[CHAL] Desert Storm (Tifu/Ensis)

[Excited Apathy]

Pacing back and forth along the border, careful not to cross too far inside, Tifu looked for someone to challenge. The concept of battle to enter was far from foreign to her--her father had undergone just such a trial to become a Firekin. And then, of course, she had been born and deemed huria. She had been raised and trained, but forced to leave all the same. Supposedly these "Stormborn" didn't care about your pelt, just your ability. She liked to think she had a fair amount of that.

Growing impatient, she paused, letting out an echoing roar.

mouselet

 

[mouselet]

The lioness was large. And impatient, he thought with a wince as she roared. Ensis hadn't been in a hurry to get to the border, but he hadn't dallied. This lioness was just...very impatient. There were other terms he could use, but as he didn't know the stranger at all, it would be rude to use them.

However, if she was going to make such a fuss, then there was no reason to hesitate. When the Reaver got to an easy speaking distance, he did no such thing. Instead, the white lion charged straight at his challenger.  

[Excited Apathy]

Tifu tensed, green-gold eyes focused on the pale lion approaching her. She waited for him to get close enough to make some sort of remark, but none came. Instead, she scrambled to dodge, whirling to swat at his passing hindquarters with one paw. Her ears flattened against her head--she didn't care for being put on the defensive, and she resolved to make him pay for it. Lowering her head, she bulled towards him.

mouselet

 

[mouselet]

The blow to his rear was nothing compared to taking the lioness' charge head-on. This was less than surprising, considering the size of her added to the aggression she'd already displayed with her impatience. Ensis had been prepared for such a retaliation, but it was still a shock of force that hit him. With the wind knocked out of him, the white lion's paw wasn't aimed as well as it could have been. He had meant to catch her on the head, near the eye.  

[Excited Apathy]

Tifu jerked her head back as she was boxed in the ear, shaking it violently in an attempt to rid herself of the momentary disorientation. Deciding against grappling with the male--manes made that troublesome--she struck back at his head, seeking to daze him just as badly. As an added assault, she let out a bellowing roar in his face, large fangs flashing. It wouldn't hurt him, but fighting could be as much a mental effort as a physical one.  

[mouselet]

She was certainly strong. That was evident as she landed a blow on the back of his head (and how had her paw gotten all the way around over there?) that dazed him. Not to mention the roaring in his face which was more annoying than intimidating. But with her so close, he couldn't help trying to bite the lioness.

Unfortunately, Ensis' teeth snapped together audibly on the open air. Hopefully it had been enough encouragement for the stranger to back off a little.  

[Excited Apathy]

A flash of teeth, an audible click as fangs snapped shut near her face. Tifu's eyes blazed, the lioness rising to the challenge implied in the warning snap. Muscles bunching beneath her short pelt, she surged forward, claws seeking purchase in his mane, the lioness attempting to bite his face. She would not be intimidated!  

[mouselet]

There were many things that Ensis had spent years training himself to endure. Claws grazing his neck through his mane, teeth on his cheek, these were not the worst he'd had.

And if the lioness was fool enough to close with him, well, then she'd pay the price.

The Reaver extended his own claws and stabbed directly at his opponent's unprotected chest. Not for the heart, no, but not that far from it.  

[Excited Apathy]

Tifu bellowed with intermingled pain and fury as claws pierced her hide. Releasing her mouthful--she was trying to win a place against her opponent, not maim him--she abruptly switched tactics. Hind paws skidding in the dirt, she dug in, trying to force him off balance with sheer size. Her teeth clicked shut near one ear, less a serious attack than a distraction.  

[mouselet]

Pink eyes gleamed in satisfaction at the sound of the lioness' outrage. It seemed his claws had done their work. Of course, it was entirely possible that she would give into her wrath and forget that this fight was more about him evaluating her skill than anything else. It could be that she'd forgotten that and would not attempt to reduce him to bloody rags.

So he was pleasantly surprised when she started attempting to shove him over. The near-bite was nothing to worry about. As for the pushing...well, Ensis had a solution for that.

The white lion allowed his legs to collapse, so that the force of his opponent's shove had her overbalanced. As he fell, a paw reached out languidly to swat the lioness as she went by.  

[Excited Apathy]

Suddenly, resistance became none at all. Surprised and helpless to halt her forward momentum, Tifu fell atop the other lion in a clumsy sprawl. She scrabbled for footing, keenly aware that she was now uncoordinated and vulnerable. She glared at the male as she gained her feet, ears pinned and tail lashing, but holding off on a fresh attack for the moment. She needed a win--but maybe countering his offensives would work better.  

[mouselet]

The Reaver simply watched as the lioness scrambled to get off of him and back on her own feet. Aside from that temper, she had the makings of a fine Stormborn. As far as he was concerned the testing was over.

"Enough," he informed her with a yawn as the white lion leisurely got to his feet. "You've certainly proven that despite a temper hotter than the sun, you've got what it takes for the Myrsky Syntynyt."

"Follow me," Ensis continued, turning towards the pride. "And think about working on that anger - it may do you more harm than good."  

[Excited Apathy]

Surprise flickered across Tifu's face, before settling into a (mostly) pleased expression. Her eyes narrowed slightly at the admonishment before she shrugged. In was in, so she dismissed it for now. Glancing down at the blood starting to stain the paler fur on her chest, she decided that could be dismissed too and followed after her new pride-mate.