[DUEL] Nth Time's the Charm? (Iskra & Mazin)

[Seaki]

Iskra didn't duel often. He preferred not to fight as often - that's why he didn't become a soldier. That didn't mean he couldn't hold his own, though. Still. He had to keep sharp, and that's why, every so often, he would go and duel.

There was always someone hoping to prove themselves. Whether it be someone who was attempting to join them, or another member who was itching for a fight. He found it thrilling the few times he fought, but not something he was willing to indulge in constantly.

Today was one of those days though, where he was itching for a fight himself. Might as well find someone, and a newbie would do just fine, he thought. He would just have to bide his time and see what the other would do.  

[Polette]

It had been so many days since Mazin had approached the border. Those who he had dueled with and become familiar with their blurry figures had rotated away - he wondered if they pitied him, a male who couldn't prove himself to the pride. Part of him wondered if it was this difficult for every lion that tried to join, or if perhaps he had just become too weak and uncoordinated. He had spent weeks at the border, initially trying almost every day - but now, after a defeat, he'd take some time and try and practice honing his skills, hoping it would help. He wondered if his sister would ever appear before him, or if all this was for naught.

He caught sight of a classic-looking member - large and mostly red, with a bit of black. Taking a breath, he adjusted his heading, moving towards him but not yet initiating a duel.  

[Seaki]

Iskra watched the approaching male, sizing him up carefully. He felt like the other male would put up a good fight, especially since he was a little bit rusty. Iskra took a deep breath, shaking his mane out.

He'd expected the other to lunge first. Then he could take an defensive measure to his advantage. But the other hadn't, and he wasn't going to stand around all day waiting for this duel to happen.

So he lunged forward, in an attempt to hit the other male with his claws outstretched...  

[Polette]

Mazin could feel his nerves, and was almost relieved that the other male had initiated. If he had gone after him and missed right-out, he would never forget it. That being said, it didn't mean that he still wouldn't do poorly. Lately, he'd only been practicing striking against a tree, which never moved or put up a fight, so he wasn't sure where his skills lied today.

The one thing he could do, though, was quickly side-step after seeing the male lunge at him. He tried to counter with his own swipe, but felt nothing but air against his paw.  

[Seaki]

He'd missed! He didn't expect to miss. Perhaps he was slower than he thought. He frowned but dodged the other's blow as it came swinging at him. At least he could do that still! He was a little frustrated though.

He completely expected to land his first blow! He hadn't dueled in a while, and never against any outsider.

He was showing himself poorly.

He lunched again, frustration burning in his gut. Only to miss again!  

[Polette]

Mazin grunted in frustration at his miss. So battling a tree the past few days had done nothing to help him - in fact, it seemed to have completely backfired on him.

At least his eyes were still sharp, as he was able to avoid another attack from his opponent. Again, Mazin went in for retaliation, this time using his teeth. As he felt his miss, his heart dropped, knowing he had left himself open for an attack.  

[Seaki]

Iskra could have laughed. That was definitely a wrong move for the other guy. Missing with your teeth left you wide open for an attack. As the other was passing by him, Iskra threw out his paw again, aiming to smack the other with his claws.

And.

The hit landed. Finally!

Now the battle could perhaps get somewhere... Iskra made a pleased noise at the back of his throat at the hit. Perhaps the other would give up after the blow, or at least they could call it quits fairly soon...  

[Polette]

Mazin let out a growl of brief pain, turning to retreat a few steps. It had been an absolutely rookie mistake, but he had risked it thinking he'd be able to make some sort of contact.

Had his skills really fallen this far?

He was once revered in his family for his physical prowess, but this was a hard reminder of the progress he needed to regain that.

He lunged at the other male, using only outstretched paws to maintain a safe distance just in case. And unfortunately, it did him no favors as he missed again.  

[Seaki]

Iskra snorted and dodged the other's attempt to hit him again. As far as he was concerned this duel was just about over. He watched the other struggle through this, and though he had struggled himself, he had at least gotten a hit in.

Still, he would watch and wait, just in case the other decided to make another attempt to hit him.

"We're just about done here, don't you think?" He frowned at the other. "Perhaps you could do with more training before you try this again."

He could do with more training himself, he thought to himself. Perhaps he wouldn't win by such a narrow margin...  

[Polette]

Mazin could feel it - it was over. And he hadn't even managed a single hit. This was probably the worst he'd performed so far, and he was ashamed of how it had gone.

"It would seem so." Mazin said after a pause. His head drooped slightly, and his eyes were distant.

At the very least, he knew now that he needed to seek out others to help in his training. Perhaps there were others would were trying to join this pride that would be willing to.

Turning away, Mazin would find a nice tree to nurse his pride.