.xX The killer in me is the killer in you., [p] Rasp

[Skoll]

Skoll was monumentally bored. Ever since the initial appearance of Cadence there had been nothing to entertain the dark German shepherd. The Southern Alps was a good pack, a strong pack, but the size was minimal and they were clearly not ready to do what they had been planning. Patrols found him nothing. The only thing of interest so far had ever been Cadence. Even intruders seemed slow of late. A large sigh puffed out of the male's muzzle. If only there was some intruder, some idiot of a dog who thought glory would empower him or that strength was all that was needed to overthrow the area of the Alps. Skoll would dearly love to teach someone a lesson. He restrained himself much of the time just because even the most bloodthirsty of Leaders would look down at a subordinate who spent all their time engaged in fights. His Leaders were strong and bloodthirsty in their own rights but they were smart. A dog who drew attention and who was constantly injured was useless. So he was left to pace. To cast glances up to the sky; growling if the sun was out, a soft croon in the back of his throat if the moon was out. He spoiled for a fight. For some sport. Anything to dull the boredom that gnawed within his brain. © Judah & Sker.

[Rasp]

War against Ohu, bah! What good is war when one doesn’t have an army, where the leaders are hardly around and their followers are left to go mad with boredom? He yearned for spies, challenges, scrimmages and intruders. Rasp felt a hole in heart, a whole that needed to be filled with combat, carnage and bloodshed. He still went on patrol with the faint hope of running into someone worthy to fight. There wasn’t much of a point fighting opponents that wouldn’t give him a good hard fight, because the battle wouldn’t last very long. He needed, as he calls it, “a right and proper fight.” But like most of his previous patrols this one seemed fruitless too. But his bloodshot eyes caught sight of one of the newer Alps members. Rasp pauses for moment and blinks as he gets an idea. And what an idea. “Fight with the new meat,” he whispers every so softly. Though with the opponent being a fellow member he wouldn’t be allowed to kill him, but that’s a small price to pay for a fight. With a hissing chuckle he moves towards the other German shepherd. Once Rasp was close enough he grunts to let him know he wasn’t alone, “So you haven’t run home yet, that’s a good sign old man.” He walks up to him and takes a seat in front of him. “Anything to report?” If only the new guy knew what Rasp was going to ask him next. © Judah & Sker.

[Skoll]

The dark brown eyes slid from the scenery about him to the other German shepherd. The only other one that he had met within the Southern Alps. A sneer curled at the edge of Skoll's muzzle at the other dog's greeting words. Old man, was he? That must make this dog a puppy. If anyone was an old man that large dog Skoll had first met was it; he had been ancient practically. Skoll gave a pace from side to side for a moment before seating himself directly opposite the other male. That this dog was his superior, at least as far as ranking went, was no question. Skoll had been a more recent admission and this dog was well trusted by the female second, the one who often took charge when Raidon was gone. Skoll only really trusted his Leaders; underlings were always scrapping for position and recognition. He could, however, recognize a soul who was that was familiar. Rasp was a fighter. Rasp was probably a vicious fighter who offered and took no surrender. Skoll could respect that. However, the two of them fighting would be counter-productive. Fight a member, get yourself kicked out if not killed; then the pack was down one or two dogs. Not worth it. "Nothing. It's dead." Dead. Slow. Boring. © Judah & Sker.

[Rasp]

Rasp shakes his head at the other canines answer. He had a feeling that it disappointing. But he did like the way he answered him, quickly and without any hint of Skoll being a smartass. He had respect for higher ranked members, though Rasp didn’t have much authority over him. After licking his fangs he looks at the surroundings. “What I’d give for an intruder to tear apart,” he says as his tail thumps against the ground. The shepherd’s bloodshot eyes look Skoll over. The older dog had the look of a fighter, but did have the same addiction to battle as he did? There was only one way to find out. He clears his throat and his sinister smile creeps onto his dark colored face. “I got an idea. To keep the pack from becoming sluggish, members should spar with one another.” Rasp stays silent for a few seconds giving the other German shepherd time to absorb his idea. “There will be some restrictions though; first don’t kill your opponent, second the match end when one or both of the combatants concede and third, have fun.” He lets out a hissing chuckle at the last rule. Standing up on all fours Rasp stretches his back before asking “So Skoll, you want to be part of the first sparring match or should I go find someone more willing?” © Judah & Sker.

[Skoll]

Skoll's brown eyes flicked away from Rasp for a brief moment before coming to rest on the other shepherd at his words. Skoll did usually try to avoid a fight unless he found a willing and worthy opponent -- no use wasting your skills on someone who was a weakling, after all -- but he could understand the statement. It was boring and it was frustrating. No one had said the pack would be a life of interest, though. Just that it was better than the other ones around. Well, it was certainly better than any better-than-thou packs that Skoll had seen, that was for certain. Then his ears pricked as Rasp continued to speak. Sparring? His tongue moved out of his muzzle, licking along the sides as he thought. It was a good idea. It was a thought befitting of a dog who was not only interested in fighting but was thinking about warfare in the future. If they didn't keep their bodies and skills honed, after all, what use would they be in a fight? A smirk appeared at the edges of his muzzle, "Sparring?" A chuckle of his own, just as unsettling as Rasp's own chuckles and hisses, escaped. He pulled himself up to his feet. He appeared larger than Rasp but that meant nothing. Smaller opponents could get under you easy though they also suffered the chance of being pinned. So it could be an even match. "I think you've found your first opponent, sir." © Judah & Sker.

[Rasp]

Rasp’s sharp ears stick straight up at the older Shepherd’s answer. Licking his fangs he cruelly smiles at Skoll, “A good answer.” He stands there and sizes up his opponent. According to his own bloodshot eyes Skoll was lager but older. Rasp was smaller, younger and faster, as far as he knew. Streching his legs and back he goes over the rules in his head. ‘Don’t kill him, make him submit and have fun with it.’ This was the first trial, after this they should go and spread the idea throughout the pack. Good thing he brought this idea up with someone relatively his own size. The thought of sparring with someone Ranvir sent a chill down his spine. He wasn’t afraid of his comrade but thought of his oversized butt sitting on him was too much to bear. Shaking his head repeatedly he sends himself into a crazed state. Not completely crazed, he had to have some control in order not to permanently damage a fellow pack member. “Say when you’re ready,” he says as his breathing starts to grow heavy and his bloodshot eyes widen. © Judah & Sker.

[Skoll]

"Is there any other?" Skoll countered. He supposed that yes, there was. If you weren't like him or Rasp, if you didn't like to fight and be prepared; if you didn't like the way the blood sang through your body as you fought and ripped and snarled. He couldn't imagine not wanting that. He gave a derisive snort at the thought. Other dogs, lesser dogs, apparently didn't want that. No wonder he found many of his opponents easily toppled over. Skoll lowered his head as he watched the younger male. This, he was fairly certain, would not just be a pushover match. They might even be rather equally matched as far as he knew; their size and strengths were different but that just made it a toss-up. If he wanted to win straight out he could probably grab the other dog, bore him down into the ground; use his weight to pin him. Skoll, however, had no desire to end the fight right away. What was the point? This was practice and... fun. His blood had been up for a fight for a long time. Rasp, it seemed, was the same way. So long as neither of them seriously maimed or injured the other there was every reason to drag the fight out. Release tension. There was a lot of tension these days. The larger male took one slight step forward, dark brown eyes already locked on the smaller male. "Ready," he growled the word out. He spared one second to actually not just dive right at the other shepherd -- a tactic he would never use in a real fight -- before he let the muscles of his legs tense and then push off from the ground. His aim was not directly at the younger dog. It was a feint; hoping that Rasp would incorrectly assume that he was aiming for him and adjust and snap in that direction. Skoll would, in reality, be aiming for the side. © Judah & Sker.

[Rasp]

His lean body shook as the older dog leapt at him, not out of fear but excitement. Finally, after months of waiting and waiting Rasp can at last satiate his lust for battle. It wasn’t against an enemy soldier and his life wasn’t on the line. But a fight’s a fight and that’s all that matters. Rasp’s first instinct was to get underneath Skoll and rip his insides out, but the rules that he set down forbid him from doing so. He had to make a quick decision before the older dog gets the first hit. Shifting his position Rasp attempts to dodge Skoll’s attack. Unknowingly Rasp had fallen for the older dog’s feint as he feels sharp pain along his side. He grunts in disappointment that the opponent was allowed first blood. With a growl he aims to return the favor with an attack to the Skoll’s hind quarters. © Judah & Sker.

[Skoll]

There was a sense of joy -- a nasty joy that most of the dogs of Ohu would never know, the joy of digging into your enemy and giving him pain -- as Skoll drew first blood in the fight. It was a quick slash rather than a grab. The position would have put him at a disadvantage if he had grabbed the younger male's side; it would be too easy for Rasp to turn around and snap at him, maybe even get ahold of his neck. Besides, if he just grabbed and held it would be over too soon. The elation was diminished almost immediately as Rasp managed to hit him in the flank as he swerved by. Fast. came the unwilling compliment. The other shepherd was faster than Skoll. Smaller and faster; it seemed as if he had no problem, even through the pain, of snaking around and making a slash back at Skoll. Well, that was certainly going to make this an interesting fight, wasn't it? Skoll made a perfunctory snap at the other male's flank but it was too slow and he was already moving past Rasp anyways. He dug his paws into the soil of the ground and turned, head lowered to watch his opponent. He was going to have to use his brains rather than his brute force in this fight. Try to get Rasp to second guess what moves Skoll would be using. It was the only way, really, to let the fight drag on. He didn't think the same feint was going to work again and he had probably given the younger dog an edge by using it as his first move. Rasp would be on the look out. He was going to have to be on the defensive for at least a few rounds. Maybe once Rasp got caught up in the fighting he would be more susceptible to feints and distractions. © Judah & Sker.

[Rasp]

OOC: I'mmmm backkkk! A good hit, good enough for Rasp’s standards. For him any hit against an enemy, even a fake one, was a good one. The older dog did however beat him to the first blow and that pissed him off. He was going to make Skoll pay for that. But as for the pain in his shoulder Rasp was thankful for. Quickly he swings his hind legs back behind him so that he was again facing Skoll head on. Rasp then took a second to lick his wound. Shoving his tongue unnecessarily deep into the lesion he takes one taste of his own blood. Retracting from his shoulder he hisses in pleasure at the taste of the red liquid. Rasp recoils his entire body preparing to strike. “Ready yourself for the pain,” he says mockingly. He didn’t care giving Skoll a warning, of course the other Shepherd had no idea what Rasp was about to do. In an blink of an eye Rasp springs forth and with his sharp incisors snaps then, keeping himself low to the ground, jumps back. Soon after he repeats the attack again and again. Rasp didn’t care if they hit or not he was just showing Skoll how fast he really was. He would usually use this attack with Ranvir in front of him as a huge shield, but on his own he would have to do without his oversized comrade. © Judah & Sker.

[Skoll]

Skoll watched as Rasp took a moment to lick his wound. Another move that they would never try in a real fight. There was a benefit to this one even if it wouldn't end in the satisfying snap and death throes of an enemy. They could do things they never would in a real fight, take care of themselves, try things out. It was a good idea. Perhaps they could even suggest this to their Leaders; keep the entire pack in a good fighting trim. Rasp's words ripped him from his thoughts and even as he was thinking how over-confident and egotistical the other shepherd's words were the other male was suddenly there. He was fast; God, he was fast. There were some others that Skoll had seen that had been faster but not many. The younger male had some good speed on him and it left Skoll at a distinct disadvantage. Most of the hits didn't even register but some of them did. He could feel the ones that did open, could feel fresh blood flowing from his chest and shoulders where Rasp hit him more often. Skoll could only take steps back initially, unsure of how to respond to an opponent that moved as fast as lightning. After a moment, though, he grew tired of watching the dog dart up and back, up and back. As Rasp rushed in, he lowered his head and jerked it up as the younger dog dove back in. Hoping to connect with the other shepherd's lower jaw, perhaps even knock him head over tail if he hit hard enough to use Rasp's own momentum. © Judah & Sker.

[Rasp]

The older shepherd’s counter worked as Rasp was betrayed by his cockiness and sent him rolling. It seemed that the older dog was too much of a challenge for him, or was he not enough of one. Rolling toward a large tree Rasp unrolls himself with a hissing laugh and gets back onto his feet. And instead of stopping Rasp ran straight up the trunk. A few strides up the tree he pushes off and flies upside-down threw the air over Skoll. With a twist of his body he turns over in time to land on his feet. He stands there panting, “Not bad…eh? Maybe I’ll teach you... AFTER YOU REGAIN CONCIOUSNESS!” In a blink of an eye he launches himself forward aiming his at Skoll’s chin. © Judah & Sker.

[Skoll]

Skoll couldn't resist a smirk as his counter connected and sent the younger shepherd head over tail. It was always nice to get the drop on someone, especially an over confident younger dog. He might just start wagging his tail, it was that amusing. The amusement ended when Rasp got up onto his paws fairly quickly. Skoll was good enough to know when to stop being amused and to get back into the swing of things. Too many dogs spent their time gloating. There was plenty of time to do that after you'd won, not during the fight. Besides, there was no gloating in his soul when the other male ran straight at the tree. It was a confusing, almost impossible seeming move but would work with enough stubborn determination and speed. And Rasp had both of those working in his favor. The younger dog got as high as he could go before he pushed off and backwards, getting enough speed combined with height to go over the older shepherd. Skoll could only tilt his head back and watch the move in a combination of amazement and grudging respect. The next line had him chortling out of laughter. As if he needed the younger dog to teach him anything! "That's the last thing I want to hear out of your mouth, pup," he almost howled out the words before he spun on his feet and charged to meet the oncoming rush from Rasp. He was just in time to lower his head, taking the full brunt of the force on his head rather than his chin. It was a considerable amount of force being distributed between both of the dogs. As hard-headed and tough as they both were, there was still only so much damage that one could take. Skoll staggered after the impact, brown eyes locked on his opponent even as he slowly sunk to the ground and felt darkness taking hold. He supposed they could call it a draw. © Judah & Sker.