Eltyrs let the mild autumn wind ruffle his earthen fur as he sat again atop the falls. He lifted his head to Polaris and Guests, calling them for a lesson on fighting. Namely how to fight with honor! Would his lessons be taken seriously?

He waited on the dais for his students to gather. His back was straight and his face, neutral. He would nod to each one as they arrived. The late afternoon sun would start to set over the heads of his students as he would look over them. His warm tones would be bathed in the splendid sunset as would begin his lesson.

"I appreciate your presence! Now, who can tell me how we might fight with honor?" He asked.

"Speech!"

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**Set after thread with Bae-Syl** He was home, settling back in. He had forgotten how much he missed the falls and the familiar scents. He had missed his family and his packmates. While his father would go on the rescue mission, he had promised to stay home until their return. He had spent the better part of the day resting in his den behind the falls atop his pillows and furs. But when he heard Eltrys call to the pack for a lesson Gavroche could not resist the urge to get up and go join him. He wasn’t sure what the lesson would be about, but he was sure that he would enjoy it! Sitting with whomever else had showed up, Gavroche gave a small nod of greeting to the brown wolf. He would curl his tail around his toes, ears perked as he waited for the lesson to begin. When it did, the lesson began with a question. How to fight with honor. It was a question that caused Gavroche’s brow to furrow. “No cheap tactics, like going for your opponents eyes with sand or attacking them from behind without warning.” Or biting their naughty bits, like he had done when fighting other predators… not that Gav was going to bring that up! "Speech," 'Thought.'

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She had come back to visit her parents and siblings briefly. A need to see Beau and Tanelan causing her to feel a little homesick. Though that feeling would not be quelled yet. As beau was nowhere to be smelled and Tanelan sick still. A sigh left her as she moved to leave the territory. She could smell the change on the borders and without Haydee as alpha she wasn't sure if she was welcome. Though a howl stopped her.

It called for their pack and for the guests, or ex-norad members. The Ex-princess lifted her head and a grin was placed on her face. It would be a good idea if she made sure no one thought she had given up. Then they might hope once more.

She knew she might of become a beacon of hope to some. Best not to disappoint.

She turned and trotted right to their meeting place of choice today. A pair of mismatched eyes set on Gav and she gave her friend a massive grin. She stalked quietly behind him before coming to his left side and settling herself right under his wing, purposefully bumping her shoulder to his.

Her attention turned to the older male then though. His question came and she listened to gav's answer before giggling behind a paw. "How bout not going for a boy's jewels? Or~ not trying to win a fight by being underhanded and involving someone else like a baby." she drew out her or on purpose. And was giggly about the boys jewels stuff.

There was other stuff too. Like not being a sore loser. Or fighting babies. She would see what else this male wanted to add though. Under her paw with a whisper though she addressed Gav, "You wanna get dinner later? I'm thinking fish if you wanna make a trap with me."

"Speech"

Nova was unsure about being here but she needed the lessons, she needed the knowledge in order to do better in defending her family and pack. And as she had finally reached adults the pressure was even greater. More dense and such the star coated woman found herself sitting next to her brother Gav. Watchung over him like any good big sister would do. A question is given and while the other two responded she thought about her response."we don't Team on a single wolf. There is no honor in being fought by a whole group." She said calmly. "Speech."

Art and code by Shazaki

The call for a fighting lesson finds Jericho poking around near the creek as he wonders if he should make a den out here. However, he is quick to abandon his current task and make his way to where the earthen male sits, Eltrys’s back is straight and face neutral as Jerry moves to join the other students. The question posed has white eyes widening and he takes a moment to ponder as the others speak up and offer their views. As his sister, Nova falls silent, he finally lifts his voice and softly offers, “We don’t continue to attack if someone is hurt badly and we don’t pick fights with anyone who doesn’t want to fight.” He falls quiet again, shifting nervously as he hopes his answer is okay.


"Jericho Agatsuma-Kedieo"

Sagely Eltrys listens carefully to his student's replies. They all had points related to their experiences. He could see the trauma Trixie had endured seeing her little brother made into a pawn. Gav reminded Eltrys of a recent fight, and Nova reminded him of the same fight, though these two probably had not seen it. Jericho had an interesting notion as well.

"I think you have the main points, yes." He said and stepped forward among them, sitting high over their heads made him feel too close to priesthood again.
"No maims, namecalling, shots from the back. You allow your opponent to see you coming and letting them defend themselves. We fight for dominance, strength testing, spars, and raids." He paused, they all had the same notions, "But what if it was not always wise to fight fair? Or fight honorably? In what situation might you feel it is right to fight without honor?"

"Speech!"

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She allowed her brain to come up with an answer to his following question, one that needed more though and insight than the last one. She closed her eyes, letting the outside noise falter so her thought could be organized easier. She always sought to give her honest opinions and do so with though on them, not simply say stuff just for the sake of saying them, she liked to speak with purpose. Finally she said. "If they attack a pup or a sick wolf they should not be shown any honor for they showed none. Or if they act unfairly first we shall answer with the same energy." She had no doubt in using having and eye for an eye situation in this scenario. "Speech."

Art and code by Shazaki

Gavroche hadn't said it, but Trixy did, which made him roll his eyes with a small smile. So much for keeping the lesson PG. The second thing she mentioned he knew was something personal… over what had happened with Norad. Gavroche brushed against her comfortingly. She didn't dwell on it long though, asking him if he wanted to get some food later. He grinned, whispering back. “I’ll help you make a trap if we can get me a bird.” He had never cared for fish… they were super smelly and slimy in a way that he begrudgingly picked at. He preferred land mammals, but if they were going to be near water a bird was probably the easier choice for a picky eater.

Green gaze shifted back to Eltrys as the lesson continued. A new lesson was posed and Nova would be the one to answer next. Gav nodded at her words before speaking up. “If your opponent is not fighting honorably, it may not be a good idea for you to be. I feel like that will be situational though, where you'll need to use your best judgment. But if a life could be lost or a serious injury gained you shouldn't fight honorably in order to prevent those things from happening if you can.”

Bellatrix

She gave a smile to Gav as he mentioned getting himself some duck instead of fish and a small nod. She didn't mind one bit. Her attention turned back to the lesson at hand though. Dinner plans could wait. And as Gav leaned over to try to comfort her she smiled and pushed her head under his keeping her eyes on Eltrys.

He posed a new question and she listened to the others around. She had already once seen and been in unfair fights. Though most of them were just that way because they all outsized her. Truth be told though alot of the time she was the one squaring up and ready to fight. So she voiced her opinion, after all they were here to learn right? "If they are picking on a wolf who is smaller, younger or disabled and unable to match them its sometimes necessary to fight them dishonorably to defend the weaker wolf. Or if they are putting your life on the line you should pull out everything in your arsenal to defend yourself, even if it makes the fight unfair." the lives of themselves and those around them mattered above all else. She moved to sit more properly beside her best friend as she answered though.

"Talk", 'Think.'
A million dreams for the world we're gonna make

Jericho sits near the back, quietly listening as Eltrys offers them guidance on the subject of honorable fighting before setting before them a new question. Blinking in silent surprise, his pale gaze slides over to his sister Nova as she answers, nodding slightly in agreement with her idea of when to fight dirty. The question seems simple enough and there are several insistences when he would consider fighting dirty and, as his brother answers followed by Bellatrix, many of those times are mentioned.

Mind turns as he silently considers the question and thinks back to all that had happened between Ethne and Raiders Hallow. Taking a deep breath, Jericho says, “When someone won’t stop being a bully. If you try to honorably stop them from hurting yourself or others and they continue to try and harm you or your family, then you fight like hell to make them stop.”

White gaze slides over the others as he turns his gaze up to Eltrys and adds, “Sometimes, it is the only way to get the bullies to stop.” Shoulders square as he levels a steady gaze on the older male, knowing in his heart that he understands what Jericho is trying articulate.


"Jericho Agatsuma-Kedieo"

Hmmm... His gaze locked on each student as they shared their piece. Nova mentioned if their opponent attacked someone at a disadvantage, or if they started the fight dishonorably, that would equate to matching their energy. Gavroche and Bellatrix were slightly distracted but came back to the lesson easily. Gav mentioned a situational awareness would validate dishonorable battle. There is a key they seem to be missing... Bellatrix mentions defending the disadvantaged as well, and Jericho brings up bullying. Considering their backgrounds and the history of their lives, their takes on the lesson make sense.

"Yes and also no." He starts, "To defend the disadvantaged, the disabled, younger, elderly and the like, is honorable in itself. The fighter dishonors themselves for attacking the disadvantaged. There's a key element to Honor you are missing. Shame and guilt. Behind the rules of honor: No maiming, name-calling, or attacking from behind, are all attached to the concept of shame. When you win, you do not rub it in your opponent's face, when you lose you accept the loss with honor by thanking them for the learning opportunity." He strode from one side to the other.

"Face bullies that mean to fight and pester with honor, showing them your honor in the face of their shame will rankle them more than giving in and sinking to their level."

He turned and faced them, "I do not believe in fighting honorably when your life and the lives depending on you are on the line. Bullies don't intend to kill. They threaten, they cajole, they pester and they bother. They want to take what they want. But until lives are threatened you must try your best to fight honorably so that they are forced to face their own shame. The minute a life is threatened you can be as backhanded and deadly with no shame attached.

To summarize: Fighting to Survive, Usually when they attack first, without warning, without honor, and without honorable intent. All rules go out the window, Maim, defend yourself, cheap shots, run, keep yourself alive, get away from them, lead them away from the pack, throw sand, anything to debilitate them and help you escape.

If your opponent is not honorable, but the fight is not for survival, then maintain your honor as much as possible. But do not fear dishonoring yourself and your pack if you are fighting to survive. Survive at all costs, and come home alive. Do not die for honor."

It probably wasn't something they wanted to hear. They wanted to be validated for matching the energy of their bullies. He was hoping to lift them to a level above their enemies, not in a superior way, though bullies typically saw it that way, no, in a way that absolves them of the guilt and shame that their parents have carried. Giving them a different path to looking out for one another, honoring themselves, and turning the conversation of how to deal with bullies on its head.

"Eltrys"

Eltrys’ explanation had been along the lines of what Gavroche had meant. The winged male didn’t want to ever have to fight dishonorably, and certainly didn’t have the stomach to lord it over his opponents… hell, he was still trying to make sense of the conflict between their pack and the Raiders. His mind flicked to the male he had encountered. He had acted honorably, hadn't he? He hadn’t attacked a younger and smaller opponent, and had tried to reason with him. Gavroche thought about him more than a few times. There was something about the man that had the winged male wondering about other packs, and the mindsets of others.

There was always more to a situation than what was on the surface. And he could see how their answers could seem one sided. But each of them spoke from their own personal experiences… and he supposed that was the point of the lesson… You fought honorably unless you needed to survive or help others survive. His gaze shifted to Trixy and then back to Eltrys. He felt like nothing more needed to be said, but he did give a nod of his head to show that he had understood. These words were something he’d have to put into practice the next time he sought an opponent to work on his skills.

"Speech," 'Thought.'

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Bellatrix

Eltrys seemed to both tell them they were right but wrong, and Trixy let a perplexed expression cross her face. Everyone seemed to have good ideas on how to be honorable and to fight with honor, as far as she could see. But then again she wasn't normally a problem child. She really couldn't see herself doing something that would dishonor or make her opponents feel she was being a prick. After all why do that if she could just as easily forgive and turn that opponent into a friend, well unless they were a bully and refused to change. She definitely didn't want friends like that.

A look was glanced around as she listened to Eltrys. HE was giving them each alot of food for thought. She nodded though and stayed seated where she was with ears perked and a thoughtful expression. Eltrys was older and definitely wiser than her. But she could see some of his points. She would have to ask him more later though because it seemed the lesson was over. As soon as it seemed to be wrapping up she gave Eltrys a thankful dip of her head and stood to leave, a smile thrown Gav's way. A silent invitation to go run amok with her sent with it.

-exit unless stopped-

"Talk, 'Think.'
We're beautiful creatures

She took note of all these lessons he was giving, wanting to use it in the future. If she wanted to be able to defend her family, she had to be willing to learn new things to use on her fights. Even if it meant that she had to be dirtier in her fights. Everything was on the table in order to save one's family and pack, and even more if the others did the dirty work first. She nodded to the male, ready to take all she learned into good use and specially if the constant threats of raids are always a thing. "Speech."

Art and code by Shazaki

With rapt attention, Jericho listens to what Eltrys considers honorable and when one should fight with honor. Head bobs in agreement as another component is added to the talk; shame and guilt. Brows lift in silent realization as his concept of honor is expanded and shifted, showing him that he can always fight with honor no matter what his opponent chooses to do.

However, no matter what, when it comes to a dirty fight, they are expected to fight to survive. While the thought of maiming someone else is not pleasant, the boy knows that he will continue to come home, no matter who stands in his way. The black and white boy nods in understanding, knowing that he is walking away from this training with a broadened mind.

As Eltrys draws the meeting to a close, summarizing the key points they have learned, Jericho offers the man a small smile and dip of his head, grateful for have such lessons. The group separates, going about their various activities and he takes the opportunity to move up to their teacher and offer his gratitude before leaving to go chase down one of his siblings. After learning about fighting, a spar seems to be in order!


"Jericho Agatsuma-Kedieo"