ORIGIN

He hadn't realized just how off-balance his brace attempt was until Galleon's full weight slammed him. Being side-on, as it turned out, had been unwise--best, perhaps, to face his opponents head-on in the future. As it was he went flying, slamming down with massive legs waving in the air, the breath knocked from his lungs.

SHIT!

Well this was terrifying!

It took him a moment to get back to his feet: a stumbling, flailing, clumsy moment where sand cascaded down his flanks and dust rose up around him, claws kicking with futility.

Eventually he was up again, shaking himself like a dog and blinking. Oh--she's talking, he realized, struggling to register what she'd said. Then he laughed. "I told you I've never fought!" and it was a humorous tone. He was sure proving it!

But--no biting?! That's all he had! Teeth! Big jaws! His tiny puny stupid little front limbs couldn't do anything to help him! And they were about even in their weight... but then again, maybe it was best not to get bitten by her teeth. Warily, he eyed them again. They looked like jagged stones.

With a grunt he resorted to clumsy brute force: a rush across the sand, hoping to slam into Galleon and knock her down before she could get out of his way, body low and sort of sandy.

"Oof!"

It was an echo of what Galleon had just 'said,' as he stumbled, felt his feet tangle, and went down half on his side in the sand. Again he was flailing, and now feeling the throbbing ache that would be bruises by the next day. Damn.

Instinctively he'd wanted to lunge with his jaws, to snag her by the tail but then remembered--no biting! His mouth parted, then closed as he hauled himself back up.

Now, at least, he had some idea of how she fought. It was like he did: throwing his weight around. Probably, when biting was allowed, she bit a lot too, as he did, with crushing jaws. But he'd learned his own weakness already: getting hit in turn.

Maybe that was hers-?

Rex backed up, huffing laughter, and braced himself again--better, this time, half-crouched and facing fully forwards. Let her come at him... he'd try to turn the tables.

Too late, as Galleon threw herself for him, did he realize that his "brace yourself" stance was all wrong. Were her aim a bit better he'd have gone over for a third time--but as it was, he managed to stumble out of the way just in time.

This is fun! The sudden thought came on the heels of exhilaration, and Rex--eyes sparkling, entertained and enthusiastic--quickly turned to chase after Galleon. Quickly, of course, being "quickly, for a tyrannosaurus:" a lumbering charge. He lowered his head, aiming to sharply swing it upward for a headbutt into the sand-shark's flank. Some of his weight was behind it, but not all; it was a clumsy first attempt at such a maneuver, and not a skilled one with muscle memory behind it.

-He'd done it!

He'd finally connected with a hit!

His face lit up, eyes wide and dancing with joy. "WOOO!" was his only response to Galleon's praise, a celebration in turn. He threw his weight the rest of the way for her--trying to take advantage and pin her with his bulk. There was a bit of a stumble in it as he lurched for her, and as he started to half-fall, half-lunge, he gave another "Oof!" and a flinching squint.

If he were lucky he'd manage to land on her and wrestle her, a little, despite his lack of decent arms. If not--maybe he'd faceplant the sand.