[DUEL] Talking is for Chumps (Ajani & Evadne)

[MangoMeow]

Eva was purring contentedly beside the big, black lug that was Ajani, tail twined with his and basking in the tongue rasping against her head. They were relaxing under the shade of an anthill at the moment.

It had been a few days since Shetani had confronted her, and though he'd been startled by just who had challenged her and left such vicious marks on her body, Ajani had mostly kept quiet. She had a feeling that he may have spoken to Shetani about it, but honestly, dueling was what the Outlanders did, and Evadne had won, judging by the smug, gleeful air about her.

Shetani's actions had brought to light both of their feelings for each other though, and Eva couldn't help but sigh in exasperation at how Ajani was avoiding the subject whenever she brought it up. She was sure he felt the same - his sister would not have confronted her had she thought he wasn't interested. That left whatever other reason he had for avoiding it.

She bet it was just uncertainty over how to handle the situation.

Eva narrowed her eyes and glanced over at the calm face next to her. Yes, she knew that he had feelings for her too, but how to coax him into actually doing something about it.

Hmm... well, this had all started with a duel. Perhaps that was how it would progress.

With a smirk, Eva turned and nudged at his side, eyes wide and playful. "Duel with me?"  

[MangoMeow]

Eva really wasn't far off in her theory.

Yes, Ajani had confronted Shetani over the vicious bite marks she had inflicted on the other female. They had been deep and over the top... as had their fight been, apparently. Word on the anthills was that they had both been particularly savage with each other. (evidently, there were a few who had witnessed it happened) What in the name of Scar had been her beef against the Guide?!

Her answer had left him sputtering.

He wasn't... It wasn't THAT obvious, was it? Yes, he had been spending a lot of time with Eva, and it may or may not have been due to the warm, fluttery feeling she gave him, but how had she known? She wasn't even the twin who had the seer powers!

..... In retrospect, he probably should have seen it coming, himself....

Regardless, she had in turn reamed into him for not only trying to hide it from her, but for also being a coward about it. He scowled slightly as he remembered her words. It wasn't that he didn't want to pursue Eva, it was just....

... What if she didn't reciprocate?

So for the last few days, Ajani had been trying to build up the courage to ask Eva if, well.... If she would be interested in tying the knot, so to speak. He never came out and said it, but their dating/not-dating thing was wearing on him. He wanted to make things official. He wanted to show the world that she was his.

He just hadn't figured out how to do so yet.

Her words startled him out of his thoughts though. Snuggled up to her as he was, he hadn't noticed her shifty looks and instead got a full blast of those innocent eyes. He would never turn down a practice duel though. He enjoyed their spars.

So with a mirroring smirk, Ajani nodded. "Of course."  

[MangoMeow]

Eva's expression changed to a warm smile, before she stood and hopped away from him. Crouching low, she eyed him up as he stood to full height. He was much larger than her, it was true, but that wasn't terribly new. Most everyone was taller than her anyway, he just happened to be a giant compared to them as well.

Tail flicking playfully, she started hopping back and forth in place, too excited and giddy to stand still. Then, gliding forward in a strangely graceful way for someone about to fight, Evadne nipped at his side before bouncing away.

Ajani laughed at her as she did so, answering back by swiping back at her. He wasn't all that discouraged when he missed, a sharp contrast to their first duel. It was funny to think back on that. They had been around each other long enough that they were evenly matched now. He snorted as she slipped by him to n** at his side once more, but it was the following n** at his backside that had him narrowing his eyes. Oh, she wanted to play with her food then? Well, he'd best show her how unwise that was.

He kicked out his back foot, hitting her leg and sending her flying, but before she went too far into the air, Ajani had reached back and grabbed the scruff of her neck. Pulling them both backwards, he grunted as he landed on his back with her on top of him, but recovered quickly enough to flip them over once more.

Pinning her to the ground, he laughed, "Not so skittish now, are you?" He snorted down at her, "How will you get away, fair maiden?"

Eva laughed brightly at his question, and then shook her head. "Oh Ajani," she reached up and swiped a tongue up his neck and past his chin. "You assume I want to get away from you." And then she proceeded to headbutt him, albeit somewhat gently.

While he was winded, she knocked him up a foot into the air, and then - completely to his surprise - chose to curl her head underneath his head. That said, her next words floored him.

"By blood and bone, I'd happily stay by your side."

What? Wait, but.... what?

Those words were never used lightly, here in the Outlands, though they were normally only said in front of a Clergy. The message behind them though....

Ajani blinked down at the back of her head, feeling as though he had had the wind knocked out of him. "Evadne... are you asking me to...." The look she threw up at him in response left him speechless once more.

The two stood there for a moment, unmoving despite being in the middle of a duel. Then, Ajani butted his head at her until she was laying down on her side, curring as she submitted to him pinning her to the ground. Nosing at the side of her head, the black lion cleared his throat, "Evadne, would you.... would you marry me?"

This perhaps wasn't the most romantic way to propose, but then, maybe it was the perfect way for two Outlanders in love.

Evadne could have been floating on cloud nine at his words. With tearful eyes, the pale lioness nuzzled back at him enthusiastically, "Of course I will."

And with that, their duel was completely forgotten. Instead, the pair simply snuggled together under the shade of the anthill.