Ouroboros Spine run as fast as you can

anyone going for the warrior trade Maybe @Tatsuya :)

The wounds from his previous battle with the plains wolf had all but healed, even the deepest injury by his side no longer hurt when he moved. Their leaders were back, and so far, Arverk had not detected a single trespassing wolf by the borders, but he was not so stupid as to believe that peace was among them. For peace was simply a fancy word for the period of time between war. There were cubs coming and although the Roman had sensed no outsider wolf by their scent lines, he still diligently patrolled whenever he had time, it was his duty as a wolf of the Spine.

Arverk retreated into the shelter of a forest after another round of patrolling as it started to drizzle. He moved silently underneath the thick canopies which shielded him from most of the rain. The swarthy whale emerged in a good sized clearing, tilted his head back and called for any of his packmates who wished to have a spar. His wounds had restrained him from training, but now that he was better, he decided it was time to sharpen his skills once more.

Drizzle did not bother him. Currently, he was shielded from any hawkish winds though that might change soon enough. Coming up to a stagnant puddle, Tatsuya begrudgingly drank from it. Beggars can't be choosers. He was parched enough to not seek out an alternative water source. Everything was quiet save for the shower and occasional gust until the saturninity was broken with a melodious call for battle. At first he thought it was a trick of the wind but the invitation persisted. Stimulated at the proposition, Tatsuya set off to meet this mystery challenger. It took him a solid ten minutes before he even caught wind of Arverk's scent, but once he saw him Tatsuya quickened his pace to meet him.
INDENTSlowing his gait, he approached his to-be opponent with an devil-may-care aura. Arverk wanted to sharpen his skills as he did, but outright attacking might not be a prudent choice. Wordlessly, he sized up his opponent. They were both large, as was the fad of Tartok. Blackness draped from his chiseled form yet his eyes were crisp and blue. He looked every bit a warrior. More so than the pocket-sized Echelon.
INDENT"Your name," Tatsuya commanded. Honestly, he did not truly want to know. His words were more of an incendiary lure than a chance for introductions.

dice roll

No one came immediately, but that was to be expected, after all, the wolves of the Spine were probably busy patrolling or hunting and even if they heard his howl, they might be on the other side of the land for all he knew. It would take sometime for them to come, if any came at all, so the swarthy male remained patient and alert, he would be ready if a wolf answered his invitation for a spar, he would not be taken unaware. The training the Romans hammered into him would never go away as long as he lived, and although he should be able to relax in his own packlands, he was still always on guard.

A figure approached, and Arverk's sharp blue gaze snapped immediately at him. It was not a wolf he knew and since the scent of the Spine was not too strong in his fur, the whale presumed it was a newcomer. His to-be opponent was large and draped in a pelt of browns and dark colors with fiery eyes to match, by his looks alone, the Roman assumed that the other Spine wolf was also a warrior. But then, all those who lived in the Spine had to be fighters, or this place was no home for them.

Smoky black ears swiveled forward as the newcomer spoke before flattening against his skull in a defensive motion while the rest of his body readied itself for combat. A crooked grin played at Arverk's lips in response to the fellow Spine wolf's words, showing his wicked sharp teeth. They were packmates, so they would not break through skin, either ways, they would be well worn and bruised by the end of this fight.

Without warning, Arverk charged forward, aiming to unbalance the brute in front of him with brute force, testing the waters. He did not know this wolf, so it was essential to see where his strengths and weaknesses lay.

When Arverk showed his not-so pearly whites, Tatsuya lowered his head and widened his stance, anticipating what was decreed. A rumble bubbled within his chest, continuing even as the challenger came at him with all the power and weight he could bear. Tatsuya was not one to stand idly by and...'receive' Arverk's gift, even though he was sure he could match him in weight. Not wanting to take chances, Tatsuya stepped out of the azure eyed male's warpath - making sure to keep his hindquarters away from the aggressor's mouth - and lunged for Arverk's midsection as a counter. The Zeta put as much weight and force behind him to make the Epsilon really feel it. Attack connecting, Arverk stumbled away from him. Without giving the man a chance to recover, Tatsuya rushed over to clamp down on that ebony ruff. Success might spell an early win for the Zeta.

Arverk's opponent sidestepped his attack, quickly the Roman skidded to a halt and turned swiftly around just for the newcomer to lung for his midsection. His attack connected and the swarthy whale stumbled but regained his balance as fast as he could just for the brown furred male's jaws to clamp down on his ruff. A low growl rumbled from his chest, and the sleek whale shook the other wolf's teeth off him after some effort and quickly placed some distance between them. His opponent was no stranger to fighting, that was clear, so he would have to use his mind if he wished to win the fight.

Arverk began circling his opponent before lunging forward to snap at the other's face, not too close to actually rip the newcomer's face off, but close enough to make him back off if it worked.

Arverk managed to slip free of his teeth. Somehow. It was difficult to really tell how much skin was in your mouth sometimes. The Roman scampered away, none the worse for wear. Damn it. Circling the immobile Zeta - an action that made him feel all the more hyper aware of Arverk's location - he came at Tatsuya with open jowls, face to face. His bridgework may have been somewhat yellowed but they were in straight rows, he noted. In the compendiary seconds admiring the Epsilon's dentition, Tatsuya panicked and darted past Arverk, their furs brushing together. That was close. Using the wet grass and momentum to his advantage, to spun around to sink his teeth into the Roman's hide. However, Arverk was one step ahead of him, nimbly keeping clear of his fangs by taking a few steps forward. The only rewarding thing was the cool, damp air on his tongue as he took in some fresh air. His opponent would use this as moment to attack with a certainty. Tatsuya was ready and waiting with slavered teeth and resolute eyes.

I keep rolling odds lol

Arverk rushed forward, sharp teeth snapping at his opponent's face, but the brown wolf seemingly panicked and darted forward, past him. Smoky black fur brushed brown ones as the other Spine wolf moved, quickly, the Roman spun around and quickly moved away, avoiding the newcomer's snapping jowls nimbly. The moment the swarthy whale sidestepped, he lunged forward once more, aiming to snap at the dark wolf's left forelimb, to pull it away and unbalance him. But his opponent was quick and in one swift moment, drew his leg back, leaving the whale's teeth to click together as he missed and took in fresh air.

Arverk swiftly turned to keep his eye on his opponent, maintaining a good distance between them as he watched with keen, sharp blue eyes. This was a good fight.

By narrow margin, Tatsuya avoided Arverk's teeth yet again, feeling the force behind the resounding snap! as he drew his arm out of harm's reach. Considering how close they were at that very moment, they both scrambled away from each other. Were there onlookers, it would have appeared comical to watch. To the Zeta, maintaining distance was essential.
INDENTTatsuya was a creature borne of temerity. Because of this, he was used to fighting. Not that he has won a lot of battles, mind you, but he has fought many. Very, very many. And if all those disputes has taught him anything, it was to come in close, strike, and flee. Don't let the enemy grab you; get out of the fray as soon as they are nice and bloody. Same when your opponent charges at you: get the hell out of the way. Unless they're smaller than you. If unsure of the aggressor's weight, evade. Better safe the sorry. And if you managed to get your opponent into a compromising position, fight to keep them there.
INDENTLooking into Arverk's cerulean gaze, he seemed to be enjoying this. Tatsuya felt the same, though he expressed his pleasure through an open panting maw rimmed with teeth, skin taut beneath with a (oblivious) maniacal smile. Despite probably looking like a fool, it was a reminder that they were not yet done until one of them was beneath the other.
INDENTTrotting after his stationary opponent, Tatsuya rushed into a full blown gallop, slowing as the distance between them lessened. His outstretched neck appeared to Arverk's left - giving the impression that he wanted to lay into that side of his neck - but in actually, he quickly moved his head down and under his opponent's head, seeking purchase upon the right side of his neck. Moving the rest of his body away from the other's mouth, the Zeta stood firmly at Arverk's shoulder, their bodies pressed together side by side. From here, he could not see the Epsilon slipping free of his grasp with a few shakes. Tatsuya had him by the mouthful and he was not going to let go unless he deferred to him so that they could go on about their spar.

hit

The moment Arverk's teeth snapped at thin air, he drew back as fast as he could and noticed with keen blue eyes that his opponent was doing the samething. Smart move. Maintaining distance was essential in a fight, that was what he was taught and no doubt what the Zeta was taught too. When he fought Tonravik, she did not seem to bother with retreating, perhaps that was because she was large in build and therefore maintaining distance did not do much good for her, unlike him. The swarthy whale was a sleek creature, the perfect mixture of strength and speed, to him, maintaining the distance was the key to winning a fight.

You attacked as quickly as lightning, then you drew back before your opponent realized what had happened to him and attempted to counter attack, this was how he worked, this was tactics that would benefit a wolf of his physique. And when your opponent charged at you, you don't try anything cunning until you're sure of their weaknesses, you moved out of the way as fast as you could. It might have been a great opportunity, but unless you're 100 or 99 percent sure it would work, you dodged, you evade, you danced the dance that all wolves knew.

This fight was not over until one of them were truly defeated, and the Roman was going to make sure that it wasn't him, and he would be damned if it was. Either ways, he was going to learn some valuable information from this fight, and his skills weren't going to be rusty anytime soon. The Spine would benefit from this wolf's skills, whether or not he would stay was another matter entirely.

The wolverine charged at the whale, his outstretched neck appeared to his left but he quickly shifted his position and his jaws managed to clamp on the right side of his neck. Too slow, you were too slow, he thought to himself and unwillingly found the voice of his former trainer ringing irritably through his head. If this was a real fight, greenie, you'll be as good as dead. Arverk pushed those thoughts out of his head and shook himself out of the Zeta's firm grasp. He could be as slippery as a fish if he wished, he supposed there was a better reason to be named after a slippery sleek sea creature than his appearance, not that he knew what the name Tonravik bestowed upon him — Arverk — meant.

The Roman be damned if he would submit to the newbie, no, if this wolf wished to be shown respect, he would earn it. The moment he slipped free of the wolverine's grasp, the whale turned swiftly around and clamped his jaws around the Zeta's thick scruff, pushing with all his might, forcing submission. He would earn his respect.

Well...shit. The whale shook him off again and locked jaws down onto his scruff. Tatsuya grunted beneath the whale's added weight, realizing what he was trying to do. The Zeta locked his joints into place; indomitable. If there was one thing the wolverine lived for it was shaking the cage; challenging any and all comfortable fundament of their society. His resolve – his vital principle – burned just as hotly, if not more so, than the whale's. So no, he would not allow to be pushed down in the earth. As a matter of fact, he was outraged at the proposition.
INDENTAnd yet he waited...and waited...until the whale decided to adjust his grip on the back of the Zeta's neck to act. Lurching forward, he forced more of Arverk's physical property onto his front end rather than his hind end. The muscular tissue in his shoulders and arms ached viciously so he just as quickly kicked out one of Arverk's hind legs. The imbalance and uneven distribution of Arverk's weight caused him to stumble. Some fur from the wolverine's scruff was all he had in his teeth now and Tatsuya breathed a sigh of relief to be free of that burden. Rolling away from his opponent (some of his muscles still hurt – he needs a breather), Tatsuya stood out of harm's reach for the time being. Not wanting to engage again so soon, he backed up to widen the space between them, leery of the other.
INDENTThe drizzle was not insufficient anymore. It was raining hard enough to feel through his thick coat. There was no air current or arcs of lighting across the sky. The calm before the storm, maybe...or there would not be a storm. Just a cleansing shower. Either way, the wolverine groaned his approval. All this fighting was making him heated and while there was no zephyr to chill them, the precipitation was enough to solace.

I swear the dice gods want Arverk to lose...

The wolverine had determination and strength, the whale would give him that, he would fit well with the Spine wolves, as long as he did not openly defy Kroc, Iqniq or Tonravik. Cross that, any that were of higher rank than his opponent would not take it nicely if someone openly defied them, they would make sure he knew his place, and that he knew it quickly. The whale understood the Zeta, he too did not defer to others easily, but he would not submit to him unless the newcomer earned a rank above him, nothing would change that, even if he lost the damned spar. Besides, even if he lost, Arverk was sure he had proved to the wolverine that he was a worthy opponent in battle, a worthy wolf to fight beside, a wolf worthy of respect.

His opponent lurched forward and kicked one of his hind legs when he adjusted his grip on the other wolf's scruff which made him stumble, allowing the wolverine to run away scot free. That is, if you didn't include the few tufts of hair he had lost in the scuffle. Arverk regained his balance quickly, spitting the fur onto the ground and shaking his smoky black coat as if that would relieve him of the aches in his muscles. It was a sweet ache, that spoke of a good training and a good spar.

It was raining hard now, and despite the thick canopies, most of the water made it through the shelter of the trees and splattered on the two sparring wolves. Like the Zeta, the whale embraced the cooling feeling of the water droplets as they sunk onto his thick ebony fur, but enough of that, there would be time to cool off when the spar was over. Readying his defenses once more, Arverk rushed forward, testing the waters once more and just as expected, the wolverine managed to leap out of the way. The whale spun around quickly, his attention fixed on his opponent.

Yeah. I think you may be right.

Tatsuya was trying to find his place among Tartok and he was not going to find his place if everyone keeps pushing him around. It made him all the more volatile and, subsequently, dangerous. He had deferred to Kroc, but even she realized that that would not be their final scuffle. The Epsilon should realize that he would be met with opposition every step of the way not because he did not deserve respect, but because his position was the next stop for the wolverine. Tatsuya would love to supersede Arverk but that was not going to happen unless he proved himself or something miraculous happens that greatly appeases his leaders to the point of promotion. And by miraculous, he meant dangerous and potentially life threatening.
INDENTTatsuya's goal could end in failure, but the possibility of could was what kept him going. Arverk might think less of him for this reasoning, but so far he does not seem overly perturbed by it.
INDENTThe whale was a blur of blackness and snapping jaws but the wolverine anticipated him. Arverk snagged nothing but rain and air. Tatsuya let out of breathy laugh. No doubt this wolf could handle himself in a fight, but today was not that day. Maybe some higher being cast doubt upon his blue eyed friend which was why he could not really get a hold of the Zeta. Seeing him try with that determined look on his face...Couldn't keep a blank face for the life of him. Not at all the unfortunate rolls he was getting. Would Arverk find offense at his antics? His joy was good-hearted, not contemptuous. Although, if he was in Arverk's position, he would not take kindly to being laughed at.
INDENT“Okay,” he sighed, settling back into the mood. Guard up, he rushed the Epsilon, giving the impression that he was going to ram him head on. On the contrary, he jumped past Arverk at the last second only to use the momentum to swerve around and latch onto the area where tail meets ass. A tender area, to be sure. Tatsuya struck him there to wind him up or not so-subtlety tell him hey! Step up your game, or I'm gonna bite ya where it hurts the most!

Damn it..

Arverk's teeth snapped at air and rain, just like he had expected. The gods were not on his side this time, perhaps they were trying to tell him that despite his skills at fighting, it did not mean he would win every fight he fought nor did it mean he could battle every lower rank and win. Perhaps Mars, the god of war was teaching him new tactics to fight and overwhelm his opponent, because he could not miss so many times and the wolverine should not be able to land blows on him everytime he made a move. This was the work of the gods, and internally, he cursed at them, asking why they couldn't have made him fail every blow when he was fighting someone from outside the pack. That could have taught him much too.

The wolverine laughed, and Arverk bared his gleaming sharp fangs in reply. He would be able to handle himself in a real fight, but somehow, he was unable to land any hits except one on the other wolf today. What was wrong with him? Anger blazed beneath his smoky black chest and he fought the urge to rip his opponent's face apart, they were packmates, besides, the other wolf's laugh did not seem to be one of contempt.

Perhaps they could be friends.

The Zeta rushed at him and this time, the Epsilon did not bother to jump away though he did make sure to seem he was making an effort to leap away. The wolverine struck him in one of his tender areas but the whale did not utter anything, but turned around and flashed a smile at the Zeta, rushing forward, snapping at the other wolf's face in warning, to make him back away, not close enough to harm the other man's face, but hopefully enough to make him backpedal.

And backpedal he did, positive the other would get a hold of him. Tatsuya jerked back with wide eyes, pulling the skin before letting go. There would definitely be a bruise there later. Arverk would endure; such pain was child's play. Stepping out of the whale's immediate reach, he took a couple steps back and rammed his opponent in the ribs. Regardless of what that accomplished, Arverk was certain to feel it in the form of breathlessness or impaired balance. Or both. Both would be good. Both would be excellent.

miss. ignore the test roll

The wolverine backpedaled quickly, jerking back with wide eyes though he still pulled the whale's skin roughly before letting go. Pain shot through him but the former assassin did not even wince, this kind of pain was mere child's play. He had endured much more in the few years he had lived, besides, the bruise would remind him that he would not always win despite his well honed skills. It would remind him that there was always a place for improvement no matter what.

Arverk almost managed to get out of the wolverine's way but at the last moment, he rammed into his ribs, upsetting his balance and leaving him breathless. Luckily, he regained his footing almost immediately and turned around, teeth flashing as he aimed to nip at the other wolf's tail and tug it back but fell short.

He took a couple of steps back then, and watched his opponent warily.

Permission to power play Arverk granted.

Sending the whale wobbling away, he curved around to snap at him. Teeth combed bistre fur but Arverk did not find purchase. Stepping away from the contender's wrathful orifice, Tatsuya shared in Arverk's guarded look. Tail brushing hocks, the wolverine rushed him as he has done many times before but the whale anticipated him, moving to put distance between the two of them. Tatsuya cursed under his breath, maw open, salmon tongue peeking out. They were both getting less heated now as the battle dragged on. Tatsuya had wanted to spar and Arverk sure as hell delivered. But now their tussle has reached the point where it was nearing its end, the victor obvious.
INDENTTatsuya did not much care for gloating. Specially in the face of a recently acquainted pack mate. Later on down the road perhaps the Zeta would rub this triumph in Arverk's face. To enrage, to propel, to cause words to stumble out of that mouth. He has seen much of Arverk's stoic side during this encounter, sprinkled with bits of frustration and choler. Tatsuya wanted more, needed more...but the others distance was understandable. Tatsuya's desires – not so much.
INDENTThe downpour has lessened and with it, so has Tatsuya's spirit to fight. Engage the whale he would not. If Arverk wished to initiate, Tatsuya would respond in kind if only because it was the proper thing to do. Come at me then. We're not getting any younger.
INDENTThe whale detected Tatsuya's temperament, the will to fight evaporating. Thus the tension left him as well, skin going lax where it was once tight. Arverk's slackness was enough to make the Zeta plop down in an unceremonious sit. The sound of twining grasses and wetness was loud in their ears, a chilly current of air brushing up against Arverk's statue-like form. The late assassin approached, a flair of dominance tempered by comradery showing through his pace, his tail, his elevated head. Tatsuya did not bristle as the sight but neither did he contend the Epsilon, too bushed and content.
INDENT“Arverk,” the other intoned, stumping Tatsuya. The confusion showed on his face. “My name.” Oh! That's right! He had asked – no, demanded the other to identify himself. The Zeta has proven himself to the Zeta...at least enough to give his name.
INDENT“Kapvik.” His other calling did not even cross his mind. Perhaps some other time he would tell Arverk, but as of right now he was drawn into muteness by the whale's encroaching form. Arverk brushed past him in sociably. Tatsuya gave him a tiny nip on the back in reply. They shared a simple exchange of tongueless sentiment; Nice spar, the wolverine conveyed. Yeah, the whale agreed.
INDENTWatching the undulating form of his associate depart, Tatsuya tiredly went on his way too. First he would get something to drink, then finish the day off with some more patrols. All around a good day.