[DUEL] Livius/Azisa

[RuIerr]

Although his side was still sore from his recent win against Zawadi, everything was healing nicely enough that he decided he was ready for another duel. There was a brilliant dueling festival happening now and he absolutely had to take advantage of it. With aspirations to one day reach the rank of Claw, the old Unbranded (a to-be-Scar who hadn't quite gotten his rank change approved by the powers that be yet), could not pass up the opportunity to advance further in the pride. He'd always had great respect for the Outlands and was proud to be apart of such a great and old pride - one he now trained for both selfishly and selflessly (he liked to think).

Livius padded out into the middle of a grassy clearing, blinking away the light rain that poured down from the dark sky. Even though it was midday, it was almost dark as night out here - but that wouldn't stop him from parting his maw and roaring out a loud challenge to anyone within hearing distance. There must be someone around that was up for a battle - he would've returned to Zawadi but Livius was sure she was still licking her wounds. As he wait, he unsheathed his paws, allowing them to sink into the light mud beneath the grass. He felt giddy and impatient, glancing around for a hopeful challenger.

 

[Anderleit]

Azisa liked the rain. She always had. She liked the way it ran in little trickles around her ears, soaked the lower portion of her jaw. Her fur ran pretty light, as far as lionesses went, so she even liked the tickle of it along her skin. When she was younger, the princess would find a lonely spot and trundle along with her face in the air, mouth agape, drinking what raindrops were unlucky enough to fall past eager teeth.

Not that she could do that anymore, of course. The red lioness had an image to uphold. She could hardly just let anyone see her, eyes closed and basking in the rain with her mouth open. Of course, if it was a terribly dark rainstorm - like today's, for instance - and she could be moderately assured that no one would see her... Well. Anything could happen.

And 'anything' had been, around the time Azisa found herself interrupted by a lion's roar. Curious, she'd made her way to the grassy sward where Livius waited. The drenched female sized him up unabashedly as she sauntered forward. "Well, aren't you hale and hearty," she quipped, stopping a few paw-lengths away from...her would-be opponent? Yes, she'd recognize that nervous energy anywhere. "Seeking to prove yourself? Or just enjoying the thrill of the fight?" Made no difference to her, of course. It was enough to commit another new face to memory, to learn how another fought. To see how they would battle for their home. Besides, Azisa realized as she waited, head cocked, for the male's response - she had never fought in the rain before.

Ruler of Everything

 

[RuIerr]

It wasn't long before a pretty red lioness - one he recognized almost immediately as the offspring of the Queen - padded toward him from nearby. She seemed as if she was enjoying the weather, which he appreciated. As long as there was no imminent danger, any weather could be beautiful, Livius thought.

At her inquiry, the lion let out a hearty laugh. "Proving myself, having fun... why can't it be both?" He smiled, appreciating that the lioness before him had done so well at sizing him up in only a handful of seconds. His energy - nervous and excited - must be radiating from his body, he thought. It wasn't the worst thing, to be so easily read by your comrades, but in true battle that might be his downfall. Livius ignored the concerned tug at the corner of his brain, and continued on. "Livius," he said, bobbing his head in a polite nod. "And ready whenever," he stated, grinning once more as he flexed his claws in the shallow mud below.

Anderleit

 

[Anderleit]

A grin, brazen and toothy, split her muzzle at his words. "No reason at all," she responded, unable to keep from chuckling herself. Azisa's first impression of this warrior was a good one. Anyone who could come to a duel with a smile on their face was the princess' kind of lion; she didn't often go in for the dour, dire fighter. All that remained to be seen was how he handled himself. She was excited, actually, to see whether his prowess matched his candor.

"I'm Azisa." The response was cursory, given with the kind of half-smile that said the red lioness presumed introducing herself unnecessary. She wore her mother's features quite plainly, after all. Hopefully she'd do that lineage proud today. "Come on then, Livius. Show me how well you'll serve the Outlands." Shaking out her shoulders, the lioness eased back as if in the beginnings of a stretch - before flashing the lion's grin back at him, and leaping forward with a snarl!

Ruler of Everything

 

[RuIerr]

Livius nodded as the brightly colored lioness introduced herself. "Azisa," he repeated, dipping his head. He realized in that moment that he'd had a streak of fighting females - strong, heart females who seemed to revel in kicking his tush. He smiled at the thought, knowing that the lionesses in this pride were better warriors than any rogue he'd met. Beating Azisa would be a great honor he hoped to internalize. That is, if he managed to best her.

Within moments, Livius found himself ducking and rolling, attempting to avoid the red lioness' attack. Unfortunately, he wasn't as successful as he'd hoped to have been. He felt a bit of pain sprout from his right shoulder, a spot he knew her claws had suck in. The lion tumbled to the ground, half-rolling and half-dealing with the blow from the attack. Quickly, he scrambled to his feet and turned to face her. Hoping to catch her off-guard from her last attack, he lunched toward her with claws out, targeting her flank.

Anderleit

So sorry for how belated this is! Hopefully you're still open to finishing this~

 

[Anderleit]

Watching him recompose himself - and from it, knowing she'd stuck true - only widened her smile. Azisa danced backwards with a lash of her tail. She'd not miss the chance to put a little distance between them.

If she'd learned anything from scrapping with Isigidi, it was that she couldn't compete in an up-close tussle with lions. Let them use their size to their advantage, and not only was it all over, but you had to deal with a great lump of smug, stinking male stretched on top of you, gloating over their victory. She almost rolled her eyes just thinking about it.

Now, it hardly seemed like Livius was that kind of guy, but the princess didn't plan on finding out. She kept dancing, side-stepping her hips wide of his swing. It gave her the chance to square up evenly again. With claws extended, the snarling female met him head-on.

Ruler of Everything

Of course!

 

[RuIerr]

Livius took a moment to himself, breathing heavily already - a sign of both adrenaline and the physical endurance he was pushing himself through. He noticed Azisa edge backwards, but decided to move forward with his attack all the same.

It was unsuccessful - she was clearly a skilled fighter and knew how to handle a lion his size. He jolted forward with his claws extended only for her to meet him head-on. Their claws clashed together and he let his front paws crash to the ground, quickly backing up to give them more space to duel.

He took another deep breath and decided to just go for it - brute force and all. Tucking his head low, he readied himself and charged forward with all his might, hoping that he at least knocked the lioness to the ground to give him a better vantage point to attack.

Anderleit

 

[Anderleit]

The clash was everything she'd expected it to be - face to snarling face, thrill and fire. That is, until he dropped it. Surprised, the princess found her front half falling back down to the ground. What's more, her opponent had put too much distance between them for a proper strike!

Azisa had just enough time to peer at him, verdant eyes narrowing suspiciously, before she realized what was going on. Then there was time for nothing but snapping at the ears she knew must be in that mane somewhere and being thrown onto her back in the mud. The air fled her sore chest in a bark of laughter, but she still had the presence of mind to lift her hind paws. Side by side, she pistoned them upwards, aiming for the vulnerable belly of the lion above. Best case scenario, she'd knock him clear, but she'd settle for winding him. Either would be leaps better than the position she was in just now.

Ruler of Everything

 

[RuIerr]

Livius was glad to see that his strategy had worked - he'd caught Azisa just the tiniest bit off-guard, which worked heavily in his advantage. He was a bit surprised when he heard laughter out of her, but chalked it up to the culture of a dueling pride. He wasn't the most established member, so he was still getting used to the culture surrounding the fighting. Although he'd rapidly adjusted to the fighting itself - it was quite fun.

The lion didn't have time to think before Azisa positioned her rear paws together, and Livius landed on them - hard. "Oof," he spat, feeling the wind knocked from him as he fell and rolled over, lying on one side. He huffed, feeling all of the air slowly enter his lungs again. He was paralyzed for a moment - and that moment may have been enough to Azisa to get the jump on him.

Anderleit