Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Exotic Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: Op3999 on 19-01-2018, 05:43:03</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Op3999</strong> on <strong>19-01-2018, 05:43:03</strong>
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				The air was damp, but warm.&nbsp; It was the kind of overcast day where it was pleasant enough to sit outside and relax, but real work could get tiresome quick due to the humidity.&nbsp; Luckily, it was still early, before noon, and the sun peeking in places through the clouds promised a warmer, perhaps drier afternoon and perhaps a foggy evening to follow.<br><br>The area where the villas were, that of the medium-sized gladiatorial houses, used to be farmland in the city's distant past.&nbsp; Now that it was larger and farmland stretched much farther around, the old land had been purchased by the benefactors of the coliseum and homes had been built to accommodate the growing teams of competitors in the arena.&nbsp; However, even that was history as now, these villas were only large enough to support medium sized houses.&nbsp; Bigger ones had been built within the city or converted out of the older villas in choice plots closer to the metropolis.<br><br>Celeste's house sported six gladiators in total and, therefore, qualified for the smaller end of the medium sized houses.&nbsp; The new villa, occupied now for a couple of months, sported about a dozen bedrooms, a large kitchen, storage areas (one of which had been converted into a shop for certain house members), a bathroom capable of supporting about half a dozen anthros in it's tub and a courtyard complete with training grounds.&nbsp; The old stone showed in certain areas and evidence of past occupants could still be found here and there, especially near the training grounds where more spirited matches had resulted in gouges in the walls from sturdy training weapons.<br><br>For the past few months, Celeste had stopped searching for new members.&nbsp; She was pretty satisfied with the talent, even if some weren't particularly enthused about fighting itself at the moment.&nbsp; The gator was ambitious, but so, too, was she careful.&nbsp; She'd spent many years watching ambitious leaders lose their entire houses, their dreams either spoiled or at the very least, put on hold for years to come.&nbsp; For the last few months, she'd mostly focused on getting to know the gladiators she'd gathered into her group, training them regularly and trying to expand their skills depending on what she saw in their unique styles.&nbsp; She'd also refrained from entering into official matches where she might lose a member, opting for exhibition matches or skirmishes with other small houses.&nbsp; Of course, that would have to change, eventually.<br><br>GM: It's about 10:00 AM.&nbsp; Consider this a slice of the gladiator's lives, what they'd probably be doing on a day-to-day basis at this time.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Gardsorm</strong> on <strong>19-01-2018, 07:21:40</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/yp3k1mQ.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Rein Valkard<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds <br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Open;<br><hr><hr><br>Another warm and beautiful morning, if a bit damp... This didn't seem to bother Rein too much, however, whose fur let him more or less remain comfortable at times like this. It was only if it was too hot out that he refused to go outside instead preferring to stay indoors and relaxing somewhere cool and comfortable... Or at least cool if comfort was lacking.<br><br>"Haa!" He growled, wrenching the mace he held in hand to strike at the armored midsection of the training dummy he'd set up. A midsection blow wouldn't hurt at all when a sword was concerned, but when it came to blunted weapons, the force was going to travel through the armor and put an opponent under a fair bit of pressure. The harder he swung, the more damage both their armor and their person would take... It was also less likely to maim someone, unlike if one used a bladed implement. Bruises could heal with time, but a cut could be made much more grievous.<br><br>Pulling back, he lashed around and struck from the other side, raised the shield on his other arm and thrust forward to strike the dummy while pushing himself back. The shield was always with him... His weapon may change but the shield was a constant, always there to give him the defense he and others needed. Once upon a time he would have had no such use for things... Why use a shield when two weapons did the job just fine? Many could prove him wrong, certainly, but he was younger and foolish back then. He learned many things the hard way. Back in prison, life was rough, harsh, unforgiving... As much as these games used to be. The changing of the rules had come with a much needed change in his personality. The rules preserved lives where he might have taken them in the last. What else did he have to live for back then? He'd been abandoned by friends after he murdered a close one in a battle of right and wrong, he'd been sentenced alone.<br><br>He forgot when, but he met people that helped change his outlook, gave him a new direction... Some would say this direction made him weak, and so he was always kept at the bottom. A dreg to never rise above greatness, never allowed to show his own. He was little but a pawn to others, to use in their games of strategy and be sacrificed when it became convenient. Slowly he paced around the dummy, thumping the mace against the shield, a tactic he often performed while slowly encircling the enemy to distract them, disoriented them... When would he strike? What was he preparing for?<br><br>Amidst his movements, he continued to recollect the day he'd been ordered to fight against her, his current owner now. At the time, his prior owner promised him a place of higher power if he won... All he needed to do was win. Defeat her, break her dreams and delusions of grandeur... He saw them, a close knit family that struggled to stay together. They were all that stood in the way of him and respect... And so fight, he did. She was a strong and crafty foe, but he was indomitable, refusing to lose. Quick on his feet and hard with the hammer, he would strike and defend, eventually forcing her to change her tactics and get around his guard. Ultimately it would devolve to a fight of tooth and nail, quite literally... They were wearing each other down... He could have broken them up then and there... But why? They were happy, they were strong, and he was miserable. Winning would have made them no different from him. Would they have been as happy if he won as they are now that he lost?<br><br>He'd taken the blow and fell, not either a pained grunt or anguished suffering, but a smile. Rather than make them suffer, he would leave his mistreating owner suffer at what could have been and what would never be. He was instead taken in by his opponents, and made a second... A position of power and respect he so very much wanted, and got... Because he lost? No, because they were a happiness he did not want to break, that he wanted to be apart of, and now here he was, apart of a family of six strong in better living conditions than before. <br><br>The thumping stopped, as he leapt forward, whirling around to aim a strike with the mace... But swinging early to feint and swing him forward for his real attack, a smash with the shield that struck the dummy and sent it to the floor. Rolling his arms a bit, he winced slightly as he realized it was probably a bit louder than he hoped it would be.<br><br>"Can't train like that any earlier than this, else master and the others will complain..." He sighed, moving to a nearby bench and seating himself upon it. He lifted the bucket to his maw, sipping the water within, before reaching his hand inside to splash some on his face.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PrestaDGTation</strong> on <strong>21-01-2018, 09:24:49</strong>
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				<strong>Name:</strong> Izzy<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Rein<br><hr><hr><br>&nbsp; At 10 am at the villa, Izzy was just waking up from a refreshing nap.&nbsp; She'd discovered a while ago that taking at least 45 minutes of rest after a decent workout paid for itself later in the day.&nbsp; And she'd already been busy, up until now.&nbsp; Lifting herself from the bench she'd fell asleep on, Izzy rubbed her eyes and stretched her arms over her head, moving towards the well.&nbsp; Even drawing the bucket up was done in such a way that it got the muscles feeling warm.&nbsp; She took a few long gulps and splashed the rest of the bucket over her head, shaking her fur and sending droplets of chilly water all around.&nbsp; She felt entirely refreshed.&nbsp; And now she had two hours before lunch, which she eagerly contemplated how to spend.<br><br>&nbsp; Izzy was fond of getting an early start.&nbsp; It wasn't just that she liked to be alone, although she did.&nbsp; It was more that she was attached to her training regimen.&nbsp; This morning, for example, she'd slipped out of bed before dawn, grabbing a satchel full of fruit and water, and performed a series of stretches and katas in the training yard.&nbsp; She and her other half had developed these warm-ups together over several years, and had practiced them together daily.&nbsp; Practicing them again now was bittersweet, but they were solid exercises for her fighting style.&nbsp; Limbering stretches and muscle-memory form techniques, interspersed together to make them rather fun.&nbsp; At a certain speed, they looked something like a dance.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp; When dawn broke, Izzy started her daily run.&nbsp; There was a place she was fond of, about 8 miles away.&nbsp; A secluded hill that overlooked a lake.&nbsp; Today she'd gotten there around 7am, and had eaten her breakfast while watching the sun try to peek through the overcast.&nbsp; On a clearer day, or perhaps after a less exhausting night, she might have tried to get here earlier and watch the sun rise.&nbsp; Next time, perhaps.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp; After a short rest, she'd started her next task.&nbsp; There were some trees there that she'd sawed the branches off of, where she liked to practice her close range fighting forms.&nbsp; Izzy was rather serious about this, and actually had four trees sawed down this way, along with small wooden chimes.&nbsp; She'd spent about thirty minutes on a single tree, and then for the next thirty she'd let the chime dictate which she was supposed to attack, sharpening her group fighting ability, reaction time, and footwork.&nbsp; She'd followed that with a short rest, which today included a well-deserved dip in the lake, before she started back.<br><br>&nbsp; All in all, she'd been gone for about 3 hours, returning to the villa around 9 am, sweaty from running in the growing humidity.&nbsp; At which point Izzy found a hard surface to lay down on, doing cool downs and dozing off for a little while.&nbsp; Such was her routine.&nbsp; It was nice to do it early in the morning, when the air was bracing instead of muggy.&nbsp; And Izzy had been certain, of course, to tell Onyx and Celeste all about this hill.&nbsp; It made sense to do this kind of thing for agility and stamina training, but she didn't want to give them the notion that she might try to escape.&nbsp; Izzy was bitter, not stupid.&nbsp; And so following routine, and letting the 'masters' know where she'd be and when, was important.&nbsp; Onyx, being her direct superior and a winged dragoness, wouldn't have any trouble finding her if she needed her right away.<br><br>&nbsp; Izzy lowered the bucket down into the well, rolling her shoulders and pondering which training would be more useful right now.&nbsp; A noise came from the grounds, and she felt her brow furrow a little.&nbsp; Izzy hadn't warmed to the others yet, and she felt her bitterness rise, changing her demeanor almost instantly.&nbsp; She had an understanding, of course.&nbsp; She'd lost a match.&nbsp; She had to be here, at least until she won her freedom back.&nbsp; And there were certain factors that made her want this particular house to succeed: an irony that she admitted to, in spite of herself.&nbsp; But that didn't mean she particularly liked her situation, or those that were part of it.&nbsp; Then again, sparring was the surest kind of training..<br><br>&nbsp; At length,she decided to head to the training yard as well.&nbsp; Rein was sitting there, taking a short rest as her hooves clacked around the villa and entered the yard.&nbsp; There was a damaged training dummy near the wall, so that was one less mystery.&nbsp; Rein was technically her superior, but in contrast to Onyx, he seemed.. well, Onyx's total, polar opposite.&nbsp; She didn't know much about him, except that he valued his place in this house.&nbsp; He seemed like a wolf who was fairly disciplined, even if he did probably have some stories to tell.&nbsp; Izzy greeted him with a glance, and a gave a raise of her chin toward the damaged dummy.&nbsp; "Rough customer?" she asked.&nbsp; Sparring sounded fun, but she wanted to gauge him a little before she made a choice.&nbsp; Either him or those healthy sand bags over there..
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				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Gardsorm</strong> on <strong>21-01-2018, 10:04:15</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/yp3k1mQ.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Rein Valkard<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds <br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Izzy, Open;<br><hr><hr><br>The clacking of hooves approached, his ears flicking in response to the new audio information. No one else had hooved feet except for one... A recent addition to their forces, acquired by Onyx... Izzy, he recalled. She could be am ornery one sometimes, recollection she had quite the killing instinct regarding another opponent. He recollected her story, a duet with a friend, who had been lost to another owner... But the stories stopped there. Whatever happened between then and Izzy's acquisition was anyone's guess, but she was not afraid to kill. <br><br>It reminded him of himself in the early years of prison, with no hope of a future. Kill or be killed, for there was no happiness left for him to obtain. This was before the rules changed... Death was not meant to be in colosseum, but old habits died hard... At least until he met salvation in prison that taught him to see the world differently. Now, here was Izzy... Could they show her what he found one day?<br><br>"I suppose I'm not as gentle as I should be." Rein remarked, leaning back slightly on the bench as he glanced back at the deer as she entered. She seemed ready to train, but where? He tilted his head before standing upright, stretching. "I'm surprised to find you up and around down here. Feeling restless? &nbsp;He hummed, looking her over. He could only imagine what sort of 'training' Onyx put her through sometimes... Often he could hear it. <br><br>"Seems like you're acclimating, if nothing else. What are your thoughts so far on the state of affairs here, if you don't mind my asking?" he inquired, moving toward the fallen training dummy to pick it up and set it back on its stable platform.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PrestaDGTation</strong> on <strong>21-01-2018, 17:07:38</strong>
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				<strong>Name:</strong> Izzy<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Rein, open<br><hr><hr><br>&nbsp; He seemed like a perceptive enough wolf, she thought.&nbsp; He met her verbal jab with an easy parry, and picked up on the fact that she was eager to train, standing obligingly and stretching a little.&nbsp; Izzy watched him closely, getting a good look at his body.&nbsp; Sturdy, but lean.&nbsp; She'd heard that he was the kind who liked to wall up and go for the limbs, which seemed about right considering his build.&nbsp; Although, judging from the way his legs carried him, he wasn't limited to just that style of combat.&nbsp; Not bad, for a 2nd tier.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp; Mentioning being more gentle as a gladiator earned only a shallow smirk in reply.&nbsp; She was a taciturn thing, usually only speaking in clipped and slightly hostile phrases.&nbsp; "Only by some standards." she replied to his restless comment.&nbsp; Her thoughts returned briefly to the idea of challenging him to spar with her, but she decided to hold off.&nbsp; He wanted to talk, it seemed, and she was wary of being too eager when others weren't.&nbsp; It was a head game of its own.<br><br>&nbsp; Asking her about how she felt the house was doing, she shook her head and moved towards a heavy suspended sandbag near the corner.&nbsp; He seemed to have his regimen in mind as he picked up the dummy, so she momentarily abandoned the idea of fighting him.&nbsp; "Celeste is worth a chance." she replied as she positioned the bag.&nbsp; "And the food's good.&nbsp; Everything else needs a little help."&nbsp; Izzy turned and stepped away, only to whip around into a sudden straight kick, rattling the suspension, and taking care to keep her balance centered as she withdrew.&nbsp; "It's a little bold, to ask me for an opinion."<br><br>&nbsp; She took another few kicks, striking the bag from the side with her long hooved legs.&nbsp; If he wanted to talk, she was going to train while doing it.&nbsp; "And what about you?" she asked, throwing another kick into the sand-bag.&nbsp; "Couldn't sleep through breakfast?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Gardsorm</strong> on <strong>21-01-2018, 18:22:00</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/yp3k1mQ.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Rein Valkard<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds <br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Izzy, Open;<br><hr><hr><br>What a way to answer the question, he felt. He gave her a toothy smile, appreciating her candid remark. "Pulling no punches, I see! I can get behind that." he mused, watching as she approached one of the sandbags to train her legwork on. It also gave him a better chance to take a good look at the kind of damage her legs could do... The strike resounded just a bit even through the sand, and he could see that were it a flesh and blood target, a hard enough kick from her would likely break more than a few bones. He maneuvered behind the sandbag, moving his hands to hold the sandbag in place in order to give her a bit more resistance to work through.<br><br>"I suppose I just wanted an opinion from someone who immediately joined, who hasn't had too much time to have their mind changed. I appreciate the honesty more than a little lie to satisfy someone's curiosity." He followed up, his arms taking the force of her kicks as it traveled through the sandbag, giving him a closer idea of what it felt like to take those strikes. He would truly have to be wary of taking a dkrect, unguarded blow from them... It also gave him a deeper appreciation of her physique, but he didn't wish to dwell on that thought too long. Stare a little too hard and the wolf might have gotten an idea to get a little flesh...<br><br>At her return query to him, he smirked. "You kidding me? Rose' cooking is too good to just up and miss breakfast. She does tend to get experimental now and then so it's a sort of different kind of training all its own. You know how those mad scientist invented can be... Can't stop at the tools of the trade, they gotta get creative with their meals." He mused, remembering one of the first time he tried her food while it had... Some truly unique additions. It tasted good but it had not agreed with his stomach. "I don't believe I've ever had a stomach made of iron before she cooked, but now i'm thankful for it." he added, shaking his arms a bit before he returned to holding the sandbag.<br><br>"Superb legwork, I've got to admit! Quite deceptive, actually... This poor sandbag would have quite the number of fractures if it had any bones."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PrestaDGTation</strong> on <strong>21-01-2018, 20:19:42</strong>
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				<strong>Name:</strong> Izzy<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Rein, open<br><hr><hr><br>&nbsp; Not that Izzy expected her remarks to hurt any feelings.&nbsp; These were gladiators, after all.&nbsp; If any part of them was that easy to wound, then this house was in big trouble.&nbsp; But Rein honestly seemed to appreciate them.&nbsp; A nice change of pace, from other resident tier 2's.&nbsp; He came up behind the bag and started holding it for her.&nbsp; She gave him a nod of thanks, and started kicking harder, slamming her leg into the sand bag as hard as she could without putting herself off balance.&nbsp; Which, as Rein eventually remarked, was pretty hard.<br><br>&nbsp; She switched between several kicks as he held the bag, speaking with her about this and that.&nbsp; Her roundhouse kicks were good, with nice form, follow-through and power.&nbsp; But it was her sidekicks that really stood out.&nbsp; He saw that she used a technique to line her body up in a certain way, delivering a maximum amount of force through proper striking form.&nbsp; It gave him insight into her fighting style.&nbsp; The roundhouse strikes were quick and versatile, compensating for the weaknesses of the more powerful forward kicks, each strike creating an opening for the other.&nbsp; And that was just the standing kicks.<br><br>&nbsp; "Is that what they do here?" she said, her voice rising with the exertion of hurling another kick.&nbsp; "Have people change their minds?"&nbsp; Another strike.&nbsp; It wasn't a fair question, but it was a suspicious way that Rein had worded it.&nbsp; She threw another kick and then paused for a moment, putting a bounce in her step and starting on an alternating pattern.&nbsp; She looked down as she bounced, twisting her mouth a little as though about to say something, perhaps to thank him for saying that he appreciated her honesty.&nbsp; She wasn't sure how to word it, though, so she threw another kick and resolved to train now, and maybe thank him later.<br><br>&nbsp; She kind of liked the wolf.&nbsp; He was upbeat and accepting, for a higher rank gladiator getting a fresh look at the new blood.&nbsp; But he did like to talk.&nbsp; Getting him started on Rose's cooking kept him jabbering through most of her next set.&nbsp; A mad scientist turned kitchen-witch..&nbsp; Izzy hadn't found any reason to complain about the cooking, even if some bits were in rather strange shapes or colors.&nbsp; His bragging sounded half like a warning, indicating that his stomach was now impervious thanks to some of that food.&nbsp; Izzy smiled a little between kicks, picturing Rose, flustered, as the other gladiators were all doubled over on the ground, holding their stomachs and grinning through the pain, thanking her for the 'training.'&nbsp; It wouldn't have been as funny if it wasn't Rose.<br><br>&nbsp; She paused a little, letting Rein shake his arms out a little and listening to his compliments.&nbsp; There was a subtle movement he may have caught, a sort of pleased shake of her shoulders as he mentioned how deceptive her body was, almost obscured by her continued bouncing.&nbsp; "Thanks." she said, honestly appreciating that.&nbsp; She moved behind the bag where he was and brushed him out of the way, placing her hands on both sides.&nbsp; "Your turn.&nbsp; Unless, you don't like sand."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Gardsorm</strong> on <strong>21-01-2018, 21:06:05</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/yp3k1mQ.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Rein Valkard<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds <br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Izzy, Open;<br><hr><hr><br>"Hardly." Rein'ssimply reply followed her query, observing how her bouncing state made it easier to switch up and alternate how she could make it harder to predict which leg she would strike with. Some fighters put more emphasis on one limb above others, which truly did strengthen them but also left a glaring weakness if that limb was removed from the equation. With Izzy, it was anyone's guess if she had a preference. "Fact of the matter is, not everyone is happy losing, especially when it means you go somewhere you may not want to... Some of us are different though. It put us in a better place than we could have ever hoped to be in." he added, deciding to not say much more on that subject.<br><br><em>'You've got your secrets, I can understand that. Maybe we all do. Seems like you're trying to keep things hidden deeper than anyone else... Not much for small talk. Still a bit of an aversion, I'd guess... You interact because you have to, not because you want to... Tough nut to crack, heh.'</em><br><br>It truly was hard to make out her reaction, though whether he saw it or not, the simple word of 'Thanks' was enough to put him at ease regarding whether she'd take well to the comment or reject it. No feelings would have been hurt either way, most of them were made of sterner stuff than that, inside and out. When she brushed him out of the way, he raised a brow before grinning toothily.<br><br>"I'd be a weak link at the beach if I was. Though sand in my fur does get irritating." He mused, taking a deep breath as he positioned himself opposite the sandbag. A basic neutral stance was adopted first before he lashed out with a midsection kick on the sandbag. In contrast to when he held the sandbag, he seemed to speak much less when it came to personally being involved. He yanked his leg back, pushing it down to the ground to give it more force and struck again with the same limb, and them repeated the motion once more. It wasn't as hard as a tree, but it would still serve it's purpose.<br><br>He yanked the limb back, seeming to go for her another stroke, but he twisted and instead used the momentum to carry himself for a reverse roundhouse. Footwork and legwork were important to him, from when he carried the tools of the trade in both hands to when he was disarmed or otherwise unequipped. Strong legs could give one great stability, especially when he weather blow after blow to his shield. The better he could stand his ground to an attack, the quicker he could counterattack and capitalize on a foes' blocked attack. Coming down from the strike, he switched to repeat kicks from the same limb, continuing until he could feel a slight burn in the leg and knew he needed to give it a short rest.<br><br><em>'I suppose old habits really do die hard... But I can't do that again, not unless I want to be useless to them part of the time.'</em>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saric</strong> on <strong>21-01-2018, 22:25:22</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/AkrPocX.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Onyx Forgebearer<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Sky's above<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Izzy (Mentioned), Rose (Mentioned) Open;<br><hr><hr><br>Onyx had slipped out of bed only moments after Izzy did, taking care to tuck Rose in as she did so, then found an upper level gallery to secretly watch Izzy's training katas from, admiring how well she moved her body, the grace and speed in that lithe form. Then she went for a flight, keeping one eye on Izzy as she ran and trained but keeping her distance, no more then a speck in the sky with the other birds.<br><br>Once her more recalcitrant slave returned to the Villa Onyx started her true training, the flight before being little more then a warm up, whipping herself through high speed maneuvers and twisting cross patterns without ever leaving the grounds of the Villa, using her home to simulate the close confines of a fighting arena. She started adding dips, dives, and reversals to her madly twisting flight path as she moved steadily closer to the ground. Soon she'd land and begin training with her weapon of the day, in this case, polearms.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PrestaDGTation</strong> on <strong>21-01-2018, 22:40:39</strong>
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				<strong>Name:</strong> Izzy<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Rein, open<br><hr><hr><br>&nbsp; "Hmph."<br><br>&nbsp; Rein had just tried to open Izzy up, connecting with her on being unhappy about losing, and voicing that many of the fighters here were grateful that they had.&nbsp; Izzy knew something about both of those sides, but her reply was as taciturn as ever, swinging her leg into the sandbag even harder this time.&nbsp; They were complicated emotions, and she didn't feel like talking about them in the least.&nbsp; Maybe sometime, when she felt she could trust the wolf a little more.<br><br>&nbsp; As they switched positions on the punching bag, his comment about sand in his fur made her slump her shoulders and smirk at him.&nbsp; Possibly the closest expression to laughter she'd ever given him.&nbsp; He knew what she'd meant, the expression said, but she didn't dwell on it.&nbsp; She gripped the bag, planted her feet, and let him have a go.<br><br>&nbsp; Her slighter frame wasn't built for tanking blows, so she had to rely on Qi Gong centering techniques.&nbsp; Holding the sandbag was as much a training session for her as it was for the wolf on the other side.&nbsp; She blinked a little, watching him move.&nbsp; His footwork was impressive.&nbsp; Unlike her own sandbag practice, the wolf made full use of feints, a variety of motions and a full flurry of blows.&nbsp; She wasn't terribly fond of repeat kicks herself, but the fact remained that he got an awful lot of power out of that one leg, forcing her to readjust her center slightly to compensate.&nbsp; Her eyes widened a little as he came down from a strike and started pounding out the hits from the same leg.<br><br>&nbsp; Sadly, the force of those repeat kicks started waning as he felt the burn through his leg, until he stopped to take a rest.&nbsp; Izzy looked him over, her expression difficult to read as either impressed or disappointed.&nbsp; "Can I try?" she murmured, stepping back around to the front of the bag.&nbsp; Almost as soon as she'd assumed a stance, her first sidekick rammed into the burlap, followed by a similar flurry of multiple kicks.&nbsp; His rapid-fire kicks were better than her own, as they both knew.&nbsp; She didn't regularly practice them because they weren't congruent with her fighting style.&nbsp; But she still gave the sandbag everything she had, planting her hooves into it in a top-to-bottom-to-top row and striking as hard and fast as she could, for as long as she could go.&nbsp; She was curious if she could go longer than he did, but there were too many factors to really let that be the question here.&nbsp; What she really cared about were the aches and pains he seemed to be feeling, and where they were located.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp; When she stopped, she took a moment to stand on her left leg and stretch her right, twisting it thoughtfully.&nbsp; "I see why your leg work's so great." she remarked, bending her knee a little, listening to where the soreness was located.&nbsp; Kicking like that was a strenuous kind of training. And while she appreciated his well developed leg muscles, she wondered what kind of damage that might have done if he did this often.&nbsp; He didn't seem pleased with himself for doing it at all, which was telling.&nbsp; Lifting her knee upwards and slowing raising her hoof over her head, Izzy let the limb taper slowly to the ground, hopping on it twice to test it once it was under her.&nbsp; "Hm.&nbsp; I still prefer running.&nbsp; It sustains the leg, if you do it right." she muttered, remembering a piece of wisdom she and Ludis had passed between themselves.<br><br>&nbsp; It wasn't her favorite thought.&nbsp; She liked her alone time, naturally.&nbsp; But, where training was concerned, this was work.&nbsp; "How soon do you wake up in the mornings?&nbsp; You should join me sometime, if you can stand me that long."<br><br>&nbsp; A moment later, her ears twitched slightly, and she turned her head to another part of the villa, hearing something whooshing.&nbsp; Her eyes narrowed and she sighed.&nbsp; "Master Onyx is awake." she muttered, with just a hint of venom in her voice.&nbsp; Izzy wasn't dumb enough to think she was fooling her master by leaving early, but Onyx was good at keeping herself hidden, even if she was tracking her morning routine.&nbsp; Still, the fact that she was awake meant that the most unpleasant part of the day was soon to follow.&nbsp; She believed Onyx had once referred to it as 'cardio.'&nbsp; Whatever gets your heart rate up, or some equally lascivious excuse.<br><br>&nbsp; She looked back at Rein, finally angry enough to just flat out ask him: "Do you want to spar?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Gardsorm</strong> on <strong>21-01-2018, 23:24:29</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/yp3k1mQ.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Rein Valkard<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds <br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Izzy, Onyx referenced, Open;<br><hr><hr><br>Shaking his legs off, Rein licked his lips and prepared to go at the sandbag again, but to his surprise Izzy asked if she could try instead. Folding his arms, he nodded and stepped back, moving to the opposite side of the sandbag, making sure none of it had been compromised yet before he gripped the bag. Part of him wondered just what she wanted to try out... Before the surprise set in following her first kick, where she attempted to execute a rapid sequence with the same limb. Balance and power were needed, enough to keep yourself upright, but striking hard enough to stun your opponent and let the next connect before they had the focus to grab you. This was what necessitated switching, in order to elude your opponent. <br><br>"Mmm..." he hummed softly, wondering if maybe she saw the limit to how much he kicked and maybe sought to understand it. It was a holdover from the past, where they trained themselves to the point of risking breaking their bones, resting for a bit, and then continuing... It was a fairly self-destructive tactic that only showed results as time marched on, and some did not even truly believe it. When she stopped kicking to complement his leg strength, he shook his head.<br><br>:I was stupid in the past, that's all. Training back then was different... This was before the days the rules changed. It's not something I would recommend anyone doing." He grumbled with distaste. But he had to admit he was pleased with Izzy's observation in seeing it in the first place. Mentioning how running felt better, he nodded. "I agree, nevermind the fact it's far more ethical." He mused. Still, old habits died hard for him...<br><br>As she asked what time he usually woke up, he tilted his head up,&nbsp; hand to his chin. "Anywhere from 6 to 8 AM on my best days... Hm? Is that your idea of a challenge?" He gave a toothy smirk. "Hopefully Onyx won't get jealous of us." He added with a playful remark, though it seemed as soon as he mentioned her name, a look of distaste crossed her features. Howevee, the cause was not the namedrop, but her presence in question that seemed to have the deer on edge. He didn't need to ask why, knowing Onyx's behavior and her eagerness, he could imagine what sort of time the two of them spent together.<br><br>The final question prompted Rein to tilt his head with a smile. "Sounds good... What would you prefer? Close quarters unarmed, or weapons training?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>jeflint</strong> on <strong>22-01-2018, 01:06:52</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://orig00.deviantart.net/144a/f/2016/179/9/f/llyra_whitebirch_by_jeflint-da80fm7.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Rose Dandy-Ba<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Onyx's bedroom --&gt; Kitchen<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Open;<br><hr><hr><br>Time was something that was kinda of subjective to Rose and after she'd worked her way out of the bed which had been a fair amount of wiggling and groaning since to her it was middle of the night still. It wasn't that she didn't like sleep with Onyx, she was glad to have a place to sleep and her Mistress generally tried to tucker her out, something she did well, but if she'd been given her choice she'd have slept in her lab. She felt most at home in her lab. With the hammock strung up in the corner and the smell of grease and the access to the noise canceling gear she'd managed to construct for herself. It was the only place she could truly sleep without constantly waking for the odd noises she didn't have. And so, with surprising grace for the nocturnal inventor she slid from the perch she'd taken on Onyx's bed and onto the ground. Half stumbling and half shuffling she pulled on a dress instead of a smock, yawned and headed towards the closet to begin her daily duties of cleaning and tending to the family.<br><br>Mop and bucket in hand. Task one, it was midnight was the bathing area. But she needed to prepare the lunches for the training gladiators. Still half asleep from her long night of trying to sleep comfortably with Rose bumped into a column. "Sorry," she mumbled stepping around person she'd thought she'd stepped into and into the training yard for a bit. On she continued into the kitchen, placing the cleaning utensils against the wall and started making the tart drink that she'd grown to love. An idea of brewing beans into a dark brew gave her energy. Something she just about lived on. As the coffee brewed she moved towards the knives, starting to carve off the slices of meats that were the predators enjoyed. She was technically a predator but she'd learned to subsist on other meals, usually things that weren't going to be as hard to catch like fruits. And of course, Izzy. The new herbivore that was in the group. She would need to chop and prepare a salad and fruits for the doe. Picking up the skillet she yawned and began to melt butter into the skillet.<br><br>It had always struck Rose as odd that they considered her worthy of something like this. And her first few meals had been almost too much for the group. But she'd learned quickly and knew what to mix and how, using her sense of smell to detect when she'd put too much into a particular type. The breads were already ready from yesterday thankfully, she would only need to cut. And as she set about her task, she swayed and hummed, her tiny form shuffling around the kitchen stopping occasionally by the brewer she'd created and checking for the black nectar.<br><br>Sandwiches. Today she was making sandwiches. She would need to head to the market for the dinner but that could come after cleaning the house. It made more sense to clean everyday to stay ahead of it. And of course while she cleaned she thought of ways to make it better. The mop that emptied into the bucket. She couldn't wait until the Alpha gave her permission to install tubes that could suck dirt away. She stopped, sighing as she did the mental calculations needed to do the map. Too much and it'd be a gun, not enough and it'd get stuck somewhere. Still... that was what she wanted to do. Why would anyone want to fight when they could invent?<br><br>Taking a deep gulp of the steaming black liquid Rose's mismatched eyes perked up. "Lunch! Right! Serving lunch!" She began moving the trays and platters towards the eating table, which would take her a few minutes by herself. She was pretty sure everyone would want to eat next to the sparring area. She hoped Celesta picked her early so she could get thrown around and then go back to doing her chores. Maybe if she was lucky she'd have enough time to work on that potion thrower she'd told Rein about. She stopped, eyes closed dreamily as she thought about that. Oh what a glorious idea that would be. She figured she should find the Alpha and Beta's to let them know that she'd made food for them. Onyx would probably be perched on high. She didn't know where Celesta would be at this time of night. She really wished they'd let her stay up when it was her day. The sun was way to bright for her.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PrestaDGTation</strong> on <strong>23-01-2018, 02:05:06</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>Name:</strong> Izzy<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Rein, open<br><hr><hr><br>&nbsp; Rein explained the way things were before the rules changed, and how the expectations were different.&nbsp; Izzy replied with a scoff.&nbsp; "Training to be great when you're not supposed to live long isn't stupid." she said firmly, bending to shake out her leg once more.&nbsp; "Neither is the part where you're still alive."&nbsp; It was a compliment, but it felt like she was warming up to something else.&nbsp; As though she had a good idea what 'stupid' really was, and decided simply not to go there.&nbsp; This wolf seemed like a good sort, someone who'd gone through the worst and come out with nothing more than a hard perspective and a pair of bad knees.&nbsp; She wanted to learn from him, how he'd done it.&nbsp; But he also had a reason to appreciate the more 'ethical' side of being a gladiator: a phrase which made her want to roll her eyes.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp; He mentioned her challenging him, causing her eyes to light up a little as she spun around to face him.&nbsp; "If I was challenging a higher tier gladiator like you.." she stated, her voice cold but the slightest smirk on her face.&nbsp; "..then I'd say we should both meet here at the break of dawn, strap metal shields on ourselves, and race to the top of the hill overlooking Southpaw Lake and back.&nbsp; About 16 miles.&nbsp; The loser has to ask Rose for something 'green but not a vegetable' for breakfast, and has to eat it."&nbsp; She inclined her head to his legs.&nbsp; "But I'm only a 3rd tier, so you could say your knees are bad and refuse.&nbsp; I won't lord it over you."&nbsp; She rolled her neck around, a light smile and a sinister look in her eyes.&nbsp; "Yet."<br><br>&nbsp; Izzy stared for a moment, but couldn't resist letting her face break into a smile, partly because Rein seemed so jovial about it all.&nbsp; But mostly because it had been a while since she'd had a gladiator she felt she could josh around with.&nbsp; When he mentioned her master, she curled her lips like she was biting a lemon.&nbsp; "Let Onyx get jealous.&nbsp; I'd love to strap some weights to her, too." she stated flatly.&nbsp; And then she felt her smile vanish completely, hearing her master about.<br><br>&nbsp; Izzy sighed, no longer in the joshing-around mood, and moving to one of the weapon racks as he agreed to spar.&nbsp; "Let's do weapons training." she said, thumbing one of wooden sabres before deciding on a spear.&nbsp; A less familiar weapon, but one she enjoyed for it's versatility.&nbsp; She gave it a twirl, testing the weight and discerning the center of the piece, before moving back into the middle of the training grounds.&nbsp; "Ready when you are."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Gardsorm</strong> on <strong>23-01-2018, 04:18:01</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/yp3k1mQ.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Rein Valkard<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds <br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Izzy, Open;<br><hr><hr><br>"I suppose the 'still living' bit is more spite than anything. 'Haha, you failed to kill me, now I'm going to make you miserable' is one way to see it." Rein mused, though there really wasn't anyone he wanted to spite particularly... Not since he enjoyed the fact that the loss of his match meant he went to a better home and the loss of one of that man's better pawns. Still, as he looked at Izzy, he could see there really was more to her one-woman crusade prior to their acquisition of her. But personal things like that... They weren't his place to pry.<br><br>When it came to her idea of trsining, the method seemed to only put a smirk on the wolf's face. He already had experience lugging shields around, so something like that... But then she let the status of her being a third tier float as an excuse for him to get out of it... Along with him having bad knees? "Now now, you don't have to hit me below the belt, i'm not that old. This sounds like a perfectly valid method of exercise... And the method of losing... Hmhmhm, I'll accept." He licked his lips in affirmation. The only thing he couldn't fathom was... What exactly would Rose make to fulfill that criteria? It was going to be... Unique, that was for certain. When it came to the discussion of Onyx, he could tell the dragon had truly rubbed her the wrong way... Figuratively and perhaps literally. <br><br>Izzy had opted for Weapons Training... So this was going to get rough. "Very well then, weapon of choice." He nodded, returning to where he'd set down his mace and shield. He'd at least grabbed the shield, but skipped over the mace for a less dangerous, wooden club. He had the disadvantage in range, so he was going to have to be careful with how he closed in. She already waited for him in the middle, himself approaching a moment later with a bow.<br><br>"Mmm..." he hummed softly, adopting a stance with the shield in front as he slowly began to pace around Izzy, once again thumping the side of the shield with the club. The idea was to keep her eyes focused on the shield at all times, keep her guard up. But the slow circle movements closed in very slightly, little by little removing the range between them. She would either need to attack first to keep him from closing in, or risk letting him have a short enough range to open with his own offensive.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PrestaDGTation</strong> on <strong>23-01-2018, 10:37:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>Name:</strong> Izzy<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Rein, open<br><hr><hr><br>&nbsp; <em>"I suppose the 'still living' bit is more spite than anything. 'Haha, you failed to kill me, now I'm going to make you miserable' is one way to see it."</em><br><br>&nbsp; That won an interesting look from Izzy.&nbsp; Not hostile or hurt: quite the opposite, it seemed to speak to her on some level.&nbsp; She smiled wryly, as if rolling the words around in her mouth, enjoying the taste.&nbsp; "Hm!" she replied, not elaborating.&nbsp; Rein was right to suspect that she still had someone in the world she liked spiting.&nbsp; It was a nice thought, she felt, to think that just surviving counted for some form of revenge.<br><br>&nbsp; Her challenge was accepted, which caused her to grin lightly, holding out a hand.&nbsp; "The break of dawn, then." she replied, sealing it with a handshake.&nbsp; Just as she'd hoped, he'd managed to take her challenge with only the lighter-side of getting his back up about it.&nbsp; Truth be told, she had no idea what sort of crazy thing Rose would make for them to ingest.&nbsp; But just like he'd said, it would be good training, no matter what it was.&nbsp; She was now looking forward to her run tomorrow, even more than usual.<br><br>&nbsp; For weapons training, she'd thought about going the opponent-picks route.&nbsp; But it didn't seem fair, for their first fight, to throw that kind of factor in.&nbsp; She'd probably have given him a flail, because no weapon ticked off a shield bearer quite like a chain you couldn't block or parry with.&nbsp; And if she'd done that, he'd have probably given her a war-hammer, just so he could laugh about it.&nbsp; No, this felt more right, at least for now.<br><br>&nbsp; He approached with a bow, and she returned it.&nbsp; And then, the two were circling one another, him slowly rapping his shield as he placed his feet carefully, trying to remove her ranged advantage without opening himself up to attack.&nbsp; A nice little head-game, she thought, shifting her stance.&nbsp; There were several ways to hold the spear.&nbsp; A one armed method, where the base was crooked in the elbow, was great for sudden range and power.&nbsp; The basic method, holding it with both hands in front of you, was good for control.&nbsp; An over-the-shoulder method was nice for deception.&nbsp; She swapped through the three, each time whirling the spear audibly, as if trying to decide which tactic to use.<br><br>&nbsp; Of course, she'd already decided.&nbsp; Shield thumping like that.. its greatest strength was how hypnotic the rhythm could get.&nbsp; If you could keep their eyes on that knocking, and let the pace set the tempo for the fight, then you'd already taken away any other advantage they might have had.&nbsp; But that same property was also its weakness.&nbsp; If you knew exactly when that arm was going to peek out..<br><br>&nbsp; Another whirl, as though changing stances.&nbsp; But this one brought the butt of the spear whirling around into his arm.&nbsp; Even if it missed, which it might, it would still force him to react to an attack.&nbsp; Another quick whirl, this time sending the softened wooden head of the spear aiming for whatever opening she might have created.&nbsp; She put some power into it, trying to find the balance between making it a strong hit and not overextending herself.&nbsp; But she still expected it to hit the shield.&nbsp; The important thing wasn't actually hitting him with that second strike.&nbsp; Disrupt rhythm, force stiffness in overcompensation.&nbsp; And then..<br><br>&nbsp; Her spear whirled again, this time sending the softened spear-head sweeping towards his lower leg.&nbsp; The goal was to take him off his feet.&nbsp; She didn't expect it to be that easy, of course, but it was a nice introduction.&nbsp; Even if it failed, her stance was still in a fourth-form, holding the spear at an angle to the body, the tip pointed toward the ground and the shaft over the head, the right elbow bent.&nbsp; It was an strong stance for defense, good to parry, harry, or get away.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Gardsorm</strong> on <strong>23-01-2018, 11:25:23</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/yp3k1mQ.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Rein Valkard<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds <br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Izzy, Open;<br><hr><hr><br><em>'I can see this is going to be fun... Three different stances even before throwing one attack. She wants me to know what she's capable of, but not discern what she's going with. Meeting my head games on with your own, hm? I guess I'll chase the prey.'</em> He mused mentally, seeing no real opening in her stance. He could maybe try to force an opening during a transition, but she would account for that too. It was a fool's move to rush in now. Stick to what you do best, let them move first. <br><br>Move she did, once the first strike came out, he grit his teeth and tensed his arm, taking the strike with a loud smack that rang through the courtyard, before she pulled the weapon back and lashed out once more, from another side. This time the shield was raised a bit, catching the second strike, but her immediate pull away from the shield revealed she hadn't put all her power into that strike... Which meant another angle was the focus. Around the weapon came, sweeping low and striking his leg in much the way she anticipated to sweep it out.<br><br><em>'Oh, I like you already.'</em> he found himself admitting as his world seemed to turn sideways. This would probably have hurt for him too... But it wasn't the first time it happened. Opening the hand holding the club, he dropped the weapon and pushed the limb to the ground to give him the slightest bit of leverage, keeping an eye on where the spear was. She could have taken a swing at his head right now if she wanted, but the shield would have been brought to bear. Either way, the ensuing counterattack was probably not what she was expecting, the wolf's foot lashing out toward her face, though he controlled the distance so that it would only whizz by in front of her nose to surprise her. He rolled back into a crouch a moment later, collecting the club and groaning.<br><br>"I gotta admit, it's been a while since I had to do that... Murder on the arm though." he sighed, rolling his shoulder. "Hope that made it clear though... A gladiator's whole body is a weapon, not just what they carry. You can strike me with that spear all you like, or you can hit me with perfectly good arms and legs... Even your head. Make it <em>truly</em> unpredictable for me!" He announced, racing back in, shield arm first. He could push through with the shield before she could try to out range him with the spear, or he could hop to the right to dodge a stab and give her a check to the side with the defensive inplement. He could perform the same move bit to the left, nail her arm with the club and weaken her offensive prowess... He had options, but to go through them all during this charge would be impossible.<br><br>A response depended on her next action, a wait that filled him with excitement in this early morning. Fights always got his blood pumping easily.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Op3999</strong> on <strong>23-01-2018, 11:48:44</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(http://d.facdn.net/art/nuttynut93/1500943414/1500943364.nuttynut93_17._ready_for_action_.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Celeste Bellarose<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds <br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Izzy, Rein, Onyx, etc.<br><hr><hr><br>The gator's routine had started early, but not quite so early as her ambitious charges.&nbsp; She'd honed her routine down over the years and nowadays, it was shortened just a little more to give her leeway to train with the others.&nbsp; Adding to their routine, any individual warrior from tier 3 to tier 2 could expect to face the alpha one-on-one.&nbsp; It was never really a no-holds barred sort of thing and Celeste was usually holding back, trying to teach them a lesson of some sort.&nbsp; That wasn't to say that she found it easy, which was why she shortened her usual regimen to account for it.&nbsp; Onyx and Rein had, on multiple occasions, given the alpha a run for her money.&nbsp; If it weren't for her experience, she probably would've lost to one of them by now.<br><br>Her primary mode of exercise outside of training itself involved swimming.&nbsp; Just like Izzy and Rein had their runs and Onyx had her flights, Celeste, being what she was, took to the water.&nbsp; There, she moved shockingly fast for someone of her size and she stayed under for a while.&nbsp; She ended up at a similar lake to the one Izzy went to, another part of the same one, and swam from one side to the other.&nbsp; She adjusted her speed so as to make sure that she had a nice burn going by the time she got back to the first shore and then got home for another soak in the tub, just to let the warm water contrast the cold and soak into her skin.&nbsp; Then, she headed to the training grounds and generally interrupted whatever was going on there, but today was a bit different.<br><br>Celeste was still headed to the courtyard where the grounds were, but she wasn't intending to insert herself into whatever regimen was being performed there.&nbsp; Today, she had something else in mind, but couldn't help indulging herself a little when she found what was happening there.<br><br>Leaning against one of the pillars, Celeste focused her eye on Rein and Izzy, watching their fight.&nbsp; She got there just in time to see Rein hit the ground, getting himself back up and giving the doe a tip.&nbsp; Rein was a different sort than Izzy's mistress and Celeste wondered how the hoofed kicker would react to the advice.&nbsp; The wolf was generally pretty good with others, Celeste had observed, which was one reason that she looked forward to him being one of her seconds in her ambitious plans for the future.&nbsp; If he could train others half as well as he could fight, this house had a pretty bright future ahead of it, in Celeste's opinion.<br><br>Of course, she didn't say it to his face for fear of giving him a big head.<br><br>Now that she'd found Rein and Izzy, Celeste looked around, letting the lull in the fight tear her eyes away from watching them go at it.&nbsp; Lamont was... probably not awake yet or, at the very least, just getting up.&nbsp; Rose was either in the kitchen preparing lunch or with Onyx.&nbsp; However, at this time of day, the dragon's preferred venue, or what seemed to be her preferred venue, was out in the open, so if the two were together, Celeste felt she should've spotted them already.&nbsp; That thought made her aim her gaze skyward and finally, that's where she spotted the dragoness.&nbsp; That was everyone accounted for, more or less, so Celeste turned her gaze back towards the two fighters training.&nbsp; She supposed she could wait until lunch was ready to gather everyone's attention.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saric</strong> on <strong>23-01-2018, 17:40:50</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/AkrPocX.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Onyx Forgebearer<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Sky's above<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Izzy (Mentioned), Rein (Mentioned), Celeste<br><hr><hr><br>Onyx had been pulling some highly acrobatic maneuvers, while keeping the match below in at least the corner of her eye, she found it was good training for keeping tabs on an opponent through such maneuvers in actual combat. But then she noticed her Mistress returning to the manor and began to dive. At first she intended to try and intercept her, as she liked what she was seeing between Izzy and Rein, the smiles and thought on her slaves normally bitter face, but then she saw her stop on the edges to watch and curiosity drove her to find out why.<br><br>With a sound of canvas tearing in the wind, Onyx streaked out of the clear sky to land beside Celeste almost daintily, Rein would be used to such entrances from their training to fight together, but Izzy might not have adjusted to her Mistress arriving in quite such a fashion... Onyx walked over to her own Mistress, hips swaying seductively as usual. "Good morning Mistress! Would you like to spar? Or some, <em>other</em> form of exercise?" She gave a playful smile.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SeraphAzriel</strong> on <strong>23-01-2018, 20:26:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o597/Seraph_Azriel/7f9f893c-0ae3-4923-9219-3cc175a8a14f_zpsro9ibc8a.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Lamont Carolinius<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Sky's above<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Rose<br><hr><hr><br>The dawn was a damnable pestilence.&nbsp; The sun, a flaming hell who shot forth rays of light that fell like arrows upon the populace, who in their simple proclivities, received such tortures with smiles and fawning greetings of how fortunate such a daily occurrence was.&nbsp; Lamont issued forth his own greeting to the daylight which kept more in taste with his own speculations.&nbsp; In the history of anything in particular, there had never been a 'good' morn.&nbsp; Simply one in which he could sleep past.&nbsp; Alas but it seemed that the public of this berth were more inclined to rise habitually early.&nbsp; The rat rose from his wreck of a bed.&nbsp; Sheets askew, some pooled upon the floor.&nbsp; Generally night was a time for the activities that he was inclined to.&nbsp; "Damn."&nbsp; Blearily did lavender regard the waking world about him with the manner of disdain that an expectant strumpet might, finding that upon dropping his trousers, that his tarse was far less capable than his ego.&nbsp; The young man rose and dressed himself sloppily.&nbsp; His hair wild and other accouterments set all about in a haphazard fashion, the laces of his shirt loose and tangled to give one a most generous view of his bare chest.&nbsp; The currently cantankerous chordata cantered at a drunk's uneven pace as his addled wits feebly grasped at the next probable step.&nbsp; Some manner of mental accelerant was needed that he might enjoy the wakefulness of the living.&nbsp; <br><br>So the rat naturally followed his nose to the kitchen, where the alluring scent of a delightful decoction was quite clearly permeating.&nbsp; Within that room did he find little Rose scurrying about, performing some manner of food preparation.&nbsp; "Sweet lady.&nbsp; Mistress of the kitchen."&nbsp; The aristocrat drawled with exhaustion.&nbsp; "If, perchance, you were to share in your bounty of black ambrosia, I would be most charmed and given to sharing in my favors with you.&nbsp; In whatever manner is most keen to pleas you."&nbsp; Naturally some of the offer was simply out of sheer desperation to know what it was like having an active brain in such a trying time.&nbsp; The other half was simply because he was always <em>up</em> for it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>jeflint</strong> on <strong>24-01-2018, 02:56:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://orig00.deviantart.net/144a/f/2016/179/9/f/llyra_whitebirch_by_jeflint-da80fm7.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Rose Dandy-Ba<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Kitchen --&gt; Staging area --&gt; Kitchen<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Open;<br><hr><hr><br>The sudden appearance of the rodent might have surprised some of the folks in the villa, but even half asleep, Rose had heard the steps. She turned, red eyed and weary as well to her fellow tier. "'S not ready yet," she mumbled. It was probably more than ready for the others but Rose had a acquired a taste of the super potent type and her body for years had run on that and sugar to power her inventiveness. She shook her head and continued on her way of setting up lunch for the party. As she came half trotting, half stumbling back she slid to a stop by the coffee station. Sniffed at it and nodded. She poured a generous amount for herself and then for the Rein's gladiator. Scooting past the other fur without so much as dropping a drop she moved to the sugar, sipping and pouring sugar in until it was about half and half. With a final sip she sighed. "Perfect." She spent a few moments draining the liquid and then began to chitter excitedly to herself. She had so many things she needed to do today! There was the cleaning of the bathrooms, she had to dust the tall pillars, then there was the beating of the rugs.<br><br>She scurried around the kitchen at an increased speed seeming to forget Lamont was even there. It wasn't until she almost bumped into the taller fur that she rejoined the rest of the world. "Oh!Lamont!Hi!Whatbringsyouherethisearly?Lunchisn'treadyyet!" She set down her plates and smiled up at the bigger fur, shifting from one foot to the other. The jolt of coffee and who knows how many scoops of sugar having an immediate effect upon the hybrid. "Didyouwanttohelpwithlunch?Icouldusehelpputtingeverythinginplace.Thenweneedtogetthedrinksfromthecellar.RosewineforIzzy,MeadforRein,AleforOnxyandagoodstoutfortheAlpha.Canyoudothat?Doyouwantmetodothat?" She tilted her head to the side as she blasted on at a million miles an hour. She picked up the plates, still moving back and forth with her excessive energy. Of course the effect of that much on anyone who weighed fifty pounds on a good day was bound to be dramatic. She was a lightweight when it came to drinking as well. No matter how often Onyx steered her away from wine or anything else a glass was all it took to get the Fennmink huggy and cuddly. And she had surprisingly good grip strength for such a weak fighter.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PrestaDGTation</strong> on <strong>24-01-2018, 05:29:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>Name:</strong> Izzy<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Rein, Celeste (m), Onyx (m), open<br><hr><hr><br>&nbsp; The initial trio of strikes did exactly what she wanted them to do, with an unexpected twit.&nbsp; Izzy herself wasn't used to carrying full-blown melee weapons into combat, preferring to fight with her claws and trick-armaments.&nbsp; As such, she had to wrap her mind around a willingness to let a weapon leave the hand if it suited her.&nbsp; Rein had no such problems, letting the club fall from his hand easily while he was falling, planting his arm in the ground, and sending a kick whizzing by her nose.&nbsp; It was a good recovery, and if he'd really meant to connect with that counter attack, he could have done it before she could bring the spear up to defend herself.&nbsp; Wily thing, she thought, stepping back a little and firming up her defensive stance.&nbsp; She'd have to remember that little trick.<br><br>&nbsp; Again, Rein liked to talk, and began going over an obvious sounding but worthwhile lesson in being willing to use every aspect of the body, not just the current tool, as a weapon.&nbsp; He challenged her to make it 'truly unpredictable.'&nbsp; And, even as he said that, he proceeded to charge forward with his shield raised: the very definition of a predictable tactic.&nbsp; Izzy smirked a little, enjoying this.&nbsp; The wolf's optimism and adaptability was something to be envied, but she also appreciated they casual way he gave challenges and warnings.&nbsp; Obviously, trying to predict the direction of his charge was playing right into his hand.&nbsp; And so, she resolved to follow his advice.<br><br>&nbsp; She vaulted backwards slightly, her spear whipping around her as she did so.&nbsp; Izzy's agile form and lighter build meant she could gather a precious little bit of distance between herself and the charging wolf, even though she wouldn't be able to escape him by doing so.&nbsp; The goal there was simply to keep him charging, as spinning off to the side wouldn't allow him to catch her.<br><br>&nbsp; With a spin she whirled her spear and brought it down in an over-head strike.&nbsp; With the momentum behind it, the blow was a strong one.&nbsp; But again, the goal was completely different.&nbsp; All she wanted was for him to raise his shield and block over-head.&nbsp; Izzy abandoned her spear at the moment of impact, bouncing from her backward direction and moving forward with a whip-crack charge.&nbsp; If he'd taken the bait, she'd attempt to get inside his range, turning her shoulders as one hand pushed the shield aside and the other arm drove an elbow into his abdomen.<br><br>&nbsp; There were so many variables.&nbsp; If she managed to connect exactly as intended, her close combat specialization would come into play.&nbsp; She'd move a foot behind his leg as the hand on the shield delivered a palm strike.&nbsp; Her arms would then weave outward to open his defense from inside his guard.&nbsp; And then she'd spin and put a foot in his chest, not full strength, but knocking him away.&nbsp; And only after would she retrieve her spear.<br><br>&nbsp; Of course, if he dodged this, she might be forced to roll to the side, using rising kicks to gain distance so she could lay a flurry of spear strikes on his flank.&nbsp; Or perhaps he had an even more unpredictable trick in mind.&nbsp; Whatever the case, she focused on the battle, and not on the fact that both Onyx and Celeste were watching them.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Gardsorm</strong> on <strong>24-01-2018, 06:28:06</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/yp3k1mQ.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Rein Valkard<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds <br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Izzy, Open;<br><hr><hr><br>Overhead... It would have been an easy endeavor to deflect the strike with the shield, but he went with the club instead, catching her weapon with a little less efficiency and safety, but left a wider range of follow-ups available to him. The moment he saw her let go of the spear, he knew she was going to take his advice to heart. Though she surprised him wanting to rush in... She moved the shield out of her way, intending to nail him with an elbow to the midsection, but he tensed his club arm and repositioned himself, catching the elbow between his forearm and shoulder while her spear fell away.<br><br>He wasn't sure what method of counterattack she would go with next, after all she had temporarily let go of her weapon to try and get in closer. Her leg seemed to kick out ready to drop him to the ground, and drop him she did, kicking against the back of his leg and dropping him to the floor. How many scenarios had she planned for in her mind? He perhaps couldn't fathom, but as her foot came in to strike his chest, he swung his club arm out to deflect the limb, pushing it do that it hit the ground instead. He was greeted with a fleeting glance between her legs at best, before she leapt back to retrieve her spear.<br><br>Rolling up, he capitalized on her retreat quickly, wrenching his shield arm out and hurling the defensive inplement like a discus at the doe, before he broke into a near-instant run after it. It was another obvious advancement, she'd likely assume, but sometimes obvious had its place. The shield was aimed at mid level, while he was waiting to capitalize on the direction she would dodge toward to lash low with a sweeping kick.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Op3999</strong> on <strong>24-01-2018, 20:11:41</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://d.facdn.net/art/nuttynut93/1500943414/1500943364.nuttynut93_17._ready_for_action_.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Celeste Bellarose<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds <br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Izzy, Rein, Onyx, etc.<br><hr><hr><br>Celeste smirked as Onyx flitted down.&nbsp; The gator herself had always been on the larger side of the anthro spectrum and outside of the water, that weight was felt.&nbsp; Granted, it was almost all muscle, but Celeste had always been a heavy fighter who had to take advantage of her reach to keep up with smaller, faster opponents.&nbsp; It wasn't quite a weakness, in her eyes, since she'd learned to adopt a different sort of fighting stance to accommodate and her frame left a lot of strength behind her attacks, big or small.&nbsp; What always surprised her, though, was that Onyx was even taller than she was and despite that and all Celeste had gotten used to for people like her, the dragon was as graceful as a dancer in the air.&nbsp; She envied that ability, wishing she could trade her ability to swim to be able to fly for a day.&nbsp; Being able to soar above the world like that.&nbsp; Not to mention the advantage it granted in the arena as well.<br><br>What never surprised her, anymore at least, was the dragon's libido.&nbsp; Lamont liked to say that he was always up for it, but Onyx certainly gave him a run for his money.&nbsp; If they both acted as big as they talked, the two could probably go into a room together and never come out.&nbsp; That was sort of an amusing thought to Celeste and added little extra pep to the smirk she gave to Onyx as the dragon swayed on over.<br><br>"Later, my dear, after lunch."&nbsp; Celeste said, neglecting purposefully to state whether she meant sparring or sex, "I'm interested to see how this match turns out.&nbsp; Besides, Rose must be close to finishing with lunch and there's something I wanted to talk to everyone about after the morning routines.&nbsp; After that, though, I'd love to hear what's cooking in that head of yours."<br><br>Honestly, sparring with Onyx was as interesting to Celeste as fucking her.&nbsp; The gator wasn't as prone to submission as Rose was, but she had learned to abandon certain hang-ups in her time in lower tiers in past houses.&nbsp; The key, however, was that Onyx had willingly come to Celeste's house.&nbsp; They'd never really had a proper fight in the arena.&nbsp; Celeste knew that Onyx was a capable fighter and she was glad to have her in her house, but there was always that nagging feeling.&nbsp; Onyx was an aerial fighter and Celeste had always had a little more trouble with those.&nbsp; Onyx was capable, too, and adding that all together kind of made her the ultimate challenge.&nbsp; That's why she looked forward to sparring with the dragon as much as she did.&nbsp; It sort of satisfied that craving to know what the outcome would've been.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saric</strong> on <strong>24-01-2018, 20:43:34</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/AkrPocX.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Onyx Forgebearer<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Izzy (Mentioned), Rein (Mentioned), Celeste<br><hr><hr><br>Onyx smirked herself as Celeste accepted her invitation but skillfully avoided indicating <em>which one</em>. "No more interested then myself! But now you've got me all curious about what you want to talk to us about..." She gazed at her Alpha through narrowed eyes before grinning again. "As for what I've got cooking... I was just thinking we might go for a little flight and/or swim together... sans clothing!" Her grin was positively wicked now as she respectfully teased Celeste with that mental image.<br><br>Then she, apparently, turned her attention to the fight only to speak conversationally a moment later. "Besides, today is polearm day, but I never specify <em>which</em> 'pole'." The twitch of her lips showed a suppressed smile, but her eyes were dancing freely in mirth.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PrestaDGTation</strong> on <strong>25-01-2018, 00:07:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>Name:</strong> Izzy<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Rein, Celeste (m), Onyx (m), open<br><hr><hr><br>&nbsp; The wolf was almost too unconventional.<br><br>&nbsp; First, he blocked with his club.&nbsp; In her experience, most shield users were creatures of habit, with long hours of training to reflexively block strikes with their shield-arm.&nbsp; She hadn't seen many that would make the conscious choice to block with their striking weapon, least of all in full charge.&nbsp; But this one did, probably expecting her to try to throw one of those devastating side-kicks into him and wanting to have both weapons on defense.<br><br>&nbsp; Second, he used his weapon arm to pin her elbow-strike between his bicep and ribcage.&nbsp; An intermediate grappler strategy, and a good execution considering how she'd rolled inside his guard.&nbsp; It was nothing to get out of it, as she merely needed to extend her arm and the elbow he was trying to pin would slip free.&nbsp; But it did serve to raise the ante on their shared head-game.&nbsp; If he'd managed to pull that off while she was throwing a straight kick, he might have been able to toy with her.&nbsp; It was something she'd need to watch out for.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp; Third, he'd fallen when her leg went behind his.&nbsp; The point of putting her leg there wasn't actually to trip him, so much as it was to keep him close, locking his footwork so she could maintain contact with him.&nbsp; It was possible she'd executed it wrong, catching his knee instead of hooking his thigh, and buckling his balance.&nbsp; Or, it was possible that he'd decided to take the fall to get away from her close-range game.&nbsp; Either way, the set up for that kick she'd been hoping to land was undone.<br><br>&nbsp; He raised his club to bat away her kick, but she wasn't eager to strike him on the ground.&nbsp; Spinning on her hoof, Izzy made for the fallen spear.&nbsp; She turned back to face him before she bent down to get it, but that's when the shield collided with her stomach.&nbsp; She'd been certain there was enough time before he climbed to his feet for her to get the weapon.&nbsp; And even as she lurched from the impact, the irony of being hit with a thrown shield was somewhat amusing.&nbsp; He'd been doing so many unpredictable things in succession that, well, she hadn't seen that coming.<br><br>&nbsp; He'd already sprung to his feet, closing in rapidly.&nbsp; Her fingers curled around the shield, watching him until he gave a mid-dash tell that he was going low.&nbsp; As soon as she saw it, Izzy's hooves left the ground and she flipped backwards, landing a few feet backwards onto the roll of her shoulders.&nbsp; In one motion, she drew her knees up to her chest, and then sprang from the ground again, hurling both legs out in a very damaging-looking kangaroo kick.&nbsp; She expected him to dodge it.&nbsp; Well, she hoped he'd dodge it, seeing as how she was carrying his shield now.<br><br>&nbsp; One of several things was about to happen.&nbsp; Either he'd take the hit, which would probably end combat for the day.&nbsp; Or he'd dodge to either side, at which point she'd try to zing the shield off of his chin.&nbsp; Or she might sail over him completely, in which case she'd twist and to bring the whole shield clanging down on his head.&nbsp; No matter the outcome, her hooves would be looking for solid ground as soon as she started descending, eager to put one leg on the soil and putting the other in his general direction.&nbsp; She was an agile little tart, and if she managed to touch ground, she didn't doubt that she could dance away.&nbsp; Not to mention, unless he disarmed her, she had his shield now.<br><br>&nbsp; Goodness, if he could fight with a club and a spear..?&nbsp; She honestly wondered just how many tricks he had.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Gardsorm</strong> on <strong>25-01-2018, 01:46:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/yp3k1mQ.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Rein Valkard<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds <br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Izzy, Open;<br><hr><hr><br>The game continued, the wolf grinning as the shield made contact with his opponent, closing the distance for a low sweep. However, Izzy was fast on the reaction, not affording him much time with the distraction to capitalize on it. No sooner than she sprung back to avoid the low sweep did she spring forward again with both legs outstretched. This was going to hurt for sure if it connected... Two hooved feet coming in for one focused strike, and without the shield, blocking it wouldn't be an option.<br><br><em>'Leaves nothing to chance... Were this a real fight, this would be dangerous to folow up on.'</em> he thought bitterly. Instead he traveled low, allowing her to travel over him, bringing the club up to strike her as she passed. However, she seemed to possess a similar thought, intending to using her newly-acquired shield to strike him in the head, instead used to block the club. He slid past, tossing the club from his left to his right hand before looking down to grab her spear without a second thought, whipping the weapon around one-armed in order to deter a follow up.<br><br>He certainly hadn't been expecting it, but the swing of the spear made contact with her leg, the force deadlocking with the limb for the briefest moment before he dropped the weapon, moving in while using the club in his right hand to prepare to engage the shield. She would likely dance back, but if she were savvy and a little bit daring she could have leaned forward to use her antlers to deter him. Nevertheless, he stopped short once he closed in, taking a deep breath.<br><br>"That's enough for now, I think... If we keep this up, you're going to bruise me like a banana." he remarked, before he dropped the club a moment later to adopt a neutral stance. Shaking his arms and legs, he gave the doe a friendly nod. "I like your resourcefulness, how well you plan, and how quickly you adapt when those plans change. Those qualities will take you farther than just simply knowing how to use what you've got on hand." he continued, before looking to the villa, stomach grumbling.<br><br>"A good little romp always gets me feeling hungry after..." he sighed, forgetting the awkward choice of words for the moment as he moved toward the bucket of water nearby. Reaching down to pick it up, he held it out to her to have the first fill, whether to drink or cool herself off with. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SeraphAzriel</strong> on <strong>25-01-2018, 04:42:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o597/Seraph_Azriel/7f9f893c-0ae3-4923-9219-3cc175a8a14f_zpsro9ibc8a.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Lamont Carolinius<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Kitchen<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Rose<br><hr><hr><br>The little fennec hybrid's words fell upon his being like the headsman's axe on a traitor.&nbsp; A loud groan followed by further blinking.&nbsp; Such misfortune had befallen a son so mighty!&nbsp; So keen of intellect!&nbsp; How could fate rend such cruelties upon one so beleaguered and vulnerable?&nbsp; There of course more verbose lamentations to follow upon the current squalor of his being which were abruptly put to a pause as Lamont watched the young woman stop at the decanter of ebony fluid, draw forth a vessel which she duly filled, then proceeded to inundate that ambrosia with an amount of sugar sufficient to reform the cane from which it had been milled.&nbsp; A blink.&nbsp; Of a most profound astonishment really.&nbsp; Especially at the unanticipated metamorphosis which ensued.&nbsp; In her past state she had a passing resemblance to some manner of fable regarding the living dead.&nbsp; Now she seemed most akin to an untamed zephyr as she gusted across the gallery with a manner of ambition most...disturbing.&nbsp; The little creature was so absorbed in her tasks and surroundings that she all but collided with him.&nbsp; Lamont could still but only manage a stare of flabbergast.&nbsp; <br><br>Then, it came.<br>A flood of proportions that could only be likened to biblical.&nbsp; A torrent of words that swelled up and beyond the small villa to crash down upon unfortunate Lamont, the great waves sending him forth tumbling and twisting tween trough and crest.&nbsp; Too...much...&nbsp; Far too much without some manner of stimulant with which to buoy his mind's being that he might take in and understand the great deluge that suddenly accosted the poor, weary traveler.&nbsp; A dexterous hand reached forth to place a solitary digit upon the end of her muzzle and lips.&nbsp; "Pray, cease but a moment."&nbsp; With the opposite's brother he found the vessel containing his salvation, a boat with which he just might be able to find passage through this storm.&nbsp; The mercy was drawn into a small cup nearby, which the aristocrat drained with the professional airs of one quite familiar with bending an elbow.&nbsp; The effects were akin to the redemption of a long suffering penitent.&nbsp; Young Lamont might have shed a tear and whispered, "Amen."&nbsp; Least such might have been the case were he cut of a religious kind of cloth.&nbsp; Matters of the spirit proved to be a breeding ground of all manner of assorted prudes, his experiences had found.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>"Now."&nbsp; The gatekeeper withdrew his presence.&nbsp; "Forgive my abrupt halting of your cadence, but your profundity of talk was ill-timed.&nbsp; I have had no preparation for such exercises at such a ghastly hour."&nbsp; Seeing as the duelist now had both hands free, yet more of that scalding divine grace was brought forth to his cup.&nbsp; "Now that I am repossessed of my wits, allow me to reply, if I may."&nbsp; Another gulp that burned all the way down.&nbsp; "To posit answers to the queries in order.&nbsp; I sought some manner of mental stimulant that I might too partake of the daylight as my fellows do.&nbsp; It bears me great sorrow that victuals for the mid-day meal have yet to be finished."&nbsp; The rat considered that perhaps he should have partaken of sweet Morphius' embrace a bit longer yet as he might not have to wait.&nbsp; Yet, there was more replies yet he owed her.&nbsp; "I can extend aid but I profess that I've yet to perform such work myself.&nbsp; I am possessed of a disposition used to being waiting on, you see."&nbsp; Perchance if the matter extended more into liqueur or other pastimes of dubious nature, these were well within his expertise.&nbsp; A nod,<br>&nbsp;"I've hands enough to grasp, arms enough to bear the weight, legs that walk well enough.&nbsp; I'm certain that this request I can most certainly grant within my...admittedly petty means."&nbsp; A hand was brought forth.&nbsp; "Nay, I've perhaps stolen enough of your time with my addled wits.&nbsp; Though I would appeal for the locations of these libations afore I bungle future attempts."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PrestaDGTation</strong> on <strong>25-01-2018, 05:56:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>Name:</strong> Izzy<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Rein, Celeste, Onyx, Rose (m), Lamont (m), open<br><hr><hr><br>&nbsp; She would remember this particular exchange as the one that defined the battle.&nbsp; She'd vaulted over him, her twin hooves soaring into a kangaroo kick as he went low to avoid it.&nbsp; She twisted in midair, trying to bring the shield down on his head, while he twisted upward from the ground, trying to club her.&nbsp; The two weapons rang against each other in mid-air.&nbsp; All of the tactics leading up this point, and the fact that neither of them was willing to let a potential strike get away.&nbsp; And the fact that both of them were impressed with one another, improving one another slightly just from this short bout.&nbsp; All of that meant less than the wordless, nameless feeling she felt.&nbsp; That moment in a fight when combat takes you somewhere higher.&nbsp; That 'drug' that Ludis and Izzy had once chased together.&nbsp; It was a fleeting, wonderful moment.<br><br>&nbsp; Her hooves hit the ground, spinning her back to face him.&nbsp; She hissed as he brought the spear whirling around, clipping her leg.&nbsp; He pressed his advantage, dropping the spear and charging forward with the club.&nbsp; She was in a new spot, her mobility momentarily hampered and her hands filled with a newer, more unfamiliar weapon.&nbsp; Even so, she moved forward, not back, eager to close the range and see how he'd handle with only the club.<br><br>&nbsp; However, his stance changed as he moved.&nbsp; Izzy slowed as well, reading the tells that he was done before he even said them.&nbsp; It was a nice place to stop, she thought, although she had to chuckle at the idea that she was going to bruise him.&nbsp; Patting her stomach, she shook her head and smirked.&nbsp; In terms of who won, she thought, it was clearly his victory.&nbsp; She'd downed him twice, but both times he'd gotten back up almost instantly, and in ways she didn't predict.&nbsp; He'd also managed to land the only really solid blow.&nbsp; She didn't envy herself later.&nbsp; Taking a good whack to the stomach and then immediately vaulting into a kangaroo kick had a price.<br><br>&nbsp; Still, he complimented her on her strong points.&nbsp; In reply, she gave him a respectful bow.&nbsp; "I can still learn a few things from you." she said, her voice lacking any trace of bitterness.&nbsp; It was a high compliment.&nbsp; It wasn't that she saw him as the master and herself as the student.&nbsp; But if there was one thing she'd learned in this life, it was that everyone had something to teach.&nbsp; This wolf happened to have something she wanted to learn more about.&nbsp; She gave him a smile, and moved to put the shield back on the weapon rack.<br><br>&nbsp; Rein mentioned that a good romp always made him hungry, and Izzy gave him a side-long glance that felt more characteristic of her.&nbsp; It would take more than one practice round to knock that chip off her shoulder, but if that was his goal, there was evidence he'd made some kind of progress.&nbsp; He offered the bucket to her and invited her to take the first drink.&nbsp; Izzy held up her hand, and continued putting the weapons back in their proper places.&nbsp; A nice gesture, refused only because she had her priorities in a certain order, and wanted to see the training grounds clean before she relaxed.<br><br>&nbsp; Of course, putting the weapons back took her in the direction of the two resident reptiles.&nbsp; Celeste was watching, and Izzy gave her a nod as their eyes met.&nbsp; She hadn't lied earlier: whatever else she thought of this place, Celeste was worth a chance.&nbsp; She had a vision that spoke to Izzy on many levels.&nbsp; That and, being massive grappler like she was, Izzy was eager for their one-on-one's.&nbsp; Of course, then there was the other reptile...<br><br>&nbsp; <em>"Today is polearm day, but I never specify which 'pole'."</em><br><br>&nbsp; ...and Izzy gave her a look that could wither a tree.&nbsp; Her 'mistress' was a mess of bad habits held together with scales.&nbsp; Izzy set the spear and club back in their proper places, and decided that the aforementioned relaxation wasn't about to happen out here in the training grounds.&nbsp; She spared a glance for the dragoness, little more than a bitter, taciturn acknowledgment of her presence, and then moved to find something else to busy herself with.&nbsp; Food did sound good, as Rein had dubiously but accurately pointed out.&nbsp; Perhaps Rose needed some help.&nbsp; "I'm going to check the kitchen."&nbsp; Izzy mentioned as she moved past Rein.&nbsp; Her tone was even, but the look on her face made it clear that she needed a moment.<br><br>&nbsp; Knowing how Rose was, Izzy probably wouldn't even get through the door before she burst out of it, jittery from extremely strong coffee and extremely weak chemical resistance.&nbsp; But if she saw her and neither of them were splayed onto the ground, she'd offer to help her.&nbsp; Funny, she thought.&nbsp; There were six of them.&nbsp; Oh, right, the loquacious black rat.&nbsp; He had the same problem with daylight that Rose did, if she remembered right.&nbsp; But unlike Rose, with whom Izzy shared a <em>rather</em> close proximity, she'd had very little to do with the refined rodent.&nbsp; She wondered where he might be, at this hour..
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Gardsorm</strong> on <strong>26-01-2018, 00:13:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/yp3k1mQ.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Rein Valkard<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds <br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Izzy, Celeste, Onyx, Open;<br><hr><hr><br>"What am I to you, toast to be buttered up?" Rein remarked with a toothy grin, though she passed up the water in lieu of helping to clean the area up. Thankfully it was only a few weapons, but her diligence was admirable. He would have done it himself if she hadn't taken the initiative, but she certainly came off disciplined enough to seem to know to do things at her earliest convenience. If he knew she felt like he'd been the winner of the fi g t, he would have been quick to disagree. If he hadn't ended combat where he did, he would have likely seen a much more ferocious side of her... Victory after that point was suspect at best.<br><br>Seated on the bench, Rein splashed his face with a soft sigh, relaxing before he leaned to lap the liquid up a bit. Izzy approached a moment later, stating she'd check the kitchen, before he nodded. That tone hid displeasure and a need to vacate the courtyard for some reason. "Got it... Just be careful if Rose had her coffee, she might talk circles around you." he finished with a smile, remembering the first time it happened to him. He'd been the slowest on the uptake when it came to understanding her while she was hyped on caffeine. Standing ulright, he looked about the courtyard to see why Izzy had been just a bit bothered. <br><br>"Yeeeaaah, that'd do it..." he mumbled quietly, but waved a hand to Celeste and Onyx. He approached the two a moment later, bowing his head to the pair. "How long have you two been here?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>jeflint</strong> on <strong>27-01-2018, 10:58:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://orig00.deviantart.net/144a/f/2016/179/9/f/llyra_whitebirch_by_jeflint-da80fm7.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Rose Dandy-Ba<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Kitchen<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Lamont, Izzy<br><hr><hr><br>Rose stared wide eyed at the tall rodent who had put his fingers to her muzzle to silence her. Not an unfamiliar method of silencing her for a moment but what helped to further silence her was the manner and speech that Lamont had. Born of common birth she’d never had a chance to interact with those above her station much. To be standing trying to converse with one of those now was daunting. Even if this fur was supposedly on her level because he had been won in a fight against Rein they were not equals. Could never be equals.<br><br>“I-it’s ok,” she mumbled slowly, trying to slow herself. Her ears flattened back against her skull and her mismatched eyes looked away. &nbsp;“I-I’ll get them. You should head into the staging area by the arena. The food is almost ready.” She quickly stepped back curtsied and moved towards the door. She’d been trained to remember her place. Her entire life was a constant reminder that a commoner, a poor kid who grew up in the warrens, had no right interacting with those of noble birth. Even in the workshop she’d been fortunate enough to get into they had made it clear the importance of hierarchy. Lamont despite his current situation as being bound to Rein was supposed to be on her level. The joke though was on Rose if she thought that they were still on equal footing. Lamont had probably had teachers and studies and opportunities. Rose had never had a formal education and after learning to read had devoted herself in the workshop to making things. Things that would maybe one day earn her a glimmer of the respect the upper echelon’s held on a day to day.<br><br>Rose rounded the door and being much lighter than the doe bounced off her. She looked up at her fellow tiered fur and gave a weak smile. “Is practice over? Please tell everyone I’ll have everything laid out in a moment. I just need to fetch the refreshments.” Her normal chipper attitude was much more subdued, as if the coffee had already run through her system. With the doe standing the door as tall and as opposing as Lamont she really couldn’t move. Trapped between the proud noble of birth and the prideful and stubborn fighter Rose felt small and inconsequential. That she was just a servant among the greats. This really was where she belonged. Serving her betters. &nbsp;“E-excuse me.” She slipped by Izzy walking away towards the wine cellar. The Alpha would be waiting. Onyx and Rein would be waiting. Waiting on the dutiful servant that Rose had been groomed to be.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SeraphAzriel</strong> on <strong>29-01-2018, 03:14:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o597/Seraph_Azriel/7f9f893c-0ae3-4923-9219-3cc175a8a14f_zpsro9ibc8a.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Lamont Carolinius<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Kitchen<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Rose, Izzy<br><hr><hr><br>From her downcast expression and differed eyes she drew forth a blink of bewilderment from the duelist.&nbsp; This information was most certainly quite different from that which had been asked.&nbsp; The change in her were so sudden that it gave the young man something of a fright.&nbsp; Perchance had his presence in her kitchen put a damper upon her spirits?&nbsp; Then followed by the due process of the plebeian to the patrician.&nbsp; Ah.&nbsp; Mayhaps his presence was perhaps placing the burden of class upon her being.&nbsp; Though...his status here only held the title and influence of 'gladiator'.&nbsp; The rules did forbade him from utilizing any such resources from his family, lest he hold some unjust circumstance against those with lesser means.&nbsp; Far too early in the morn was this quandary of class and status to his liking.&nbsp; <br><br>The rodent parted lips that he might issue forth some manner of gentle chastisement to the fennec, yet before his discourse had any manner of chance to take shape did he espy the other new member of this erstwhile fellowship.&nbsp; Giving an inclination of his head (as was the polite greeting) did Lamont intone, "Good dawning to you, friend.&nbsp; I hope that it might find you in better humors than it so finds me at this outset."&nbsp; It occurred then to him that perhaps in the interests of public modesty that he might tighten up the laces afore he made embarrassment of himself.&nbsp; Course in light of Izzy's own particular lack of coverings of any notable worth, the aristocrat found that of the pair of him he might perhaps be the more clothed.&nbsp; The realization drew a grin to his lips, somewhat dispelling the gloom that his other compatriot's plight had cast.&nbsp; Ah, but there was still yet that matter to address!&nbsp; "Pray Rose, would you hold for a second that I might trade soft words with you?"&nbsp; There was the thought that perhaps he might reach a hand out to still her movement, and yet the manner from which she had faintly recoiled from his presence made the man think the better of such force.&nbsp; T'were better that he might see to her 'pon her own terms that to attempt forcing his own.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PrestaDGTation</strong> on <strong>29-01-2018, 06:37:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>Name:</strong> Izzy<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Rose, Lamont, open<br><hr><hr><br>&nbsp; Izzy moved briskly, her muscles still warm from the exertion of fighting Rein.&nbsp; She was cross, but that was mostly because of Onyx, and of the thought of having to share a table with her in the very near future.&nbsp; She'd promised Celeste that she'd give the dragon woman a chance, but it was difficult, for several reasons.&nbsp; So far, Izzy had managed to get only as far as accepting that things could be worse.&nbsp; Onyx was craven to the point of being cruel, but her tastes were less malicious than other many possibilities.&nbsp; It wasn't much, but it was something to start with.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp; Still, Izzy did have several things to look forward to.&nbsp; Lunch was always a pleasure, or at least the food was.&nbsp; Rose was unpredictable in that regard, and Izzy thought she had good taste.&nbsp; Perhaps it was only because she'd been here for less than a week, and hadn't had the chance to sample some of Rose's more questionable concoctions.&nbsp; And then after, there was more training.&nbsp; Izzy was eager to get a first hand look at what Celeste could do, and she also wanted to build something to improve her leg precision and dodging.&nbsp; She'd mapped out the starts for it yesterday.&nbsp; All that was necessary was to construct it, which was training on its own.<br><br>&nbsp; It was with these thoughts that she opened the door and felt Rose bounce off her.&nbsp; The hybrid was a small thing, but even then Izzy reflexively put a hoof behind her to steady herself.&nbsp; The problem was that Rose wasn't moving that fast, and she wasn't even chipper, as a post-coffee Rose would usually be.&nbsp; She spoke in a slow, subdued way, asking her for a small favor and then meekly trying to slip past her.&nbsp; Izzy gave her a strange look, and then turned her gaze to Lamont.&nbsp; She was still cross, but now had the suspicion that the verbose rodent might have done something to her fellow servant.&nbsp; Her lips curled into a scowl, as he greeted her.&nbsp; A mouthful of words, almost unintelligible in their grace.<br><br>&nbsp; "That depends.&nbsp; What happened here?" she spat, putting an arm on Rose's shoulder and holding her in place before she ran off.&nbsp; She didn't know him well enough to have any longstanding bitterness towards him, and didn't disrespect him for being a blue-blood.&nbsp; Izzy was simply a prickly person, and one that felt strangely protective of Rose.&nbsp; Even she wasn't sure why, although she had some unvoiced suspicions.&nbsp; She waited for an answer from Lamont, who seemed momentarily enamored with how little Izzy was wearing.&nbsp; Something that, once again, didn't engender him to her.&nbsp; It wasn't like she wasn't on display here, with Onyx's fingers inside her and going out of her mind, often enough.&nbsp; Had he not seen?&nbsp; Was he an eager audience?&nbsp; She wasn't enjoying the thought, and her expression said as much.<br><br>&nbsp; He did reach out a hand to her, offering Rose some soft words.&nbsp; Which sounded like he wanted to work out whatever had happened.&nbsp; Izzy looked down at Rose as well, her expression waxing confused.&nbsp; Then at last, she shook her head.&nbsp; She didn't know what was going on, and didn't really have the patience to decipher Lamont's aristo-babble.&nbsp; "I'll get the drinks." she muttered, moving around Rose and to the store-room.&nbsp; "You two go ahead outside."&nbsp; If Rose asked if she knew what was needed, she called back as she moved down the steps:&nbsp; "Pale stuff, stout stuff, good wine, bad wine, coffee, and flavored water.&nbsp; I watch."<br><br>&nbsp; Assuming no one stopped her Izzy would traipse down and grab everything.&nbsp; She was grateful for just a moment alone, and pondered bringing up lemonade or something equally asinine for Onyx.&nbsp; But she decided against it.&nbsp; Being rebellious was no excuse to be petulant.&nbsp; She'd be back outside presently, probably when the others were gathered to the table, or perhaps sooner..
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Op3999</strong> on <strong>30-01-2018, 10:30:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://d.facdn.net/art/nuttynut93/1500943414/1500943364.nuttynut93_17._ready_for_action_.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Celeste Bellarose<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds <br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Onyx, Rein, Izzy<br><hr><hr><br>Celeste smirked at Onyx's remark.&nbsp; The dragon was such a sexually charged individual, it was almost enough to make the gator worry that her priorities were a bit misplaced.&nbsp; It was true that that thought had crossed Celeste's mind and if she were being perfectly honest, the subject was one that had troubled her in the past.&nbsp; One the main reasons that she'd accepted Onyx into the house was due to her prowess, the skill and power that she stood to add to it and the possibilities of Celeste actually teaching her a thing or two.&nbsp; That wasn't terribly hard to believe, either, that Onyx, as a dragon, was an invaluable asset to the house.&nbsp; Dragons occupied a unique position among the populous, as rare as they were, not only having the ability to fly, but foregoing the smaller, lighter frames that most conventional fliers had.&nbsp; Agility power and, in Onyx's case, talent.&nbsp; But in truth, how often did she actually train with a real, wooden pole-arm and did that time rival what she spent with the other kind and her "pets"?<br><br>Celeste would soon find out.<br><br>She had plans and as Rein and Izzy finished and Celeste was able to give the doe a solemn nod as she walked past, she knew that now was a good time to implement it.&nbsp; Each fighter in the group had immense potential and an already large fount of skill.&nbsp; They also had flaws, but they were young.&nbsp; Celeste had hers, but she'd had time to put extra armor on her problems and learn how to deal with them.&nbsp; That was her role in all of this.&nbsp; Teaching the others how to work with their weaknesses to become better fighters than they could've become alone.&nbsp; After all her years fighting tooth and nail to get her own house, this was the true test.<br><br>"A nude swim?"&nbsp; Celeste asked, turning her eye back to Onyx, "You have my attention.&nbsp; I think you'll also find that my skill with pole-arms is formidable."&nbsp; She gave the dragon a certain, unmistakable bedroom stare, the likes that Onyx may not have seen in quite a while, at least since Rose and Rein joined the group and continued in as sultry a voice as ever, "Either kind."<br><br>Then, as Rein approached, Celeste gave a nod to him as well, "But I imagine you'll be busy.&nbsp; Might not have the time for things like that.&nbsp; Not after today, anyways."<br><br>Celeste intended to both tease Onyx and stoke her curiosity as well.&nbsp; She also hoped that Rein would hear the tail end of their conversation and that his, as well, would be piqued.&nbsp; That way, with all that was going on and with Onyx just finishing her training, Rose could finish lunch unhindered, for once.&nbsp; To be honest, it was starting to get Celeste excited and in more than just the carnal fashion.&nbsp; She was eager just to get started.<br><br>"Not long, Rein."&nbsp; Celeste answered the wolf, "I didn't catch the beginning of your bout, but you two had me hooked and not just for the fighting."&nbsp; She was a sucker for a good, honest, arena-style match, "I was pretty interested to see how you handled giving her advice.&nbsp; Izzy can be a tough nut to crack,"&nbsp; Celeste said in the confident knowledge that all three of the high-tier members of the house would agree, "But I see we've each found our own ways of getting through to the other side.&nbsp; Keep it up."&nbsp; She said with a smirk.<br><br>"Now, should we head in or..."&nbsp; Celeste stretched, showcasing her feminine curves, but also her barbarianesque form, bulging with reptilian muscle, tough but ready to strike in the blink of an eye, "Would one of you like to get your asses kicked, first?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saric</strong> on <strong>30-01-2018, 21:04:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/AkrPocX.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Onyx Forgebearer<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Izzy (Mentioned), Rein (Mentioned), Celeste<br><hr><hr><br>Onyx could almost see the questions passing through her Alpha's mind and chuckled, she'd actually fully intended to work out with a halberd today, but the doubts and double thought she inspired in the powerful woman before her pleased her greatly!<br><br>Onyx took the time to give Izzy a smoldering look of approval as she left, proud of her prickly Pet for conversing with and learning from a warrior like Rein. Then she focused once more on the crocodile(?) beside her. "Oh yes! I was thinking we could 'swim' as a <em>pair</em>... it would certainly promote <em>teamwork</em>..." She met the bedroom eyes stare with one just as hungry even as she teased her with the mental image of their naked bodies pressed together in the water and working toward a common goal!<br><br>As her Alpha nodded to Rein, Onyx smiled her thanks to him as well, grateful that he'd taken the time to work with her newest Pet. Then her attention was caught by those teasing words. "Oh? What's going to take up so much time I can't spare an hour or two for my Alpha's pleasure?" She glanced over at Rein. "I only landed recently, but I've been watching from the sky since the beginning." She left unsaid whether that was the beginning of the <em>bout</em> or of the <em>training</em>.<br><br>At Celeste's taunting stretch and question Onyx slinked over closer, nearly touching her Mistress and looming over her as only she could among the household. "I prefer to have your <em>hands</em> all over my ass... but I'll settle for whatever I can get! I think I'd rather have such an <em>energetic</em> match <em>before</em> I eat. If it pleases you?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Gardsorm</strong> on <strong>30-01-2018, 21:59:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/yp3k1mQ.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Rein Valkard<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds <br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Celeste, Onyx | Izzy, Rose, Lamont mentioned, Open;<br><hr><hr><br>Though he had only really caught the tail end of the two scaley figures' conversation, the fact that Celeste seemed to have something in mind for them, unless it was just one person. "We've got work? That sounds promising." Rein mused, trying to keep his tail from wagging too much in happiness and amusement over having something to do... Maybe. It wasn't even a guarantee yet, but whenever Celeste had work for them to do, he was ready to put himself to use.<br><br>It seemed that Celeste and Onyx hadn't been there for very long, but Onyx admitted to watching everything from above. He couldn't discount the dragon's great eyesight from up above, able to see and react in ways those that were landlocked could not. It also explained why Izzy seemed to be in a foul mood quite a bit, but that wasn't something he wanted to bring up. He had ounces of respect for the dragon despite her hyperactive libido, though she was perhaps braver than him, able to boast about her sexual fantasies with their owner <em>to</em> their owner. Almost nothing could stop her free spirit, but in fact, maybe nothing should have. It was good to be free, wasn't it?<br><br>Celeste's mentioning of Izzy simply left him sighing with a nod. "She's got some buried damage that no one is going to be able to help her overcome that quickly... But she's plenty capable without that. It's silly how I can heal some minor wounds with no trouble but I can't heal emotional scars like that." he sighed, before shaking his head. "Best place for us to start connecting is engaged in battle... I guess it's just an old habit of mine, I tend to build trust while trading blows." He grinned, though winced a bit.<br><br>"She's a sweetheart but she hits like an angry rhinoceros when she wants to... Would have broken a few of my ribs if I tried taking that last attack of hers head-on." He added, focusing on his palm as he let the hand slowly roam the parts that had been hit during training. It was part of what made him, him now... All out offense wasn't his identity anymore, not after he'd been given new views of the world back in prison. Slowly, he began to tend to the wounds unseen by the naked eye or the exposed bruises, mitigating their ugly presence and slowly banishing them from his form.<br><br>Watching Celeste stretch temporarily removed Rein's focus, however, as their alpha's form was boldly displayed to them. Beautiful and curvaceous, yet strong and built... She was one of the greatest examples of a perfect blend of beauty and strength, a notion that Onyx seemed to want to embody as she strength too equal to Celeste to display her own form proudly. Pulling his tongue back into his mouth, he rolled his head a bit before smiling, pathing his arms and legs down. "Izzy may have roughed me up, but I can't say no to continued training... But it wouldn't be right of me to deny Onyx a chance to stretch some, so as the request goes... Ladies first." He mused, moving to take a seat on the bench. With Izzy back inside checking on Rose and Lamont, it kept the outside free of a tense atmosphere.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>jeflint</strong> on <strong>06-02-2018, 02:44:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://orig00.deviantart.net/144a/f/2016/179/9/f/llyra_whitebirch_by_jeflint-da80fm7.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Rose Dandy-Ba<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Kitchen<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Lamont, Izzy<br><hr><hr><br>The tall deer was quick to put her hand on the hybrid’s shoulder and she stopped, not looking back at the other inventor. The two had shared some very intimate moments and she felt like Izzy might know her better than some of the others. She wasn’t like the fierce fighter but they did share some of the same emotions and ideas and more importantly the same Mistress, though with Izzy that wasn’t seen as a good thing necessarily. Rose had become more accepting of it, and perhaps it was her more submissive nature that allowed her to live more comfortably under Onyx than Izzy. She’d heard stories about the deer, had even seen the fight between Onyx and the other inventor. It had been the idea of the dragon to make Rose watch from the pit with her. She’d really rather have been anywhere, fighting wasn’t her skill and she really didn’t like to be reminded that all of her victories had been luck instead of real skill.<br><br>The little fur nodded as her fellow tier declared she would get the drinks she nodded. Before she could even turn around to ask the gladiator if she knew what the order was she was offering up the answers in a crisp voice that spoke that she did indeed watch. That made her feel better about her hard work. To know that someone was paying attention to her hard work that she did every day. She could hear Lamont behind her, her hearing was sharp enough to know how much empty space was between the two furs. Slowly she turned towards his outstretched hand. “Yes m’lord?” she asked, her tone quiet. Servants and those other low class beings that Rose had been birthed from didn’t have the right normally to talk to someone of the rat’s origins. On this tier or not he wasn’t her equal. He’d been born into nobility, had teachers and had been born into a role that would afford him nearly anything. To be in the pits was his choice. For Rose it had been slavery or death. Like anyone she’d chosen to fight in a chance to earn her freedom. It wasn’t until the first month that she realized how a daunting task that was in the gladiator. There were a few other furs her size but they were highly defensive or strong enough to make other furs reconsider fighting them. Not her. She’d not been trained for anything like that. And had she not been stealing food from the workshop as a youth she’d never have been put there to work off her debt.<br><br>She gave the noble a look from under doeful mismatched color eyes. “Is there something you need done?” she moved into a curtsey. They’d had nobles come into the shop and it was when they were ordered something that they wanted to check up on. That was the best days for Rose because they got whatever scraps were leftover would be their dinner. She didn’t like how they were made to slow down their work so they’d look clean for the nobles but she could put up with it for the extra food that she always got. Food was given to the hardest workers and no one was a harder worker than Rose in the workshop. Her diet of sugar and coffee pretty much settled that since she didn’t really sleep much at night being nocturnal and basically frebased that stuff when she was forced to be up during the day. And the headaches when she abstained were so bad that sometimes she couldn’t see beyond the blinding light in her blue eye. Always blue, never the yellow. She gave the noble a gentle smile. “Perhaps you take issue with the food I have prepared for you, I can change it. I think I hear the sounds of the Alpha challenging one of my betters,” her tone was soft so as to not offend.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Op3999</strong> on <strong>14-02-2018, 14:02:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://d.facdn.net/art/nuttynut93/1500943414/1500943364.nuttynut93_17._ready_for_action_.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Celeste Bellarose<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00-ish AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds <br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Onyx, Rein<br><hr><hr><br>It was true.&nbsp; Onyx could definitely loom over Celeste with her superior height, but the alpha seemed to handle the treatment rather well.&nbsp; Her single eye, slitted and rimmed with gold, gazed up into the dragon's eyes, a subtle smirk on her lips as she kept her own full height, making sure that Onyx had to keep up the effort to stay over her like that.&nbsp; Celeste was tall, but there were many taller still and as with seemingly everything else, a little experience went a long ways.&nbsp; What was new to her, though, was just how aggressively sexual the dragon was, even now.&nbsp; She'd never had anyone beneath her risk punishment like that, but then, Onyx didn't have much to worry about in that department, did she?&nbsp; Celeste wasn't that kind of alpha.<br><br>A hand lifted up and a single, green digit stroked underneath Onyx's chin affectionately and Celeste chuckled, "You're so cute, you know that?&nbsp; Getting close enough to grapple might get you what you want in the long term, but it is my specialty, you know."<br><br>With that Celeste turned and headed towards the weapon racks, generous hips swaying as she walked.&nbsp; The gator knew exactly what she was doing and how to <em>properly</em> motivate Onyx not with promises, but suggestions of what could be.&nbsp; She knew just how the curve of her back drew down to her rear, obscured by her tail only enough to show the green cheeks separated by a thin, almost nonexistent, piece of leather.<br><br>As far as weapons went, Celeste was a pretty defensive fighter.&nbsp; It was true that keeping a shield up was hard work, but someone good with it knew not only how to be an impenetrable wall, but an elusive one as well.&nbsp; After all, just because you had a shield didn't mean you had to take every hit that was thrown at you and every miss was more wasted energy on the part of her opponent.&nbsp; It was just a tool like any other and, in some cases, a weapon.&nbsp; If it became a disadvantage, she'd toss it aside and leap in, defaulting to her unarmed style of grappling and submission holds.&nbsp; In this case, she chose a wooden scimitar and a good, round shield.&nbsp; She also snagged a few extra shields and, on her way back dropped all but the one she wanted in a pile outside the ring.<br><br>"Whenever you're ready."&nbsp; Celeste offered after a brief stretch, raising her shield and peering over top of it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saric</strong> on <strong>15-02-2018, 00:11:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/AkrPocX.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Onyx Forgebearer<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Rein (Mentioned), Celeste<br><hr><hr><br>Onyx just grinned and chuckled at her Alpha's teasing affection. "Perhaps I find your touch pleasing enough in the short term to make up for any... unpleasantness in getting to that 'long term'?" Then she stood and watched, just as she knew her Alpha intended, as Celeste sauntered over to get her weapons. Only once she was armed and still once more did Onyx lift her eyes from Celeste's hips to meet her eyes with a teasing grin of her own, before turning to sashay over to a weapons rack herself. She armed herself with one of the long wooden staffs with a block on the end, meant to simulate a halberd or lucerne hammer, then returned to the sparring area with the same exaggerated movement, weapon casually leaned against on shoulder but with her elbow hooked around the handles to that she could swing it down instantly against an attempt to catch her off guard.<br><br>Once in position Onyx took a wide stance with her weapon held in a two-handed grip diagonal across her body, allowing for blocks or attacks from ether end or with the middle, much like a quarterstaff, but with the 'live' end at the upward angel where it can be swung down into a strike.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SeraphAzriel</strong> on <strong>15-02-2018, 06:22:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o597/Seraph_Azriel/7f9f893c-0ae3-4923-9219-3cc175a8a14f_zpsro9ibc8a.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Lamont Carolinius<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Kitchen<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Rose<br><hr><hr><br>Lord?&nbsp; T'were a most strangely archaic title to be placed upon the shoulders of one so unfitting for the role.&nbsp; A frown played across his lips, displeasure most obvious.&nbsp; They had but traded a few words yet in mere moments had it seemed that he'd all but whipped her into subservience.&nbsp; That doe-eyed look both unnerved and frustrated him.&nbsp; A conundrum in which it seemed he could neither make his own intent or feelings known, nor reason with the girl.&nbsp; A sensation akin to that of speaking heatedly against the likes of a brick wall in the hopes that the structure might see the light of reason and move from one's path.&nbsp; Such a stubborn opponent now that he faced down!&nbsp; Would that it were of an armed and armored variety rather than such a timid maid that might collapse should be breath too hard in her direction.&nbsp; <br><br>"Nay.&nbsp; T'is more my intent that perhaps some manner of accord might be reached between us that you won't settle eyes upon me as a dog cowers before it's abuser."&nbsp; Yet still did the woman persist!&nbsp; If it were her aim to drive him to vexation her progress was most considerable towards her goal!&nbsp; "Certainly not!&nbsp; Such victuals I find most agreeable with my own particular palate."&nbsp; That was likely the most offensive comment lobbed against him of all!&nbsp; "Dear, sweet lady, I've no intention nor desire to observe the enforcement of determined standards a'tween us.&nbsp; Rather I would find such a thing most to my liking to regard you as perhaps one of my peers, companions, and comrades in arms together within this ménage.&nbsp; Has this request perchance planted purchase within your person?"&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Gardsorm</strong> on <strong>16-02-2018, 00:14:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/yp3k1mQ.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Rein Valkard<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds <br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Celeste, Onyx | Open;<br><hr><hr><br>This would certainly be an enjoyable watch, Rein mused mentally. While their alpha and his equal proceeded to arm themselves and prepare for the battle ahead,&nbsp; he took the time to refill two buckets of fresh water for each combatant along with a towel for each. He knew the two of them are very fierce fighters, and likely neither was going to give much of an inch for the other to try and win. Their alpha held dominance over them, and it would likely be that way... But Onyx was a dragon, and dragons had their pride. Whether she would ride that in her battle to pull a win or not remained to be seen.<br><br>Rein moved back to the bench, seating himself and sighing in relaxation, soaking a towel in his own bucket before patting himself down and stretching. Once the fighting was done, he would help address any wounds suffered... Whixh, at best, would probably be some minor bruising. "Good luck to the both of you." he smiled toothily. If there was one thing he enjoyed, it was watching two strong females fighting in all those delicious, physical ways. It was a guilty pleasure of his and a big reason why he enjoyed women that could fight over those that could not. No matter whether it was direct combat, or creative, improvisational... A woman of the arena was a woman he enjoyed.<br><br><em>'Behave now, Rein. Simply watch and learn'</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>jeflint</strong> on <strong>20-02-2018, 02:56:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://orig00.deviantart.net/144a/f/2016/179/9/f/llyra_whitebirch_by_jeflint-da80fm7.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Rose Dandy-Ba<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Kitchen<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Lamont, Izzy<br><hr><hr><br>“If that is m’lord's wish,” Rose said, her voice still containing the tone she’d had before. “If it’s your wish for us to be companions then we shall be.” She wasn’t really inclined to become the rat’s partner in the manner that he intended, his libido was well known, but rank had been established. Celeste was an alpha, Onyx and Rein where her beta’s and under the beta’s were their beta’s and on their level by breeding, intelligence and schooling there was only a logical choice for who was the superior and it wasn’t her. And if a superior ordered it then it was something that had to be done. She gave a small curtsy again as she acknowledged the former noble.<br><br>And for the umpteenth time Rose wished she’d been in her laboratory. At least there she felt at ease and confident in her abilities to create and help her betters. That had always been her calling to be the support for the others. The chores were annoying because they were to be done in the middle of her night and it took away from inventions but she was good at following orders. Why shouldn’t she have been? She’d been in that life for many years and it was what she was accustomed to. There had been the foreman; there had been the team leads and specialists. Rose had always wanted to be a specialist. Underneath the foreman but allowed freedom to invent whatever came to her heart. She smiled lightly turning to look up at the noble.<br><br>“Shall we adorn to the garden? It sounds as if Celeste and my mistress are sparring.” From here she could hear the mild grunts which really with Onyx could have been anything really. She was insatiable in her carnal acts. A mild blush crossed her face as she remembered the evening with Izzy, Onyx and her, the deer resisting as she always did and Rose giving into the pleasure. As Rose always did. To resist would be simply denying the pleasure of the experience from yourself to give in meant that you got to enjoy and move with the crowd. Did she have the high drive as her mistress? No, but her body was super charged with a nerve agent that made her more sensitive and Onyx knew it and Rose both cursed and loved the effects it had on her. She didn’t know what would happen when she hit her heat period and she was almost afraid for that period. A time when her womb would cry to be filled and bred. To create more of her kind. If that was even possible. Hybrids like herself were a rarity and not enough study had been done on their breeding to publish papers.<br><br>She offered the larger mammal her hand. “This way, m’lord.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SeraphAzriel</strong> on <strong>24-02-2018, 05:15:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o597/Seraph_Azriel/7f9f893c-0ae3-4923-9219-3cc175a8a14f_zpsro9ibc8a.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Lamont Carolinius<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Kitchen<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Rose<br><hr><hr><br>Her reply had all the enthusiasm and charm of a government forum.&nbsp; This little creature was indomitable.&nbsp; He had never before faced down such an impassable obstacle, a rock that wouldn't budge for anything less than a tempest likely.&nbsp; The irritation bled forth from the rat as the leaky levee loses the reservoir held back behind it.&nbsp; There was simply no victory that he could possibly grasp here.&nbsp; Damn the hegemony of the class structure of their society.&nbsp; Lips pursed as actions were considered then discarded.&nbsp; Here he was plying a ship betwixt great stones which might send the threatened vessel 'neath the waves with little room for error.&nbsp; <br><br>"Prithee lead on, young mistress.&nbsp; Onwards to the Lady."&nbsp; A larger paw was laid upon hers, though his spirits were dampened.&nbsp; He'd hardly spent time with any member of the company and already was being made to remember home.&nbsp; Would that all resemblance to such a place be dispelled in a clap of thunder!&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PrestaDGTation</strong> on <strong>05-03-2018, 02:58:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>Name:</strong> Izzy<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Cellar &gt;&gt; Training Grounds<br><strong>Tagging (or Mentioning):</strong> Rose, Lamont, Onyx, Celeste, Rein, Open<br><hr><hr><br>&nbsp; "..such victuals?" Izzy muttered to herself, gathering the wine.&nbsp; Good grief.&nbsp; If this guy's tongue had more honey on it, he'd need to be checked for bees.&nbsp; And Rose wasn't much better.&nbsp; Even from down in the cellar, she could hear the hybrid's voice wading through that hyper-formal meekness she took on when she got nervous.&nbsp; Izzy had been ready to charge back up and beat the black off the rat's fur if he tried anything, but it was clear that neither was a threat to the other.&nbsp; She rolled her eyes, reaching for a bottle of beer and listening as they made their exit.<br><br>&nbsp; "Ah, fair maiden." she grumbled, her accent matching Lamont's as she put the coffee on.&nbsp; "Perchance, hath thine oculars imbibed the location of my fucking thesaurus?"&nbsp; She hoisted a clean bucket and started dragging it through some ice, filling it with cold crystals. "I am quite loathe to enter a bloodsport when bereft of such a tedious tome.&nbsp; Ohhh, verily!"<br><br>&nbsp; Placing her fingers to lips, she bent her knees and clamped her thighs together, adopting Rose's voice.&nbsp; "Oh, my lord.&nbsp; I'm afraid you are eating it, my lord.&nbsp; I hadn't replaced the lettuce this week, and had to make do.&nbsp; D-does it displease you?&nbsp; I-If you like, can use the pornography Onyx is always reading?"<br><br>&nbsp; Izzy crunched the ice as she set the wine and beer into the pail, carrying on.&nbsp; "Blast.&nbsp; Damnation.&nbsp; Humdinger and et cetera!&nbsp; Without that ponderous pile of papers, stitched at the spine to support my speech, my verbose vernacular shall surely fall to ruin!"&nbsp; She snapped her fingers and spun on her hoof, moving to find the bottle of flavored water, all while making an exaggeratedly drunk sounding voice.&nbsp; "Daah, muh word good is become pain."&nbsp; And, grabbing the bottle and losing all attempt at accents, Izzy stated flatly:&nbsp; "And Onyx doesn't read pornography!&nbsp; With all that fucking, where would she have the time!?"<br><br>&nbsp; She crunched the bottle of flavored water into the ice, her eyes wide and angry.&nbsp; She took a deep breath.&nbsp; The others didn't know about this side of her, the theatrical doe that danced around the kitchen.&nbsp; Actually, there was a lot the others didn't know about her, just yet.&nbsp; Celeste knew the most, if she had to guess, but even she'd never seen her wearing a gypsy style skirt and playing with cubs.&nbsp; Or the extent of her curious religious fixation.&nbsp; Exhaling, she looked down at the five bottles chilling in the ice, and moved her gaze to the percolating coffee.&nbsp; Little outbursts like this one were necessary to keep her sanity, but she was sincerely hopeful that no one else had heard that.&nbsp; Not that she cared if she offended the black rat, but Rose was somewhat more fragile.&nbsp; And she didn't want Onyx getting any role-play ideas.<br><br>&nbsp; She grabbed a few glasses and placed them in the ice-filled pail as well, before grabbing a saucer, a mug, and thick towel.&nbsp; She shut off the heater and grabbing the freshly minted jug of coffee.&nbsp; This all done, she moved slowly up the stairs.&nbsp; She heard some sort of scuffle going on, no doubt another pair was already sparring.&nbsp; Onyx, most likely, if the swooshing was any indication.&nbsp; Her eyes had already settled into a glare before she'd even gone through the door.&nbsp; But that expression softened slightly as she saw Celeste was the one doing battle with her.&nbsp; If she'd known that, Izzy thought, she wouldn't have spent so much time brewing the coffee and making fun of speech.&nbsp; Any chance to watch Celeste in the ring was a good opportunity.<br><br>&nbsp; She moved to the table and set down the bucket of drinks, happy that they would have time to cool.&nbsp; She placed the pot of coffee on the towel and made sure everything was decently neat, before heading to the side of the ring.&nbsp; Rein was especially interested in the fight, and Izzy took a seat next to him, giving him a glance before staring attentively forward.&nbsp; Izzy was a high-agility ground fighter, and Celeste and Onyx both had unique advantages over that style.&nbsp; Her fist clenched a little as the spar went on, eager to glean any weaknesses or tactics.&nbsp; To say nothing of there being a certain, unadmitted beauty to watching the two scaley females battle..
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>jeflint</strong> on <strong>11-03-2018, 03:48:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://orig00.deviantart.net/144a/f/2016/179/9/f/llyra_whitebirch_by_jeflint-da80fm7.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Rose Dandy-Ba<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Kitchen<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Lamont, Izzy, Rein, Onyx and Celeste<br><hr><hr><br>Rose’s petite paw was encircled in Lamont’s large one, causing a nervous little chitter to escape from the hybrid. Companion. He had said it. He wanted a companion. She almost let out a noise when she heard Izzy’s voice, a bit of an echo meaning she was in one of the vaulted ceiling rooms. Her ear pivoted in that direction as she could hear the doe and was more than a little surprised by what was said. Both in the tone of her performance and the sounds she made. The gladiator had apparently spent enough time with Rose to get most of her verbal mannerism down.<br><br>She didn’t know all the words that Izzy was saying, her education had been pretty straightforward for the lab and hadn’t put a lot of time into reading or English. Just math and science. She turned her ear away from the doe’s position and focused on Lamont. There would be a time later, if she were brave enough, to speak with her fellow about why she thought it was best to make fun of the two of them in private.<br><br>As she walked next to Lamont she focused on listening to him, his heart, the way he breathed, the way he moved. She listened to the whisper of his paws touching the ground, the slight slip of his tail against his slack, the constant drumming of his heart in perfect time as they stepped. Every noise she listened too as she racked her brain for what a companion was to do. The rumors were a bit racy but she’d done more with Onyx and Izzy than most of those rumors. But it was said that Lamont was insatiable in his quest. Could she keep up with him?<br><br>She wasn’t the most physical of specimens here. Onyx, Izzy and Celeste were in leagues well apart from her own. She had curves to be sure, and she was proud of her curves. But whereas Celeste was a curvy well muscled Amazonian. Onyx was even more physically impressive and under the soft padding there was hard draconian muscles. And Izzy was all lithe, taut death killing muscles. She on the other hand was soft and flabby, her muscles were developed but they weren’t nearly as toned as the other women in the compound because she merely wanted to invent not fight. Fighting was something that could get you hurt, possibly killed. She’d been lucky to have never been in that situation. But she still worried about it.<br><br>As they came to the courtyard Rose’s mismatched eyes went wide seeing Celeste and Onyx dueling in the open yard. She knew her owner wanted to play with, in many ways, Celeste but to see the two of them going at it reminded her of just how far outmatched she was. “My lord,” she breathed. “Please be careful, they are skilled fighters but they are our betters and should not be disturbed.”<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Gardsorm</strong> on <strong>12-03-2018, 20:26:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/yp3k1mQ.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Rein Valkard<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds <br><strong>Tagging:</strong> <em>Interacted:</em> Izzy, Rose, Lamont | <em>Observed:</em> Onyx, Celeste | Open<br><hr><hr><br>Well, this match up certainly promised to not disappoint the wolf, who felt his blood stirring once more at the thought of combat, albeit not as much as when he'd been engaged earlier. Still, these were the two titans of their group going head to head with each other for a spar, and if there was one thing the wolf enjoyed as much as getting in a spar, it was watching his ranked equals and betters spar as well. He had to admit though, sometimes watching Onyx and Celeste fight, it made him feel... Not worthy of being where he stood. Perhaps it was all in his mind though, lulls in combat tended to do that for him.<br><br><em>'Letting the edge go dull, as it were... Hmph, you're just overthinking this, Rein. Now shut up and watch two beautiful ladies throw down... The only way this would be better was if there were some more spec-'</em> He spoke in his mind, until he felt the bench shake likely, turning his head to see a familiar doe sitting beside him. The two shared the briefest of looks, before the knowledge of something more promisingly impressive to bear witness to drew their eyes back toward the ladies locked in combat. He knew how much Izzy didn't seem fond of Onyx, but maybe it was surpassed by a likeness for Celeste? Or at least a need Ro observe how the two fought...<br><br>Soon, she was accompanied by a familiar fenmink and a rat, the former of which who spoke in that soft, vulnerable voice he came to expect from her. She may have been the physically weakest of the team but she was creatively one of the most powerful, if not the most. Her engineering and know-how often left him st the mercy of her wondrous gadgets, and even piqued his curiosity if she could perhaps make something for him... Before that could occur, however, he had to submit himself as a willing test subject for her, something that didn't normally come easy for her as a request due to his rank. Given that he suggested and often consented to it, however, that was usually enough to hopefully dispel any initial concerns.<br><br>"Haha, some things never change... I wouldn't worry too much, Rose. As eager as she was about this, Onyx will be fine." Rein smiled, folding his arms as he leaned back a bit to get a better look at Lamont, flashing the rat a toothy smile. "Hey, there you, my man. You sleep lovely today? You look like you just rolled out of the sheets a little while ago."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Op3999</strong> on <strong>19-03-2018, 21:13:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://d.facdn.net/art/nuttynut93/1500943414/1500943364.nuttynut93_17._ready_for_action_.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Celeste Bellarose<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00-ish AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds <br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Onyx<br><hr><hr><br>Onyx's choice of weapon was a good one.&nbsp; Anything that kept someone like Celeste at a distance was a decent choice in this case considering her focus in hand-to-hand and extreme close-quarters combat.&nbsp; Something Celeste had observed of Onyx was her skill in many different kinds of weapons.&nbsp; This allowed her flexibility, but kept her from taking the time to get as experienced in one kind of weapon as many of the others were.&nbsp; If Onyx had, herself, chosen a sword and shield to fight Celeste's the gator would've been confident about coming out of the fight without a scratch on her, but the choice of the pole-arm was one that was going to keep her on her toes.&nbsp; She had to admire Onyx for that because as much time as she spent memorizing Rose and Izzy's bodies, she certainly knew her stuff in the arena, too.<br><br>However, if Celeste didn't know how to handle herself against an adequately armed opponent like this, she never would've made it to alpha in the first place.&nbsp; As useful as that flexibility was, Onyx was by far not the only one to take that route in the whole of the coliseum and for the gator's part, she'd also encountered those who specialized in pole-arm combat and fighting over that distance.&nbsp; She made it as far as she did by going that extra step further.&nbsp; She knew how to fight at a disadvantage.<br><br>First, she knew not to keep her eye solely on the hammer.&nbsp; It was above her and that turned her eyes away from Onyx herself.&nbsp; Onyx knew as well as Celeste that the actual, physical weapon was not the only one in the fight.&nbsp; A shield was meant to defend, for instance, but many newbies had found themselves at the bottom of the heap due to a good, strong shield-bash.&nbsp; So, Celeste watched Onyx's hands instead.&nbsp; She kept her gaze on center mass, keeping all of Onyx at least in her peripheral, or what peripheral there was with just the one eye.<br><br>Celeste started the match by lunging, moving towards Onyx with shield raised and sword at the ready, watching the hammer as well as Onyx's body for hints of a telegraph of where she might be attacking, ready to attack and opening or defend where needed.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saric</strong> on <strong>20-03-2018, 23:36:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/AkrPocX.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Onyx Forgebearer<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Rein (Mentioned), Celeste<br><hr><hr><br>Onyx watched the charge and timed her swing carefully, it would look like it was meant the simply try and bash the shield out of the way to reach Celeste's body beneath, but the moment she was sure Celeste's own shield was blocking her view of the weapon Onyx would speed her swing up a bit, hoping to throw Celeste of guard against a blow from above that never came and the head of the staff, where the spike on a halberd would be, suddenly appearing before her eyes!<br><br>Knowing it was unlikely to fully catch the more experienced fighter completely off guard Onyx also positioned herself to be able to move back without compromising her balance, recognizing that she had the advantage only at a distance and preparing to maintain her own.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SeraphAzriel</strong> on <strong>23-03-2018, 03:26:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/o597/Seraph_Azriel/7f9f893c-0ae3-4923-9219-3cc175a8a14f_zpsro9ibc8a.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Lamont Carolinius<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Rose, Rein, Celeste, Onyxs<br><hr><hr><br>Lord.&nbsp; Such a vaulted exaltation that seemed as to be pearls being placed upon the swine that was his being.&nbsp; Lord.&nbsp; He might have outwardly scoffed were he not wishing to scare away the coy companionship of his current comrade.&nbsp; As if perchance that there may be something noble within his meager accouterments and rakish ways.&nbsp; Of course such a matter t'were insignificant at the spectacle at hand.&nbsp; A fight, a scuffle.&nbsp; Granted that it were but a facsimile of what the young aristocrat craved, but it was pleasing nonetheless.&nbsp; Careful?&nbsp; As if it were that in their spectation that they, the audience, mayhaps come to some manner of harm?&nbsp; Doubtful.&nbsp; Both combatants were adepts savvy to their craft.&nbsp; Though the connotation of 'betters', as if there were to suggest some innate quality within their clandestine possession that allowed them special privilege felt nigh familiar.&nbsp; An overpowering sensation of deja vu.&nbsp; Lamont rankled at it as the cream spoiled in hot weather.&nbsp; In perhaps something of a fit of contrarian childishness did he cup his hands bout his muzzle and did so loudly declare for all to hear, "Pray smite the cheeky aerial squamata so hard round the brainpan that she might feel the aftereffects next year!"&nbsp; The rat grinned at the rather nobbish jab he'd so saucily laid forth.<br><br>The rodent's gaze was then moved to properly regard his owner.&nbsp; A wolf of some quite handsome looks and pleasing proportions, the only mark against him being that Lamont had the edge in stature.&nbsp; The slight bit of tension rippled through him as he affixed Rein with a knowing gaze. &nbsp;"It is as you say.&nbsp; The greater the pity being my solitary figure was the only one to leave those sheets."&nbsp; Despite the fact that according to the regulations laid forth that Lamont was bound to obey the directives given by his possessor.&nbsp; Sadly it seemed that such missives were lacking in both volume and mass as Rein truly had yet to order much of anything of the rat.&nbsp; Apart from his general presence being available within Celeste's accrued territory of course.&nbsp; Not to mention that neither of the other members that made up the small hierarchy within their estate had made much use of him in general, although such a state of affairs seemed natural as Onyx's interests in copulating with her own two cessioners seemed to preclude...well, anything really.&nbsp; Celeste herself likely had her claws full managing the estate, as well as her little pack of gladiators to make much use of her two right hands, much less those lower on the proverbial ladder's rungs.<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>jeflint</strong> on <strong>10-04-2018, 03:31:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://orig00.deviantart.net/144a/f/2016/179/9/f/llyra_whitebirch_by_jeflint-da80fm7.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Rose Dandy-Ba<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Kitchen<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Lamont, Izzy, Rein, Onyx and Celeste<br><hr><hr><br>Rose didn’t understand anything the educated rodent had said and her mismatched eyes searched his for some understanding of what squamata was. She turned to regard the lupine who could in theory command yet never been on the level of the noble. “I wasn’t worried about my Mistress, Master Rein,” she said formally. “Nor of the Alpha.” Her voice was soft but amused. “Though Mistress is concerned with other activities she is a skilled opponent. She took down Izzy and I’ve seen you two spar.” In truth that had been a nice relaxing day for Rose. She'd been a lull on her creative process and so she'd sat in her apron watching the two skilled fighters practicing. She didn't fully understand how they fought or what they were doing but she'd watched and then she'd taken their equipment and provided them with water. It had been a good day until Onyx caught her alone in the bathroom. She didn't dislike when the dragon took her, she did dislike the lack of mobility afterwards which only seemed to delight the dragon.<br><br>Her paw gripping Lamont’s just a bit harder as she squeezed. “The blows so loud they penetrate my very being.” Her ears swiveling as she tracked her Mistress’s every move with her tail. Every motion heard with her sharp ears. “That one will hurt,” she mumbles with her eyes turning away from the combat. She turns to look at the wolf. “I don’t know what would ever propose anyone to wish to fight one another,” her voice was soft and she didn’t look at the gladiators. It wasn’t her place to understand what drove her betters only that she was supposed to serve them.<br><br>Her eyes were drawn once again to the fighting between the two scaled combatants. A blush crossing Rose’s face when she considered that all this was going to do would be to make Onyx horny. Not that she wasn’t always horny, she was pretty sure that was something draconic. But it got her blood going and that was something that she could be thankful for. She licked her chops and smiled. Maybe she’d get to watch Celeste assert dominance completely over the dragon during the other bout.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Op3999</strong> on <strong>11-04-2018, 01:23:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://d.facdn.net/art/nuttynut93/1500943414/1500943364.nuttynut93_17._ready_for_action_.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Celeste Bellarose<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00-ish AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds <br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Onyx<br><hr><hr><br>So, Onyx was essentially going for a feint, to catch Celeste off guard and then use that momentum to attack where she wasn't defending.&nbsp; It was a good idea although feints were a little harder to perform with pole-arms like that than smaller, lighter weapons.&nbsp; It wasn't something Celeste was expecting, but that didn't mean she wasn't prepared for it.&nbsp; There were two mistakes someone holding a shield could make.&nbsp; They could hold the shield too far from their body, which would make it harder to block attacks and easier to swat away or they could hold it too close, obscuring their vision and making it easier to hit anything that wasn't where the shield was.&nbsp; In the latter, blows against the shield were easier to take, but the loss of vision could often prove deadly, so an experienced fighter found a middle-ground.<br><br>That didn't stop Celeste from blocking some of her vision, though.&nbsp; What tipped her off was that the blow didn't come when she'd have expected it to.&nbsp; That's what told her that it was a feint and in a moment so short it could only be explained by reflex honed over decades, Celeste dropped back a little, forcing Onyx to extend further and giving her a little more time.&nbsp; A slight movement of the shield and she pushed forward again, centering the pike of the hammer on her shield, angling it and pushing back to throw the hammer to the side as she took the opportunity to take a few more steps forward and close as much distance as she could, lowering herself to the ground as well to keep herself as small a target as possible.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Saric</strong> on <strong>11-04-2018, 04:00:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/AkrPocX.png)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Onyx Forgebearer<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds<br><strong>Tagging:</strong> Celeste<br><hr><hr><br>Onyx is thrown off by the lack of contact just as she was trying to throw Celeste off, but she recovers swiftly! She dips the hammer as it's pushed to the side, threatening to hook Celeste's feet and ankles to slow the reptile woman as she danced backwards herself. She then pulled back the hammer and launched a couple of jabs at Celeste, being careful to avoid over-committing to any of the attacks.<br><br>She then went for the hook, attempting to catch Celeste's shield and pull it to the side, she expected this to fail but was ready to use Celeste pulling her weapon out of place with her shield to suddenly close and launch a shaft strike, hoping to get in a good hit with such a reckless double bluff.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>PrestaDGTation</strong> on <strong>12-04-2018, 06:05:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<strong>Name:</strong> Izzy<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Cellar &gt;&gt; Training Grounds<br><strong>Tagging (or Mentioning):</strong> Rose, Lamont, Onyx, Celeste, Rein, Open<br><hr><hr><br>&nbsp; A lot of respect being shown, Izzy noted.&nbsp; She hadn't seen Onyx fight very often, granted.&nbsp; But cautious and nuanced weren't words that the doe often associated with her so-called owner.&nbsp; She was bold and willful, enjoying adding mind-games to her natural aerial advantages to win the day.&nbsp; The fact that Onyx and Celeste were effectively trading feints right now was a curious development.&nbsp; Izzy's eyes narrowed, her attention almost completely on the fight.&nbsp; So, there was more in that reptilian head than sexual fantasies, after all..<br><br>&nbsp; "Pray smite the cheeky aerial squamata so hard round the brainpan that she might feel the aftereffects next year!"<br><br>&nbsp; Annnd that broke her focus.&nbsp; Izzy rolled her eyes, casting a withering stare to the black rat as he assumed the role of the peanut gallery.&nbsp; She'd heard the crowds shout for blood, or describe the intricate ways a skull could be fractured, or suggest various things that should be forcibly inserted into an opponent's anus.&nbsp; But Brainpan and squamata weren't among the words she'd heard crowds use.&nbsp; "Squamata?" she repeated, blandly.&nbsp; She didn't know what that word meant, but it sounded squishy and wriggly.<br><br>&nbsp; She looked at how Rein and Lamont spoke, her mouth curling as if tasting something sour.&nbsp; If only she'd lost to him instead, she thought.&nbsp; Then she'd have an 'owner' who asked how she'd slept, instead of constantly bedding her.&nbsp; She was a little jealous, to be honest.&nbsp; The rat clearly had the better deal than she'd gotten.&nbsp; Although, her thoughts wandered a little as she saw Rose walking among them.&nbsp; She watched the three of them for just a moment, trying to place exactly how she felt about them.<br><br>&nbsp; And then Rose ruined it.&nbsp; “Though Mistress is concerned with other activities she is a skilled opponent. She took down Izzy and I’ve seen you two spar.” Izzy scoffed and turned back to the fight.&nbsp; Izzy was curiously silent as Rose began exclaiming about which blows would rattle her bones, the fenmink sounding much more like that loquacious rodent by the moment.&nbsp; The female was adorable, under most circumstances, but right now she was grating on Izzy's nerves.<br><br>&nbsp; She focused on the one thing in this fight that she wanted to see.&nbsp; Celeste beating Onyx.&nbsp; It was curious, Celeste was the bolder of the two right now.&nbsp; Onyx seemed to be trying to get her to make a mistake.&nbsp; Izzy felt a wry, thin smile tease the edge of her lips, hoping her alpha would be victorious.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Anthro Coliseum (Story Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Gardsorm</strong> on <strong>20-04-2018, 09:18:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/yp3k1mQ.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong> Rein Valkard<br><strong>Time:</strong> 10:00 AM<br><strong>Location:</strong> Celeste's Villa, Training Grounds <br><strong>Tagging:</strong> <em>Interacted:</em> Izzy, Rose, Lamont | <em>Observed:</em> Onyx, Celeste | Open<br><hr><hr><br>There it was, that oh so eloquent manner of speech the rat managed to talk in and yet never twist his tongue with. Rein was more than likely a bumpkin compared to him, as far as his manner of speech was concerned, but he never let that stop him. "Hah, I suppose waking up alone would be a downside, wouldn't it? You could always request Rose for a night if you wished, though you'd have to ask Onyx about that... And you might not really get her untouched, either." Rein frowned, unsure if that would really make a difference to the rat or not. It never really did to him, though he didn't spend much time unleashing himself on the fenmink either, barring a bit of foreplay before Onyx had her way.<br><br>Looking to Rose as she replied, he shut his eyes. "I do have to hand it to her, that she can balance sating her lusts like that and still hone her abilities for battle, Onyx has some profound skill management... Though Mistress Celeste is no slouch either." he nused, that one being a more familiar encounter for him in many regards. The crocodilian woman knew her way around grapples and pins, as well as how to manipulate them when it came to fun times. "SometInes I feel like Onyx has the leg up on me when it comes to skill, and so I tend to be forced to resort to less direct measures to throw her focus off enough to try and pull a win." he continued... It was anyone's guess what he had to do, but it was probably unwholesome.<br><br>Rein cast a look at Izzy as she seemed to inquire about the reason Lamont called Onyx what he did, before he grinned. "Innocent little insult; As I can only assume given I'm no scholar, squamata are probably some manner of scaled critters. One thing is for sure, he has a very colorful way to taunt and demean his foes... You should have heard what he called me during our earliest encounter." he smirked toothily.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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