[DUEL] Regent vs Magistrate

[Andranis]

It was something to be expected, he supposed. Even with a shift in the structure of those who were in charge, and the surprisingly peaceful vote, infighting might happen. Or rather, PLANNED infighting. Duels, he'd observed, were perfect for everybody to measure how strong others were. It helped determine prospective mates, or simply partners to have cubs with, when strength had much more to do in the choice than anything past blood relation.

Not that Na-atesh had anything to worry about, he was related to nobody in the pride except his parents.

He stepped up, rounding his shoulders as he stared Agni-pariksha down. "Doc..." He gave a little laugh. "I like it!" Tail brushing the sand, Na-atesh hunkered down. "I'm ready when you are!"  

[Andranis]

Move 1/5: Bide
Total: 2

When she hit, he slid just slightly in the sand, paws braced. The pale lion grimaced, then watched. He wasn't ready to attack just yet. If anything, he had some patience, and began to circle. He took in everything, the way she moved, the way she stood, the way she breathed. He knew her medical history, too, how many injuries she might have incurred in her life so far. Which as he recalled, wasn't too many. His tail flicked, sending a bit of sand flying. "Is that the best you've got? I thought you were fighter material!" Na-atesh let out a barking laugh. "I barely felt that!"  

[Andranis]

Move 2/5: Hit
Total: 5

"Oh, you want MORE, do you?" His tail lashed as he gave off the air of ignoring the swat to his face. It did sting, and he'd have one of the medics address it later. But for now, he pointedly ignored it. There was no shift in his posture to give warning as he turned and, very suddenly, launched at the dark lioness. One large white paw swung out, aiming for her shoulder in a move that could, if done right, render the joint dislocated at worst, nastily bruised at best.  

[Andranis]

Move 3/5: Hit!
Total: 8

He gave an angry snort, batting her paw away. "It never LEFT!" He just redirected it. He then rose up on his hind paws, coming down hard. The move was usually used to dispatch an enemy, but this time he purposely aimed it only to cause injury at the worst. She'd certainly be feeling the fight later, that was for sure. He knew he would, but for different reasons.  

[Andranis]

Move 4/5: Miss!
Total: 9

Perhaps he'd been filled with too much hubris, growing cocky with his moves. Or maybe it was because he was already starting to get worn out with fighting. Regardless of the reason, Na-atesh found himself tumbling in the sand. He gave a half-assed attempt to swat at Agni-pariksha, but it missed by a long shot. He could only growl and pick himself up, glaring from behind the pale curtain of his mane at her. "Dirty move, Agni, very dirty."  

[Andranis]

Move 5/5: Hit!
Total: 12

Picking himself up, Na-atesh sneered. "Don't think that just because I'm older and gave up the life of a soldier, I'm easily pushed over!" He moved swiftly, though not at a run. When he got close, he raised his paw, claws out. With one swift move, he brought it down toward her face, intent on leaving Angi-pariksha with a reminder. Only once his paw reconnected with sand did he snort at her. "You can take a lion out of the fight, but the fight stays in them. And the lessons they learned from it. Go spend time with the soldiers again, learn how to REALLY fight."  

[Andranis]

He gave a huff, glaring at her. "Good idea." He didn't offer another word, only turning and walking off. The sun glared on his pale coat, but he paid it no mind, accustomed to the feeling. After all, he was a lion of the desert and the fire, even if his coat had no fire of its own.