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Creve'coeur had struck out on his first reaving and never looked back. He abandoned his band without a word of where he was going and just kept going. He was not satisfied with what he felt his future would hold for him in the Stormborn. His face told the story to a trained eye. Inherited from Aesir, his eye markings were common in the pride. He was not unique, he was not special, which was not wholly insurmountable of a lot to overcome but... It was too much competition to be unremarkable and mean nothing in his life. Plus it was getting a little bit harder to know who he was and was not related to...

When he reached the desert he figured he'd gone far enough. He'd heard the pride was called the Motojamii– the Firekin. Well, that would probably suit him just fine. He'd heard he would have to challenge a member to a duel, not unlike the Stormborn practice. Also just fine.

The pale lion roared a challenge and waited to see who might accept

[ 1/5 – 2 – glancing attack ] Creve nodded. He was not much of one for words, either. Padding forward to the level ground of the dueling pits, the lions circled one another once, then twice. He took the first move, lunging at the Firekin with claws outstretched. He caught the lion in the shoulder– a fair hit, but not great. Fights were lost when only fair hits were involved. His lunge took him past the lion and he circled on his heels, pacing.

[ 1/5 – 1 – miss] Cyprinnus winced and was knocked off balance. He was more out of practice than he thought. Or this challenger was more powerful than he had estimated. Cyprinnus returned the lash, but Creve leaned back and Cyprunnus’ claws only grazed his cheek– no blood drawn. He grimaced and tried to take a few steps backwards to put some more distance between him and his foe. He hoped things would turn in his favor or else this would be a very long fight for him and probably a very, very long recovery.

[ 2/5 – 3 – a hit / successful attack ] Emboldened by his first (albeit lackluster) hit and dodge, Creve resolved to do better. Weaving and bobbing, he got in closer before lashing out, driving his shoulder into Cyprinnus’ side to knock the wind out of him and get him off of his feet. Creve was younger, stronger and more practiced at fighting thanks to his training to become a Stormborn reaver. The advantage was certainly his to lose. Hopefully his grandfather's god blood would help a bit, too. The boosted size was certainly welcome.

[ 3/5 – 3 – a hit / successful attack ] Surprised and dirty on the ground, Creve got back onto his feet quicker than the older Cyprinnus had managed. The white lion shook the dirt and dust from his mane and grinned in response. He’d have some deep bruising for the next week or two to come but he was confident that he would be nursing any wounds in a new den in his new pride.

Not wanting to play out the tackle-charge, he rose up on his back legs and brought his paws down on Cyprinnus’ body, on the same side he’d just driven his shoulder into. His claws scratched the other male’s side but he wasn’t aiming to gouge or kill the lion. He was having a lot of fun, after all.

[ 4/5 – 3 – a hit / successful attack ] As more of kindness to Cyprinnus, he figured, Creve did not let up on his assault. The sooner he could end this, the better for the Firekin male, he thought. Creve opted to not hit the white and red and black male on the same side that he had been giving such a beating. Instead, he swiped– hard– at his opponent’s head.

He wondered if that would be enough.

[ 1/5 – 2 – glancing attack ] Creve watched him with a piteous look on his face but he tried wipe the expression away quickly. He rushed towards Cyprinnus, but only glanced the other lion’s shoulder, trying to end it mercifully. It seemed even a strong breeze could blow the other lion over, so hopefully this would be enough. The would-have-been reaver wasn't cruel but he was going to win this, he knew.

His golden eyes narrowed as he waited for the splotchy lion's next move.

Creve's chest puffed out a bit with pride.

"Thank you." He was prompted that he had forgotten his manners. He scarcely had any to begin with, but still.

"I'm Creve'coeur. I came here from the Myrsky Syntynyt. I'll consider that– the soldier position." He grinned.

"Sorry I was so rough on you. Couldn't risk being rejected out here in a place like this." He jerked his head to indicate towards the dunes and exposed rocks. He got an understanding nod from Cyprinnus.

"Here, let me help you, brother." Creve offered to let the downed lion lean on him as they walked back to the pride – together.