[CHAL] Blowing off Steam (Tethys x Ali'dido)

[Epine de Rose]

He was tired, frustrated, but tired.

The lion gave a very large yawn as he rested on the rocks, he wasn't even looking terribly presentable in those moments. His stomach was to the sun and his eyes were glazed in something akin to a basking snake. Alas he was entitled to one or two lazy days, particularly when there was never any guarantee that someone would cross their borders.

Honestly, the vast majority of crossings had been accidental as of late and he had spent more of his time chasing them off than dueling with them. Oh sure, some might have taken them as thralls, but he found that a rather inefficient use of his time. If he wanted subordinates he would recruit them, all his thralls had come under their own steam and would continue to do so. This was his favoured method and it was unlikely to change.

This may or may not have been fortunate for the next lion that stumbled upon their lands. If they had made a mistake then they could run, if they hadn't, well then perhaps his lethargy would benefit them. He was certainly sluggish enough to be taken advantage of at the moment...but this was unlikely to last if he found himself threatened!

Mysses Greenie

 

[Ctrl F Greenie]

Travel had been all he knew.

In his youth he hadn’t known family, the faces he found to be familiar were even strange to him. Those faces often cycled in and out of his life to a degree that he didn’t really bother remembering names for the most part. A couple stuck out in memory, but they were no longer pertinent to his adult years and so even they faded away. Though he hadn’t been seeking out a home, the idea of settling down and having a stable den was enough to encourage him to keep an open ear out for opportunities. Rumor had it, as he neared the coast which a pride of fierce warrior type lions had grown in populace.

Ali`dido hadn’t considered himself a warrior, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t become one. His traits were a little more on the sneaky side as that happened to be his need. Stealing, coercing others out of their goods by all means necessary – it meant he could put up a front on an as needed basis and become the guy anyone could make a friend of. To put it simply, he was fake – out of necessity, but still simply fake.

So as he approached the border of the acclaimed pride of fierce warrior lions he reverted his face back to a safe neutral. If the rumors were true he’d find or be met by an individual at the borders so that he could prove his worth to the pride. The lion he spied upon nearing the border wasn’t exactly what he imagined – sprawled out, belly up to absorb the warmth of the sun above (he assumed) and simply lazing about. The lion was surprised into silence.

Epine de Rose

 

[Epine de Rose]

"Oh so this is why they had me cover for them," Tethys remarked as he caught sight of the green lion. By the looks of it, the lion had been left silent for some inexplicable reason. Ah, perhaps it was that this one knew where he was and as a consequence he might have painted pretty pictures of what he imagined they would all be like.

Snarling, bad tempered, scarred?

Well he had the scars at least but he certainly wasn't foul tempered, if anything he was more well known for his humour. Still, he rolled on to his stomach and regarded Ali with a raised brow. Now that he was upright and he had straightened a touch, it would have been clear that despite his lazing, he was a strong creature. Then again everyone in the stormborn was, the vast majority were made of muscle...fat was a bit of an anomaly.

"They had a sneaking suspicion there'd be visitors today and they would much rather be with their wives," he clucked his tongue and chuckled. He was teasing of course, he'd already given his brothers a reprieve willingly as it had been a while since he'd been on the borders.

"I'm going to assume you're here for a reason, in which case, may the best lion win."

Mysses Greenie

 

[Ctrl F Greenie]

As the lion before him finally took to his paws Ali was gifted with the true sight of what he figured most of the lions looked like. Well muscled, made for defending their homes and taking what they wanted - this was the Stormborn he'd heard rumor about. The scars were simply a bonus, something he figured came along with the duty.

Still. The lion appeared a touch more relaxed than he had expected and he took a moment to wonder about whether or not the Stormborn were wrongly accused of having vile attitudes. Ah, so even these lions found themselves seeking a way out of duties, it wasn't entirely unexpected.

"Yes. As you said, may the best lion win."

He wasn't sure what to expect from this point on, his tactics were typically smooth and seeking small points of entry, where a lion left open to attacks. He was sure these lions wouldn't have such open spots, and if they did Ali figured he'd likely have caught the poor fool mid-sleep - so when he lunged forward he hadn't the foggiest how it would turn out.

Epine de Rose

 

[Epine de Rose]

Why did they always do that?

Tethys shook his head as Ali plunged towards him and stood his ground, he would wait until the very last minute, and then, with his usual flare he would leap over him. Until Ali realised that he was going to have to do more than just pick a random move and hope, he wasn't going to get very far. This seemed to be a very rogue-ish tactic though, Tethys had encountered his fair share of rogues and they all seemed to favour it.

He supposed it made sense - if they hadn't had any formal training then they wouldn't know how to initiate a fight properly, nor would they know how to feint. They really would just have to 'guess' and then pray that they'd made the right move...

Still if Ali could find his feet and land a few solid punches then Tethys would at least given him the benefit of the doubt. So long as someone had the capacity to learn they were good in his books. With that in mind he did eventually leap away and gave a provocative cluck of his tongue. For now it seemed he was preserving his strength, or he was simply toying with the lion who he didn't think had the ability to win... Ali would simply have to interpret that for himself!

Mysses Greenie

 

[Ctrl F Greenie]

It was clear to Ali that his fool hardy move to leap at his opponent was easily identified and gracefully avoided. Impressive. The green lion landed just as gracefully and turned quickly, not waiting for a moment to allow his opponent the chance to settle completely - at least that is what he was banking on. The lunge had set some distant between them, so he was at a small disadvantage, but he used his size in this case and took the chance to charge at his foe.

With the charge he prepared his claws, feeling them burrow into the ground as he propelled forward. Should the charge be successful he hoped for some body contact, that would be where the claws would become useful. This was something he often used for prey, it gave them a chance to feel free and clear of the chance for death but little did they know he was quick.

Epine de Rose

My poor brain... lol

 

[Epine de Rose]

He attacked with much more conviction and gusto - better.

Tethys wasn't going to go down like a simple prey animal but he was determined to see just how powerful the lion's blows could be. Thus as Ali thrust himself forward, this time the paler lion dug his heels in. His intention was to take the hit, deflect and catch some of it, but ultimately allow the challenger to prove just how hard her could smack someone. Suffice it to say that if Ali had enough to unseat him or at least make him double take, then he was good in Tethys's books.

After all, Tethys's definition of 'worthy' was slightly different than that of some of the more traditional Stormborn. Those who were stuck deep in tradition didn't seem to realise that you could shape the most powerful beings if you recognised their potential. Besides... the white lion was always down for more allies and that generally worked out better when you gave someone recognition for their hard word.

Consequently, Ali would have no problem hitting Tethys, but the majority of his blow would be caught. A clear test if there ever was one, but one that Tethys needed to see for himself...

Mysses Greenie

 

[Ctrl F Greenie]

Ali`dido was quick to recognize the opening provided to him, it seemed today was his lucky day and beyond that he didn't put much thought into the opportunity - instead he focused all of his efforts into the follow through of his charge. As he drew near he hoisted himself up, freeing his fore-paws in preparation for at least one solid blow.

When the connection was made he felt the force of his entire being burst behind this particular blow. His claws were drawn, paws held out and head lowered (just in case contact was made with more than just his paws as that was always a possibility when hurling himself at someone). Even having been prepared for this particular attack he had his breath taken from him, hitting this lion was like running smack into a wall of stone.

The strength, that was recognized by outsiders of the pride, was brought to a real form in facing this lion.

Epine de Rose

 

[Epine de Rose]

"Good ******** god," Tethys muttered as the lion slammed into his paws. He'd been prepared to take a hit but he hadn't quite expected that. Looks could certainly be deceiving and while Ali wasn't the most graceful of fighters, any Stormborn would be a dumbass to assume that he couldn't defend himself. All Ali really needed was an opening, if he was lucky he could do far more damage than any traditionalist would give him credit for.

...Suffice it to say that with enough guidance, Ali'dido would be an individual he genuinely wouldn't want to get on the bad side off, especially not with a hangover. He'd end up with more than a few scratches and bruises if that was the case!

"All right, enough," he put down his paws and gave each a shake as he slowly coaxed the pain out from them. They'd throb for a little while, but it was more of a smarting pain than a crippling one. Truthfully it was no different than accidentally smacking your nose, it was painful and a little bit overwhelming to begin with, but it quickly began to dull the more you focused on something more important.

"Your form is terrible but you hit like a stampede," Tethys confirmed and shook out his paws again with a little 'oh' of pain. "If you want to be a Reaver you'll have to fix the form but as a Freeborn I'd say you'll have an easy time clouting anyone who gets in your face," he murmured and released a sigh.

"In short, welcome to the Stormborn."

Mysses Greenie

 

[Ctrl F Greenie]

The green lion heaved a deep breath, one that he didn't realize he had been holding. As his mind cleared enough to bring focus back to his center he was greeted with Tethys speaking words that were music to his ears 'enough'. Sure, he'd find a way to keep fighting if he needed too, but if this were enough for the time being then he'd accept it all the same.

"Thank you." Was all he could muster at first, he knew his form was terrible - hell he only had about two moves to his name, the rest was handled with fancy chatter. This would be a new experience for him, a chance to begin anew and perhaps prove himself within a pride that relied on strength, something that he knew he had but never ceased the opportunity to use. "A Reaver?" He inquired, but quickly changed his mind. "A questions for another day."

"Thank you for the chance to prove myself, the welcome is simply a bonus."

Ali`dido gave a toothy green after responded and half-waited to be shown the way, but tuned to peer in the direction he assumed he would be going.

Epine de Rose

Fin~