[Sky Ceremony] Nina Atali vs. Tishkari

[mouselet]

Years ago, Tishkari had participated in the Sky Ceremony. It had been a singularly embarrassing event, and the lioness had stayed away since then. However, it seemed to her that maybe, four years later, she might have a better chance, being that much older and more experienced than she had been.

Ah well, it was all in good fun anyway. No one got seriously injured or maimed, and it was a chance to show off for the rest of the pride.

This year Tishkari found herself up against a younger lioness from the Earth Clan. In fact, as she'd stood in the crowd, the former rogue had observed herself to be the only representative from her own Shadow Clan! Ah well, hopefully she'd make it past the first round this time.

Once, Tishkari, who'd borne the nickname Scar, would have thought herself to have an advantage given her life beyond the Ela'wadiyi. She knew that wasn't true though, as she'd never really been a fighter.

Well, here went nothing.

"I guess we're up?" she offered to the other lioness.  

[SilverLutz]

Nina had been too young to participate in last year's Sky Ceremony, but this year she had entered herself without question. She felt like it was a rite of passage of sorts for Ela members to participate at least once, even if they didn't succeed. She hoped to make it past at least the first round, but when she saw her opponent she wasn't sure if she'd make good on her promise to herself. The other lioness was older and that generally meant more experience. Still, she wouldn't count herself out before the fight began. She was stubborn and intent on doing her best, after all!

"I believe so," she said, moving a bit closer and away from others gathered to watch. Just because no one was going to get seriously injured during these battles didn't mean the spectators wanted to get up close and personal to the sparring.  

[mouselet]

As Tishkari got a better look at her opponent, the older lioness felt dismay rising inside, though she tried to keep it off of her face. She hadn't realized Nina was so young! If she and Tsisqua had had children back when they first wed, Nina was young enough to be their great-granddaughter...or worse. What a terrifying thought.

The brown female shook her head to clear the notion and resettle her mind on the fight. Without further ado, she swung a paw at her opponent.

Unfortunately, given her rush and lack of focus, it was no surprise that she found nothing but air for her swipe to touch.  

[SilverLutz]

Nina shifted her weight a little as she sized up her opponent. Since the other female was rogue-born Nina was at a size disadvantage, but she didn't let that stop her in anything she had done before. As the first swipe came she shifted just out of reach, but unfortunately her own swipe went wide as well thanks to her own momentum. Well, that wasn't how she was going to win! She settled down on all fours again, eyes watching her opponent closely. Someone would strike first and she wasn't about to let her get away with a hit without one in return!  

[mouselet]

If she'd been a spectator, Tishkari would have burst out laughing as the first two strikes went in wildly opposite directions and nowhere near their intended targets. As it was, a small smile graced her face. Well, at least they were at the same level of disadvantage from before. Still, she didn't want this to end in any kind of stalemate. So the older lioness attempted a move she'd once used to discourage...suitors.

Running up alongside, Nina, Tishkari lashed out with her tail.

It wasn't a bad hit, not nearly as hard as she'd once hit those far-too-interested male rogues, but the lioness could feel the blow connect with Nina's flank. Aha, the stalemate was broken!  

[SilverLutz]

Nina knew the rules had been changing the past few years during the Sky Festival. This year it was simply a matter of getting a hit on your opponent and the first to three won. That meant the older lioness had an advantage as she had gone first...and now she was thinking too much and letting her guard down!

Nina tried to dodge, but the sharp smack to her flank landed. Who knew a tail could pack so much sting? Rather than letting her get away, Nina kicked out with her hind leg to score a returning hit on the brown lioness' rump. There we go, she thought to herself with a grin. At least she could say she had gotten one hit in!  

[mouselet]

Tishkari found herself smiling as she took the blow. Well, it seemed they'd both needed that first failure of a round to warm up and now they were ready to really duel. Turning to face Nina, the older lioness lashed out with her paw once again, this time aiming carefully.

It paid off, and she could feel herself solidly connecting with her opponent. Most excellent. One more blow and she could win this!  

[SilverLutz]

Nina turned as the other lioness did as well, squaring off once more. It seemed they had both gotten the first battle jitters out of their system and could settle into the spar a bit more comfortably now. Once again the brown lioness made the first move, landing a solid hit on her shoulder as Nina stood her ground. Rather than backing off she reached out to trade her own blow, landing a solid hit on her opponent as well.

Good, she thought as she backed up a bit, putting a little distance between them after the exchange. Tied up. Now if she could just dodge this next attack and land a hit...  

[mouselet]

Her blood was up and Tishkari wasn't one to run from a fight. Which she found to be a warning. The older lioness didn't want to make a stupid mistake and lose. So when Nina took a couple steps back, so did Tishkari, willing herself to calm down. She made a half-hearted swipe as she moved back, more to encourage her opponent to stay away and give her the necessary breather than to try getting that third hit.  

[SilverLutz]

Nina ducked her head just a bit even though the swipe was no where near her, more of a warning than anything else. She shifted her weight, wanting her next move to be a surprise. If she could just land one more she'd move on, but this would be the hardest one to get, she was sure. They were both wary, playing it safe, and it was going to take an all-or-nothing move to finish it off.

With a quick feint left, she drove in to the right, lifting her paw to try to land that last hit. It was a close call but her toes swiped over the brown pelt as she tumbled out of the way, her heart pounding in her chest. She rose with a grin, her tuft a bit frazzled from the desperate move.  

[mouselet]

Tishkari sighed as she felt Nina's last desperate attempt land. It was resignation and exasperation at herself, but she deserved the loss, given how she'd backed off right when the advantage was in her paws.

"Good fight, Nina," the older lioness congratulated the younger. Maybe she was just getting too old to really do these sorts of things. Ugh, what a nasty thought. Oh well, so be it. She could at least enjoy watching the rest of the Sky Ceremony from the sidelines.  

[SilverLutz]

Nina tried to keep her excitement contained at least a little bit, not wanting to appear a sore winner. She bobbed her head, unable to help the huge smile on her face as Tishkari congratulated her.

"You too. It was close," she said, her adrenaline still pumping from the back and forth. "Thanks for the close match." She held her ground for a moment before moving forward to bump her forehead against the larger female's shoulder in thanks before trotting off. Even though this was a competition, the Ela were still a big family and it was the support from one another that made them thrive.