ROUND 3
Rolling 1d5: 1
Solulfur's paws were rough, the pads hardened to block out the freezing snow and provide her grip on the slick mountainside in all weathers. But she could still feel, beneath the layers of silky silver fur, Aurelia's chest heave with the force of her breaths.
She wasn't sure what she saw within Aurelia's eyes. A thousand emotions moved in sync within the depths of that jade gaze, and Solulfur could only meet it evenly, trying to catch her own breaths. The roar of the crowd blotted out the sound of her own breathing, but she could still hear her pulse rush.
She waited for Aurelia's next move - something decisive and fierce to claim the victory she'd so swiftly procured. But instead, Aurelia's fangs disappeared and a puzzled look formed on the Shakti-Vaes' face. Solulfur's grin was wiped away, a softer and considering look overtaking the gleeful, adrenaline-laced smile from before.
She wasn't sure why Aurelia hesitated. Did she think Solulfur weak, for submitting to the obvious victor? But it wasn't disdain or coldness on her friend's features, and Solulfur was sure if that was what Aurelia felt, she'd had simply taken the victory that was deserved and left Solulfur there, ignored and cast aside.
Instead, Aurelia waited.
Solulfur found that losing didn't hold the same sting it would normally.
She wanted Aurelia to take what she had earned, and what Solulfur was offering. Aurelia had put Solulfur in this position, and Solulfur would not see her walk away - not when what she wanted was for Aurelia to have what she desired: Victory. A friend. Someone to brave the cold waters for her, and someone to cheer when the sun shone on them once again. All that, and more.
She wanted Aurelia to - Some things were not meant to be contemplated, surrounded by strangers, her blood matting dirt into her fur.
I yield.Solulfur breathed. Not quite a plea, not quite a challenge.
Take it.
It's yours.
I yield!Louder, once more, for Solulfur realized the witnesses surrounding them needed to hear it too, for formality's sake.
