.svg/2000px-Google_Chrome_icon_(2011).svg.png){kind=icon}
image by jason-samfield @ flickr.com</style> Crunch, crunch, snap. The sound of a twig breaking behind her, stepped on by some unknown figure. Onni's muscles coil underneath her painted hide, pulling at her legs to prepare for a kick. Exhale, the breath slips from nostrils as her weight shifts from all fours to the front, legs bunching toward her stomach before they propel backward, striking out at the mare who had snuck behind the spooked pegasus. Her aim is just for the body, with no real target in mind, as the pale-faced girl hasn't even turned in the darkness to see who has approached her. onni♥ </style> |
[ OOC COMMENTARY:
Okay, so here we have Tares sneaking up on Onni from behind. This would increase the anxiety of Onni, which I hope is reflected in the post. My biggest problem with sparring, which I have to work to correct a lot, is connecting with the character on an emotional side. While mechanics are very important, all of the extra points that can make or break a spar are in your character's emotional presence. If the judge can't tell your character is active within the post, and feels like they are simply watching from an impartial standpoint, you will lose points.
As far as attacks go, you have to keep in mind that horses are more likely to bite at the face and neck. They rear a lot too, but all of these would require a frontal approach. Since Tares was coming from behind, I compensated with the natural instinct of a horse - to buck out and try and hit whatever is behind them. However, since they are more partial to frontal attacks, I quickly made her turn around. There's emotional tension there because Onni wants to run away, but she doesn't think she's a quick enough sprinter to escape her mystery opponent - that's my way of getting her to stay against instinct of flight.
The bite is a pretty understandable attack. I didn't think she would rear and expose her belly to some unknown opponent, especially since she has a horn to spear her with. The shoulder is a larger, more realistic target to choose in dim light. More area to hit.
Try and keep your attacks and defenses realistic, and also make sure you keep your surroundings, difference in speed and force, and emotions in mind. ]
