[PRP] A Second Try (Duel - Mazin x Kuzimu)

[Polette]

The sun peering down on him, Mazin had returned to the border of this pride, determined to not fail this time. He had become even more convinced that his sister resided within its borders, and he wouldn't let anything stop him until he finally found her. It had been so long, and he had come so close last time - only to come up short. But, if this is what she had to do in order to live here, then he would prove himself as well.

He padded forward, his pace determined but not unnecessarily threatening. His eyes scanned for another body - preparing for what he knew was to come.

 

[SilverLutz]

Fresh off her expedition with a chunk of the pride in the rogue lands, Kuzimu was glad to be home but also antsy. After being out there and seeing so many new things she wanted to go out again, to explore more, to learn more...mostly about the Nergui, but more in general as well.

She was padding along the border, trying to decide if it was worth walking out of her home so soon for, she noticed a rogue scanning the sands. A challenger, perhaps, looking to come in. It reminded her of a male she had come across a few months back and she wondered if he ever made it here. Pushing that thought aside for the time being, she trained her unblinking gaze on the dark red male, walking towards him without saying a word. She clearly saw him and she knew why he was here, so if he decided to duel her it was up to him. She'd respond physically if he started.

Polette

 

[Polette]

Eyes still scanning, they stopped when they caught a glimpse of a pale figure. They seemed to be moving away from the heart of the pride, and he adjusted his direction to meet them head-on. They also seemed to be aiming for him, so he figured they must understand why he was here.

His eyes were focused, and he gave the stranger a brief nod before quickening his pace, deciding to make the first move. As he neared, tension built in his legs, and he leaped, left paw swinging out elegantly at the stranger.

The rush of adrenaline was ruined, though, as his paw swung just in front of the stranger, missing them entirely.

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

Yes, he was here to duel if the nod was anything to go by. Kuzimu was glad for a distraction and she quickened her pace as well, baring her teeth in a silent snarl. Many Firekin were brutes when it came to battle and Kuzimu could be counted among them, but she had a much quieter finesse than many of her pride mates. They were loud and proud of their power where she was quiet and deadly.

This was a spar, though, not a true battle, so as the male lunged at her - and fell just a bit short - her return swipe was paw only, free of claws. She did connect with her hit but it wasn't anything to write home about. Still, she caught his jaw before landing on all fours, bouncing away a moment later to keep some distance between them.

Polette

 

[Polette]

Mazin couldn't believe that he was already performing poorly. He had been such a successful fighter when he was younger, but his time away from it was definitely showing. The last time he was here, too, he came up short. Did Kaishori really succeed at this?

A flush of nerves shot through him as he felt her paw; he was thoroughly impressed, and also a little embarrassed. He tried to swipe at her again, but his paw only felt air as she swiftly backed away. His paw hit the ground hard, and he took a moment to shove himself back; he felt like a cub, swinging and missing like this. He tried to gather himself, and refocused his eyes on his opponent.

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

Another swing and another miss from the male, but Kuzimu knew better than to let her guard down. She kept her bright blue eyes on his dark red body rather than his head, watching his center of gravity. One could be fooled watching the face which could dip and weave, throwing off where you thought they might be going. It was hard to move your entire mass in one direction and then change it a moment later, though, so she always relied on watching the chest.

Making a move, she darted in with another silent snarl, teeth bared but claws sheathed. This hit landed again, though it still wasn't full power. That wasn't a problem, though. This was a test to see if he was worthy of walking into the lands of the Firekin and she wasn't easy to impress.

Polette

 

[Polette]

Mazin only had a moment before she was on him again, and he felt the rattle of her hit. It wasn't enough to knock him down, but he felt it. He was glad for the lack of injury so far, though, especially if he was going to have to do this again - at the rate he was going, he'd probably have to end up battling quite a few more pride members before proving himself.

While she was close, Mazin rebounded his paw, a snarl showing on his face. Perhaps the hit had knocked him awake some, because this one finally connected, though weak. Maybe this was finally the beginning of his up-streak.

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

Ah ha, so he did have some fight in him! Glad to see that the male wasn't backing down despite his two misses, Kuzimu pressed forward after his returning swipe. It had caught her attention but little else as they both seemed to be taking cautionary swipes. She reached forward again as she pressed the attack, swiping at his legs this time rather than his body.

Again, a hit, but not enough to swipe a leg out from under him as she had hoped. Even if he wasn't the best fighter he could take a hit and keep coming at the very least. There was potential here even if he wasn't impressing her completely yet.

Polette

 

[Polette]

While he was decently pleased that he had actually made contact, he was disappointed that his response time seemed slow after his attacks. That was something he'd definitely have to work on - it made him think that his sister must have shown far better response times, being a far more agile lion than he.

With her close from hitting his leg, he moved his less-dominant paw towards her, trying to get a good hit in up close. Perhaps it was because it was with his weaker paw, but he again only felt air where he wanted to feel fur. His pivoting had set him off balance slightly, and he stumbled slightly as he backed up a bit, trying to prep for her next move.

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

Kuzimu was quick to pull away as the male swiped again, this time knocking himself a bit off-balance. She saw an opening and darted forward again,
but she misjudged just how far back he was going to stumble and she wiffed as well. She narrowed her blue eyes in irritation at herself, fur rising along her spine as anger began to settle in. Not at the male, of course, at her own misstep.
That wasn't something she allowed herself to do without serious consequence.

Pressing in again, Kuzimu didn't let her mistake hold her back. Unless this male pulled something out of his butt and surprised her, she was going to have to turn him away.

Polette

 

[Polette]

Watching her again move towards him, he was thankful that his clumsy paws had apparently saved him this time. His opponent was quite fierce, and he wondered what she was like in an actual battle. Mazin hadn't yet developed the fiercer side of his fighting - something he would need to improve either on his own or perhaps there would be some teaching once he finally was able to gain entrance here.

Pushing on his back paws, he decided to try for one last showing, moving quickly towards her. He moved to the side, pulling his paw back just before making contact - a disappointing hit, he knew. It seemed to be the theme of this duel. He took a few steps after connecting, his breathing moderate. He paused now, looking at his opponent - he knew at this point there was nothing more he could do.

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

A valiant effort, but it fell a bit short for Kuzimu, just as her last attack had. This time she returned the light blow with one of her own before backing off, barely even breathing heavier than she had before they started. They stood in silence for a while as the male awaited judgement and Kuzimu took her time and took the duel seriously. He hadn't made many connections but he hadn't given up. Perseverance was a quality that couldn't be taught. There were those that would go on and on and those that would simply give up. His battle skills were weak but he would learn a lot here in the pride. The one thing he lacked...

"Try again later," she said, her voice a bit gravely and harsh but not unkind to the attentive ear. "With more confidence. Focus. You have potential. Do not let this deter you."

With her answer given she turned her back to him to leave. She would see him around the pride eventually, she knew, but for now she left him at the border.

Polette

 

[Polette]

Standing firm, Mazin's eyes dropped and he paused after her final hit, the feeling of disappointment setting in. He knew what she would say - that he wasn't good enough. And he wasn't. Not yet.
If only his sister was here, to help him spar and rise to the challenge. But after facing a few pride members now, at least he could find a silver lining - he was improving, albeit bit by bit, and he knew what was headed his way.

As she started, his eyes returned to her, eager yet nervous for what she had to say. "I thank you for your time and patience, as well as your guidance." His eyes closed and his head dipped low; he was grateful that she hadn't turned him away, and that she had even offered some words for improvement. Though he felt a bit empty at the moment, he knew he'd have to start training again, tuning his muscles and honing his mind.

SilverLutz

(( Fin! <3 ))