Test of Strength | Another Unwanted Victory

Why did Maris always end up in these situations? One moment he'll be exploring a new realm looking for someone to trade with, and then next he's forced to fight someone twice his size. At the very least he wasn't completely caught off guard this time around. The Saurian had been watching him collecting small bone scraps from the ground for a while on the way to where he was told the golden scales would reside- and only now has the dino in question started to wail about it being 'disrespectful'. Of course, the saurian wanted wanted to spar about it, to establish their status and rank to the outsider.

"Must we? Can we not say that I ran off with my tail between my legs? I do have places to be." Stellamaris pleaded, holding his arms out and looking towards the other creature with some sort of annoyance in his eyes. Of course, that wouldn't be enough to deter the dino from their desire to knock the prissy equos into the sand.

"Not a chance, princess. If you're going to lose, you'll lose properly! No surrender!" The Saurian roared, and Stellamaris was exceedingly unimpressed. Without another word, he undid his cloak, placing it down on the ground, and stretched slightly. "So be it. I'll entertain it. I've no weapons, so we go hand-to-claw, yes?" A shrug. "It's only fair, though don't think it'll make it any easier on you."

The equos nodded, putting himself into a defensive stance and waiting patiently for the other to charge at him. And Charge he did, barreling towards Stellamaris with full intent to knock him on his ass with the full force of his body. However, with a single step on Stellamaris' part, the saurian missed him. While the dino was stopping himself on the sand, Stellamaris took the chance to meet with his body, quickly positioning his hand to press harshly between his shoulder and his neck.

Suddenly, the saurian collapsed, his head flailing a little in an attempt to get Stellamaris' hand away from his neck. The equos was supremely unbothered, blinking once, and then twice. After a second, he moved to sit on the saurian's back, fingers still pressing on the other's pressure point. A few minutes of thrashing later, the other had tired themself out, collapsing against the sand fully. "You done yet?" Maris asked, and the male below him had to sigh dejectedly. "Alas, I must admit defeat. Though I fail to understand how someone like yourself could be so.... sturdy."

Stellamaris hummed, letting go of the dino's pressure point and standing back up, going to retrieve his cloak. "I'd say that's what being a father does to you. You teach your kids self defense, you make sure they don't get into any trouble, and you pick up a few things from the experience." The saurian nodded, attempting to understand and take notes from this individual who had proven himself a better, or at least, more strategic fighter. Sure, the equos hadn't stated the fact that his daughter was a dragon, but that wasn't so important right now.

"Well, anyways. Now that's over with, do you mind leading me towards the territory of the Golden Scales?"