Amashen yawned slightly, stretching as he got up from where he's spent the night. He was close... he knew that much from the descriptions he'd picked up along the way. The demon lands lay just past a large jungle, and there was a huge volcano one could see from far away. That's what he'd been told by various parties.
And now ... finally, he'd come through the jungle and he could see that volcano up ahead. Of course, it wasn't to be all that easy. He was met at the border by a guard and challenged. Having to stifle laughter at the young idiot, 'Shen restrained himself and said that he was here to find demons - since he was one himself. At that, the guard stiffened and said that he would have to talk to a leader. Then led him into the lands and up to a grouping of dens near the base of the volcano. He was told to wait, and then the guard disappeared for a few moments. When he showed up again, he was leading a large black and red lion who had several scars and was wearing the bones of some creature along his spine.
Iartuuped was less than pleased at being disturbed, but ... well, he had been told there was someone new here, claiming to be a demon. He would just see about that. Already in an irritable mood, he looked the slightly smaller male up and down and snorted softly. "You? A demon? What makes you think that?" he demanded, tail swishing as the guard ran off back toward the borders.
'Shen stiffened slightly at the leader's attitude, then forced himself to relax. Play the game... don't give anything away. Not yet. "What makes me think that is that I can feel a demon within me," he said patiently, as if this other was a small cub. "Shouldn't that be obvious, oh great one?" There was something just faintly mocking in his tone, but not too much.
Iar growled instantly, though, crouching. "How dare you speak to me in such a manner!" And with that, he flew at the other, claws bared and teeth snapping.
Oh my. Well, that he hadn't expected. But 'Shen didn't flinch away, instead meeting the other head on and then slipping to one side quickly to rake claws along a shoulder. He might not be as large as the other, but he was fast.
Iartuupe snarled at the hit and snapped at 'Shen's face, but the new lion had already ducked, having somehow anticipated the move. Hmph. If nothing else, at least he knew how to fight. He might be telling the truth.
"What's wrong...?" 'Shen taunted, laughing. "Can't catch me, great one?"
All thoughts of demons and the pride were washed away on a wave of anger as Iar roared at the mocking comment, slashing wildly at 'Shen with his own claws.
For as fast as he was, one claw on Iar's front paw managed to catch a front leg, the sharp point dragging along skin and muscle to open up a long gash there. 'Shen winced slightly but tried not to let it show, backing off just a bit to eye the other. Not so slow as he'd thought, then.
Iar smirked and started to circle the other male, watching for another opening. "Just what is your name, anyway?" he asked, faintly curious now that he was clearly no longer losing. The wound he'd just given 'Shen was more serious than the claw-swipe to his shoulder at the beginning.
"Amashen," the smaller male replied easily, staying crouched and watchful - ignoring the blood running down his leg. He wasn't sure how quickly he could move anymore, so he stayed still for now. "And if I may be so bold to ask, what's your name?"
"I am Iartuupe," came the reply. "Aran'shale of the Aikanaro'hini. I'm starting to believe your claim of being a demon... but you'll have to do better to prove yourself completely!" And with that, he leapt at the other again, snapping.
'Shen managed to roll out of the way, though, coming up on three paws, since he wasn't sure the injured leg would hold his weight. Better to not risk it. He could move almost as well on three paws as on four.
Iar noticed that, however, and took it as a sign that he had hurt the other seriously. Smirking, he came in again, managing to catch 'Shen along the upper part of a hind leg, this time with all four claws. It wasn't as deep, though, since the other managed to twist away before he could get a good hold.
Ouch ... well, this wasn't any fun. 'Shen rumbled at the other and circled slowly, then launched an attack of his own, snarling as he came in low. He was aiming for the other's throat at first, but that was merely a feint - his true target the Aran'shale's leg.
Iar saw the attack and moved to dodge, but wasn't expecting it to be a fake. And so 'Shen's claws raked up one leg, doing considerable damage before the smaller male darted out of range again. Iar stopped then, and eyed him. He fought well, for one already injured. Abruptly, the Aran'shale decided the fight was over, and sat down. "Amashen," he said, inclining his head a bit.
'Shen stopped as well, though he didn't sit, still wary. "Yes...?" he replied, wishing not for the first time that he had a partner to play these games with. Then it wouldn't be so easy for the other.
"I have decided that your claim is true. You must have a demon within you, from what I have seen. You may stay here in this pride. See that you chooe a rank you will be happy in," he intoned almost formally.
The younger male blinked. That was it? Well ... all right then. Smirking, he nodded. "Thank you, Aran'shale." Had he been fighting simply for fun, he would have used that as opportunity to get in a surprise attack, and continue the contest. But that ... wasn't his purpose right now. He was in. And for the moment, he was content with that.
