[ ROUND 1 ] Xerxes vs U'no'le Kanesda

[Depawsit]

Xerxes stood prepared, once again ready to compete for the honor of her pride. She was bittersweet about her match today, as she stood waiting their appearance, she contemplated on her many losses. She had enjoyed each and every tournament she had entered, yet still regretted missing the last two. When the festival had come around, she'd found herself sick both times. Something she was determined to not allow to happen this year. She'd steered clear of every sick lion who neared her path and had thankfully come out healthy for the competition.

Now all she had to do was prepare to win, her clan was important to her and she wanted to rise to the top and shower her fellow Wolf Clan with the honor they deserved.

She smiled as she relished in the potential future she was imagining. Perhaps this year was finally the year? The outcome of this match would tell her more about the truth of that statement.

Taking a long look around the area, she wondered what clan she would be matched up with this time, whichever it turned out to be, she was ready.

KasaiLoki

 

[KasaiLoki]

Another year, another sky ceremony. This time, it would be U’no’le’s turn to represent the Kanesda family as well as the bird clan, just as his sister had done in the previous years. The yellow lion had watched the duels previously, learning from analyzing, before offering to try for this years ceremony.

Although he had learned from observing, U’no’le did not know exactly what he was getting himself into. With a quick nod to his bird pal Enzi, the large yellow lion trotted onto the plains where his opponent would be waiting. It did not surprise him she was already there. U’no had a tendency for being late.

He bobbed his head in greeting to the green lion. He did not recognize her, but the lack of tattooed pelt caused him to think that she one not born of the pride. She could be at the advantage in this battle, bringing in knowledge of the roguelands. U’no would need to be extra observant in his moved.

“Good luck,” the lion called out. If she did not need it, then he probably would. His green eyes flickered over to the blue bird perched on a low branch. How he wished he could join him.

Depawsit

 

[Depawsit]

Xerxes' eyes squinted to block out the sun as she watched her opponent enter the ring. He was a larger lion, with the tattoos she so much adored. It was quickly apparent that he was a lion botn within the pride, and depending on age, could know quite a deal more than she did about the experiences of these battles.

Dipping her head lightly at her opponent she briefly spoke up to offer him the same well wishes he had offered to her. "And the same to you, friend." Smiling sweetly as she wrapped up her greeting, she began to circle the male, looking for her best opening. She had been granted first chance, after all. And she didn't want to waste it.

She watched as the male briefly turned his attention up to the tree line.

This was her chance!

Storing all her energy the female lowered her head and went in for a tackle.

With all of her energy focused on the task at hand, she hardly noticed the pebble in her way as she fumbled right over it. Rearing her head back in pain, she full on missed her target and stumbled off to shake off the horrid toe stub.

KasaiLoki

 

[KasaiLoki]

U’no’le smiled as the female returned the greeting. However, now was not the time for great formalities. There would be time and a place during the festival he could truly meet the other, but for now, it was battle time.

Green eyes watched Enzi as he jumped up and down. Curses! He should be paying more attention to his opponent, not his bond. Turning quickly, U’no found himself watching Xerxes fumble. His gaze shifted to see what she had tripped over, but he knew the abnormally loud squawking behind him was telling him to just move already.

Deciding to take the trip as an advantage, U’no quickly launched himself towards Xerxes, swiping a paw at her shoulder. He did not want to hurt the girl, so his pressure was slight. He did not analyze this situation out fully.

Depawsit

 

[Depawsit]

Xerxes recovered as quickly as she could from her fumble, and shook her head free of the little pain signals that were shooting about her brain. Stubbed toes hurt, but this was no time for that. Her memory glazed over the trip she had just endured and she realized her opponent now had a hit against her. Or, well, if you could call it a hit. She could tell he'd help back, and after her toe, she was incredibly grateful. She would need to thank him for his sensitivity later. But for now, she needed to grasp the opportunity at hand.

Xerxes watched the male for a split second longer before deciding that perhaps her trip could be used as inspiration for her next attack. The male's attention once again seemed to be caught between both her and a tiny bird in the trees above. If she could just stumble him up, she might stand a chance.

It took only seconds for her to build up the energy she needed to once again take a tackle at the larger male. As she neared she realized she might be going about this all wrong. At the last possible moment, the lioness veered her paws to his right for a fake out. Before making a slight U turn and returning to bat the male on the head. As squarely between his eyes as she could manage. It wasn't a direct hit, but perhaps she had his full attention now.

KasaiLoki

Sorry! Didn't realize I had a tag!

 

[KasaiLoki]

Maybe he was being a little too easy on the lioness? The hit did not seem to affect her as much as he thought it should. But he could not dwell on the thoughts. He could mentally here Enzi in his head, squawking moves to him. U'no found himself being distracted by the thought, because his gaze shifted away from his partner and back to his bond. It was only when he turned his attention back towards the duel, he found himself being smacked right in between the eyes.

"omfph!"he uttered. Note to self, stop paying attention to the bird.

"Next time he won't be so close." All the years of observations were going down the drain with each passing minute. He took a moment to recover from the hit, his large body aiming to body slam the female. She was too quick for him, as he found himself against the ground instead of the other.

"This is going well." he said sarcastically to himself.

Depawsit

No worries - tagging from a phone is quite difficult lol

 

[Depawsit]

The female was ecstatic at the idea of making a hit. She'd been so quick qith her moves, but had thought for sure she'd miss her opponent. Thankfully she hadn't, and her adrenaline was pumping now harder and quicker than ever. She couldn't believe how well she was doing, and truth be told if she didn't win, she'd be satisfied with the progress she had made.

Xerxes chortled to herself at the male's slight 'oomfph' noise, before beginning to deliberate her next move. Now that she had his attention, she had to try and occupy him with random actions. Something that wouldn't have him suspecting her next move.

Pacing back and forth, the female felt the quick rush of air as the male fell to the ground instead of onto her. Was he aiming for her? She was certain he was,
but she wasn't going to knock a gift horse in the mouth.

Instead she took the opportunity as it came to her, and gently pounced on the male with a somewhat scary smile on her maw. "Pinned ya!" She chuckled as she ruffled his fluffy mane. Then quickly rising to her feet as to not cause undo harm.

KasaiLoki

 

[KasaiLoki]

"So you have," U'no'le stated, a smile on his maw. The good thing about these duels, is they were not to the death or out of spite like what he had heard occurs outside their lands. Instead, it was all in good fun (and maybe show a little bit of strength? Further down the ceremony they may become more competitive. For not though, U'no just enjoyed being a part of it).

When the lioness removed herself from above him, U'no wasted no time rising to his feet. He quickly pounced on Xerxes, keeping his forepaws to the side of her. "Looks like the tables have turned, no?" He joked, moving away from the lioness, but keeping his pale gaze locked onto her form.

The male was tiring. He knew the battle would be over soon. The question was, who would win?

Depawsit

2:2 / next hit wins!

 

[Depawsit]

Xerxes let out a joyish shriek as she was abruptly tackled by her opponent. She had to admit, as much as this was meant to be a competition, she just enjoyed the exercise. It was a good stretch for her muscles. She hadn't been getting a lot of running in lately, and this definitely made up for it.

"Indeed they have!" She managed to chuckle as she rolled herself off the ground and planned her next move.

All she needed was one more hit, and it was evident by his stance that the male was beginning to tire just as she was. All it would take was a light nudge to the belly to end the match. She could do that right?

She gazed through the slowly clearing dust clouds and tried to focus on his lather abdomen. She had this in the bag.

Pacing herself in a quick circle, she slowly pulled out of her rhythm and shot off to the side. Hopefully blind siding the male as she aimed for the tummy poke.

As she ran at the male, she could feel her confidence rising, and before she knew it, her squishy little head batted into his large tummy and she jumped in glee.

KasaiLoki

 

[KasaiLoki]

Depawsit

That was it. With a small jab to his stomach, the duel ended. U'no quickly backed away, lifting both his paws in the air in a look of surrender. "You win," the male stated with a smile.

He would take what he learned from his battle and apply it to what he had observed in the years past. Plus, there were more heats happening over the next couple days where he would be able to watch even more. For a first time fight, the yellow lion was quiet proud of himself. (He'd get over the fact he was beat by a lioness within a few minutes).

"What's your name?" U'no'le inquired. "I will need to keep it in my memory for next time we see each other." Who knew when that would be after the Festival, seeing as they were in different clans. "You were a quite a fine dueling partner!" He exclaimed, just as his blue feathered friend landed near him. The bird looked disappointed, but U'no would explain to him what happened later.

"I am U'no'le, by the way. U'no'le Kanesda of the Bird clan."  

[Depawsit]

"I did didn't I?" She giggled in earnest, not really meaning to rub anything in or to be one of those kinda of people, but because she was still sort of in shock. Of all the years she'd competed, she'd never gotten this far. It was a surreal feeling, and she sorta like it.

"I'm Xerxes!" She managed to get out between large gulps of air. "As were you! I thought you had me there in the end. It was quite the honor to duel with someone who enjoyed the bout as much as I did!" She smiled her sweet toothy smile and dipped her head to the male in a show of respect.

"Well U'no'le, it has been quite the pleasure dueling with you. I am of the Wolf Clan myself. But perhaps we'll meet again during the ceremony!" Turning to leave, Xerxes left with one more quick tip of her head.

She truly had enjoyed that duel. Now if only she had the energy to run home.

KasaiLoki