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Kimaria rolled 5 4-sided dice:
1, 1, 2, 3, 1
Total: 8 (5-20)
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Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2017 2:42 pm
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[damn you, Zili XD;; that is a lot of 1s]
The black lion had been gone for a while. Long enough to have missed a whole heap of goings on - that no doubt he would be filled in on if he finally earned his place. Still, the time away had not been misused. He had sought the aid of Destati - as Tethys had suggested - and found that his seer abilities had finally helped instead of thwarted him. And, since the fateful day of their meeting among dark shadows, he had been working hard to get himself ready for this return.
It was nearing twilight as he picked his way carefully across a rocky outcrop and issued his first challenge; putting as much strength as he could muster into his roar. Be confident, he snarled at himself, gripping the stone firmly beneath unsheathed claws. He had to believe in himself. Trust in the guidance from Destati and throw caution to the wind. He couldn't come back to the borders to allow himself to be beaten again and again until his pride was turned to ashes. He'd burn out eventually and this time they might not relight.
Besides, he had to fight better. For Destati's honour as well as his own.
Or, he thought a little more hesitantly, at least not lose so badly that he would bring them both shame.
He growled at himself then, throwing his head from side to side as if to shake the negative thoughts away. He'd already lost if he allowed them to linger.
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Epine de Rose rolled 5 4-sided dice:
4, 1, 1, 3, 4
Total: 13 (5-20)
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Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2017 2:51 pm
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(Lmfao Zili, you never fail! xDDD Destati obviously here too as an observer.)
He'd lost his confidence, for the briefest of moments he had stumbled and Destati could do nothing more than grimace. He would need time, if necessary Destati would physically haul his a** back into the ring. However, until he had officially seen what Zili was up against he wouldn't provide any further advice. It might even be a case of the black lion finding his feet again... a breath or two might help, but as it stood...
The elder lion merely shook his head and strode off to the side, settling against one of the outcroppings as he waited for the challenge to be met. If Zili's explanation was clearly understood, then one of the nearby 'Reavers' would show themselves.
There was considerable delay to Zili's initial challenge and then slowly but surely a figure moved in to view.
"Well, well, well..." Destati murmured as he recognised the form of his own offspring. However there was something different about him, an air of greater confidence than before. Clearly the pride had been good to him, he wasn't under his sister's thumb anymore.
Zili would find that he could relax though, because as the elder's son recognised him, a broad smile appeared on his lips. Zili certainly looked healthier now, still nervous, but healthier and therefore he would be given the opportunity to prove himself...for as long as he could muster the strength.
"Looks like you found him then," Tethys acknowledged his father and then returned his attention to Zili. "Welcome back," he offered and took a breath, giving a series of stretches to reawaken his stiff limbs.
"I'll let you do the honours."
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Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2017 1:38 pm
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As time passed, the black lion set into a short path of pacing, using the rocky ground to help take his mind off of what would soon be occuring. Perhaps, even with all the training in the world, he'd enver truly be ready. And yet, at the same time, was it not wise to be cautious and wary? Better that then headstrong and blind to potential danger. Yes. It was wise. It was wise. And so he kept telling himself until, at last, his call was answered.
Though Destati was off to one side, his acknowledgement did not go unheard and Zili paused, turning his head to look in the direction of the reaver. The dark lion was not sure, at first, whether to be happy or nervous at whom his call had summoned. Pleased to be up against a familiar face whom had offered him guidance instead of a cutting claw? Or concerned that he was about to do battle with the son of his mentor.
"I did, thank you. It is...good to be back."
Maybe.
He moved into his defensive stance, taking a moment to adjust his footing as he had been shown, seating his weight evenly across the rocky surface. He drew in a breath and held it a moment, trying to grab hold of his nerves and not let them get away from him.
And so it began.
He edged forwards on his exhale and, with a low huff, used his hind legs to push himself on and close the gap, thrusting out with a forepaw.
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Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 4:12 am
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Zili was surprised, to say the least, when his paw landed a hit - a small one, yes - but a hit nonetheless! He would even have broken out into a proud smile if the other lion had not been so quick to counter it.
Stupid! he cursed himself, knowing that he should not have been so quick to celebrate and yet doing so anyway. Tethys' paw connected against his jaw, making his teeth rattle and, in that moment, the dark lion gave Tethys' the opening that had not been so easily found in his opponent. A sudden great weight fell on him and his forelegs collapsed beneath him so that he landed twisted on the ground. With his front half pinned, his hind legs scrabbled to gain purchase against the rocks and failed. Yet, not quite ready to give up, he gave an angry shout and tried to force strength back into his shoulders to shove upwards - though his forelegs shook beneath him.
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Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 6:59 am
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Well, he felt like it had done something. Or...well...no, actually, it hadn't, since he had still been pinned with his forelegs unable to bear the weight of both him and Tethys. He stood the moment the other lion moved away and staggered back a little - feeling strangely light now that he was not being born down on.
"I can do this." He replied, feeling cross rather than defeated. He had worked hard in the short time he had had to learn and train. He had done everything expected of him and still he was no match. What was Tethys doing that Zili wasn't? Was it a matter of sheer experience that only time would teach? But if that was true, how had Xochi managed it? Could her time in the roguelands alone really have been better training than that he had received with Destati?
He growled, backing off, "give me a moment," he said, needing to catch his breath and gather his thoughts.
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