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It was hot. Damn it was hot! This was a stupid idea and it was stupid of him to have decided to go through with it. The white and black lion scowled, teeth gritting and crushing sand that had lodged in them. Disgusting. Like licking a rock! How did lions live like this?? It couldn't be easy...But then, that was what had attracted him to the place, wasn't it? As much as he harped and swore internally, he knew he would not let himself be defeated by some measly heat and pitiful sand.

He'd gotten used to waking and having to spend twice the time grooming out his fur since coming to the desert. His long flowing mane and thick fur had been a blessing in the mountains he'd come from, but here it was nothing but trouble. Perhaps the locals had some way of preventing it, but he had yet to speak to more than a pawful of them. He wasn't yet worthy. Apparently. Never mind that he was the strongest lion he'd ever met.

And that was why he was here today. A duel. Finally he could prove himself.

Lumt spotted the lioness--certainly Firekin colors, but rather small, he thought, for one of them. He'd seen the giants of the desert, and could stand nearly shoulder to shoulder with them. This female though...well. Size wasn't everything. She had a tough look about her, and clearly was a member herself. So she must have won her own duel at some point. That meant that she was strong too. Probably fast.

Even before he spoke he was assessing what he thought might be her strengths.

"I am. Looking to oblige?" He strode forward with confidence, and once he saw her prepare, launched into a sudden swipe. Which to his surprise (but not total shock) missed.

Lumt was aware of neither her condition, nor her momentary hesitation. He'd come for a duel, and she obliged. He was focused on proving himself, though perhaps had he known he would have requested a more 'fit' partner. Likely he would never know though, and the issue of if the fight was fair or not did not even come into play.

He ducked her strike, having been ready for it when he himself missed. In the same movement he coiled for a lightning fast strike--an open-pawed slap aimed for her chest. He resisted the urge to dig in claws when he felt himself connect with solid flesh. This was a duel, not a battle. He did allow a small snarl of delight though. "First blood" was his.

Lumt was coldly pleased to feel nothing but air passing through his fur as the female missed again. Admittedly it did take all his skill to dodge the blow, even with her already off-balance. He was impressed, but of course would never say so, even if this was the time for it. Instead he let his body express his admiration...by not holding back. That was respect, right? He launched another slap for the female. This time at her side, not her chest. Another satisfying connection, to his stoic delight.

He couldn't be sure what was going on now. It seemed like this should be a duel. It'd started off enough like one. It felt one-sided to him as well though, and he was beginning not to like it. The lioness didn't look like a weakling, but she hadn't made any real moves against him at all. He circled for a half moment, thinking. Perhaps it was on purpose? Less about him winning a fight, more just showing what he knew? He couldn't be sure. Maybe he was just getting lucky. Still, he'd fight on a little longer, if only to be sure he wasn't stopping too soon, and keeping himself from the pride. With a decisive move, he lunged once more, tagging at her back hip this time.

Another hit for him, another miss for her. He could tell she was trying, but he felt totally confident in himself then. And part of him dearly hoped that whatever was making this duel so easy would not make life so easy in the pride. He'd joined for a challenge after all. One final blow he struck, dodging her latest attack, and retaliating. He pulled the hit at the last moment (though she would obviously feel it, and know he could have put force behind it) and gently brushed his paw across her cheek, rather than slam it. Duel or not, something seemed wrong about beating a female about the head.

Zara's last strike caught Lumt by surprise. And not to mention, clonked him hard right on the head. The world flashed, and went dark. The next thing he knew, he was blinking sand from his eyes and wondering why he felt so nauseous. Not to mention how the sun'd moved through the sky so fast. He'd never been knocked out before. He forced himself to his feet, and to not show how stiff he felt. How long'd he been prone that way? Must have been long to grow so sore. He shook off the sand, and then groaned. His head ached.

"...How long was I out?" He finally asked. "Guess that's that then. When shall we fight again?" He assumed he'd not made it in, thanks top his unseemly collapse.

Well. That he supposed was reward enough for getting himself knocked out. After a moment he took off after her, still a bit sick to his stomach, but far too proud to tend to it right now. He was home, where he belonged. He wouldn't show any weakness until he was alone in his own pride den.



(Fin~)