to live and burn is
the most exquisite form of self destruction

In both his resolve and his courage, Carbon had proven himself the exception of his peers— but within the span of a few heartbeats, he became a boy again. Watching his darker companion hesitate, the Boss expected that he would refuse to fight. He would have relished the moment, even, as evidence of his protégé’s determination to walk his own path. Instead, the youth slipped into the ingrained habit of submission to his elders, recognizing Rade’s intended trial and yielding to it more willingly than the stallion would have anticipated. And while he couldn’t describe the emotion that tightened his chest as disappointment, neither was the scarred old roan as thrilled as he should’ve been by the unexpected enthusiasm of the black colt’s attack.

Instead he just was, the engaging of their words giving way to something hollow; to the thoughtless and violent dance of his kind.

Air hissed reflexively between clenched teeth as Carbon seemed unerringly drawn to the vulnerability of his damaged shoulder. Body tautening in anticipation of the fire that would carve a burning path beneath the fractured blade of bone, Rade lurched forward as well. The hope was that he might soak the blow on his hip instead, or even the cage of bones that lay between them. Instead, he felt the pinch of his foe’s teeth on his thigh and recognized that Carbon’s broadcasted intent had been a feint. Snorting grimly, the slender palomino shoved his body into the dark male’s. While incapable of toppling his larger opponent in this way, the boy’s strength meant little and less without room to use it. In other words, by clinging burr-like to his companion’s side, Rade also leveled the other’s advantage… as much as was possible, anyway.

During the repositioning of their bodies, Carbon’s teeth found the older stallion’s flank, then lost their grip and grasped a third time. Jerking his body upward, the roan bachelor felt them scrape over the curve of his barrel, felt the warm trickle of blood brought forth by their passage. Ignoring this (and the protest of pain in his joints), Rade twisted his body around, driving for the nape of Carbon’s neck with his teeth. Though not a particularly high-value target, it was one that did not leave him vulnerable to pursue; his opponent could still bite but would need to twist his head around to do so.

Still, Rade did not press his luck for long. Disengaging from his companion with a grunt, he let his body arc downward parallel to Cain’s son. Inhaling raggedly, his heels flicked up towards the broad wall of Carbon’s body as he lunged away— and then twisted around again, ears pinned and lips pulled back in a snarl that softened abruptly into a smile. “Not bad, kid.” He ceded gruffly. “But you were fighting me like I’m your father, and I’m not. I’m smaller than you, and weaker. Overpower me— use that strength to your advantage.”

Tossing the sweat-dampened strands of his mane, the stallion turned his attention in the direction of the Lagoon’s southern coast. “I’m ready to meet this Cain of yours, now… if your offer still stands.” His amber eyes sought Carbon's, wondering whether he would read any hesitation there. Wondering whether the boy might perceive him as more of a threat, now that they'd faced one another in battle.

“I even promise to be on my best behavior, though I can't promise that our meeting will be bloodless. That, I suppose, will be up to your father.”

stallion . twenty-three . palomino roan . mustang mix . 15.1hh
debonaire x neassa