[CHAL] Bird and Lion (Njia x Valka)

[Krysin]

"This is a terrible idea. I can't believe you made me agree to this," Javik was riding on his bonded's back, chastising her right into her ears. They had argued the duration of their journey, and still Njia hadn't changed her mind. If the vulture wasn't so fond of her, he would have abandoned her, but they had been together since they were young. He was very fond of his bonded, and despite the stupid decisions she was making he would stand by her.

He just didn't have to be happy about it.

"I'm not making you, Javik. Anyways, I'm not entirely sure what their stance is on avians, so you want to take off and watch my back from above?" The black and purple lioness suggested with a roll of her eyes. Her companion remained on her back for a few seconds, and then conceded to her will and dove up into the air. The large vulture circled overhead, making long, lazy rotations to survey the pridal lands.

Her nerves threatened to get the better of her now that she was actually here. A male lion had directed her this way and informed her that she had to prove her worth... but she didn't quite know what exactly that entailed. She knew there was a challenge, and she would have to win. Njia roared, announcing her presence. Javik would let her know when someone was on their way.  

[Krysin]

Javik cawed out, alerting her to the fact that someone was on their way. Njia took a seat and waited until the form of a dark lioness appeared in the distance. At the lioness' question, Njia bowed her head, "A challenge." She got the impression that those who did not come here for a challenge put themselves into a perilous position. The young lioness was not one of them. She had every intention of fighting her way into this pride and break the chains her family had put on her.

She loved them, but it was time to make a name for herself and find her own place in the world. She could not do that from behind her mother's shadow. If she hadn't stepped away from her family when she had, it was likely that she never would have. "I would appreciate it if you would take me on." Njia glanced up to the sky then, noting that Javik was circling lower. She flicked her head to the side, signaling the bird off from his intentions.

Javik wanted to help, but this was something Njia had to do on her own. "Come at me, then, and let me prove my worth to you."

AstoriaFallen

 

[Krysin]

AstoriaFallen

Things happened a little too quickly - she did not expect the lioness to jump right into the duel. If Javik hadn't cawed a warning, that blow certainly would have landed. Having the vulture on her side was an obvious advantage for Njia, especially since Javik's influence remained unknown. Was it unfair? Probably. The black and purple lioness even wanted to do this on her own, but she couldn't stop Javik from issuing his warning. She would be a fool not to heed it.

Njia lashed out, her paw striking against the other lioness' shoulder, hoping to slow the next attempt at an assault and perhaps change momentum towards her favor. Njia was not a skilled warrior, but there was a certain amount of intuition the lioness possessed.  

[Krysin]

AstoriaFallen

Njia wondered briefly if the lioness was taking it easy on her, because the next blow that came her way was easy to dodge. She did not need Javik warning her overhead to be prepared for the lioness' next attempt at an assault. Njia had never fought another lion before - sure she had warded of hyenas and even leopards before, but she had never competed in an actual test of strength against another. That she was managing to hold herself well against her opponent was both surprising and empowering.

She didn't want to slip up and lose now. The lioness darted to the side, quickly circling Valka to land another hard blow against the lioness' back. Like hunting prey, she tried to move herself into Valka's blind spot. It would be easier for Njia to act, and far more difficult for Valka to predict just what she was going to do next.  

[Krysin]

AstoriaFallen

Another blow came up short for Valka, and Njia barely felt the touch of Valka's toes as the lioness swiped at her. Njia was just beginning to feel the flow of battle, her confidence rising with every dance of paws and lashes against the other. Fighting still wasn't her forte, but she hadn't really come to the Stormborn to be a fighter. This was her escape from her family. The pride was strong and capable, if they would have her, she'd build a life here for herself.

What she actually did when she made it in was a question she had yet to answer, and perhaps that distraction was the reason why her next blow was perfectly met by Valka. They clashed together, both landing equal blows to one another. Njia hadn't exactly come up short against the other lioness, but the exchange was certainly no victory.  

[Krysin]

AstoriaFallen

It was over, and the rush of adrenaline still coursed through her as Valka called an end to their challenge. Njia stepped back, her chest heaving with loud breaths from the exertion of the fight. Overhead Javik circled anxiously. He could see well enough from above her, but the view he had from above sometimes left out details. It was entirely possible that Njia was a little injured and not showing it. His bonded was all he had, and he would have been petrified if harm actually befell her.

"Thank you," Njia answered with a small smile. "I would like that," she continued, and with another small exchange of pleasant words she followed the reaver into her new pride.