Like a vulture circling 'round a dying animal, Black Hat had watched the whelps' pathetic little scrap from afar, waiting for his moment to feed on the loser's weakness. Well, neither of them really won, and their sad attempt at combat made them both losers in his eyes, but that worked for him.

He emerged from the fog and skulked towards the girl, though he kept his distance, not wanting her to think he had any interest in her little morsel. No, this scavenger was more interested in her. I saw your spar, Black Hat started, sinking into a neat sit in front of her to signify that he desired a conversation. He eyed her inflamed face wound but didn't comment on it. It appears you could use someone to help hone your skills. You'd like to actually win next time, yes? He wove his words with spiderlike artifice, then waited for her to climb into his web.

Recognizing your mistakes is a good start. You'll make a fine warrior — with my guidance, of course. He cracked a grin. The girl asked if he meant like a mentor, and he answered, Precisely.

Her next question caught him off-guard. He blinked, then chuckled. It's a memento, Black Hat said vaguely. Black Hat, at your service. Cue the tip of his crown.

She agreed to becoming his apprentice, and he visibly beamed. Smart choice; you won't regret it. Unwittingly, Hela had just signed her name in blood to a creature worse than the devil. Once one made a deal with Black Hat, there was no backing out, and he intended to bleed every one of his clients dry of all they were worth before tossing them aside like the nothing they were.

He could see the questions building behind the windows of her eyes, but none of them came to fruition. Black Hat was content to watch them swirl around with a quirk of his lip. The girl introduced herself as Hela, which he'd probably heard before, but he oft forgot the names of others, finding them of little importance. But he would make an effort to remember this one, for he had plans for her.

Well, Hela, we can start your first lesson now, if you feel so inclined, He offered. There was truly no time like the present.

He was pleased by her eagerness to learn and improve; Hela was a valuable pawn to have. Wordlessly, Black Hat rose to stand square. The girl simply stood there, waiting for him to make the first move. Ah, see, you've already made a mistake, He pointed out. By giving me the courtesy of making the first move, you give me the advantage. He paused for emphasis.

In other words, you set yourself up to lose from the beginning. So, he took a few steps back and stood ready. Now. Attack me first, show me what you've got.

Much like Radar (of whom he hadn't seen as of late), Hela craftily chose a smart time to strike: while he was talking. But he'd learned from his mistake with the woman prior and tucked in his chin — a staple in combat. Her teeth instead landed on his chest, which he retaliated to with a swift bite aimed for the top of her muzzle. If landed, he would apply enough pressure to coax her into relinquishing her hold. Then, a yank of his head — and thus Hela's — to disorient her. He'd then release and latch onto her throat in what would be a killing blow had their fight been legitimate. The pressure of his own fangs above her jugular would be tantilizingly close to fatal, but not quite knocking at death's door.

If all came to fruition, Black Hat would let go by the end of his elaborate demonstration with a smug expression. What went wrong? He'd ask genuinely, wondering if she could pinpoint the moment of error.

He nodded, appreciating the sharpness of her mind. But Black Hat was nigh impossible to impress. Yes, and I didn't need to predict your exact move to do so because it's common practice to tuck in one's chin when defending an attack. That's something you should always expect when fighting an experienced wolf and account for it, He elaborated.

But, He added, I commend you for trying to take me off-guard. Taking advantage of every opportunity can sway the odds in your favor. Though a critic through and through, Black Hat understood the benefit of praising desired behaviors. In a scenario where your opponent is guarding their throat, also consider other places to target: the snout, the flanks, and the scruff.

With that extra tip, he decided to keep this lesson brief and bring it to a close. Seeing as you're recovering, I'll leave our lesson at that for today. Your next lesson begins when you are healed. Any questions?

He watched her eager mind absorb the information like a sponge from the windows of her eyes, and this pleased him greatly. There was so much potential in this girl, he was impatient to see the final product of all his hard work.

Very well. And go see Serem about that face wound before it festers, He ordered; it wouldn't do to have his blossoming pupil be put out of commission due to something preventable.

Black Hat saw Hela off, then turned to walk off the remaining energy from their brief faux spar.