Teacher Teacher, Won't You Teach Me

He was faintly amused watching the expression on his niece's face when she realized what was happening. Each second on his inhale ticked by slowly, his forelegs outstretched. He watched as she attempted to brace herself for his impact. His knees buckled inward right before impact, and he exhaled swiftly as he hit her, all four paws hitting the ground around her with a single resounding thud. His tail flagged over his back, an show of success, though he purposely kept his head up, hoping that she might go for the space around his throat, as she ought to have. Thankfully, she did, and he winced slightly as her teeth reached into his upper chest. He moved back before her paws could nail him in the belly, wincing as her teeth shifted within the forming wound. He did not move far enough to actually move her, but merely sidestepped to free her from beneath him.

Now the man tucked his chin, lest she decide to make a closer strike for his throat, and his tail tucked around his anatomy. He covered his bases, decided now to do so, rather than wait for her to take advantage of it. He'd already be walking away with one minor wound from this, so there was no need for another. "Remember to keep your vitals protected," He strained, ears tipped back. With a gruff growl, the large man reared back, hoping to free her teeth from his chest.

He winced further as she sank her teeth into his flesh. It was all well and good that she was reveling in her success, but the term "spar" seemed a bit lost on her. He exhaled heavily as she released him from her grasp, and landed on all fours once again with a resounding thud. So far, she was doing quite well and he was pleased. Especially when she began to set her defenses. Yes, excellent, he noted mentally. But the good stance and setting did not seem to last long. It seemed only seconds after she let her ears fall, they rose again, along with her tail and her chin. Oh no. What a foolish girl. He would have to teach her that her pride could have fatal consequences. His lips drew back and he lunged at her, initially appearing as though he might muzzle grab her, but then snapped towards her raised ear, hoping to use it as a handle to yank her to the ground.

It was not his intention to draw her blood, though for his maneuver to be successful, she would undoubtedly have a sore ear. Any further scarring might be on her part, and should she end up with a tear...Well, perhaps it would be a reminder. He prepared for his next attack, which would be placing a hefty forepaw upon her exposed throat. Perhaps she might consider it the jaws of an enemy, one that would not care how high and mighty she considered herself. Chulyin was not out for blood...He was out to make sure that his niece would not die in the throes of battle.

No sooner had her head risen and her ears unfastened than a sharp pain shot through her ear. It was a blur how fast her uncle pinned her to the ground and instinct took over, Aponi flinched trying to get him to release her. The pain intensified as his teeth sunk deeper into her appendage, making a small hole that would later scar and be visible for the rest of her life. As the black paw connected with her throat the girl panicked, flailing about as she tried to free herself, her paws fought for contact with any surface and her teeth tried futilely to snap at her uncle's leg. It took a few moments but finally Aponi accepted her defeat and her body stilled beneath the man's grasp, showing her belly she gasped, "You win." During the spar she had been entirely focused on what was happening with Chuylin, she had missed that fact that Karpos was leaving and it wasn't until she was let up that she noted his absence.

Frustrated that she had lost so easily in the spar Aponi turned to leave, ready to spout some insult before stomping off. Opening her jaws to call Chuylin out for picking on a girl the princess paused, composing herself and reigning in her anger. If you want people to treat you like an adult, act like one, she reminded herself. This spar had taught her one thing if nothing else; she would never be a guardian, so Chuylin had taught her something. Forcing a smile she looked back at her uncle, "Thank you for the lesson Uncle Chuylin," The words were sickeningly sweet and Aponi wanted to gag at how they sounded coming from her mouth but she composed herself. Turning away before he could see the sneer on her muzzle the girl left the clearing, off to find Karpos who she knew would lick her wound clean.

EXIT

He let her struggle feebly beneath him, tail now held high over his back. She could not grab it. An effort was made not to actively suffocate her, and he let her pound with her paws against him, not finding them to be too much of a bother. It was only when she admitted defeat that he backed off, shaking his fur out as he moved back a few feet. A deep set grimace was upon his face, wondering if she'd truly learned anything after seeming so eager. He had wanted to teach her...Hopefully it hadn't been in vain due to this inevitable loss. His ear twitched, suddenly realizing that Karpos had excused himself, and Chulyin snorted quietly, mildly disappointed. Perhaps the boy hadn't been actively participating, but he could have learned something from watching.

Her parting words sounded less than genuine, the man noted as she sauntered away, and as she disappeared, his tail dropped back down by his legs. He could not help but feel somewhat unsettled by what had just transpired. Paws shifted in the snow, and the wind brought him the scent of a moose carcass. With a slow blink, he turned from the scene of the battle, and wandered off into the trees to grab a much needed meal.