[Duel] shifting sands (Adendahl x P'leimis)

[KasaiLoki]

Large paws padded the sifting sands of desert. Mentally, Adendahl had been preparing himself for this day. He had heard about the Firekin in the Southlands from those who had been part of the pride previously, and thought how he, too, would like to be a part of it. The normally quiet lion knew however he would have to prove himself. Nearing the lands, light eyes scanned for any signs of life. Aden was curious as to how strong these lions truly were, to be situated deep in the desert. It proved what strength they had all in all, if anything at all.

The bright, fire-colored, male shook his head. Grains of sand mingled with the spotted hair strands, blending into his mane. He allowed his claws to extending, digging themselves into the sand, before retracting once more. Adendahl did not know what to expect, but he would always try to expect the unexpected.
 

[Andranis]

It seemed P'leimis was always angry... Well, always. He didn't know where the anger came from, only that it was ever-present, and his usual sparring partner being out doing something was making him especially angry. Nobody else wanted to spar with him, which meant he had gone to the grounds where would-be members gathered to try and duel their way in.

When he spied the bright lion, he knew right away the lion wasn't of the pride, even as big as it was, by birth. Perhaps he had some of the Firekin blood in him, it wouldn't be unreasonable to think. Just how many Firekin had spread across the lands before and after the plague that had devastated things? Before and after the rebellion his own grandfather had championed. Before and after the threat of the Nergui had reared its head. The answer was simple, they didn't know who had some secret Firekin blood and who just happened to be the right colorations, they only knew that if the lion was worthy, they could join.

"Hey, fresh meat! You here to join us?" Given where they were meeting, of COURSE he was here to join the Firekin, who wouldn't want to? "Looks like you need a duel partner, and you're in luck... I wanna fight somebody today." Really, he wanted to fight somebody every day.  

[KasaiLoki]

[roll 1 - Miss
Total = 1]

Adendahl could smell the larger lion approaching before he could actually see him. But there he was, maybe slightly larger than himself, padding up to him. His claws extended once more, this time remaining out. His ears swiveled at the top of his head, eyes narrowed at the name.

'Fresh meat?' Aden inwardly scoffed. He definitely did not appreciate the name calling. His lip raised slightly to demonstrate his distaste, before his voice took over. "Indeed." Light eyes focused into darker ones. "I guess it's both of our lucky days then." The lion commented, not waiting for another answer as he sprang into action. He didn't know what he was getting himself, but even if he wanted to change his mind he couldn't. He could feel himself aiming right for the larger lion.

His calculations of his pounce was off, or was it the other being faster than he was? Regardless, the male missed his target, skidding across the sands, lifting up dust.

Andranis

 

[Andranis]

P'leimis scoffed, watching the other lion. Pathetic. He shifted on the sand, watching the other lion move. His sparring with Leek had proven good for at least one thing, and that was learning to watch his opponent.

When the new lion made for an attack, P'leimis moved to the side, simply watching as he skid across the sand. He couldn't tell, though, if it was because he'd moved or the other lion's calculations were off. He only knew he'd moved on instinct. "Tch." Shifting again, the white lion moved for his own attack. When he got close, though, he skid to a halt, seeking to use his bulk as intimidation.
P'lemis was, after all, built for the desert. It was deep-rooted into his blood on both sides of his family, even if his grandmothers both came from outside blood.  

[KasaiLoki]

[roll 2 = 1 Miss // Total : 2]

Aden's nose twitched. It wasn't the lion's size that was throwing him off. Maybe it was being in the new terrain? He wasn't use to fighting on shifting ground. Perhaps that was it? Bah! Adendahl shook his head, steering that thought from his mind. He knew he needed to win this fight to gain access to the Firekin lands. He wanted to prove to himself he could do it.

He launched again, aiming for the other male's form. This time, he landed too short of the other. This was certainly turning out to be a terrible first impression for Aden to the other. He needed pointers, and he was sure this white male would not give him any, at least, not during the duel. But really, would Aden want to ask him afterwards if he ended up losing? Probably not. He would need to take himself back to train, and challenge again. He hoped it would not come to that.  

[Andranis]

Once again, P'leimis was none too impressed. "You're not very good at this, are you?" He moved, circling before he reached out to strike the other lion. It was more of a tap, really, a mockery of an actual hit. It spoke volumes, if one interpreted it right, about what P'leimis thought of this lion that sought to join the pride. He didn't think very highly of him, critical in a way that would probably have unknowingly made his great-grandfather proud if he'd decided on his own to let rogues join. To P'leimis, this lion wasn't worthy, either yet or at all, to join the pride. He couldn't even walk on the sand very well! "Feel the sand move beneath your paws and spread them out more, Fresh Meat. You'll stumble less!"  

[KasaiLoki]

[roll 3 - 3 Hit! // Total 5]

The fire-pelted lion scoffed. "Apparently not."

The strike caught him off-guard, although he thought it would hold a bit more power to it. Was this male toying with him? Firekin were strong, they should give their alls in battle (or duels. Same difference, right?) This guy, Aden expected a bit more from him.

Adendahl appreciated the tip, although he didn't acknowledge it towards P'leimis. He did as he was told, felt the moving sands beneath his now spread out paws. He could feel himself balancing out slightly. He took the opportunity to swipe a paw towards his partner. His pounces were not working, so maybe a change of tactic was in order.  

[Andranis]

The next thing P'leimis knew, a paw had hit him. It wasn't that it hurt, though - It was more than he was surprised. He looked at the spot he'd been hit, then at the stranger. "Oh you CAN land a hit!" He gave the other lion a dangerous grin. "It's time to stop playing, then." He began to circle, shifting his skin to make his fur move in a way that made him look larger. Part of good battle tactics was indimidation. Not all Firekin, especially with all the new blood, were big, of course. Some were small and lithe and quick, also a useful asset. But for those that were bulkier, intimidating on their own, to make them look bigger would make for an even more intimidating lion. Sand lifted off the ground as P'leimis circled, biding his time. His next strike would come, it just not right this moment. He exercised that one thing he had little of usually, patience, until he felt the time would be right.  

[KasaiLoki]

[roll 4 = bide 2 // Total 7]

Adendahl smirked. He did not want to let that get to his head however.

He shrank back for a moment as the lion seemingly made himself larger. A frown held on his maw. He had so much to learn from the lions of the land, that he knew. Adendahl watched as the male began to circle him. He slowly begin to mimic his steps, waiting for the male to take his next move. Aden was previously on the offensive, and that was not working for him. This time, his eyed his opponent, waiting for him to make the next move.
 

[Andranis]

Ah, the new face was learning! That was good! He was also intimidated, which was also good. And if there was a certainty in anybody in the pride, it was that P'leimis was prone to getting cocky, which was NOT good. With a roar, the white hulk of a lion launched at the other lion, intent to give him a more vicious hit than his last. It missed, though, with P'leimis only brushing past. He snarled, sliding and then rolling across the sand. The only small comfort was that, with practiced ease, he jumped back up onto his paws partway through the roll.  

[KasaiLoki]

[roll 5 = bide 2 // Total End: 9 points]

There it was! Aden was waiting for that moment from the lion. So, P'leimis was more of a defensive lion? Pale eyes saw the spring in his step at the launch, moving at the last moment in the sand as the other male had told him. His hind end scooted beneath him, so they would not be the target of sharp talon-like claws. He did not feel like sporting new scars today.

"Your tips helped." The lion stated, circling the male just as he had before. "So for that, I thank you." His defensive stance worked previously, he hoped to try it again for a second time. His light eyes watched intently, waiting for Firekin to act. He hoped his plan worked.
 

[Andranis]

"Well that's good!" But was it good enough? P'leimis moved around, his fur settling back down. As he circled, he calculated, taking in the stranger's every movement. Finally, he smirked slightly, before charging. When his paw shot out, the claws were extended this time, and they found their goal on him. The hit was hard, and P'leimis all but danced away across the sand, his paws naturally shifting and moving to accommodate the shifting ground. "Gotta try harder, though!"

KasaiLoki

Just one more post from each of us at this point and it's done heart

 

[KasaiLoki]

Adendahl let out a gasped roar as claws found his skin. could feel the nails digging into the skin, knowing it would scratch, and hoping it would not scar. The flame-pelted skittered quickly away from the offending lion, quickly turning around. He didn't dare try again, he knew he was outmatched this duel. He had jumped into this match not knowing what to expect from the Firekin.

He nodded his head briefly. "I'll be back." He commented to the other. It was not smart for him to stay and continue a fight that he would not win. He would train more, and challenge again. He'd be accepted into the pride one day, but today was not the day. "Next time, you will see improvement." Whether he would duel this lion again or another, Aden would make sure he would find this lion amongst the ranks to show him he indeed improved.

The lion turned away, heading in the direction he had come from. One day. He would be back.


 

[Andranis]

P'leimis smiled saccharinely at the retreating lion, watching that mark he'd made. If the other lion hoped it didn't scar, P'leimis did. It'd serve as a good reminder of his first failed attempt. "I look forward to it, Fresh Meat!" Maybe there was hope yet, the lion DID have the fighting spirit. He just needed to redirect it. P'leimis rolled his shoulders, contemplating that thought. He'd been focusing a bit more, himself, when he reflected on it, and he'd have to reflect on it later with Leek. Turning, he headed back toward the dens, mind a whirl of thoughts now.

Fin