[Flashback] Summer fun! (Xalet)

[Bob Barton]

Bob sighed with relief when the charging Akalak came to a halt. Has his little trick worked? Will he back off and leave him alone? No such luck because all it seemed to do is just make the Akalak say something about sword and magery while becoming more excited. All Bob had to say about that was "Magery? What nonsense are you talking about?" and he shook his head in denial. Bob was no idiot, there was no way he was going to admit to knowing he knew magic in Syliras. If this Akalak turned him over to the Knights, all the trouble will be on Bob.

Then the Akalak started advancing with his sword and shield. Bob mumbled to himself "Damn! It didn't work" and started to retreat step by step with each the Akalak had taken. As he did, he raised his sword again and trained it at the Akalak's torso threateningly while circling it around so that its movements won't be followed so easily. He continued all until his legs brushed up against the crates behind him where Bob knew he could not advance any further.

Now with no other room to retreat opposed to an advancing Akalak, Bob was running out of options. He didn't want to fight...all he wanted was some fun and now look what happens? To try and stop the Akalak, Bob tried to kick some of the fruit on the ground. Kick, kick, Bob sent two fruit flying where one headed to the Akalak's head but the other in Bob's haste to gain a proper foothold to kick the got him off balance and the fruit flew well over his target.

With the Akalak already so close, Bob stopped and planted his feet on the ground as firmly as possible. There were still much junk on the ground like the rubbish and fruit that both Bob and the Akalak had thrown around which is going to complicate the fight. As if Bob didn't have enough to contend with. Bob lowered his body into a crouch to make him a smaller target and increase his balance. Then Bob sized up the Akalak...huffing and puffing "Big, blue, sword and shield..." and then moved his eyes over to the sword thinking as long as he kept his attention on it, he probably won't get hurt...much...

[Xalet]

Xalet took a moment to gauge his opponent as he approached. In his youth, the akalak was long past mastering his emotions and becoming a perfect and gentlemanly squire. Of course his heart was a pure one, not one filled with dastardly desires and death, so the chance to put his skill against a stranger was all he needed to act on his ambitions.

"Hmm?" the squire grunted in surprise as the two globes of fruit came toward him. Having managed to duck underneath the first, his shield was brought up against the second. The fleshy object caught the rim of his circle of wooden protection and careened off, bruised and having left a significant juicy stain upon the area of impact. "Fruit in close quarters. Very interesting."

Those words were all Bob Barton got before the impending advance. When Xalet advanced, it was almost like a charge. Never having been one with a stunning amount of patients, the squire often attempted to close distances as quickly as possible when training his skills. His weapons, save his crossbow were made for an area when one opponent could see the whites of the others eyes. Beneath his armor he was sweating profusely, but the determination to have some fun of his own drove him forth.

Up came his sword, that shoddy and well worn short bladed implement of war. As he pulled his sword arm back he swung his shield forward, a typical stance for a fighter with a basic understanding of combat. His shield blocked the starting area of his thrust, almost a deceptive technique as he suddenly thrust his sword forward while opening his shield to the side, creating a pathway for his thrust. Xalet wasn't good enough yet to pick out specific targets upon an opponent in heated combat, and often when wielding his weapon he went for the largest center of mass, often the torso. Luckily his short sword was blunted so that any solid strikes wouldn't be met with a wash of blood and gore.

[Bob Barton]

This Akalak was toying around with Bob now as he could see it. Whats so interesting about fruit in close quarters anyway? Even primitive animals like monkeys would start throwing those at you to defend themselves when threatened. Bob wouldn't say that out though unless he wanted to be associated with monkeys.

As if Bob did not feel weak enough already, the Akalak came forward with his sword and shield. Not only that, but he was charging! With the clanking sounds of his armour on the floor along with his big armoured body its easy to mistake him with some sort of siege weapon. And Bob knew from the old stories that siege weapons are always used in wars to take down larger and stronger buildings than himself. He rather have faced the crossbow now.

But as the squire charged forward, Bob noticed that the shield was protecting the torso. Thinking that its the normal mentality for fighters who would prefer to protect their body and not taking any hint of the deception for concealed sword, Bob smirked. There was never an intention to kill the Akalak, only to escape or at most hurt him bad enough to get him to back off. But Bob won't stand around to be trampled. "I'll end this fast..." Bob said softly to remind himself so he won't get caught in the moment.

Following suit with the Akalak, Bob charged. As he did he bent his body as low to the ground as possible while giving him enough room to manuver his feet. Not only that, for some strange reason he held his sword in front of him with both his hands. One on the hilt and one on the blade with the flat facing the Akalak. No, it was not for defence eventhough it can be used like that with the blade being able to block the body. On the final few steps away from the Akalak Bob shouted "Bob secret move!"

Yes it was the stupid secret move called "The Kneecap". Bob learned it from a bar brawl once when he accidentally used it on the drunk. But since then he has been thinking about using this move in actual combat. Refining it however he can. So when he shouted, Bob launched himself into a low dive near the floor aimed at the Akalak's knee. The front foot stepping down with as much strength as possible, the strength transferred to the body and then to the hands holding on to the sword as Bob tried his best to maintain its position. With any luck, true to its namesake the move will cap the Akalak's knee giving Bob a chance to escape.

[Xalet]

Xalet charged with all of the zeal and determination he could muster. His shield sat ahead of him like a battering ram, and thus likening him to a siege weapon probably was appropriate. His body tensed as he prepared to meet his opponent, however there was one particular weakness that he had not fully considered when approaching the smaller human.

The akalak's body was covered in armor, literally from head to toe. The head was often the most vital area in combat, outside of the organs surrounded by the rib cage. A good clock upside the head, or a slash across the face or neck could easily kill or incapacitate an opponent. That as it was, the full helm was the most appropriate piece of protective equipment to wear. The helm itself covered all angles with strong, study plates, protecting those features from both being cut or impacted.

That as it was, with such all encompassing protection came the restriction of sight, which was limited. The most limited portion of the sight was at the lowest point of Xalet's field of vision, a place he never expected an opponent would ever willingly go. To be upon the ground usually meant one was gravely injured or defeated. He heard the man's strange battle cry, and it was unlike anything he had encountered before. "Secret move? Magery?" he wondered to himself.

As Bob disappeared from Xalet's field of vision, he tensed, his eyes darting around. Had the human gotten under his shield, or behind him? No he was...simply diving low toward the ground? "Hmmm!?" the akalak grunted as he tried in vain to shift his body. Catching his knee on the forward step, he stumbled and swung his sword haphazardly, more to attempt to counterbalance his fall then to strike anything solidly. Spinning in a half-circle his shield whipped outward and he stumbled against the wall, and then into some stray fallen debris having to drop his shield upon the ground to steady himself and keep from falling completely on his backside. As the large circle of metal banded wood clamored down to the street, Xalet set about attempting to right himself back into a proper standing position.

[Bob Barton]

Did Bob hit? Did Bob miss? Even he couldn't recall. But Bob smiled when he heard the sound of the shield clamoring down on the street and screamed "I WIN!" with a little maniacal cackle of excitement towards the end. Not being able to see the Akalak which he just passed, he used the sound as an indicator that he probably was able to hit the Akalak.

Next thing he knew Bob was falling on the ground. He is going to have to work on his landing if this move is going to be used next time. But this was not next time so from the dive Bob fell face first on the ground and found himself with a mouthful of dropped fruit and other strange things used in the chase. He could have tried to stop himself by catching the ground with his arms but with both hands on the sword that would have been impossible.

The taste in his mouth was disgusting but that did not distract Bob. He already done the "Kneecap" and next on the list was to try and escape. But in his excitement of escaping and the fear from the threat of being caught by the monster behind him Bob was not thinking straight. One hand clawed the ground in front of the other as he tried to crawl away slowly. He should have just stood up and started running but in his mind was only telling him one thing which was "Move you stupid moron, MOVE!"

[Xalet]

The "Kneecap" had connected alright. Of course it connected with platemail, which probably stunted it's "kneecapping" power somewhat, but if the desired response was to put an akalak out of a charge, it seemed to work just fine. Xalet reached upward and pulled his helm off from atop his head, revealing his features for the first time. He appeared to be something of an atypical akalak, his skin a deep purple in tone, although his eyes carried the more common silvered coloring, much like many of his people.

Dropping that helm to the ground with a metallic clang he noted that his field of vision was multiplied greatly. Stumbling a bit forward he rocked his weight back onto his feet. Sucking in a fresh breath of air, Xalet began to move forward toward the grounded Bob Barton before noticing his stance was a bit wobbly. Did he hyper-extend his knee? Did he pull a muscle? The akalak didn't know, but for now he had to put that behind him and concentrate on the task at hand.

"I've got a secret move myself..." said Xalet in a manner most threatening. Spinning his training short sword about he sheathed it back into his scabbard, his eyes now picking up a watering trough at the nearby alleyway intersection near the inn where Bob had most recently exited. Justice would be served, the squire would see to that. His large gauntlet covered hands reached down, connected by those large muscular arms. Their plan was to heft the tricky gambler up and shoulder toss him into the awaiting abyss of liquid refreshment.

[Bob Barton]

Clawing at the ground to go further, Bob was laughing rather loudly to just try and mask his fears. Suddenly he felt a tug and found himself on the air. Not knowing what was going on Bob flailed his arms and legs screaming hysterically "Let me go! Let me go you big bully!" Turning his hands into fists he swung them down backwards allowing gravity to make the blows stronger if any connected. He also tried kicking his feet upwards to the back in case he might be able to hit the torso. When all that failed, as the Akalak carried him through the alley, Bob tried to grab unto any other debris so anchor himself. Seeing the box which stopped him earlier, He used both hand's to hold on but some of the fruit juice which got on his hands during the fall made it slippery and he was carried away in the end.

Bob saw the Akalak's features when he was hoisted on the shoulder for the toss. It looked scary and intimidating so Bob knew whatever he was doing he was doing it wrong. Time for the more harder stuff. Bob gulped to clear his throat and prepare for something...something so foul he never ever liked to do. But he had to persuade the Akalak to stop. For all he knew he was being taken to the knights and would be screwed for using the magic.

Now its time...to beg and bargain. Something no self respecting gambler would do unless it was the end of the line. Bob stopped the flailing and grabbing and acted as though he surrendered to his fate. Eyes looking down at the ground defeated and limbs dangling without life. Then he looked back at the Akalak "Pleaseeeeee don't take me to the knights! I don't know any magic. Bob paused to think up a good reason and then continued "They...they made me do it. They told me to give the paper to you or pummel me!" Bob shook his open palms to show that there was nothing there "See? I don't know any magic. If you do something like this it only proves that you are a big mean old bully to pick on little old me..." at the last sentence Bob said it gradually quieter like he has lost the energy to say anything anymore.

[Xalet]

"Bully...?" Xalet repeated, albeit with a bit of a smirk. As he walked he kept the human hovering above the ground until finally he allowed the world to spin a bit. That spin was his release. Not a typical 'I'm letting you go' release, but one fueled with a good bit of muscle, the kind that sends a man through the air, powered by biceps and chest muscles. Indeed, Bob received his freedom, it was simply more damp then his previous freedom was. It was found within the watering trough.

Taking a deep breath, Xalet dropped down beside the trough on his backside, one knee folded inward as he checked it's flexibility. "Justice is done. I won't take you to the Knights. Whether what you say is true or not, my blade only punishes the wicked, it is the Lady's way. Lady Priskil." Indeed, upon his covered hand resided the Mark of Priskil, the only woman in his life with direct influence besides his mother and his Patron.

Xalet wasn't sure if he was simply talking to himself by now, or if the man was listening. Still, he decided to justify his actions, "Of course I must still take every opportunity to hone myself. This 'Bob' taught you some interesting maneuvers, if a bit reckless." The akalak had heard Bob mention his own secret move, but it appeared he believed 'Bob' was instead a teacher, and not the actual person he had been dealing with. "I would take care when dealing with magic also. Though it has done it's share of good, it has injured and corrupted many with it's allure." His breath had been a bit ragged as he spoke, only recently slowing to a normal pace now that he had a moment to sit back and relax.

[Bob Barton]

Bob would not be denied. He would have his last word and hopefully get this Akalak into trouble for the lack of sense of humour. Spitting the mouthful of water he got into his mouth, Bob struggled to waddle out of the trough. Putting his slippery hands over the side to lift himself, he slipped and fell hardly on the ground again.

But the stress from their encounter welled up in his waiting to burst. Sitting down there on the ground damp and cold, Bob pointed at the Akalak angrily. "Yes you are a bully. BUL-LY! You think just because you are big you can do what you want? Thats what bullies do, they pick on those a lot smaller and weaker than them." Thats when Bob pulled on the trough again to lift himself up, forgetting his place and what had just happened. Still raving and ranting he continued "Is it justice to dump me like that when I said that forced to do it? Whoever this Lady Priskil is, she really did teach you well."

It was then that Bob noticed the Alalak sitting down and checking on his leg. Yes the Kneecap worked! He is definitely going to use it more especially since he was able to do a little damage to an big armoured battering ram. And when the Akalak talked about his move, Bob's anger turned into pride. A rather bad if not worse vice a person could have. Putting his hands on his hips in a pose with his head held high to make him look superior his tone changed. From an angry one to an uppity one only made available to winners though that did not stop him. "Hah! You liked that move didn't you? Pointing a finger at the Akalak "You should be happy then since you were the first...I mean first true combatant who had the privilege to face The Kneecap of none other than me, Bob Barton!" and at the mention of his name, he thumbed himself for the Akalak to see.

[Xalet]

Xalet's humor, if he had any by definition, was dry. This was unlike Bob Barton, whom was currently all wet. "You're not weak. If you feel so, then work your body more." the akalak replied. Now that was an appropriate akalak response if ever there was one. Strength and weakness were fickle things, they ebbed and flowed based upon many things. Age, time, place, circumstance. To Xalet, the easier way to overcome the most basic definition of weak was to simply work harder. Everyone had to do it, himself included as he was once one of the worst Paige's to ever take up the tabard.

That comment wasn't the one that would have knocked Xalet off of his feet if he had been standing upon them, it was the ignorance of Priskil that did it. "Whoever Pr-...you've no knowledge of Priskil? None? The most radiant and humble of all the Gods? She who befriends her dedicated followers? Whose brilliance destroys the wrenched and inspires the pure? Nothing?" Xalet climbed to his feet, no small task when you were moving almost four hundred pounds of flesh and steel.

"Justice or not in your eyes, it certainly makes me feel better. Just like your execution of this 'The Kneecap' heightens your emotions. Isn't that right, Bob Barton? And yes, it was an interesting move, though not something someone like me could ever use. The platemail makes such flamboyant attacks...difficult." he replied in kind to Bob's prideful boasting. Bob's energy was enough to make Xalet smile. It was good to have that kind of energy. Rolling his shoulders released several loud popping sounds from his bones as he walked over to reclaim his shield.