[DUEL] Decent Competition (Ran & Aua)

[Seaki]

Ran was ready to prove herself. She petitioned to join the Motoujamii, but she still had to prove her worth. She hoped she would be able to win her first duel, but she wouldn't give up until she won at least one duel.

She would prove herself, and prove Forseti wrong, that she could fight with the best of the best, at least that's how she saw it in her eyes at least. She took a deep breath to settle her nerves, and get herself ready to face her opponent.

She could do this. So as soon as she saw someone worth fighting, she lunged for him, to catch him by surprise.
 

[Polette]

Aua had been wandering near the borders, 'patrolling' for the day. He had been mostly distracted, enjoying the silence of being by himself for a spell. He caught sight of a figure approaching him - he didn't recognize the female, and by the way she was approaching, she must be wanting to challenge him in a duel. Though he was a larger male, Aua hardly ever dueled - which his fellow guards often poked fun at him about. Something about how it was in their blood, their very essence. He just never found himself very interested in battling someone unless it was a real, dangerous situation. That was why he became a guard, after all, to protect from danger, not to play-fight. Though, he did see its merits - at the very least, it provided opportunities for them to hone their skills.

Lost in his thoughts, Aua hadn't notice her get close. He only really noticed once he felt her paw make contact, which woke him up to say the very least. He took a few steps back, collecting himself.

 

[Seaki]

Ran had landed her first blow. Surprisingly. She thought that they were supposed to be more wary of danger than this, but she would take what she could get. She took a deep breath and bounced back a few steps.

She watched him, waiting to see if he would make the next move. Now that he was on guard, the battle might be harder. She stared at him with her dark eyes, hoping it would unsettle him enough to slip up.

She had known a few to scramble away from her at her dark eyes, but she wasn't sure if it would work on a warrior. Her friend and rival Forseti had the same dark eyes as her, after all, so he would never be unsettled by her.

One could only hope...  

[Polette]

Though alert and facing the female in a defensive stance, Aua could feel how sluggish he was today. It could've been because he had been so lost in his own thoughts that his body relaxed too much for the day. Even though he had been hit before he had even gathered what remained of his wits, he was oddly pleased at the female's showing so far. He enjoyed seeing others that were combat-ready, and reminded himself that he needed to be much more vigilant about his own readiness.

He took a few quick steps towards her, testing the waters of her alertness and of his own physical state. He raised a paw, but felt no connection as it went through the air.  

[Seaki]

Ran had seen the swipe coming, and dodged it with some ease. She wasn't sure if her eyes had helped, but she wasn't going to let this opportunity pass her. He missed her, so it was time to strike again! She raced forward to try and get another hit in.

She reached up and extended her claws, attempting to hit the other lion.

Only to miss.

She hoped that wouldn't effect anything and that she could recover fast enough to make another solid attack before their battle would come to a close.  

[Polette]

Aua took quick steps in reverse, dodging her next hit. He was a little surprised that his body had been so reactive, but he was glad for it. He kept watching the female, again feeling a wave of sluggish and tired muscles wash over him. Where was this feeling coming from? Maybe it was just an off-day for him, but guards couldn't have off days like this in case danger approached.  

[Seaki]

He'd dodged her last attack, and she huffed. She was starting to feel just a little bit frustrated. Was he toying with her? He was mostly just watching and waiting to see what she had done, though he had attempted to attack her once.

He at least tried then, but she wouldn't take a win with someone who wasn't trying! She lunged at him again, her maw pulled back in a frustrated snarl. She aimed for his neck.

But her eyes were blind in the face of her emotions, and she wasn't sure if he'd just moved quickly or if she'd just missed completely on her own.

Either way, her claws did not connect and she was left with more frustration.  

[Polette]

She seemed a bit unhappy with how things were going so far; Aua was as well, frustrated at how off he was feeling. He told himself that after this was over, he would have to go rest for a while, following up with some intense workouts. He was glad no one else was around to witness his short-comings today, and would make sure it didn't happen again.

Though she had missed, Aua tried to take advantage of the opportunity, swinging his paw at her smaller frame.

But again, disappointment.  

[Seaki]

Her frustration must have shown really well, cause the firekin had lunged at her again for an attack. She grinned when she saw an open, and then she lunged for it!

She struck him, feeling his flesh under her claws. It was a proud moment for her, a second hit! She didn't want to stay too close though, and took herself a couple steps away from him.

She didn't realize this could be so exhausting though! She found herself tiring and hoping the duel would be done soon. Had she proven herself? She certainly hoped so.  

[Polette]

Aua winced briefly in pain, a little surprised that such force came from a smaller creature. He backed away a few steps, the drain wearing down on him. He knew he couldn't keep going today, and backed up even more, dipping his head towards the female in recognition of her victory. It had been an embarrassing moment for him to be sure, but at least it motivated him to return to a better regimen.