The voice that called out over the meadow was familiar, and the vibrating tones made Lace jerk his head up from where he had been grazing. Nostrils flared in a sudden surge of excitement, and without thinking he reared up and returned the call. Eagerly. Cheerfully. Such a nostalgic tune... It brought him back to the day of battle a season ago, when bodies had clashed and the blood ran hot in the veins, when everything had been at stake; lives, homes, glory and honor.
It had been too long since he'd done any real sparring. The life within Helovia was making the warrior soft, and with the return of spring it was time to chance that. As he headed off towards the owner of the battle cry, the white-maned grullo quietly assessed his own condition, tried to find his own weaknesses before the opponent could do it.
Winter had been good to him, but there was still a decrease in muscle tone that might leave him short of stamina. His belly was full from gazing - not optimal, he'd have to be careful not to get a stitch in the side. Fajira flew by his side, she too excited by the sound of the endless chattering voice. He grinned, thrilled by her company; still, their teamwork might be somewhat affected by the lack of mental communication, it wouldn't be as smooth and effortless as before. And then there was the matter of the new abilities that had awakened within him; the connection to the plant life of the surroundings, his control over the wooden specimens - and the borrowed fire that burned quietly in the chest, allowing him to exhale a searing hot flame much like his bonded companion could. Overall, Lace wasn't at his best now, and he sincerely hoped that this spar would be a friendly one; he had no desire for broken bones, not again.
A grin dawned on the lips as his opponent came into view. He recognized the big pegasus stallion as one of the Throat soldiers that had assisted in the battle for the Edge, though couldn't recall a name - poorly handled on his part, as such a well-trained warrior deserved to be recognized. It definitely sealed his intentions on taking it easy; in no way did he want to have the injury of an allied soldier on his conscience, potentially damaging the relations between their herds. He hoped Fajira would know to hold back her fire too.
Lace readied himself as he approached, canter slowing to a steady trot and weight subtly shifting backward to leave the front free to move with ease. Silver gray neck arched, he tucked the chin in to protect the throat and ears turned back to keep them out of reach of bites. Would the winged soldier take the fight to the air, or stick to the ground? Did he have magic, would he use it, was he going to be as careful with an ally as the grulla? For now, the only thing he knew for sure were the things he could behold with the naked eye. A bulky, black stallion that was somewhat shorter than Lace but made up for it in muscle, movements of one who knew his own strength. The spear he carried in his mouth was curious; would he actually use it? It was definitely something to be weary of.
Were they equal? This would be a chance to find out.
"Lace of the Edge, and Fajira" he presented himself, offered a grin to the other and then surged forward, daringly charging straight into the pegasus. At the last moment he brought up the front into a rear and let the hooves paw toward the face of the other - careful not to expose his belly too obviously to the sharp spear, that was likely to spill his gut if the opponent wanted it. The attack was blunt, unrefined - and a great way of getting a first assessment of the opponents strengths, intelligence, reflexes and experience.
Meanwhile, Fajira flapped the wings and darted off to the side, gaining height until she hovered above the two horses; ready to make a move when and if it would prove necessary.
[Word count: 708 Approached from the front, reared and aimed the front hooves toward Azzuen's face, to assess his strength and intentions with the fight. Fajira flies up to circle above them, currently just watching.]
L A C E and F A J I R A
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[ Judge ] Bodies to the test
