[JRP Duel] Third Time's the Charm! (Sozin & Canicus)

[Velveteen Angel]

Sozin was getting irritated now. He ached from the duels he had gone through, and was down two losses. No. Perhaps irritated was the wrong word, he was infuriated. He would win his next battle, he decided firmly, already tense and waiting in the duelling area. He had fought a male and a female now, and both times had been firmly dismissed from the ride with the words to 'try again later'.

He had almost won his duel with the female, but it had taken him too long to 'warm up' and start to battle but by then it had been too late to come back and finish the duel properly. Not this time, he decided.
 

[Lethrossen]

Canicus had been dueling with no one but Bodair of late that he was worried he was getting into a certain routine. He'd heard that lately there had been many rogues challenging their way into the firekin, which was good in it's own way. Bodair had been a rogue, too. He moved toward the sparring rings with a light, easy gait. He would find a new partner today, it would help him improve.

He thought it was always best to continue facing new challengers, as they often gave a new perspective on how to fight and helped you hone your own skills. Or change them, if need be. When he spied a free lion he moved to greet the other, bowing his head. "Ready?" Was the only word from his mouth, getting into dueling stance.

 

[Velveteen Angel]

Another male. Sozin had no problem duelling either gender, but he always viewed the males as more of a challenge. Perhaps his opinion would change, but the males he had come across in the rogue lands had always been tougher than the females. Either way, he wasn't going to lose this time, he thought firmly. He would prove that he deserved to be amongst the fighters in this pride.


Sozin smirked. "Born ready," he scoffed back, and didn't stand around to hesitate. Once the male had taken his position, Sozin launched himself forward, paws extended and the weight of his body behind the attack. He felt his paw connect with fur, and grinned. First hit to him!
 

[Lethrossen]

Canicus snarled violently as the other propelled himself forward, already on the offense. Canicus would not go into the defense just yet. As the other got close Canicus ignored the force behind the other's blow, bracing himself.

He swung his paw out, aiming for the other's shoulder. At such a close distance he was hoping for a menacing blow. Already he could feel his blood stirring, his excitement rising.

 

[Velveteen Angel]

The thrill of his own attack connecting was soon dulled by the male's return attack making contact with his shoulder. There was a faint mark on that shoulder, a bite scar that would never fade. The scar tissue was number, but it simply made the area around the scar feel hyper sensitised.

Sozin snarled, swinging out his paw and aiming for the male's face. He didn't extend his claws though, careful that if his attack connected with the intended target, he wouldn't blind the male. He didn't want to risk being shunned from the pride before even getting in. There would be time for wounding later, during real battles.  

[Lethrossen]

Canicus snorted and stumbled back as the paw smashed into his face, growling. He swung blindly as he moved back, eyes instinctively shutting. He did not feel his paw connect with anything, and cursed under his breath. He shook his mane out of his face, planting his feet firmly in the sand as he gave a warning snarl. This male was good, admittedly.

 

[Velveteen Angel]

Sozin retreated slightly, smirking as the male's attack missed him. Ha! The snarl only made him more cheerful. Taking a short break to stalk around the male in a circle, as he liked to do - it disorientated people, generally, which was always useful in a fight - he couldn't help but get in a few verbal jabs as well.

"Getting tired already?" He asked, his voice sweet, but his smirk slightly malicious. Annoying people was a favourite pastime of his, and this male would be no exception to that.

 

[Lethrossen]

As the other began to circle him he started to mirror his steps, not going to be taken advantage of. He was a patient lion by nature, but spending most of his time with Bodair had helped him become even more so. Sometimes. Or maybe he just got his anger and frustration out while with her? He couldn't be sure.

No matter, because the other male's words just served to make Canicus smile slowly, wickedly. "Hardly." He breathed, lunging and going for the male's front paws while aiming to shove his shoulder into the other's chest.

 

[Velveteen Angel]

Sozin was almost...annoyed that the male did not react badly t his comment. He was so used to people being ruled by their emotions, but this male merely smiled, and a wicked smile at that. How irritating. It took all the fun out of taunting him. Not wasting his time with further word play since the male was clearly a waste of time, he simply braced himself for the attack.

Grunting as the male collided with his chest, he stumbled backwards as his size was not the same as that of a firekin lion, however he ducked to the side, and swiped out, claws extended, aiming for the male's fleshy side. He snarled, but couldn't smother his smirk.  

[Lethrossen]

Canicus was not expecting the clawed swipe to his side, and gave a shout that was a mixture of pain and anger. How long had it been since he'd had an opponent that was unafraid to use their claws? Too long! This would help keep him prepared and expectant of the other's next move. He panted slightly, backing off.

"Not bad." He said lightly, almost as though he didn't care. Two could play the rogue's game. His chest rose and fell, though he wasn't panting. He was just breathing slightly harder than usual. This was becoming quite the work out, it seemed.

 

[Velveteen Angel]

Sozin smirked, taking the bland 'compliment', though he hadn't expected one from the male. He had an ego, sure, but he didn't need it stroked by his battle partner. Winning was enough of an ego stroke, at least for Sozin it was.

"Thank you," he responded, his tone fake and sweet, his smirk only growing as he launched himself forward, aiming another clawed strike across the male's chest.

Now that he knew the male wasn't going to b***h about him using claws, it only made sense to continue to use them. Especially as it only helped him more.

 

[Lethrossen]

Sozin: 3 + 3 + 2 + 3 + 3 = 14
Canicus: 3 + 1 + 3 + 2 + 2 = 11

I think? XD  

[Lethrossen]

Canicus did not like the other's tone, not one bit. It made him want to claw the smirk off of his face, and that surprised him. He didn't normally get so annoyed with others, especially when he was playing at games far better suited for those others. He reeled back when the hit came slashing against his chest, and it seemed to him that the hit was harder than the last.

It stung, but it wasn't unbearable. He shifted and held a paw up. "Alright, alright!" He said, calmly and without shame. s**t, that stung. He bowed his head. "I believe.. you're the winner of this duel."

 

[Velveteen Angel]

Finally! Sozin crowed inwardly, unable to resist the broad grin the spread across his face. He had proven that he was meant to be in the pride, and it had only taken him three tries.

He smirked. He bet that fool Xennek wouldn't ever make it into the pride. The scar on his shoulder throbbed in remembrance, but he shoved the pain down, in too much of a rush from winning to care about the aches of his body. It was perfect.

"Best lead me in then," Sozin said, still grinning broadly. "I wish to see my new pride."

- f i n -