Northstar Vale that'd you'd never break the chain

---

it was earlier afternoon by the time she slipped away from marking the borders, the dull task that had become part of her routine in the same way meditation become parts of other's. she made her way over the short stony piece of land that bridged the gap between the sunspire and the plunging vale, pausing once near the edge of the rocky slope to peer over the valley.

it was as if something had simply scooped away the rock and ridges that ought to have stood there, and instead created the sac=nctuary of the vale. she had to admit that the place was beautiful, yet she was not intent on sightseeing that day. rather, she gave a singing call for @Queenie, let it ring clear over the spring-touched Vale.

---

The majority of Queenie's time had been devoted to border patrol. It had been boring work back at the old territory, but now that they had actual neighbors, she was much more enthusiastic about her shifts at the front line. At the time of Cass's call, Queenie was just beginning her rounds, but she knew that that howl promised something much more interesting.

It wasn't a long journey from the depths of the vale to the peak where Cass had situated herself, and it was only made to seem quicker by Queenie's own giddiness. Ready? she barked from a few yards away, completely prepared for immediate action.

---

queenie wasted no time in coming, and the inky girl's tail lashed once, eagerly, when she arrived. her one-word question was answered only with a flash of teeth bared in a grin, and a gradual forward prowl that signified the start of their match. 

she approached, gaze already scanning over the girl, but did not intend to move until she did - cassiopeia was content with allowing the other girl to decide when their bout truly began.

---

Again, the die hate me.

The silent approach was all that Queenie needed; the first round had begun. Writing a faint smile onto her maw, she mimicked Cass's stalk, trying to find the weakest point of the girl's body. Even for a mercenary as unconventional as Steph, there was a certain level of strategy to her method. If she was going to fight, then she was fighting to win. 

At least, that's how Queenie had planned it. The fates seemed to have a different idea in mind, as when she went to lunge for the first hit, her jaws missed Cass's hock by the faintest of distances. Quick to recover, she laughed off her mistake and waited for her opponent's quick retalitation.

---

she noted the woman's target as she lunged, and an idea came to mind quickly. of she allowed the hit to land, and pulled back suddenly, perhaps she could unbalance her, and find her own grip on the woman's scruff. yet she got ahead of herself, pulling back her ankle too early and moving to seek a grip on the woman's scruff. 

her fangs fell on empty air, and quite suddenly her weight was far too forward. a grin traced her muzzle, and yet she knew in this tiny moment, she was disadvantaged.

---

It seemed like neither of them was going to be getting a break. Both of the initial hits missed, but unlike Cass, Queenie wasn't left at her opponent's mercy. She caught the girl's smile and matched it with one of her own as she dove forward and knocked Cass over onto her side. Queenie was now straddling the other merc, leaving the entirety of her midsection open for an attack; she was winning, everything else had slipped her mind.

The spar seemed to be over by then, so (reluctantly) Queenie detatched herself and made her way back home.