i went to a sermon it made me livid... they called me a lamb to be protected by the Lord they're fools i am no lamb i am THE BEAST THAT EATS THEM and i see no Lord among you

    Perched, she was. High upon the rim of this pit carved from the earth. A vantage point from which to watch the clashing felines below. The cauldron bubbled of violence and rage, of fear and desperation, the writhing pairs in its bottom providing heat to the miasma. This one had never been here before. Did not know that this place was used as an arena and a training grounds. The sounds of battle had drawn her in as a moth to flame, and now she was entranced. Pupils widening with eagerness so as the eyes appeared almost black.
    There were a great many lions in the pit this morning. Taking advantage of the cool air to test themselves against one another. So many, in fact, that it appeared as if a notice had gone out on swift wings that today was the Day of Fighting, and those from far and wide had attended. There were rows of spectators along the many stepped cliff-edges. Lines of those who waited, impatient, for their turn to join the fray along the outside of the pit-floor. There was cheering, booing, cries of dismay and screams of triumph. Excitement flooded the body and made the mind spin with euphoria.
    Still more felines were arriving. Some slow, some quick. Some with knowledge of the event, some with no idea whatsoever. To this one, who had met a fraction of a fraction of the inhabitants of this land, it appeared that every curious and capable-of-travel being was to attend. It was wondrous. Gaze cast around at those coming to stand on the rim, as she was. Would one among their number wish to test their might? Oh, how she dearly wished so.

285 words | @Circe

fun thread for peeps to hop in and spar for experience or so on! spar with an npc, spar with DMC (after she does so with Circe!), spar amongst yourselves, or just watch and learn! come one, come all, and have fun <3

each character can claim up to three trade exp tasks in one thread! don't forget the petals you can get for meeting other characters (you do need to interact with them), too!

please respect posting order, as well! i will tag in order when i post to help keep things straight :D

The spirit of battle attracted the red dame to be a face among the rest gathering at the pit, her sharpened blue eyes too gazing around the area with a prickling eagerness. @Osik was likely close by, although how close really depended on his comfort of being among this crowd. She knew he wasn't as big on training as she was but she'd still encourage him to do so. Not only was it useful, it was fun! Thrilling! But of course, if he really wanted to be a little puss about it he could go find someone to sing to. But she absolutely would tease him about it later.

Nonetheless, she'd waste no time. Ambition was boiling within her, and her claws were just itching to get a workout.

So she stepped into the center of the pit, letting out a booming roar to rise above the murmur of other voices gathered around. A call that laid it out plainly- she wanted to brawl!

@Devil May Cry

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i went to a sermon it made me livid... they called me a lamb to be protected by the Lord they're fools i am no lamb i am THE BEAST THAT EATS THEM and i see no Lord among you

    Notice of the maroon lioness was not taken until her roar resounded through the pit. A fierce sound that invited battle, its power giving momentary pause to some of the less serious fighting going on. Then did black-with-dilated-pupils gaze lock on to the form. Then did a low rumble--a purr of eagerness--radiate from this one's chest. Others in attendance had noticed the call for an opponent. Some were stepping forward to meet the challenge. This would not do. No. This would her fight. Lifting from the spectating crouch, the pearl and obsidian lioness drew in a breath. An arched neck and lashing tail preceded a savage explosion of noise. A claim of the invitation extended by the maroon one, and a challenge to any who dare step forth beforehand. Though gaze was not given as the body was turned and pace set swift down into the cauldron, those who had thought to accept the fight were stepping back, now.
    Weighted paws cause vibration as this one neared the maroon one. Direct, from the fore, head-on. Confident anticipation in each step. A pelt shivering with desire. Lips twitching. Halt was taken one lion-length away; An attempt at respect for preparation needed, though weight was sat forward and gaze was intent. Tendons strained to keep this one in place. "Devil May Cry." An introduction, though unclear. Those who would spar would have the basic courtesy of knowing each other, of pulling no punches yet avoiding true wounding. Not that the quivering, slavering, barely-contained, lioness showed any outward sign of such beyond holding herself in place rather than outright attacking.
    A moment is all that can be given. A full three minutes, by definition, for the maroon lioness to prepare herself. As the end of that moment passed, the coil wound-tight that was this one forced its way to release. The pearl and obsidian battle-maiden lept forward with a tremendous shove from her back legs, rear claws digging against the unforgiving stone for any and all traction available. Forelimbs crashed down to provide lift to the rear, so that limbs could gather beneath the bulk again--a half stride so as to cover half the length between the two sparring partners, and enable a leap up for the second half of the distance. As rear paws gripped and powerful thighs pushed the lioness up, forelimbs spread wide. Claws were only half-exposed--a clear indication that damage was not the goal--as paws came together in a hugging motion.
    The intent was to try to bear-hug the maroon lioness' head against the pearl and obsidian lioness' chest. To try to pull her in and try to use her as balance so that an upright position could be maintained. Beyond that... thought hadn't gone that far. Too lost in the excitement, the thrill, this one didn't plan ahead. Half claws, no teeth, but... no idea what else.

479 words | @Circe

Devil May Cry vs. Circe
for practice sparring
Round 1/3
Hits:

Rolling 5d20: 9 + 19 + 2 + 15 + 10

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 20 + 9 + 6 + 15

The boy was only attracted by the abundance of noise, which he recognized to be from other lions. The close he got, the clearer the sound became and when he finally arrived, he took in the sight of many lions cheering on fighters in the crater below. Aesir wasn't the type who jumped into violent battles. He avoided it when possible, but that didn't mean the skill wasn't important. If he was to protect himself or those that he loved, he needed to use his teeth and claws.

Unfortunately, he didn't practice much and he wasn't quite sure how he'd fare against an opponent. He thought it'd be best to just sit on the sidelines and watch. Gaining unnecessary wounds was at the bottom of his priority list, even if he could heal them. Still, a part of him wanted to test his abilities, see how well he could do. Maybe he should give it a chance. If he got hurt, he look for some herbs. One small glance at his surroundings revealed the presence of some baby bush, which could be applied to any wounds he received. Not only that, he may be able to offer some help too some of the other lions who got injured.

If he was going to practice his fighting, he'd need an opponent, though. Aesir would wait for someone to approach him, if anyone decided to anyway.

Potential XP:
+5 Attend a spar or challenge to assess the wounds (1/2)
+5 Study the flora of a neutral territory (1/2)
+5 Win a spar

@Safiya

The resounding sound of another challenger echoed over the crowd and lions began to part away in front of her, revealing a pale woman with a dark head. Amidst her dark face were two piercing blue eyes, much like her own, and aimed right at her with purpose. The red-pelted dame let a wry smirk slide across her lips, tail lashing with anticipation. It seems she found someone just as eager as she was. If not arguably more.

Though as she neared she stated something odd. Devil may cry? What the hell was that, some kind of weird battle cry? The fact that it was an introduction bounced right over her head.

Whelp! Guess we're getting right on into it!

No further confirmation was needed for their spar to begin. She reared up slightly as the lioness leaped forward with her paws outstretched and aimed to put Circe in a hold. Her own paws attempted to weave under the woman's as they slid over her shoulders, in a little hug of her own. But she remembered what Drakon had said, rolling her shoulders forward and scrunching her neck to reduce access to it. And speaking of that.

She opened her jaw, lifted her lips, and pushed her body upward with the force of her hind legs against the rocky ground, attempting to lunge like a snake for the exposed area between the woman's neck and left shoulder.

---

Circe vs. @Devil May Cry
Spar (Gimme a hug!)
Round 1 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 5d20: 14 + 11 + 17 + 5 + 16

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 9 + 14 + 10 + 8

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i went to a sermon it made me livid... they called me a lamb to be protected by the Lord they're fools i am no lamb i am THE BEAST THAT EATS THEM and i see no Lord among you

    The maroon lioness rose in tandem. This one's black paws wrapped around the woman's neck, atop her shoulders. At the same time, the maroon lioness' own arms slipped underneath this one's, wrapping firmly around the torso of the pearl and black body. And the jaws of the opponent opened and lunged up for the exposed neck on the left side. In her haste to engage, the two-toned lioness hadn't planned anything, and left herself exposed. Such was the negative to such an intense willingness to battle. The maroon lioness' jaws caught on the left side of the neck, where it met the shoulder, and gathered a large clump of skin and fur there. A grand hold, should the maroon lioness decide to keep it, and certain to bruise if pressure to pierce was not applied.
    Standing on hind limbs--a position not so easy to maintain for a lion as for other species--center of gravity was lifted into the air. To push forward or backward would be difficult, as rear claws of either opponent could help to counterbalance. But the sides... with only two legs braced, each, going to the side would be much easier to affect. Euphoria spun the mind as the pearl and obsidian lioness attempted to wrap her forelimbs tighter around the maroon one's head, trying to pull her in and keep her from disengaging her bite or her own hug. Then weight was shoved, sudden and harsh, to this one's right, that one's left.
    The intent was to try to send them both bowling into the dust. However, this side had been chosen so that the tender nose of the maroon lioness would be safe from any harsh impact with the stone--it would be on the pearl and obsidian lioness' left side, and thus opposite the rock. This wasn't a battle to the death. Just a battle. Just a spar. Just fun.

315 words | @Circe (posting order of spar) | @Aesir (posting order of non-spar)

Devil May Cry vs. Circe
for practice sparring
Round 2/3
Hits:

Rolling 5d20: 20 + 10 + 19 + 3 + 17

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 17 + 9 + 18 + 14

She was pleased as she caught the mouthful of fur and skin in her maw, indeed keeping her hold. As the lioness gripped tighter around her neck so too did she, testing to see just how far she'd go perhaps- a little game of chicken. Before she knew it, however, they were both falling to the side from the white and black dame's powerful shove. Had this not been just a spar she'd have absolutely sunk her teeth into the flesh and held on while the impact did it's damage for her, but this wasn't that kind of fight.

Before making contact with the ground Circe let go, preparing herself to half meet the ground with her side and half fall onto the lioness's front end with her own. She didn't get the brunt of it, but the shockwave sent the top of her head thunking into the bottom jaw of the other. Just a bump akin to child's play, though still unpleasant. She might end up with a little knot there.

Now on the ground she attempted to roll off and to her left (Devil's right), trying to get to her feet before the other could. Once she felt at least somewhat upright she'd attempt to lunge at her with jaws wide open again, this time aiming for the white devil's black nape.

---

Circe vs. @Devil May Cry
Spar
Round 2 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 5d20: 15 + 9 + 10 + 5 + 13

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 1 + 19 + 18 + 5

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i went to a sermon it made me livid... they called me a lamb to be protected by the Lord they're fools i am no lamb i am THE BEAST THAT EATS THEM and i see no Lord among you

    Pressure to pierce was not exerted. Only a bruising grip upon the flesh and fur. Silent thanks was given, as the location of the bite could have been used to devastating effect, should the maroon one had wished it. A tender area where teeth ought not to be. Or, if they were, where touch should be tender and sensual. This was not that. This was not in this one's mind. Only fight. Only savage enjoyment. To pit oneself against another and see what would become of them.
    Over, they went. The tip to this one's right side, the maroon one's left side, successful. Down, falling, air rushing past in the split second of free-fall. The maroon one let go, tried to get ready for the impact. The pearl and obsidian lioness only tried to hold tighter, giving herself completely over to gravity. The crash against the hard stone sent shockwaves up her right shoulder. Skull knocked into her chin, causing her teeth to click together with painful force. Lucky, her tongue had been tucked away, even if only just. The combined smash of shoulder and crash of jaw stunned her, and weakness entered her forelimbs.
    The maroon lioness rolled off and away, out of this one's loosened grip. Then wits returned, weight was rolles, and paws regained in time with the opponent. Not quick enough to act first. Only quic enough to react. Skull dipped low as rear limbs pushed forward. Eyes closed as black skull and left shoulder (as the right was smarting fiercely from the fall) were used as battering rams, aimed for the left side of lioness' chest. Left completely vulnerable to the maroon one's bite; The opposing lioness's teeth sank firmly into the thick fur and fatty flesh of the back of the neck. A nice grip. But one this one hoped her charge might dislodge. The attempted ram of skull and shoulder was to try to push her opponent back and away.

327 words | @Circe (posting order of spar) | @Aesir (posting order of non-spar)

Devil May Cry vs. Circe
for practice sparring
Round 3/3
Hits:

Rolling 5d20: 14 + 19 + 18 + 4 + 9

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 17 + 9 + 15 + 10

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 19 + 17 + 1 + 11 + 13

For a moment the red dame's teeth met their mark with much satisfaction, biting into the soft flesh of the woman's back, though careful not to puncture with her force behind it. However, her shortly-lived hold faltered strongly when the other's shoulder rammed into her chest, causing her mouth to open on instinct as the air was shoved out of her. She gasped in a breath as she staggered backward a step, taking a moment to regain herself before attempting to- in the final moments of them possibly receding from each other- lash out her paw to connect a slap across the stranger's dark face.

Bit of a cheap shot on her part, but a shot nonetheless. Whether that made its mark or only managed to slap air, she'd attempt to lunge forward one more time. There wasn't much aim in her trajectory, simply aiming to slam into the lioness in general.

---

Circe vs. Devil May Cry
Spar
Round 3 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 5d20: 12 + 18 + 20 + 17 + 6

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 18 + 16 + 11 + 1

Luck:

Rolling 6d20: 9 + 5 + 2 + 13 + 15 + 1

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@Devil May Cry VS. @Circe FOR DOMINANCE
— RESULTS —

Devil May Cry Hits: 2+3+3=8
Devil May Cry Dodges: 2+3+2=7

Circe Hits: 4+2+4=10
Circe Dodges: 1+2+3=6

Devil May Cry Successful Hits: 2
Circe Successful Hits: 3

CIRCE HAS WON THE CHALLENGE FOR DOMINANCE!

Please allow the challengers to respond to the fight results first.