2018.09.02: Impressive Matches
It is now currently Sun Sep 02 08:53:23 2018, PDT.
| Impressive Matches | |
|---|---|
| Sten vs Lleu, Dragomir vs Andy, Alek (Judah) vs Skully - Sparring! | |
| IC Date | Sunday, September 2nd |
| IC Time | 08:53:23 2018, PDT. |
| Players | Journey, Andy, Lleutrim, Sten, Jake Miller, Xenovia, Skully, Dragomir, Viktor Balasevic, Aleksandr, Khol |
| Location | Deep Forest - Amphitheater |
| Spheres | Shifter, Mortal+, Gaian, Garou |
Deep Forest - Amphitheater
The amphitheater is a place for those within the sept to hold gatherings of any kind. Anything from moots, to any number of challenges, to stories that are told, as well as a place to meet for present as well as future plans to be discussed for the sept as a whole, and a variety of other things of importance. Like the rest of the caern, this area is covered within the thickness of the underground forest. Mountainous trees reside all around and throughout here as they stretch high into the heavens of this cavernous place forming a dense canopy overhead. Sounds of life can often be heard as well as the whisperings of the spirits on a soft and harmonious breeze. The area of the amphitheater has been cut back to form a wide open space that could easily fit several hundreds of individuals.
At the very center of the area is a half-domed sphere-shaped structure made from stone. Beneath the dome is a flat and wide stage also carved out of stone and provides ample room for any number of shifters or kinfolk alike to use it. Surrounding the front and to both sides of the stage are various large logs that have been formed out tree trunks. Each log is cut in half as the flat part has been turned face-down so as to serve as a comfortable place to sit. The top of each log where an individual might place themselves is smoothed and sanded over to help add support as well provide for cushioning if just a bit. The land starting from the where the main stage is ascends upwards so that each sitting area isn't on the same level as the others and thus providing everyone a chance to see whether taller or shorter in height. The air here is thick with moisture and lies heavy upon the flesh like a second skin.
Often soupy mists of fog creep into the area like opalescent tendrils searching for prey. The swift umbral winds that bleed in from the heart and stream throughout the entirety of the caern aid in making the place rather pleasant to be in and easier to see one's surroundings as well as serves as a means for a refreshing, cool, breeze. The ground is soft and covered with a dense moss as well as rich, green, grass. Often individuals might come here even when there's no event going on if but to have a place to simply talk in private or perhaps enjoy a picnic with family, friends, lovers, and pack mates. The feel of the area one might get from these grounds is that of a past rich with life, and full of meaning. There's quite a bit of history here within this place and the legends of previous times before today's age can nearly be felt as a physical representation that could easily touch one's heart and soul.
---
Sten was up and ready, he seemed alert and alot less docile then he had been around the caern previously. Now his proud purebreed definatly was shining through along with his size as he was shifting and moving to warm up lightly. A broad smile was on his face, he seemed much more alive in a way.
As per Dragomir's orders, Lleutrim arrives this morning around dawn and waitng for Sten. The Cub has eaten and is currently seated drinking coffee as he watches Sten arrive and start to warm up. Donnachaidh sets his cup down and walks over, offering the other a respectful nod, "Stormhowler-rhya, good morning. I assume you have sparred with Cubs before? I'm not supposed to go into Crinos or Hispo form for sparring and I can't use gifts, though of course you can. Idea's not to actually kill each other." As in, him. "I am keen to hear advice on fighting as garou, either way."
Xenovia walks in to the spar area with a cup of coffee in hand. She's walking alongside Viktor, but keeps their voices low since she knew where to come this morning. "Apparently, I was tipped off last night there might be a spar out here this morning. Ah, look. There they are." She motions to Lleu and Sten, right before finding a quiet seat and out of the way. "A learning match," she lifts a hand and waves to Lleutrim with a silent good morning. Sten gets one too, even though she hasn't met him yet. On her lap, she hordes her coffee like she needs it. "I had too much wine last night at the campground. No alcohol today," she informs Viktor.
Sten smiles to him "I have sparred as a cub with cubs" shrugging some "And I do know how sparring works, you do not learn anything from dying" shaking his head "One day though you need to learn how to fight in the diffrent forms, you did say however that you had experience in the military yes?" he smiles to him "I am rather confident you will do well in homid" moves over to some open patch of grass and takes his somewhat worn shirt of.
Viktor moves in and settles to sit besides Xenovia, "Just plenty of dark coffee and gatorate." Viktor chuckles teasing the poor kin a bit. "Who hasnt had those nights of too much drinking..." he notes, "You suffer now to remind you much fun you had." he grins.
Khol comes stepping in respectuflly and quietly, a little nervous, as kin are not often permitted in here.
Xenovia is a very intelligent kinfolk. She knows to sit halfway up the arena in the benches and also brought another garou along for personal protection. Surely, she may not have told Viktor he's a body shield if anyone frenzies. But since this is a friendly cub spar, she doesn't appear too concerned. She sips her coffee and offers support with her presence. Sten and Lleu may as well get a private fan club going!
Lleu nods, "Aye, Marine Corps. I've also killed a formor and a Wyld spirit while in Hispo so ... I'm not a combat virgin. I've also sparred against Alecto and Dragomir in homid and glabro." Sten's removing his shirt is observed, "Good idea. I don't have a lot of dedicated clothes to tear up."
Donnachaidh walks back to where he left his coffee cup and removes his USMC shirt as well. He shakes it out, folds it, then drops it there where he had been seated before. He gives Xenovia and the others a nod as they arrive, "Morn'n. Come to see me get my ass kicked?" Lleu grins, then walks back out to where Sten is waiting.
Khol walks down to where the other Kinfolkare, he nods to Xen as he motions "Mind if I sit?" he asks softly. He grins a little to Lleutrim at his comment but doestn say anything in return.
Journey comes in from Deep Forest - Mystic Valley
Xenovia lifts up her thumb to acknowledge -said- ass kicking. Yep, she's all eyes now. She leans to tell Viktor something quietly from her bench row. "I love it when guys take off their shirts." Then Khol comes upon them. "Morning Khol. Sure, have a seat."
Sten shakes his head "I know you are being jovial but your head must be in the game, if you are set to loose you will loose, if your heart and mind is in to win you will win. Many battles are determined not merely by strength of arms but strength of heart and will, shall we begin then?" looking to the crowd gathering "Also with your military experience I am certain you can teach me more about hand to hand combat in homid"
Journey climbs up the back of the seating area in the ampitheatre and settles in a seat in the background, away fromthe conversation and spectates.
Khol nods to Victor and smiles "hi" he greets the man, before sitting down, to watch what happens.
Lleutrim chuckles to Sten, "Call me a realist on that score. I'll still do my best and maybe I'll win." Shirt off, Lleu eyes the other Galliard, "Ready?"
Viktor smiles and whispers back to Xen
Sten moves in for a punch which connects with him but has no effect really, he doesn't seem all to concerned as they are sparring and he is trying to see just how skilled the cub is, there was nothing on the line but training. But first up he wanted to get the messure of him, see what he could do.
Journey opens his satchel and takes out some object and a cloth. while watching he seems to be polishing the object, idily doing that with his hands as he watches placidly from a seat high in the stands.
Stormhowler gets the first hit in, Donnachaidh moving as soon as he detects the Cliath is coming at him. A fist brushes and makes contact with the Marine yet Lleu's suddenly focused. As if a switch had been flipped. Silvery grey eyes sharp, he doesn't even try to dodge it and is aggressive. Guard suddenly up, he makes a simple, classic boxer's move to see if he can jab Sten right in the face. Here's for the nose!
Viktor smiles and nods to Xenovia and whispers softly.
Sten takes a pretty big hit, rage flowing through him flowing over and taking over but her resists keeping it locked in but it keeps him from doing anything keeping the beast in, this was a spar not life or death, the boiling rage didn't care about that though, it wanted to tear this cub a new one.
Khol settles back in his seat, not interupting anyone, just watching with a slightly abstract expression, like he didnt sleep well last night.
Journey keeps polishing whatevers in his hand, and pauses, then looks down at the object, then back up, resuming.
The Cub has a choice. If this was a real fight, he'd totally take advantage of stunning his opponent and moving in at once to take him down. Lleutrim starts to go after and followup at once with his off hand but checks himself. Maybe he can pick up on the other garou struggling to contain his rage. The Marine hesitates and side steps, keeping his torso bladed to present a narrower profile and gives the other Galliard a second to recover. No explanation for his choice, choosing not to press.
After a second he gives Sten a nod and then moves to close again.
Xenovia softly whispers back to Viktor as they comment on the fight and lessons being learned. There /just/ might be a wager going on between them as well. She grins back to Viktor at his last words, and weighs the option, considering how the two Garou are now sparring off. She sips coffee while fully engaged on the training spar.
Viktor laughs lightly as he teases Xenovia about the wager.
Lights-the-Darkness comes in from Deep Forest - Mystic Valley
Xenovia is sitting halfway back in the arena on the benches near Viktor, and Khol. Journey is off by himself sitting, watching, and monitoring the fight. Xen is quietly observing with a cup of coffee on her lap. And down below, Sten and Lleu are sparring.
Sten launches himself into a flurry of blows, a left and a right the left connecting and actually giving abit of a bruise to Lleu but nowhere near as much as Lleu had to himself. The right falls weak probably from holding back the rage that boils beneath the surface.
Sten his rage drove him for another shot but this time towards his guts it connected but didn't have enough force to do anything
As Sten comes in to close like a frieght train, Donnachaidh twists and evades some of it and gets tagged in a kidney with a painful jab. It makes him grit his teeth for a second and have to deal with his own flare of rage at the pain, yet the Galliard Cub maintains his cool and keeps moving. The Get of Fenris is fast though and fueled by his anger, gets in another volley ere Lleu can respond in turn! One is a clean miss and the other fist grazes him but makes no substantial contact, "Nice!"
A flare of nostrils and Lleu as he keeps moving, instead of striking out with a fist, he half steps back and snaps kick to see if he can take Sten's left leg out at the knee!
Sten steps out of the way from the snap kick moving in for a punch, though it did not connect properly to have any real effect, not seeming all to happy with it all "Told you that you got the advantage in hand to hand with your training"
Journey nods slightly, watching as he polishes the object in his hand with the cloth, watching from a high seat in the back of the stands.
It's a FLURRY of fast paced blows and strikes! The blows are glancing as both of them press. Lleu's kick didn't seem to connect firmly as Sten's fast, and the counter brushes him without due harm. Lleutrim nostril's flare and he follows up with a quick jab for Sten's solar plexis - misses and as the pair of them twist and circle one another, there is a brief tangling of limbs that puts Donnachaidh off his balance. Quite to his embarrassment, Lleu stumbles and hits the floor and must use his next action to try and roll back up to his feet.
Form begins to contort and stretch, as another emerges. Lights-the-Darkness becomes a silver wolf
Xenovia is on the edge of her seat watching the blows move back and forth. She silently wills Lleu to get back up and keep on going.
Sten doesn't attack but rather offers the cub a hand "You are good, better then I am, both in technique and physical strength, in a longer fight you could wear me down. I look forward to teaching you more about combat in the other forms though"
Andy comes in from Deep Forest - Mystic Valley
Viktor does a small little fist pump, tries to hide it but its good to win. He grins and whispers to Xenovia.
Sten smirks "I do hope you will teach me some from your military hand to hand experience, I doubt I can teach you anything about homid hand to hand, you still need to work on channeling your rage, it brought you out of balance it seems"
From the entrance to the Amphitheatre, a silver wolf emerges, possibly attracted by commotion it heard. It stands there, its eyes perfectly capable of watching from this distance. First it scans the area, the people gathered, but only briefly before going down to the sparring below, not moving too far from where it is, proceeding to sit on its haunches and become an objective observer, it seems.
Andy comes strolling in, apple in his hand. He strolls up behind the silver wolf and almost trips over him, but catches himself before there's any sort of wolfastrophy. He looks down, smiles, steps to the side, then continues on in, making his way toward Journey, wherever he is.
Khol rises finally and murmers "Im going to stretch my legs.. " to Xen Before starting for the extit.
Journey sits in a seat high in the stands, alone, <Where Zephyrs Hand Pack sits, if you're keeping score> with a cloth in his hand, polishing some small object watching passively, nodding slightly as the direct combat seems concluded by the Cliath.
Cautiously the hand is accepted, though Lleu didn't need it to regain his feet. He eyes Sten, "Thanks. Only been a month since my change. I need a whole lot of practice ... with a lot of things. Shall we continue? Alecto spars with me in Glabro and I should probably practice fighting as a wolf more, too."
Fuck. He's way up there? Screw that. Andy gets to within easy sight of Journey and.. waves. Then he plunks himself down front and center in front of the ring. That's a much better plan.
Xenovia casts a glance over at Viktor beside her as the back arena wager has suddenly ended. She nods back to Khol when he gets up. "Steak? That's all you want? You are an easy sell." She torments the Garou beside her with a grin. She leans forward to see Lights pad on in and then another unrecognized man behind him. "Who is that?" She asks Viktor, considering Andy for a moment.
Sten smiles to him "Up to you, I am just happy to be of use. Glabro would probably would be a good start, or lupus, whichever you wish to work on more" nodding to him
Viktor smiles to Xen, "Its not about the specifics of the meal its the experience." he explains before following her gaze to Andy, "That is Lucky Bastard-Rhya."
Lleutrim grins, "I don't mind a few teeth marks if you don't. Let's continue ... in lupus." Donnachaidh turns his head to give Andy a respectful nod and adds, "Assuming no one has an objection?"
Andy clears his throat to get attention and lifts his voice just a little bit. "Rarely have I seen a Garou fight in either Glabro or Lupus. The powerful forms, the fighting forms, are hispo and Crinos." He motions to the circle. "That thing can be turned on just about anytime. Get down to the nitty gritty. If you're going to fight, if you need the practice, that's the way to do it." He munches his apple and chews up the bite while people talk about things. "And," he says, pausing to swallow the bite in his mouth. "If you've already fought in Glabro and almost kicked the shit out of the Truthcatcher, you're good to move up." Andy hears things. He knows shit. "Also, Andy, Lucky Bastard, Denfather, for those who haven't met me yet. Coggie. Packed to Possum. Homid Athro Ragabash." He reaches up to his shoulder and... nope. Nothing there. He leans over to peer under his seat and scoops up the cutest little tiniest baby possum ever. So cute.
Xenovia lifts a hand as the fight is to start again for round 2. "Double or nothing, Viktor?"
Lights-The-Darkness senses Andy there, or perhaps hears and smells him, long before they actually fall into each other. The extra weight it carries actually makes it a little slower to move, but he does, to allow Andy to pass and then takes up his sitting off to the side a little more to avoid another incident. He bows his head as Andy passes, in greeting. Its ears perk though and nose sniffs, as if taking in a lot more than it might seem, as it continues to watch the fight.
Viktor nods to Xenovia and grins lightly, "Agreeable." he is in.
Journey waves to Andy when he's waved at and he watches as the Den Father Den Fathers, smiling a little, continuing to polish.. whatever that is.
Sten shifts into Lupus a large grey wolf, with steel and silvery highlights looking over to Lleu <Shall we then?> getting into a low posture
Xenovia is sitting too far away to shout her intro downward at Lucky Bastard. But she does grin when the cute little baby possum comes out. She adorbs. "Aw. I definitely need an introduction after the fight.' Now! She's back to cheering on the two at spar practice. Two for Two is higher stakes!
If anyone is watching the silver wolf, he bristles a little when Andy introduces himself. Only because he probably also would like to introduce himself, but there must be some part of decorum that suggests right now is not the time. Both for a barking and howling to draw attention to himself from what people are here to see. It will wait, but it's killing the Silver Fang. Deep inside.
Andy is listened to and Lleu gives him a nod, "If it's safe to do so, then yes, let's try Hispo. I'm yet leary of Crinos being very bloody for sparring, Lucky-Bastard-rhya. But I am eager to try it. Suggestions from Elders are quite welcome." He looks to the thing Andy gestures to and clearly has no idea what he's looking at, "What is it?"
Or Sten could just NOT listen to what Andy offers. That's cool! Andy's pretty easy going. When Lleutrim speaks, he nods. "It is, but you gotta give me a minute." He stands, setting the possum baby down, handing him the apple core. The possum snatches in and IMMEDIATELY goes to Xenovia, because she understands proper worship of small fuzzy things.
Andy walks down to the ring, no limp despite the horrendous scar on his leg and he walks slowly around the circle, the whole circle and then back to the beginning and he nods. "May you fight hard, may you fight dirty, may you best your opponent and then wake up nice and safe and unharmed." He leans down and boops the edge of the circle.
Journey smirks slightly as Andy enlivens the Fetish the two have been fighting on, and shifts slightly in his seat, watching some more, looking down at his hands and looking at a the small object, then keeps polishing it.
Sten looks to Lleu <Are you allowed Hispos or Crinos, from what you said earlier it sounded like you were not allowed> looking to him curiously
Xenovia watches the baby critter coming up the arena rows toward her and she moves quietly to intercept. The palms of her hands lower for the possum to have a safe haven and then she whispers as she picks it up to her chest, core and all. She whispers to the tiny ears.
Lleupine has smoothly shifted into the form of a huge dire grey wolf with nearly black agouti ticking along his topline, pale creamy near white below for counter shading, and a reddish tint down his flanks that looks almost like blood stains to his pelt. The Cub circles slowly and growls, < Normally, no. > Lleu's getting better at speaking Lupus, < We are given permission now. > Silvery grey eyes are curious and his tongue lolls for a moment in wolfish humor, < Let us then not hold back, shall we? >
Sten shifts up then from his wolf form up to Crinos, massive same grey and steel fur, with silver highlights his purebreed shining through still watching Lleu. Getting into a ready stance as he watches him <Yes> he grunted at him
Lleupine shifts on up to Crinos and ... into a form he's never tried to use before. It feels strange, too tall! HUGE even. He's seen it up close and fugly before when Dragomir took the form and scared the living shit out of him during his change. Still, another thing to /be/ the monster. Donnachaidh takes a moment to move his massive arms around, test his balance, then snarls, < Go > Ready to rumble!
Lights-The-Darkness's gaze flickers around the room. Eyes landing briefly on Xenovia and the little possum, if only briefly, ears flicking a little at sounds it picks up. They return then though to the ring. The activation of the Fetish is curious, as is two Werewolves taking the war form. That is always something one must keep an eye one, Fetish or no.
Viktor watches intently at Xenovia's side, for a brief second distracted by the possum but his gaze returns to the fight.
Once all that's done, Andy FINALLY climbs the stairs to go and retrieve his possum. He holds out his hand and the possum glomps onto Xenovia. Nope. Nope. Andy peers at the possum. The possum PEERS back. It's a staredown. Andy sits and turns his back on the possum so he can watch the fight, just a row or two down from Xenovia and Viktor
Xenovia keeps whispering how beautiful the baby possum is. However, she notes Andy missing his baby and then hunkers down a bit more to talk to the tiny ears, in a manner that only the Kami can. "Popcorn later, I promise." She nudges the little one to return to Lucky Bastard. "You can visit." She winks, and then sets the little creature down to return to the Coggie.
Xenovia peers back at Viktor silently, as he just won again a second time against her wager. Double to nothing. "If they do go again, three to nothing?"
Viktor laughs, a good friendly laugh. Clearly enjoying the friendly wager with the kinfolk. "Very well."
Sten growls deeply the large crinos lunges forward, slashing left and slashing right, but there is not deadly gashing wounds in his enemy which allows him to not hold back, the first hit hitting him rather well the second though the other crinos absorbs without much issue.
Journey observes the combat ongoing with the composure of one watching Masterpiece Theatre. Cloth working on the object polished, observing the fight. Make a masturbation joke ICly, dareya.
It's AMAZING! Sten's huge and scary! Leaping on top of Lleu before he can blink! Claws lash out at his face and the Marine can't help but wince, baring his teeth. Instead of dodging as he probably should, he tucks his chin in and goes right at the other Galliard with both of his massive arms, clawing right back! There is much snarling as the two go at it, but no bloody wounds. Just fur flying!
The fighting begins and the silver wolf arches up a little off its hind quarters to watch. Almost like being on the edge of his seat, quite literally. Lights-the-Darkness looks like everything is on alert, absorbing the sounds and sights of what is happening in the ring and around him. Though mostly the fight as those dark eyes flit quickly between the Garou, taking in everything.
Silvery white wolf comes in from Deep Forest - Mystic Valley
Andy is just watching intently at the battle. The possum DOES come and crawl up into his lap and he pokes it in the nose for abandoning him to the GIRL. Rude. The possum nibbles on his finger, earning his name and Andy scritches the thing. It goes belly up for more scritches and Andy can't help but indulge the little guy.
Lights-The-Darkness is just off to the side of the entrance so as not to block the way and have Andy's tripping over him. He is wearing a makeshift satchel of rocks over his body, and is currently slightly up on his hind haunches from a sitting position, watching the action in the ring intently. Though the wolf's ears are perked, and its nose sniffs from time to time. Clearly paying attention to more than just the ring.
The silvery white wolf comes padding into the area, moving up slowly around the back of the stands and taking pause at the highest vantage point. Slow regals settling back onto its hine quarters and watches the ongoing events below.
Sten growls as he gets hit by Lleu, going in for two hard hits the first slash though hitting rather hard while the other merely hits fur, the Get growling to try to unbalance the other Garou. Using his size and knowledge of the Crinos form to get the more unexperienced cub
Lleupine tries to hold his own as Sten gets all over him again! Before he can sink his teeth into the other garou, the Get of Fenris batters the Cub and pushes him back! They may take no lasting harm due to the fetish but it's still too much smacking around of the Marine's skull for him to keep at it. Lleupine is stunned and is forced back, about to fall - yet rage swells up! Lleu digs in his rear claws and remains on his feet! It's not over yet! Fat Gaia's not singing until he's down!
The Cub in Crinos form, all bristling, snarling 9 plus feet of him and several hundred pounds lays into Sten with a savage bite!
Sten takes the massive bite from the cub growling and almost going down but he pushes his rage through to heal him up, both of them match equally at this point. Slashing out towards him as he gets back out pushing himself further to try and take down the Fianna. But can't manage to do the damage to take him down. Recillient one.
Anyone with a nose can totally smell the Crinos wolves going at it, as well as the testosterone!
Journey notices the Wolf in the stands, and almost turns that way but, then is tracking the Crinos fight and never gets to addressing the other in the stands.
Silvery white wolf pads over towards Journey, settling back down on his hind quarters beside the man as he watches the transpiring events unfold. White ears lofted and tail flat for the moment, chest presented - though one observant would notice his head is kept lower than Journey's. The wolf chuffs, >>Greetings Shaderunner-rhya<<.
They are both still up and going at it! Fur flies but no blood! Much snarling! It sounds /aweful/ as the two Galliards go at it. Sten could so be using his gifts but hasn't. Blows are landed or soaked against thick hides and skulls. Lleu steps on a loose stone in the fighting area and misses his last claw attack and stumbles down on one knee unexpectedly.
For a second, he's wide open!
Sten goes down to bite him over Lleu's throat, trying to get him down or at least get him into a submissive hold to make him submit and end this spar. He does manage to knock the crinos out unless rage gets him back up again
Indeed, the Get of Fenris does get hold of him! Lleu feels the teeth at his throat and anger starts to well up. His air is cut off and he can't breath. Still, it's gone on long enough. He should submit. Lleu is spent. The Cub doesn't resist and is down, dazed and beaten fairly. Only a clawing of the sand, trying to struggle for a breath and then he lies there, defeated and or submitting. Or just too incapacitated to react further.
Journey looks to the wolf, and back to the ring, nodding, "Hello Eye of the Storm." He says, polishing the object in his hands with a cloth, sort of absently, as he nods to the brawl, "Interesting."
Sten once the Fianna submits he lets go of the grip and waits for him to heal back before he offers a clawed hand to help him back up <Good fight> the large get towering over the Fianna but doesn't gloat about it, it was a spar and training, he learned as much as the cub had.
The silvery white wolf chuffs at Andy, >>We are due for a rematch, Lucky Bastard-yuf.<<
Journey pauses, his hands stopping and his head turns to the wolf. He then sighs and looks back to his hands, folding the silk around the object and sliding it into his inside jacket pocket. He then clasps his hands in front of him, looking to the wolf beside him, then the ring.
Andy wasn't paying attention, really. When the wolf challenges him, he grins and patpats the possum on the head. "Anytime, pretty boy. Any time." He hands Xenovia the possum and starts to stand.
Once Sten has released his throat and he can suck in air, Lleu lies there a second still in Crinos form. Then he shifts back into the form of a man without a shirt on and gets up. He gets some breath and dusts himself off, the bruises already fading, "Damn, that /was/ a good fight. Thank you, Stormhowler-rhya." He offers a hand for the Get of Fenris to shake, if Sten will, and then he'll go to recover his shirt and pull it back on.
Weathers-the-Storm comes loping along in that big ol' fuckin' lupus form of his that looks so much like everybody else's hispo, all ruddy-and-silver fur and one bottomless black pit where a right eye should be. He's got a mallard in his jaws, freshly caught and definitely dead, and his tail swishes twice in consternation. This is NOT the direction he thought he was going. This is NEW.
Curious, the shaggy behemoth pads into the general area of the arena, finding a seat near the front and leaning back on his haunches. The duck set aside, he keeps that one eye on the fighting going on, noting the closing maneuver and Lleutrim's submission with a quiet whuff and an exhale through his nose.
Journey lifts a hand to the silvery wolf beside him when he growls about having a rematch with Andy, as he looks off, seeing a large object approaching. The interceding hand moving to indicate the approach of several hundred pounds of Wendigo Ahroun.
"Holy fucknuggets, batman. Is that a hispo or a lupus?" Andy asks as the big-ass wolf comes lumbering in with a teeny little duck in his face. He looks to Journey for this answer and sits his ass right back down.
Lights-The-Darkness sits now, near the door, an oddly fashioned harness on his wolf form that looks to be a bunch of rocks to weigh him down. Odd. His gaze and attention briefly going between the other silver wolf and Andy as the challenge is given and summarily accepted. He seems to pause between them as if expecting something else, but is distracted as the big form of Skully enters. He notes him, might even give him a small little bow of his head in acknowledgment, but then his attention returns to the room, what with the battle in the ring over and submission given.
Lleutrim is tired, but seeing a huge wolf bound in gives him a jolt of energy at lack of recognition - at first. Then he notes the missing eye and smiles. His shirt barely pulled back on, the Galliard Marine starts to shift as well. Only he has trouble with it and stops at Crinos, damn it! Annoyed but not letting himself get angry, Lleupine gets a breath and waits to refocus his mind and keep trying for Lupus...
Silvery white wolf pads down towards the Arena floor, taking a moment to look towards Skully at the mention from Journey and nods before coiling back towards the ground once more. One eyes remains with Andy in his peripheral as the silvery white wolf prepares for combat now.
Sten shifts back to homid with a smile moving over to his shirt and grabbing it "You still have issues with your balance when channeling your rage, it cost you the fight. We were pretty much blow to blow equal you even almost had me once, but as I said need to train your balance when going beyond your human limits" he smiles warmly to him "I look toward to sparring with you again in the future"
Weathers-the-Storm licks his chops once, twice, thrice; gotta get that blood off the muzzle. Comments on his size go unheeded, as they usually do; there are more interesting things to look at. Lights-The-Darkness and his Weights-The-Harness, for example. There's another couple twitches of tail, processing this, and then whuffs, << Wolf's burden >>, remembering the conversation. He rubs a huge paw over his muzzle, dislodging a briar indelicately, and grunts toward Lleutrim. << He's right. Maybe four legs next time. >>
Lights-The-Darkness's eyes follow the other silver wolf down to the ring. Apparently this is going to happen now. The wolf rises a little, moving to slightly better vantage point, though he's already almost at the peak of the Amphitheatre. He could move closer, but his wolf sense don't really need it and, perhaps, that's the point. There's small turn of his attention from Dragomir and his preparations to respond to Skully, dipping his head again in what must serve as an acknowledgment. <<The pack.>> He intones back to the massive wolf, as if finishing the thought. It's the first thing he's said since entering here, and he falls silent again. Back to the ring, ears flicking again, as he takes in the other ambience going around him again. Everything his senses can pick out.
Lleu gives Sten a nod even as his form shifts again and finally into Lupus. A nice big grey wolf with nearly black agouti ticking over his topline, black tip on his tail, thick pelt with ruddy tinted sides. < Never in Crinos. I must practice more. > Lleu still has trouble with communicating in Lupus as well but he's getting better. The Galliard cub goes over to greet Skully, bumping the other wolf hard in the shoulder and with his bushy tail up, Lleu's tongue lolls. < Weathers-the-Storm-rhya! > It seems a fond greeting, and remembering he should not act too dominating, the Fianna grey sits his wolf ass down and then lies down. Things to observe.
The little possum hops onto Andy's shoulder and gnaws on his head. "Ow. Hey. Oh, we're doing this still? I thought Dragomir was going to fight the big guy. He probably has a better chance." It's just good natured ribbing, really. The possum collapses in a fit of pique and plops down ANdy's back, tail securing it to the neck of his shirt. "Dramatic, are we?" Andy asks, and the possum digs claws into ANdy's back and hops down to the seat, turns around, rights itself, and places itself on Andy's shoulder. Andy gets up and strolls down the steps, shifting easily into Crinos as he steps into the ring. As he does so, the little possum, so goddamn cute a second ago, turns into one of those ugly, huge fucking possums that chase people around and murder them.
Big ol' Skully takes the bump in good humor, giving Lleu a nudge back and a quick whip of his tail across the shoulders. When Lleu lies down, Weathers-the-Storm reaches a paw over and pushes on the other wolf's muzzle, then goes back to observing. << You got beat >> he states, keeping that one eye on the wolves in the center now. << You got beat by YOU. >> Simple thoughts, simple statements. They seem more appropriate coming from a wolf, somehow. Then a brief afterthought, added with a note of eagerness that doesn't quite come out in the body language: << I met a big bear-man. >>
The silvery white wolf is lean and small, far smaller than the Crinos Lucky Bastard. Calm and patient, sitting on his hind quarters and watching with those ice blue eyes of his as the other Garou approaches. When he nears, he chuffs, >>I am pleased we have this chance Lucky Bastard. You have been the only member of this Sept to have defeated me. I wish to show you what I have learned and honor your teachings.<< The wolf growls, lifting his head back and howling out. >>Zheleznya Gora-rhya, watch now as I reclaim our Honor. May your Glory flow through me.<<
Lleutrim takes Skully's huge paw over his muzzle with grace and the wolf smiles. His tongue lolls out to pant, still expending heat from his sparring. << I know. I will do better. >> Silvery eyes turn to watching Andy shift and come out of the benches, as well as the ugly marsupial rat. His nose wrinkles and the Fianna pays attention to the others for a long moment before he asks, << Bjorn or Ouray? >> This is of /great/ interest to Lleu, rivotted upon Eye-of-the-Storm-rhya and Lucky-Bastard-rhya.
Aw, man. Dragomir's fighting in lupus? How is THAT any fun? With a sigh that sort of sounds like a growl, he ALSO shifts. << Can't get hold of you when you're so teensy, >> Lucky Bastard rumbles from his wolf form, which is just about the same size as Dragomir, really. But, more seriously, he rumbles, << I accept your challenge, Eye of the Storm. I look forward to besting you yet again. >>
Journey settles back where he's sitting, crossing his legs and stretching them out, watching with interest.
Sten moves to take a seat and puts on his shirt as he watches the two garou perpare for a fight. Looking hoping he can learn a few things from the two of them
Silvery white wolf snarls violently, shifting and growing swiftly in size and shape - taking a horrifying war form
<< There's more than one? >> Weathers-the-Storm whuffs in surprise, blowing a huff of air out of his broad snout. He looks at Lleu for a moment, as if assessing whether or not the cub is messing with him, before he looks back to the two squaring off. << Ouray >> he answers finally, bringing a paw up to scratch at his shaggy neck ruff.
<<He's almost as big as me. Not quite, though. Not quite. >> The statement is made without ego; it simply happens that Skully has a good half-foot on Ouray. << He was out hunting rabbits. So was Libby. And Hjalmar. But I had to get home. Miz Giselle worries. >> But oh, the combatants are squaring off now; this promises to be interesting.
The silvery white wolf seemed keen to fight a larger opponent, though Andy knows well you never let a Child of Merlin be smaller than you - it only makes them that much more fierce. The wolf rises, waits for the right moment and starts to bound towards Andy-wolf at full speed. Then suddenly he grows, and grows - snarling and massive as the White Crinos warrior leaps out to try to smash Andy-wolf into the back wall of the amphitheater. The silhouette of Falcon's wings behind him beating swift to give him freight-train like momentum. When Andy-wolf gets out of the way, he skids across the ground and snarls brutally. >>Fight me! Time you learn that Luck.. is not enough to survive.<<
He spins around, moving to try to grapple the wolf now.
Andy sees the purty woof coming at him and he just nopes out. With a little shift of his booty and tuck of his head, he just... gallumphs out of the way. He's leeeettle beety right now compared to Eye of the Storm. See what he meant about not being able to grab Dragomir in that form? Yeah, cause like.. size difference. It's like fishing for guppies with a tuna net.. or... something. Whatever. Lucky Bastard dances out of the way, right between the Crinos's feet, tail tucked under his butt so he can't get hold of him. "PBBBBTH" goes the wolf as he hightails it a little ways away.
Lucky Bastard sees the purty woof coming at him and he just nopes out. With a little shift of his booty and tuck of his head, he just... gallumphs out of the way. He's leeeettle beety right now compared to Eye of the Storm. See what he meant about not being able to grab Dragomir in that form? Yeah, cause like.. size difference. It's like fishing for guppies with a tuna net.. or... something. Whatever. Lucky Bastard dances out of the way, right between the Crinos's feet, tail tucked under his butt so he can't get hold of him. "PBBBBTH" goes the wolf as he hightails it a little ways away.
Lleutrim is no small one himself unless he's next to Skully. An odd feeling, that. Not one that seems to bother the Galliard. He thinks about it, << I know of at least ... four. Bear. >> Things get interesting out on the Amphitheater floor. Lleu sits up and scratches like a dog for a second and then resettles, watching the fight. Hiss pale grey eyes get wide at the action as if saying silently 'holy shit, Batman!'
Eye of the Storm is fast, and everything he does comes with a certain devastating force. The silhouette of those Falcon wings on his back seeming to allow him to glide around the battlefield with ease. Predatorily cruel, he flips over and reaches out his claws to rake down the sides of Andy-wolf's body and snatch him up into a vicious bear-hug. Then with a snarl, he lunges his head forward and snaps his jaws down brutally on the shoulder and chest of the wolf and wrenches his head back and forth viciously - like he planned to devour him or something. Though Mercy be onto him, as the wounds are more superficial because of the protections of the totem. Though the pain is no less.
Gerk. What the fuck?! Dragomir wasn't SUPPOSED to grab him like that. That's just... Rude. Lucky Bastard finds himself hugged and then nibbled upon by the crinos silver toof thing. <<Ow.>> Lucky Bastard protests as he's raked and then snagged up off the ground. <<Hurf..>> is Andy's reply to the wind being knocked out of him. Then <<FUCKING OW>>
<< Don't let him get you like that! Go for the face! >> Skully howls then -- it seems he's not on anyone's particular side here -- bounding up to all fours with excitement. This is a BRAWL. He whips his tail at Lleu a couple times, but keeps his only eye on the fight, pawing the ground in enthusiasm.
Lights-The-Darkness took particular interest in the possum, especially when it changed. Curious to the Theurge. After a study though, the fight starts, and from his perch near the top of the ampitheatre, the silver wolf remains still and resolutely so. If he is cheering for anyone, there's no reaction to any of it. Eyes simply track all the movement. Ears listen and absorb. If there is any emotion to the battle before, that also shows no outward sign. But he takes it all in, very carefully, that is certain.
The possum is just clinging to the lupus's back, making hissy sounds
Well, goddammit. Lucky Bastard squirms around a little bit, trying to get purchase on the big Crinos, and he fails. Oh, god he fails. The possum, sensing defeat, bails like Andy's on fire and hightails it toward the big (the really big) lupus sitting over there. Skully is his new buddy.
Eye of the Storm is not about to let go of his new favorite squishy toy, nope nope nope. He's going to HUG him, and LOVE him, and call him Andy-Pancake! The grip of the Falcon Warrior is fierce, in fact he even screeches out like a Falcon as he holds the Luckiest mo-fo he's ever met as tightly and ferociously as he can. >>I.. am Eye of the Storm. Athro Philodox of the Silver Fang..<< he starts to snarl as his arms turn inwards like Falcon's claws and dig in deeply to snatch up Andy more with a far more frightening grip than before, like he's going to rip the wolf in half or something. Only a Silver Fang would give his intro during a fight.
At first, the possum's bullet dash makes Skully lower his head and snarl with his tail up, but the damn thing leapfrogs his head and lands on his back, clinging to his shaggy fur, and damn if that doesn't just find and vanquish an itch that Weathers-the-Storm needed dealt with. The gigantic wolf relaxes almost immediately, going right back to his state of attention, and he lets out a howl like a booming war horn, simply declaring, << FIGHT BACK! >>
Eye of the Storm lifts up suddenly into the air, a flap of those nearly invisible wings and brings Andy-wolf up with him. He snarls cruelly, sensing the vulnerability of the man who punched his nose in not so many months ago. His head looms back, much like a Falcon's might and suddenly dives into Andy-wolf's back and clenches hard to the back of his neck to rip violently as his claws rake the front of the wolf's body and shred him. An attack that would easily tear something in half before he drops the 'body' to the ground once it goes limp and just hovers there now.
There are things that possums do pretty well. Smell bad. Make hissy noises. And also play dead. Andy knows, knew even before he packed with Roadkill, that sometimes, possums know what's up. No he doesn't shit his pants, though that would be funny as fuck. He does make a sort of hissy sound, but it's more of a gurgle as blood obstructs his airway. And then he just sort of.. slumps over. Slump. Ded. x.x 5 ever. Nini.
And just like that, the fight is over. Weathers-the-Storm howls the victory -- a long, low tone recognizing triumph, a dispute settled -- and then whuffs out a snort from his broad snout, turning his good eye to try and get a look at the possum on his back. He fails, turning his body in a futile gesture, and chuffs, << He needs you now, >> he grumbles softly to the little spirit, whipping his tail twice. << You go. >>
Eye of the Storm comes to land down near Andy, shifting back to homid and motions to extend one of his half-gloved hands towards the man to help him back up. "Well fought Lucky Bastard. I hope you are pleased with my progress, and I have proven myself now." the arm out-stretched to the other man, offering to help him back to his feet if he'll take it.
Eye of the Storm transforms into a normal looking human man.
Lleutrim has gotten a few facefulls of Skully tail and butt. It's a good thing he likes Skully or his Marine ire might jump his ass. Maybe later. The Galliard is too rapt in watching the fight, now on his own wolf's feet as well, silver-grey eyes bright and intent. << Damn. Eye-of-the-Storm-rhya, bad ass. >> Somehow he can convey that in Lupus, his tail sticking out bushy and straight from his body as he watches, ears up and every fibre of his body alert.
As the lupus form lays there, he shifts back to his homid form. He groans as he wakes up, all nice and healthy and peers up at Dragomir. "Good show. One more shot for best out of three. Not today. Holy fuck." He takes the hand and comes up to his feet, reaching out to grab onto Dragomir for balance, briefly. He turns that into a pat on the back. "You did real good. You can fight at my side anytime, even if you are a pretty boy." Clap on the back and then the possum, old and ugly and still looking like he's going to tear someone's throat out.. or cough up a hairball, scampers up Andy's leg to his shoulder where he also gives a sort of salute to Dragomir.
Journey watches the combat and as all the attention is on the fight, he turns, walks to the end of the far side of the seating and drops off, heading off. Just, Journey was up there.. not now.
Dragomir nods towards Andy, and then points towards Lights-the-Darkness and Skully and says, "You two are next. Test yourselves." He grins at Andy's pat on the back and nods his head, "Ready when you are, my friend."
Andy nods, heading back up to the stands to watch, giving the gigantic one eyed fuzzy thing a pat. "Thanks for watching Nibbles for me. We'll meet after you kick something's ass." He plunks himself down and rubs at his face. Fucking Silver Fangs.
<< He did not stand a chance, Eye of the Storm-rhya, >> Weathers-the-Storm notes with a growl, sitting back on his haunches when the possum vaults off his back. << You can't run forever. >>
But oh, that just brought Dragomir's attention. Skully bows his head, knowing his number's up, and he bumps shoulders in a comradely fashion with Lleu and accepts Lucky Bastard's pat benignly before pouncing off his seat and padding over to the Silver Fang. He pushes up off his forelegs and into Crinos, and... he was big before, but now he's goddamn blot-out-the-sun HUGE eleven full feet of corded muscle and brindled fur. Skully may seem like a gentle giant, but Weathers-the-Storm looks like the Big Bad Wolf fucked the Grim Reaper's mother and sired a monster. The abyss of his empty right eye is bottomless, and the gigantic Wendigo begins to sharpen his claws menacingly on the ground with crossing whips of his huge hands, striking sparks with each touch. He has yet to look at Lights-the-Way; he'll focus up when the time comes.
Andy glances over as Skully shifts and then he just looks confused again. He turns to where Journey WAS to ask -- oh, he's gone. So he asks Nibbles instead, "Is that a Garou or a weird-shaped Gurahl?" Andy is SO out of the loop. And he almost died. So give him a break, okay? He turns back toward the gigantic fucking Cliath and plops into his seat.
Sten rises to his feet and moves towards the exit giving Lleu a nod with a smile. Heading out as he was going to be getting bawn duties, and go visit his sister.
OK, note to self. Don't piss off Skully. Let him rub his ass in your face or you might live to regret it. Hmmm. Lleupine sits his ass back down and gets comfortable, lying down. He lays his head on his paws to watch.
There is no fanfare from the Lights-the-Darkness, at the top, at Dragomir's win. No howl for glory, just a simple little bow of his head, perhaps for both. If anyone's is surprised that Dragomir orders Skully and him to fight next, it isn't the silver wolf. He was expecting that. The wolf stands then, pads softly down the Amphitheatre stairs and to the edge of the ring. He shuffs off the harness of rocks he carries around, with a little struggle, not as easy in lupus. They fall to the side. No rules were stated, that he heard, so unlike the Crinos before him, the wolf grows, to that of a much bigger wolf, something that might even dwarf Skully's normal wolf form. Not something anyone would mistake for anything natural. Teeth and claws and death. All bound by perfect silver fur and regal visage. He bows his head ever so slightly to Skully, they are of the same rank after all, and he steps into the ring, waiting, calmly
Weathers-the-Storm throws his head back and HOWLS, the Rage in his blood pumping like a furnace bellows, the cry of << HOKA-HEY! >> ringing out in that low, monstrous battle cry. His corded muscles tense all over, tendons standing out in his throat, and he channels that enthusiasm right back into himself, focusing inward for a few long moments before he turns toward Lights-The-Way and squares up menacingly.
<< I am Weathers-the-Storm, Full Moon Metis of the Wendigo, >> he declares in a challenging rumble, slapping broad hands against his burly chest and drawing a few drops of blood. << You will NOT best me, Lights-The-Way. But I will respect your challenge. >>
In the far corner of the amphitheater the glimmer of eyes suddenly appears in the shadows. Just eyes. Watching the action. How long have they been there? Who knows. After a moment a figure steps forth from the shadows, taking shape. It's Jake, expression unreadable. He sits on a rock, keeping his distance. Seems he's just here as an observer. Actually, he's far enough away that a perception roll would be necessary to be aware of his presence.
Earlier Lleu had fought against Sten and the Get of Fenris won. Then Dragomir against Andy, to the Russian's win. And now the large Fianna grey wolf with the ruddy sides lays with his head on his paws watching. Eyes intent on the action as Skully manifests himself in the largest fucking Crinos the earth may ever have seen in these parts, sharped razor claws and all. The Galliard is quiet though Lleupine lifts his head at some movement to the side when Jake arrives.
The large silver Hispo just seem to take to any preparation, though the moment the other wolf is ready and has declared his battle cry, it charges the Crinos with lighting speed. He's very aware of what he's up against though, and the disadvantage he's at. Surprise, sometimes is all you've for. That and cunning, the wolf darts towards the Crinos, and then darts to the side of his blind eye. Where vision is not as easy and leaps, crashing into him and bring his giant maw on teeth down on his neck and shoulder with iron like strength. A growl emit throughout the entire Amphitheatre. The wound is painful, but superficial, and well the Crinos doesn't really note the pain at all, but the Theurge has landed the first blow and it is significant.
Lights-The-Darkness moves to dodge the giant claws that come at him, but he's not quite fast enough and they rake his side. He's tougher than he looks, the smaller Theurge though, the wound not looking as bad as it should be when something the size of Weathers-the-Storm hits you. Silver Fang discipline, no doubt. There's no hesitation, the wolf is wise enough to know this must end early, or it will not end well for him. Another quick streak to his blind side, you use what advantages you have, after all. Another huge leap to bite at his neck, except this time the wolf holds fast teeth coming hard down on the big Crinos's neck and shaking his maw once he finds purchase. Attempting to bring the Metis down once and perhaps for all. In the context of battle.
Lleupine jumps up to his feet as the /Silver Fang/ takes Skully down! The Fianna grey wolf turns a circle really fast, Weather-the-Storm's earlier enthusiasm affecting the Galliard for a second. He doesn't howl though. You'd think a Galliard would but Lleu's quiet.
For a moment, it seems like Weathers-the-Storm is going to put a hurt on Lights-The-Darkness, but the Hispo sees what's necessary and bites down for the kill. The huge Crinos attemps to pull his opponent free, but succeeds only in allowing the Hispo to gore him further, ruining any chance for a response. The giant goes down, falling flat on his back and bleeding profusely asa he's bested by the Theurge. David brings down Goliath.
Jake continues to watch from his semi-secluded vantage point, his poker face still intact. Is he pleased? Is he not pleased? Impossible to tell.
The huge wolf form of Light-the-Darkness keeps his teeth around the big Metis's jugular for a few extra seconds, just to be sure. All the while the come crasing down, the big wolf on top of the huge Crinos. When he is, as you can't be sure since Crinos is his natural form, he releases the Crinos's neck from giant jaws and moves off him. Shaking out his fur and backing away from the Metis with dignity, though he is standing tall. He probably should not have taunted the Silver Fang when Dragomir announced this challenge. Still, the huge Hispo bows his head to his opponent out of respect. No words exchanged, no victory howl. Quiet dignity.
Weathers-the-Storm is still for long moments, taking deep breaths and letting the strangeness of the Fetish's influence wash over him. The wolf inside says he is DEAD; the man inside says NO YOU ARE NOT, and it takes a few moments for that to get through his thick skull. Once it finally does, the huge Crinos shifts into a still-huge man, seven feet of bulk and brawn.
"You got me good," Skully says in a low rumble, pushing up to his feet and dusting himself off with those tennis racket hands of his. "Eye of the Storm-rhya isn't gonna be happy with me about that. But you fought real good, Lights-the-Darkness. You fought REAL good." No hard feelings there, apparently; just a deep bow of his head to the Hispo and a step out of the circle, acknowledging a loss.
"Well, shit," Andy says. He had REALLY hoped the big guy would win. He had ALSO hoped that he would win. The possum hops out of Andy's lap and wanders over to plop itself on Skully's foot.
Lights-The-Darkness keeps his head bowed until Skully makes his way out of the ring. There is such a thing as a humble winner, and perhaps Lights-the-Darkness shouldn't be so, but he is. <<Good fight.>> He agrees. <<You fought well.>> There is also no hard feelings from the Silver Fang, as much as he might have been angry before the fight. There is nothing now. Though he turns and walks proudly out of the fighting circle and towards his burden of rocks, slowly, slowly reforming back down into the form of a wolf. You have to show a little pride at the Glory of battle, he knows that.
Now that the combat is over Jake stands and ambles down to the main area, a small smile finally appearing on his lips. He looks from warrior to warrior, wordlessly for a moment, then finally says, "Good job, both of you." He looks at Andy. "A rather surprising outcome, eh? Or...maybe not." He grins at Judah. "Your speed is impressive. Still you can get faster." Skully is regarded next. "Are you in need of healing?"
There's a pause by the silver wolf, as if unsure he should accept that behemoth's help, after all this is his burden, given to him by Dragomir. Though it is difficult to put back on in wolf form. He almost refuses. Instead though, he bows his head in acquiesce to the offer <<Burden of Pack. Okay.>> Whatever that means. As Grabs the leather satchel in his teeth and holds it out for SKully. It's heavy enough, half the wolf's weight, it's a true burden. Once he takes it, he speaks, the broken way of a wolf. Long sentences and ideas difficult. <<Father would say. Learning important. Not make same mistake.>> Then his head bows deeply to Jake, noticing him as he congratulates them both. <<Thank you. Defiant Storm-rhya.>>
Lleu is now seated, watching. Ears up, as Judah hands over his burden to Skully. He cocks his wolf head and getting up, the big ruddy sided grey wolf circles them slowly, << Defiant-Storm-rhya. >> Cubs and Cliaths all over, oh my! Future possible packmates.
Skully smiles at Lights-The-Darkness' acceptance of his help, nodding his head deeply. "Burden of the Pack. No packs of one, Lights-The-Darkness. The pack looks after itself, each to the other." He picks the heavy burden up easily -- heavy is relative, after all -- and gently moves the straps where they belong, taking care not to pull fur or place the weight at an imbalance.
"Grampa Dave says the easiest lessons leave a mark. Harder to forget that way. I won't keep my neck open again, you can count on that." Skully says all of this with a pleasant simplicity that doesn't show a hint of shame or hurt pride despite the lopsided defeat he just ate. "You may be doing it wrong, though. The weight of the pack. Why are you carrying it all yourself? That's silly."
