A quiet descends upon their fighting ring as the two stallions prepare for the inevitable clash - the world is waiting with baited breath. Even the wind has stopped blowing momentarily and so the red dust settles prematurely back upon the topsoil. A short respite as the air soon stirs back to life, tangling Maskan's mane with cruel fingers.
In truth he is grateful for the air - it will help relieve the heat of this noon day.

As Maskan moves he can feel the gaze of Kaj settle on him like a tangible weight. He bows his head and picks up his knees, displaying his might and shielding whatever weaknesses the duckling hoped to obtain with his eyes. The old warrior simpers though, for he is returning the favor - it is a routine as well practiced as the turning of the sun, the sizing of one's opponent. Like Kaj he finds that they are equally matched in build, save for an extra pair of appendages adorning the duck. Maskan wonders if he'll use them, a natural advantage, or if he'll play more fairly than that? Maskan would hope Kaj doesn't think himself so superior as to deny his natural talents, but in opposite hooves the dark brother probably would have deigned to use them, if only to prove a point.

The interval for posturing and bluffing was spent as a golden body shuddered into motion like some rusty machine come to life. Teeth glinted beneath black lips as Maskan grinned wolfishly, delight dazzling in the depths of his vibrant gaze. So we begin.

Kaj breaks right abruptly, but his speed and movement would have been given more had his limbs already been in motion. As it was he hung for a heart's beat to shift his energy from resting to action, and in that time Maskan's head snapped around and he broke to the left. His strong shoulder led the diagonal charge towards Kaj, hoping to cut off the stallion's plans by abruptly changing his target. In a flurry of feathers Kaj threw himself skyward, hooves shooting out towards the jutting shoulder of Maskan. He drops his head for safety and slams on his forehand, the motion sending a painful jolt up his bones as the ground here is unyielding. The hurt is naught but a dull bite and is easily dismissed with the greater focus on maneuvering.

Those forehooves sweep down to Maskan's nape rather than his more vulnerable limbs now that he cut in closer sooner, throwing off Kaj's aim. His crest sways as it's buffeted, and though it is likely to bruise with that blunt trauma, his mane keeps even a hair of his hide being sheared off. Overhead the wing whizzes by, stirring the air about Maskan's ears, but otherwise his already dropped head keeps him safe from being clobbered by the chicken-arm. Maskan laughs into the dirt, a sound of true delight as he revels in this game of toiling bodies. Maybe Kaj would be fun to play with afterall if he kept this up.

Kaj's attacks happened simultaneously and in the time frame of Maskan hitting his brakes. Because the blows were oriented to his front end and largely deflected, they did not hinder the remaining momentum spiraling through Maskan. His foreward movement had been mostly eaten by the ground when he stopped, but pieces of it still spiraled through him and he used it, alongside his significant strength, to shove his haunches up and left. A hefty buck was throw towards Kaj's right side, likely to land near his barrel or shoulder. The blow would not be impressive with the way they were tangled together, unless the duck moved into it or backed away, but it should do enough to force the palomino on the defensive.

When Maskan's haunches landed the two should stand side by side, facing the same direction. With Kaj on his left, Maskan shoved off on his right side, hoping to ram himself into the stallion. With little distance between them it wouldn't be as useful as otherwise, but it should rattle the golden boy all the same. All the while Maskan's lowered head shot up, teeth snapping for Kaj's nape in a quick flurry of bites to drive him away and overwhelm him.

Youthful vigor be damned, Maskan was still young at heart.

---

W: 729
1/4