It was weighing heavy on his mind as of late, wanting to get back into shape and the routine of sparring and practice. It was what drove him back to the pit, in search for another that wanted the same as he. Large frame would move with a rather casual gait, shoulders rolling and seafoam eyes glancing around him to observe his surroundings. He could remember back to when he were a bit younger how much he did enjoy engaging in spars with others, learning how to best even the slipperiest of his opponents. It was what Valerius used to thrive on, being able to learn the other's weaknesses and use them to his advantage. And the more he took part in practice with various lions of all shapes and sizes and demeanors, it helped him all the bit more.

Coming to a halt once he were well into the arena would the Nikolov several loud chuffs to be released into the air, calling out to whoever heard to come and join him for a friendly spar. He would then allow for his body to slip into their defenses, his shoulders rolling forward as his neck tucked itself in toward himself. His ears would pin into his dirty cream colored mane and his toes would flex to allow for his claws to both unsheathe and grip at the cracked ground below him. His tail would hang limp between hindlegs for now and the hair between his shoulder blades would begin to rise, gaze shifting to see who would come forth.

image by gunner, code by corvus

Having only visited this land a scant few times, Ursula has yet to see it used for its obvious purpose. It could very well be that she's simply missed all of the fights held here, unable to hear the summoning calls (or horrified shrieks, if there have ever been any). Whatever the case, she's only back because lately she's been craving a brawl for some reason. A new development, this desire is, but she's never been a creature to deny herself a pleasure.

Never has she seen this land used for its obvious purpose. Perhaps she's just never been around, missing out on it since she can't hear the summoning calls. Today she'll learn about spars, a slippery slope for the aspiring Barbarian. It all starts, you see, with her spotting @Valerius across the way, all prepped for a fight with his defenses in place. Ursula doesn't realize he'd actually sent up a number of chuffs to initiate the friendly spar, and so makes her way closer quite leisurely.

Wary, though, is the Bezra, her ears swept back against her nape and her neck lowered comfortably between her shoulders. Against her heels, her long tail sways, kept closer to her body than her usual lumber allowed. Whatcha doin'? is written across her face, curiosity making her nose twitch swiftly as she pauses a handful of feet away from the male. Feeling particularly adventurous today, the lioness goads him, flicking her chin quickly down toward her own chest, limbs simultaneously widening her stance as a little smirk creeps across her dark lips. Wanna play, old man.

Ursula vs @Valerius
I Wanna Fite Spar
Round Zero of Three

code by corvus

As he awaited for a potential opponent would Valerius continue to scan his surroundings, waiting patiently. And it would be the movement of another that would finally catch his attention, green eyes watching as the mottled lioness made her way toward him. He would observe her with an interested stare, noting that she seemed a bit younger than him. But even if she were younger did not mean she wasn't well skilled. "Hello," he would call out to her as he dipped his maw in greeting, oblivious that the woman could not hear him. With a motion toward her with a front paw would he then continue, "After you." Once he spoke would he allow for his paw to fall back to the dusty ground, his body keeping his defenses up and his eyes now narrowing on his sparring partner, tense and ready for her to strike. Valerius vs. @Ursula for spar move o/iii

table by koi // art by gunner

Green eyes find her quickly enough, latching on as she prowls closer. His expression is inscrutable, and she finds focus on the creamy dots at either of his temples. Matching in color, the male's lips move, whatever words he's spoken going unheard by the lioness. Body language, however, plainly communicates his intention, his invitation. It's the exact answer she's hoping for, and she's all too eager to begin. Prowling toward him, Ursula approaches at a deliberate march, not bothering to build up any extra momentum. A few inches taller, is he, but their near-match in weight, so she won't be bowling him over any time soon. Instead she meanders close enough to crowd his space, her maw gaping in the final moments to attempt a hold somewhere around his chest, a forepaw swiping out in an effort to displace the position of one of his own.

Ursula vs @Valerius
I Wanna Fite Spar
Round One of Three

Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 15 + 16 + 6 + 2 + 5 + 4 + 11

Dodges:

Rolling 3d20: 16 + 8 + 3

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 14 + 3 + 18 + 20 + 11

code by corvus

Narrowed eyes watch as she initiates the first move, his body bracing for the impact. His shoulders would roll forward and jut out just as she attempts to latch on to his chest area. Mostly mane would be taken within her jaws but he would also feel the pinching of teeth on the skin that were behind the thick hair, causing for a rumbling growl to be released. He would attempt to thrust his right shoulder forward toward her in an attempt to get her to release her hold, his left front paw lifting from the ground just as she went in for a swipe at one of his front legs. He would feel the bat at his left limb, and although it wasn't enough to cause for his balance to teeter it was enough to cause for the attempted move he were trying to be thwarted with his paw. So instead would his own jaws open as they struck down toward the lioness's crown, attempting to nip and pinch at the skin that were atop of her or at the top of her neck. Valerius vs. @Ursula for spar move i/iii Hits: Rolling 6d20: 16 + 13 + 9 + 10 + 11 + 19 Dodges: Rolling 4d20: 7 + 18 + 10 + 14 Luck: Rolling 6d20: 13 + 10 + 7 + 14 + 1 + 8

table by koi // art by gunner

Pale hair fills her mouth as she successfully grabs hold of his mane, and against her lips she feels him growl in displeasure. Instinct bids her to tighten her grasp on him, but before she can he's shouldering her away, jostling her off of him. She decides to let him go, allowing herself to be bullied just slightly to the left from the shove, and just as soon as their limbs bounce off of one another she's lowering her hers' back to the ground to maintain her balance.

Letting both her head and leg be heavy as they drop, she follows the force of gravity and leans down, muzzle turning so as to try to grasp his lifted leg if she can. The bite isn't hard, not intending to cause any true damage, and she's thankful that he too doesn't seem to want to harm her. His mouth at her freckled neck sends a little zing of panic through her, but there's not much that she can do aside from giving her shoulders a rough shake, attempting to dissuade him from keeping his teeth against all of the moving bones and muscles back there.

Ursula vs @Valerius
I Wanna Fite Spar
Round Two of Three

Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 17 + 13 + 4 + 9 + 7 + 19 + 2

Dodges:

Rolling 3d20: 13 + 7 + 2

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 5 + 19 + 17 + 12 + 8

code by corvus

It would seem as though he were successful in causing for the lioness to release the grip on his chest, feeling hair from his mane being plucked away as she released. It was more of an annoyance than anything, but it was enough to fuel him to continue onward with adrenaline continuing to pump through his veins. Narrowed eyes would watch as she would get lower to the ground, his hold on her neck still being successful. With this would he attempt to grip a little tighter, but not enough as to where his teeth would puncture through skin. But as she tried to lunge forward his left front limb, as well as pushing her shoulders upward, it would cause for his hold to become dislodged when he tried to reposition his grasp on her. As he let go would he feel the hold on the middle of his left leg, making his whole body tense and his unsheathed claws to grip into the ground with force. His bodyweight would try to redistribute so that he could keep himself upright and not lose his balance, his tail lashing wildly behind him to further help. Quickly, would Valerius retract and redirect his attack, now attempting to aim hungry jaws at the cheek closest to him. He weren't trying to cause for serious injury, just enough pressure to perhaps cause for the woman to release her hold on his limb so that he could place it back onto the ground. Valerius vs. @Ursula for spar move ii/iii Hits: Rolling 6d20: 9 + 11 + 19 + 18 + 3 + 5 Dodges: Rolling 4d20: 15 + 9 + 4 + 7 Luck: Rolling 6d20: 8 + 15 + 17 + 20 + 9 + 1

table by koi // art by gunner

There's a split second where his grasp on her tightens before she manages to shake him off, and she feels further fortunate that she manages to grab hold of his forelimb. For a moment she wonders if this will be her chance at an upper hand, but he retains his balance skillfully, neither toppled or deterred by her quick maneuvering. Contrarily, the male's teeth come down toward her face, and Ursula only just manages to even notice from out of the corner of her left eye.

With a sharp gasp, the lioness releases his captured leg and shifts all of her weight forward, toward him, attempting to shove him with her left shoulder. Where his jaws reach for her face, the collision is rougher than he has planned, his efforts as gentleness thwarted by the woman herself. His teeth open shallow wounds on her pale cheek, which is more than worth it considering she's trying to pretty much headbutt him in the face.

Ursula vs @Valerius
I Wanna Fite Spar
Round Three of Three

Hits:

Rolling 7d20: 1 + 10 + 2 + 9 + 15 + 11 + 13

Dodges:

Rolling 3d20: 19 + 12 + 8

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 17 + 9 + 1 + 6 + 13

code by corvus

His left leg is free from her grip and his paw slams onto the ground with force. But what he was not expecting was the lioness to ram right into his head, causing for a jolt of shock and pain to pulsate within his skull. He could feel the headache and bruising happening almost immediately, bringing out a rippling snarl. But it all wouldn't be in vein, feeling his teeth slice into her left cheek from her movement. It was a small success, but the Nikolov would take what he could get. With his head pounding would he find himself taking a swift step backward while blinking several times, trying to regain focus. All the while would his right front paw lift from the ground and swipe toward the lioness, attempting to hit her on her left shoulder as hard as he could, kind of like a bit of payback for the head butt. His body would stay tense and claws continuing to grip into the ground as he made his move. Valerius vs. @Ursula for spar move iii/iii Hits: Rolling 6d20: 17 + 20 + 7 + 10 + 19 + 4 Dodges: Rolling 4d20: 10 + 4 + 17 + 2 Luck: Rolling 6d20: 13 + 7 + 20 + 6 + 2 + 14

table by koi // art by gunner

URSULA VS. VALERIUS FOR SPAR
— RESULTS —

Ursula Hits: 3 + 3 + 3 + 1 luck = 10
Ursula Dodges: 1 + 1 + 2 = 4

Valerius Hits: 4 + 3 + 3 + 2 luck = 12
Valerius Dodges: 2 + 1 + 1 = 4

Ursula Successful Hits: 6
Valerius Successful Hits: 8

VALERIUS HAS WON THE SPAR!

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.