Poem walked with Edgar perched over her shoulder, his white feathes gleamed in bright contrast to the black on his body. The girl’s expression was somber as blue and lavender gaze took in Abaven’s sights alone. She hadn’t seen Noir since the fire, thankfully. Verse had been kind of distant, but probably only because Poem had been avoiding their den. Theory was the same, however Motif had even been distant. Charcoal ears pulled to her skull as she took comfort in the raven’s presence.

She felt so lonely recently, her mother and father were busy with recovery after the fire as well as keeping an eye on her brother. Poem was glad for it, but she wished she had more time with Rhyme. The pup didn’t want to feel like this anymore. Alone in such a huge pack with so many wolves who loved her and were there to talk to her.

She shook the thoughts from her head as icy paws kept moving her forward down the bank of the rapids. She sighed softly to herself as her eyes lowered to the ground. She shuffled along, unsure what to do about her emotions and unsure what to do about herself.

Most of the pack had relocated to the rapids after the fire, Theory included. Her burnt paws and singed tail were mostly healed, but she still walked with a bit of a hobble. It was embarrassing, and she tried desperately to hide it. She wished that she hadn't been hurt so that she could help more, or that she'd been hurt worse and been able to help someone during the fire. Theo still felt the coward's sting of failure, no matter how many times Shaye and Rhyme assured her that she had done all she could. Nearby, Alouette fluttered through the branches. Theory had already become close with her companion. Since she was in self-imposed exile due to her frustration, they had bonded quite quickly. Although her successful spar against Rhyme had briefly inflated her ego, Theo was back to moping around. As she dipped her paws in the shallows, thoroughly enjoying the cool water, she spotted the familiar figure of Poem further down the stream. Her short tail twitched happily - although they weren't littermates, Theory felt a special bond with Poem and was excited to show her that she'd also been chosen by one of the young ravens that lived above Rhyme's den. She trumpeted a call to her and picked up at a brisk trot to close the distance. Although she was still a bit bent out of shape, she yipped softly and bumped her nose against Poem's cheek, if her sister would let her. "How are you? Are you okay? Did you get hurt?" They hadn't yet had a chance to speak closely since the fire, as Theory had been undergoing close monitoring by a healer. "Oh... and...." From above, Alouette soared down to perch on top of Theory's head, her second-favorite place to sit. Theo grumbled and bowed her head under the weight, but she was grinning wide.

Edgar gave a quiet signal and Poem turned her head to see Theory as she called out. Poem loved her half-sister as much as she loved Motif, and the emotions were obvious on her features as Theo caused a smile to appear on her dark lips. She stilled and waited for her sister to close the distance and she pushed into her affections. Poem didn’t wish to seem desperate for the attention, but she very much appreciated the close contact. She asked about her well being before a raven appeared from the sky.

Edgar gave a crack of approval and recognition as he watched his sister appear on Theory’s head. Poem lit up. Edgar mentioned how unhappy Summer had seemed since teaming up with Noir, but seeing Alouette so content with Theory made her feel a little better. ”We’re a real alpha pair now!” She offered amusedly as Edgar preened his mistress’s ears. Poem tried to skip over the question about how she was. Didn’t everyone know about Noir’s actions at this point? ”Oh, we can train with each other!” She and Motif had done a little sparring, but it was a little unfair when she had Edgar and her sister had no one.

Theory's heart felt light to hear that Poem shared her sentiments. Yes, they did make quite the pair! Although she was still holding the dream of her and Poem ruling side by side close to her heart, it she often wondered if it was a betrayal of her own littermates. Rhyme had always been quick to remind them that they're a family, but Theo couldn't help but think of the differences between them. Like an invisible curtain that hung between them, their different mothers would forever separate them. This was all to much to think about, so she simply agreed: "Yes, a wonderful pair!" And, one day, maybe that would be true. If they had any hope of getting there, though, they ought to start practicing now. Theory giggled and play bowed before Poem, twitching her short tail. "Ooh, you're on! You won't ever believe me, but I beat Rhyme in a spar," She bragged, waiting for Poem to begin the duel. "speech"

They had grown up in different dens, and the first half of their lives seemed completely different. She had grown up with her mother, Epitaph, and Rhyme helping heavily to raise her. Theo had Tana for only a short time, and then Rhyme more heavily when she was gone. Poem wondered if things might be different if they had been brought to live in her den. It didn’t matter now though, Poem loved her siblings no matter what. They were sisters and packmates.

Theory was quick to agree with her observations and Poem puffed up a bit as her confidence blossomed around her sister. She could begin to forget about Noir and focus on the siblings she knew loved her. ”Tato?! No way!” Her father was her idol. Since she could remember Poem wanted to be like their dad, how had Theo won? ”That’s amazing Theo, but.. what about me?” Thoughts of Noir were shoved away as she jumped back, tail wagging, and toes bouncing as she took up a battle stance. Edgar flapped his wings and took to the air, ready to aid his mistress.

Poem v Theory
Round 0 of 2?
Build: Medium
height: x-large (pup)
Companion: Edgar (flying/perception)

Theory laughed, relishing in Poem's approval. It kind of was amazing! In fact, it made her itch to spar again. The stronger she was, the more able she'd be to protect Poem and everyone in Abaven. As Edgar took to the sky, Alouette followed, calling happily to her brother. What luck and fortune they had, unlike poor Summer. Fully focused now on the task before her, Theory rocked back on her heels and propelled herself forward, aiming to buffet Poem hard on her right shoulder and knock her off balance. Unlike with Rhyme, which had seemed an impossible fight, she and Poem were matched for size and weight. They were equal opponents, which would serve them well as they grew. The only downfall of sparring among themselves frequently would mean that they would become intimately familiar with each other's tactics. It would be a challenge to remain unpredictable, and Theory was looking forward to it. Poem v Theory for Spar Round 1 of 2 Build: Medium height: x-large (pup) Companion: Alouette (flying/perception) Skill Level: Novice "speech"

Theory was quick to initiate, but Poem was ready for her eager sister. Hackles raised, ears fell to her head and her tail waves out behind her for balance. She shifted her weight to evenly balance herself and used her toes to keep light. The girl watched through narrowed gaze as Theo raced towards her powerfully, the girls were growing quickly and their one year birthday was quickly approaching. Poem bent her joints and waited until the last moment to move. She waited a little too long as she felt Theory push into her.

Poem didn’t lose her balance though, and recovered quickly. With her sister so close the young heir aimed to pivot slightly to her right. Aiming to grasp hold of her sister’s dark scruff and as she redistributed her weight raise her left paw and place it over her sister’s back so she might gain control of her movements.

Poem v Theory for spar
Round 2 of 2
Age: 6mos to 1 year
Build: Medium
height: x-large
Companion: Edgar (flying/perception)
Skill Level: Advanced

Poem managed to get atop her easily - that was the tough part about being roughly the same size. Theo grunted and staggered a little bit underneath the added wait, trying to plan her next move. She could feel Poem scrabbling for purchase in her scruff and let her get a good hold. Once she felt her teeth sink into her scruff, Theory threw all of her weight to the side Poem wasn't leaning on, hoping to throw the both of them to the ground. If they were both downed, they could wrestle and play a bit easier. Fighting was fun, but it had been so long since she'd spend quality time with her sister that she desperately wanted to bond as well. Poem v Theory for Spar Round 2 of 2 Build: Medium height: x-large (pup) Companion: Alouette (flying/perception) Skill Level: Novice "speech"

Poem was able to stagger her sister, but she wasn’t down and out yet. As Poem found her jaws around her sister’s scruff along with a paw Theo would shove into her. Poem was sure she was about to go down, so shifting her weight as much as was possible the girl aimed to wrap her right paw around her sister’s neck, hopefully with both paws she’d be able to grasp hold of Theo and pull her down with her. Icy paws fought for traction but Poem was already off balance. She tried to hold tight to Theo’s scruff, and did her best to take her sam sized sister down to the ground with her.

Poem v Theory
Round 2 of 2
Age: 6mos to 1 year
Build: Medium
height: x-large
Companion: Edgar (flying/perception)
Skill Level: Advanced

And the winner is...

POEM	THEORY must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Theory: 219.22 Poem: 336.1

Theory collapsed to the ground in a heap alongside Poem, panting heavily. Alouette alighted in the trees nearby, cawing her approval. "That was fun! We haven't done that in so long," she laughed, nuzzling her cheek. "Let's make sure we do it again soon," Theo added, grinning companionably. They had to hone each other's skills if they were going to be as strong as Shaye and Rhyme. The aftermath of the fire had finally faded and it was time to rebuild from the ashes left behind.

"Tell me how you've been," she asked, standing up to shake off the dirt before settling back down in the shade of a nearby tree. With a motion of her muzzle, she invited Poem to lay with her. They had been torn along different paths as of late, particularly with Tana's passing. It was a pain that her sister couldn't understand, but Theory hoped it wouldn't put distance between them.

Her sister collapsed beneath her and Poem knew she had won. Theo wasn’t like Noir though, when he lost against her she was sure she’d seen tears. Was that why he hated her so much? Poem pushed him from her mind and flopped onto the ground beside her bobbed tailed sister. ”Much more often, Tato says we need to practice to become perfect.” She giggled as she nuzzled her sister adoringly.

She followed her to the tree and settled down with her as she asked how she’d been. Noir flared up in her thoughts yet again. ”Okay.” She said with eyes at her paws. ”Did.. Did mom or Tato tell you what Noir did?” Her question was quiet as she curled into Theory’s soft coat.