Work Up an Appetite
Fenmyre practice raid
Once they were about half way through he clearing she stopped and signaled for her wolves to do the same and they waited for their opposition to arrive. Her scaled armer sat against her body, the piece freshly refitted to her body that had changed slightly after birthing her twins, and her bracers were fitted to her legs with freshly sharpened daggers hidden along the inside of her legs. She wasn't sure if she'd end up using the knives at all in these fights, but she always brought them along just in case. Temno and Ciemny served as an extra set of eyes up above, just waiting for the chance to swoop in and get a lick in of their own.
Ah, this was going to be so much fun! Grinning ear-to-ear while he walked alongside his inspiration of a mate, Alastor felt a rush of excitement and adrenaline he hadn't felt in a long time! Killing Kefka had given him a dose of what his previous life had been like before Manea had gone and domesticated him (to some degree) and now he craved more. Like a junkie relapsing after a fix, Alastor was sliding back into his violent and dangerous habits. And what could be a better hit of violence than a raid? This was going to be very entertaining!
The black and red-furred brute approached the Fenmyre border with Manea, the two dires passing right over the boundaries as if they didn't exist with the rest of their family in tow behind them at their own pace. Alastor surveyed the land with keen obsidian eyes, giving a nod of approval. Chimera certainly knew how to pick decent land, he had to give the man that. Manea reminded the group to only match the level of intensity their opponents put out and that maims were strictly prohibited, causing Alastor to huff and sulk. She was really restraining him after seeing the magnificent masterpiece he'd made of Kefka? Actually, now that he thought about it, that might have been the reason why she was reminding them to play nice. "Hmmm..." Alastor murmured as if he were actually considering whether to listen to her order or not. "Fair enough! Let's to play with our new friends!"
Alastor clicked his teeth together, listening to the snap of the serrated metal caps over his teeth as he did so. He lifted a black paw and flexed his toes, extending his new siam claws out to inspect their sharpness and continue practicing with them. Manea had been so dutiful in trying to help him get used to his new toys, but it took a lot of getting used to. Turning to his wife, Alastor couldn't resist letting his eyes roam over her form, admiring her in her newly fitted armor—the first time she'd worn it since the challenge in the north—and couldn't resist the delighted purr that rumbled in his chest. "You look ravishing in your armor, my galaxy," he said, shooting her a grin and a wink that left little to the imagination of what his intentions for her were after their dinner.
Dalila was already working on getting the others gathered onto the ferry when the call for them went out from the stretch of land near the beaver dams. Chimera had told her that they would be here shortly for this raid that he arranged and they certainly hadn't wasted any time! She was nervous to be leading the others into this even if it was all just for practice and to build up strength and relations with this band. It was her first real act as a proper Queen since Chimera gave her the position permanently and she certainly didn't want to disappoint him. They quickly crossed the stretch of water to the opposite shore just as the Elysium wolves came to a stop in the middle of what would be their battle field.
With her mastiffs flanking her and her armor in place, she strode out to meet their opponents with the rest of their selected fighters behind her. Chimera broke off from the group early along with Siren, staying off to the side to watch the action. She didn't expect anything to go wrong or get out of hand here, but it was still nice to have the two of them near by just in case—Chimera to step in if a fight got to be too much and Siren to patch up any wounds they happened to get. She came to a stop across from the violet woman and the red-marked onyx man that seemed to be leading the group and gave them a nod, saying, "Well, shall we get started then?" There would be plenty of time to get to know the band better later, for now they could keep the attention on the fighting. She waved her fighters forward to begin engaging with whoever they wished from the other side, but waited a moment so that she could go up against whoever was left.
They walked in group towards the callers, and soon they were face to face with them. Dalila leading them, she had almost asked if each side was ready to begin. Being more practiced as of recently, he took it upon himself to face off with one of the band's leaders. He didn't think he was greater than anyone on the field, his side or theirs. So maybe it was noble of him to face off with the queen? Making eye contact with her, his paw gestured out to offer her the first move. He thought that seemed fair enough.
Round 0/x
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Curved dagger
Defensive Battle Accessory: Scaled Metal Bracers
Companion 1: Crested Caracara, Male - Flying - Boosted
Skills: Expert Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: N/A
He stuck somewhat close to Dalila as they walked across the dam and their opponent's raiding party came to view. Letting her step forward as she led their numbers. He stayed back just a couple steps, wondering if someone would come to him or if he would have the pick of the litter. Moccasin stood at his hip while he waited.
Disappointed she couldn't be any further, feeling boredom as there wasnt going to be bloodshed, killing nor maiming. This wasnt how Imperia worked, she was a fucking assassin, someone who killed on demand, on request. She didnt know what soft meant, what was a fight without tasting fresh? Blood? A fight for her wasnt for fun, she didnt feel fun with anything, she killed out of duty and because she was paid or the individual was to be killed on sight for any offense made. She never gave second chances.
Eyes in ice cold lurked as she marched to this fake war, if it only was real? If it was...she would be free to do what she wanted. But not today, today she would have to be a good dog, a lady. Even if she was far from being a delicate miss. Standing still, she firstly evaluated, not going into the fray just yet, she wanted to think her options first. Her collar had been sharpened for the fight, protecting her throat.
She shifted her aqua gaze to a young man with black fur that was cut with gold swirls throughout his coat and she smirked as he squared off with her and made a motion for her to make the first move. "Oh, a gentleman, hm?" she questioned with a chuckle while she moved closer, settling into a fighting position with each step. All of the usual defenses of a practiced fighter fell into place before she leapt forward, attempting to swipe her claws at the boy's shoulder. She also reached with open jaws to try and grip the skin on the back of his neck in the same breath. She wouldn't grip too hard, at least not yet, just enough to get a hold of him and keep him close so she could start trying to gain the upper hand.
Manea vs Balthier for Dominance
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Dagger bracers
Defensive Battle Accessory: Scale armor
Companion 1: Raven, Male - Flying - Boosted
Companion 2: Raven, Female - Flying
Mutation 1: Serrated bone ridges - Offensive
Mutation 2: Tiger claws - Offensive
Skills: Expert Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Hawk-Eyed
With the top of his neck in the woman's grasp, Balthier had also considered a not so aggressive counter. His front legs rose off the ground while the woman had hold of his scruff, and he attempted to push upward into her face and throat with the base of his skull by the force he could provide through his back legs.
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Curved dagger
Defensive Battle Accessory: Scaled Metal Bracers
Companion 1: Crested Caracara, Male - Flying - Boosted
Skills: Expert Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: N/A
Manea vs Balthier for Dominance
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Dagger bracers
Defensive Battle Accessory: Scale armor
Companion 1: Raven, Male - Flying - Boosted
Companion 2: Raven, Female - Flying
Mutation 1: Serrated bone ridges - Offensive
Mutation 2: Tiger claws - Offensive
Skills: Expert Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Hawk-Eyed
With the woman coming back down on his shoulder, Balthier swung his body around so that his left side was facing the woman more than his chest, he used his opposite leg as a pillar to hold himself and her weight up. If he lost, he would crumble under her. But before that, he attempted to push out his front left leg, the one that wasn't the strength in his posture, and try to pull out the woman's back left leg while also in attempt to push up from under her with the base of his spine and hip. He hoped that his own strength and position would be able to flip her off of him, but it was only a matter of time to find out.
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Curved dagger
Defensive Battle Accessory: Scaled Metal Bracers
Companion 1: Crested Caracara, Male - Flying - Boosted
Skills: Expert Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: N/A
The hellbeast trailed after his cousin, letting her lead the way towards the site of their friendly competition with a local pack. As time passed, he was beginning to catch dramatic changes in lighting. When they moved into and out of caverns, he could catch the changes in the light. Still, the blindness that came from the effects of the crystals having pushed up through his sockets during the long night remained. Milky white eyes, clouded over and ugly to look at. It didn't stop him from wanting to join the raid, and he would only hope that no one dared to think less of him for it. He may have to forsake the "no maiming" rule for such a slight. When the band's warriors came to a halt, he found himself drinking in the musk of a pack's borders. Well maintained, at the very least. Then, the approaching shuffle of paws, punctuated by the soft clatter of armour on furred bodies as they moved. Their opponents had arrived as well, it seemed. Armed, and ready for battle. He slowed to a halt just behind Manea and Alastor, settling into a comfortable stance as he waited for someone to make the first move. And he was not left waiting long. One of the warriors on the opposing side launched himself forward, signalled by the thunderous sounds of paws on the earth headed straight for them. And then there was the raucous snarling of a brawl, and he recognized the timbre of Manea's voice there. A lopsided grin toyed at his features, and the goliath let his heavy skull drop between his shoulders as he turned his attention towards the assembled warriors on the opposing side. No one else in their party was moving yet, and he wondered if they were waiting on a cue of some sort. He sought to bump his shoulder into Imperia's, a friendly jostle as he sidled past her. There was a particular scent in his nostrils, a young male stood among their ranks. Oh to be target practice for a youngster. The ruby marked beast thought it might be in his best interest to start small, and have some fun. He wasn't used to fighting without his sight, and a friendly brawl with a youngster might be just the thing he needed to shake off the rust. Lumbering away from the group, he lifted his massive skull and flattened his ears tight against his crown. "You, boy!" he barked with a broad, jovial grin on his face. "Let's see what you're made of." the words fell from inky lips in a humorous drawl, and he squared his shoulders on the battlefield. Tucked his chin down, bared pearly white fangs. The deadly spires of his horns were angled forward and down now, and he rolled his shoulders forward to bunch up the fur and fat to protect his neck. Knees and elbows loosened, dropping his centre of gravity somewhat and allowing him to take the momentum of a tackle a little better. Without a strong sense of exactly where the young male was positioned, he decided to wait and see if the boy took him up on his challenge. Poe vs Cerberus for Raid Round 0/2 Age: 1+ years Size: Dire wolf Build: Heavy Mutation 1: Horns - Offensive Disability: Total blindness (temporary) Skills: Intermediate Fighter & Intermediate Hunter speech |
NONE OF THIS REFLECTS HOW VIRGIL FEELS ABOUT YOU OR YOUR CHARACTER, PROMISE!
Kichi had been eager for this raid once he had heard of it. However, it was a bit irritating that they had to play gentle. He already knew they had to before Manea reminded them but quite frankly it probably wasn’t a bad idea they get another reminder. There are few things as satisfying as someone’s blood flowing over your muzzle, the look of fear or pain in their eyes.
Still, Kichi realized being enemies with the entire world did no one’s health or longevity any good. If he couldn’t maim the enemies he could at least make the other wolf's loss as obvious as possible! The boy searched the field and spotted Dalila.
Kichi’s grin formed slowly and he only took another moment before he ran towards a wolf that was actually a little smaller than he was. Niceties and words had no place in a fight so Kichi simply attempted to slam into Dalila, attempting to bite the neck. It was a damn tease though, connect or not, he wasn’t trying to bite nearly as hard as his muscles ached to.
Kichi vs Dalila for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: over 1 year
Size: Large
Build: Heavy
Defensive Battle Accessory: Armadillo skin armor
Companion 1: Water deer, Male - Battle
Skills: Novice Fighter & Intermediate Hunter
A red man with milky eyes stepped up and shouted at him, though Cerberus wasn't for certain that the milkiness of his eyes made him blind. He noticed his uneven steps forward, he could only assume. But he knew better than to just think so. He didn't find the man any less of an opponent. He wouldn't turn him down.
Cerberus sprouted his own horns, but they were only nubs right now. The red man's own horns were quite intimating especially while he pointed them forward towards him. He tried not to let it phase him too much though, at least in the means of a tactician. Cerberus took a couple easy steps forward before picking his pace up into a lope, Moccasin quick behind him. When he closed the distance between him and the man, he immediately went for a lower grab. Ducking down, he attempted to grab a bite around the man's front right foreleg, his shoulder also aiming the push into his left knee in hopes to knock it out from under him. Cereberus wasn't used to his new sharp teeth, so that may have hurt the brute a little more than he intended. But at heart, he knew not to try to actually hurt the man.
Round 1/2
Age: under 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Metal claw bracers
Companion 1: Tibetan Mastiff, Male - Battle
Mutation 2: Sharpened fangs - Offensive
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Intermediate Intellectual
His opponent wasted no time in launching forth for an attack, which only served to delight the hellbeast. The staccato beat of rapidly approaching paws was joined by the scent of another canine, though this one bore a different musk than the typical wolf. A dog? Oh, this would be fun! He stood his ground firmly, holding his head low between his shoulders and flagging his ash and crimson cloaked banner out behind himself for balance. As the sounds of the youth's breath became audible, he felt the sharp sting of teeth in the meat of his right forelimb, just below the elbow. A snarl tore itself from his throat, auds flattening with a flinch as his sightless eyes squeezed shut. He still held out some hope that they would eventually recover, and losing one would definitely hinder that possibility. Now that he knew where the boy's head was situated, he could try and grab him. Massive jaws parted, and in the moments it took for the boy's shoulder to collide with his body, he had shifted his weight enough that the force of his smaller shoulder driving up into his limb collided with the meat of his left shoulder instead of the delicate ligaments of the knee. The force of the impact shuddered through his skeleton, though he suspected the force of meeting sturdy bone and muscle wasn't pleasant for the young man either. Rather than trying to shake Cerberus off, he was aiming to drop some of his weight, bend his elbows, and grab a hold of the boy's wide open scruff. He relied on the pad of his dark nose to tell him when he got close, and when he felt the brush of thick fur against his nostrils he lunged forward and sought to close the rest of the distance between them. He aimed to grip the back of the boy's neck, and as it currently stood his jaws were aimed to latch onto the middle of Cerberus' neck. Should the boy retail his grip on his thick forelimb, he thought he would be able to manage it. The goal of scruffing the boy was more about control than anything, and if he could gain a solid grip on the back of the young giant's neck, he would be able to jerk his head back and haul the boy off of his leg- those teeth were remarkably sharp, and he wasn't keen on leaving them embedded in his leg for much longer than necessary. Poe vs Cerberus for Raid Round 1/2 Age: 1+ years Size: Dire wolf Build: Heavy Mutation 1: Horns - Offensive Disability: Total Blindness (temporary) Skills: Intermediate Fighter & Intermediate Hunter speech |
NONE OF THIS REFLECTS HOW VIRGIL FEELS ABOUT YOU OR YOUR CHARACTER, PROMISE!
The African wild dog’s tail was up high and curved, eyes bright with joy. Fighting with family was guaranteed fun. He watched as the other pack of wolves appeared, gaze swooping over each one to see who he would be fighting against. Kione had never been in a real or fake raid before but the idea was certainly easy enough. The fact that they were playing with friends was a nice touch so no true harm was to be done. Kione loved bloodshed of course but, only against true enemies. Against friends or potential friends, the wild dog had no plan to do true damage.
Along with him were two large fuzzy Tibetan mastiffs. Several wolves were already pairing off but he spotted one of the band that hadn’t found a target yet. “There,” Kione spoke softly to his two dogs, “let's go friends!”
Kione towards Imperia with a mastiff on either side of him, “’ello Luv,” he called as he got near, “let's see what you got,” Kione was still moving towards her but he slowed curious to see if this black and white wolf would be the sort to wait for him to start or if she’d take the initiative now that he had targeted her.
Kione vs Imperia for dominance
Round 0/2
Age: over 1 year
Size: Medium
Build: Light
Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather collar
Companion 1: Tibetan Mastiff, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Tibetan Mastiff, Male - Battle
Skills: Master Fighter & Intermediate Navigator
Specialty: Berserker
Poe grabbed hold of Cerberus’ scruff, starting to lift him up off the ground with brute strength. Cerberus had released his grip on the red man’s leg from the initial neck grasp but started to seek out another bite on the right underside of Poe’s neck close to his throat while on the way up off the ground. Moccasin stepped in only as a reflective defensive measure without Cerberus’ permission, moving forward and trying to bite behind Poe’s left knee.
Round 2/2
Age: under 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Metal claw bracers
Companion 1: Tibetan Mastiff, Male - Battle
Mutation 2: Sharpened fangs - Offensive
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Intermediate Intellectual
It seemed as though the shock of being scruffed was enough to dislodge the young male, but Poe wasn't about to release his grip just yet. As the thick muscles in his powerful neck coiled and lifted the young boy part of the way back to his paws, away from the fresh wound to his foreleg. All at once, he felt a new set of teeth sink into the soft flesh behind his left elbow, and he stifled a yelp of surprise. So there was a dog! And it was attacking him now! He had to fight the urge to drop his grip on the young male to attack the dog, because if he lost track of the boy now that would make it harder to regain his grasp on the logistics of their brawl. Better to grit his teeth and bear it- metaphorically. Biting down harder on the child's neck wouldn't be a good idea. He settled most of his weight onto his right foreleg, and as he released Cerberus he sought to lift his left foreleg. The muscles of his shoulders pulled taut, and he sought to jerk his left foreleg forward with a great deal of speed and power behind the motion. It might dislodge the massive canine, while allowing him a chance to splay his toes and aim to strike near the space his jaws had just been. As he drove his paw forward, his claws curled and he aimed to gouge into the flesh of the left side of Cerberus' neck, near where it met with his shoulder. By shoving him with his heavy paw, he would be able to put some more distance between them, while scoring the skin with his claws and leaving a little mark behind. Better than nothing, and maybe striking out at the young man would convince the dog to let his damned leg go. Poe vs Cerberus for Raid Round 2/2 Age: 1+ Years Size: Dire wolf Build: Heavy Mutation 1: Horns - Offensive Disability: Total Blindness (temporary) Skills: Intermediate Fighter & Intermediate Hunter speech |
NONE OF THIS REFLECTS HOW VIRGIL FEELS ABOUT YOU OR YOUR CHARACTER, PROMISE!
Ciná had never participated in anything like this. The only raid he remembered happening while he was in his father's pack had happened while he was too young to do anything about it—not that his father had actually allowed the pack to meet their attackers for the fight anyway. He quickly pulled on his armor when they started to gather up the fighters to go out to the aspen dam. Practice raid or not he was still eager to put some of his recent training into practice and to actually have a use for this armor he had made. Plus it would be the first real fight he had been in since his crystal-beaked hawk found him and the mastiff that now followed him around was gifted to him. He was still getting to know the companions and figure out how helpful they could be so this was as good a time as any to get a practice run. When they arrived on the main land and squared off with their opponents he started trying to pick out who he should go for. A flurry of fights kicked off with the violet woman that seemed to be leading them ended up quickly landing in a skirmish with Balthier, Dalila began to fight with a gray and white boy from the opposing band, Cerberus got called out by a man with big ram horns, and Kione went after a smaller woman that was striped with black and white.
His golden eyes landed on the male that had been standing beside the band's leader and decided he would be his target. He at least matched him in height and really he was kind of running out of options anyway. He grinned and motioned his mastiff forward while the hawk that had been perched on his back took flight and he loped across the make shift battlefield to reach the black and red man. Deciding to not waste any time, Ciná dove right into the fight by trying to dodge past the fluffier man's right side and made a lunge for his back leg. He kept his own tail tucked away so it couldn't be a target and kept his legs slightly bent to give himself more range of motion so he could stay quick on his feet. This guy looked pretty stocky and heavily built so he assumed he wouldn't be as fast as him—though maybe that was all the fur making him look that way.
Cináed vs Alastor for Dominance
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Spiked chest plate
Defensive Battle Accessory: Reinforced leather bracers
Companion 1: Black hawk, Male - Flying - Boosted
Companion 2: Tibetan Mastiff, Male - Battle
Skills: Expert Fighter & Expert Intellectual
"Oh what's the matter? Nobody wants to play with me?" Alastor joked, fixing his eyes on Chimera, wondering if the half-and-half brute would come and join his pack or not. That was when a large red and gold-flecked boy came charging onto the scene, spotting him and rushing right for him. Alastor's grin widened, flashing deadly teeth to his challenger. "Now that's a brave lad!" he jeered and rushed to meet him head on. The red wolf jumped past his right side, but Alastor had been in more than a few scuffles in his lifetime and knew better than to stop and try to change course. He continued to run forward, putting himself just out of reach of Cina's snapping jaws by doing so, and then rounded around on skidding paws. Alastor lunged for the other dire wolf. Both of them were the same size, so overpowering him wasn't going to be an option. He would have to injure him into submission. Alastor leaped for Cina, aiming to charge right into the boy with paws going to grapple him by the neck. He extended his siam claws in an attempt to grasp his flesh and not let go, his jaws open wide aiming to snap down on the corner of Cina's jaw and render him unable to bite or do anything but struggle for freedom.
Alastor vs Cináed for Dominance
Round 1/2
Age: 1+ years
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Heavy
Offensive Battle Accessory: Serrated Steel Fang Caps
Defensive Battle Accessory: Spiked Holly Crown
Companion 1: Miniature Penguin, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Raven, Male - Flying
Mutation 1: Retractable siam gemstone claws - Offensive
Skills: Expert Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Bloodletter
As Manea was lining up, one of her shiny new leather leg wrappings came undone, flapping lightly in the wind. “Shit” She swore, bending down and yanking the thing tighter with her paws. The wolves around her began to move, and she hopped forward, paw in the air and leather in her mouth. “I’m coming!” she said over her full mouth as she finally got it to sit right.
Okay, now she was battle worthy. With spiky straps wrapping her horns, and leather up her calves. Bad ass, other than the slight wardrobe malfunction. She charged forward and into the fray of wolves, looking for an exciting opponent.