[Duel] Rising Up to the Challenge (fin.)

[Skye Starrfyre]

She stood waiting, attempting to seem patient. She might have been able to pull it off with her sturdy stance and her unwavering eyes were it not for the twitch of her tail behind her. Like a metronome it ticked, batting away the seconds as she waited for her turn to step up to the field and prove her worth. She'd never done this before; never fought with anything but her prey and if she wanted to gain access to these lands she was going to have to do her best... Or keep trying.

Determination was key. Determination, persistence, intelligence, strength... And the knowledge, deep down, that she was good enough; she just needed to prove it.  

[Lithiasaur]

Iroh had come to the borders looking for a duel. He couldn't rightly challenge the joining adults, but maybe someone closer to his own age would appear, and he could learn a thing or two from these strangers.

When he did see someone that looked about his age, he couldn't help but grin.

He didn't greet her, not wanting to taint her opinion of him before hand. He knew he had the ability to befriend nearly anyone, and he didn't want to lead her to like him. After they fought, maybe, they could talk and be friends. For now, however, he didn't want her to hold back, subconsciously or otherwise.

So he stood near, nodding at her to come and fight him. He even bared his claws, his soft expression hardening as he expected her.  

[Skye Starrfyre]

His initial grin distracted from the start, filling her with a feeling of child-like excitement as if this duel was little more than a game. It was really going to happen. It was her turn and all she had to do was act the part; trust her instinct and learn how to fight.

What she hadn't expected, it seemed, was the sudden sternness; the transition between 'play time' and 'your a** is mine'. She took several steps towards him before making her first mistake. She hesitated.  

[Lithiasaur]

Iroh watched her as she moved toward him, wondering if she was unaware that he had meant for the fight to start. She certainly looked excited! To tell the truth, he was too. He was unsure and eager, having a tough time remembering that this was supposed to be a real fight.

He had to fight her fairly. And that was to do his best.

Charging forward, he met her as she drew closer, sensing her hesitation and taking advantage of it. He let out a little roar and hauled his rotund frame up, swinging his heavy paw and connecting with her jaw rather sturdily.

He was not yet used to using his claws in battle, so they were not out when he hit her. That was something he would have to learn in time. And the only way to do it was to practice.  

[Skye Starrfyre]

When she realized that he was coming her first instinct was to run, but to do so would defeat her entire purpose for being where she was. She needed to dodge, yes, but not to just run. Timing. Timing was everything, would be everything...

But her timing was off, or maybe he was just faster than she'd expected. She was knocked down easily by a paw larger than her own, her bearings momentarily lost as she hissed. She bit back the words 'that hurt' before they could fall from her mouth. It's supposed to hurt, Mtima. What do you think this is? A game? Shaking it off she glared at him, pushing herself back up and taking another 'I'm ready' stance.  

[Lithiasaur]

Iroh watched her carefully for just a moment, the thrill of the fight carrying his actions. He was a bit taken back by her hiss, but he knew she had a right to be mad at him. He had just hit her in the face, and hard. She was probably not the kind of lion who would thank him for that. Not feeling bad about it, though he might once the fight was over, the white lion was surprised that she didn’t attack him.

Echoing her stance, but only for a moment, he moved to show her how ready he was.

This time he lowered his head and slammed into her chest and shoulder with his big meaty head. He was a bit stunned by it, instantly remembering that he should not use his head as a weapon: it hadn’t worked out so well for him the last time he had tried it. And that had only been a sparring match. Still, it was a hard blow and he couldn’t really take it back now.

Even if he was seeing stars.  

[Skye Starrfyre]

She snarled as he headbutted her before she could really do anything about it, ache exploding through her shoulder. What was his head made of? Rocks? Was this how fights were supposed to be?

Alright. So be it.

This time she didn't hesitate, wheeling around to smack at his muzzle with the flat underside of her own paw, attempting to return his initial blow to him.  

[Lithiasaur]

OW.

Iroh drew back, surprised. Beyond surprised. She had really hit him one, and his head was even more fuzzy because of it. He shook his head hard to right himself, but it just made him light headed. He blinked and growled a bit, a foreign sound not directed at her, but at his own plight. Things weren’t going very well all of a sudden.

Stumbling a bit, he went to attack her without looking, which was a bit of a mistake. He needed to learn how to control himself better. He intended to check her already wounded shoulder with his, but his aim was off and he missed by a good inch. That left him off balance and tottering.
 

[Skye Starrfyre]

Her mind was running ahead of her movements, trying to plot out her next course of action. What happened when hunting? What did she do when the prey she hunted started to stumble? She watched. She waited... And when the moment was right she sprang, a bit of a roar sneaking into her growl as she pounced with every intention of taking him down to the ground.  

[Lithiasaur]

And down he went.

He wasn't expecting her to tackle him, and he wasn't in his right head. At least not enough to defend himself. Letting out a yelp, he hit the ground and instantly put his paws under him to haul himself back to his feet, even if it meant letting her ride on his back. Failing in that, he went the opposite route.

Letting his legs buckle, he rolled onto his back under her, paws swatting at her, then tried to swing right for her face. One powerful swipe up towards her, but there was nothing to hit. He didn't know how it happened, but his paw kept on sailing, missing anything that might have killed its momentum and jerking his shoulder awkwardly.

Still, he used that to his advantage, tucking into a roll and freeing himself of her pounce. Dizzy, tired, and feeling a bit goofy, he looked at her contemplative. Maybe that was enough. Maybe he was done, and she had won.

It certainly felt that way.  

[Skye Starrfyre]

When he rolled the first time she held on, narrowly avoiding the swing of his paw. When he rolled the second time she wasn't expecting it, soon finding herself jostled free. Her eyes gleamed as they remained on him, breathing slow and heavy as she watched and waited, her body crouched and prepared to move against whatever his next move might be.  

[Lithiasaur]

Iroh lowered his head, bracing himself as if to attack. He was breathing heavy, his hefty body was sore and tired. The battle needed to end, and this last move would be the one to do just that.

He had learned a lot about himself through this fight.

He now knew that he was too good at taking notes, and his biggest fault was not being able to apply all the things he had learned. He knew that he was slow, because of his round frame, and that his foot work needed work. He knew that his head was not a battering ram, and he needed to eliminate that tactic from his battle sheet.

He also knew that this had been a lot of fun, and he was immensely grateful to this stranger for the challenge.

Moving toward her, he lifted his paw and landed a blow to her shoulder. Except it wasn't so much of an attack as a hearty clap on the back.

"I've got nothing left in me. You've won this fight. My name is Iroh, by the way. It's a pleasure to meet you!"  

[Skye Starrfyre]

She braced herself when she saw his paw come up, ready for the worst and then... It was over. Her brows lofted as she glanced up at him. She... She'd won? That was it?

"Mtima... Mtima'koka." She pushed herself up to her paws, trying to shake off the feeling of disbelief along with a bit of the dust that had gathered on her coat when they'd rolled on the ground. "I think..." She laughed, a broad smile curving the corners of her muzzle. "I think I've got a lot to learn."  

[Lithiasaur]

"It seems I can say the same thing!" the white lion laughed, shaking his head and letting his creamy mane poof out a bit. It was clinging from the sweat of the exertion. He was still puffing, but he didn't seem too perturbed. Smiling and laughing he was genuinely pleased to meet her, and to get the chance to talk to her now.

"But you're quite good!"

He shook his head.

"I think I need a nap. You knocked my senses out. Or maybe I could go for some food. Do you want to get some food?"