A lot had transpired between now and the raid. Telling Mort and Sirius about her old pack had been nerve-wracking as hell. It'd been a miserable thing, to drag up those memories... And at the same time, she could breathe a little easier, now that she didn't have to guard it so close to her heart. Happier, still, was Sirius -- her father, now -- making her an official part of their family. Her heart warmed at the memory, bittersweet as the evening had been. She was still hurting, and there was a long path ahead of her to ease that pain. But she wasn't alone anymore.

The she-wolf wondered if he'd told Mortis about it yet... but she would know pretty soon. They'd planned to meet today for the spar she'd promised after the raid. The plain was dusted with snow that afternoon, the sky was pale and washed with gray and the sun glowing softly behind the clouds. She blinked against the cold as she lifted her head to howl for the adversary heir. Smiling, she hummed melodically to herself, "I'm gonna kick your asssssssssss....."


"Speech"

He lifted his head to the sky, and heard the sound of her howl. An immediate smile graced his expression, and he jumped to his feet. He stretched out his legs, let his wings drift up and down against the gentle breeze. The last time they had fought, she had kicked his ass. This time, he was determined to make the score even. He had been training, as fitting for an Heir to the Armada. Mal had been training too, he knew that and wouldnt have kt any other way. He relished the thought of this show down.

He abandoned the sticks he had been attempting to turn into a snare, and followed the sounds of her summons. He found the Reaper-girl at the beach enjoying the afternoon sun. Not that it did much to warm the cool winter day.
"Ahhh. Let this day be remembered. The day I kicked the ass of Malalia, Reaper girl, killer of hounds, Seeker of river mud."

She smiled as he came into view, and skipped forward to close the distance between them. She couldn't even be mad at him, and laughed lightly at the words as she neared his side. The almost-yearling was still taller than her, and she had to push off a bit from her hindlegs to drape a friendly paw over his shoulder in a hug. "Well said, but it is I who shall kick your ass, Mortis Fatalis." She grinned as she eased away, tail swinging with humor. "Angel Boy," she said, referring to his wings. "Prince of the Armada. Bane of Bears," she added, remembering how he'd told her about fighting the bear with Natha, "and wearer of said River Mud." The capitalization all too apparent in her tone.

Her tail wagged a little more as she paused and looked back. Uncertainty colored her gaze before it was replaced with steely resolve. "There's something you missed in my title, though." Her head cocked slightly, a slight smile curling at her lips. "Care to take a guess?"


"Speech"

The open affection was something new. He stuttered slightly as she pulled him into a bear hug, stretching up to reach around the larger wolf. Grief, was she really so short? He recovered and laughed softly, reaching down to wind his head behind her ears in a hug of his own. She returned his sass, quick with her tongue as she gave him a few titles of her own. It was the first time someone called him an angel. He made a mental note to find out what that was... but maye not fro Mal right now. "Yeah, well, if it wasnt for Saph you would have found a River Monster at the tree." He shot back tartly, tail wagging from happiness as he spoke.

He frowned when she told him he had missed something. For a heartbeat he thought it was her round about way of saying she had somehow achieved Reaper early. Couldnt be he had included the title in his teasing. He frowned thoughtfully, tail making smooth motions behind him as he considered. "If your going to say vanquisher of heirs, then your getting ahead of yourself" he told her lightly. But there had been something peculiar in her voice, like she honestly expected him to know. He joked, but he was also a little worried he was disappointing her.

She snorted faintly when he deemed himself a 'river monster.' Digging his own hole there, was he? "That might be true, but we did find the River Monster in the river, after all. Seems fitting enough."

She grinned again about the vanquisher comment, raising a brow high. "Am I getting ahead of myself? Because if I remember correctly, I whooped both of your butts pretty soundly." Oh ho ho, the spar with Mortis had been friendly, but she flared with righteous anger whenever she remembered her fight against Azure. But she tampered her quick-found irritation for the other Armada heir. She saw the sliver of worry in the boy's face, and simply sat down, putting the teasing aside for the moment. This was more important.

"...Fatalis." Her eyes roamed over Mortis, gauging his reaction. "I'm Malalia Fatalis, now."



"Speech"

He snorted when her words pointed out how little progress he had actually mad from river to tree. Little being none at all. He shook his coat, taking a seat across from her. Even sitting, he still held high over her, and he found himself ducking his head a little watching her through impish blue eyes, that were never far from a smile, despite his concern.

She told him what he was missing, and he blinked. Then blinked again. "I havent seen dad since yesterday morning..." he had gone off on some errand and he wasnt sure when the Warlord would be back... what did she mean she was a Fatalis. He jumped to his feet suddenly, eyes darkening, confusion and anger warring for a place across his muzzle. "Fatalis?? Fataljs?? Like sister in law Fatalis??" He knew his father wanted her to rise within his ranks. saw in her the equal parts that he and Azure were missing. "He wouldn't tie you to Azure. He wouldn't! I'm going to kill my brother!!" And for just the flicker of a moment, he meant it. There was no way he qoumd see his best friend with his brother who was a monster to her. It would be a life of misery for her. How could their father do this? If their father was going to make her marry a heir why didnt he... Mortis stopped that thought in its tracks.

She frowned as a look of confusion, and anger swept over his features. And for just a moment, she felt achingly sad. He knew that Banshee and Io were adopted into the family, didn't he? Was he... did he not want her to be a part of it? She couldn't for the life of her figure out why, but then, what Cairo had said about his own family clicked. Maybe he'd gotten some pure-blood nonsense into his head.... But no. Mortis was such a sweet kid. That couldn't be it --

Oh. He was talking about being her sister-in-law, and... Oh. He was talking about being her sister-in-law through Azure, and suddenly she was stock still.

And after a few heartbeats.... Mal just burst out laughing. Loud, gut-wrenching peals of laughter that tumbled her to the earth, and nearly brought tears to her eyes, because who in their right mind would ever think that was a good idea? "Oh, fuck no," she wheezed, ears pinned and eyes squeezed tight. "Oh man.... Mort, I'm sorry, but if your dad ever betrothed me to that slimy little shit, I'd kill him myself." She was still chortling, but she meant that wholeheartedly.

Eventually, her laughter subsided, and she raised her head, though she remained on the ground. "No, he wouldn't do that. Mortis." She caught his eyes and gave him a gentle smile. "Your dad adopted me. I assumed he would've told you," she explained. Now that he knew what had actually went down, she was still a bit nervous again at how he'd react. But the protective rant he'd gone on was certainly endearing.


"Speech"

ooc: edited for spelling and to keep the timeframe vague lol

Mortis was so angry, he didn’t think he had ever actually been this angry in his life. He was so mad he could just about tear his brother to shreds. He was going to challenge Azure, he was going to settle this here and now. He would… he would fight for the right to marry Malalia, he would do whatever he had to to keep her safe from him… And then she was laughing at him. It hit him like ice, and he stared at her in shock and confusion. Such terribly, belly aching laughs that his anger slowly seeped away, and he looked at her a little sheepishly. He had reached the wrong conclusion, hadn't he? When she spoke, he started to blush, heat infusing his cheeks and his eyes cast downwards as he slowly sank back down to the earth. “Oh…” he said weakly, and then he was laughing himself, shaking his head at his own folly. “Yeah, uh, that makes more sense” he agreed. He also felt something else, something akin to worry race through his heart. Sister in law? What did that mean exactly. How would this change their dynamic? “This doesn't... this doesn't change anything about us, right? You're my best friend, Malalia. I don’t want that to change.” "Mortis"

Mort was laughing with her, thankfully, but worry still touched his features. And oh, that's what he was worried about? She snorted faintly, without derision, and leaned forward, pulling herself up to stand. She paced forward to stand in front of him, letting a couple of heartbeats pass before raising a forepaw and poking him between his eyes -- a touch more firmly than she usually did, to drive home the point.

"Nothing is going to change, of course not. You're my best friend, too." Her eyes were twinkling with affection, and a bit of seriousness. And it was true. Even outside of Sirius, Mortis had stuck by her all this time, lost and lonely as she'd been when she first joined the pack. He was sweet from the start, kept up with her sass, and thankfully wasn't morally bankrupt like his brother.

Letting that sink in, her gaze turned wicked, and she very abruptly dipped low, snaking forward to headbutt his chest. Mal vaulted backwards and put some distance between them, keeping low and light on her feet, teeth slightly bared. "Now... what's that you were saying about kicking my ass today?"


"Speech"

Mortis Fatalis

She moved in front of him, and he remained seated. For the first time, she would have the advantage of height over him, as he looked up at her, speechless. A half-smile graced his lips when she brought up a paw, poking him gently between the eyes. He fought the urge to grab her paw, not wanting to ruin the moment. He still wasn’t certain what to make of the funny feelings running through his chest. The adrenaline still graced his veins, and he wasn’t sure where to direct his left over emotions. Some part of him, some strange foriegn part, wanted to grab her paw and kiss it. What did he make of that? He didn’t even understand kissing. He was blushing again, confused.

He was grateful when she gave him distraction, her gaze mischievous as she shoved her head into his chest, and backpedaled quickly away from him. “That it's happening, and there's nothing you can do to change it” he promised her.

He bounced to his paws, stretching out his muscles in the same motion. He let his wings unfurl from his side. The game was afoot, and he couldn’t let Mal win, not easily at any rate. A part of him was anxious at bringing himself into close combat with her, especially when he was still feeling confused. He wished he could talk to Auntie Io, she would help him straighten out his head.

Trying to put his mind to the game, the boy charged, leaping forward, wings outstretched, as he aimed to crash into the smaller wolf.

"Speech"

Mortis Fatalis vs Malalia for the right to a kiss
Round 1/2
Age: under 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Front leg bracers with knife
Defensive Battle Accessory: Back leg bracers
Companion 1: Snow leopard, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Kea, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Saber fangs - Offensive
Mutation 2: Feline claws - Offensive
Mutation 3: Wings - Offensive
Skills: Expert Fighter & Advanced Hunter
Specialty: N/A

She laughed freely as he promised to win today, her tail waving excitedly. Oh, it definitely wasn't going to happen, but she appreciated his enthusiasm, and a boy could dream, right?

As he rushed for her, she dove under his wings, easy as anything with her speed, turning her head inward in an attempt to nip at the junction between his right foreleg and torso. Secondly, she would swing out her paw to bat hard at his ankle, hopefully throwing the winged wolf off balance. She kept moving past him, then behind him, in a dizzying circle until, hopefully, she was on his left side, coming from behind to lunge for his left foreleg and yank it out from under him. If he'd managed to turn around in that time, she would aim her teeth for the junction of his neck and right shoulder, instead.

Malalia Fatalis vs Mortis for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Medium
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Steel claws
Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather armor
Companion 1: Wolverine, Male - Battle
Skills: Novice Healer & Expert Fighter
Specialty: N/A


"Speech"

Mortis Fatalis

The girl moved fast, darting away from his freight-train attack. He put on the brakes, coming to a careening halt, and ripping up some grass and spraying snow as he did so. In an attempt to use that to his advantage, he made sure to kick some snow in her direction. He hoped to blind her, to make her slow for even a second. She had already landed a fleeting attack on his ankle, nipping hard enough to draw blood. She was going for his left leg when he turned abruptly and violently, turning and raising his front paws at the same time.

He would attempt to get her into a bear hug before she could skitter away with her quick movements. He knew holding her down for even a moment could win him the fight. He was much heavier then the small wolf.

"Speech"

Mortis Fatalis vs Malalia for the right to a kiss
Round 2/2
Age: under 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Front leg bracers with knife
Defensive Battle Accessory: Back leg bracers
Companion 1: Snow leopard, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Kea, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Saber fangs - Offensive
Mutation 2: Feline claws - Offensive
Mutation 3: Wings - Offensive
Skills: Expert Fighter & Advanced Hunter
Specialty: N/A

He'd rounded on her with his forepaws outstretched wide, and left his front half entirely open. She'd seen this before, and grinned as she leapt up to meet him, freely heading into his embrace. Her teeth latched easily into the junction between his neck and right shoulder, incredibly unlikely to miss unless Mort simply abandoned the bear hug altogether. Meanwhile, her own forepaws would wrap around his torso, securing her hold to him.

She would bite down hard -- not enough to do serious damage, but enough that the move would be incredibly uncomfortable for him, if not painful, if one of them didn't let go. Too, she would kick viciously with her hindlegs, in part to protect her own belly and in part to try and force him to surrender.

He would take her down, there was no doubt about that with his size, but with the latch on his neck and her own forepaws gripped tightly about his scruff, he would come down with her. She might cop some bruising on her back, but the hold on his neck was more vulnerable, while her own underside was protected.

Malalia Fatalis vs Mortis for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Medium
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Steel claws
Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather armor
Companion 1: Wolverine, Male - Battle
Skills: Novice Healer & Expert Fighter
Specialty: N/A


"Speech"

And the winner is...

MALALIA

MORTIS must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Mortis: 245.39 Rolls: 70 47 14 42 Adjusted: 126 51.7 14 42 Malalia: 346.2 Rolls: 82 90 70 9 Adjusted: 102.5 103.5 73.5 9

- nyx

Mortis Fatalis

Despite his best intentions, the young pup was not having his best day. Using his bear-hug against him, Malalia stepped into it. Her teeth found his neck with ease, even as her paws wrapped about him. Before he could even land a hit, he was essentially in a chokehold. She inevitably cut off his air supply with her teeth about his neck.

He beat his wing across her back quickly a few times, and then went limp, so she would know to release him. dammit he was so certain he had practised hard enough and long enough. Still the woman beat him. No wonder she was in the running to be Reaper.

He would just have to try again, and again. He would kick her ass one day, he knew he would. Every spar with her was a lesson. He felt this one was the foolishness of being cocky.

The flap of his wings on her back signaled defeat, and a rush of accomplishment flew through her. Mal was laughing, almost giggling as she gently pried herself away from the younger boy, fangs and all. She slid away, tail whapping in the air as she pranced around his form. Mortis might've felt the foolishness of being cocky, but the yearling was only living it up, as smug as ever. "Sweeeeeeet, sweet victoryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy, yeah," she sang, circling closer and closer to the winged boy until she was near enough to try and bop him on the nose. "Can you tell me again what you were saying before?"

A teasing glint shone in her eyes before she finally pulled away, waving him over with a twist of her tail. "Now that I've gotten your ass-kicking in, I'm going on patrol. You coming?"


"Speech"

ooc: just checked my threadlog and I just saw this ;-;. I'm good to end here or keep going, up to you!

Mortis Fatalis

She was mighty pleased with herself, and he was kicking himself mentally for not doing better. Dammit, he had felt sure this time. That surety was probably what cost him the match. That, and her talent. Dammit, but she was good. He let her boop him on the nose, and then he shook his head as though to flick it free of her boop.

“That your ass is made of stone, and kicking it just bruises myself” he grumbled at her, but the wag of his tail would tell her he wasn’t truly a sore loser. “Alright, alright. But re-match, and soon. I’m coming for you’ he warned. Just.. after he’d spent some very long day and nights training.

She grinned at his little warning, happy to see her friend -- brother, now? -- so determined. Even if shedid wipe the floor with him. Confident as she was, Malalia would be training right alongside him, keen to keep improving and keep her skills sharp. Maybe one day Mortis would actually win against her -- what a thought! She'd definitely have a hard time fighting him off if he ever reached the Warlord's size. "I'll be ready for ya." With a touch of laughter, she turned away, paws gripping the earth as she pulled herself away from the training grounds, and towards the border, headed counter-clockwise around the territory.

Her tail swished idly at her size. She lowered her muzzle to skim over the ground, jaws parted to scope out the field. "So how's training and everything going otherwise?" The route would be boring, if they were lucky, but two wolves were better than one. She idly recalled the pack of wild dogs that Resin and Natha had found... ouch.


"Speech"