The Warlord and his son had lingered in the background of the raid. Watching the fights more than participating. Keeping their eyes on the wolves they had brought. Looking for training opportunities, and talent to reward. It had surprised him, when Gossy had lost her fight. He knew she had lost some fights in other competitions, and was sure he hadn’t imagined the disappointment and worry in her pose as she lost this fight as well. After patching up their wolves and dragging them home, the Warlord sought out his daughter. Lifting his head, he called out to Gossy. He wanted to speak to her well the fight was still fresh in her mind, and before the loss could affect her future performance. "Speech"

Gossamer retreated to her den after the raid concluded and her healing duties subsided. She'd been struggling with her roll as a warrior and her desire to obtain the rank of Lieutenant but loss after loss left her confidence shaken. First the pirate, then the tournament, now her first raid. Was she simply on the wrong path? Should she be focusing more on healing? Gossamer grit her teeth. What could she do to improve her skill? To gain back her confidence? Beating up that stupid old pirate came to mind but in truth it wasn't enough. What it came down to was that she didn't feel like she was enough.

Gossamer's ears flicked back as she heard her father's call. She had a pretty good idea he wanted to discuss the raid and her ears burned hot with embarassment. With a sigh she got to her feet and headed out to speak with her father. She approached with a sheepish look on her face. "Father? I'm sorry… I don't know what happened."

She obeyed, though he could see the unhappiness in her body language as she approached. The Warlord, too old to be foolish enough to push away his dear children, reached forward. Grabbing the back of her head in a gentle grip as he kissed her forehead. “You, my dear.” he said “are tenacious and brave, and any time the world knocks you down, you get back up again.” He released her, leaning back slightly and giving her space if she wished for it. “I’m proud of you, and I can see the warrior you could be. Don’t let this blow knock you off your stride. How about you have a few lessons with your old man, and we go from there?” he suggested. "Speech"

Gossamer swallowed the lump in her throat, intent on keeping on a brave face as she waited for her father's words. She was too old to fall apart in front of him. He placed a paw upon the back of her neck and gently pulled her forward before kissing the top of her head. The reassuring gesture meant worlds to her along with the words that followed.

He released her and she sat back, tears welling up in her eyes. Not because of sadness but to some relief that he wasn't upset with her performance. She smiled softly at her father and nodded eagerly. "Please, I would really appreciate that." She reached forward, gently seeking to butt her head against his shoulder. "Dad… thank you."

He saw the tears welling up in her eyes as he released her, and he knew how much she tried. How much she wanted to be a mighty warrior, and the world kept batting her down again. He felt his desire to protect her from the world well up inside of him. He knew, he knew that smothering his children never ended well. But the feeling was still there. She butted her head against his, and he offered her a grin as he dunked his lightly against hers. “Always, kiddo.” He whispered. “Alright, let's see what we can do to get you fighting fit. You've got a good foundation, I’ve seen it.” he wouldn’t say it outloud, but he had a feeling confidence played a large key in her problems. He put some space between them, falling into a familiar stance. “Show me what you’ve got, hold nothing back.” "Speech"

Gossamer used the back of her paw to wipe at the forming tears and dampen them back down. She needed her vision sharp if she was to spar her father. She nodded as he told her to hold nothing back. The expression on her face hardened into concentration as her defenses fell into practiced place. With her defenses locked down Gossamer launched herself forward, heading straight on before suddenly shifting to her left and arcing in toward her father. She attempted to come at him from a forty-five degree angle, facing in toward Sirius' right shoulder.

Gossamer hoped to lance the front of her left shoulder blade into the outer muscular portion of Sirius' shoulder, right into the deltoid. At the same time her fangs flashed toward his face, seeking to knick the skin over his right cheek. Even though she'd been told not to hold back she wouldn't seek to give serious damage. Should she be successful her father would know what the tag meant. In a serious fight she could score a significant hit.


Gossamer vs Sirius for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Clawed gauntlets
Defensive Battle Accessory: Spiked helmet and coif
Companion 1: Fox, Female - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: Snow leopard, Male - Battle - Boosted
Mutation 1: Saber fangs - Offensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Healer
Specialty: Knight

He stood at the ready as Gossy wiped the tears from her cheeks. Picking herself off the ground, metaphorically speaking as she prepared for the challenge. The tough girl prepared her defences and came at him. Aiming for his right shoulder as she forced her left shoulder blade into it. He held his ready stance and let the impact pass. He was a close-combat wolf who used his weight to control a fight. When she lifted his head up towards the taller wolf, he slammed his head down. Attempting to throw off the attack with the sudden movement as he leaned his weight against her left shoulder and raised his left paw in an attempt to bring it up behind her right. Twisting his paw to pop out the knife in his bracer as he did so. Sirius vs Gossamer for spar Round 1/2 Age: Over one Size: Dire wolf Build: Medium Offensive Battle Accessory: Front leg bracers with knife Defensive Battle Accessory: Back leg bracers Companion 1: Black Vulture, Male - Battle - Boosted Companion 2: Snow Leopard, Female - Battle - Boosted *Companion 3: Spectacled bear, Female - Battle Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive Mutation 2: Fangs - Offensive Mutation 3: Thicker fur - Defensive Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter Specialty: Bloodletter "Speech"

Gossamer could use a win but victory was not really her goal this time. She was fighting her father after all, a wolf who in her mind was one of the greatest warriors of their time. Her goal was to give a good showing. To show how much she learned and even more than that to get his advice and his tips. The majority of her fight training had been done with Ásta in between sneaking spars from other pack members and the various tournaments she'd participated in. Yet, no learning experience held more value than her father's feedback

Gossy collided with her father, her shoulder lancing into his arm. However as her fangs went for his cheek his head suddenly came down toward her. Wary of dislocating her jaw but at the same time not wishing to show fear or uncertainty she twisted her head sharply toward her right, seeking to let her father headbutt the left side of her face while her left fangs, hopefully, snapped down over the flesh of Sirius' forehead. The goal was to cut skin, for maintaining a hold on a curved surface like the skill wouldn't be successful in the way they were positiooned.

As Sirius' weight leaned against her, Gossamer's legs spread wider, attempting to keep herself upright. A click caught her attention and she had a split second to react. Shifting her weight to her left and hind leg she raised her right foreleg, out of the way of his blades, and kicked out, seeking to place her paw against the front of his elbow and kick it in toward itself. Hoping to use the joints flexibility against her father to put him off balance.


Gossamer vs Sirius for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Clawed gauntlets
Defensive Battle Accessory: Spiked helmet and coif
Companion 1: Fox, Female - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: Snow leopard, Male - Battle - Boosted
Mutation 1: Saber fangs - Offensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Healer
Specialty: Knight

The Warlord grunted as his daughter twisted her head. His hit caught the left side of her face, and her fangs found purchase in his forehead. His fur was thinner then, and she scored a decent hit. He shook his head violently to keep any blood out of his eyes. Gossy, accustomed to the sound of his bracers, caught the noise of its release. He could see it in the sudden attentiveness of her body, and then she was moving. Kicking at his leg, he abandoned the attack and rocked his weight back. Since she was keeping in close contact with him, he reared up. Attempting to grab her in a bear hug where his superior size and weight could control the fight. Sirius vs Gossamer for spar Round 2/2 Age: Over one Size: Dire wolf Build: Medium Offensive Battle Accessory: Front leg bracers with knife Defensive Battle Accessory: Back leg bracers Companion 1: Black Vulture, Male - Battle - Boosted Companion 2: Snow Leopard, Female - Battle - Boosted *Companion 3: Spectacled bear, Female - Battle Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive Mutation 2: Fangs - Offensive Mutation 3: Thicker fur - Defensive Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter Specialty: Bloodletter "Speech"

And the winner is...

Gossamer

Sirius must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Gossamer: Attack Roll: 97 Defense Roll: 37 Agility Roll: 29 Perception Roll: 70 Total: 233 Attack[97] + 65% Bonus[63.05]: 160.05 Defense[37] + 40% Bonus[14.80]: 51.80 Agility[29] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 29.00 Perception[70] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 70.00 Total[310.85] + 25% Bonus[77.71]: 388.56 Sirius: Attack Roll: 53 Defense Roll: 32 Agility Roll: 24 Perception Roll: 58 Total: 167 Attack[53] + 115% Bonus[60.95]: 113.95 Defense[32] + 20% Bonus[6.40]: 38.40 Agility[24] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 24.00 Perception[58] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 58.00 Total[234.35] + 40% Bonus[93.74]: 328.09