Closed [South Kabrin Road] Fearless

[Aren]

As Aren's head rocketed towards Orin's face, he felt a coarse substance splash itself across his eyes in the moment just before he closed them in anticipation of the inevitable collision of bone. His eyelids were half-way closed, but not enough to avoid the unpleasant sensation that accompanied dirt right in your eye sockets. It was an underhanded, low-down dirty tactic, and Seros wholeheartedly approved. There was no way to stop the Akalak's headbutt striking the side of Orin's head, but while he would now get a lot more satisfaction out of the act, the aftermath became problematic. As Aren's neck recoiled back from the impact of the blow, his grip on his opponent's body tightened reflexively. "That was a smart trick. You shouldn't have wasted it at a moment like this," Seros growled, knowing that Orin's inexperienced was showing, but still annoyed by the effects of the purely spiteful attack. No warrior was immune to the clever application of an effective tactic, but timing was also an important element in battle. Even the greatest of stratagems could be wasted if it was not executed when the right opportunity presented itself, or vice versa. Although the azure giant could not see out of one eye and his other one was only capable of squinting, Seros unleashed a hearty laugh in response to his opponents would-be taunts. "You are not wrong, mouse. But my cage is not the same as yours," The darker Other intoned, a deep sense of melancholic sadness sharply contrasting with the apparent mirth of a moment earlier. "It's time for you to sleep now, though. I'm getting tired of carrying you, and I can't see very well until I get this shit out of my eyes," The Akalak stated, rather matter-of-factly, his words absent malice, menace, or ego. Now that he thought about it, though, he was actually probably going to be dealing with the burden of Orin's body for awhile, yet. At least he was light, relative to Aren's own weight, the warrior recalled. Seros' words concluded with the Reimancer's jaw opening wide. He tilted his neck back so as to be out of range of any ill-advised counter attacks the cook might conceive of, and as he did so the same milky, ethereal substance from earlier started flowing out from his throat. Slowly, it began to accumulate in a thin dome around Orin's head, although without any immediate, or apparent, effect.

[Orin Fenix]

Orin felt pain blossom against the side of his head, but it could have been much worse. At least his skull was significantly thicker than his face. And had less valuable parts in it. Other than his brain of course. Maybe he was feeling the effects of Aren’s head-butt more than he thought. His mind usually focused a bit better than this. Orin squinted, willing himself to shrug off the effects of Aren’s attack. Sooner than Orin would have thought, the fog in his mind cleared and he felt his mental energy pick up quickly.

Luckily, Orin’s own maneuver seemed to have worked, at least partially. The sand covered part of Aren’s face and obviously had gotten into at least one of the Akalak’s eyes. Orin knew this because he was briefly squeezed tighter against Aren’s body. Orin was feeling the slightest hint of triumph when Aren spoke out. The self-confidence threatened to wash out and take Orin’s fighting spirit with it but Orin clamped it in a mental vice. Chances are the warrior was simply pissed at himself for letting such a poor fighter such as Orin get this far and trying to manipulate Orin into giving up. ”It’s only a waste if it didn’t work. Which it did. So shut it,” Orin snarled out. He was mainly trying to keep himself pumped up and if he had to get angry at Aren, so be it. There were few worse targets for Orin’s rage right now. That being said, Orin didn’t see how he could’ve picked a better time. This was the only opportunity he’d had, and saving it for later didn’t seem like a viable option.

Seeing the proud man only able to open one of his eyes and having to open the other halfway filled Orin with a fierce satisfaction. It also redoubled his resolve not to give up until forced to. After all, he was finally making at least a little bit of progress. ”Those are some big words but I don’t see you doing anything about them,” Orin taunted recklessly. He was trying to provoke the warrior so Orin could plan his next set of moves, if any. Obviously this situation wasn’t ideal but Orin was just going to have to get creative. Which was probably part of the whole exercise, Orin realized, to think like a fighter. In fact, that was part of what Aren was discussing earlier, acting instead of reacting.

When Aren mentioned going to sleep, Orin raised one eyebrow. He didn’t see how the Akalak was planning to do that, unless he repeatedly bashed their heads together. And, tough as he was, that was more than likely to end up with them both laid out flat on the ground. So, Orin felt pretty sure they were at a stalemate, although Aren did have the upper hand. And the man did have many more years of experience at combat.

Orin opened his mouth to respond, but his retort died on his lips when that same strange substance flooded out of Aren’s mouth. The warrior had tilted his head back as his jaw opened wide. Orin was shocked. He’d assumed it could only exit Aren’s body through his fingers and hands, but apparently he’d been mistaken. And his earlier belief that Aren didn’t want to use it near himself was wrong as well. Orin quickly close his mouth, not wanting to let any of the weird part-gel part liquid part gas get inside his body. It coated his face and although Orin couldn’t see, he’d be willing to bet it was wrapped around his whole head.

Orin would have panicked, but it wouldn’t have done any good, and he was past the point of no return. He had promised himself he would never let fear control him in battle ever again and Orin never broke a promise unless he absolutely had to. The material hadn’t done any harm to Orin quite yet, but Orin was willing to bet he had only ticks to respond before Aren transformed it. While many of Orin’s earlier guesses regarding Aren’s magic had been proven false, he still had a sneaking suspicion that the warrior needed to focus his will to manipulate his Reimancy. Even if he didn’t, Orin had to do something. He wouldn’t end this by submitting meekly. Aren had moved his own head and neck out of easy reach, but he’d made the mistake of allowing Orin to move his. Enough, at least, to let Orin cause a distraction and at the same time hopefully disrupt Aren. Twisting his head Orin sank his teeth into Aren’s already wounded arm, and tugged at it with every bit of strength he could muster, worrying it between his teeth as if he were a terrier shaking a rat to kill it.

[Aren]

How like a cornered rat to lash out in desperation, Seros thought, "That hurts quite a bit, you know. Its nothing, compared to the bite of a hungry wolf, though," He said, hiding the immense pain Orin was causing beneath a practiced veneer of calm, detached stoic bullshit. The Other actually wanted nothing more than to set the boy's face on fire right at this very moment, but he knew Aren would never allow that. Although, in this instance, even he might be hard pressed to prevent it if push came to shove. Seros did not know if Orin believed that the substance around his head would act as some sort of shield against psychical attack, but if he did, he was sorely mistaken. The production of Res having been temporarily halted by the cook's attack, the Akalak decided that a reminder that the sides of faces were softer than skulls would be in order. His forehead swinging forward once more, Seros' thick brow headed for Orin's exposed cheek. It would have to bypass the barrier of Res that was around him, but since the substance was basically completely insubstantial until transmuted, it could safely remain there without concern. "A warrior..." The Akalak growled with an excited grin as his skull approached his foe's, "knows..." Again the motion would be repeated a second time, "When to cut..." Then a third, "His losses!" And finally, one last volley as even the bones and brain of a giant had a limit to the amount of punishment they could endure. "Do you want to have no teeth? Because that can be arranged," Seros exclaimed with a giddy tone, feeling the blood from his own forehead streaming down his closed eye. Hopefully, this would put an end to the boy's resistance long enough for the Reimancer to finish what he was doing earlier, and spare him any more physical damage. Maybe they should tell him that his life was not in any actual danger...? Nah. Seros was enjoying himself too much to do that, and Aren knew it. "He's a lot scrappier than I thought he'd be..." The lighter Other mused, not enjoying the pain his brother's satisfaction was causing in the least. "We should fight with our hands tied behind our back more often," Seros offered, both as recriminations for the limitations the necessity of training imposed, but also in earnest appreciation for the challenge that could be found by earnestly fighting a weaker opponent -who was giving his all- without the intention of killing them as quickly as possible. In spars, both sides were generally holding back a great deal, but this wasn't the case here. Orin seemed to be trying his darnest, and the Akalak had given him good reason, but the azure warrior also wasn't limiting himself, except when it came to dealing blows that might kill or cause serious permanent damage. It was an educational experience, and an interesting challenge, for a man who had never really trained someone before. It was a good test of both the warrior and his would-be student, each showing that they were capable of meeting the demands of such a relationship.

[Orin Fenix]

Blood sped into Orin’s mouth from where he had latched on to Aren’s forearm. It had an acrid, metallic taste. Orin spared a precious moment to wonder at the fact that Akalak blood tasted so similar to Orin’s own. Orin knew this from split lips. He’d never bitten anything living before. Orin ripped his teeth from Aren’s flesh, taking a chunk of it with him, although it was relatively small. He would have responded to Aren’s boast but unfortunately his mouth was currently otherwise occupied. Orin was glad at least that whatever magic Aren had been doing was starting to dissipate, and he had halted producing more of whatever it was that came from his body.

Orin was just about to get rid of his mouthful when pain exploded in his cheek. Obviously, Aren had resorted to basing his forehead against Orin again. Orin placed his chin back where it had protected him the last time. Thankfully, Aren was being kind enough to punctuate his moves with his words, so Orin had a pretty good idea when the next hit was going to be. He prepared himself, and sure enough, the pain came. This time, though, Orin ignored it long enough to whip his head around and spit into Aren’s rapidly retreating face. If Orin was lucky, he’d hit Aren in his good eye, and the warrior would be completely blind. If not, no harm done, and it was a good show that Orin wouldn’t give up for a while.

The next time Aren slammed into Orin’s head, Orin had another move prepared. He still had enough wiggle room to get his hand up. And that allowed him to curve his fingers and claw desperately at Aren’s face. However, the force of this third strike knocked Orin silly and his hand finally fell limp, as did the rest of his body. The fourth knocked Orin over the edge, and he sagged in Aren’s arms. ”Who…says that…I’m losing…huh?” Orin’s voice came out blearily. The adrenalin that had been carrying him this far was running out. Or perhaps it was unchanged, but the physical damage had gone too much as Orin’s body tallied up his various hurts and presented the bill. Regardless, Orin couldn’t continue fighting.

Not that he couldn’t keep trying, of course, as he struggled valiantly with the only weapons left, his voice. ”Yeah? You…think so? Put me down and fight me…like…a man and without any of that, that, magic business. Then,” Orin coughed, having trouble breathing from all the physical activity, before gamely finishing, ”then we’ll see how tough you are.”

There was sense to what Aren was telling Orin though. Especially as Orin felt fatigue slipping among his limbs and working its way amongst the pain, Orin didn't see any point in trying to continue on with this bout. Finally, Orin’s common sense popped its head up and said that enough was enough, and ordered Orin to stand down before he got himself killed. Orin let his forehead fall against Aren’s chest. The scent of sweat and leather drifted up to Orin’s nose. ”I think,” and Orin swallowed, his pride stinging but his natural sense of self-preservation screaming at him to end this madness, ”that you should put me down now. Don’t think that I’m giving up. I’m just, you know, surviving to fight another day. I…" Orin gritted his teeth but went on gamely, "yield.” Though it pained Orin to say it, Aren had thoroughly bested him. And Orin had made a good showing. He’d done some damage, at least. Most importantly, he’d proved to himself and Aren that when push came to shove, Orin could be trusted not to lose his cool. Even if he had in the past, it wouldn’t happen ever again. And that was a heady feeling. Orin managed a weak grin, before wincing, having forgotten the rapidly forming bruise on his cheek. Orin was going to be a mess in the morning. But he'd gotten through tonight. I guess he’s earned his pay. Again.

[Aren]

Angling his head slightly just in time to get a mouthful of blood right on his cheeks, the Akalak couldn't help but think how incredibly unhygienic this was, even if it was his own blood. Or was it? He hoped it was, but between his poor eyesight and the occasional splashes of the red liquid here and there, it was getting hard to tell. Orin had a lot of fight in him, but at the giant's final strike even his scratching hands ceased their resistance. He spoke brazenly, but the veteran warrior could tell that there wasn't much left in him. The Akalak's lips curved upward. It was not the wild, excited grin of his brother, but the soft, warm smile that Aren readily offered his friends. "That's good," He uttered, acknowledging his opponent's surrender. "You fought well. Defeat is nothing to be ashamed of." The warrior admitted freely, knowing that very few fighters in all the world could claim to have lived their whole lives tasting only victory, and cognizant of the fact that a single loss can often teach someone more than a dozen triumphs. "Just go to sleep now, and dream of perfectly cooked meat, or whatever it is your dream about," The Reimancer said, as he willed the now re-coalescing bubble of Res around Orin's face to begin to draw all the air within to itself. It was a relatively slow process, but the cook was practically gasping for oxygen as it was. It wasn't that the Akalak didn't trust the young man, but Orin had shown a predisposition for underhanded tactics (which was not at all a bad thing, as far as Seros was concerned) and a bit of a stubborn streak, so Aren would have been a fool to take him at his word; at least, in this particular instance. "By the time you wake up, we'll already be in Syliras," He reassured him in a smooth, gentle tone, doing his best to control his trembling voice. All these spells cast in succession were taking their toll on him, and both brothers knew it wasn't at all going to be an easy trek back to the city with a person slung over their shoulder. "Can we-" Seros began to ask, but his perfectly innocent query was unceremoniously interrupted. "No."

[Sayana]

Aren Skills: Skill EXP Planning +1 Land Navigation +1 Intimidation +5 Teaching +5 Rhetoric +5 Intelligence +1 Body building +5 Tactics +5 Unarmed combat +4 Observation +5 Scythe +1 Reimancy +5 Persuasion +1 Endurance +2 Negotiation +1 Lores: Location: South Kabrin Road Sayana's birthday Teaching: Providing fear to a student Teaching: Explaining battle tactics Teaching: Trying to teach a student who thinks he's right Teaching: Offering praise Fear is the enemy that confined Seros Reimancy: Manipulating multiple spheres of Res Learned the hard way of combat growing up Unarmed Combat: Headbutt Orin: Overcame his fear Orin: Fights dirty Injuries : Sliced and bitten forearm: 6 days to heal, or 10 days if infected Cut on forehead: 2 days to heal Comments : Great thread. I enjoy reading the banter between Aren and Orin, and I sympathize with Aren’s frustration with Orin’s hotheadedness. There were a lot of different types of skills used so I awarded them accordingly but at no point did I think Aren and Orin were actually ‘socializing’ with each other. Orin Skills: Skill EXP Running +1 Land Navigation +1 Endurance +5 Negotiation +3 Planning +2 Rhetoric +5 Storytelling +1 Tactics +5 Intimidation +5 Intelligence +1 Acrobatics +4 Dagger +4 Brawling +2 Observation +5 Deduction +1 Subterfuge +1 Stealth +1 Philosophy +1 Unarmed Combat +2 Lores: Location: South Kabrin Road Sayana's birthday A true fighter must overcome his fear Tactics: Sometimes it is better to wait than attack Tactics: Tiring out an opponent Endurance: Taking a kick Brawling: Using a fist full of dirt Intimidation: Goading an opponent Tactics: Run away Akalaks can see body heat in the dark Reimancy: Control of earth, water, wind, and fire I will not let myself be ruled by my fear Acrobatics: Diving through the air Acrobatics: Bracing a fall and rolling Unarmed Combat: Biting Akalak blood: Acrid metallic taste Yielding in combat Aren: Questionable teacher Injuries : Bruises on cheek, ankle, shoulder, and a few places on arms and legs (from falling): 4 days to heal Expenses : Please deduct 7gm from your ledger for the training session Comments : Great thread. I loved how you played within Orin’s abilities and yet Orin tried so so hard to beat Aren. His banter was amusing despite the fact that he was clearly weaker and hence some intimidation points (even if it wasn’t successful intimidation). I also liked the turning point where he conquered his fear. It was some really nice character development to read. Plus all the “being tossed about”. Don't forget to edit/delete your grade request in the grade request thread. However, make sure to keep the link so that the DS can review graded threads with ease. If you have any questions or concerns about your grade please feel free to send me a message. Enjoy.