[Gift] A Tailor's Test of Strength

Hastra has heard of how cutthroat life in Neo-Maera can be. He’s also heard of how… wary the Saurians can be when it comes to outsiders and to them, he’s one of the outsiders.

He knows there exists a couple of ways for an outsider to be recognized by the Saurians and that’s through skill. Most notably? Survival and hunting skills. When Hastra first heard of this, he took it as a challenge.

When he’s told to pick out an opponent, he chooses the tribe leader’s partner. The Saurian is smaller compared to the tribe leader — of average size compared to the others, and his name is Beau. Others may think that Hastra chooses him because he thinks he has a chance against the other, but that’s not the case at all.

Hastra isn’t stupid. He’s more than aware of the fact that he’s at a disadvantage. He’s fighting them in their territory, their home. So why did he pick Beau?

Because he has a feeling that it’ll be fun.

One might say that he’s being reckless and, well– he can’t disagree with that. Not when his first priority has always been fun, safety being the second. 

Now, in this challenge, all you have to do is win. The rules are simple ; the first to go down or call quits loses. Whoever’s the last one standing is the winner. Weapons can be used, but the two participating seem to come to an agreement that none of those will be used – but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t allowed to use other means during this spar. 

Hastra doesn’t seem too bothered by that. Beau seems to have a couple of tricks up his sleeves, but he’s certainly not the only one. 

If there’s three things that Hastra excels in, it’s speed, instinct and his fast reaction time. Beau, on the other hand, seems to be an opportunist – using the openings that he can find whenever Hastra finds himself on the defensive to strike, and he strikes hard, chipping at him little by little and forcing him back.

Beau seems intent on playing the long game and Hastra knows he doesn’t stand a chance if that were to happen.

The Gleamstic isn’t against using his environment for an advantage, and he certainly isn’t against throwing sand at someone if it means deterring them for even a moment. All he needs is a singular moment for him to strike at the other’s pressure point – though the Saurian seems to see right through him. The sand throwing does make him retreat, but when he moves to jab at the other’s neck, his hand is immediately stopped and the next thing he knows, he’s thrown over Beau’s shoulder and onto the floor.

Hastra yelps – both in surprise and hurt. His own hand twists to grab at Beau’s arm, the other joining immediately to give the Saurian a harsh yank downward, forcing him to fall and tumble with the Gleamstic on the ground.

In terms of pure physical strength, it seems that the two are quite on par with one another – which results in them wrestling to be the one on top of the other ; to be in control.

What eventually gives way to someone’s victory is the sand throw that comes within their wrestling. Mimicking what Hastra has done prior, Beau sweeps up a bunch of sand with his tail and throws it at him ; which results in the Gleamstic blinded momentarily. That moment of distraction is all Beau needed to pin him down by the neck, sharp nails pressing against his skin and vitals.

…Though, perhaps the other isn’t as stupid as he seems, after all. He could tell that Hastra has one hand wrapped around the wrist of the hand pinning him down and when the particles of sand clears, Beau belatedly realizes that his other hand is gripping onto a needle pointed right at his own throat. Was he hiding that needle the entire time?

How foul, but Beau’s not one to say that outloud considering his own fighting style.

Hastra grins at him from underneath and the Saurian only scoffs, his hold on the outsider’s neck eventually losing its grip.

The two don’t speak as they break up from one another. Hastra busies himself with dusting off the sand from his fit, tugging at his shirt and flapping it to try and get every single particle out while Beau fixes up his garment. When Hastra turns, Beau has already started to walk away, but not without his parting words of: “You managed to not die by my hand, that's decent enough unlike most exiles. Good job.”

Hastra can’t help but laugh at that. He supposes he’ll take it. A compliment is a compliment, after all – no matter how backhanded it is.