[DUEL] Second Time's the Charm?

[SilverLutz]

Malie stared at her reflection in the small Outpost watering hole and took a deep breath before setting her features into a determined expression. She'd gotten her butt handed to her the last time she'd tried to duel her way into the Firekin lands, but after having spent a few months getting some actual practice and training in here with the Outpost guards, she felt like she might be able to hold her own and at least slightly impress whoever was going to fight her.

She rolled her shoulders before heading for the dueling grounds and gave a roar of challenge. Surely those that were positioned here frequently would recognize her and know that this wasn't a practice session. This was the real thing!

Seaki

 

[Seaki]

There was fire in Ran's blood today. She was determined to prove herself. The easiest way to do that was to trawl the the outskirts for outsiders, or to anxiously wait in the dueling grounds. Unfortunately, pacing the borders and waiting was often a waiting game.

To the Dueling grounds she went.

There were others locked in battle, others aching to prove their strength. She rolled her shoulders, and gazed upon some of the others that were dueling, and the few milling around post-duel.

That is. Until she heard a challenging roar, and her blood sang in response. She would answer the challenge! And what do you know, it was someone quite familiar.  

[SilverLutz]

Roll 1: 2 - Bide

Malie tried not to let her ears droop when she spotted who was going to be her opponent. Ran. The lioness that she'd tried to duel her first go-round and had been soundly beaten. She hadn't been able to land almost any hits on her!

Biding her time for the moment - last time she'd darted in recklessly, that had surely been her undoing - Malie let out a slow breath and lowered her head, starting to pace in a slow circle. One of the things she'd learned while training here was to let your opponent make the first move. It wasn't a sure-fire way to win, but it was advice Malie had never considered. She needed to put her practice into use if she wanted to impress the soldier before her!

Seaki

 

[Seaki]

"Back again I see," Ran commented. She watched the other lioness bide her time. Last time, she had granted the lioness the first hit, and then soundly beat her. "I see you've learned a thing or two."

She watched the lioness for another beat and then lunged for her. If she was going to wait for Ran to make the first move, then so be it. She'll make the first move. She aimed for the shoulder, and she could feel her paw connect.

Off to a good start! But getting the first hit did not determine the outcome of a battle. Who knows what the other had learned in the time between they're duels. Ran was up for the challenge!


Roll 1: 3 - Hit

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

Roll 1: 2 - Bide
Roll 2: 3 - Hit
Total: 5

Malie managed to give a tiny nod as Ran spoke. She was back. She'd never left, really, hanging around the Outpost to get better. Her dream was to join the Firekin and although those that manned the Outpost teased her for being fireless, they couldn't deny the passion burning within her to become a fighter among their ranks. Hopefully she could prove to Ran this time that she was worthy.

Before she could say anything in return Ran surged in, just as fast as she had been the last time they'd faced off. Malie barely had time to register the movement before she felt a strong paw land on her shoulder. Before she would have danced away to try to avoid another hit, but this time she twisted and returned the blow to Ran's flank. The connection felt solid under her paw, but she knew not to get too excited. Last time she'd done that she'd missed every single swipe afterwards.

Seaki

 

[Seaki]

Ran felt the connection to the other's shoulder and then the hit in return on her flank. It was a solid blow that smarted. She attempted to land another blow before they parted, but she could feel only air beneath her paw as she struck out.

A miss, then!

She pulled back away from the other to shake off the blow from the other's paw, and to give herself another chance to assess the lioness.

"Solid hit," She complimented.


Roll 1: 3 - Hit
Roll 2: 1 - Miss

(Total: 4)  

[SilverLutz]

Roll 1: 2 - Bide
Roll 2: 3 - Hit
Roll 3: 2 - Glancing blow
Total: 7

Malie turned to face Ran, the words of praise making her chest swell with pride for just a moment. This was the middle of the battle, she couldn’t get comfortable now!

“Thanks,” she said with a hesitant smile. “But save the compliments for the end if I really impress you!” Despite the looming dread still lingering over her, Malie had to focus on now and not on the past. She darted in to swipe at Ran again, making contact but only barely. Drat!

Seaki

 

[Seaki]

So it does seem that the lioness learned quite a bit since they're last duel. Talking definitely won't distract her any longer. It was worth a shot!

Ran attempted to dodge her challenger, but the strike still landed upon her body. Barely, but still a hit. She attempted to strike out as the lioness was near again, but once again it was a miss! Perhaps she was losing her edge.

You win some you lose some, but the battle was not yet over.

SilverLutz

Roll 1: 3 - Hit
Roll 2: 1 - Miss
Roll 3: 1 - Miss

(Total: 5)  

[SilverLutz]

Roll 1: 2 - Bide
Roll 2: 3 - Hit
Roll 3: 2 - Glancing blow
Roll 4: 1 - Miss
Total: 8

As Ran tried for another swipe Malie dodged out of the way, feeling the wind from the force of the blow tickle her fur. Phew, that one was close! Some things couldn't really be trained and speed was one of them. Maybe Ran could give her some pointers on how to try to get faster...

Not completely focused on the battle for a moment, Malie tried another swipe but found herself coming up with nothing but air. She bared her teeth in frustration at herself and lowered her head, bunching and tensing her muscles for whatever attack might come next.

Seaki

 

[Seaki]

This duel wasn't really going well for her in terms of getting in hits. Still, Ran felt the two were quite evenly matched. It was still anyone's duel to win, and she might just be able to get in another hit. The duel would come to an end soon. Who would be the victor?

She lunged again, but she was a bit off in her calculations. The hit barely landed, and ended up more a tap than anything. Would it cost her the duel, or did she still have a chance?

SilverLutz

Roll 1: 3 - Hit
Roll 2: 1 - Miss
Roll 3: 1 - Miss
Roll 4: 2 - Glancing Blow

(Total: 7)  

[SilverLutz]

Roll 1: 2 - Bide
Roll 2: 3 - Hit
Roll 3: 2 - Glancing blow
Roll 4: 1 - Miss
Roll 5: 2 - Glancing blow
Total: 10

Malie's readed muscles allowed her to spring out of the way of the blow from Ran. She still got hit, but it wasn't a full-on smack like it would have been. She quickly lashed out but she was too far to land a solid hit, only brushing her toes along Ran's leg.

Seaki

 

[Seaki]

Ran attempted one last hit. A failed one. She still touched her opponent but the hit was not enough to win her this duel. She conceded - the other lioness certainly won this round!

"Congratulations!" She told the other. She was panting a bit from the exertion, but she had to admit the other lioness learned quite a bit since they last crossed paths. "Perhaps we can train together in the future."

Roll 1: 3 - Hit
Roll 2: 1 - Miss
Roll 3: 1 - Miss
Roll 4: 2 - Glancing Blow
Roll 5: 2 - Glancing Blow
 

[SilverLutz]

Malie felt the paw of the other lioness connect to her leg...but only slightly. When she lifted her head to face Ran again she was breathing heavily as well, but when the word 'congratulations' left her opponent's mouth she felt like she could run from here all the way back to the Bahari without stopping.

"Thank you!" she said, her voice an octave higher than usual as she fought to keep her excitement from being too palpable. "Oh, oh yes! I'd love that! You're so fast and strong and you totally kicked my butt last time I was so scared when you showed up to duel me again-"

She quickly snapped her mouth shut when she realized she was rambling and tried to make a swift exit after bobbing her head in thanks. Let's not have your new pride members think you're crazy, now!