[DUEL] Fight Practice (Ajani & Siri)

[MangoMeow]

Ajani's ears pricked up as he heard his sister's roar a short ways away. Well now, he wondered how long it would take before she decided to issue a challenge. After a few minutes, the distant sound of scuffling could be heard, and he snorted before lowering his head back down onto his paws.

Unfortunately for him, though, he had always been a little more sensitive to his twin's mood. Only a few seconds passed before he was opening his eyes in a dead-pan expression. Adrenaline was beginning to pump through him from his sister. He wouldn't be getting any sleep now.

With a sigh, the male stretched out before hopping down from the ledge he had perched himself on. Nothing he could do now but find some way to let off some steam.

Actually.... a dual wasn't a bad idea. He was a Scar, after all, and fighting was always a pleasurable pass time for him.

Quote:

Aaaaand another dual up for grabs! First come, first serve~

 

[SilverLutz]

The little welcome back gathering had been eye-opening indeed for Siri. It had been his first encounter with the pride as a whole and a good way for him to start to learn about the ways of the pride. As an Unbranded member, he was in a sort of trial period for about three moons in which his loyalty and skills were to be tested. However he had learned if he could best a member in a duel he'd be permitted to take a rank before those three moons were up.

Eager to prove himself and to see what the lions here were made of, Siri had spent the past hour or so roaming the grounds of the pride, looking for someone to duel. There were lots of members scrapping already and it seemed like a good day to attempt one. It seemed that it was his lucky day as a dark male caught his attention. He seemed to be restless and the newcomer decided he was as good a duel partner as any.

"Up for a scrap?" he asked as he approached, not sure how the members usually went about initiating a battle.

MangoMeow

 

[MangoMeow]

Ajani had been considering whether to challenge someone or simply go out on a hunt, when speak of the devil, someone approached him. Tilting his head sideways to glance at the other male, he sized him up. A newer member, he was fairly certain, but he had to give him props for being the one to initiate the challenge.

The black male smirked and gave a little huff through his nose, "I could do with one." It was good timing, really, and Ajani wasn't one to turn down a fight.

Tail flicking dust and dirt up as he turned, Ajani faced this newcomer with a straight back and head raised high. "The name's Ajani, by the way."

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

Siri kept his stance relaxed and at ease for the time being. He didn't want to pick a fight with someone who wasn't looking for one, after all. This wasn't a match to the death or a grudge being fought out, but a training exercise that would benefit them both. His request was accepted, though, and his tail swished in excitement.

"Siri," he said, giving his own name in return. "I hope I prove a worthy battle partner." And that was the honest truth. If he succeeded here and beat Ajani he could claim a rank and be fully brought into the pride without having to wait. He was a patient lion but he was also driven. If he had to wait he would, but he'd much rather join the ranks as quickly as possible.

MangoMeow

 

[MangoMeow]

"We'll just have to see."

And then with that, Ajani tore forward. His paws pounded loudly against the ground as he ran. Unlike his sister, who relied on speed and agility to power her hits, Ajani was built more for raw strength and as such, tended to forego any dancing around during a fight. He was a brute and a preverbal tank.

... Though it did make his movements slower. The problem with a tank was that their movements weren't the fastest.

As he got close, Ajani raised a paw to swipe at Siri's shoulder, hoping to knock him off balance from the get-go.

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

Siri gave a little nod and lowered his head, bright eyes focused on the dark male. He certainly was larger than Siri in terms of both size and muscle but that didn't mean he would win. Having lived in the rogue lands for a time, Siri was well aware that smaller was sometimes better. He himself had suffered defeat at the hands of a few lions and other creatures that he had taken on one-on-one that were smaller than him. He had learned from them, though, and as Ajani surged forward, he used the very tactics that had burned in him the past to meet the other male.

As a dark paw was raised to strike, Siri finally moved, dodging the attack's brute strength. He felt the claws of the other male swipe along his side, leaving burning little paths in their wake but not doing much damage. He ignored the mild pain as he twisted sharply, his own paws reaching out to rake down Ajani's hind quarters.

MangoMeow

 

[MangoMeow]

He was taken by surprise by the male suddenly dodging his strike, and only just managed to move away enough to prevent a more serious injury to his hindquarters. That said, the claws that ran down his leg certainly left quite a sting, and Ajani swiveled himself around to face his opponent head on once more.

Well, here was someone who had fought against brute strength before, Ajani thought as an excited tingle ran up his spine. That made this all the more interesting. He didn't think Siri had to worry about being a worthy battle partner.

Of course, one hit did not constitute a win.

As he was coming full circle to face the other lion, he swiped a paw out to knock Siri's front legs out from under him and then heaved himself up to slam his claws down on top of him.

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

Even though Ajani was large and slower it didn't mean he wasn't nimble. Siri was impressed at how he recovered from the dodge, but the tan lion wasn't about to let him get the upper paw so easily. He barely had enough time to dodge the initial swing, but in doing so left himself completely open for the follow-up from the dark male's other paw. He took the blow directly on his head, his mane saving him from the claws but not the sheer force behind the blow. He staggered away, head spinning, and for a moment thought he might end up seeing double for the rest of his life.

His vision returned to normal after a moment, though, and Siri continued to stay light on his paws, circling the larger male at a quick pace to keep him from getting too comfortable. He remained silent, golden eyes waiting and watching for an opportunity to strike.

Trying to make a move for himself, Siri ducked low as if he were going to swipe at Ajani's paws, but shifted his weight at the last moment he could spare to turn the movement into a pounce. He only hoped Ajani would fall for the feint and his leap would be successful. His goal was to land on the male's back and deal a bit of damage before bounding away again.

MangoMeow

 

[MangoMeow]

Ajani waved a tail triumphantly at the landed hit, though his opponent moved away before he could land another blow. His eyes narrowed as the other aimed low, and he pulled back in response with the intention to smack him over the head once more.

Only for his eyes to widen in surprise as the other male shifted into a pounce instead.

Ajani let out an oomph as he was tackled and then stumbled back a few paces before collapsing under the weight of another lion atop him. He cringed as claws raked his back, but growled and tried to shake the other off. This one was good at clinging, he discovered as he attempted to roll over, and the black lion was already beginning to tell that he wouldn't be winning this dual. Not ready to give in quite yet though, he leaned over to grip the brown tail waving in front of him with his teeth.

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

Siri felt a surge of success thrum through him as Ajani went for the feint, leaving him wide open for the pounce. He dug his claws into the hide of the other male, surely leaving a deep enough wound to scar a bit, and together they stumbled onto the ground. Siri was still on top of the other male and he had to use that to his advantage while he still could, knowing at any moment the tables could turn and he might end up pinned to the ground.

Ajani rolled but Siri allowed the move to happen, not wanting to get pinned under the black male's weight. It left him open for an opportunity attack from the other male, and he let out a surprised snarl as teeth clamped down on his tail. That hurt more than his side which was still stinging and his head which ached from the previous blow.

Turning around, he abandoned his hold on Ajani's side to whack him on the muzzle to get him to let go of his tail.

MangoMeow

 

[MangoMeow]

Ajani cringed at the whacks to his face. Admittedly, he may not have thought that one entirely through, and now he had a paw smacking him in the face. A truly unpleasant experience, let me tell you.

Snorting, the black male finally couldn't take it anymore and reeled backwards with a shake of his head. Unfortunately, it was enough to unbalance him once more, and found himself flat on his stomach with a paw now on his head.

He let out one last snarl, before petering off into an amused growl. "Alright, I give." He chuckled, "It's been a while since I've had someone who knew to use speed against me."

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

Smack, smack, smacksmacksmack, smack-

Really, it wasn't the most dignified way to end a battle, but those teeth on his tail hurt and he wanted them off now, thank you very much! The repeated blows seemed to eventually do the trick as Ajani let go, one final blow to his head making him yield.

Siri let out a huff of relief as he turned to inspect his tail. Bleeding a bit but not bad, probably wouldn't even scar in the long run. The chuckle from the other male made him look up a bit, satisfaction finally flooding through him. He had done it! A tiny grin spread over his maw as he relaxed again, giving a soft 'mm' in reply.

"Only because it was used often against me in the rogue lands. It was interesting to give it a try. Thank you for your time," he added with a little bob of his head. "I appreciate the test."

MangoMeow

 

[MangoMeow]

Ajani gave a nod as well, "Of course. I'm interested to see where you go from here." His purple eyes seemed to glow, "I'm sure you'll make for quite the formidable Outlander."

He turned to start licking at some of the scratches on his back. They were small, in the long run, and wouldn't scar very much, if at all. A pity, he could do with another good scar.

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

Siri gave a low chuckle at that as he turned away from Ajani, leaving the male to lick his wounds. A formidable or an infamous Outlander? He'd decide later, he supposed, although he certainly leaned towards the latter. He might he new here but he was confident he would rock the boat.

MangoMeow

Fin!