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Tanakako generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
3!
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 Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 11:58 am
 The crimson-coloured lioness furrowed her brown against the blazing light of the sun as it danced in shimmering waves across the land. She had lived out here all her life, well, not in this particular part, but the desert heat was the same no matter where you were. No, she was new to this particular patch of sand, but then she had come in search of a particular pride she had heard about. Strong warriors all, fierce and noble, they protected each other and any stranger had to fight for a place within. They were exactly what she had had in mind.
And now she hoped she had found them as she watched the red-coated female come towards her. Flicking one ear she advanced, lithe body held ready.
Now was the time to test all those rumors she had heard....
Moving into a smooth lope she closed on the female, ears back and eyes focused. She was no fool, she knew she was less well trained, with less experience and less body mass than the pride female before her, but she had a few tricks of her own up her sleeve. Quick as a snake she slid in under the other lioness's guard, claws extended as she slashed across, seeking red fur and redder blood. She needed to win yet with the odds against her, she was not going to let the other get the upper hand right at the start.
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Kaelyndra generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
2!
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 12:00 pm
This, along with the breakfast she'd had to share with Veru the day previous, had Seide in a particularly sour mood. There was not, however, a frown on her face. The stern neutrality of Seide's expression was only changed by slightly more furrowed brows.
She'd been hearing the challenging calls, catching glimpses of fights for the past few weeks. Everyone seemed to want to prove they could fight, but none of them were family, to Seide, and they were all depleting the rations of everyone else that was born and lived there.
This morning, she had answered one. If she could keep at least one more out, for just a little while longer, perhaps it would rain and solve their problems. She approached the other female now, watching.
"I would urge you to wait a few months, elsewhere, in hope of rain," she spoke, as she approached. But she would not refuse the duel.
The strikes began, quickly, almost unnecessarily so, and Seide found herself caught of guard, forced to a defensive stance from the start. She often forgot that those new did not know dueling rules by heart, and in a real opponent, these could be fatal. She felt the blow from the other lioness land, easily, and she shuffled back a few feet, carrying herself back out of range again.
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Tanakako generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
1!
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 12:05 pm
Claws met fur and she felt the tug as the other lioness backed up away form her blows. Dancing to the side she took the moment in order to guage the female's reaction to her attack. She was as big as the tales had said, solid and muscled. Yet she wasn't entirely infallible, Xiāofáng had landed the first hit and that told hr she might actually have a chance at winning.
Starting to circle she narrowed her eyes, studying the other one. "There is no rain anywhere... when it comes, it will come to us all.." Her tone was low, slightly distant as she focused on the other's body more than her words. Suddenly she charged again, claws slashing yet suddenly her hind feet sank as she hit a patch of softer sand and her aim went wild.
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Kaelyndra generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
2!
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 12:07 pm
An angry one.
One that thought she new everything. Seide found her tongue clicking against the roof of her mouth.
"There's water west of here," she spoke in quiet, even tones. "About a week's journey." They were just too full of pride to leave their home. Seide was one of these.
Her eyes caught on the blurred motion of another, heavy, heated strike. The lioness was quick, but Seide shifted her hips around, another defensive move that left her hide completely unmarked.
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Tanakako generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
2!
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 12:10 pm
She chuckled, a slightly hard-edged sound that said clearly the other lioness didn't know everything. "And how long do you think a single female will last out there when everyone else is after the same water as she?"
She had recovered from her botched attack with surprising suppleness, her lean body twisting away in case of a counter-attack. Now she circled, wary yet unfazed, making sure of her footing before her next attack. She was also rather surprised that the female was alone. Didn't they send more than one to meet rogues?
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Kaelyndra generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
1!
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 12:12 pm
Seide was nonplussed by the other's chuckling tone, or her words. She had come from the outside territories, but in which direction? There were enough lions moving in, and moving through, to tell her about the state of water, and Seide listened.
"So be it," she answered quietly, and then she took a seat.
It was a vulnerable position at best, but as the other lioness approached, she lashed out with a paw, just to throw her opponent off and keep her wary.
Seide's eyes remained on those feet, and every movement they took, sizing up how the other fought. "Do you come from elsewhere in the desert?"
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Tanakako generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
1!
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 12:16 pm
The sudden shift of the other's attitude threw her off completely... sitting down?! In the middle of a duel? Incensed but also suspicious of a trick, she circled the other lioness again. Edging closer she leaped backwards when that paw lashed out, her own front limb slashing the air in anger yet there was more than enough distance between them for both to be fruitless.
Confused and more than a little wary, she paced. "Of course. I come from the south and its just the same down there, except a band of bachelors have moved in and claimed it as their own... " That was the reason she was here after all... Tail lashing she turned and circled the other way, paws pacing across the sand with light steps, yet her gaze was narrowed, careful.
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Kaelyndra generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
1!
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 12:18 pm
That explained a lot. The other lioness' feet and body had seemed remarkably comfortable in the thick, difficult sand. And despite the angry tone, the proud words, it was not because this newcomer was off-balance and stumbling over herself.
"Interesting." Seide made a mental note to ask more about the south. Especially how big this band was. Challenges to the Firekin always started out small.
The lion tucked her hind legs up underneath her, and then sprung towards the other female, body aiming for a side. It was good to test those obviously speedy reflexes.
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Tanakako generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
3!
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 12:20 pm
Crimson ears went back as the other spoke, yet at least it seemed the pridal lioness was taking her seriously now. Was that also part of the test just as this duel was?
Then suddenly the other was moving faster than she had so far. She leaped forwards and spun round in one smooth movement, removing the very ease target of her unprotected flank and presenting the attacking firekin with her own claws. With a hiss of challenge she struck out as the other red body went flying past, feeling her claws part fur.
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Kaelyndra generated a random number between
1 and 3 ...
1!
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 12:22 pm
It was a good counter, Seide decided as she felt a thin line get patterned down her shoulder to the top of her back. It merely tickled, with the movement of adrenaline, and thought, but Seide knew it would likely sting later.
The other lioness had already swung around, to face her opponent, but she had taken tally of the duel in her head. Despite all appearances from those who did not know her, Seide took her battles very seriously.
"Good enough," she commented as she returned all four paws to the ground. She did not bother with a counter-strike, as there was no need to continue.
"If you are questioned about who your opponent was, I'm Moto'Seide. Water rations currently allow two drinks a day." There was a pause then, as Seide's claws curved forwards in her feet.
"You should consider a position as a soldier. Practice is every day, with leave of choice, and we meet shortly after dawn." The lioness' ears went back for a moment, before she added, simply, "You're dismissed."
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Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 12:39 pm
Red ears remained back, muscles bunched and ready yet she did not follow up her attack as the other lioness' demeanor changed. Tail twitching she watched the other female intently, only letitng herself relax a bit when the other female rightened herself. Apparently the duel was over.
Not a little puzzled she listened to the gruff tones of the other. "Moto'Seide.. I'm Xiāofáng." She replied, though she didn't truly expect the other lioness to care, she was only being polite in offering her name. Somehow her opponent struck her as someone who wouldn;t want to know her name until she had proven herself in the pride. Giving a mental shrug she committed the name to her own memory.
"Thank you, I will consider your advice." She waited a moment, but when the other female offered no further words, she dipped her head and slowly backed up. Only when she was safely out of attack range did she turn around and start off towards her new home.
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