Hattori hadn’t been lying when he said he wished to train the Empire’s youth. They weren’t likely to come to his call, but if the Empress sought after the young underneath their many packs… Venom was going to put her shinobi through his paces. She lay on a raised dais of stone so she might oversee the goings on and help where necessary. With her injury she wouldn’t be much use when it came to sparring, but maybe she’d take on one of the smaller or younger puppies from her perch.

She wore a familiar smirk of light amusement as sunset eyes searched Hattori’s form, the question obvious in her features. How many little ruffians would heed the call? How many of them would show the promise that Venom desperately hoped for? How could she instill loyalty into their hearts? There was much to be seen, and with little prompting the Empress would invite the puppies of the Empire forth for training. This was the next generation, they would do well to know their brothers in arms.

Hattori stood beside the empress, just beneath her stone dias, his ears tipped forward as he listened to her echoing howl.  He knew his howl carried little weight around here and that suited him just fine, contrary to what many likely thought he had no desire to steal the Ashen throne for himself. Venom's word was law and he would enforce it with an iron paw if need be. He looked on straight ahead, his posture tight and proper and only glanced away when he felt the prickle of Venom's attention. It was a sensation he was used to and he responded in turn with a brief dip of his head, reverent as ever. But there was a gleam in his eye, like sunlight shining of cold steel. They weren't exactly acquaintances anymore but their slightly more personal nature of their relationship was left on the back burner for now. Hattori had his eyes on the prize.

Though this would mostly be a laid back affair Hattori wished to set a precedent, and if nothing else she'd have a few good shows to watch. Figure out what pups were worth keeping an eye on, pressing to bring out their fullest potential.

Áskell was playing in the dirt, using his paws to kick it up into the air and whenenver he found a good clod he'd attempt to fling it at his companion. The clods never got very close. The agile bird was able to glide and dive out of the way in a graceful fashion.

His antics skittered to a halt at the call of the Empress. Oh boy, it was training time! He was curious to see how many pups showed up for the fight training. With a goodbye to his father who was crafting nearby, Áskell took off to where the pup training was going to be held. When he arrived there were two adults there. He assumed the lady was the empress but he wasn't quite sure who the black and orange wolf with the horns was. Maybe that was the emperor. "Hi! I'm Áskell."

Gossamer was taking a break from her herb lessons and spending the afternoon stalking a frog. She'd just managed to successfully swat it into the water when she heard an unfamiliar howl. She glanced over to her fox companion who informed her that it was likely the call of the Empress. That meant it was time for the pups to gather for hunt training. Gossamer swiftly changed course and headed in the direction of the call with her fox companion loping along beside her. When she arrived there were two adults. She figured these were the wolves that were going to train them and she guessed that the one sitting above the other had to be the empress. Who was the guy with the horns then? She nodded in greeting to the boy she'd met earlier and took her seat to see what was going to happen.

Panic as soon as she heard the call she didnt wait and just yeeted herself forward. She wanted to be first at everything, to be beyond the expectations, no one was to question her. She could have waited for her siblings but she couldn't help herself and like that she went. As she arrived familiar faces sprouted and there she saw two pups she met before ad the horned man. Her older cousin the Empress was too there. She sat down close to the other two pups. "I am Panic," That was all she would say for now. "speak"

Ophie was rolling around in mud-as always- when the summons reached her ears. She paused, her lips twisting downwards as she wondered whether it was meant for her. It sounded important and Ophie wasn't the sort who wanted to get shouted at but she didn't really feel like going out today. Sometimes, once in a blue moon, she preferred to be alone. For reasons. And then the little princess aw her sister Gos rushing towards the Ashen lands, looking all serious and focused and Ophie's mouth dropped open into a wide o shape. Well if her sister was going then she guessed that meant she had to tag along too, and who knew maybe it'd be fun!

And so she scampered along, following in her sister's footsteps and drawing up beside her. Leaning against Gos' shoulder, Ophie let a quiet ooooh when she finally laid eyes on the empress. Her mother aside Venom was the prettiest wolf she'd ever ever seen! And that guy...he looked kinda serious, a little close to scary. So what was all this about then? She glanced about, wondering if any of the other pups present knew what was afoot.

Malachai was pawing idly at a downed moth, he'd found it outside the den mouth when he woke up, and watching it squirm and flutter uselessly against the ground and against the pads of his paws was amusing enough for now. However, when he heard his cousin's call the young boy lifted his head, Panic trotting past him as if on a mission. That was really all it took for him to listen to the summons. Shadowy paws carried him quickly and confidently towards the quickly growing gathering, mismatched eyes rising to look at his cousin, then the horned man, and then the other pups already gathered. He didn't recognize any of them yet. They quickly left his mind though as he returned his attention towards Hattori, he'd told him and Panic that there'd be a training session soon... was this it? That question bounced around in his mind and slowly started to build up steam for the boy's excitement, he wandered over to his sister's side, pressing into her and bouncing slightly. "Panic" | "Malachai" | "Belladona" | "Lurch"

Jigsaw had been given a very important new title in Habari, and with that came a whole pawful of responsibility. As Habari's most amazing healer ever, he felt it was his duty to show to the fight training so that he could help nurture the others of his generation as well as heal their wounds. He followed along after his brother, sneaking up through the growing hoard of pups and tugging gently on the fur of the big koi-wolf's leg whom appeared to be leading the meeting. "Hi, I'm Jigsaw" He said to Hattori, his nerves showing through as he smiled faintly up at the man. "I'm not gonna' be a fighter, I'm gonna be fixing all these guys one day instead." A small inspection glance was given towards the pups - his future patients - and he suddenly felt very overwhelmed with the number. Swallowing, he continued. "You can pair me up with one of them if anyone is short a training partner, I don't mind." Jigsaw was small and thin, but he knew he could give any of these pups a run for their money if he needed to. Given his introduction he ducked back into the puppy crowd, moving up forcibly alongside his brother and leaning against him for support. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

It’d been a bit since Louis’ first outing, but the obsidian pup was still finding his feet. His mother had prepared him well, but the rest of the work was on him. He’d have to adapt to if he was to thrive, such was the nature of things. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to let his more capable siblings take the lead for the time being. He was grateful that his sister had risen to the call first, so he was spared the responsibility of introductions or whatever the meeting would entail. He scanned the surroundings with a wary eye, settling near his siblings. “Who’re they?” He asked the two, gesturing with his head to the other pups outside of his family. “They smell weird.” He hadn’t been out and about enough to recognise other packs yet. "Panic" | "Malachai" | "Belladona" | "Lurch"

Walk | "Talk" | think

Kotori had heard the howl and had to decide the importance of it and trying to catch some blackbird that was mocking him in the tall grass.  He hated giving up but finally his curiosity on the howl one him over. A glare was given to the bird before he turned and ran off.  He was going back on Ashen land! It was his entire second time to see the funny tree’s that were worthy of attention.  They were passed by quickly this time as he hurried to see what was going on.

When he got to where the others were gathered he stopped farther back for a moment just to take in all the sights.  Wow, there were just so many other pups.  He looked over to the adults, noticing Venom wore the look of one in charge.  Glancing at Hattori though had his tail wagging at the horns.  They were kind of like Kotori’s and somehow that made him extra special. Moving forward he gave a grin to his sisters before making sure he got a seat right to the front of the cluster, watching the adults curiously especially at the orange and black horned guy.

With Hattori beside her and the call gone out Venom waited for the pups to appear. The first was one of Hari’s. Askell loped up and introduced himself confidently, ”Welcome, Askell.” Venom grinned lightly as one of Sirius’s appeared right after, Venom wasn’t sure she remembered her name, and she didn’t introduce herself but that would be alright. Her cousin Panic was next, Venom’s grin grew a bit brighter at the girl. ”Hello, Panic.” The Empress purred softly as another of the Warlord’s took her place. Malachai after her, his future height already obvious in his long legs and massive paws.

A sweet young boy, another cousin, bounced forward, however he didn’t have the look of a fighter in the least. Small and skinny he was however full of personality. ”Welcome, Jigsaw. Maybe you’ll be able to use your skills later.” She chuckled softly, but didn’t forget his offer. Two more pups mae their way forward and Venom was left to assume the rest had no need for training or didn’t feel like participating. All was well and good, this was a perfect group.

”Welcome to all of you.” She raised her voice and looked around to the young faces. The future of the Ashen Empire. Venom was forced to remember when she had been so bright eyed and innocent. In a time when she’d had a complete family..

”Before we really begin, your teacher Hattori will be giving you a basic lesson on what fighting and battle really are, we will answer any questions, and then you’ll get paired off to practice. If everyone is ready..” She gestured to Hattori to begin.

ooc: so Hattori will talk at the kiddos for a bit to get their 15 points, then they'll split up for spars, healing etc in separate threads! Feel free to pair up and start them now if you like!

We dropped the ball on this one, we'd like the responses to be posted within the next 5 days if possible, trying to get this moving so y'all can also work on your 1v1 spars!

No post order!!

They arrived in droves, puppy after puppy till a small crowd had amassed. Hattori's metallic gaze roamed over the group as his nose pulled in the myriad of scents, they'd come from all corners of the empire with no pack outright showing up the others. Good. Venom said her piece and offered the floor to Hattori, there was a lot to cover so the sooner he got down to it the better. Dipping his head in greeting, he began to speak, his voice flat but clear. He was unsure of how much their parents or caretakers had already taught them so he believed it would be best if he approached things for another angle, forgoing the basics but teaching them need to know information all the same.

"Welcome. I am sure you all wish to learn to fight for your own reasons, I will not ask for them. But there may come a time where you have to fight for survival. To kill or be killed.   Arguably bit of a morbid topic for a bunch of children but Hattori had learned this lesson around about the same age as this lot and it had served him very well. But he supposed that such a method of teaching might not suit them quite as well. Thus he toned it down a little. "Tell me, what is the most important part of your body that you must defend at all costs? And how would you go about it? One at a time."

Ophie had her own reasons to fight, to be a strong and useful member of the Ashen Armada- to bring honour to the Fatalis name. But she really really didn't like the idea of hurting anyone, let alone ending their life! Spars were all fun and games, harmless, but even the thought of maiming someone made her stomach twist uncomfortably. Like a snake had settled in her guts. She kind of understand where he was coming from, she knew that there were bad people out there but...maybe she'd be lucky and never meet one, right?

At his question, Ophie's expression twisted into a frown as she leaned further into Gos' side. He was asking about what part of her body she'd defend but it also got her thinking as to where she'd need to attack. Hypothetically of course. Umm... Her ears and nose were very important, she used them every day but she wasn't sure if she'd die without them. Maybe? It would hurt really bad and she'd never seen a wolf without a face before, not that she even wanted to. That sounded awful!

"Umm..face?" She peeped up, not confident in her response.

Two of her siblings arrived aswell, and her tail started to wag intesely. Ears went flat in happiness but soon she returned to a more serious state. Looking up to the two adults, ignoring the others for now. All she wanted to do was to become the best and it required all of her focus. ”Before we really begin, your teacher Hattori will be giving you a basic lesson on what fighting and battle really are, we will answer any questions, and then you’ll get paired off to practice. If everyone is ready..” She nodded in silence, waiting for Hattori to give his coin. "Welcome. I am sure you all wish to learn to fight for your own reasons, I will not ask for them. But there may come a time where you have to fight for survival. To kill or be killed. " Her interest was just picked up by the word kill and be killed. And far from feeling scared or concerned, she was quite intrigued but that. "Tell me, what is the most important part of your body that you must defend at all costs? And how would you go about it? One at a time." "Perhaps throat or belly?" "Speech"

Gossamer watched as more and more pups showed up to the meeting. Wow, there were so many! Soon the meeting started as the Empress welcomed them and introduced them to the horned man who was called Hattori. Gossamer thought for awhile on Hattori's question on to what was super important to protect. "Ummm… your eyeballs?" How to protect your eyeballs though? "I guess, keep your face away from your opponents teeth and claws and stuff?" She felt a little silly when she said it. She supposed that was probably a stupid answer but she didn't really know what else to say so she just gave it her best shot.

Áskell's tail wagged rapidly as he waited for the meeting to start. He was so ready for this! He felt particularly special when Venom addressed him by name. He was going to do his dad proud and he was happy his brother was going to get a chance to show how much he knew about healing stuff. Soon the training started and they were asked their first question. Áskell bounded to his feet tail wagging as he barked out his answer. "I think it's the throat! Right? Dad kills rabbits by getting them by the throat and grrrrrr!" He thrashed his head back and forth like he'd seen his dad do with rabbits to illustrate his point. Harbringr had brought weakened prey back before and he enjoyed fighting them.

Malachai watched as more and more puppies joined them, it was a little bit jarring to realize how many puppies there were in the empire and yet he still felt that beyond his previous meeting with the horned man he was still largely ignored by the adults in his life... he guessed this was an attempt to get over that. He shifted slightly, feeling a little unsure somehow. But as the meeting properly started he shifted his attention to Hattori, who was by extentsion of being the only adult to show any interest in him was the only adult outside of his mother her actually respected. The other pups jumped in with their own answers but he was pretty sure he agreed with his sister here. "Stomach and Throat."He said nodding towards Panic in his clear agreement of her suggestion. "Uh... tucking your chin and... being low to the ground?" He said as part of defending those specific place. "Panic" | "Malachai" | "Belladona" | "Lurch"