"ANNNNNNND LET'S GIVE A BLOODY WELCOME TO OUR NEXT PAIR! FIRST UP IS EDRIC, THE LOOMING VILLAIN!"

It was only this cycle that Edric'd be able to do much looming at all over his opponent-to-be, but the boar didn't know that. He strolled out the gates with a confident swagger, quietly hoping to whatever gods were out there he didn't get matched with any of the, ah, even more looming monsters he'd seen backstage. He'd asked Nemean specifically for 'some cool special effects'--artificial fog or smoke, perhaps, so he could emerge dramatically from a roiling cloud of darkness, lopsided stride emphasized by each thunk of Oily marble on stone that punctuated his steps.

And did she deliver? Well...

The smoke machines were certainly functional! But it's up to you if they fit the description of 'roiling cloud of darkness and death.' Rheumy red eyes peered at the opposite gate through clouds of polychromatic gas. There was metallic tangerine, vivid jungle, mumbling magenta... maybe Nemean had just decided Edric's bland, one-color fur was just not EYE-SEARING enough. She did seem to have a preference for highlighter-hued valkhounds, after all.

He'd try for dramatic effect despite it all. Thunk. Thunk. Thunk. went his leg as he limped from the swirling clouds, ready to face whomever was behind the other door.

@Catawampus

"UP AGAINST.... THE CATAWAMPUS!!!"

Like a Roman lion of legend, the titular "Catawampus" beast comes pounding through the open door, skidding into the arena. It bares fangs upon entry and lurches its spine upward, spreading its wings -- a territorial posture for a winged feline to assume. Still, for the observant, some of the intimidation factor is replaced by a cuddly charm, as the beast's face still appears to be quiet... kitten-ish!

It has been... somewhat trained for the event. Told repeatedly that confidence and gratuitous violence are key, that insults should be thrown around to weaken the opponent's resolve or fluster them into making careless mistakes. Balder's advice will probably prove to be vital, but her teaching method is very... inattentive and hands-on. All this to say, the Catawampus has not done much beyond gore some Lessers, rob a Carnival stall, and nap with exceeding efficiency.

Despite the lack of harsh training, viciousness tends to come as instinct to Alrik's bloodline. The creature will begin with the most vicious thing it can think of: charging forward to make a flying leap for its opponent's face, claws extended and stabbing arms unveiled.

ROUND 1/?

100%

ATTEMPT: leap onto edric's face with the intent to Slice
DEFENSE: big fuzzy :3
INJURIES: no

@Edric

Edric squinted. His opponent appeared to be some kind of... hulking horned cat-thing? It didn't quite seem neon enough to be a valkhound or whatever, but he had no words for it. Eh, he decided as it hissed at him and charged. I'll beat it up no matter what it is!

Then it was leaping toward him, wicked-sharp limbs extended. Edric took a hasty step back, kicking up his marble leg in an awkward, jerky movement. It was a little hard to do when not all the joints were there and it was made of, y'know, heavy rock, but he mostly managed it in time. With luck, the Catawampus would get a claw- and face-ful of Oily marble instead of Edric's flesh.

@Catawampus

ROUND 1/?

100%

ATTEMPT: block cat
DEFENSE: stony
INJURIES: a catawampus attached to his gemstone

What was a Catawampus?

This much had led Aethril to the arena again shortly after Pollen's victory, sitting on one of the seats she'd always sat on back in the day (good view, not in, as it's called 'the splash zone'). She lounged back as the pair of fighters revealed themselves; a boar, and... something.

Cat wasn't quite it. Hulking and colourful; she half-suspected Vargas was the mind behind this one. He liked cats, didn't he..? This one either must have been fresh or just small, at that, but in seconds, Aethril found herself transfixed.

The creature, this Catawampus, wouldn't die as long as she were still watching. Pale eyes darted across the battlefield to Edric, backing off and kicking, and the corners of the Valkhand's lips twitched upwards. Wasn't it her job, as the audience, to be a good member of the fray?

No, the Creator's magic had decided, as the flicker of chaos grew and was snuffed out from between her fingers.

Aethril positioned one leg on top of the other as she, for now, let the idea go in favour for watching the two fight a little longer.

A hoof came for its face, and the Catawampus does not have the time nor the mind to get out of the way. No, every move forward is an opportunity for further attack! BLOODY RETRIBUTION!!! At least, that's what the Catawampus had picked up from Balder and close-quarters combat pseudo-lessons. The Catawampus itself would have worded it differently, but we're not here to read its own thoughts, only my observations of them -- anyways.

Taking the blow is harsh, especially for a kid! But it does its best to grin and bare the pain, except without grinning yet. Now there is an opportunity, in this mad scramble of a battle: the Catawampus intends to hang on. To accomplish that, it must sink its claws as deep as possible into the flesh above the stone and refuse to relent. Had it not just been kicked in the face, it might have used its jaws for the task, but... face hurty.

However, here is something any cat-loving onlookers may note: yet another marvel of the feline anatomy, their pseudo-thumbs are built for latching onto prey!

ROUND 2/?

91%

ATTEMPT: grab onto the flesh above the stone
DEFENSE: big fuzzy :3
INJURIES: kick'd in the front (bruise / scrape) ):

@Edric

Edric squealed, enraged, as the Catawampus managed to simply... tank the hit, and then sink its claws into his flesh anyway. Oil-dark tears leaked from his eyes from the sheer piercing intensity of its attack. If his leg hadn't been so thick, he might have been afraid that the Catawampus would somehow manage to sever his marble leg from the rest of him.

Hell, he was scared of that very thing. Rationality be damned, there was an angry kitten with claws and killing limbs clinging to his leg! Edric lifted the affected leg again--not very far, mind you; marble plus one Catawampus equaled a very heavy leg--and kicked it out in a vicious movement. Maybe being slammed into the ground would teach this kitten a lesson about clinging on. Or a stray rock. Or even that bucket of popcorn someone had dropped into the arena!

@Catawampus

ROUND 2/?

91%

ATTEMPT: slam Catawampus into...something
DEFENSE: none
INJURIES: ouch owie my knee

Oh no, retaliation--

I imagine lions get bucked often, but held down by the hoof of a boar? Not so much. For several reasons. Boars are too dang competent man! Anyways, the Catawampus learns about as easily as a cat, or a toddler, or both. One or two hoof stomps are not yet enough to generate that delightful Pavlovian association... maybe after today they will be though. The instinct is still to hang on, to cut deeper until that hoof is entirely unusable.

So into the ground the Catawampus would be smushed! It is briefly winding, and certainly dizzying, but the creature appears to be in full Fight mode. Call it clingy, but there is a message to be seen there: either back away, or destroy yourself on the claws that catch.

ROUND 3/?

84%

ATTEMPT: pierce the knee as deep as possible
DEFENSE: big fuzzy :3
INJURIES: kick'd in the front (bruise / scrape) ): + b'slam'd (bruise / scrape / brief air loss )

@Edric

The little brat was STILL holding onto him! For now, its claws simply pricked at his knee much as they had before, which was by no means a pleasant feeling. Edric had to get it off before it had the opportunity to do worse! Slamming it into the dirt hadn't worked, so how about something harder than dirt? Like... solid rock?

Edric squealed, lurching into a limping run toward the gateway with the Catawampus still attached. It would no doubt be a bumpy ride for the few strides he lasted before he tripped, taking a nosedive into the arena sand with a grunting roar. Who could blame him for stumbling, with a peg leg and a Catawampus to boot?

Edric could blame himself. That had been embarrassing! In front of the whole Deathmatch audience, too! He snorted, hooves scrambling to get back up again, and winced as his hip ached with the movement. He'd definitely managed to bruise something.

@Catawampus

ROUND 3/?

91%

ATTEMPT: run to a wall
DEFENSE: none
INJURIES: ouch owie my knee, ouch owie my hip, i sound like an old guy with arthritis

It can't keep its claws in any longer, or push them any deeper, it just doesn't have the... strength, or perhaps the endurance for that yet. However, its method of latching seems to have made the pig fall over!!

So... I mean, what now? Well, what does the Catawampus want to do? The pig's in a vulnerable position. Perhaps it will be best to try killing him, and if he submits before then, the Catawampus will simply have to play by the rules. But how will it convince the pig that he is, indeed, in mortal peril? This is not a concern of the Catawampus's, since it does not yet know of or understand the tireless disposition of its opponent. The Catawampus has no concerns beside its own survival, although its next attack attempt might suggest otherwise.

The Catawampus releases the knee and now attempts to reach and slice the throat of the boar.

ROUND 4/?

84%

ATTEMPT: go for the throat i guess
DEFENSE: big fuzzy :3
INJURIES: kick'd in the front (bruise / scrape) ): + b'slam'd (bruise / scrape / brief air loss )

@Edric

I mean, you're right. Giving up, especially against such a tiny opponent, is simply not in any boar's genome, let alone Edric's. When the Catawampus released his knee and reached instead for his throat, Edric was quick to throw himself aside. As he rolled, he tucked his chin and legs, curling into a protective ball.

He barely made it, the Catawampus' sharp limbs grazing against his flank and leaving a shallow cut. Sand stuck to the wound, irritating enough to make Edric squeal with fury as he came out of the roll. "I'LL GET YOU!" he roared, scrambling to his hooves.

@Catawampus whoops, miscounted the rounds! tagging gm

ROUND 4/?

82%

ATTEMPT: roll away
DEFENSE: squishy bits inward, pointy bits outward
INJURIES: clawed up knee, bruised hip, cut flank