[Kendoka Sasaran] Daggers and Lakans

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

Sama'el grinned back, his teeth set in what was both good humor and hard effort. This Rykanis Dakshata was certainly better with his lakan than Sama'el was with his dagger. The acrobatics were an associated skill, and they had saved him that once, but it was as much luck as anything else. More nervous with only the dagger than he might have been with a full scimitar, he fell for the feint, and blocked it successfully, but it put him off his balance and he had to quickly stutter-step out of the way to rest his guard and prevent a follow up from messing him up. "I may not be able to strike you," he acknowledged, honest to the core, "but I can make it difficult for you to strike me." His grin didn't fail. He was quite good at picking things up that he observed, being so careful to pay attention to people as well as the world around him. But still, if Rykanis had committed too heavily into that feint, it had only managed to throw Sama'el off the more. Circling the large fellow, he flipped his dagger up to catch it in a reverse grip, the blade angling to guard his forearm; this would allow him to make different strikes, and possibly catch Rykanis by surprise. But he was remarkably good-natured and level-headed for an Akalak; there seemed little chance to use that legendary rage against him. "Well, I would not call you fat," he said, riffing off of the Akalak's own statement with jest, "but yes, you are a bigger target." He grinned again.

[Rykanis Dakshata]

The Drykas read the first feint as a real blow, messing himself up a bit when it turned out it was not real. But the next one coming in certainly was real. But he managed to block that one to, flipping his dagger around to come at it from the oposite way, which was a much better form to use when fighting defensively. With your blade down, Rykanis knew, you were able to defend better, and come at your opponent in a different fashion... But it also diminished your offensive ability, as it limited your range, which was better in a upward facing blade hold, like he was using... He was using an offensive style, his foe a defensive one. As the next words came, Rykanis just grinned. Outside of combat, perhaps on the street, he would have possibly taken offense... But in combat, in the Sasaran, he knew it was all just mind games, a thing that to throw of your foe jokingly. "Well then, if you think I am fat, it is pretty sad you are being beaten by a fat old Akalak. I mean, I am 70, by your people's standards I should about be in the grave." Rykanis would take one more slash at the Drykas, before taking a step back. "You said something about another weapon? Perhaps you would like to try it out now, switch from these?"

[Sama'el Sunsinger]

When Rykanis changed his grip, Sama'el considered changing his back, but thought that might have been an attempt to throw him. And so he stuck with his grip, still circling with careful feet. They had to see for him when he was moving somewhere he couldn't see. "You certainly move like you're 70," he noticed, slashing out but having to pull it because Rykanis' slash was better aimed, and it took all his speed and acrobatic talent to dodge. But as soon as he was recovered and ready to get back into the fight, the Akalak was stepping back. He didn't know whether he ought to be offended. "You give up so soon?" But he smiled, straightened, and then the first phase of their bout was complete. "Well, I suppose I ought to change weapons if I want to hold my own much longer." His smile went rueful then. "You'll have to teach me how you do that sometime..." He exchanged the practice dagger for the practice blade that most closely resembled his scimitar in shape and heft. It was easy to see he was more confident with it, and he immediately came up in a balanced stance, perfect to go either on the offensive of the defensive. "Scimitar," he reminded him. "Well, sort of."

[Limey]

Rykanis Skill and Lore Rewards Skills Lore Observation 3 The Use Of A Friendly Smile Teaching 2 Educating A Human Lakan 3 Sama'el: Harmless Human Brawling 1 Blade And Body As One Rhetoric 1 Lakan: Straight Hold Vs. Reverse Hold Additional Notes : Sammy, if you do come back, PM me and I'll give you your grade for this. I liked the idea of an "engineered smile". Rykanis surely does have som duplicity about him, I hope you develop it. Everything else was pretty good, you certainly know how to use that lakan. Any questions or queries, please PM me.