Gossamer wiped the blood from her cheek and ignored the bleeding from her shoulder, for now at least. Neither wound was terribly serious and she trekked back into the heart of Armada territory with her head held high and her tail wagging softly. Ásta kept close after the frightening encounter with the old pirate. Gossamer had bested the old bitch once again and this time removed her tail. Her heart was still hammering, the fear for her companion having coursed through her veins so fiercely she half expected her limbs to shake. The fear was not alone however, at the seizing of her victory came a surge of confidence and a decision.

Gossamer had proved herself multiple times and now she finally felt ready to take her place in the Armada not only as a warrior but as a Lieutenant. She tipped back her head and called for her brother Azure.

The Armada was flourishing in the north and somehow even growing stronger beneath the harassment of the southern pirates. The amount of challenges he'd fielded lately was more than double what he'd seen Sirius take on in a normal season, and somehow Azure thought there were still more yet to come. Gossamer's call drew his attention, and he took a moment to gather his companions to him before setting off to meet his younger sister. She had suffered losses over the last year yes, but also had shown capable of holding her own against Pyralis time and time again. Azure wasn't exactly sure what had happened to Menagerie, but he was glad the Fatalis youth had been forced off that path. Losing a capable warrior was not something he ever enjoyed.

Dipping his head in greeting as he came up on her, the Warlord beckoned her to speak. "Gossamer." She was one of the few siblings he tolerated (the percentage of which having gone down noticeably as his parents' newest litter was birthed) and one of the few he was truly proud of. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Speech"

Gossamer returned Azure's greeting, dipping her head as he approached. A wide grin spread across her face as he questioned her. "Good news, Azure. The pirate Pyralis attempted to breech our borders and I'm happy to say I sent her packing with most of her tail rendered from her body." The pirates had long been a thorn in the Armada's side and Pyralis a particular thorn in hers. Besting the woman twice in a row gave Gossamer confidence in her path forward. "I feel my skills in fighting are growing and I would like to pursue the rank of Lieutenant. What do you need me to do to prove my worth of this rank?" If her current victories were not enough she was more than happy to prove her skill in some other way.

Azure gave his polite attention as Gossamer made her petition, explaining her most recent encounter with that old hag of a pirate and how when she was forced to flee, she'd done so missing a good chunk of her tail. Azure gave a quick scoff to the story, not belittling Gossamer's encounter, only disappointed and annoyed that Pyralis was continuing to haunt them. Again and again and again. "Well done." He praised, nodding his large head.

She continued, explaining her desire to try for a higher rank. Azure's lip pulled up, his head shaking slightly. "Little sister, no other Armada wolf has put in the effort you have or has overcome the challenges you have. You do not lick your wounds and pity yourself for your losses, you train harder and return with a win to match it instead. I envy your tenacity, and would gladly trust the leadership of our warriors to your paws." Pausing, the reigning Warlord collected his thoughts. "I have no doubt you are deserving of the rank nor do I intend to award or deny it to you based on outcome, but still I'd like to see your combat strength for myself. To judge where you are today so that I can fully understand your abilities as a Lieutenant in the future." Any other wolf he would force to beat him to earn the promotion, but Gossamer had won his respect a long time ago. If only Aris could pick herself up from her losses similarly.

Stepping back to give the pair a good distance of space, Azure waved a mutated paw in gesture. "Whenever you're ready."

"Speech"

Gossamer felt a warmth blossom in her gut as her brother praised her on a job well done and for her efforts in bettering herself as a warrior. It was good to hear she was worthy of the rank and would likely get it regardless of outcome but she still desired to best her brother in combat. Not only did she want to show him what she could do she wanted to see the look on his face when she bested him. Azure moved back to give the space and she swiftly set her defenses. It was second nature now, like breathing.

As soon as they were in place she kicked off toward her brother. As she neared she shifted to her right in an attempt to line up the front of her left shoulder with the crease between Azure's left shoulder and chest. She wanted to crash the front of her left shoulder to drive it into that sensitive area and strain the ligaments there. At the same time the crown of her head tipped to her right as her jaws aimed for the left side of Azure's neck. Gossamer aimed to sink her lower teeth into the crook of her brother's neck just below his left jawbone while her upper teeth aimed behind the curve of the man's jaw, directly below his left ear. Gossamer sought a grip that would allow her to control her brother's head and maybe prevent him from using his sabers against her.

Gossamer vs Azure for Dominance
Round 1/?
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

Had he actually done battle with Gossamer yet? Azure considered it a moment, but couldn't recall a time when the two had even sparred. Kotori he'd fought multiple times, even Aris once if he recalled correctly. But while he'd watched Goss fight plenty of times, he'd never felt the bite of her teeth himself. Perhaps today she would surprise him even further, if she managed to best him.

She initiated and Azure stepped forward to meet her attack head on, throwing himself unwittingly into her shoulder slam hard as he lifted his right leg to aim to throw it overtop of her spine and neck. Gossamer, like many wolves, sought control of his head to protect herself from his sabers but his teeth had never been Azure's most comfortable weapon - those had always been his claws, long and curved and sharper than any mere wolf's. He aimed to land the heavy paw just before the last bone of her cervical spine where her neck came between the shoulders, flexing his toes to try and sink his claws in for a solid grip behind her shoulder blade.

Feeling her teeth sink in behind his jaw he aimed to shift his weight to that direction. Leaning his head and neck into her bite to reduce tearing while he waited to see whether his claws would land to give him purchase to pull upon her own body.

Azure vs Gossamer for Rank Challenge
Round 1/2
Age: over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Bracers with knife
Defensive Battle Accessory: Condor body armor
Companion 1: Large flying fox, Male - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: Clouded leopard, Female - Battle
*Companion 3: Fisher, Male - Battle
Mutation 1: Saber fangs - Offensive
Mutation 2: Bear paws - Offensive
Mutation 3: Bone spurs - Offensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Bloodletter

"Speech"

Gossamer collided with her brother, feeling a sharp pain in her shoulder where she struck him. She knew it would cause pain and bruising but she hoped in that aiming for a more tender area it would hurt him more and be worth the gambit. Rushing into the attack there was little time to change course so Azure' successfully threw his arm over her, his claws sinking in where intended. She winced at the pain but it did not deter her. She was used to pain by now, of all varieties, and in many ways the physical was more tolerable than the emotional despair. Her fangs found purchase, digging into fur and flesh. They were locked together now and Gossamer had a difficult decision to make. Were he an enemy this is where she'd attempt to thrash her head but doing so could cause significant damage. Would Azure chastise her for holding back or did he understand this was a spar and there were limits?

Gossamer attempted to adjust her grip, seeking to back off only slightly so her fangs bore more of a grip on the thick fur. With his left arm up and over her neck, as well as his slight leaning to the left in response to her attack she made two moves at the same time. She lashed out her left foreleg, seeking to slam it into the front of Azure's right arm, in front of the elbow to force the arm to bend. At the same time her other three legs coiled sharply as she attempted to drop her weight all while pulling his head down. She hoped the combined motion of pulling his upper body down while knocking out the support of his remaining leg would unbalance him and give her a chance at a pin.

Gossamer vs Azure for Dominance
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

Gossamer's next move was one Azure had the pleasure to say had never been attempted against him. For a moment he was thrown - not physically, but by surprise - as Goss' legs buckled and fell. He felt her paw come up against his limb and was forced to lift it rather than shift it back else he might lose balance, instead aiming to drive his weight into the paw that held upon Gossamer... who was currently falling.

Azure knew he was forced to go with the fall especially as her teeth held tight behind his jaw. His shoulder ached heavily where he had unwittingly met her initiation and scrapes a plenty were forming upon his neck as he shifted against her tight grip. It was not a fight for life or limb and so Az did not want to hurt her, but when a dire was being dragged to the ground.. well, shit happened. Azure's sole goal at this point was to ensure he remained spine to the sky, pressing down upon her where he could and hoping to turn her movement against her with his strong arm. Gossamer wanted him on the ground? Well, Az wanted her beneath him when he inevitably hit it.

Azure vs Gossamer for Dominance / Rank Challenge
Round 2/2
Age: over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Bracers with knife
Defensive Battle Accessory: Condor body armor
Companion 1: Large flying fox, Male - Battle - Boosted
Companion 2: Clouded leopard, Female - Battle
*Companion 3: Fisher, Male - Battle
Mutation 1: Saber fangs - Offensive
Mutation 2: Bear paws - Offensive
Mutation 3: Bone spurs - Offensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter
Specialty: Bloodletter

"Speech"

And the winner is...

AZURE

GOSSAMER must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Gossamer: Attack Roll: 17 Defense Roll: 54 Agility Roll: 75 Perception Roll: 48 Total: 194 Attack[17] + 65% Bonus[11.05]: 28.05 Defense[54] + 40% Bonus[21.60]: 75.60 Agility[75] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 75.00 Perception[48] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 48.00 Total[226.65] + 25% Bonus[56.66]: 283.31 Azure: Attack Roll: 89 Defense Roll: 79 Agility Roll: 95 Perception Roll: 65 Total: 328 Attack[89] + 110% Bonus[97.90]: 186.90 Defense[79] + 10% Bonus[7.90]: 86.90 Agility[95] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 95.00 Perception[65] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 65.00 Total[433.80] + 40% Bonus[173.52]: 607.32

Gossamer had fought hard, but Azure held nothing back from his sister. Soon the fight was done and the victor clear, and Az wasted no time in stepping back and giving her room to recover and stand. Panting from the effort, he blew out an adrenaline-driven exhale and gave the other wolf an uncharacteristic grin. Sparring always did bring out the best in him, especially when he'd happened to win. "Well done." The Warlord complimented. Gossamer might have lost, but a win was not the only thing that mattered. Azure himself had lost dozens of fights - most recently falling to Sparrow and losing a portion of his tail to her teeth - there were other factors that came into play. Perhaps the next time he challenged her he'd aim to rend flesh, to give his sister more stakes in the fight to battle her hardest.

He took another heavy breath, blowing out the adrenaline of the fight slowly to return to the task at hand. This spar had not been one for fun, Gossamer had something to prove to him. As far as he was concerned, she'd proven it again and again. "I meant what I said before, I know you deserve this. I am proud of you, and I know our family is too." He began. "The Armada is lucky to have you, Lieutenant."

"Speech"

Gossamer did her best but ultimately she lost the fight against her brother. It was not terribly for surprising, as he was the new alpha for a reason. He stepped back and she got to her feet, shaking out her coat and recentering herself. She panted lightly, catching her breath from the fight as her brother addressed her. The rank was hers. She smiled gently and nodded to her brother. "Thank you, Azure. I won't let you down." As soon as she had finished resting up and finishing her current patrol duty she would speak with Kylfa and get a training regiment put together. The loss against the pirates stung and it was clear there was still more work to be done.

ooc: end? also feel free to play it as Gossamer getting sick shortly after this as an explanation why there isn't a training thread yet. I hope to have one up by New Years.