[DUEL] A Challenger Approaches

[SilverLutz]

Citrabanu had once again found himself with an impressive challenger staring him down across the sands. Ud was young like him but had already risen to a high rank within the pride. Citrabanu would be lying if he said he didn't look up to the other male quite a bit, admiring his poise and calm while still being fierce and relentless. He hoped to learn a lot from this spar as he had been doing with the other ones so far. He needed to remember Menkar's advice to have fun with it and Kasoro's to be a bit more agile. He'd been working on his speed and agility so hopefully it would show.

His initial lunge was a massive fail, though. He had to remind himself that Ud was a skilled fighter and that he probably knew a lot of tricks of his own. His swipe went wide but he turned as he missed, trying to keep the other lion in his sights.

Total: 1  

[SilverLutz]

Ud had been willing to accept the duel request from Citrabanu, always eager to help others improve their skills and to keep his own sharp. As a Legate his role had turned a bit more political than physical though it did call for it at times. Still, Ud never wanted to sit on his laurels and would accept any duel that came his way.

Citrabanu made the first move, allowing Ud to counter. He turned to lay a swat on Citrabanu's side but the other male had been quick enough to turn, allowing him to see the attack coming in. Ud barely got a hit but he did make contact before putting a bit of distance between them.

Total: 2  

[SilverLutz]

The blow was glancing but it hit all the same, leaving Citrabanu feeling like a bit of a failure already. He bucked up quickly, though, not allowing himself to get down on himself. This was just the beginning and he had a lot of skill himself! He turned quickly and pounced forward, trying to catch Ud by surprise, but it seemed the Legate wouldn't be so easily caught. Citrabanu fell on empty sand, claws out to keep himself from pitching forward and so he was ready to dodge an incoming attack.

Total: 2  

[SilverLutz]

Citrabanu was quick, Ud would give him that. It seemed he wasn't used to his own quickness, making his moves a little predictable. Perhaps it was something he was working on, though. Ud moved back as Citrabanu pounced, safely out of range of a strike. He didn't give Citrabanu much time to consider his next move, darting back in to try for a hit of his own, but it seemed the younger male was ready this time.

He swiped but came up empty, his paw hitting nothing but air. Better!

Total: 3  

[SilverLutz]

Citrabanu felt a little surge of encouragement as he dodged the swipe, surprised but delighted at his own speed. All that hard work had paid off, it seemed! Now if he could blend his fighting skill with his newly learned techniques he'd be in business. Letting his newfound confidence push him forward, Citrabanu charged forward as he usually did, a bit reckless but powerful and quick. He came up empty again with his swipe, though, and snarled in frustration. He hadn't been able to hit Ud once so far! How was the other lion doing it?

Total: 3  

[SilverLutz]

Ud could see the frustration in Citrabanu's eyes as yet another of his attacks went short as he backed up quickly. It was important to know when to avoid an attack and when to absorb a blow and right now with how easily Citrabanu's attacks were to read Ud figured it would be the best way to go about this duel.

"Come on," he murmured, his tone not at all taunting or patronizing. "You can do this. Focus." Rather than trying to land another hit he began to circle, biding his time to see what Citrabanu would do. He didn't want to beat the younger male soundly into the ground after all. Duels were supposed to build up confidence and skill, not drag younger lions down.

Total: 5  

[SilverLutz]

Citrabanu first felt ashamed as Ud encouraged him. He wasn't some apprentice learning how to fight, he was an accomplished soldier who knew what he was doing! But he understood Ud wasn't speaking from a place of superiority or teasing. If there was one weak link within the Firekin, their strength would break. They didn't want weak lions and he needed to prove to Ud and himself that he wasn't the one to make them fail.

Taking the opportunity he was given, Citrabanu waited and watched as Ud circled. He waited for the best moment to lunge forward quickly, his paw reaching out for a strike. A little surge of victory ran through him as he actually made contact. It wasn't a solid hit, but he had touched the elusive lion all the same.

Total: 5  

[SilverLutz]

Ud could see Citrabanu calculating when the best time to strike was and he did it pretty well. Ud couldn't pull back in time and felt the other lion score a light touch to his front leg. He smiled just a bit before crouching again, hopeful the small victory would boost Citrabanu for the rest of the duel.

He wasn't going to go easy on him, though. He pounced with Citrabanu's defense was down, landing the first solid hit of the fight against Citrabanu's side.

Total: 8  

[SilverLutz]

The victory of the light touch was short-lived as Ud launched himself forward. Citrabanu didn't have time to try to dodge and instead held his ground, hoping to land an equally hard blow. The strike was solid but he remained where he was, lips curling back in a snarl as he raised his own paw to return the favor. Unfortunately Ud was too agile and Citrabanu's paw hit nothing but air.

Total: 6  

[SilverLutz]

Oh, but he did feel a bit badly about dodging that hit. Ud couldn't help it, though. Battle was ingrained in him just as it was for every Firekin, though with his experiences outside the pride he certainly felt like he had a rather large advantage. Hopefully Citrabanu would learn something from this fight and not be discouraged. He did pull away completely without adding insult to injury even though he had a chance for one more strike, figuring that would only trod Citrabanu down further.

Total: 10  

[SilverLutz]

As Ud backed up Citrabanu knew he'd lost. He hung his head and snarled at the ground, frustrated in his poor performance. Usually the duels were at least close, but this one had been a mockery of the practice.

Ud padded forward and laid a paw on Citrabanu's shoulder. The younger lion didn't move.

"Don't beat yourself up," he said with an encouraging smile. "I can tell you've been working on new tactics and just haven't had the chance to put them into practice yet. I see a lot of potential here, Citrabanu." The kind words weren't something Citrabanu had expected and he lifted his head slowly, looking at the Legate silently.

"I'd be honored to fight by your side in battle," Ud said once he made eye contact. "I can see you're a true warrior. Keep practicing and dueling. You'll get there." He pushed gently on Citrabanu's shoulder before withdrawing his paw, turning to go without another word.

Citrabanu let out a slow breath as Ud walked away, taking his words to heart. He just needed practice, and practice he would. More duels. More training on his own. He could do this.