Eridanus had been strangely infected by some sort of white stuff, and Arquia no longer felt safe staying there. Though it wasn't too sad considering it wasn't the cave itself that held any sentimental value. It was just the place that best suited her. Her scales camouflaged almost perfectly into the surroundings, and the tall trees were a safe refuge from predators. But now, the atmosphere there was different. And the fungus that had taken over gave an unsettling feeling. The whole cave just no longer felt right. And although she didn't want to, she had to find a temporary new home for the time being. Pegasus had potential, but it was where Kethri had lived, and so she had bad memories of the place. Lacerta had potential to work too, and that would probably be her default if she didn't find any other place of interest.

Arquia had returned to Polaris for now, the center of these caves, and a good starting point to decide where she should go next. Although perhaps she could poke around here too, see if there was an abundant source of plants around here to make her home. Tourmaline lived here after all, and it wouldn't be too bad of an idea to live here too. She walked at a steady pace, occasionally pausing to look around.

@Vjira

The valkhound found itself within Polaris. Not knowing the name of the cave - and not being able to say it - truly did not matter to the beast. Something told it to go this way - travel into this place, and the instinct-run valkhound does not go against her body's wishes.

So she walks through, claws making scraping noises as they plod around.

It's time for a hunt

@Arquia

It was... another dragon? Those were rare. Incredibly rare. In fact, Arquia couldn't recall seeing another dragon before. But this one didn't seem right. Something about it told her it wasn't like her. And the way it walked. Strange. An unsettled feeling coursed through her body, but she stood her ground. She was curious after all, not having met other beings that were her size. "Hello?" Arquia calls out to it to catch its attention, though doesn't approach. Something tells her that is not something she should do. She unfolds her wings slightly to increase her size.

@Vjira

It does not notice the dragon at first. The creature skulks through the cave - that is until a voice reaches it. Vjira vaguely understands the greeting, the sound of the words familiar in a sense that one says it when they see someone. It cannot say it back - if she did it would come out a garbled mess of rumbles, kind of like someone who does not know the language, except her vocal cords are more growly.

Its teeth clack once, twice - is this thing worthy of being dinner? Large size, bigger fight - but good meal. Good meal is good. Hunt the word Vargas says to it sometimes, Vjira knows that one. It is time to hunt.

Vjira breaks into a sprint, aiming to full-body pounce the green dragon, who is leaving her wings in a vulnerable position, nearly out and open.

Round 1/?
Attempt: Pounce on Arquia (using her wings as leverage)
Defense: None
Injuries: None

@Arquia

It wasn't that Arquia didn't expect it to attack. It's the fact that it responded so suddenly and without warning, charging at full speed towards her. She could run if she wanted to- but this thing was her size, and a dragon too at that. No, she had to stand her ground and defeat it if she wanted to ensure her safety. Luckily she was able to dodge its pounce by stepping to the side, and decided to retaliate with a strike to its left shoulder, hoping to injure it enough that Vjira would have trouble using its arm.

Round: 1/?
Attempt: Strike at Vjira's shoulder to disable arm usage
Defense: None
Injuries: None

Vjira went flying forward, the dragon stepping aside to easily dodge her onslaught. Upset with this, Vjira hisses a feral sound. It gets even louder when Arquia lashes out at one of her shoulders - pain, but not completely unbearable. Vjira's muscles are strong, but not strong enough to completely make an attack like that irrelevant. Her weight quickly shifts to her other legs to make up for the pain - she'll likely be limping for a while and have plenty of trouble with it while attacking.

Vjira's many eyes catch on to Arquia's wings, and her sharp teeth go for the zone.

Round 2/?
Attack: Bite one of Arquia's wings
Defense: None
Injuries: Injured leg, weight applied to the others on her body.

@Arquia

Her eyes narrowed as she planned how to proceed from here. She could continue to gradually disable their legs until they were unable to move. Or she could try to end this as fast as possible and strike for vital organs. And its eyes lock on her wings. Should she take the hit and go for a counter attack of her own? Or should she block it? But she knew it was very important that she be able to fly in case things go wrong. Arquia attempted to twist and block the attack by knocking away her opponents jaws with an arm.

Round 2/?
Attack: Block the bite with an arm
Defense: None
Injuries: None

@Vjira

Vjira feels her face jerk away, and snarls. This isn't right, she should be winning! A creature like her cannot lose! Flashes of Vargas' showing her how to hunt go through her head. This is the same as that, right? Vjira could eat this one if she wins.

And she's gonna win

The confidence makes the creature keep going instead of giving up like she wants to - is this hunt worth it? Would be good food.

She whips around a claw to swipe again - a healthy one this time - to attempt and rake it across Arquia's throat.

Round: 3/?
Attack: Claw open Arquia's throat
Defense: None
Injuries: Injured leg

@Arquia

Arquia knew that even though it seemed like she was winning so far, one should never underestimate their opponent. Perhaps Vjira had another trick up her sleeve. Her eyes remained locked on the dragon opposite to her, waiting to react to her next move. She sees the swipe coming, and easily leans back to dodge the attack. Now Vjira was close- and Arquia saw an opportunity. The dragon lunges forward in an attempt to scratch at her eyes. She aimed for one of the upper eyes so that if it bled, it would work to blind the lower ones too.

Round: 3/?
Attack: Scratch Vjira's upper eye
Defense: None
Injuries: None

@Vjira

The hit land, and she almost didn't expect it to. Arquia didn't wait to see if it worked to blind the creature or not, surely it would be enough of a distraction for her to take flight and leave. Most of her blows had landed, enough that the dragon felt Vjira wouldn't be able to chase after her. And she had no injuries herself. Had she really improved that much at fighting? This was good. She was making progress. Turning around, Arquia took off into the air and out of sight. Success.

Exit Arquia