[DUEL] Play Time (Evadne & Ajani; round 2)

[MangoMeow]

Eva was hopping about in circles at the moment, too hyped up from all the excitement to calm down and go to bed. No, she wanted to do something, let some energy out. Hunt? No, she wanted to actually interact with someone. Prey didn't count as someone.

With a pout the silvery lioness scanned the darkness for anyone lurking around. Most were asleep at this time of night, but there was bound to at least be one or two people, and maybe they would be up for doing something!

She'd even be down for dualing... not that she was against that! On the contrary, she thought it was fun, but she knew that she was at more of a disadvantage at night. Her pale fur normally made it difficult to slink around in the shadows.  

[MangoMeow]

So maybe he was a little bit salty over losing to someone who spent most of her time caring for cubs than actually training. (it never occurred to him that Eva trained with said cubs every day, and while not the most threatening creatures, they certainly gave her a run for her money sometimes)

Ajani scowled as he stalked his way through the night. He had heard from someone nearby that the silver lioness was prowling around here somewhere, itching for a fight. Well, he would be happy to answer it. He had a score to settle, after all.

Poking his head up above a column of rocks, he narrowed his eyes at the bouncing lioness. Finally, he found her!

With a grumble, the male leapt up atop the rocks and roared challengingly at her.  

[MangoMeow]

Eva startled at the aggressive roar behind her. For all that she had been searching for someone, she hadn't expected quite the entrance. Or the familiar face, actually.

But it certainly brightened her day. With a happy smile, Evadne hopped closer to him. "Hi, Ajani!" She crouched playfully, "Wanna have another duel?" Because that was what that roar had signified, clearly, and he seemed to enjoy it when they sparred. She certainly wasn't complaining. She liked rough-housing with him. (and okay, she had to admit that it gave her a bit of a rush having a handsome lion like him seeking her out... and those muscles.)

Ahem.

Moving on, her smile brightened even more at his answering nod, the smirk growing on his face making her tail swish eagerly behind her.  

[MangoMeow]

Despite how annoyed he was, Ajani couldn’t help the amusement at Eva’s enthusiasm. Nothing could ever keep her down, it seemed.

But he shouldn’t let his determination wane just because of how cheerful and oblivious she was. Shaking his head to clear it out, he extended out his stance to steady himself where he stood. He had been knocked over instantly last time, but he wouldn’t allow that to happen a second time.

It had actually been Shetani who had given him the idea, not that she knew that. Unfortunately, Shetani had just as many eyes and ears around the caverns as Katiti did, despite not having seer powers. (whoever they were that had tattled on his original fight, they’d better hope that Ajani never caught up to them. His sister would never let him live this down now) But during her teasing, she had brought up one of her recent duels with an Unbranded – a former Firekin.

As it turned out, the red lioness had a similar structure to himself, but had managed to best the quick-footed Shetani.

Which got him thinking. He was known as an unmovable wall, the rock that was always steady. And against Eva’s speed, perhaps that’s exactly what he needed to be.

No, this duel would end differently.

It was good that he had readied himself, because like before, Evadne suddenly burst forward in a ball of excitement and high-energy. She barreled her way into him – and then got the shock of her life.

“Oomph!” She wasn’t expecting to come to an abrupt stop, the thick hide and muscle now unmovable, and she DEFINITELY hadn’t been expecting the paw swipe that sent her flying backwards.

With a yip, Eva landed on her back and flailed to get back on her feet.

Ajani had seen his opportunity though. Leaping forward, he landed squarely on her chest and bite down on her shoulder. He ignored the taste of stale fur on his tongue – why she insisted on wearing this thing, he had no idea – and used his paws to kick and scratch where he could.

Eva yipped in response, and immediately began her own assault. She answered his kicks with her own, and made a point of biting him as well – somehow managing to latch on to his left arm.

The two proceeded to roll about on the ground. Growls and snarls and grunts echoed through the night as they fought for dominance. Every time one would end up on top, the other would kick at them to flip them over once more. It was clear that neither would be walking away from this unscathed.

Finally, it was Ajani who managed to get the upper hand. Considering his larger stature, it was unsurprising that this would happen. Eva was quick and nimble, but she couldn’t exactly move when pinned like this.

As they rolled over so he was on top once more, he heaved himself up and slammed Eva down on the ground, hearing her gasp and let go of his leg.

Oh, that hurt. Evadne fought to catch her breath after getting smooshed like that, but when she had, she started laughing. She ignored the concerned look Ajani shot her – had he hit her too hard and knocked a few screws loose? - and started tapping a paw against his chest.

“O-okay, haha, you win!” She waited until he backed off of her, before flipping around to lay on her stomach. She let out a content sigh and then shook herself out.

Turning back to him, she gave a bright smile, “That was fun! You’re a really good fighter.”

”Ah, uh, thanks.” For all that he normally gloated and preened after winning a duel, Ajani found himself feeling weirdly bashful. Still concerned for her sanity, mind you, but mostly bashful.

Ears pulled back, he cocked his head at her, “You too. I didn’t think you’d put up as much of a fight as you did. Where’d you learn to fight like that?”

Eva hummed, “Oh, I help train the cubs in fighting. You sometimes have to get kind of creative when it comes to them.” And at that, she laughed.

Oh.

Well.

He scuffed a paw against the ground, unsure what to do now that he had accomplished what he came here to do.

In the end, it was Eva’s stomach that made his decision, the rumble heard loudly even from where he was standing. There was silence between them, before Ajani let out his own laugh – a true, blue laugh that not many beyond Shetani had ever pulled from him.

“I could do with a good hunt now, actually. What say you?”

Embarrassing as her stomach had been, Eva couldn’t help but to perk up at his suggestion. “Sure! A hunt sounds fantastic.”

And with that, the two headed off.”

(Fin~)