[DUEL] Opportunity Comes

[In Good Faith]

The black and red lioness didn't have to wait long when she arrived back at the territory boarder this morning. Luck was on her side that a male had crossed her path, and was one that was willing to accept her challenge. Nerves had been swimming in her stomach for the better part of the last twenty-four hours and when she finally had her opponent before her, they seemed to settle. This was it. Finally Thabisa would have the opportunity to prove herself worthy of the firekin and take the first steps into joining their pride.

The sun had risen quickly and was baking her in the direct heat. Looking onto Shoidan, however, the dark male looked like he was worse off than her with that giant mane. She hoped that put her at a slight advantage. She'd need all she could get...

Taking a few steading breaths, she nodded to the lion as acknowledgment the duel had begun. In a swift move, the Thabisa crouched to the ground and lunged for the male. He was fast, though, and probably expecting her to do just that. As a result, she missed but quickly recovered by swerving in the dirt to face her opponent. Never turn your back on them, Manyara had told her.

Quote:

I'm going to go ahead and do my rolls in advance if you're okay with that! Rolling 5, 6-sided dice.

1, 2 = miss / failed attacked
3, 4 = bide / glancing attacking
5, 6 = hit / successful attack

Rolled: 2, 3, 5, 4, 3

2 = miss
3 = bide
5 = hit
4 = bide
3 = bide

 

[RuIerr]

Shoidan was hot. The sun was at its peak, it appeared, and he could practically feel his skin boiling in the stagnant, arid heat. The thick, dark mane that covered much of his body only served to insulate him, and he was really feeling it. Almost lazily, he blinked his eyes, sizing up the opponent in front of him. Sure, it was hot, but he had more important things to worry about.

She was a striking lioness - decked out in a perfectly adequate Firekin coat. and it appeared that she would fit right into the pride, no questions asked. Unfortunately for her, she had Shoidan, an experienced soldier in the army of the Firekin, for a dueling partner. That didn't bode well for what he assumed was a neophyte to the world of fighting. At least, fighting as the Firekin saw it.

Thabisa nodded and immediately sprung into action, quick on her paws she leapt towards him, but he was faster, darting out of the way and leaving her to skid through the dirt. In response, he growled (an involuntary reflex that came with impassioned duels) and lunged at her. 'Good for her,' he thought as his claws grazed her skin, just barely managing to land any sort of attack as she dodged out of the way. It wasn't effective by any means, but it was almost a landed attack - that was a decent start.

Quote:

Stealing your format bc lazy~

1, 2 = miss / failed attacked
3, 4 = bide / glancing attacking
5, 6 = hit / successful attack

Rolled: 3, 5, 4, 5, 6

3 = bide
5 = hit
4 = bide
5 = hit
6 = hit

 

[In Good Faith]

Thabisa didn't have time to worry over her first attack missing as the large lion came barreling at her just as soon as she'd found her footing. She dodged, mimicking the manner that he ha avoided her first attack and was almost just as successful.

She barely noticed the glancing claws on her hind leg and a yowl made its way up her throat. It was almost surprising provided she'd never had reason to even growl at anything other than prey. It seemed her dormant firekin blood was waking up and she liked it.

In the heartbeat that the pair passed each other, Thabisa struck out with claws raised but the lion was quicker than she could know. It resulted in a light graze with no purchase. Disgruntled, she let a low growl rumble in her throat.

Ruler of Everything

 

[RuIerr]

Shoidan was satisfied to hear a yelp out of Thabisa - he hadn't gotten much out of her, but this was only the beginning of what was shaping up to be a fun little battle. She reached out toward him with her claws as they passed one another, but he only felt a light graze. A quick smile flashed across his face - he could feel a win coming on, and that was always a welcome feeling.

Whipping around, Shoidan gathered himself on his haunches and leapt forward, both arms outstretched wide in the hopes of capturing her in his claws somehow. He came down on top of her - it felt hard. As he made contact, he growled, fiercely and contentedly.

Ruler of Everything

 

[In Good Faith]

Thabisa let out a gust of breath when the lion collided with her. Immediately she began to thrash, not allowing the lion to pin her or otherwise constrain her. At some point her mind realized that they were in close contact and she gauged what was in biting distance. His mane protected his neck too much but in their grappling, Thabisa made out what was a lean piece of flesh. She acted before the thought was fully formed by snapping her jaws on whatever it was--a leg or arm she guessed--and sunk her teeth into the skin as best she could.

Ruler of Everything

 

[RuIerr]

When he felt Thabisa's teeth sink into his forearm, he growled, nice a loud. No yelping from this lion - not today. The growl rumbled from deep within, emitting from his mouth moments later. It was a very common sound around these parts - so if Thabisa was to become one of his pride mates, be it now (not likely) or in the future, she best get used to the loud noises of battle... directly in her ear.

It hurt, but it was manageable. Shoidan scrambled away, taking deep, hungry breaths of air for a short moment before he turned back around and sprang for her, reaching out with his non-injured arm to claw directly at her face or neck. He hated to potentially ruin a pretty face, but what must be done must be done. When he felt the hit connect, he growled once more - this time in brief triumph.

In Good Faith

xD quoted myself last time, I'm sure that was helpful

 

[In Good Faith]

Thabisa let out a louder yowl that had the undertones of a snarl. The big lug-head had managed to catch her in the neck, claws dragging down from her jaw to shoulder. Somewhat blinded by anger and pain, Thabisa answered with a swing at her cheek but her arms simply weren't the length she needed to reach him. The disadvantages of size stung almost as much as the marks down her neck, slowly oozing blood.

Ruler of Everything

Short reply is short, I'm sorry ;3;

 

[RuIerr]

Shoidan's ears flicked as he heard Thabisa let out a snarling yelp, pleased to have been effective once more. She tried to take a swing at his own face, but she narrowly missed, her arms not quite long enough to make contact. Happy for the lapse in the fight, he bounded away a few leaps to give himself some space. Then he spun around quickly, jumping right back for her with his fangs headed for her left shoulder. If it landed, it would be painful - and quite possibly the end to their battle. She wouldn't make it into the Firekin this time, but he was always down for a rematch.

In Good Faith

 

[In Good Faith]

Thabisa had lost her fire. She was losing and she knew it, and it had upturned her entire self confidence. The last blow by Shoidan landed, and with a grinding of her teeth, she bellowed “yield! I yield.” She jerked away from the lion, panting with a sheen of sweat on her fur, mixed with blood where Shoidan had struck with claws and teeth.

With breath dragging into her lungs but unable to satisfy her need for oxygen, the lion couldn’t speak immediately. Once she caught enough air, she sat on her haunches, head hung in defeat. “What now?” She wasn’t sure if she was speaking to herself or Shoidan. She was humilaiated and wished the earth would open up where she sat, and swalllw her whole.

Ruler of Everything

 

[RuIerr]

It was hard to take satisfaction in beating a rogue so badly, but Shoidan didn't get out much - he loved the thrill a good win brought on. That was why, when the lioness shoutet the magical word ( "yield!" ), he immediately backed away from her with a big smile. Realizing that was classless, he let his maw droop a bit. At that moment, his brain still pumping out endorphins from the battle, he did not feel the injury on his arms, inflamed and oozing blood. Instead, all he felt was victory.

Shoidan took a gulping breath and stared at Thabisa, evenly, finally taking a moment to size her up. She was definitely Moutoujamii material - if she could work towards actually defeating him or one of his pridemates in battle, she'd be a beautiful addition to the Firekin blood. She was strong - he could sense it - he just happened to come out on top this time. "Now, you meet me back here when you're healed and we see what you're really made of," he said, the grin sneaking back onto his face. "You did well, Thabisa. I look forward to seeing what more training does for you." He bowed his head to her, which is when he noticed the blood trickling down his arm, a surefire result of her earlier attack. Shoidan laughed a bit, "Although I may want to go get this checked out first." It was a compliment to her, his prominent injury, and even if she didn't win this fight, managing such a blow on a Firekin brought with it its own bragging rights. "Until next time," he spoke, giving himself a brief moment to stretch before he turned tail and walked away, eager to find his den and bathe in the good feelings such a great victory brought about.

In Good Faith

Fin from me~