Defenses she thought casually to herself as she moved to sit opposite him, but watching with little distraction. Drinking in every word that he said while occasionally glancing to whatever scars he bore or wounds he carried. Hoping that she had truly found a warrior worth learning from. So just, like, straight in with a claw attack? She asked, picking up her right front paw and unsheathing her own claws to make a point. Though, she supposed that @Keligan had a true point -- Aideen and her always seemed to go straight for each other's faces when they fought. It was like an instinct that couldn't be tamed.

+40 - learn something from a master of your trade (1/2)
+10 - learn something from another about your trade (1/2)
purchased double experience 4/9 - 5/9

^{ART BY CUSH, CODE BY CALA}

The yearling caught onto the concept and mimicked with her own claws as Keligan nodded slowly. He then got an idea of how to teach a defensive move to @Laerra. I'm going to attempt to smack your face, but I'll be doing it with no claws cause this is what I want to teach you to do for a defense. Shifting to stand up straight, he looked at the lioness with his periwinkle gaze as he started to speak again. When someone comes at you, first move is usually the face or the shoulder. Your first move is to defend the face and attempt to conflict damage in return. So I'm going to go for your face and your first move should be to try and keep me from inflicting damage, or too much damage, to your face by trying to hook your claws into my arm. You want to make sure that you catch me before I smack you. The key is to pay attention from the first move. Clicking his tongue, he added, This is a lesson, not a spar. You don't need to damage me as if you were fighting in an actual spar or battle. Keligan was stern with his words to make his point clear. Some wounding for bleeding from her claws was fine, something that would cause a major limp was not. Get into your defense mode. He slipped himself into his own with eyelids narrowed, ears down and chin dropped, but he kept his elongated claws tucked in.

SUBMASTER: PALADIN
+5 Teach someone about defenses 2/2
+5 Teach someone under 2 years some fighting tips 2/2

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Well, why can't I just bite your arm? That seemed the more appropriate move if a paw was coming at her face. To reach forward and grab it, have a good nom and eventually set it free when the other screamed for mercy. However, she understood it was a lesson and did as she was told. Recognizing that @Keligan was addressing that this was not a full or normal fight and that he was going to be doing it lesson-style. Not harm, simply slow-mo'ing the crap out of it so that she could see how it was done. With a sharp inhale she balanced her feet by spreading them and crouching slightly, and lowered her chin just a little bit in mimicry of his position.

+40 - learn something from a master of your trade (2/2)
+10 - learn something from another about your trade (2/2)
purchased double experience 4/9 - 5/9

^{ART BY CUSH, CODE BY CALA}

Then there was the question and he shook his head slowly. The lion stayed in his defensive mode as he watched the yearling mimic the moves he made. You could. But I don't need you to damage me. A bite, even well controlled, can cause a lot of damage. A bite hard could potentially break bone. Pausing for a moment to look at her, he then added, If you raise one paw to knock away your opponent's from your face, you can use the other to try for their face or neck or shoulder. Then he shifted suddenly, Keligan rushed at @Laerra and went to smack her face, claws still kept within their sheaths.

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For the moment, she hated his answer; she knew it was a better move to make if a paw was coming for her face. There was no better alternative and yet, she had to defend with her paw(s) which meant leaving her balance somewhat unaccounted for. That was supposed to be important, especially when you're not quite full grown yet. So she let out some air and sighed, understanding what he saying but wanting nothing more than to just do it. Arguably, though, she didn't want to upset a teacher even if it was a random stranger.

As he suddenly came rushing at her she felt her heart race and panic leap into her chest as she struggled just for a moment to get her thoughts back in position. Lifting her left front paw off the ground first to attempt to put a barrier between his paw and her face, before her right front paw lifted and attempted to swat at the left side of @Keligan's face (no claws, as instructed but with great dissatisfaction).

^{ART BY CUSH, CODE BY CALA}

Keligan could tell that the yearling was dissatisfied but this was a lesson, not an actual battle, not a spar. Under tooth and claw, he'd be more willing if it was one. But dissatisfied or not, the lion was blocked by her counter. Arm against arm, he felt the hit and let his limb fall back to the ground as she smacked his face. Instinct, like her, wanted to react and it took only that split second not to snap at her. Stepping back, he re-centered his defenses. Now come at me like you would at a real opponent. Periwinkle gaze looked at her through slitted eyelids and he kept his ears pinned against his skull and chin tucked down with jaw slightly agape.

@Laerra

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It was simply in her blood to make brash decisions and go with her gut. This felt no different as her entire body wanted to actually fight but she was itching for a lesson and that was what she was receiving. Besides, she doubted it would go over well if she went home bloodied and bruised by a stranger. All the questions they would ask her -- no thanks. @Keligan's address of suggesting that she come at him as though it were a real opponent and a real fight, she squinted and nodded. Pushing off with her feet from the ground, shoulder pointed forward as though she was going to try and ram it into his chest. This had been her go-to move with Aideen but then again, there fights as of late had been rather unorthodox and out of the ordinary.

^{ART BY CUSH, CODE BY CALA}

Understanding the way that @Laerra started her fights helped Keligan with teaching her. He readied himself for whatever attack she went for. Eyelids still narrowed and ears pinned, he stood as his leg muscles shifted in anticipation. When the yearling agreed to his request, Keligan watched as she ran towards him. Her shoulder at the ready and he shifted himself to have the brunt of her attack go into his shoulder rather than his sternum with hope that she would collide there. He would bruise from the impact as he oomphed. When you attack, try to do two at the same time, in case one doesn't work. Next time when you go for this move, try and add in an attempt of clawing a part of the body. Away from the teeth. Shifting himself to shake off and look at the lioness, he smiled. I like your spunk. I think with more practice, you'll be an amazing fighter.

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As they collided and her shoulder didn't quite hit her chosen target but it hit a different part, she didn't feel frustrated in the slightest. It still hit and that was what mattered to her. @Keligan gave her an important tidbit to not just do one but to do two, at least, so that if they somehow dodged one then they might not be able to dodge a second. It was a smart tactic and one she would place to her bank of growing knowledge but she gave no outward mention of it. Instead, focusing in on the compliment that he gave out. Thanks, she offered with one side of her lips turning up into a grin, I just wanna be able to outsmart my sister, really. Be as good as her or better. To an outsider, it might look like she didn't like her sister and that was why she wanted to be better but really it was because she loved her twin. Loved her so much that she wanted to never not be in competition or be less than a hit and miss equal with her.

ART • BG

The Gaia lion was going to bruise from the hit from @Laerra's shoulder colliding with it but it was no matter to him. As the yearling said thanks in return, his ears perked forward at her other set of words. She spoke of becoming better than her sister, a twin unknown to him, but he made no comment about it. I'm sure you could teach your sister a thing or two as well. Smiling, he then looked at the sun's position. It was starting to set and he wanted to patrol the Cove's borders before it got too late. Turning back to the lioness, he tipped his head. If you ever want another lesson, all you gotta do is ask. I'm usually hanging out around the Shores since I live in the Cove. With that, Keligan headed back down south, towards home.

EXIT

SUBMASTER: PALADIN
Completed
+5 Exercise to gain endurance
+5 Teach someone about defenses
+5 Teach someone under 2 years some fighting tips

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