Given how strange the world had been these last few months, it was hard not to feel deeply unsettled. Not that their discomfort was evident- at least not any more evident than normal. Seiko's features were gravely set as they wove between the tall dragon blood trees, their companion Herijika skittering along behind them. The female tabby cat batted idly at a few loose bits of dirt, watching the way they tumbled over the dry ground before they crumbled. The feline's tail twitched in amusement, and Seiko's dark eyes followed her for a moment. They'd been slacking a bit on their training these days, which was understandable. They and their siblings had gone north in search of what was happening and some were still out looking for answers. Seiko preferred to stay close to home though, leaving the scouting to their siblings better suited to it. Imagining Tojo-Kai left without any family to protect their borders didn't settle well with them, so they had returned and remained. Pausing near one of the trees, Seiko lifted their head high and let out a call. They hoped to find a partner to spar with today. Their experiences seeking out strangers to brawl with had been beneficial so far, and they were eager to find another.

The Morningstar trotted through the dry expanse, his cyan eyes catching the flicker of movement in the distance just as the call reached him. His red-tailed hawks soared above him, their vibrant magenta plumage catching the sunlight like embers against the azure sky. The pair of them danced through the air, their sharp cries harmonizing with the rustling wind as Oath approached.

The devil-horned wolf's reflection caught in the curved surfaces of his golden collar, the diamond-edged plates shimmering faintly with each shift of his muscular frame. His elongated fang caps glinted when he parted his lips to taste the air, confirming the scent of another was nearby - a wolf. And from the sound of it, a sparring partner.

Seiko's call had been bold and clear. It piqued his curiosity. Not one to ignore such invitations, Oath quickened his pace, the rhythmic beat of his paws tapping against the dry earth. The dragon blood trees came into view, their crimson sap markings like the tears of the land itself. He admired their unusual beauty before his gaze shifted to the figure standing beneath them.

"Quite the spot for a challenge," Oath remarked, his voice warm but edged with intrigue as he drew closer. His birds swooped low, landing deftly on a nearby branch. The hawks' movements were precise and intentional, an extension of Oath's calculations.

"I heard your call," he said, tilting his horned head with a slight grin. "You're looking for someone to spar with, yes? Well, you've found me." His stance shifted slightly, shoulders rolling in readiness. The reflective sheen of his collar and fangs made him seem almost otherworldly in the dappled light.

"Shall we test our mettle?" he asked, cyan eyes sparkling with confidence. He didn't want to assume the other accepted him as a sparring partner, but adrenaline was already coursing through him. It took everything in him to restrain from starting off with an attack right away.

"Speech"

Oath Morningstar

CODE BY SIN

Seiko was somewhat narrowly focused on improving their skills, on becoming a stronger fighter, often to the detriment of other things in their life. They hadn't spent nearly as much time bonding with their numerous siblings as they ought to, and developing relationships outside their immediate family... well, it went without saying that they weren't terribly well socialized. They were a reclusive Tojo-Kai wolf, through and through. Even encountering a stranger felt awkward for them. Their eyes lingered for a long while at the bright coat of the male who approached, gawking silently at his features for a long while before they nodded stiffly in greeting. Seiko had never seen anyone who looked quite like him before. There was so much they had to learn still, so much they had to experience. They cleared their throat before speaking. "I suppose," they said simply, matter-of-factly. They hadn't thought much about their surroundings, though the trees here were just familiar enough that they felt comfortable letting their guard down a bit. "Yes, I just wanted a simple spar. Nothing serious, just for practice," they explained, stretching their forelimbs in front of them. Herajika scrambled along the dirt-packed ground to catch up to the two wolves, tail flicking in anticipation. They gave a nod before pulling back and assessing their opponent. He was about the same height, maybe with a slightly leaner build, but not by much. Evenly matched, as far as they could tell, though they knew nothing about his skills. They set their defenses, carefully lowering into a fight-ready stance. Their ears pulled back and their limbs spread for balance, and they gave another nod before charging. They wished they'd brought their bamboo staff with them to practice, but alas, maybe next time. Their jaws parted, aiming a straight-forward bite toward Oath's left shoulder, ducking to that side as they charged. Seiko vs Oath for Spar Round 1 / ? Age: Over 1 Year Size: Titan Build: Balanced Companion 1: House Cat, Female - Battle Mutation 1: Antelope Horns - Offensive Skills: Expert Fighter & Intermediate Intellectual

The Morningstar's cyan eyes gleamed as he met Seiko's challenge, his stance shifting fluidly to mirror her own defensively. The straightforwardness of their attack betrayed a no-nonsense style, one he appreciated for its focus. As their jaws aimed for his left shoulder, Oath pivoted sharply, angling his body to deflecting the bite with the gleaming edge of his bladed collar. The clash of movement sent a ripple of excitement through him, his golden fang caps glinting in the light as his lips peeled back and he snapped at the air in front of Seiko, aiming to unbalance them by forcing them into avoidance.

With calm confidence, he pressed forward with a low strike while distracting them with his snapping jaws, his left forepaw aiming to swipe under Seiko's own and test their footing. His movements were precise and deliberate, aiming to shake Seiko's defenses and confuse them. His hawks soared above, quiet as they watched the two titans clash. Oath was still studying, observing, testing this stranger - trying to get a glimpse into the rhythm of their skill.

Oath vs Seiko for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Titan
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Bladed collar
Defensive Battle Accessory: Fang caps
Companion 1: Red-tailed Hawk, Male, Battle
Companion 2: Red-tailed Hawk, Female, Battle
Mutation 1: Horns - Offensive
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Advanced Intellectual

"Speech"

CODE BY SIN

Oath has two Red-Tailed Hawks, Icarus and Nyx, that may be assumed to be nearby at anytime.

They'd never encountered someone who looked quite like him. From his vivid coat to the armor he and his companions wore, he was far more ornate than Seiko was used to, though they wondered if maybe that was a tactic in itself. Distraction. They wouldn't be thrown off quite so easily though, refocusing their attention as best as they could- their gaze met their opponent's, trying to anticipate his own moves as they charged forward. They deflected Seiko's attack with seeming ease, blocking their bite with their collar; Seiko made to lessen the force with which they charged forward, wincing as they felt metal connecting with their teeth. His jaws snapped in retaliation, and Seiko relinquished their own positioning, trying to jerk backwards out of reach. Their movements weren't quite practiced enough though and they moved too slowly to avoid their paw as it struck out, causing them to stumble. Only briefly, though. They sought to regain their balance as they took a few steps backwards, steadying before lunging forward again. Their attacks were straightforward through and through, hoping to use their practiced agility to their advantage. Herajika, their tabby friend, made to circle the two wolves and claw out at Oath's hind legs as Seiko charged once again, jaws splayed, though this time they aimed to duck lower and grab hold of one of the male's forelimbs. Seiko vs Oath for Spar Round 2 / 2 Age: Over 1 Year Size: Titan Build: Balanced Companion 1: House Cat, Female - Battle Mutation 1: Antelope Horns - Offensive Skills: Expert Fighter & Intermediate Intellectual

Oath admired Seiko's determination as they adjusted quickly after their stumble, their movements regaining a steadiness that spoke of a well disciplined fighter. He caught the way their gaze flicked toward him, reading him, trying to anticipate his next move. A faint grin tugged at his lips - it was always a thrill to spar with someone so focused.

As Seiko lunged forward again, this time aiming lower, Oath braced himself, noting their tabby companion darting toward his hind legs. He sidestepped sharply to the right, shifting his weight to avoid the swipe of claws while simultaneously aiming to unbalance Seiko's charge. He had not moved quite far enough out of the way to avoid the quickness of the cat, and he could feel the sting of their claws dig into his left hind leg, making him hiss through his teeth.

The agility of their combined attack was commendable, but during his pivot he'd raised the forepaw closest to Seiko and brought it down over their shoulders in an attempt to pin them mid-lunge during their choice of a low attack. His cyan eyes narrowed as he brought his weight down on them, moving his hind legs to be more parallel with their own body in quick succession. The pin was meant to immobilize them and end the fight, but he knew he had his work cut out for him with such an agile fighter.

Above, his hawks still watched. Their cries cuing signals to warn Oath of the cat currently out of range of his vision.

Oath vs Seiko for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Titan
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Bladed collar
Defensive Battle Accessory: Fang caps
Companion 1: Red-tailed Hawk, Male, Battle
Companion 2: Red-tailed Hawk, Female, Battle
Mutation 1: Horns - Offensive
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Advanced Intellectual

"Speech"

CODE BY SIN

Oath has two Red-Tailed Hawks, Icarus and Nyx, that may be assumed to be nearby at anytime.

And the winner is...

OATH

SEIKO must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: SEIKO: Attack Roll: 18 Defense Roll: 86 Agility Roll: 78 Perception Roll: 83 Total: 265 Attack[18] + 35% Bonus[6.30]: 24.30 Defense[86] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 86.00 Agility[78] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 78.00 Perception[83] + 10% Bonus[8.30]: 91.30 Total[279.60] + 20% Bonus[55.92]: 335.52 OATH: Attack Roll: 99 Defense Roll: 59 Agility Roll: 55 Perception Roll: 46 Total: 259 Attack[99] + 50% Bonus[49.50]: 148.50 Defense[59] + 10% Bonus[5.90]: 64.90 Agility[55] + 5% Bonus[2.75]: 57.75 Perception[46] + 15% Bonus[6.90]: 52.90 Total[324.05] + 15% Bonus[48.61]: 372.66

Seiko shared that sentiment- sparring with someone who was so laser-focused was highly enjoyable. As much as they liked the unpredictability of fighting with strangers, they enjoyed brawling with someone who displayed carefully trained technique, who thought through each move carefully. This certainly felt like an even match-up. So much so that they really didn't know who was going to come out the victor. They charged, and mid-pounce Oath brought down a paw on their shoulder, twisting around and deftly pinning them to the ground. Seiko wiggled, aiming to fight free, but their lowered position left the movement impossible. Panting, they didn't quite stop thrashing, but they clearly had lost this one. Being pinned down didn't exactly settle well with them though, every fiber of their body begging to be freed. "I concede," they said through gritted teeth. Herajika reeled back quickly, her tail giving an excited series of twitches. "You fought well," they said after a moment, once Oath allowed them to stand. They'd won more fights than lost and they were always impressed when someone was able to best them. They were not so arrogant to believe themselves undefeatable. They took another long moment to look Oath over, admittedly intrigued by him. "Hanzo Seiko, of Tojo-Kai," they introduced themselves after a beat, giving a curt nod.

The Morningstar stepped back, releasing Seiko with a respectful nod, his cyan eyes glimmering with warmth and admiration. "You've got quite the spirit," he said, his tone sincere. "Not many hold their focus the entire way through a spar without letting anger and frustration get the best of them. You fought well." He gave a small, almost teasing grin. "And I'll admit, that strength of yours makes pinning you down feel like trying to hold a river in place."

As Seiko introduced themselves, Oath inclined his head in a polite gesture. He'd met one other Tojo-Kai wolf before this one, and each one seemed to naturally draw respect out of him. "I am Oath Morningstar, of Judila," he replied, his name rolling almost melodically off his tongue. "Not a pack, but a family. Tojo-Kai, huh? I have heard that name before, from another impressive fighter. You must guard your territory well if all who come from Tojo-Kai fight like you." His hawks landed on the branch of a nearby tree, their keen eyes darting between the wolves with curious interest.

He settled into a more relaxed stance, his tail swishing lazily behind him as he caught his breath and reclined his weight onto his haunches. "Your technique is impressive," he continued. "Straightforward, but sharp - like someone who has trained hard and often. Do you often spar with outsiders, or was this a rare occasion?" Oath's voice carried genuine curiosity, his demeanor open and easy as he sought to learn more about the mysterious wolf who had matched him so well.

"Speech"

Oath Morningstar

CODE BY SIN

It was hard to ignore the slight panic that rose in the normally composed wolf's chest at being pinned. Losing was never out of the question, but being pinned, being that vulnerable... they felt immense relief when they finally stood, giving their coat a slight shake. The compliment felt nice, though they maintained a rather complacent demeanor in the face of it. Though they were the type of wolf to be straightforward with their intentions, they knew others weren't always quite so transparent. Trust took a long while to be earned for Seiko. "As do you," they compliment him back easily. His comment, comparing them to a river, very nearly earned a smile from Seiko. They'd always felt drawn to the water, maybe since they'd been born and raised on the sea. Comparing their tenacity to water itself felt like the highest form of flattery. Speaking of their pack was a little more challenging for them. Tojo-Kai was intensely reclusive, a private pack who told outsiders little about themselves. They were secretive, not for fear of outsiders but distrust of them. Oath was no exception. "We are known to guard our lands well. We don't take kindly to trespassers in our bamboo." A threat? Or maybe just a fact. Disrespecting one's home felt like one of the most dishonorable things of all; Seiko could not imagine infringing on the home of another wolf, not without damn good reason- and even then, it was hard to imagine a scenario where that would be permissible. Honor, above all else, was of the utmost importance. "I've never heard of Judila," they admitted. Their head tilted slightly, their dark eyes still fixed on Oath, not quite unblinking but their stare quite intense. They'd always wanted to know more about the other wolves in these lands, how their groups were organized, the innermost workings of their minds. What made them tick. Not exactly an easy thing to glean when they only got to know others at the surface level. Friendships were not something Seiko knew much about fostering. "I spar with others as often as I can. I tend to not go far from home though," they admitted. Perhaps they'd be even more skilled if they did, but they preferred the lands they were used to, preferred staying close to family. Going too far meant nobody to defend their home if it became necessary. Not a thought that settled well with them at all. "What about you? Do you live near these lands?"

Oath dipped his head in acknowledgment, appreciating Seiko's reserved nature. Their response about the Tojo-Kai was exactly what he expected from a pack steeped in tradition and guarded by mistrust. It didn’t faze him- he’d encountered wolves with similar stances before, and he respected the fierce loyalty it took to uphold such principles. “A strong home is built on honor,” he remarked. “You defend yours well. I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

When Seiko mentioned Judila, Oath’s ears pricked slightly with a jingle of his jewelry, and a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Judila does not really live anywhere. Nomadic by choice. We wander the lands, absorbing knowledge and offering aid where we can. At least, most of us do.” His cyan gaze grew distant for a moment before refocusing on Seiko.

Their mention of staying close to home drew an understanding nod from Oath. “That kind of devotion takes strength. It’s not easy to sacrifice exploration for the sake of duty.” He paused, glancing briefly toward Icarus and Nyx, who had begun preening their feathers, content for the moment. “As for me, I tend to roam, but I stay close to my family and wherever they choose to be. Right now, I’m... exploring,” he admitted with a wry grin. “How am I to protect them if I never step away long enough to gain experience of what threats lie outside of us? I am sure you understand- you are here with me, after all.”

He tilted his head slightly, his tone shifting to one of curiosity. “Do you ever feel restless, though? Like there’s more to see, more to learn outside your borders? Or does the safety of home outweigh that pull?” His gaze lingered on Seiko, genuinely intrigued by their perspective. He'd often found himself conflicted with the need to be near his own family, and the need to discover- he hoped their opinion might ease his own mind.

"Speech"

Oath Morningstar

CODE BY SIN