[Round 2] Tiponi vs Tsi-tsi

[Andranis]

Tiponi's blood was pumping still from her prior duel's win. The teal-tattooed lioness bounced on her paws, excitement running through her veins. Near by sat her two companions, watching once again. She still pondered about Kachina's role in relation to reporting back to the Bird Clan, but unlike older lions she'd heard grumble about spying, she didn't particularly care. Right now especially, her focus was on the duel. Which when she started to reflect on it, felt ironic. Here she was, remotely pondering birds in relation to the Bird Clan, and the lion she was preparing to duel was from said clan!

"Are you ready, Tsi-tsi Kanati?" A bit of a grin spread on her face, "Relation to the wanidatsi won't make me go easy on you, and I hope you don't go easy on me!"  

[mouselet]

Well, he'd made it to the second round. Again. Idly, the lion wondered if he'd be in this as long as last year. That had been...unexpected. And strange. And awkward. And his opponent seemed really really excited. Oh dear.

"Um...I guess?" the yellow male replied after an awkward pause. He wasn't sure what to say about going easy on each other. He really didn't want to hurt anybody in the pride...why was he here again?

Oh, right. Yinehi, his sister, had insisted. She was the one who'd gotten him into the Sky Ceremony three years running. One would think he'd've learned better by now.  

[Andranis]

Taking in her opponent's body language, Tiponi got the feeling he'd been cajoled into entering. Who, she wondered, had convinced him? And why? She'd have to ask later, after the Sky Ceremony was over. The curiosity of youth burned in her at the idea that something was up, and she wanted to know. For the time being, though, she needed to focus more on the duel than what came after. "Would you like to go first?" She offered the butter-yellow lion a smile.  

[mouselet]

"Um, okay. That's very polite of you, Tiponi," the older lion answered in surprise. He wasn't really sure what to think of the offer, but he supposed since he'd accepted it, he should probably follow through.

So he stepped forward towards the lioness, one big paw swinging towards her head. It wasn't a subtle movement. Nor was it a headlong charge. Really, it wasn't that dissimilar to what Tsi-Tsi might one day use against an overly rambunctious cub.

Of course, he'd need a mate first.

And he really shouldn't be meandering down that thought-path in the middle of a fight.  

[Andranis]

The first touch of Tsi-tsi's paw on Tiponi reminded the young alu'nadi of her previous duel - Her strikes on the other lioness that had been more like a cub tapping another in a game of tag. The gentleness of it surprised her, for sure, but at the same time... Didn't. This wasn't about injuring one's opponent, it was about simply tagging them. She jumped back at the tap, then lunged to give her own light-pawed strike. When she felt her paw connect, she all but jumped back in joy. Already she was off to a good start! Of course, so was Tsi-tsi, so it was still anybody's duel.  

[mouselet]

Well, this was...nice? Polite, certainly. Unlikely to leave scars, though bruises were a distinct possibility. Tsi-Tsi let the blow land without even trying to dodge as he attemtped to move into a position to take advantage of the decreasing range.

He had a sudden thought. Had someone arranged his matches in this particular competition so that all of his opponents would be lionesses of similar age? He couldn't swear to them all being single, but it wouldn't suprise him if that was true as well.

He lashed out with a bit more force, almost as if trying to beat that particular thought from his skull.