[SRP] Testing The Waters (Hu and Arcus)

[Velveteen Angel]

Hu was not one for fighting, in fact he rarely dueled anyone, but Arcus had raised several good points recently about the need for defence. If Hu was on his own and he was attacked, he could not guarantee that the army would reach them in time before he was seriously injured or killed. As such, he was now consenting to this ridiculous 'battle' which he was sure Arcus would call a duel, not a battle.

Hu would take it seriously though, and he stood at the clearing, waiting for his opponent to make a move.

HP: 16
 

[Velveteen Angel]

Arcus took his job seriously. As Commander, he had damn well better make sure he was amazing at his job. If something happened to the pride, it would be on his head. He would be the reason that all those people had died. As such, he had put in many, many hours of training, his physique was quite impressive. He was big, and bulky, but he moved quick.

It was a bit nerve-wracking to be challenging the leader of their colony. He felt almost bad for attacking the older leopard, but really, how else would he learn.

He approached slowly, methodically, before annoying coldly, "lets begin."

He launched himself forward with a sudden burst of speed, hoping to take his companion by surprise. It was certainly surprising, and Arcus felt his paws make contact with a firm blow.

HP: base16 + skill4 = 20  

[Velveteen Angel]

The fast movement from the usually bulky, slow leopard came as a surprise, and while he attempted to move aside, Arcus' claws struck flesh. Not quite as badly as it could have been, but still a generally unpleasant experience. He grunted as he took the brunt of the blow, side-stepping away to minimise the pain.

Damn, first blood to Arcus, he thought to himself as he felt a slight drizzle of blood seep from his new cut. It wasn't deep, but it was definitely designed to sting.

The pain in his hindquarters spurred his movements, and he swiped towards his 'trainer', feeling his own claws make connection. To be fair, perhaps his blow was designed to hurt a bit more than it should have been in a duel, but he was frustrated. Ask him to debate all night and Hu would be in his element, ask him to throw a blow and it was all he could do not to be covered in bruises.


HP: 11 (-5)  

[Velveteen Angel]

Arcus smirked to himself as he felt Hu's blow strike on his leg. It stung but really that just spurred the warrior on. He had no issue becoming bloodied and bruised, in fact, it wasn't a true duel until blood was shed. He grinned, a slightly daunting sight to most in a fight. The usually stoic and cold Arcus was not one to grin, let alone grin broadly.

"Good strike," he mused and aimed his next blow. This time his blow was barely a love-tap, a slight glancing blow that was just designed to irritate. It wouldn't hurt, it was almost mocking.

Just a tap of the paws, claws retracted.


HP: 18 (-2)  

[Velveteen Angel]

Oh, if that wasn't the most patronizing blow Hu had ever experienced. His eyes narrowed in frustration, his anger building as his companion appeared to barely be taking this seriously.

"If you are not going to take this seriously, there is no point in continuing," Hu growled, deep voice booming in the surrounding landscape.

He still swiped at his companion, though his claws barely made purchase on the other male. Just a light graze, his annoyance evident.


HP: 10 (-1)  

[Velveteen Angel]

Arcus snorted to himself, stepping back away from the scholar, the hit barely a hit. "If you cannot handle a companion who does not take you seriously, you will only underestimate him." Arcus warned. "Not all whom are out to injure think they will deal a fatal blow, and not all who fight are serious of the fight. Do not underestimate a foe, no matter their attitude. It will only end in agony."

As if to prove a point, Arcus threw himself forward, his bulk behind the next hit. His weight was a useful weapon, a dangerous force and generally, just another way of making an opponent ache. The blow hit with a deadly accuracy.


HP: 17 (-1)  

[Velveteen Angel]

The force of the blow made him stumble, a few steps of retreat were all it took for him to regain his balance though. He snarled. "If you warn me over underestimating, do not underestimate me!"

His attack was fast-paced, a lot more power behind his hit. His paws connecting with fur, but his claws were not extended this time. His paw clipped Arcus' face, and if the claws had been out, it would have blinded the pale male, and that would achieve nothing.

Hu would have to find another commander and that seemed like effort.

HP: 7 (-4)  

[Velveteen Angel]

Arcus grinned at the pain. It was a fairly disturbing image to his fighting companion, but the old scholar was finally getting into the duel. He was excited. He loved fighting, and his skills could only get better the more he fought.

"Finally, now you're stepping up your game. When you fight, Councillor Hu, you need to mean it!"

Arcus' next blow hit true, his posture buoyed and almost cheerful. How disturbing.

HP: 13 (-4)  

[Velveteen Angel]

Hu let Arcus come closer, keeping his mouth closed for the first time since the duel began. His eyes were narrowed in contemplation, and he took the hit with a quiet hmph. It stung, but he was getting used to the soreness. It didn't affect him now.

His own blow was fast moving, and he felt his claws make a connection. Perfect! This whole 'fighting' business wasn't that bad after all.



HP 3 (-4)  

[Velveteen Angel]

Arcus grunted, twisting in mid air as Hu's attack connected and swinging his own paw back towards the other male. It barely made connection though, and it was more of a fleeing glance rather than a harsh attack. It would allow Hu the chance to regain his footing, the heat off him for the moment.

Arcus growled a little. That frustrated him, and even though he hadn't missed his companion, the blow seemed like a wasted attack.

Useless.

HP: 9 (-4)  

[Velveteen Angel]

Hu hit the ground hard, pausing for a moment to regain his balance. The last attack had been pathetic, but he knew better than to 'underestimate' Arcus now.

"How long does a duel typically last?" He asked, hating to admit that he was starting to lose interest in the fight. He launched himself at the male, hoping to deal a final blow.

HP: 2 (-1)  

[Velveteen Angel]

Arcus easily side-stepped Hu's final attack, and Arcus knew in that moment that it would in fact be the final attack. The male had left himself wide open with his disinterested pounce, and, well, it was only fair that Arcus give him 'advice' and point this out to him.

Of course, the correct way to point this out was, of course, to launch his entire weight at the side of the counsellor's side. The full brunt of his weight was dealt in a single blow.

"Now.
HP: 9 (-0)  

[Velveteen Angel]

The sheer force behind the last move sent Hu reeling and for a moment he thought he would at least regain a tiny amount of pride and stay on his paws, but the blow was too severe and he stumbled. He hit the ground, the other male coming to stand above him.

Hu narrowed his eyes in frustrating, taking a moment to regain his breath.

"Good duel," he said coldly, unable to say anything else.


HP: - 4 (-6)
Hu loses the duel.
((OOC: Holysmokes, Arcus. Way to let the boss win.))

The pale male stood back, allowing Hu to rise. He smirked. "You too. It's not as easy as you thought." It wasn't a question, merely a statement of fact.

"I will do better next time," Hu said stiffly, giving a single firm nod before he began to walk away. He took great care to not limp as he left. He had a feeling the male knew how sore the older male was, but thankfully, Arcus had just enough tact to let that issue lie.

For now.


Fin.