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Against the dark cloudy skies and darkened tone of the earth, Jalus probably stood out like a sore thumb. It was something he was used to on a general basis, and in fact prided in, but right now, he sort of wished he blended in more. Alas, his mane was striking in color. He would be spotted by everyone within a mile or so distance.
He had vague knowledge that a pride was near here, and while he admittedly didn't know anything about them, he was curious enough to approach. Jalus had been on the lookout for a new home base. A pride wasn't a half bad idea - more protection and all that - so long as they allowed him to wander as he pleased, anyway. That meant venturing further to gain more information.
Which so far.... mostly amounted to not much. This place was rather gloomy, and had he not known about the pride living here, he would have thought it was devoid of life.
Oh well. As long as they proved decent enough, he didn't care much about how the place looked.
Hiking over what he was sure was the border, Jalus took to sniffing the air, curious to see if he could find someone before they found him. Introductions were the best way to make a good impression, both of him and towards him, in his opinion. He could show he was a good lion, and in return, they could show what they were like.
Of course, what he was not expecting was immediate hostility.
He probably should have.
The roar from nearby had the lion freezing in place, and he turned his head to eye the blue-grey form as it approached. It was another male, and a young, clearly battle-scarred one too. Jalus raised an eyebrow at him, but respectfully waited for the youth to speak.
"You're trespassing on the Stormborn lands. State your business!"
Hjalmar wasn't typically one to be out by the border. In general, he skulked about his den or with his Thralls or was out on a viking, and that was about it - but today he just happened to be out here. Whether that was a blessing or a curse would soon be proven.
The Reaver raised a lip at the intruder, teeth bared and hostility clear on his face. He refrained from attacking immediately though. Challengers were known to approach from this side of the border, and if this was someone itching to join, well... he was down for a fight anyway. A duel would be a good way to test his mettle with these new handicaps he had to work with.
Jalus gave the lion a long look, before tilting his head in a thoughtful way. He considered his answer for a moment longer, before grunting back, "I'd like to know more of your people. How does one see about joining?"
No point in beating around the bush, he figured. Perhaps knowing they had a possible joinee would change the lion's tune.
Hjalmar raised an eyebrow at him. So he was looking to join then? Well, sucks for him that he wasn't prepared for the requirements needed to enter.
"We fight," he said with a snarl, before elaborating, "You have to prove yourself worthy of the storm."
The Reaver let out another snort then, "You'd best turn around now. I doubt you'd make muster." Actually, he had no way of knowing, but he was itching for a fight, and baiting tended to work at getting another to do so as well.
Jalus hummed back, hearing the challenge for what it was. Well, he still didn't know what the pride was about.... but he also wasn't one to back down. If he truly didn't like them, he could just leave. That's what he figured. What could they do to stop him?
Had he known about Thralls, he might have reconsidered that, but as it was, he was aiming to be an actual member, so it wouldn't have mattered regardless.
Taking a step forward, he cleared his throat, "Alright then. I challenge you, stranger."
Straight to the point, huh? Honestly, he was expecting to have to pry at him more before getting an okay, but hey, Hjalmar wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Letting out a bark of a laugh, the Reaver crouched down. "Let's hope you don't regret it then."
With no other warning, he flung himself forward with a roar, barreling into the rainbow-maned lion with all he was worth. It wasn't often that he came across a big-boned lion like himself (perhaps even more so, though Hjalmar had enough pride not to think too much on that), and his tackle was met headlong, sending the two crashing to the floor.
With what would have been a hiss had he been a different type of cat, he swung a paw upwards to land a blow against the white jaw beside his head. It didn't wind the other like he'd hoped, but it at least caused him to back up a few paces and give Hjalmar the chance to charge forward again.
Jalus was ready though. What the young lion had in battle experience, Jalus had in age and previous knowledge as a rogue. His jaw still smarting from the hit, he side stepped out of the way and then tackled the grey-maned lion in the side, sending them tumbling to the floor once again.
The rolled about, snarls and roars echoing around them, until finally, Jalus got the upper paw. He swiped the Reaver's legs out from under him, using his body weight to tilt the other to the side, and then slammed his massive paws down - one on his side and the other down beside his head.
The two glared at each other for a moment longer, before the male beneath him finally shoved at him.
"Enough!"
He'd been in enough fights to know when he'd lost a duel. Once the other relinquished their hold, Hjalmar rolled back onto his stomach and then pushed himself up. It was disappointing that he'd lost, but at least he'd gotten some of his excess energy out, and was able to prove that he could still fight despite the lack of an eye.
It felt good to tussle with someone new too. Kept things fresh.
With a sniff, he gave the other a long look and then replied, "Congratulations, then. It looks like you've proven yourself."
Jalus was still trying to calm some of his nerves as he was announced the victor, but before he could even smile over it, the other was turning and walking away.
Shocked, he took a few steps after him, "Not going to show me around?"
Hjalmar paused only to throw him a cold look over his shoulder, and then, not replying, continued walking away. Let one of the nearby Shield Maidens do it - he knew they were nearby, probably watching like hawks.
Jalus starred uncertainly after him for a moment longer, unsure as to what to do now, when the sound of a softer, less threatening roar happened near him. A quick glance that way showed a group of lionesses huddled nearby, gesturing for him to follow.
He supposed that that's who was to escort him?
Giving a quick lick against his shoulder, the rainbow-maned lion turned and began walking over to them.
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