Redtail Rise standing on the edge, face up
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#1
All Welcome 
Ratio took to the borders, his energy tireless as he sought to integrate here. He felt a small sense of belonging - mostly to Prophet. He knew little of his leader, aside from her test with the foxes and that she was red with an odd speech. Prophet followed her and so would he, with utmost obedience and respect. The colorful male - more so than he, at least - must have his reasons for his submission and loyalty. Perhaps Ratio would one day learn them.

He had met Tulimaq, though he did not know his name and did not know him as a leader. He thought little of the large wolf who had stared him down, so distracted was he by the fox and Ashlar. His thoughts drifted to the medic for a moment before pointedly skirting away.

They'd had a pleasant conversation, though.

His paws took him along the scent line, refreshing it occasionally but mostly he was putting his desire to wander to good use. If he found something out here, all the better, but Ratio was not fully engaged with his surroundings as he kept a calm and quiet pace.
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she joins the dark warrior on his patrol, falling into step beside him with a brief chuff before going silent again, making her own refreshments to the border.

after a few moments of quiet, she stops and turns to him, eyes raking over his scars, his rugged figure. he's been useful for them, and loyal. he certainly has a rapport with her Berserkr. he is hardly Blod; but where to place him. . .?

you more hunh'er, or figh'er? Avicus asks him. she prefers the latter—placing him directly under Prophet would be beneficial for the both of them, she thinks. 

but she will defer to Ratio and his own knowledge of his skills.
but see, amid the mimic rout,
a crawling shape intrude —
a blood-red thing that writhes from out
the scenic solitude
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He is surprised, though unbothered, when his Wealda joins him on his patrol. She chuffs her greeting and Ratio nods his head low, ears flat in a quick show of submission and welcome. He feels somewhat out of place with her beside him. He is not as at home with her, does not yet understand her. He makes no effort for conversation when she does not do so herself. 

He is comfortable in silence, so long as she is. 

He pauses whenever she does and stops completely at her side when her paw steps come to an end. He looks at her as she appraises him. He is not self-conscious but does not puff himself up for show, either. He is larger, of course. Prophet is also larger - it seems she commands an unusual number of large men. Ratio has smelled not a single other female within the pack. This does not concern him in the slightest but he cannot help but find it an interesting - and odd - fact. 

When she speaks, he understands her easily and that is a relief to him.

"Fighter." he answers and his thoughts stray to Prophet and back again.
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#4
he's decided.

and she's seen him against Prophet, but wants to test him for herself. she bows low to the ground, teeth bared a bit.

then strikes, python-esque, toward his left shoulder. she hopes to grasp but not tear, take a firm hold there without breaking the skin. if he can work her away, then she will find another angle.

if. she has faith in her prospective Bitan, and does not hold back.
but see, amid the mimic rout,
a crawling shape intrude —
a blood-red thing that writhes from out
the scenic solitude
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His response, physically, is immediate. His hackles rise, his nose wrinkles but he does not show teeth - not yet. The change in mood is sudden and it takes him a second to understand the challenge within the threat. This is not a fight for injury or death. She strikes just as he understands her intentions and her teeth grip his shoulder, quick as a snake.

Ratio has the weight and size advantage, he does not pull away from her, nor attempt to throw her off. For better or worse, his strategy has always been to endure and keep his enemies in close combat. To give her space would be a detriment to him and so he swings his head toward her and shoves forward and down onto her. His jaws part, aiming to grab her neck, shoulder, back - whatever part he can use to grab her and pin her underneath him. 

He will not injure her - he is in control of himself.
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he doesn't hold back, and he doesn't try to compete with her reflexes, either.

instead, he's still as a rock, and impenetrable as one. she feels herself being slowly, inexorably pulled from his shoulder, and faces the imminent prospect of being trapped beneath him.

Avicus lets him go and wriggles loose just before he can pin her, but the change in dynamics has left her somewhat vulnerable.

she darts between his hind and forelegs instead, reaching to snap at his belly.

it's a dangerous game to find herself on the low ground,

but he may be vulnerable here.

and besides, it's a test of skill, not of life; neither one is out for blood, and she wants to know what move he'll make next
but see, amid the mimic rout,
a crawling shape intrude —
a blood-red thing that writhes from out
the scenic solitude
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ooc; I am so excited and honored, by the way!!!!

He succeeds in being larger - that was never a question.

When she moves away from him, slipping from his teeth, he is surprised by her quickness when she returns to his belly. There is a disadvantage to his size. He feels a flash of anger at himself for his surprise. He cannot stand still like this. 

He lowers his body instinctively and swings around with force, taking care to shift his body violently as he does. If she is underneath him, his hope is that she is knocked about by his limbs - unable to catch his belly, should she have been interested in gutting him. He aims to bear down on her again, hopefully with more leverage. If he can pin her solidly against the ground and press the air from her, she should be unable to fight back. 

That is assuming she doesn't dart or wiggle away again. A fast enemy was a detriment to him.
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thank YOU for being a part of our fam <3 rolled an even on dice for successful dodge, you can decide whether her hit strikes!

she catches the briefest grasp of fur—not even flesh—before he's bearing down upon her once more. Avicus rolls, the frost cold upon her muzzle and the heavy scent of earth caught in her nostrils. she manages to avoid his pin, but only by inches.

then she shoots up to all four paws, and shakes the mud and snow from her fur. she lets her tongue loll, undoubtedly pleased with the man.

a heartbeat, then another.

she strikes again, looking to worry his forelegs with insistent nips; was he a threat, she'd have grasped entirely, but she does not mean to fell this useful beast. only to see what he'll do next.

he will make a tremendous Bitan under Prophet's control.
but see, amid the mimic rout,
a crawling shape intrude —
a blood-red thing that writhes from out
the scenic solitude
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She was intensely quick and he stumbled a bit as she managed to escape him, swiftly returning his feet underneath him and regaining his balance to face her. She shook the mud and snow from her body and he bared his teeth in a grin, excitement flashing in his own red eyes. 

He was enjoying this. 

She came at him again, nipping viciously at his legs, not quite bringing him injury. He backs up, an instinctual response to her, but quickly stops himself. Dropping his front half in a mock bow, only bending his elbows enough to lower himself but keep him off the ground, he meets her nips with his own teeth and, in his prone position, shoves forward with his hind legs to try and drive her backward and on the defensive.
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#10
his tactics work. she sees the flash of his grin and then is forced backward, almost rearing on her hind legs, chin lifted and tail thrashing.

but she, too, is pleased.

breathing fast but deep, she lowers herself and gives him a nod, ending the fight. well foughh', Avicus tells him. you are Bi'hhan. fighh'er. will pro'heck our pack.

Avicus moves forward and gives him a brush of her shoulder in acceptance. 

then, she wheels and runs, barking for him to follow in chase.

business is over. play has begun.

wanna fade this one? or keep going? <3
but see, amid the mimic rout,
a crawling shape intrude —
a blood-red thing that writhes from out
the scenic solitude
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ooc; Fade is good - thanks for a fun thread! And the promotion! <3

She rears and he opens his mouth, lips pulled away to reveal his teeth in their full, and swipes his head at her, never closing his jaws. He looks demonic but there is no threat of harm. 

His teeth disappear at her nod and he rises, shaking his pelt quickly before he registers what she has said to him. It takes a moment as he still has trouble understanding his Wealda. He was...Bitan? The word "protect" took him the longest to register but as he realizes, his eyes widen ever slightly and his ears fold in a humble submission. "Thank you." he pauses. Protector? "Always." - and then she is shoving him and running away.

He is not one for play, not usually, but he follows her. Whether he will truly frolic when he reaches her - if he reaches her - is not certain but he is willing and happy to follow her regardless.