When would it be time to go home? It was too loud here, and there were too many strangers. Other children, mostly large and noisy. Too much noise. Too much activity. It wasn't quite as bad as things had been in the Hallows, but it was still... not great. At least the sound would dissipate better here, dampened by the grass and not caged by the castle. Still, Dread was pretty much hellbent on not having a good time. His engagement with the others had been stiff, stilted. He is not friendly. But he'd be polite. Dread excused himself from the bulk of the group, moving to the edge of the lake. He took a long drink of shockingly cold water, feeling it flood his system and rattle his senses. After finishing his drink, the boy lingered here instead. It was a valid excuse for taking a moment away from the bustle of the playdate. From the newfound distance he watched the others play, curious but not curious enough to attempt to rejoin them just yet.

Renegade couldn’t help his excitement, nor his joy in being able to show off his home to so many other puppies. His litter was the youngest in the party, as much as their pack. His cousins were very nearly adults now so his only real playmates were his siblings. Not that he complained about that. While they were his closest friends they were also his rivals, which made life much more fun. However confident the young prince was, he knew his little sister was the most skilled out of the lot of them.

The pale sky marked prince was naturally curious, and his age was apparent in his naive nature. Nothing bad could happen, ever, despite his parents seemingly endless insistence on the dangers lurking around every corner. He wanted to see those dangers and experience them himself… one day. For now he was under too tight of supervision. However, the boy was easily distracted by their guests, and when he spotted one of the other older pups moving away he found that he had to follow the odd man out.

"Hi,” Ren offered with a wag of his tail, ever the little diplomat he couldn’t imagine the other pup was out here because he wanted to be away. "You’re… Dread.. Right?” He asked with a tilt of his head. After he had been lightly scolded for his performance of leapfrog, he’d paid extra close attention to everyone’s names at the introduction. "Do you wanna… wrestle.. With me?” That had been the game he liked too, right? Renegade mentally crossed his littles toesies he was correct.

"Prince Renegade"

His moment to re-center himself, his moment of peace and quiet, it hadn't lasted long. At least the boy that approached him wasn't loud, and wasn't overly rambunctious. That was okay. Dread was trying to convince himself that it was going to be okay, at least. He could get through a social interaction without making a complete ass of himself. That, and this one seemed nice enough. He nodded, confirming to the tall, leggy boy that he was in fact Dread. "You're uh... Renegade?" Those parents really hadn't done them any favors, naming all of the pups things that started with the same letter. With all of them sounding so similar, it was only natural that anyone who met them all at the same time would get confused. Still, Dread is doing his best out here. If he wrestled with the tall, noodle-y boy, then maybe it would be good practice. Maybe the day wouldn't be a complete bust if he could get some sort of productive something in... or whatever he was supposed to be thinking about. That, and he was actually sorta glad that one of the other pups had approached him. Maybe it's a bit of relief, like he wouldn't be the odd man out forever. The shadow of a smile flickered across Dread's face, and he gave an enthusiastic nod. "Yeah, that could be fun." Right. If you asked Dread, he'd probably tell you he's allergic to fun. But for now he can try. "You can have the first move, if you want." Dread moved away from the side of the lake-- it was too cold to fall in. Instead he picks a space several paces away, where the ground was flat and relatively clear. He set his stance carefully, weight distributed over all four paws, before looking up and making eye contact with Renegade. It's on.

Dread vs Renegade for practice/spar
Round 0/?
Age: under 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Snow Leopard, Female - Attack
Companion 2: Tasmanian Devil, Female - Attack
Mutation 1: Thicker crystalline fur - Defensive
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Healer

Ren nodded enthusiastically when the other boy remembered his name as well. The prince was quite impressed, especially since his name was quite similar to his siblings’. While Dread didn’t seem overly friendly he wasn’t anything hostile either. However nervous Renegade was that his request to play would be denied. That was why they were here though, right? To play and have fun together! The darker boy didn’t deny him though, and admitted that they even might have some fun with their little wrestling match.

The cloudy prince beamed up at his new friend as his tail started wagging even faster at his hips as he play bowed, and Dread gave him the option of the first move. Ren did suppose it would be smart to move away from the lakeside just in case. Didn’t want his father to have to come over here and scold him for getting wet for no reason. He was the king of skirting the rules, but there were many times his mother’s rule was too strict to wiggle out.

Ren stood up to his full height, which with their age difference was a bit shorter than dread still. However leggy he was becoming, surely going to take after his sire someday. "That’s nice of you,” The pup returned with bright eyes and a grin as he hopped a few paces away from the lakeside. Wiggling his white marked rump before leaping after the older pup. Aiming to wrap his long front legs around his neck as he wanted to drag him into the yellow grass and really get to wrestling.

"Prince Renegade"

Renegade vs Dread for Spar
Round 1 of 2
Age: under 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Light
Mutation 1: Enhanced vision - Perception
Mutation 2: Diamond Claws - Offensive
Mutation 3: Scruff Quills - Defensive
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Intermediate Healer>

The boy drew to his full height, and Dread matched the gesture. Was it nice of him? Maybe, that or he would be able to get some sort of gage on how the boy moved if Dread allowed him to attack first. The younger boy wiggled his rear and sprung forward, telegraphing that there was something coming before he sprung upon the taller child. Renegade wrapped his forelegs around Dread's neck, though he was long, he was light too. Dread was alright with this. He took a big step forward, pressing his weight into Renegade. The boy was on two legs instead of four, and Dread wanted to catch him off balance. He couldn't help but grin as he did, having a darn good time. Still, it was hard to move too freely with the grey boy holding onto him like that. Dread moved to throw his weight to the side, hoping to stagger Renegade in such a way that they'd both end up on the ground, and the wrestling could really begin!

Dread vs Renegade for practice/spar
Round 1/2
Age: under 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Snow Leopard, Female - Attack
Companion 2: Tasmanian Devil, Female - Attack
Mutation 1: Thicker crystalline fur - Defensive
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Healer

Renegade was doing his best in the lessons he was given, but they were age appropriate and Ren hadn’t quite made it to higher fight theory. Right now it was all rough and tumbling in the mud with his siblings. Once he was a little older the forethought that should go into battle would be much better applied. Right off the bat Ren could feel that he was outmatched by the older boy, but it didn’t really matter when he was already having so much fun.

The two of them didn’t take long to wind up on the ground, while Ren didn’t really fight that course he did try and tighten his hold on Dread’s neck so that he would be brought down as well. Where Renegade aimed to roll, trying to bring himself to the top of the puppy pile to subdue his opponent. Even if he was fighting an uphill battle the young prince put his all into the fight, and wouldn’t give up!

"Prince Renegade"

Renegade vs Dread for Spar
Round 2 of 2
Age: under 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Light
Mutation 1: Enhanced vision - Perception
Mutation 2: Diamond Claws - Offensive
Mutation 3: Scruff Quills - Defensive
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Intermediate Healer

Age appropriate was a weird concept to Dread. He's always pictured himself as more grown than he actually is. After losing his mother, that's only become even more clear. All of this, and the boy is far too serious for his age... or any other age, for that matter. Serious as a judge. Serious as the executioner. Something like that. Still, he's allowing himself the joy of romping about in the grass with the rest of the children. Right, sure, joy. That's what this feeling was supposed to be? Maybe. It was colored too loudly with the anxiety that came with leaving the safety of the Armada. They're on the ground, and he has to focus. It was a great deal of rolling around, and Dread was doing his best to use his weight to keep control of the whole thing. Control was hard, and Renegade was slippery. A slippery, noodle-y creature, one that was hard to keep track of and keep control of. Dread was fighting his own frustration tolerance at this point, something he'd need to learn how to do in time anyway. Really, it was awfully difficult to get a good grip on the boy. Maybe the struggle was part of the fun.

Dread vs Renegade for practice/spar
Round 2/2
Age: under 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Snow Leopard, Female - Attack
Companion 2: Tasmanian Devil, Female - Attack
Mutation 1: Thicker crystalline fur - Defensive
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Healer

And the winner is...

DREAD

RENEGADE must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: DREAD Attack Roll: 30 Defense Roll: 67 Agility Roll: 76 Perception Roll: 97 Total: 270 Attack[30] + 35% Bonus[10.50]: 40.50 Defense[67] + 10% Bonus[6.70]: 73.70 Agility[76] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 76.00 Perception[97] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 97.00 Total[287.20] + -15% Bonus[-43.08]: 244.12 RENEGADE Attack Roll: 36 Defense Roll: 42 Agility Roll: 8 Perception Roll: 65 Total: 151 Attack[36] + 20% Bonus[7.20]: 43.20 Defense[42] + 20% Bonus[8.40]: 50.40 Agility[8] + 5% Bonus[0.40]: 8.40 Perception[65] + 10% Bonus[6.50]: 71.50 Total[173.50] + -15% Bonus[-26.02]: 147.47

The little prince was doing his best snake impression, wiggling and struggling as both boys did their best to get on top. It seemed that age and experience would be the winner in the end as Dread managed to roll and pin the young Renegade. Nothing would have happened if Ren saw reason and gave up when he knew he was beaten, but the boy couldn’t stop. As Dread struggled and grasped one of Ren’s quills was ripped from his skin.

Immediately the boy squealed in pain and gave up his struggle. Blood lightly stained his pale fur, it wasn’t a terrible life threatening injury, but it was the worst that the prince had yet to experience in his short life. "I surrender!” The young boy whined softly. "I think I need a healer,” He admitted with defeat.

"Prince Renegade"