Finding herself was going... surprisingly well. Finding Leon on the other hand, wasn't. Ky could feel he didn't want to be bothered so by now she had given up. Instead she was just wandering. Listening to her thoughts and working out problems to things long past. So far she'd come to the conclusion that being at the tender of a cycle one couldn't expect her to come up with expert decisions. She had just done the best she could and the situation had just unfortunately gone sour. It was time she accept that and move on... The past was in the past and there was nothing she could do about it.

So, on her new motto of looking forward the female kept her paws going. Trying to put a new pep in her step and forget her troubles. She was on her own now and only had to worry about herself for the time being. So that meant plenty of exploring just like in the old days! She remembered how fun that used to be. A shiver went up the lion's spine as she reminisced in the good times she used to have.

The lioness tried to pull on the song that the hyena had named her after but it didn't seem to be working today. Oh well... She noticed something else. On the ground near the great whipping tornado --really? A tornado in the cave? How strange-- was a pretty gem. It was pink and sparkled intensely. Ky found herself strangely attached to it and using one paw picked it up so she could examine it. Amazing! For safekeeping the lioness put it in the bag slung over her shoulder.

Now that she'd collected something pretty she could explore a bit more... Unknown to the lioness though she had just picked up a pink diamond... A pink diamond that was coveted by the self-proclaimed Queen of Thieves.

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How could everything had changed so suddenly? One moment she was exploring the territory, marveling at the tornado and the next she was being bellowed at by some massive rhino! The lioness froze in fear. Ears lowering and belly going to the ground as she slinked backwards. The thing was absolutely furious! What had she done? Then, she remembered the pink diamond that she had picked up. How was she supposed to know that it belonged to someone else? She had no idea that this area was even claimed!

Makyna slowly raised from the ground. She was still terrified with how angry the rhino was but she wasn't about to slink around when she hadn't even known she was stealing! If the rhino wanted the diamond back she would be glad to offer it back up to her. "I'm sorry, I--" Before she could say anything else the rhinoceros thundered towards her. In fear the lioness stepped backwards, dodging away so she wouldn't be trampled upon.

The thing thundered past her, stopping and turning to face her. Makyna cleared her throat and tried to put on a pleasant smile. "I'm sorry. Look, this was all just a big misunderstanding. I didn't know that the gem belonged to anyone. I'll give it back." The lioness reached into her satchel and pulled the gem out and put it on the ground. Very careful she lowered her head and gave a flick of her muzzle to send the pink diamond clattering over to the rhino. "See? There you are. I'm really sorry I took it but if you'll allow... I only wanted to explore Monoceros a bit. I've never been here myself." Perhaps that wasn't a good thing to ask. Maybe she just wouldn't get to see Monoceros today. "Or if you don't want me to stay, I'll leave... if you'll allow me to, please." The lioness peered around the great beast, obviously not enjoying the raging temper and wanting nothing more than escape.

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No? What did she mean by no? That she couldn't leave? The lioness said nothing until the rhino explained the situation further. So, no... she wasn't going anywhere? Why not? She'd taken the gem, yes, but now it was returned and she wanted nothing more to do with this grumpy rhino and this room with the tornado. This rhino was obviously threatening her and Ky didn't like it one bit but she didn't want to fight about it. The lioness just wanted to be allowed her freedom without being hassled.

The lioness gave a tiny huff of discomfort. These sorts of tense situations just didn't do for her. She wasn't Leon, she wasn't good at arguing nor was she raring to fight at any moment. However, she did not want to be pushed around by this rhino... She had her rights. "Please, I don't wish to fight about this but please... is there any way you can let me go? I have... um... prey! I could hunt for you and catch you something to eat if you let me go." She had a feeling rhino's didn't eat meat but perhaps it was worth a shot? Maybe someone else lived here too, the reason she was being territorial.

The lioness didn't back down though, didn't step away when the rhino stepped forward. She was afraid but she wasn't going to give ground and just complacently be this one's hostage. "I would also be very grateful if you didn't 'feed me to the Wind'." She put on one of her best grins. Being cordial would help, right?

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It seemed as if luck and a good amount of common decency on the rhino's part wasn't in abundance today. "Well... I can't lie. I would like that a lot, actually." Another grin. Oh, she highly doubted it was working at all especially since the rhino was taking steps toward her. Swinging that large horn of hers in a threat. Now Ky had no choice but to step back or risk being speared. So, slowly but surely she gave ground. The only thought in her head of trying to get away, to run and not fight but again... luck was not on her side.

The charged straight at her and Ky, for one moment was frozen in fear. What should she do? Should she fight? Should she run? Give up? The latter option filled her with a feeling of shame. Why should she run? She was perfectly capable of fighting it was just that she didn't want to. Hurting others was something that she hated to do and it went against her grain. Sometimes though... it had to be done no matter what you wanted.

The lioness was in her thoughts and nearly missed her dodge completely when the rhino came barreling at her. Ky nimbly jumped to the side but not before the was clipped on the hip, sending her rear legs spiraling out from under her and nearly barreling her entire body over. However, it was only a clip so the lioness wasn't seriously injured. Her left hip would have a bruise but other than that she was unscathed. Now she turned to the rhino with her legs spread apart and slightly bent at the knees, bracing herself to dodge again if needed.

Now, she called upon her magic. She would give the rhino one last attempt to call off the attack before she went completely offensive. She focused on the bubble of magic within her to try and grab a hold of the rhino to hold her still long enough to try and talk some reason into her. "Please, stop! There's no sense in fighting... I have no want to hurt you. I only want to move on!" She pleaded.

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Makyna vs Nemsis for Dominance
Round I of V


Attacks: Attempting to grab Nemesis with Telekinesis and hold her still.
Defenses: Knees bent, ready to spring out of the way. Legs spread apart for balance.
Injuries: Minor bruise on left hip.

Makyna held her spell, gem glowing faintly with the magic she was forcing on the rhino. It pleased her that the spell worked and now she was able to catch a brief reprieve. However, it was easy to see that the words she had spoken glanced uselessly off the rhino's ears. She was like a blazing flame, once started she wouldn't stop until quenched. Not good.

It seemed conflict was the only way to stop her but how would she subdue the rhino without beating her senseless, if that was even possible? Such a huge creature was bound to be super tough. "I won't! I don't want to hurt you but I will if I must!" She stomped one foot on the ground, claws clicking on the stone earth. Her own resolution surprised her... She wouldn't hurt unprovoked but when her life was at stake then there was really no choice, was there?

Apparently such a teacher was bound to have tricks up her sleeve as well for the rhino inhaled then released a blast of hot breath. It burned and stung her skin, much like when Leon had used the same attack all those weeks ago before things had gone south.

No.

Couldn't think about that now. In a fight for her life.

The lioness could have released her spell but she didn't instead she poked the tongue out of the side of her mouth and focused intensely. Time to show the rhino who she was really messing with. She focused her powers and aimed to throw the rhino but not from an extreme height or too hard... She wanted to prove a point but no need to do permanent damage.

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Makyna vs Nemsis for Dominance
Round II of V


Attacks: Trying to use Telekinesis to throw Nem.
Defenses: None.
Injuries: Minor bruise on left hip, burning left cheek and shoulder from heat