As the realization began to sink in, Nephthys felt her heart sink. She recognized the look of betrayal in his eyes and wanted to recoil as much as he wanted her gone, feeling suddenly so insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Watching as her importance to him faded, watching as she broke her own heart again. She didn’t have the time to brace herself for his attack and crumpled onto her haunches as he shoved her, snapping his teeth in a threat she knew he would have no issues following up on.

Tears stung her eyes as she clenched her teeth, attempting to rise back onto her paws and attempt one final slap across his scarred face.

Fuck you, Ronin. Fuck you for all of it. Fuck you for getting under my skin, fuck you for making me believe I had a chance with you, and fuck you for making me love you. Go back to your pretty girlfriend. She glared at him with grief in her eyes, unable to stop the tears that finally spilled. There’s no room in your heart for me between Slaine and whoever she is and I get that now. Just.. fucking.. stop. Stop it. I told you I never wanted to love anyone again, so stop it. And she had meant it, regardless of what had happened in the end. Stop making me want to try again. Stop making me fall for you, you.. fuckin’.. fuck.

Not her best insult, but she digressed.

Nephthys vs. @Ronin
Dominance/so funny story
Round 3 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 6d20: 10 + 17 + 1 + 14 + 7 + 12

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 11 + 8 + 7 + 5

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 20 + 12 + 10 + 16 + 14

speech



She didn’t even try. The woman would fall back onto her haunches, teeth closing dangerously on nothing but air, but the warning was there. He could only take so much pain, so much hurt. Perhaps Deirdre was right, this place was slowly ripping him into pieces. Maybe the Svend should just leave Amaryllis- for good this time. The two would lock eyes, he could see the tears welling up in her eyes and once more confusion would reign supreme over his turmoil of emotions, why was she crying? This was what she had wanted and it was she that had hurt him- not the other way around.

The woman would strike out at him, but he did not move, did not so much as flinch as her paw slapped across his face, cutting his already scarred face. Lips would curl, though the action was painful, as he would do the same attempting to strike her face or neck, but his claws were sheathed (as much as they could be), he only wanted to bruise, not break skin. His heart wasn’t in this fight, and it showed.

Then she was screaming at him. His ears would tuck tight against his skull, lips would fall, tightly closing as he glared at her. Fuck him? Fuck her. It would all dissolve as she screamed that she loved him. That he should go back to his pretty girlfriend. Who the FUCK are you talking about Neph? I don’t have a girlfriend! He would yell back, taking a small, frustrated step forward. She wasn’t done and he would growl as she assaulted him with more words, insulting his character, but also for bringing Slaine into it. Fuck Slaine and fuck whoever you are talking about. Damnit Neph I don’t want them…Ive wanted you,.He would say, his anger apparent, even as his voice lowered from a shout to a low voice. I love you, not them.He would murmur, taking another step forward, heart racing. What a way to end a training session.

He should have let it drop, but as his eyes roamed over her body, he couldn’t. For someone who loves me you have a funny fucking way of showing it. His tones accusing, his eyes fixated on the marks on her back and flank, he knew what they meant. If she loved him so much, why would she fuck someone else? They were so close now, but he did not close that gap, he merely stared at her, she would have to swallow her anger and close it herself.


Ronin vs @Nephthys
Spar/Dominance/ silly girl, I love you
Round 3 / 3
Hits:

Rolling 6d20: 17 + 18 + 20 + 4 + 10 + 13

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 4 + 17 + 20 + 6

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 1 + 19 + 12 + 20 + 18

Ouch.

Nephthys quickly lifted a paw to her cheek to touch where he had struck her, more startled than anything that he had actually responded to her slap with one of his own. It dropped as abruptly as she lifted it, leaving her hunched in a defensive posture as she readied herself for more. The fight had her adrenaline running rampant again, but this fight didn't feel like life or death. This fight felt like something much more dangerous.

That woman who snuggled up to you at the hunt! The pretty one! The one Nephthys would have liked to bed herself, but found it was probably in poor taste to air that out at the moment. Maybe she's not a girlfriend, but you sure as shit didn't tell her to back off when she fluttered those eyelashes at you! Had Art done that? No. The woman had simply greeted a friend. Somewhere deep down, Nephthys knew that. It was called projecting and as far as Neph knew, it was incurable.

Hearing him say that he wanted her made her hair stand on end. She had been in this situation before, balancing on the edge of a razor while trying to navigate the labyrinth of her feelings. @Ronin even said he loved her and she dug her claws into the ground to anchor herself as he stepped closer; normally, she would have stepped away. She would have retreated into herself and stayed there, probably just leap into the shadows and never be seen again.

This time was different. This time she was flashing just as much audacity as her friend, meeting him glare for glare.

Instead of being hurt by his barbed words, she snorted and flashed her teeth. You think this was an ideal time? He followed me out into the water. He fucking held my head under there. He beat the shit out of me in his fucking twisted way of foreplay. Fuck, imagine what he would do if he was angry? At first I thought he was just trying to murder me! And yes, I did fuck him. Yes, it was rough and fun. Yes, I do regret it and no, there's nothing I can do to take it back. There's nothing I can do to make it better. The only solace I can offer you is knowing I thought of you the whole time, and I thought of you every moment since.

The man had been attractive, yes. In the end, she regretted her decision to lay with him -- especially now. Now that she was so close to losing someone else.

I can't change what happened and I would do it again if I thought my life was in danger, Ronin. Her lips twisted into a frown as her ears flattened against her head, knowing it likely wasn't what he wanted to hear. And if he thought she was disgusting because of it, so be it. Once a whore, nothing more.

speech


Had tensions not been so high, he might have laughed at her response to the slap he gave her. Lifting her paw to touch the bit of flesh he had struck in a way that made her looked appalled that he would dare slap her after she had done so to him. It was ridiculous, but it was also amusing. When she spoke, answering his question his jaw would drop open in complete shock. @Nephthys, Artemisia is a friend, nothing more.Although she probably wanted it to be, the loner did not capture his heart and help him heal it. The red woman in front of him had.

She would snort at his accusation, flashing her teeth, nearly spitting words at him, fully describing the event in question. He didn’t want to hear it, his ears pinned to his skull, head lowering slightly as lips twitched, but it was not towards her, it was anger at the man that had hurt her. That had so easily threatened her life. A sense of protectiveness would once more flash in his gaze. He wasn’t sure how he felt about her thinking of Ronin the entire time, was that supposed to turn him on or make him feel guilty? Did she like that sort of dangerous foreplay? A question for another time. It was her telling him that she had thought of no one else since then that made his heart beat faster, flutters stirring in his gut.

And then she ruined it. Stating she would do it again- if her lie was in danger. He would growl softly, angered by the words just as he was hurt by them. Just as he understood them. He couldn’t blame her for it. The warmonger would deflate, his head sinking in resignation, done with this fight, exhausted from their little fight and from his emotions running rampant within. I’m sorry.. He would admit, showing he did not want to fight with her. Knowing all of that…I don’t blame you for it… But really, why hadn’t she just told him that from the beginning? When all his anger had been directed at the male- before the fight.

He would shift, reaching for her with his skull, but still unwilling to close the gap between them. She loved him. He loved her. They shouldn’t fight over shit that didn’t matter.

Artemisia. Even her name was gorgeous and Nephthys found herself thinking of all the ways she could take away that beauty. She never would, of course. Women had it hard enough in the world without having to compete against one another; it was simply a passing fancy that made the Tollaire feel better about herself. Somehow. Her cheeks blossomed in embarrassment as @Ronin declared there was nothing more than friendship between them; and as much as she wanted to disbelieve him, she couldn't. Ronin had never lied to her before (that she knew of), and she didn't want to start suspecting him now. Well! she began without purpose. Nephthys was so flustered she couldn't process anything going on, let alone have the capacity to form words. She wrinkled her muzzle and glanced at her paws, clearly disarmed by that revelation and yet stubborn enough to not let go of the frustration.

Her posture remained defensive, on edge. She knew damn well what Ronin was capable of and wasn't looking to be on the losing end of a fight at the moment. Not when she was already beat to hell, exhausted, and bordering on delirious. If Ronin had wanted to put her on the ground for real, he very well could have.

But then he relaxed and apologized and once again, Neph was flustered. He was apologizing? She blinked at him a bit stupidly, trying to gauge whether or not this was a trick and he was simply luring her close for.. she didn't know, she just didn't trust many lions in the world. Ronin had always been one she did trust, but that didn't mean he was incapable of bringing her harm; especially not in the aftermath of his heartbreak with Slaine.

I'm sorry, too, I.. she glanced at her paws, shuffling them uncomfortably. I never thought you would actually.. want.. me. And now she was flustered for a third time, her cheeks warm and her ears splayed to the sides of her head. I told myself I would never love someone again, and for so long I kept that promise to myself. She took a hesitant step forward, lowering her head. But I can't pretend that I don't love you and I don't want to pretend, Ronin. If I'm going to give my heart to someone and trust them with it, I want it to be you.

speech


She had nothing to say. She stammered, managing only one word and he would raise a brow, looking at her curiously, as if tempting her to finish a thought. He hadn’t lied to her yet, why would he start now? Artemisia was nice, she was witty and Ronin would lie if he said she weren’t attractive but he did not feel the type of connection with her as he had with Nephthys, but he wasn’t sure how to explain that in a way that she would believe. She’d look at her paws, Ronin assumed it was embarrassment that had her doing so, but he said nothing, only waited. Rational thought would come and he would patiently wait for that jealousy to burn and then be snuffed out.

While Neph remained defensive in posture Ronin had completely relaxed, though if he wanted her on the ground, they were both aware that he could do so. He simply…had no reason to. She blinked at him, as if baffled by all that he had said in the last few minutes, he could see the distrust, the uncertainty and he would sigh softly. He wasn’t sure if she believed him, but it was clear he had a long way to go before he’d earned all of her trust.

When she spoke his ears would come forward, head tilting slightly as she shuffled her feet. Her admission would make his brows raise, she didn’t think he would want her? Of course his immediate question was why not? Why wouldn’t he want her? But he knew the answer to that, because Bhaskar and Alaric. One had left and the other treated her like a whore. Expendable. Ronin would shake his head ever so slightly, he was not going to bring his former comrade into this. She would continue, explaining her feelings, her determination not to love anyone else as she took a hesitant step forward.

Ronin would tremble slightly, nervous. Tongue would roll over his lips as a habit. She loved him. The warmonger would not be stilled any longer, moving the two steps it took to bridge the gap between them, Ronin would attempt to embrace her by arching his neck around her own, brushing the side of his skull against the cheek he had slapped. I love you to, Nephthys, He would murmur, taking a steadying breath to calm his racing heart. I didn’t think my heart would heal after Slaine…. Much less love another. I thought….. He’d taper off, he wasn’t sure what he had thought, but then I met you…and it all changed. He spoke honestly, choosing his words with care. He was not the type to go back on a promise or words spoken. He knew that the happenings with Slaine since their split had helped push him away. Though he could never forget her, never not love her, Nephthys had his heart now.



@Nephthys

Her flighty instincts were becoming impossible to ignore. Even as she stared at him, listened as he returned the words she had wanted to hear all along, Nephthys could not think of anything but danger. He was dangerous. He could incinerate her to ashes with a flick of his wrist, dismissing her at any given moment; and considering how recent his heartbreak, she had to wonder if he wasn't looking through rosy glasses. Could she have been a rebound? Sure, but then Art could have been as well and evidently they were just.. friends. Although she couldn't bring herself to believe him wholeheartedly, the Tollaire desperately wanted to. They were just friends. Ronin loved her. These were simple concepts and yet it was insanely difficult to convince herself of their validity.

She swallowed over the knot in her throat as she gawked at him, trying not to look too ridiculous but unable to have the same level of confidence and class she usually did. It was a brief glimpse into the woman beneath the mask, but Ronin would know that. He always seemed to know who the real Nephthys was whether she liked it or not, and maybe he would see her staring back at him with a new set of eyes. Emerald eyes filled with hope, with love, with everything she had been afraid to admit before.

Hearing him admit that he hadn't been expecting their affair brought a crooked grin to her lips. Yeah, she hadn't exactly been expecting it either. It would certainly prove to be an awkward conversation with Alaric, and she wondered how Slaine would react if she found out the woman was now her ex-husband's.. uh, thing. Labels could come later, she guessed. Right now, she only wanted to spend time with Ronin and eagerly sought to be enveloped in his embrace. She had to think they understood one another more than most could simply because of their first marriages having failed. Nephthys knew she would never take Slaine's place the same way Ronin knew he would never take Bhaskar's, but neither were looking to replace anyone. They were separate entities, a new species of love altogether – and for the first time in a long time, Neph was excited for the future. She pressed her head to rest below his chin, purring softly as she breathed him in.

Love was fucking wild.

@Nephthys VS. @RONIN FOR DOMINANCE
— RESULTS —

Nephthys Hits: 4+2+4+5 luck = 15
Nephthys Dodges: 3+2+1 = 6

Ronin Hits: 3+4+4+5 luck = 16
Ronin Dodges: 1+3+2 = 6

Nephthys Successful Hits: 9
Ronin Successful Hits: 10

RONIN HAS WON THE CHALLENGE FOR DOMINANCE!

Please allow the challengers to respond to the fight results first. As per the site rules, if 3 days go by without a post from the challenger(s), they can be skipped. Whichever comes first! Any posts made before this will be removed, unless you are posting to another fight.

speech


Outwardly looking in, there was definitely some irony with the pair, both were reluctant to hang on the words spoken by the other. They’d both heard what they had been wanting to hear, but they were still both so reluctant. Worried over whether it was being spoken honestly…or if it was something else. It mattered and in a way hurt Ronin that he could see the reluctance, the distrust, as he mentioned that Artemisia was only a friend. He’d never lied before, why would he start now? He could understand more if it were Slaine they spoke about- someone he had an actual history with…but Artemisia? He couldn’t understand.

Ronin would look on at her, watching as she struggled with emotions, damn near gawking at him. The confidence and class that she normally portrayed was wiped away as his mismatched gaze absorbed the real Nephthys. Beneath that sham was hope and love, a depth that he knew that only one other had perhaps glimpsed from her. He smiled softly, tenderly, a side that was rarely seen by anyone. The expression was hopefully encouraging, she could trust him.

The crooked grin that slipped onto her face would have another grin pulling at his lips, seems neither had expected this to happen, but that suited him just fine. They could handle any conversations with others later, tonight was just them. Everything else would wait. Nephthys pressed her head to rest below his chin a soft purr being heard. C’mon, Neph, lets go rest. We can talk more tomorrow, yeah? He murmured quietly, offering an affectionate nibble on her neck, away from her wounds. As much as he wanted to do more with her, he also did not want to hurt the wounds that dragged down her back and flank. Similar to when he had been hurt, tonight, they could just rest.

Ronin would stir, though he did not want to part from their embrace. Reluctantly, he moved so that they could walk to a more suitable resting place not far off from their sparring grounds, once there he would lay down so that they could sleep.


-exit via snuggling with Neph? Unless tagged otherwise—

+5- complete a spar/fight
+5 win a spar/fight