WIDE AWAKE IN THIS VIOLET CITY Sometimes you wheel. Sometimes you deal. Sometimes you have to rob and steal. It seemed that the sound of new bodies was fresh every day in this mire and Nusura wondered what the king might think of his little, growing nation. A sort of friction that rides with a soldier settled on the woman, licking down her dark curves with a carnal appreciation for the strength and grace therein. There was a need she had, a gentle but burning thirst in her throat. Amaryllis was still so new, so fresh, seething with potential and promise. But these things had to be grabbed, clutched in her jaws before they could fly out of reach. Nusura was not a bloodthirsty creature, she had no grand ambitions to see herself in a crown. Yet there was room for pragmatism. To increase her value, her purpose. It would build layer upon layer around her, carefully, lovingly slathering the glue between each brick an placing it just so. Yet this decision, this aching action, was not just for her. She wanted to do good, to protect. To use her voice for those who needed it. A rumble shook her throat as she called for Alaric, or for anyone who would answer her and test her worthiness of this simple role within their pride. Although her face was stoic, there was still a satisfaction and delight thread into her features that sung of the way she delighted in the art of living. The excitement of challenge. She would aim for the rank that would give right over the healers. Although her own skills were...not so great, she would work on them. Refresh what she did know and tend to what she didn’t. She thought it ironic, enough to allow a grin on supple mouth, at the thought that the way of lions to earn her right as Lead Medic was to bleed. This was how she would build on herself, carve herself out of the block. She would start here, with this. One gentle pierce of the chisel, and a strike of the hammer to drive it in. Her ears flicked as she listened, tasting the air and looking at the wet, milky shapes around her and the sound of the humming mire in all its electric vibrancy. Nusura is challenging for Lead Medic.

he was pulled to her, drawn like the proverbial moth. she was the flame, the bright spark that threatened to burn him, to consume him. unique and interesting and he was interested. then again, it didn't take much to interest him. this was his home and he had earned his throne -- now he wanted to gather his wives and raise his children in peace.

ironic, then, that he was a part of the brewing war...

"nusura," he murred as he approached, wondering just how much she was able to see, "you are finding the mire to your likings, then?" if she was challenging for a rank, no matter how small, she must intend to stay. not that he would be so keen to release her if she did not.

"if it is a fight you want, then by all means..." he adjusted his weight and readied himself, his voice trailing off to indicate that the first move was all hers...

where innocence burns in flames

i'm frozen to the bones

image by yumpy, code by corvus

WIDE AWAKE IN THIS VIOLET CITY Alaric is the one to answer her and although it is not surprising or even unwelcome, there is something small inside of her that regrets it had to be him. She is unsure of the specific nature of this sensation, be it fear of him, fear of losing to him and damage to her pride, or fear of him discovering some fact about her that she is as yet unwilling to disclose. Even so, her body answers back to him in the way her ears twitch and she turns in his direction to face him. "Alaric," She tries his name on her tongue naked of the formality, as if here, in this place, they could remove the designations and be the bare creatures they were. Despite the political nature of this meeting. "Ecrosia is vibrant. Full of life. And the location is strategically valuable. The crossing of the jungle is an effective obstacle course for anyone who would challenge you." She grins to herself, thinking of the many times she has tripped trying to navigate it. She takes note of the lack of spectators and there is a clicking of her tongue against the roof of her mouth at the fortune in that. "I want control of the medics within the pride. If you have a more...fitting test of my suitability, I will be glad to endure it, my lord." She admitted, bluntly. Although back at the passage, she had said ambition was not a particular goal of hers, this seemed...more benign than raw ambition. It was, after all, ironic for a healer to prove herself in such a way. But Nusura was never the less readied, squaring her muscles with effortless precision and facing her sovereign with a certain quixotic wrinkle in the corner of her lip, that also crinkles her nose. Almost like a grin, almost like a question. She wonders what the charming king looks like without the opaque fog that forever blankets her world. She doesn’t allow her features or body language to betray her uncertainty with how to proceed against him. Nusura idly paces to her right, pale eyes staring straight ahead and beyond Alaric as though he were a phantom in her peripheries. Then she turns toward him, attempting to launch herself toward his left shoulder. It is a simple target for one without the subtlety of detail. Jaws agape, she aims to shove them into his armpit, where she can see the dark fur trailing up from his chest and tapering off in his abdomen. While she steadies and bends her legs, she lifted her left forepaw with claws extended to also bring it baring down on the meaty muscle of his shoulder. Nusura vs. @Alaric For Lead Medic 1/3 Hits: Rolling 5d20: 9 + 10 + 6 + 1 + 20 Dodges: Rolling 4d20: 20 + 4 + 16 + 12 Luck: Rolling 5d20: 19 + 8 + 17 + 10 + 16

i'm ready for the fight, and fate

alaric, on the other hand, is thrilled at the notion of fighting her. not because he wishes to hurt her or put her in her place, but because he enjoys fighting women. misogynistic to the core he is not shamed to say that he finds some pleasure in a good fight, and has found more often than not that they end with something much better. not that he would expect such things of @Nusura -- she seems a cut above.

"the spot is yours," he has no qualms about giving her the lead medic spot, "but i'd still like to see how you fight." she was a healer, of course, but it was important to have at least some ability to defend. nusura had things working against her, but he was curious if she could still hold her own in a spat.

so he settles in and prepares himself, evening her weight and preparing for what would come. venomous green eyes watch her as she paces, swinging his rear end to keep himself facing her as she moved. as it were when she aims to come in at the left she is nearly face on with the wheat coated king, her jaws landing towards the front of his shoulder instead. they sink in, there, but the muscles is tight and her bite not deep enough to maim. her claws rise and land across his chest -- this is what pulls a hiss from his teeth.

instinctively his head drops, open jaws seeking to grasp at the back of her head, high on her neck. alaric lifts his own leg (his right) and swipes out towards her left side, aiming for her ribs, his claws only partially unsheathed. this is not a fight where he wishes to do damage, but only one where he seeks to test her mettle.



Alaric vs. @Nusura
For Lead Medic
1/3
Hits:

Rolling 8d20: 6 + 7 + 13 + 1 + 8 + 17 + 15 + 14

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 14 + 16 + 20 + 15

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 1 + 4 + 3 + 12 + 2

image by cloudy, code by corvus

WIDE AWAKE IN THIS VIOLET CITY He gives her what she wants in almost the same breath as he reaches out for what he wants, as well. Whether it was to evaluate her capabilities, to gauge just how well she see, or because he had a taste for violence. She considered this important information. But she found, somewhere tangled the sensation of movement and pain in the throes of violence, that the possibility of him evaluating her was equally as enticing as it was stressful. Although there was no means for her to make up her mind about the King, she did not, so far, think he was a brute- and she was inclined to reserve judgement on whether he could be an otherwise wicked man. For all his charming tongue, he could just as effortlessly be concealing the nature of his wickedness all the same as any other beast in power had in her experience. A naïve girl could at least feign to dream a new land would show her new men and new kings without bloodthirsty, selfish hearts; but Nusura was not a naïve girl. Her jaws land on tight muscle, where she presumes the shoulder connects to the thick tresses of his mane that adorn the lion’s chest. She tears her teeth away from there almost immediately, unsatisfied, but as she does so she feels the inevitable weight and pain of teeth on the back of her neck, almost at the middle but with as large as his jaws were – she sense with a tingle the proximity to the back of her head. His claws rake into her side, her ribs, and a bubble of noise tempts the edge of her throat. But she can tell he is holding back. Bending her hind legs, she attempts to push forward with jaws open and angled up toward his throat, as close to his jawbone as she could, using the blurry edge of his face as a reference in her peripheries. Even as she feels tooth piercing the loose, sinuous flesh of the top of her neck. She keeps all four of her paws on the ground to insure that she has strength and balance, squaring and distributing her weight in such a way as to add momentum to her attempt to sink her teeth into the side of his throat. Should she be successful, she will, of course – also be holding back. But what other target could she choose of any efficacy, in such close quarters and while his arm is very nearly wrapped around her and pulling her closer? Nusura vs. @Alaric For Lead Medic/Evaluation? 2/3 Hits: Rolling 5d20: 15 + 17 + 6 + 5 + 16 Dodges: Rolling 4d20: 10 + 8 + 14 + 6 Luck: Rolling 5d20: 3 + 15 + 5 + 2 + 20

i'm ready for the fight, and fate

He feels his attacks strike true and the swell of pride -- and satisfaction -- were the same in this small tussle as they were in any fight. The taste of her flesh in his mouth stirred desire (as it often did) and the instinctive urge to throw her down beneath him. He was a ravenous creature, not so easily satisfied, and with one little fight his sights were set on the two-toned creature.

Nusura moves easily towards him, pulled by hooked claws and sharp teeth, and he realizes a moment too late her target. Perhaps distraction had served her well, for he feels her teeth on his throat and he grumbles in frustration, releasing his grip and jerking his head back and away from the touch. Thankfully he is a male, and his thick mane was enough to prevent her from getting a decent bite. Enough to scrape and irritate, but not enough to truly bleed.

His right paw falls to the ground and he attempts to drop it on to her left, to pin her paw beneath his own. At the same time he shoves forward while piling his weight on to his left leg. It is an attempt to push her down, to make her stumble, to use his bulk in his favor. His teeth snap towards her face with no target, only a click of ivory meant to make her flinch back and away and maybe he would have her where he wanted her.


Alaric vs. @Nusura
For Lets see what you're made of
2/3
Hits:

Rolling 8d20: 12 + 2 + 15 + 1 + 9 + 3 + 4 + 7

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 12 + 7 + 6 + 18

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 17 + 9 + 20 + 10 + 14

image by cloudy, code by corvus

WIDE AWAKE IN THIS VIOLET CITY Her mouth feels him pull away almost at the same moment that her foot is pinned, and his weight rebounds into her. A gurgling hiss breaks free of her throat. Without her paw to steady her, she stumbles. So distracted by the struggle for balance, the muscles in her face wince at the sound and vague motion of jaws clicking in uncomfortable proximity to her face, but there is no compulsion to duck away, at least not then. The motion around her is like a nebulous ghost, weak reverberations of real movement. She feels, hears, and tastes so much stronger than the hazy reflections that bounce in her eyes. Even so her hind legs pivot to her left to accommodate her pinned foot, an electric fury resonating through her veins as recognition strikes. Part of her admires his shrewd tactics, the other part is like a snake with hits back crushed underfoot – coiling and writhing for its life. It is, perhaps, the one way to activate the dormant venom in Nusura’s heart. It feels hot in her veins, now. She keeps her hind legs such that she stays facing him. That is her first priority. Now that his own jaws are released from the back of her neck, she frantically lifts her free forepaw and aims to wrap it around his neck, attempting to dig her claws into his mane and to pull down on his head just as he pushes his weight into her, aiming to slacken her upper-body muscles and bend her hind legs under her so that her entire weight would be hanging onto and supported by him and where she attempted to grab hold, at least by the forearm that she could grab him with. If she fell, he would fall too. Her thoughts were that as long as he remained sturdy, she would steal his strength to remain balanced and sturdy as well. Meanwhile she opened her jaws and attempted to snap for approximately where his cheek would be, using the light that illuminated the edge of his own jaws so close to her face as the guideline. No intent to do real damage, of course. Nusura vs. @Alaric For Lead Medic/Evaluation 3/3 Hits: Rolling 5d20: 2 + 10 + 5 + 11 + 18 Dodges: Rolling 4d20: 9 + 8 + 2 + 13 Luck: Rolling 5d20: 1 + 12 + 3 + 9 + 14

Alaric imagines he can see her come to life beneath his touch -- he imagines he can see the inferno he has sparked. A figment of that imagination? No, he thinks not. The hiss that tears from her throat and through her sharp teeth is enough to confirm, in his mind, that he has pulled anger from the normally placid female.

He is quick but she is quicker, bringing her free leg up and adding her weight to his neck. Alaric fancies himself a strong man, but as her claws dig in to his mane and she pulls he cannot help but give. His head drops even as he shoves forward and the teeth that had clicked shut snap open again. Presented with a target he takes it, seeking to sink them in to the chest of the woman in front of him. With her one leg lifted it could be an easy spot for him to aim, and he fancies he could tear out her heart if he was so obliged.


He was not, of course, and at most he seeks to find a bruising hold. His focus is intense and he pays no mind to her own teeth, which snag his cheek and tear enough layers of skin to make him bleed. It is a good thing he has never minded the blood.

His four paws are grounded, though, and while her weight drags it is not enough to sink the Mire King. He plows forward, still, releasing her pinned paw as he once more attempts to find her beneath him.




Alaric vs. @Nusura
For Lets see what you're made of
3/3
Hits:

Rolling 8d20: 14 + 10 + 8 + 20 + 15 + 7 + 1 + 17

Dodges:

Rolling 4d20: 14 + 7 + 18 + 12

Luck:

Rolling 5d20: 20 + 16 + 18 + 4 + 13

@Alaric vs @Nusura FOR lead medic
— RESULTS —

Alaric Hits: 4+2+4+2 luck =12
Alaric Dodges: 4+2+3=9

Nusura Hits: 1+3+2+1 luck = 7
Nusura Dodges: 3+1+1=5

Alaric Successful Hits: 7
Nusura Successful Hits: 2

@Alaric HAS WON THE CHALLENGE FOR lead medic!

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.

WIDE AWAKE IN THIS VIOLET CITY The fight is all but over, and her arm still attempts to maintain its balance on his neck, claws buried in his mane. If only to keep herself from falling underneath him. He releases her other paw, finally, and she brings it underneath her to prop her other side so that her weight is not entirely dangling from him. Head coils back to give him space from her breath, and she speaks, eyes shifting in the light even as they fail to fully grasp the finer details of the king’s face – so close to hers. Winded, her marbled chest heaves where the white drips like foaming milk across the black. "Well, to no one’s surprise." She says in-between breaths, mouth dry, and she attempts to untangle her hand from him and sweep it across the air as though gesturing to the formality of his inevitable victory. As she does so, he attempts to bring her hind legs closer so that she is not so splayed below him. Her muscles shudder, drops of blood where he cut her. "I am of course an intellectual first and foremost, but-" She starts, swallowing a dry chuckle, not yet pulling away and yet not melting where he might so easily close the minimal gap between them and swallow the space above her. For a long moment she gathers her breaths, like little paper birds scattered by the wind, so that she can say evenly and with a sharpness despite the heavy husk in her voice. "What say you, @Alaric?" His name falls naked of decorum on her tongue. Her eyes, though constrained by complexity, linger at his mouth.