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Kimaria generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
3!
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 Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:17 am
Move: Hit
Never let it be said that Kidondo was a pacifist. Yes, he believed in the strength of word, believed in it far more than anything else. But, he knew there was wisdom in harbouring strength, too. For in strength one could protect what was his. Protect that in which he loved.
Azarax was his sparring partner, a lion whom he respected for the life he had chosen to live despite all the hardship. As far as he could tell, the tan lion held no hate, no anger. He was a cool character, able to think on his feet. That was why he was General. He was not a mad lion, bloodthirsty and uncontrollable. That was not the trait of a high-ranked lion. No, a General needed to be cool of mind, but able to strike quickly and without warning. That was what Kidondo believed was in Azarax. The ability to think quickly, to act without hesitation. To do what was necessary without giving into the bloodlust rage.
And now, today, they were sparring again.
Kidondo had never been the greatest warrior. It was a trait he had lacked practise in as a youth. The only thng he had was his Firekin blood, his strength and size. That and a canny instinct for being in battle. Kidondo wasn't one to be consumed with rage - not usually, anyway, and he regarded even battles in a somewhat calm and passive way.
Such was the feeling now as he circled his combatant, preparing for his first attack.
What would it be?
A quick lunge, apparently. He leapt into the fray with as much speed as he could summon, lashing out with a forepaw, intending to catch the tan lion across the face. He hoped he was quick enough, hoped he hadn't been too predictable.
He felt fur beneath his claws.
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MoonRazor generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
2!
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:20 am
Move: Bide
It wasn't so easy, to keep on day after day as if nothing had happened or was happening, keeping himself hidden behind a mask of strength and reserve. But there was nothing else for him to do. He knew he was able to cope with everything that had happened on his own, and anything that was about to come weighed heavily on his mind, but he wasn't about to unload his own troubles on to anyone else. It wouldn't have been fair to either of them, and in truth it was pointless. There wasn't anything anyone else could possibly do that would stop the inevitable.
And still, he wished there was some other way.
Each passing day brought the day of Uddhava's departure closer. He would be an adolescent soon, and the thought terrified the tan General like nothing else. He dreaded the day when the shy golden lion would have to leave the pride for the world outside. He knew that Udd would be well prepared for whatever hardships existed out there, and he had full confidence in Moja's teaching, but that did little to ease his anxiety. After all, he couldn't very well protect his little brother if Udd wasn't... here. If he was out there, he was on his own.
Come, come. The tan lion drew his focus back to the spar. If for nothing else, the spar was good practice. It was difficult to keep in fighting form without actually practicing for it, and it was a chance to enter into a world without worrying thoughts and reality.
He lowered his frame closer to the ground, keeping his muscles at the ready as he circled Kidondo, his eyes focused completely on the red lion. It wasn't a difficult task for Azarax. The Regent stood out so boldly against the otherwise dull and gray landscape, and the tan General moved with his eyes riveted on the other lion.
Then Kidondo had lunged, and in the split second it took for the red lion to lash out, Azarax reacted. His eyes watched the strike aimed for his face, and his body turned to lunge sideways, out of reach. Too late. The blow missed his face, but landed on his shoulder, pushing the tan lion back onto his hind legs. He felt his weight shift backwards, and used the momentum to propel himself sideways, away from the Regent. Regaining his balance, he began to circle again, slowly spiralling his way closer.
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Kimaria generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
3!
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:25 am
Move: Hit
Apparently this practise was paying off!
Kidondo's paw thrummed from the landed strike and as he bounded backwards he prepared himself for his next attempt. Another surprise attack. Something born from nothing. But what? His eyes darted to Azarax's and saw in them a sort of distracted light. This was unusual. The General was usually one of the most focused sparring partners a Firekin could have. So, what was on his mind today? Old memories or new issues?
He made a mental note to ask his friend about them when the sparring session was over. Now was not the time for talk.
Azarax was circling closer now and Kidondo knew he had to find a way in, to land another strike and further increase his chances for victory. So he leapt again, heading straight towards Azarax, intent on knocking past the tan male and staggering him off balance.
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MoonRazor generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
1!
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:27 am
Move: Miss
He felt the soothing rhythm of circling, then shifting of sand under his paws as he moved, and his tail flicked in anticipation as he bided his time. There was a certain calming effect that sparring seemed to have on him, and at least for that he was glad. It beat simply sitting with his thoughts and stewing in his own anxiety.
MOVE, DAMN IT!
His body noticed Kidondo's charge before his mind did. Too late to plan a counterstrike, Azarax let his muscles carry him away from the attack. But the move caught him almost square in a shoulder, pushing him sideways off balance. A low growl erupted from his chest as he swung his body around to compensate for the blow. He felt his forelegs begin to give way to imbalance.
Don't fall.
His eyes flickered across, seeking Kidondo's bright form. His head followed and locked onto his target. No time. He pitched forward as his foreleg lost its grip on the sand. He took a chance, muscles bunching as he tucked his legs as far under his body as he could, and shoved off from the shifting ground, and hurled himself at Kidondo.
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Kimaria generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
1!
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:28 am
Move: Miss
Elated, feeling as if finally he were improving his skills in battle, Kidondo angled his head back just as Azarax came at him. The tan lion was big, strong and the last thing that Kidondo wanted was to end up in a tangle of limbs, unable to get away. In a real fight such a situation could spell death or terrible injury. Despite the fact neither lion had any intent on harming one another past bruises, Kidondo liked to think of these fights as real. As if his life hung on the line. It was the only way he’d get better.
Move!
He pushed off from the sand, leaping to the left, evading Azarax’s attempt to collide with him – but only just. He felt the air turn electric as the near miss swept a current across his royal-red side. But he knew he couldn’t stop there. If he paused for breath the tan lion would be at him again.
His paws landed square on the sand and before he could even gather his wits about him, he flung himself back into the fray, intent on knocking into the tan lion and bowling him onto his side. But his leap was rushed and his footing was not as sure as it could have been. As he leapt, he stumbled off balance and he could feel the moment slipping away.
Shouldn’t have rushed it. He realised that now, but what use was that?
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MoonRazor generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
1!
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:29 am
Move: Miss
Even before he had landed properly, Kidondo was charging toward him. For a moment, it had seemed that there was no evading the attack, as the Regent aimed almost full on to Azarax's shoulder. Then, in the blink of an eye, it had all changed, and Kidondo stumbled.
He took advantage of the moment, leaping sideways to avoid being run into anyway, and paused for half a moment to gather his bearings. There wasn't too much he could do, he realized, that wasn't completely predictable. But to simply bide his time until the next move would be a waste of a golden opportunity.
Still, stumble or not, if Kidondo could anticipate his move...
He went for it. From where he stood there wasn't much he could do except what anyone would expect him to do. He sprang at Kidondo, aiming to use the momentum of the stumble to his advantage and simply knock the red lion further off balance.
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Kimaria generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
3!
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:32 am
Move: Hit
As he expected Azarax came at him, intending to use the moment of weakness in an attempt to win the fight. Kidondo felt a great surge of desperation swell in him.
He knmew what he had to do.
The move would be a deciding factor for him. Either he'd evade the attack and escape to make another move, or he'd be pinned by Azarax and declared the loser of the duel.
As Azarax leapt, Kidondo did the only thing he could. He allowed his lack of balance to take him, rolling onto his side in the sand - momentarily revealing his vulnerable belly. It was a risky move, but the only one he could take without taking a full on hit.
A he rolled he lashed out with a paw, hoping to fend off any immediate attack the General might wish to land uon him.
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MoonRazor generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
1!
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:33 am
Move: Miss
It was almost as if time had slowed, and Azarax noticed even as Kidondo dropped that he wouldn't have time to react. It was a frustrating feeling, knowing the immediate future and unable to do anything about it. Kidondo's roll and Azarax's momentum carried him past the Regent, and as he landed, he felt a paw strike against his side.
Damn.
He wheeled around, taking a moment to steady himself, and pushed off from where he stood, both forepaws reaching for Kidondo.
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Kimaria generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
1!
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:36 am
Move: Miss
His paw made contct, but there was no time to celebrate the success. He knew the General would be at him again a second later and he was still lying on the ground, susceptable. He scrambled away, just in time.
Azarax was there, moving for him already. The tan was fast!
But not fast enough. Kidondo had evaded by the tips of his whiskers and, in an attempt to end the spar, swung around, intending for the two of them to clash, intending to bring this to a hefty conclusion.
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MoonRazor generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
2!
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:37 am
Move: Bide
His jaw clenched in frustration as Kidondo just barely evaded the attack. As he landed, he caught sight of the red lion shifting, wheeling back toward Azarax. If the blow landed, it would be a heavy one, and in a real battle, something liket hat had to be avoided.
Reacting quickly, he bent his legs, dropping down and jumping sideways. He felt the air tickle his mane as Kidondo's intended blow flashed past him. Feeling that the end of the spar was fast approaching, Azarax rose from his defensive stance and straightened up. There was no point, he supposed, in renewing his attack now.
It hadn't been one of his better days, but he could guess why. He made himself a mental note. Next time, he would be more focused. Next time, he would be better.
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