To those who said I can't do it, well, watch me ¦ Rob

[Lyra Horváth]

Duelling tournament in an undisclosed location in the United Kingdom 

The thrill of the fight was coursing through Lyra’s veins, but the undercurrent of nerves for her first legal league duel was still strong. As she waited in her preparation room, alone, she had more time to think about it. Really she should have been practicing stances and warming up, doing some stretches or something. And yet she couldn’t, the trepidation of it was beginning to ache at her chest. She hadn’t seen Rob since last night; he had been delayed with promo for Aware Wolf. At first Lyra had been annoyed, but it wasn’t any old PR work, it was ministry related. Another step towards it being ministry approved and out there. He had promised he would be here for her first match, but still, there had been no word from him. For now all she could do was hope.

Hanna had flitted in and out of her prep room, glasses of fancy drinks on and off with words of encouragement and assurance that Rob would be here soon. But still, she was alone for now.

Stretching her arms up above her head she held the pose for a moment, until she felt her shoulders crack.

It was then there was a knock on the door ‘Ms Horváth, you’re up’

With a deep breath, she pushed herself to stand and readied herself before exiting her prep room and taking on the world.


EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK

[EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK]

Rob stared down at the ring where his mate was soon to take the stage. He tried to remember that this was the better compromise, that at least this was legal. But he couldn't quite ignore the streaks of rust coloured blood on the platform, leftover from previous duels gone wrong. Rob wasn't sure if he'd be able to control himself if Lyra spilt blood. And she would never forgive him for intervening. Yet Lyra had insisted Rob join her for her first legal duel, and despite his conscience screaming at him to decline, to beg her not to do it even, he agreed.

It wasn't that Rob couldn't trust Lyra to take care of herself. He'd been at the wrong end of one of her curses once or twice, as well as the colourful Hungarian insults that seemed to attach themselves to them. He knew she could duel, and that she could duel well. It was just... this place looked so seedy no matter how legal it was. Maybe if they scrubbed the floorboards a bit better, or if the butterbeer mugs looked like they'd been cleaned in the last century...

Rob wished he'd been able to glimpse Lyra one last time before her duel, but the brawny security man had adamantly refused to let him into the back. He'd tried reasoning, but the man simply crossed his arms and glared at him. Rob had retreated, muttering to himself before finding a place above the ring from where to watch the match. His mate's name was announced and Rob, along with the entire collection of the audience, held their breath. She strode into the ring, her head held high, confidence oozing from her. Rob's heart stopped for a moment, before picking up double time. He leaned forward slightly, his gaze piercing as he watched Lyra prepare to fight.

Lyra Horváth

[Lyra Horváth]

Over the years Lyra had grown used to thriving off a level of anxiety; whether it be to worry about where her next meal was coming from or keeping herself alive in less than desirable circumstances across the continent. A low level of disquietude always ran through her blood and kept her on her toes, although it had seeped away somewhat the more she had become settled with Rob; she had never let herself become complacent. The back alley duelling she had began to dabble in last year had reignited something in her she never thought would grow so strong, and yet she fed the need. Rising quickly to the top of the illegal rings, it didn't take long before interest from the international duelling federation rolled in and had her signed up.

After the press tour she had been itching to get going; but now the fear had piqued.

Swallowing hard she stepped up to the platform and eyed her opponent. An older man, heavier set, but from what she had read well versed in the duelling stakes, and although not one of the top favourites to win this league he was still one of the higher billed on Lyra's list of adversaries. With a nod to the officiator, she signalled she was in fact ready and then with a grunt threw herself into it. It didn't take much effort to get the first strike in while he had barely realised they had began. As the duel progressed she suffered minor hits, but nothing like what Lyra inflicted on him.

Within moments a noise had sounded to signal the end of the duel. It was over. She had been victorious. The first of many to come.

With a flick of her head, she flipped back some errant tendrils of her dark hair that had escaped from the more functional braid that Hanna had placed it in earlier in the evening. There were cries of annoyance from some punters in the front rows who had been expecting a much more interesting and at the very least a longer match. It didn't take long for Hanna to rush the platform and squash Lyra in a hug. Between the squealing in her ear and the roar of her adoring crowds it was difficult to concentrate for a moment as her eyes searched him out. But then she locked eyes with him, her mate; her Robbie. With a small smirk in his direction, she watched him, waiting for a reaction.

EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK

[EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK]

It was over quicker than Rob had expected. Lyra was flawless - scoring hit after hit, and only suffering one or two minor jinxes herself. She was like a whirlwind, a goddess of ferocity and vengeance, terror personified. A range of emotions cascaded through Rob - fear of Lyra, pride, confusion, and finally settled upon lust. There was something infinitely seductive about the dance she directed, about each precise spell she cast, and the eventual victory she claimed. At the end, she looked up towards the crowd and found him. With laser like precision, his mate found his gaze throughout the hundreds. Rob tried to arrange his face in a respectable manner, but his slack jaw and round eyes refused to cooperate. This effortlessly lethal, beautiful woman was his mate.

When Rob was able to force his body into movement once again, he slipped through the crowd like a ghost, intent on meeting Lyra as quickly as he could. Several guards tried to stop him, but he was able to quickly explain that he was going to see Lyra, his... girlfriend didn't quite cut it, but it would do for now. With suspicious looks, they let him through, and Rob was rapping on the door to her dressing room in just a few moments time.

The door opened and Rob rushed in, collecting Lyra in his arms and crushing his mouth to hers. She tasted of triumph and something sweet. Rob hadn't had his fill, but broke away to search her gaze. "You're incredible," said Rob, his voice reverent. "Incredible, stunning, sexy, talented..." he trailed off his eyes roving her face hungrily. "And you're mine. And I'm sorry that I tried to hold you back, but please don't hold me back now because I need you," said Rob, brushing his nose against the pale column of her neck.

Lyra Horváth

[Lyra Horváth]

When she hadn't been able to spot Rob in the crowd, in the VIP box, her stomach lurched. Maybe he wasn't able to handle it. Maybe this fantasy was all about to fall to pieces. Readying herself for the worst, she allowed herself to be herded back to her dressing room by hanna horváth , leaving her her alone to go and negotiate higher fees. Or at least that's what Lyra thought she heard her say as she pushed her eagerly into the room and closed the door behind her. Now as the crowds had fallen away, and the cheering was gone; she was alone again in the silence. It was not dissimilar to the moments after winning big in the illegal rings across Europe years ago when she would rush off with her winnings to buy the desperate fix of Wolfsbane at the last minute before her transformation.

The come down after the high.

And yet as she glanced around the plush room, she remarked on how different things were; how far she had come since then. For a second it felt like she couldn't breathe. It was a shock to the system. Was all of this even real?

The reminder of reality burst through her door in the form of her mate, and Lyra's eyes widened at the speed of the change. One minute she was alone and reminiscing. Now all of a sudden she was swept up in her bonded mate's desperate arms. And she wasn't protesting. With a quiet giggle, she felt his lips rake up her neck. "Oh, hello.. She sensed the desperation in him fairly quickly, and she was just glad they were alone. A quiet content sigh escaped her as she listened to his longing babble, a small smile creeping over her lips. She had him right where she wanted him. "I told you I can look after myself Robbie" This reaction was not what she had been expecting, and yet it made her victory even sweeter. Pushing her lips against his desperate ones hurriedly, she grinned.

"I've a party to attend later, after the other rounds for tonight are finished. But that's a while off. A few hours at least." With another wicked grin she looked up to him. "So yes, I suppose I am all yours for now..."

EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK

[EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK]

With a sound of primal approval, Rob captured Lyra's lips forcefully, intent on devouring her and celebrating her all at once.

After they were both fully sated, the pair lounged easily on one of the comfortable chairs. Rob had pulled Lyra into his lap, running his fingers lazily over the back of her hand. His lips twisted slightly and he lifted up the palm of her hand. "How do such small hands hold so much power with a wand?" asked Rob, shooting Lyra a smirk. "I never should have doubted you. I'm sorry," he murmured, kissing each fingertip reverently. "I just can't bear the thought of losing you. Of you being hurt. One slip up..." he trailed off, lost in thought. Rob had always known about Lyra's streak of ferocity. It was one of the things he adored most about her. Still, he had his reservations.

"I know I shouldn't try to dictate your life. You don't try to dictate mine," he murmured, ghosting his fingers up the inside of her wrist. With a blink, he looked up at Lyra. "This party... do you get a plus one? I'd hate to hear about all those men crawling all over you... even if you can take care of yourself..."

Lyra Horváth

[Lyra Horváth]

With a small laugh, she thought on his question for a moment, about to make a joke, but then deciding against it. Instead, she pulled her hand down and rolled her eyes "No Robbie. Less of that. I have to live my life still, remember?" Eyebrow raised she shot him a small smile, feeling the mood shift away from the ferocity that had been growing between them.

"Of course I get a plus one. I could bring a whole circus through at this stage; they can't say anything to me" With a snort of derision she rolled her eyes again and reached for his hand. "I didn't think it'd be your thing though...." Lyra trailed and cast a gaze back behind her where Hanna was standing awkwardly. The blonde shot her some sort of a look before she darted away again. With a moments quiet she tilted her head back to look up at him, giving him a more half hearted smile

"Really Robbie. I'm fine"

EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK