[DUEL] Maybe Today is the Day! (Brassa & Mazin)

[Seaki]

Brassa was a decently sized lioness, or at least she felt like one. She probably wasn't as big as many of the other born firekin, but she often found herself towering over some of the rogues that joined the pride recently.

She had seen a few of these rogues attempt to join and fail, and others succeed with ease. That wasn't surprising, at least. Everyone had their strengths and weaknesses.

Brassa had never dueled an outsider before, though, and wished to test her strength against one of them. She had to bide her time, though, as she picked out someone particular to fight.  

[Polette]

Mazin was feeling pretty decent today. He had had such an unfortunate string of duels lately that it had put him in quite the slump. But, after the last overwhelmingly embarrassing duel, he had gone out and spent a great deal of time honing his skills. It had been hard work, but he'd hoped that it had brought him up to standards. If his sister could make it, he should be able to eventually - right?

Taking long strides towards the border, his eyes searched for an opponent for today. He steeled his nerves as he drew closer, his eyes fixating on a pale lioness. He had heard of paler members, but he had yet to see one with his own eyes - everything had been so red so far.

He approached the lioness, holding his head with confidence, his eyes firm as he waited to begin.  

[Seaki]

Brassa watched as the dark red male approached. He looked perfect for firekin - he fit here more than she did, probably. She was basically fireless, but she was fortunate enough to get a little bit of red on her.

Some of her siblings hadn't been so lucky. Some of them had been completely fireless, but fortunately none of them had turned out to be huria. She nearly winced at the thought.

She had a challenger now, and she should focus! She had never dueled before, though. Was he supposed to make the first move? She wasn't sure, so she waited for him to make his first....
 

[Polette]

Good, she recognized him as an opponent. Most of the other times, Mazin had waited to strike, but not today - he was focused and confident, to an extent. There was almost an eerie silence between them as they stood, facing one another. Taking a sharp breath in, Mazin lunged, claws extended and powerful.

He didn't want to have to be turned away again. He didn't want to have to come back only to face embarrassment and shame.

So he put his all in.  

[Seaki]

Even though Brassa had been waiting for the other to strike, she was still taken by surprise when the other had actually lunged and struck her.

It hurt a lot more than she expected, much more than the play scuffles she and her siblings had gotten in when they were young! She cried out and stumbled back, hoping to avoid another blow.

She took a sharp breath in and lunged back at him, to get him back for the blow. But!

Nothing.

Her claws swiped out and struck nothing but air and then sand.  

[Polette]

Mazin was taken aback for a moment by her call out. It had reminded him of his sister when they used to wrestle as cubs. In all of his duels, he hadn't been briefly frozen by a response from his opponent.

After his blow, he bounced back, keeping his eyes locked on the pale female. He watched her muscles tense and move towards him, prompting him to move quickly to the side. As she went by him, he tried to make another attack of his own, only to miss as she went by.  

[Seaki]

Brassa wasn't quite sure what to do now. She was sure she would have a bruise from where the other had struck her, but the fight wasn't over yet! And she could give him something to remember her by as well.

Or she wouldn't, as when she tried to strike him once more, she failed.

This dueling business wasn't easy, and she wasn't pleased with her progress. But then again, it was her first time. She would get better if she practiced!
 

[Polette]

It seemed like they were both too quick or each other. He was disappointed that his last hit didn't connect, but he didn't let it affect his spirits. After all, if he started to feel sorry for himself, than his spirits would affect his performance.

Dodging a second attack, he thought for sure that he would be able to connect this time. Rearing another paw back, he swung, feeling frustrated as he watched it slowly glide through the air without hitting a thing.  

[Seaki]

Brassa watched him, staying out of his reach and hoping he wouldn't attack again.

He probably would. He was trying to get into the pride after all. So far they had been pretty evenly matched, save for the single blow he had landed upon her. That made him slightly better, but it was still as good as it was gonna get.

She narrowed her stare at him, waiting for his next move.

She felt as if he had done a good enough job to join, at least. She would welcome him, right after she was done nursing her sore ego, of course!  

[Polette]

On the one hand, Mazin couldn't believe that he had only gotten in one successful hit so far. But on the other hand, Mazin couldn't believe that he had gotten one hit in! Especially after his last duel, it was comforting to know that he was at least able to make contact once. And so far, his opponent hadn't been able to land a hit, which only boosted the red male's confidence.

Would he finally succeed in his duel? He felt it nearing an end, but he couldn't help but try for one more hit - a swinging paw that fell just short of his opponent. He could feel her energy, and it felt like his this was the final attempt that would be made between the two of them.

Feeling victorious, Mazin couldn't help but smile. It had been such a long process, and he feared that by taking this long he had missed his sister. But at least for now, he had a place to call home.