[mock] Arthas

[Wolfbane]

Since you offered!

This is just a friendly mock, so no consequences (obviously)
I'm fine using traits, but if you'd prefer we didn't use them I'll go for that too
I'll go first!
Normal challenge length (1000 words or less, 3 attack posts)

Stats
Arabian Hybrid
15'1"
Age 2
Wings, Fangs, Invisibility

@[Arthas]

[Arthas]

@Wolfband] I am away until the 29th, I can make a post after that or if you want to do a starter^^

Stats
Arthas
Andalusian
16hh
Age 9
Acid Regeneration

[Wolfbane]

- Are you thinking of me when you love him? -

In the days of his youth, Wolfbane’s father was his mentor. He remembers watching his dad at work, totally focused and almost one with his body, hardly ever calling on the need for his wolf skin or fire ability. There was always something so unspoken and yet dangerous in the shade of those serious, green eyes. When Longclaw stood between newcomers and Tephra, the inhabitants could rest peacefully at night.

Though he’s older now, the striped palomino son still wants that same confidence and aura. Leaving Tephra altogether (his childhood, his family, his everything) had been the first step in that direction; joining Loess the next. Now he feels that identical rush of excitement as his gilded, blue hooves stir the dust of the battlegrounds beneath him: his first real spar was beginning, he could test himself.

Not looking to waste his energy right off, Bane had traveled south from his new home through friendly territory yesterday and hunkered down for the night in anticipation for today’s event. Had he flown here directly from Loess he’d be crippling himself off the bat: his wings would be weak if he wanted to actually use them in defense. So for now, as he plods with wide eyes and on a buzzed brain into the chosen area, Wolfbane keeps both downy appendages tucked closely against his sides.

He heads coastal, lengthening each stride to stretch the muscles along his back. Every so often his eyes are thrown over his shoulder, gauging the distance from where he stood back to the base of the mountains where he’d entered from. Before he can lose shape of the treeline, he stops, turning back so that he can look directly East while keeping the sea at his back. From here, Bane's chances of seeing Arthas approach were plausibly good and so he waits until, at last, the dappled gray King arrives.

Though taller, Arthas is built in a baroque fashion: heavy chest, back, and rump. By comparison Bane is smaller, a lighter version without so much need for support from his legs. He asses his elder for a moment, nodding and adding in a playful, “I hope you got a good night’s sleep, old man!” to set the mood before his smile falters, and then falls altogether. The usually intrepid shine to his eye hardens, and Wolfbane grows serious.

He’s not sure where Arthas might move, it’s 50-50 either Left or Right if he chooses to rush the man head-on and at this point, they’ve got about a good four or so yards between them. For now, the winged Loessian can keep his opponent effectively in his sights but he throws the idea of a ground attack away altogether in favor of a sudden burst of action. In a smooth, practised flick his wings fly open and Bane hunches low, knowing that he has precious seconds to get enough lift before Arthas can close that little distance.

With one flap and a sturdy leap he’s up, still close enough to the ground that should Arthas choose he could possibly land a lower-body hit, but then another gust of his wings pulls him higher and he’s hovering - eyes focused on wherever the gray might have moved. When he feels that his sights are locked on, Bane surges ahead of where Arthas is beneath him and then banks, like moving forward a bit and then suddenly executing a u-turn, so that he can loop around and swoop into a heavy dive. His aim is to pummel the other stallion with a flurry of his hooves - not to crash totally into his new leader - so he lifts just before impact and glides overtop Arthas, legs beating a mad rhythm the whole time as the dappled stallion goes head-first underneath him.

He could hit anywhere along the topline if he’s lucky, but he’s aiming for a good blow to that crested neck. Bane flaps again once he’s cleared the other horse and then the tug of gravity pulls him down to earth; a quick lift-off like his was taxing and not recommended, but necessary. When his hooves touch down the striped stallion skids to a stop and turns, eyes frantic to find Arthas while the Beach now lies directly behind him.

WOLFBANE

@[Arthas] sorry for not noticing your 'Away' earlier!!

[Arthas]

Arthas

Arthas had offered a mock battle to Bane earlier, and he was more than ecstatic the young stallion took him up on the offer. Everyone can benefit from a mock, and Arthas was rusty in battling as it was. The memories of his life in the Chambers flooded his mind, that was the last time he was actively in a warrior caste. As a king it was his duty to remain up to date in his fighting skills, and every equine offers a new perspective on battling.

He entered the grounds, and Bane was already here eager he thinks to himself, a grin growing on his maw. He watched him for a few moments before approaching the young stallion, he scans him over. Bane was smaller, and his frame was more petite although he would be lighter on his feet, quicker than Arthas who's body was heavier. Bane also had age on Arthas, he was younger and this would be his prime time for battles it would prove to be an interesting mock.

Bane kicks off with a joke and Arthas rolled his eyes playfully and a chuckle bellowed from his chest. I surely did, ready to kick your butt he teases. With that Arthas stepped back a few paces, getting his eyes sight on Bane. The palomino stallion hunched down, he gazed at his wings, would he take flight? An interesting starting move he thinks to himself, Arthas swiftly bolts towards Bane approaching from the left. Bane lifts off into the air and before Arthas could stop he finds himself beneath the hovering stallion. He easily could have slammed his body in Arthas, and if it were a real battle that would have been a stellar first strike. Instead the stallion lifts up so that only his hooves would strike the dapple king, he feels a flurry of hooves across his rump, his back legs buckle slightly but he catches his footing before falling.

He continues his canter a few strides before sliding to a halt, he turns to find Bane who was just touching earth from his flight. Now was the time to attack, before he could set his gaze on Arthas. He gallops towards Bane slowing slightly as he was a few paces away from Banes back, Arthas rears up striking his hooves at the stallion, although he would normally aim for the spine since it was a mock he aimed for his rump.

Dangerous Business

@[Wolfbane] I hope I understood your attack correctly :p