[Round 3] Dhati vs Tsi-Tsi

[mouselet]

Tsi-Tsi still felt a bit bad for how badly he'd hit his last opponent. Especially because he'd been up against another lioness. At least this time he faced another male. So he had less fear if he failed to hold back in this fight.

Dhati was a new member of Tsi-Tsi's own Bird Clan. Uncharitably, he decided if he'd known that the other lion was entering, he might not have entered. But...then what would he say to Yinehi?

Sigh.

"Are you ready?" he asked at last.  

[Excited Apathy]

Dhati's opponent this time was a member of his own clan. The idea made him a bit nervous, to be honest. Surely most of the lions that participated in this weren't the sort to hold grudges, but he also didn't want to make a poor showing in front of someone he'd have to encounter on a regular basis. Being so new here, he wanted to make a good impression on...on...what was the term for a fellow clan-member anyway?

He let out a long breath and nodded. "I am. Are you?"  

[mouselet]

Of course, the Clan might have objected, considering that Dhati had only just joined as part of the Festival. He might have become a member of the Bird Clan, but he didn't really represent them, not yet.

"Yes, I'm ready," Tsi-Tsi confirmed. Dhati seemed eager to prove his worth...as a membero the pride? The Clan? Tsi-Tsi certainly didn't know.

"Why don't you go first?" he suggested, trying to be generous. It wasn't Dhati's fault he was so new he squeaked.  

[Excited Apathy]

"Alright," Dhati assented with a nod. He took a moment to look over his opponent, his build and stance, as he gathered himself. When he went on the offensive he looked impressive enough, but hesitated just enough--causing his swing to fall short.

He cursed under his breath. Good job with first impressions, Dhati.  

[mouselet]

Well, everyone seemed to have an excess of politeness this year. It could be worse - he distinctly recalled having been knocked out cold in a previous year. But failing to even connect with his first attempt in their match...well...Tsi-Tsi wasn't sure how that came across.

So he pulled his own blow a little, so that he didn't strike Dhati full force yet. But he wasn't going to be outshone by this newcomer, it seemed!  

[Excited Apathy]

Dhati didn't retreat quickly enough, catching a blow from the yellow lion in the process. He had a feeling it wasn't as hard as it could have been--but it was still hard enough to make him stagger. His ears flattened as his own instinctive retaliatory strike went wide. He might have never been militant-minded enough to be a guard at home, but he had been a scout. He could do better than this!  

[mouselet]

The yellow male was feeling kind of...well...like a bully. Dhati's failure to even touch him made Tsi-Tsi nervous. Sure, he wanted to do well in the Sky Ceremony. But he didn't want to beat up a new member of his own Clan just to accomplish that!

So this time the Hunter feinted, instead of letting his blow land. Perhaps that would give his opponent the encouragement he needed to make this an actual fight?  

[Excited Apathy]

Tsi-Tsi's feint gave Dhati time to recover as he evaded, and a chance to consider his approach. He really couldn't afford to be hesitant anymore. It was making him look not just pathetic, but incompetent--hardly the message he wanted to send with his participation. There was a fresh determination to this strike, a solid hit.  

[mouselet]

Oh good. He really didn't want to have won just because Dhati couldn't be trusted to land a single hit. Not to mention that it would lead to some unmercifal teasing and odd glances in any hunting party the white lion joined. So it was good that he'd managed to avoid such a fate. It gave Tsi-Tsi encouragement for the rest of this match.

Unfortunately, now that Dhati was actually engaged in the fight, it seemed he had more skill than Tsi-Tsi had guessed. The yellow male's blow went wide.  

[Excited Apathy]

Dhati ducked away from the other male's swing, feeling much encouraged. He'd had a slow start, but there remained the possibility to turn it around. At the least, he could make a fair showing of himself. Moving fast, he reached out to swat at Tsi-Tsi.  

[mouselet]

Another hit! It seemed Dhati had found his stride, which was good. However, if Tsi-Tsi wasn't able to shape up, this would be the end of this year's Sky Ceremony for him!

The yellow male wasn't entirely certain which outcome he'd prefer as he thrust a paw towards his opponent. Still, he wasn't going to hold up too much longer!  

[Excited Apathy]

Dhati grunted as he earned a solid tap to the shoulder for his efforts. Now it was down to whoever was fastest in landing the next accurate strike. And if he turned like so, and lunged forward like this, then...his paw flew out, reaching to cuff the yellow male soundly.  

[mouselet]

"Ow!" Tsi-Tsi cried out involuntarily as the blow landed. He took a step back, shaking his head. That had hurt! He looked over at Dhati.

"I think you win this one. At least our Clan still has a chance at winning this year," the yellow male offered with a smile. He wasn't disappointed about not having to fight anymore. At least this year. He was sure Yinehi would manage to convince him to enter again next year, that being the trend of his life.  

[Excited Apathy]

"It does, and I thank you for giving me a fair fight. You did well," Dhati replied with a smile of his own. "I'll do my best to do our Clan proud, and I'd like to get to know you better after. I think Kifafa would want to meet you." A little gesture skyward at the last, where the pink-and-blue vulture circled watchfully.