[Challenge] A New Face (Pironike & Ensis)

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Another day, another challenger.

This time the lioness in question had a coloration not too different from Ensis own, though the markings made it quite clear that this was merely a coincidence and no sign of an unknown relationship. In his time, the white lion had dueled many lions whose apeparances varied wildly from one to the next. He'd seen almost everything, or so he thought.

"So, you wish to join the Myrsky Syntynyt," he addressed the stranger before him. It wasn't a bad thing to have more females join, not at all. Rather, the lionesses were the heart of the pride, responsible for birthing and raising the next generation of Stormborn.

Not that the males weren't encouraged to take part in their children's upbringing. But many of them held other positions, such as Reavers, that also placed demands on their time.  

[Puhterodactyl]

Prinike approached the male with a measured pace. It had been quite the obstacle to even get to the pride, with it being a stronghold surrounded by the sea, but the lioness admired these rugged beasts that made this part of the coast their home. Having never belonged to a pride herself, Prinike figured it was worth it to try, especially with one that had a reputation like the Stormborn. Growing up as a main provider for her siblings and herself taught her many important lessons, but it would be nice to have an adoptive family that knew how to take care of themselves.

The white and green lioness nodded. "I do. I understand I am to fight a pride member. Do you accept my challenge?"  

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"I do," Ensis nodded gravely as he began to move. He eschewed the opportunity to take the first attack, instead choosing to circle 'round the lioness and evaluate her from all sides. She might not even be aware that the duel had begun.

The female wasn't, he decided, a stranger to work. That was no bad thing, but didn't actually mean she knew how to fight. The mindsets were completely different and while she seemed like a good and honest person, those traits alone weren't enough to win entrance into the Stormborn.

He wouldn't pass judgement until the duel had concluded, but so far Ensis was not very impressed.  

[Puhterodactyl]

The lioness was, however, new to formal combat. As Ensis began to circle her, she mirrored him. Was that what she was supposed to do? Prinike had fought plenty before, usually prey or scavengers with a few big cats and lions here and there, so at least she had experience.

The two circled like partners in a dance. At least she didn't have to talk her way into the pride. She was never one for puffing up words. Prinike was rather straight to the point, and she had wondered if membership was dependent on how well she could sell herself to a lion she did not know.  

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Well. This was going nowhere fast. She seemed to know nothing at all about the pace of battle. This was...not a good sign. But, he had to be fair and give her a fighting chance.

Ensis suddenly stopped circling and charged at the lioness. As he came near, he aimed a powerful cuff at her. It remained to be seen if she had the ability to dodge him or not.  

[Puhterodactyl]

Ensis' blow glanced off of the lioness, and Pirnike matched with one of her own, but threw all her force behind the blow. With the lion so close, it had to be effective, right?

With her swipe thrown, she danced away to watch and calculate Ensis' next move.  

[mouselet]

The blow from the lioness was half-expected and so while the hit itself was not quite true, it was a solid cuff to Ensis' head, causing the lion's vision to dance for a moment or two. The white lion bared his fangs in both a grimace and a fierce satisfaction at the strength behind the paw. There was some potential here after all!

So he would stop fooling around. Claws extended, Ensis aimed a long rake down the lioness' flank.  

[Puhterodactyl]

Prinike was not one to get overly optimistic in the heat of battle, but the landing of a fair hit made her feel like she was at least somewhat still in the fight. The Stormborn's claws caught the lioness with gusto. While it wasn't a fight to the death, it wasn't some kid scrap, either. The gloves were off. The white female swirled and snarled and swatted at Ensis with her own claws outstretched, hoping to catch him in his face, her attack a reaction from her own assault and poorly planned. Her claws could easily get tangled in his mane or she could miss entirely. The very least she could hope for was putting some distance between them for a moment.  

[mouselet]

The white lion dodged the poorly aimed claws, losing only hairs from his mane to the challenger's swipe. It was, sadly, a tactic he'd seen many a time - lashing out blindly with claws in order to deter the other combatant away. A play for time, more than anything else.

So sure, he'd play. Ensis curvetted, lashing out not with his claws or his teeth, but his tail instead. It wouldn't do much damage, but it might be unexpected enough to give him a real advantage.  

[Puhterodactyl]

Prinike caught the tail in her face and in her twisting struggle to get away, the lioness lost her balance and fell onto her side. She scrambled away and finally got her feet under her.

Geeze, this was embarrassing.

She snarled with her teeth bared and swatted at him again, claws out.  

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Hmmmm. Coordination was an important skill to possess, as well as balance. This lioness could use practice. A lot of it. The white lion sighed. It might just be time to end this.

Ensis allowed the hit to land as he lunged forward, claws and fangs outstretched. He didn't intend to kill her, but the Reaver would happily demonstrate her mortality.

He'd see how she handled it.  

[Puhterodactyl]

Prinike didn't take much solace in the meager attack finding its mark. She would have hardly had time to, anyway. Ensis hit hard, his claws catching her sides and cutting into her flesh. But she had him close. The lioness stood on her back legs, still gripped in his claws, and fell upon the lion's head with all of her weight coming down on his head.

She realized she was fighting a losing battle. Ensis' last hit, or maybe one prior, might have broken a rib. Even if that wasn't the case, she'd at least be very sore for a very long time.

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[mouselet]

It was a good move, he had to admit, but the trick was to move with one's opponent in order to reduce the amount of strain on one's own body. That didn't lessen the pain of the lioness' blow to his head, but it did prevent Ensis from being knocked out. That would be...embarrassing.

He hit the ground hard enough to unwillingly expel the air from his lungs before shoving himself to his feet and forcing the challenger off of him. However, he'd seen what he needed to.

"Enough!" the Reaver told the lioness, disdaining to attack again. "I've seen enough. You have potential, but not the skill to back it up. Go. Rest. Heal. Return when you are ready."

If she didn't wait that long, the lioness might end up dead. But if she didn't wait, that was her problem. He'd given her his advice. It was her choice whether to take it.  

[Puhterodactyl]

Prinike staggered back, breathing hard, and bleeding. She was beat. The lioness kept her head held high, though, and nodded her head to acknowledge the prowess and superior skills of her opponent.

Panting, she bobbed her head again. "I will. Thank you."

The white lioness turned and limped off, suppressing the worst outward signs of her injuries. In private she wouldn't bother hiding her pain while she nursed her wounds. For now, her first priority would be poultices for the deep open wounds on her sides and flanks. Then food. Then rest. Then return.