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"Temper, temper," Asyria lifted her paw and waved one toe from side to side as the larger lion sneered. She wasn't a small lioness by any measure, but the Firekin were most certainly a mighty species in terms of height. That being said, their tall stature didn't necessarily mean they were automatically capable of besting her, it all depended on the manner in which they chose to fight. At the moment, this particular lion seemed to be full of bluster - all hot air, but if he was truly this hot headed in battle then she could simply dance around him.

"You may say that you do not take on just anyone, but I have been watching these lands for a very long time," she pursed her lips and briefly glanced over her shoulder, casting a glance at her home that lay some distance away. "And this is the first time that I can recall you letting quite so many in," she narrowed her eyes and stepped closer, though she maintained a respectable distance from him.

She had no problems with squaring off against anyone, the Corporal would be no exception.

"So whether you care to admit it or not, your circumstances have changed slightly," she paused and glanced towards the Corporal's son, then back towards the disgruntled lion. "Accepting foreign blood en mass, typically indicates that you are more open to accepting 'just anyone'," she shook her head and lowered her paw.

"However, if you wish to dance and this is regarded as one of your traditions," she gave a small nod. "Then we shall dance; unofficially of course, so as not to insult your Regent." She finished, acknowledging Heti's concerns.

Asyria lifted her brow further at the Corporal's outburst, he was decidedly easy to provoke and one might be so bold as to assume that if the wrong person overheard, he might get himself into a spot of trouble. Nevertheless, it wasn't for her to judge the inner workings of this pride, she had no idea how it worked yet. Suffice to say that while he might bluster and inadvertently insult his Regent, this may be something forgiven and put down to his natural disposition.

...Sometimes, tempers such as his could be accepted in light of other immeasurable qualities. That aside, there was something about his indignant response that she simply couldn't ignore. He was much too easy to toy with, at least in this type of environment.

"So you are changing the terms of the duel," she replied smoothly, her tone containing just the slightest hint of a drawl. "Your immediate challenge was 'here' and 'now'," she shook her head. "Perhaps it is you that needs to learn some respect given that you dismiss your Regent's views with such ease -"

A pause followed.

"You are in luck, I will accept your change in terms, if only to ensure that your Regent's instructions are adhered to," she said at last and motioned with her paw. "Come, I will show you how to dance respectfully, you may learn a thing or two in the process..."

When the ashey female finally responded he felt taken aback, he'd said all the right things what was wrong with her? Shrugging his broad shoulders he rolled his eyes and chuckled. What could a girl do after all? They were smaller, weaker, they were girls after all. His mother had said to him all the time girls should be cared for and protected. It was hard for him to pull away from those beliefs because despite his avid boredom with his family, they had without a doubt raised him with care. That care had simply skewed his perception of the world a bit.

He watched as she rose to her paws but rather than stalk away she volunteered to fight. "Good luck princessa " he settled himself further in to a more comfortable position to watch the match. He hoped she wouldn't be pitted against one of these big males that were milling about. It really would have been a shame to see her face mussed up. Still she had other assets too. He watched unashamedly as she stalked in to the ring.

Agni-pariksha stared at Beezlebub, still looking utterly amused by his insistence about not hitting a girl. The Regent was covered in scars, mostly on her body but her face had not been spared in her (relatively short) lifetime as an enthusiastic and talented soldier. That he was bold enough to say such foolish things out loud, especially to her face whether or not he knew who she was, was delightful.

She watched Bri'ehn remove herself from the conversation and stepped up to block her from going farther, still smiling darkly.

"What is your name?" she asked, "You teach that one how a girl fights and I'll let you in."

It wouldn't be the first time she'd broken the rules lately, and it was a huge show of confidence in the grey girl. Bri'ehn wasn't wrong to say a lioness was more than a pretty face. Beezlebub could win but around here he wouldn't win without a fight, and that would be enough for Agni-pariksha. Enough to happily let her skip right on over having a proper joining duel, even if it meant training her herself for a while.

Hiba made a face while watching the exchange, simultaneously disgusted and amazed. He had been grown when he lost his mother but he never forgot her, and since losing his father he had spent so much time with his sisters.. even a short time with them and their daughters was enough to keep his mind from going down that narrow path.

He finally took a seat to watch what happened next, as surely many others did too. The loud-mouthed lion had to have no idea who was laughing at him, and the fact that the Regent didn't immediately try to rip him to shreds was amazing. Another thing he hadn't expected in the Firekin.

They really, absolutely were not mindless killing machines. It gave him some hope for his future here.

Almost as if out of nowhere, a bright red lioness appeared in the group at the Guard Post. She had been watching the squabble escalate with enthusiasm and was finally compelled to join in the fun. She was practically beside Heti when he turned his attention back to his post, but she was watching Azar and Asyria go with a smile on her face.

"She should do well here," she commented brightly, twitching her ears at the sound of Dam'adhra and Wook talking quietly nearby. She turned to look them over, too. They had conflicting attitudes about what just happened. That was too bad, she thought it would be a good show.

Now she just had to make sure she didn't lose track of where they went. There had to be a good spot to watch from the Guard Post.

The blood red lion listened as the big lioness spoke to the smoke gray female. She had power to grant the female entrance in to the pride? Why wasnt he getting the same offer? He grumbles quietly and gets to his paws moving towards the two females.

"Include me in the conversation there ladies. I need in too you know?"

Amidst their murmuring his purple eyes caught the gaze another lioness, a vibrant red - traditional firekin, who had made it clear with her glance that she perhaps didn't agree with their opinions. No matter.

Wook lifted a paw and waved away the apology. "I haven't the foggiest." He admitted to her. "Wouldn't have been my first choice, had I been the one to choose it." The lion gave a great laugh - in all truth he hadn't thought of his name as nothing more than a name. Perhaps one day he'd seek out a meaning, but today was not that day.

"I'm sure we could find a spot - the Corporal wouldn't hog such a pleasure to himself." He mused slightly, taking on a more appropriate attitude towards the matter. In the end, yes, he had been alarmed at just how quickly things had escalated, but he did find joy in witnessing such a fight - it was sure to be a good one.

Wook watched the vibrant red lioness who had given the group of them a glance, would she find the 'arena' first? In seconds he realized that although the battle was going to be a large event - perhaps the largest of this particular day - maybe he ought to remember the goal of today as well. Rogues. Plenty of them had begun to seep into the prides lands.

So it was either seek out the battle of a day or feed the army of tomorrow - without leaving them unintended. Had he said the words out loud perhaps he'd have realized just how far above his pay grade he'd been thinking, but alas his thoughts remained just that, thoughts.

Outwardly Wook appeared to simply be standing there, gazing now, at the rogues that had come to pay their dues and earn a chance at a lifetime on the Sands.

Heti, with yet another deep sigh, nodded gingerly at the conversation between Wook and Dam'adhra. His father, at least, had given onlookers something to talk about.

He offered the female who had moved up to join them a welcoming smile and agreed with her observation. "Just between us, I think that's why the corporal was hard on her. She'll make a good Firekin. I won't be surprised if she wins a duel and joins us today." Wouldn't even be surprised if that winning duel was against his father. Azar was never the best of fighters when he was being like this.

Then, remembering his duty, Heti turned his eyes back out towards the horizon. "With one guard down, I guess I better keep a closer eye on things. You might have to move a little further in to get a good view of the goings on."

-----

Bri'ehn dipped her head respectfully and replied; "my name is Bri'ehn and it would be my pleasure to teach him some manners. I have dealt with my fair share of fools in my life. He will be no different." Spoken as if she was old, the female was - in fact - still in her youth.

At that moment, she felt a strange, burning desire to tell them both about her ancestry, but it seemed inappropriate at this time. She did not want to seem to be garnering favour before she had proven herself. What mattered now was her own strength and skill - not the blood of her family. And so she shoved the need away and focused instead on what lay ahead.

She turned as the male approached and snarled, "you need to know nothing except that I will teach you a lesson in respect. You asked for a fight so let us put one another to the test." She'd had a good teacher growing up and there was no way she would want to let him down.

----

Shaak tipped her ears forwards as more newcomers came to gather at the spring. She knew mountains from her youth. Knew their savage beauty and how different and unpredictable their climate could be. The desert, at least, was predictable with its weather - well, mostly.

"Your old pride is gone?" She asked softly, "I am sorry that you have been lured here by such an unfortunate turn of events. There are those among us who have also lost homes. If you do not mind me asking, how did it come to be?"








[sorry again, if I forgot to quote anyone!]