground. Though she wasn't the most lovey dovey there was no denying that she cared for her family deeply, in her own special ruinous sort of way. If she was a pain in their asses it was only because she cared, or at least that was a narrative she liked to spin. Go figure.

Piling on top, Ruin only just managed to duck out of the way of the swooping raven. So Theory was calling in backup? Two could play at that game...or at least it would have been nice if that was the case. Ruin let out a sharp bark at Lyre, telling him to follow suit but of course he was a chicken in disguise and refused to do it. Because it wasn't nice, or something equally as nonsensical. Ruin rolled her eyes so hard they hurt. Fine fine, she'd use her own teeth. Climbing Haiku like a furry mountain, Ruin scrambled to the peak of his shoulders and grabbed a hold of the thick fur at the scruff of his neck. She yanked it back, in the same way a rider would do to a horse and gave his side a kick with her hind leg. Watoosh!

Ruin Cavaliere-Klein vs Theory and Haiku for melee
Round 2/2
Age: under 1 year
Size: Extra small
Build: Light
Companion 1: Common raven, Male - Flying
Skills: Novice Fighter & Advanced Intellectual
Specialty: N/A

Haiku’s grin covered his face as he took Theory down with him, he half expected his plan to fall through since he was mostly acting on instinct. Still he felt proud even if his back paws didn’t manage to hit Ruin in the face like he’d wanted. He got a squeal and surprise from their big sister as she went down and called her raven on him. Thankfully Prose was ready for such a move and at Theory’s call she dived after the older raven. In an explosion of wings the white bird aimed to deflect the packs from the alpha’s companion.

Haiku aimed to roll Theory over so he was taller, but at the same time Ruin was scaling his back like a mountain goat. He cried out as she grasped his scruff and Prose was right there, ready to defend him on two fronts as the boy aimed to sit back and scratch his sister off with one massive back paw. Haiku really needed to stop taking everyone on in a melee, especially when he didn’t have Senryu at his side. Thankfully his twin and he were of one mind and there was no other wolf the boy wished to fight alongside with. They were part of the same whole, and he felt handicapped without him.

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

And the winner is...

THEORY

RUIN + HAIKU must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: THEORY Rolls: 35, 3, 89, 75 Adjusted rolls: 36.75, 3.6, 89, 82.5 Total: 264.81 RUIN Rolls: 8, 88, 25, 74 Adjusted rolls: 8, 88, 28.75, 92.5 Total: 184.66 HAIKU Rolls: 16, 95, 11, 8 Adjusted rolls: 21.6, 95, 11, 8.8 Total: 129.58 RUIN + HAIKU COMBINED SCORE: 157.12