the Rift


Another Ghost to Haunt You

Ki'irha Posts: 176
Outcast atk: 4.5 | def: 9.0 | dam: 6
Mare :: Unicorn :: 15hh :: 5 years old HP: 64.5 | Buff: NOVICE
Noella
#1
Ki'irha

When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.

Beneath a blanket of red, the star girl danced. Her movements graceful and deliberate, she cantered through the forest, winding effortlessly through the trunks of trees that towered and blocked the sun with their crimson leaves. She was stark against the hues, her blue's clashing against the bloodied foliage. The roaring of the falls swelled in her ears as she approached, and she let it bombard her senses before she cut suddenly and followed the rushing current downstream. The rubies twinkled in her stormy eyes, catching her attention as all things that glitter do. Deeper and deeper into the rift land she went, her path winding with the world around her. She had no destination, instead she quenched her desire to open her strides and keep her body muscled and lean.

The star girl slowed her pace, cooling down after her distance run. Soon she stopped, dipping her head to pick a stone from her cloven toes with the tip of her crown. This was her second time visiting the falls, and it was just as beautiful as it was her last visit. Her surroundings were kissed by morning, with soft fog rising off of the churning river, and the ground frosted by frozen dew. The air was crisp, and though it burned her lungs as she caught her breath, it was refreshing.

Blissfully alone, she walked into an area where the trees grew thinner. She touched her mouth to the river, and though it still ran here, the surface was more placid compared to the rest. It was a small off-shoot, the wide river divided by a small island of trees and brush, creating an area of the water where, though still treacherous, created an alluring sense of safety compared to the rest of the tide. But her solitude was not long lasted as she realized another from the Basin was coming close.

Drawing her soft lips from the cool water, she turned her head to see the buck who shared the space with her. The blackened haunt was familiar, and her distaste for him clung to her tongue like bitter berries. "Greetings, Nox," she crooned, stepping towards him. Part of her wanted to bat long eyelashes as the stallion, swallow his attention in the feminine sway of her hips, draw him in like the siren she was, before pushing him into the thunderous river. But she wasn't feeling murderous. Besides, the river wasn't deep enough here to drown him in, and it wasn't like she wanted to kill him anyways. She just wanted to figure him out, and see if her initial impression of him was correct.

"I came here looking to stretch my legs, get away from home for a bit, and instead I find you. So, since we both ended up here perchance, let's test our luck further. Care to spar with me? I know you've taken the path of healer, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't practice your fighting skills." She smiled, lashes fluttering, catching his steely gaze with her silver pools. "It would be a shame for such a strong creature as yourself to grow weak as you tend to your garden."

It was a surprise to her, to be totally honest. The latin brute didn't cross her as someone who would take on a vocation as delicate and focused as healing. But she would much rather surround herself with soldiers who wanted to fight, who desired the craze of battle, who were devoted enough go to war knowing they may fall and become food for scavengers. Healing was important, just as battle was, and she had once considered following that path as well. But she knew where she belonged.

Did he?
_______________________
Talk
WC:: 618
Opening Remarks
Setting:: Blood Falls in the morning. Clear sky, chilly weather. They're by the river in a small clearing surrounded by trees. The river is knee-deep where they are.
Summary:: Ki'irha approaches Nox and invites him to spar. Permission from Dressy for Ki'irha to find him. It's an opening post, so it's allowed to be a little bad XD
@Mortuus Nox  ~
Image Credits!
[Image: 5581b91112f69]
Colored by Kels ♡
Lines by Bronzehalo

Please Tag Me ○ Permission for magic and injury is granted. Just no death or permanent harm.

Mortuus Nox Posts: 187
Aurora Basin Time Mender atk: 3.5 | def: 10 | dam: 7
Stallion :: Unicorn :: 15.2 :: Immortal HP: 66.5 | Buff: NOVICE
Dressy
#2
You can have your very own
Devil at the cross roads
Nox looked into the bloody water. His gray eyes watched it swirl around from the near-by falls. He was alone once again and He was damn happy about that fact. The deep black maw smiled with an eerie grin as his reflection started to clear in the water. Nox dipped his onyx maw down to the crimson red water as he looked deeper into the monsters eyes. They were cold and stone like, and the orbs were filled with hate and destruction. There was another look hiding in the stone cold pits. It was the look of a new found happiness. The black stallion could see the slight softness peering through the stone, but it was something that was rare for others to see. Then he heard something.

A heavily crowned skull turned to hear the sound of another arriving on the scene. It was no one else but the star studded Corporal. He let the black maw slip into a small smile as he saw her approach closer. She greeted him with a friendly hello. Something unusual from her mouth to him. Nox knew these two never really got along, but they were working on mending this problem slowly. "Hello my Corporal." The black stag dipped his head slightly in respect for the star mare. He then listened to her voice speak once again. She wanted a spar… this should be fun. "The gardens have not weakened me one little bit. A friendly spar sounds wonderful right now. Maybe you can learn a thing or two from an aged stallion of war." A single gray winked softly in a playful way before both orbs scanned over her star studded body.

Her muscles showed strength, but she held more of a lean look. She was not full blooded Andalusian, there was something mixed in her blood. She was only slightly shorter than himself, but younger by about 2 years it looked like. Her body was mature, but it could still bulk up more. His build was much thicker than hers. His muscles were much more developed from being a stallion, but it made him bulkier. Nox held more muscular weight slowing him down, but making him very powerful and agile. After he studied her body with keen gray eyes he plotted how he should start. "I will kick things off. You know the old saying age before beauty.” His Latin voice roared with a chuckle as the sun peaked through the canopy above. The sun slid over his scared onyx pelt as his muscles rippled under it. He noted how they had just enough room to move around each other. The trees made it difficult to get any type of speed in this area. The cool air entered his nostrils as it was quickly pushed back out; creating a misty haze around his maw. The land was pretty frozen, except for around the falls. The water made that land soft and ideal to dig his hooves into to start the first attack.

the muscled black body leaped into the air towards the star colored mare. He knew his horns were best used as a ram, and that’s what he was going to do. When his front feet landed on the more frozen ground the black ram like horns guided his path. Nox tucked his demonic crowned skull to his powerful chest charging forward. He aimed to either knock the mare off her feet or bruise her chest by impacting it with his horns. The black stags muscled neck braced for impact if her were to hit her. The sharp point aimed straight up in the air as he powerful body tried to get closer to the mare. This was the best way to start things off. They were facing each other so why not aim for the chest. As he tried to come closer he let his large skull shift to the right incase she were to try and avoid the ram like horns. If he were lucky her left side would catch the sharpened points of the horns and not lacerate, but only cut the mare. This was not a Spar of anger, it was a spar to improve their skills. He did not want to kill the star creature right now. although the first time they met it might have been a bit different. The black stag had changed, killing was not a priority anymore.

"Talk."
------------------------------
Word count::740/800
Attack :: 1/3
Summary:: Nox greets @Ki’irha then starts the spar. He tucks his head aiming to ram her chest. As he tries to grow closer he also tilts his head to the right to possibly cut her neck on the left side if his ram misses. He does not wish to splice her skin wide open, only give a cut.

image credits

Please tag Mortuus Nox in all posts
magic & permanent injury is permitted excluding death.

Ki'irha Posts: 176
Outcast atk: 4.5 | def: 9.0 | dam: 6
Mare :: Unicorn :: 15hh :: 5 years old HP: 64.5 | Buff: NOVICE
Noella
#3
Ki'irha

When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.

The blue girl scowled, silver eyes narrowing as he winked at her. Learn a thing or two? From an aged stallion of war? She snorted, ears flicking back in annoyance. She was not some bouncy yearling enamored by the thrill of fighting. She had been bathed in blood, baptized by the crimson waves drawn by her horn. Her body had been bruised and beaten, but compared to her losses, her victories shone through. She had been triumphant against stallions much larger than she. She had torn battle princes from their thrones, crushed bone beneath her hooves, released souls from their mortal shells to find their place among the stars. "We'll see about that," she nearly hissed, the deceitful friendliness present in her greeting missing from her words.

The blue's rolled eyes and nearly inaudible groan exuded irritation. He continued, laughing at his own joke about age and beauty and blah, blah, blah. The more he spoke, the less she liked him. She didn't need his compliments. If anything, his seeming obsession with the compliments left him wide open to be manipulated. But she wasn't in the mood to employ her verbal finesse. Instead, she'd rather use her strength to prove her point, to convince him she was more than sultry curves and a pretty face. If Nox was sparring with another stallion, he certainly wouldn't be commenting on the attractive slope of his opponent's ass.

Her evaluation of the scourge was more than a lustful glance. It was a tactic, a skill taught to her by her father early on in her training. She looked for things she had seen in past adversaries, and considered the advantages and disadvantages presented in the fight. There were several things the warrior noticed about the black stag. Though not crowned with a deadly blade upon his brow, his ram horns would impact a larger area, and his skull was certainly adapted to take a hit. His neck was sloped, muscles sculpted to certainly protect his spine from the brunt force of using his horns. He didn't stand much taller than she, and was built similarly to her as well. But her blood was mixed compared to his pedigree, and the warmblood in her made her faster and stronger. She wasn't even sure what spurred his comment about age, as he looked nearly as young as she was. He certainly wasn't old enough to be an aged veteran of the battle field. Still, she was curious to see if the stallion could back his words.

He ran towards her, head dipped low. She dropped her own skull, brow adorned with a deadly weapon gifted to her from the gods. Her muscles tensed, cloven toes digging into the nearly frozen earth as he thundered towards her. Her tail lashed behind her as she waited, a smirk crossing her lips. Well, at least this would be a predictable fight. Leaping forwards, she rushed to meet him. She shifted ever so slightly to the right, ensuring his broad head wouldn't slam into her chest. She felt his horn caress her shoulder, a momentary sting which she knew would be followed by the smallest row of crimson pearls and a bruise that would keep him on her mind for a while.

As he plowed past her she leaned in. She felt him close, and as he left her side and passed her, she coiled and kicked, rear hooves lashing, hoping to kick him in the ass where he deserved it. She looped, running after him, expecting the brute to turn and face her. Even if he didn't, she was sure to catch him eventually. She slowed her pace as she turned, taking care to watch her footing. The frost and overspray from the river were both sure to make slick spots, and a misplaced hoof could force her into a violent fall. She reached her velvety maw out, white waves tossing over the nape of her neck like a war banner. Her jaws opened, lips curled away from white teeth, then snapped shut with a satisfying clap. She wanted to draw blood, taste his iron on her tongue, drag him back and keep him close.

She wanted to chase him back to his greenhouse, and teach him to speak to her with respect. She may not be an "aged stallion of war," but she certainly had plenty to teach him, if only he would listen long enough to learn.
_______________________
Talk
WC:: 742
Attack Post 1/3
Setting:: Blood Falls in the morning. Clear sky, chilly weather. They're by the river in a small clearing surrounded by trees. The river is knee-deep where they are.
Summary:: Ki'irha runs towards Nox and shifts to the right. The tip of his left horn grazes her left shoulder. The cut is superficial, with minimal capillary bleeding. She kicks out, hoping to hit him with her rear hooves. She then circles around and runs after him, trying to bite him as he runs from her or run into him and bite him if he stops/turn around.
@Mortuus Nox  ~
Image Credits!
[Image: 5581b91112f69]
Colored by Kels ♡
Lines by Bronzehalo

Please Tag Me ○ Permission for magic and injury is granted. Just no death or permanent harm.

Mortuus Nox Posts: 187
Aurora Basin Time Mender atk: 3.5 | def: 10 | dam: 7
Stallion :: Unicorn :: 15.2 :: Immortal HP: 66.5 | Buff: NOVICE
Dressy
#4
You can have your very own
Devil at the cross roads
The black stag ran past the star colored mare; like a train running under the night sky. His sharpened left horn felt the hide of the mare’s skin. Nox shifted his eyes to the girl as their bodies touched with softness that could send chills up his spine. They glided past each other; as his black body started to move away from hers he felt her punch. Her hooves kicked him straight in the ass causing him to tuck his haunches towards his chest. The pain rippled through his muscles, but he was glad her attack did not hit bone. Nox could feel the bruising start to spread, although only minor cuts had been made in his pelt. With a slight chuckle and an added slowness due to his bruised butt muscles he ran towards the tree line. He could her the mare running behind him, then a snap broke the silence of their breathing and the crashing falls. The skin was broken, but superficial enough to not let the crimson substance leak too much.

His jagged hooves dug as good as they could into the frost covered ground. The mare that was biting at his haunches, was close enough for him to strike out at that moment. Black legs jumped in a bunny hop to hopefully catch the mare’s lower jaw with the top of his rump, after she bit him. The little bunny hop made his jaw clench with pain. He slid his front hooves to a halt kicking up his back legs towards the mare’s chest. The muscles ached and burned with the starting bruises, but he tried to push past the pain to let out a powerful double barrel kick. Once Nox felt his hooves hit the ground again, sore rear muscles picked up his front end to turn on his haunches at the last second. A large tree had cut his path off sending him to the right and heading towards the lake.

His black heavy body slid slightly has he hesitated before taking a leap into the bloody lake. The bruised muscles did not allowed his weight to full come to a stop before he reached the edge of the land. Nox had no other choice then to go into the chilling water. His heart raced, and he wanted to jump out of skin when he felt his knees hit the blood curdling water. The lake bed was sturdy enough that his weight was not sinking in the silt. Nox was still cautious on how his weight would slow him down in this environment. He caught his breath for a slight second taking time to note how the star girl got so fired up. Ki’irha seemed to get angrier when he spoke about teaching her something. A grin flooded across his maw, that’s what he wanted. Nox wanted to get the mare hot under the hood, he wanted to piss her off to bring out her full fight potential. It would not be a good spar if they only half-assed what they did. Neither of them would learn a thing if each just did a kick or a bite here and there. He wanted to challenge her; how would she fight being in the water? Would she know her strengths, or fail with weakness. Water was a different environment. Not only was it slick with footing, water slowed down each movement. Nox knew he could exhaust himself quickly if he was not careful, but did she know that.

Cold eyes looked upon the mare with a stone expression. He did not dare to speak another word right now. The coldness in his soul numbed the pain for a moment as he thought back to the days of fighting. Many battles and wars have been seen, but no one would understand that. Not a single soul would know how he really felt about battle and sparing with others. In a way he loved it, but Nox also dreaded the fight. Sometimes the black stag was known to take it too far; if he did not ground himself to reality. He quickly shook the thoughts of death out of his mind, no more killing. The star mare did not deserve to be hurt like that. It was only a friendly spar, nothing more.

"Talk."
_______________
Word count:: 719/800
Attack 2/3
Summary:: Nox got kicked in the haunches and had bruising to his muscles with superficial small cuts from her hooves. Feeling her nip at his haunches Nox jumps up slightly with his back legs to hopefully cause her lower chin to smack into her upper chin. He also got a superficial bite wound with slight bleeding. After he lands from the small bunny hop he tries to double barrel her chest with a powerful kick from his rear legs. Due to the bruising it slows him down a bit, but he turns right just before hitting a tree. He finds himself heading towards the lake, but cannot stop due to his bruised haunches and jumps into the Lake.
@Ki’irha

image credits

Please tag Mortuus Nox in all posts
magic & permanent injury is permitted excluding death.

Ki'irha Posts: 176
Outcast atk: 4.5 | def: 9.0 | dam: 6
Mare :: Unicorn :: 15hh :: 5 years old HP: 64.5 | Buff: NOVICE
Noella
#5
Ki'irha

When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.


The blue remained stoic, as always. Other than a coy smile or a flicked tail, she was not one to wear her heart on her sleeve. She did not allow the haunted stallion to wear on her. Plenty of stallions throughout her life were convinced they knew more than she due to the anatomy that dangled vulnerably between their legs. They were convinced she was a pretty face playing soldier, a girl who belonged off of the battlefront to nurse injured warriors back to health, to cheer joyously at the sidelines, to be won and courted by brutish displays of brawn and strength. She had all of the motivation she would ever need for a lifetime. What motivated her wasn't anger, or resentment, or even proving all those stallions wrong. It was her pride that pushed her into battle, kept her fire burning, encouraged her to put every ounce of her being into each blow. He was one more face in a crowd, another ghost whose words would fade away like the changing of fall into winter.

He kicked and lashed out as she pursued him. His hindquarters hopped up, and as she pulled away he still managed to clip her lower jaw. Her teeth were already clapped together, so the assault merely forced her head upwards. The blue fell back, slowing, chewing the air as she ensured nothing was broken or bleeding. The hurt in her chin lingered, but not for long. She elongated her strides as she watched him slip away, trying to catch up, until he nearly careened into a tree.

The way the brute was built would make Ki'irha believe he was an agile thing, but his clumsiness in avoiding the tree and the river seemed to prove her wrong. As he dashed into the ruby waters, she managed to slide to a halt at the frosted bank. The water churned and frothed angrily, forced by the current to change and flow seemingly against its will. Water was unpredictable, and the ruby-littered floor surely would not help with footing as one fought against both an opponent and the tide. She was not stupid, and knew that taking their spar into the river was a dangerous idea. It wasn't that Ki'irha was afraid. She craved danger and adrenaline, fed off of the bloodlust and tactics that came with battle and it's ever-changing components. But still, she knew better than to plunge into untested rapids.

She scowled, unimpressed in the slightest. "Get out of the water, you fool. You'll catch your death from hypothermia or drowning. And I certainly am not following you, or testing my chances against the ice for a mere spar."

She considered simply walking away and leaving him to freeze in the icy water. But she was stubborn, and believed he would assume to be the better warrior should she call a truce. She looked around, seeking a better option thank joining him, and her silver gaze fell upon the trunk of the tree Nox had gracelessly luckily avoided. She followed the curves in the bark, looking at the length of the tree as it reached upwards into a frozen canopy that reached out over the water. The boughs were coated thinly in ice, appearing like frosted lace, and some held remnants of soft snow across their length. Some held twinkling icicles along their undersides, which caught beams of light and made them appear to glow.

How convenient.

She turned her haunches towards and kicked. Again and again she beat her rear hooves against the tree, and each jolt loosened the icy sheaths of the branches. The thin pieces fell towards the blackened stag, and the snow wafted down in an obscuring flurry. Ki'irha knew the ice wasn't heavy nor sharp enough to cause any real damage, but between the ice and the mini-blizzard, it was sure enough to hinder him, and cloud his sight. Several small icicles, though not large enough to kill, could certainly cut and slice if they found their mark. Once content with the dumping of the load, she sprang forward, horn bared and eager, bracing herself at the edge of the water. She considered he may come ploughing out of the river, in which case he would come meet her defensive stance, and they would continue the spar appropriately. If not, she would need to further her plan, and perhaps she would need to join him in the water. For a moment she envisioned the water turning even more crimson than it already was, and she smiled.

Either way, she was waiting and ready.
_______________________
Talk
WC:: 765
Attack Post 2/3
Setting:: Blood Falls in the morning. Clear sky, chilly weather. They're by the river in a small clearing surrounded by trees. The river is knee-deep where they are.
Summary:: His bunny hop is successful, and he bumps her chin leaving several minutes of pain.  Ki'irha refuses to follow him into the water. Instead, she kicks the trunk of the tree by the river that Nox avoided, and shakes loose thin pieces of ice, a flurry of snow, and several small icicles. She then braces herself by the water with her horn directed towards him, and waits.
@Mortuus Nox  ~
Image Credits!
[Image: 5581b91112f69]
Colored by Kels ♡
Lines by Bronzehalo

Please Tag Me ○ Permission for magic and injury is granted. Just no death or permanent harm.

Mortuus Nox Posts: 187
Aurora Basin Time Mender atk: 3.5 | def: 10 | dam: 7
Stallion :: Unicorn :: 15.2 :: Immortal HP: 66.5 | Buff: NOVICE
Dressy
#6
You can have your very own
Devil at the cross roads
The frozen water flooded his body; as shivers ran up his spine. The rumbling crimson colored water tried to be colder than his own soul, but it failed. It only gave him a slight shiver the longer he stood still. Gray eyes looked down for a moment to see the water wave around his black pillars. He had found some slight relief from the bruised feeling in his muscles with every growing second. Nox had felt her soft chin on his haunches, hoping he might have chipped a tooth. Eyes looked almost bored as he saw her maw clean and fresh. No blood was dripping onto the ground like he hoped. Her star colored body came to a complete halt at the water bank. A roaring voice chuckled as she did not dare the travel any further. Would the little star girl melt in the waving crimson tide? Nox shook his demonic crowned skull with a slight grin. He moved his cracked hooves from the silt he was slightly sinking into. The whirling water tried to tempt the tangled tresses of his tail to move deeper, and deeper into the water. His mind knew not to follow, he would freeze and possibly sink to the bottom. Instead he moved his scared body a step closer to the shore. Then the mare spoke telling him to get out of the water. She was being slightly kind to him, how odd. Why would she care if he froze to death?

"Oh the water is not that cold Star girl." His voice joked slightly, then he went to a more serious note. “ Once your soul is numb you just don’t feel anything anymore” Orbs fell upon the mare as his tone hushed slightly. It was true, he never really felt pain anymore. Nox did not know what it was like to hurt, burn, or suffer from anything. His body was like the walking dead now. The black stag saw too much pain and suffering as a child. As an adult he had caused it all, but now he was numb. The world was different to him now, and sometimes he wished he was just dead. His mind came back to reality as he watched the star girl back up to the nearby tree. The tree that he almost ran face first into. He watched her fine toned body move as she kicked and forced her back legs upon the tree trunk. With a muffled thud each time she kicked, the snow began to shift and float, down to the ground below. It made it a bit harder to see where she was, but her figure was still slightly visible. Then he felt a few small sharp ice spikes fall to his pelt. A few small tears ripped into his flesh from the ice spikes. Nox was smart enough to not travel full speed into the mare. She would more than likely be using her sharpened horn to try to gouge his body. His agile frame moved with a faltered grace around the star girl. Cracked onyx hooves hit the river bank next to the mare. He pulled his body from the water like a zombie. Blood dripped from his black soaked pelt, but it was not his own. The crimson liquid came from the body of water he was wading in. Once all four legs were about to hit solid ground his demonic crown turned to the side. Sharp point’s aimed for Ki’irha’s right shoulder and side. His large skull pushed towards the mare, in hopes to dig into her flesh, and tear her star colored skin open. She had one horn to aim at him, he had two to aim at her. His rear legs kicked out to maybe catch her in the chest, if she decided to follow quickly behind him.

Large muscles moved as quick has he could away from the mare. Lord only knows how she would lash out if that attack hit her. His hooves moved carefully on the frost covered ground as he came closer to the woods. He could feel the bruising in his rear muscles as he came to a halt in the tree line. Hopefully he would turn and the mare would be right there. Nox shut his cold gray eyes as he thought quickly. The demonic stallion was pretty sure he was prepared for anything the mare was going to throw at him.

"Talk."
image credits

_______________
Word count : 743/800
Attack : 3/3
Defense: 0/1
Summary: Nox wades in the water for a moment to take a breath , and try to ease the bruising. The snow from Ki’irha’s attack clouds his vision, but he can still see her. The small ice spikes cut a few little superficial slits in his hide. He moves to her right as he climbs up to solid ground. Nox shifts his head to the right to try and cut her right shoulder or side as he starts to pick up speed. After he passes her he bucks to try and kick her chest in case she turned to follow him. He heads into the tree line and turns around hopefully prepared for anything she will throw at him.
@Ki’irha

Please tag Mortuus Nox in all posts
magic & permanent injury is permitted excluding death.

Ki'irha Posts: 176
Outcast atk: 4.5 | def: 9.0 | dam: 6
Mare :: Unicorn :: 15hh :: 5 years old HP: 64.5 | Buff: NOVICE
Noella
#7
Ki'irha

When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.


A chilling laugh burst from her lips. The noise was snide and vicious, mocking, as she heard his clichéd words. The words she threw back at him dripped with venom and pity. "My soul will never be numb. I am a warrior, I am a queen, and I will never be broken." Her ears twisted back and eyes narrowed as ice cascaded down onto his onyx pelt. "I feel bad for you. To be so broken and weakened that you are no longer able to feel," she shook her head mournfully, "that is a terrible fate."

The star girl had known pain. She had known suffering, and heartbreak, and sorrow. But she also knew joy. She had experienced happiness, and love, and the thrill of victory. She would always be thankful for the pains of her defeats and the despair life had placed upon her, because it had forced her to grow and blossom into the hardy wildflower she had become. Emotion wasn't something to run from, it wasn't something to grow callous to. Sometimes she wanted to run, and sometimes she wished to build up armor around her heart, and shield each of her soft spots from the cruelties of the world. But the cobalt girl would not grow jaded, and she refused to allow her nerves to go numb until her last breath escaped her lips.

The starlit girl danced, graceful legs sidestepping on nimble hooves, as she allowed the brute to thunder past her. She wondered if he were like a bull- perhaps she could keep him occupied all afternoon by waving red silk before him, and she herself could find enjoyment in watching the ram-headed stallion barge around stubbornly. Her musings came to a satisfying close as her head twisted and she watched him retreat towards the trees. Cloven toes dug into the Frostfall-hardened dirt as she persued him, ready to complete their game of cat and mouse.

Although they shared similar Andalusian lines, her body was carved from the slate of a warmblood, as well. She was stronger, she was faster, and though he was more agile than she (though she had yet to see evidence to support her assumptions), her other traits allowed her to cut the distance between them quickly. The stallion came to a sudden halt before the trees. An ear flicked and a smile tugged at the corporal's lips - if he had entered the treeline, he would have achieved the upper hand as she struggled to wind through the trunks with matched speed and grace. Instead he presented himself to her, and she was going to seize her opportunity.

Ears twisted on their polls and landed flat against her white curls. Her muscles tensed and braced, strides lengthening as the space closed. She had grown bored of this spar, and was ready to bring it to a close. The girl was a hunter and a predator, ready to finish her game. He had begun to turn, and his eyes were closed (why were they closed?), so the starry wildcat was unable to catch his steely gaze with her own stormy pools, as she lunged into her final attack.

The girl threw herself at him, shoulder and breast prepared to slam into his exposed side. He had enough time to evade, but with his closed eyes, she hoped she still held the element of surprise. Her steep neck sloped and arched, lips pulled back to expose her white teeth, attempting to catch his neck or withers or anywhere, as long as she could catch another taste of his musky hide, let the taste of iron and crimson land on her tongue.

Her hind legs tensed, muscles rippling, as she forced herself into a rear, driving her front knees upwards towards him. As she swung and drove and bit, she wanted to feel the give of muscle beneath her, she wanted to receive her own bruises, she wanted to make him bleed and ache for days after this encounter. He wanted to show her an aged stallion of war, and she would show him what youth and beauty could do on the battlefield. They would not emerge friends from this exchange, but perhaps the latin stallion would leave with some respect for her duties, and view her as more than a pretty face.

Her forehooves returned to solid ground and she stepped back, letting out a single snort through flared nostrils. Soreness was already threatening to settle into her muscles, and a film of sweat slicked her hide. "Have you had enough?" A brow rose and a coy smile lit upon her lips as she looked to catch his eye. She would certainly continue this escapade until her name was carved into his pelt, but she had more important places to be.
_______________________
Talk
WC:: 799/800
Attack Post 3/3
Setting:: Blood Falls in the morning. Clear sky, chilly weather. They're by the river in a small clearing surrounded by trees. The river is knee-deep where they are.
Summary:: I wasn't sure which way Nox was facing after he turned, so she is aiming for the exposed side opposite the trees. She avoids him as he charges past, then pursues him to the treeline. She throws her body, mostly her right shoulder and the right side of her chest, trying to slam him with her body. She then reaches and tries to bite his neck or withers or anything she can reach. She then rears up in an attempt to ram her knees into his stomach/ribs/wherever she can.
@Mortuus Nox  ~
Image Credits!
[Image: 5581b91112f69]
Colored by Kels ♡
Lines by Bronzehalo

Please Tag Me ○ Permission for magic and injury is granted. Just no death or permanent harm.

Mortuus Nox Posts: 187
Aurora Basin Time Mender atk: 3.5 | def: 10 | dam: 7
Stallion :: Unicorn :: 15.2 :: Immortal HP: 66.5 | Buff: NOVICE
Dressy
#8
You can have your very own
Devil at the cross roads

Cold gray eyes opened to see the mare charging back at him. His ears pinned knowing that a single attack of his did not hit her. An angered grumble ripped from his maw, as she came closer and closer. Her hoof beats roared in his heavy skull, but he did not move. Black cracked hooves stood, and his mind told him to wait. He waited for her like he did for his father when he was young. The scene flashing into his memory like a movie. The black and copper stallion charged him, but with anger and hate brewing. His mind flashed back to reality; the star mare did not scare him. She never struck fear into his soul like his father did. He grinned slightly as she seemed to move in slow motion. White teeth flashed; she would never strike the fear of god into him. Nox shook his head slightly. Ki’irha could beat the living shit out of him, and it still would not make a difference. That is when he realized it did not matter if he won. He wanted to beat this girl into the cold hard ground below, but it was only a practice spar. He really found no true motivation to fight her.She made him bored. As the realization clicked in his skull the star mare was right in front of him.

She came at him baring her right side to slam into his body. His chest took most of the beating, but due to him standing cockeye, it left his right shoulder exposed as well. Her body hit his broad chest first, throwing his weight back. Then she slammed his shoulder throwing his weight to the left.Large ribs trucked into a sturdy tree to the left of him, and he got pinned for a moment. Gasps of air left his maw, and his left ribs started to bruise. A roar from hell ran from his mouth, like souls trying to escape eternal torture. She got him good that time, and Nox knew he had to move. Once the pressure of her weight shifted off his right shoulder, the stallion jolted quickly backwards. Large muscles dragged his body away, but not before she snapped. Her blue muzzle bit into his neck, drawling the crimson substance from its warm home. It stung for a moment as it dripped from his crest and down his neck. The stinging pain was dull compared to his bruised ribs. Gray eyes watched the mare with a chuckle; she tried to attack him one more time; it failed. Her hooves struck nothing but the air. How stupid was she to think he would stand there and take that. Blue knees fell in the cold frostfall air hitting nothing. Blue hooves landed on the ground below with a soft thud.

The mare might think she would get his respect as a warrior, but what did she really prove? Star girl threw some good punches at the stallion, but she was boring. Had he had enough? His voice chuckled lightly turning to face her. Cold stone eyes looked right into hers as he let a sore drawl of his voice speak. "My father would beat me harder than you. He wouldn’t hold back, and he gave me a reason to fight. It was a good spar I will give you that star girl. Just get a hotter fire burning in your eyes.Find the reason that makes you want to fight. Please do not think I disrespect your position, or that I do not understand what you do. I have been in your shoes and it is difficult, but I have never seen a mare succeed. " His eyes looked away for a moment thinking back to all the mares he had met in his past. "You have succeeded as our corporal . You have the heart of a King in a queen’s body. I will give you that. Oh and sorry if I pissed you off, I just do not know how to take a woman on the battle field. " He let a soft pained sigh out watching the mare. His body started to melt with soreness, and his pelt dripped from sweat. Black muscles turned to head home, wondering if the mare would follow. Nox was only thinking about the hot spring at this time. The need to sooth the pains from the spar flooded his body. He had respect for the mare, but the black stag was just hoping for more than an average spar.



"Talk."

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Word count :: 758/800
Defense 1/1
Summary:: Nox gets rammed on his right chest/ shoulder due to him standing slightly cockeye. She hit his chest first throwing him back then his shoulder throwing his left ribs into a near-by tree. He starts to move out of the way from her attack, but her maw bites his crest leaving minimal damage/ bleeding. He avoids the third attack fully.
OOC:: Thanks Noella this is only my second spar on helovia, so when I get better we must spar again!! I sent you a skype to see if you want to do a small thread after the spar.
image credits


@Ki’irha

Please tag Mortuus Nox in all posts
magic & permanent injury is permitted excluding death.

Official Posts: 847
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Stallion :: Equine :: ::
Official
#9
By my verdict: KI'IRHA is the winner!

MORTUUS NOX
Realism [+2.5]
You describe Nox as very bulky, bulkier than Ki’irha, but her strength statistic is higher than his. The only thing he beats her at is agility, and their endurance is the same. Ki’irha is higher in strength and speed.

Throughout the fight you incorporated the environment really well. I could really see that Mortuus was thinking hard about how to fight in this terrain, and it was also easy to see how he used it to his advantage, and how it also worked against him. Excellent job!

In post one, I was a little confused by this: “If he were lucky her left side would catch the sharpened points of the horns and not lacerate, but only cut the mare.” :: This makes no sense because to lacerate means to cut.

You have two instances of powerplay, in post two and three. They are:

P2: “The mare that was biting at his haunches, was close enough for him to strike out at that moment.” You cannot dictate where Ki'irha is.

P3: “His agile frame moved with a faltered grace around the star girl.” Again, you cannot dictate where Ki'irha is. She could easily move and attempt to block his path.


Emotion [+1.5]
Throughout the fight I liked Mortuus' commentary, but I really would have liked to feel how he was feeling rather than being told. You are improving in this area, so keep it up! I especially liked this line: “The black stallion could see the slight softness peering through the stone, but it was something that was rare for others to see.”


Prose [+0]
There was lot’s of switching from active to passive voice. Also, make sure not to capitalize random words inside of sentences. You also frequently start sentences with lower-cased letters at the beginning of words.

P1: “he looked deeper into the monsters eyes” :: monster’s
:: “The sun slid over his scared onyx pelt” :: scarred
:: “the muscled black body leaped” :: Capital letter at beginning of sentences
:: “The black stags muscled neck braced for impact if her were to hit her” :: stag’s; he were
:: “…straight up in the air as he powerful body tried to get closer to the mare” :: as the
:: “They were facing each other so why not aim for the chest.” :: Should end in a question mark.

P2: “The bruised muscles did not allowed his weight to full come to a stop before he reached the edge of the land.” :: allow; fully
:: “Nox had no other choice then to go into the chilling water.” :: than
:: “he wanted to jump out of skin when” :: out of his skin
:: “Nox knew he could exhaust himself quickly if he was not careful, but did she know that” :: In this sentence, would makes more sense than could, and it should also end with a question mark.
:: “Sometimes the black stag was known to take it too far; if he did not ground himself to reality.” :: the semi-colon is weird here, could just be a comma

P3: “The frozen water flooded his body; as shivers ran up his spine.” :: semi-colon is weird again
:: “Instead he moved his scared body” :: scarred
:: ““ Once your soul is numb you just don’t feel anything anymore”Orbs fell upon the mare as his tone hushed slightly.” :: End of the dialogue here needs punctuation and a space.



Readability [+1]
Throughout the fight there were a few sentences I had to go back and re-read as well as some attacks. One sentence that stood out as difficult to read was this one, in post two: “Once Nox felt his hooves hit the ground again, sore rear muscles picked up his front end to turn on his haunches at the last second.” This sentence reads awkwardly and does not make much sense. A good tool is to read your posts out loud to make sure they flow well.

Finally tally: 34+(5*2)= 44 HP

*******************************************

KI’IRHA
Realism [+3]
Throughout the fight you do well to compare their stats accurately, as well as go beyond that to really engage them in how they help or hinder Ki'irha. You are also very good at translating dice rolls into damage taken.

I thought it was very creative for Ki'irha to use the ice and snow as an attack while Mortuus was in the water. I would have liked to see a better incorporation of her environment as a whole, however, and how it affects her as she fights.

You have two instances of powerplay, in post one and in post two:

P1: “As he plowed past her she leaned in. She felt him close, and as he left her side and passed her, she coiled and kicked, rear hooves lashing, hoping to kick him in the ass where he deserved it.” Nox isn’t written as still running, so you cannot write that he blows past her.

P2: “The thin pieces fell towards the blackened stag, and the snow wafted down in an obscuring flurry…but between the ice and the mini-blizzard, it was sure enough to hinder him, and cloud his sight.” You cannot dictate how your opponent responds to your attacks. This would have been better phrased as: "The thin pieces fell where she hoped blackened stag was, and the snow wafted down in an obscuring flurry…but between the ice and the mini-blizzard, it was sure hopefully enough to hinder him, and cloud his sight.


Emotion [+2]
I thought you did very well in this portion of the spar! Ki'irha was very present in each post, and stayed solid to who she was as a character. I specifically enjoyed these two sections:

P1: “She was not some bouncy yearling enamored by the thrill of fighting. She had been bathed in blood, baptized by the crimson waves drawn by her horn. Her body had been bruised and beaten, but compared to her losses, her victories shone through.”

P3: “Emotion wasn't something to run from, it wasn't something to grow callous to. Sometimes she wanted to run, and sometimes she wished to build up armor around her heart, and shield each of her soft spots from the cruelties of the world. But the cobalt girl would not grow jaded, and she refused to allow her nerves to go numb until her last breath escaped her lips.”


Prose [+2]
You switch a few times in your posts from active to passive voice, and in post two you have one error:
:: “She looked around, seeking a better option thank joining him” :: than

Aside from that, I think your writing is beautiful and carefully edited. I enjoyed your vivid imagery! Great job.


Readability [+2]
I only had to go through and re-read your final attacks in post three. Otherwise, everything was smooth and well-edited.


Finally tally: 45+(9*2)= 63 HP


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