Welcome to Gaia! ::

Zjarr stepped away from the group. It had been some since she'd taken a turn at meeting one of the rogues in a duel, so it was high time she did. Not that she cared to distinguish herself by doing so often... that would have been counter-productive. However, it also would have been glaringly obvious if she did not take her turn either. So it was time.

Like most of the Firekin, she was big for her gender. She had powerful shoulders, a thick neck, and wide jaws. A white forelock dangled across her face, a natural sun-shade that often came in quite handy. Her tail flicked as she slowly padded towards the stranger, assessing him. He at least was of the right colors, she'd give him that. Beyond that, only the duel would judge.

"Let's go, then," she growled softly without anger. Without more warning than that, she launched herself at him, jaws gaping and paws spread wide, claws unsheathed. Unfortunately it wasn't all that uncommon for such a direct attack to outright frighten a stranger to the desert, especially when it came from a 'mere' female.

Zjarr snarled quietly as her attack landed solidly, but then so did his. Burning pain indicated that his extended claws had scored a hit, somewhere high on her shoulder. Likely red was joining the black and white of her coat, but it was a small injury, all told. She was up close with him now, though, and hissed in his face. If he was to join, he had to be willing to face animosity and/or outright violence. They weren't by nature violent against one another, but tempers ran hot amongst the Firekin. He had to be able to take it.

"Save your breath," she growled and slammed one paw towards his jaw, a stark reminder that they were here to fight, not talk. Talking was fine, after one gained the right to join them. Until then, it was wasted time and energy to try and discuss things. Would he learn his lesson, or keep jabbering at her? She'd had some that couldn't shut up, and inevitably they had lost.

Lines of fire traced after the swipe the male had made at her. She didn't try to dodge them, but bulled towards him, accepting the slashes across her chest unflinchingly. In fights, one got hurt. It was foolish to try and completely avoid them, especially when doing so meant you gave up a chance at a successful counter-attack. Propelling herself fiercely forward, bellowing a growl, she rammed her bleeding chest into the shoulder of the paw that had just swiped her, hopefully catching him on three legs rather than four. If she could just get him off-balance enough, she'd have time for a second, more bloody attack. It wasn't that she was seeking his death, not at all. However, she did now owe him for blooding her twice, and the fight not even half over!

Well at least she had given him something to think about! She panted lightly, her breath having taken a hit when she'd knocked into him. He chose the wiser path, though, and did not try to wale at her while off-balance. She nodded in acknowledgment, but began to pace around him, forcing him to either pivot to stay with her or risk her leaping at him from behind. This also gave her a chance to catch her breath, for her pace was measured and in tight control. She wasn't one for flashy moves or posturing. For Zjarr, it was do or don't bother showing off.

When she'd caught her breath, she continued circling until she spotted what she thought was her best chance at catching him off guard. Shifting her weight with little notice beforehand, she darted forward, jaws gaping in an attempt to sink her teeth into some fleshy part of him, claws digging into the sand for purchase to be swifter.

It was satisfying to feel her teeth score a hit on him, but she didn't let herself celebrate or even feel a flash of pleasure. This was business, and no time for gloating or distracting herself with self-congratulations on something that should be a given. Her training should make her significantly superior to any lion seeking entrance to the pride, though time and chance happen to everyone. Would today be his time and chance? It was time to find out.

She danced aside from a clumsy rush and pounce, then lashed out at him with a paw full of claws as she darted past him. She didn't exactly aim for any one area, but sought to draw blood. As a passing impulse, she also snapped at his tail as it lashed by, a blur of movement. After her own rush, she spun about, hoping to forestall another lunge, seeking to avoid any injury to her hindquarters which had been briefly vulnerable.

They had clearly traded blood for blood. It had been an honorable and well-matched fight. Panting only lightly, Zjarr centered herself towards him, her muscles relaxing and her tail curling to indicate an end to the fight. She accepted his thanks, and bowed her head in return to him. "You fight well. You have passed the trial. Be welcome into the pride."

Not normally visibly demonstrative, she allowed him a small smile, more a curving of lips and sweeping back of whiskers than an outright grin. She was genuinely pleased with how he had fought, and thought the pride would definitely be better for his joining them. New blood, new strengths, new life. With that faint smile still on her muzzle, she turned and moved away, her duty done for this day.