[Verlyna's Emerald Pool]A bad place to swim[Nixie]

[Ssafirsotibones]

As usual, Bones was enjoying himself a bit to much, as the spar began... It was always nice to experience the rush of battle, to cross blades and really get to know someone as only a fight allowed... Though he was not going to be apologetic about his nature. He enjoyed fighting. He enjoyed eating... And that would not change. He would be himself, no matter what, no matter what others wanted of him... And a good fight to get his point across, and to get to know someone... Well, that was just good fun, as long as no one lost a limb or life. Though Bones had expected a bit more from her... Really? Was that all she had to offer? He had thought she was at least a bit more skilled, considering how cocky she had been acting.... Or did she just not want to win? That was an interesting thought... When he felt her try to block, and his blade deflect and the tip slice towards her open flesh... He tried to pull back... If nothing else, he managed a bit, and only the very tip grazed her, little more than a flesh-wound, nothing to serious, or threatening... Though considering what it might have done, this was rather good for restraining it... He had seen this blade cleave clean through an arm, bone and all, and leave a spurting stump behind... He had thrust its tip into a beasts gut, and ripped it across its belly, disemboweling it... This blade was expertly crafted and honed, and could quite easily kill... Unlike the rough weapon this woman used... A long sword... Probably one crafted of many in a bunch of them, made one after another by an apprentice weaponsmith... The weapon one used really said a lot about the wielder... And that longsword she used said a lot about this human... Bones responded to her attempt at thrusting her blade right into him, deflecting it with an attack of his own, swinging his blade upward, and knocking her longsword up and over his shoulder to miss, with a blow to her weapon that would likely jar her entire arm. He kept his blade up high after he deflected her attack, higher than his shoulder, in case she tried to pull her blade back down and sink it into his shoulder... Instead, it would be blocked by his sword, before it could hit flesh, and their blades would be locked in a stalemate of steel on steel... If she did try such a move as pulling the sword blade directly back down towards his shoulder. It was only after finishing this preparation, that he registered her words... If he was the victor? He smiled at her, as he held his weapon at the ready, to block the inevitable attack to come, and continued to gaze at her... "I don't know... What do you ssink would be an adequate prize for me winning?"

[Nixie]

Having had no intention to duel anybody today, Nixie forsook the chain mail she barely wore in the first place. But when cold metal met warm flesh and blood poured, she regretted her unpreparedness. Struggling to keep her eyes from closing in the surprise of injury, she had nearly forgotten how messy they could be. When was the last time she had earned herself a nice new cut? Nothing recent came to mind. And while this one was small, it still stung something awful and provoked a hiss from behind clenched teeth. When crimson spread from the newly sliced cloth, a quick hand flew up to press it closed. No doubt it would be a pain to remove the stain when this was finally over.

Turning her thoughts back to the situation at hand, Nixie hadn't expected the odd fellow to be as skilled as he was, nor as quick. She couldn't remember the last time she faced another in a duel, but the feeling of being at a disadvantage was familiar and irritating. And it showed in the way her features twisted into a more noticeable scowl. Since when had she lost her finesse? His words hadn't helped to sooth her ether, as if he were saying he only found joy in the fight, not the victory. Maybe the irritation could be used to her advantage though, she thought to herself.

While her strength and leverage were nearly cut in half when one hand coddled her wound, Nixie tried to force his blade down to no avail. It didn't surprise her though, furrowing her brows and steeling her resolve to let the cut bleed freely before she returned the hand to the hilt again. Trying a second time the result was the same; his blade wouldn't budge. It was offsetting, her features betraying her surprise. He was much stronger than one could asses at a glance; or maybe she had gotten weaker over extended lack of training. Whatever it was, she needed to rethink her approach it seemed. Leaping back away from the stranger she held her blade and stood in a defensive manor.
"How would I know what you consider a wroth prize? Don't ask stupid questions," she spat, waiting for him to make a move.

[Ssafirsotibones]

Really, Bones was a fighter. He had been bred to fight, bred to kill, raised to be one of the most vicious and deadly things around, that could take on a dozen humans in equal combat, and come out the victor. He was a flesh rending, blade slashing, killing machine. So it really showed his restraint, in that he did not kill and devour every speck of human he saw. Not that he did not want to. No, he could feel the hunger in his belly, the feral snake side of his brain, wanting him to devour... Seeing this human as just another lump of warm flesh to fill his belly... It truly was through strength of character, and will, that none of this showed, and only deep in combat and pain, did he let it free. In this instant, it was well maintained, and his hunger did not show... Though sometimes when he fought, it seeped out through his expression and his eyes... Something so definitely inhuman... Bones just smiled his off grin, as the girl tried to out force him, and send his blade down into his own flesh. He doubted there were many humans, especially one this small, that could manage such a feat. As a bit of surprise came into her eyes, as her weapon clanged uselessly against his own, she leaped back, taking on the defensive, since it seemed mindlessly pounding on his blade would not end with her the winner. If she wanted to get one up on him, she had to use her mind, and think strategically, Bones knew. But she was simply taking him head on... A path that would always lead to him winning... At least in solo combat. "If you want to win, attacking me head on, isss not sse anssswer. If you cannot overpower your foe... Ssen what? You mussst outmaneuver, or outsssmart ssem." After giving this little tidbit of advice, as really, it seemed Bones was always teaching and training these humans, how to better fight, he smiled once more. Trying to think of a fair prize... Something she would not want to give up... And something came to mind. "How about if I win... I get a kissss? Doesss ssat ssseem fair recompenssse?" Having said that, Bones took a step forward, feinting a slash which would swish by a foot wide of her, but meant to put her on her toes. Then he would take another step in, feinting near her chest. Though if she brought up her own blade to intercept, either of these blows would then meet blade to blade. Only by leaving them be would they miss. Though it did appear as if they were meant to hit. He would take another step in, and send a one handed blow to try and block her blade, and hold it. And if he was successful in that, he would dart out his free hand, and try to poke her in the belly. Just as a teasing move, to anger her a bit more. Perhaps to finally get her mad, and to really go full out against him, instead of halfway and full of fear like now. For really, if she went full out, and had some confidence in herself, the battle would not be so unevenly matched, and would even get interesting.

[Nixie]

A touch of reluctance had fallen over Nixie while she stood watching the man. Watching the way he moved, the way he smiled, and listening to the way he pronounced words. Maybe it was the city's illusions playing with her, as they often did, but something about this person was strange. She couldn't place it, and the mystery was slowly occupying most of her thoughts when she should have been trying to plan a new approach. But with the nonchalant mention of the prize he suggested, she was distracted again and wandered if she had heard him correctly. Blinking a few times in disbelief, it seemed he wasn't against using shock to his advantage when he encroached upon her almost playfully. If this had been a serious battle, no doubt she would have fallen prey to the man's blade with the approach if she hadn't succumbed to his earlier attack. Too slow to react, it seemed he was having fun when he poked at her. Enough was enough.

Forcing herself from the shock of his requested reward, her gaze narrowed and lips pressed into a flat line. Grip suddenly tightened around the sword's hilt before she stepped forward and to the side. Spinning, she turned and tried to slam her elbow into the strangers back.
"Is that really the only thing you could come up with? You've got to be petching kidding!" she spat through a frown. If she was successful and the steps weren't interrupted or countered, Nixie would then try kicking out his knees and shoving him toward the pool.

[Ssafirsotibones]

Really, this woman was far to reluctant. If someone had a sword, they needed to be ready to use it, in Bones opinion. Not so afraid. True, he was a large man, and rather intimidating, but still. That was why he had decided to push her, in hopes that she would lash out and fight back, and get a bit of anger to fuel her fight. That was the purpose behind his moves that were more teasing than anything else. And what was more, it succeeded! His simplistic moves to anger her, had worked, and got her ready to fight seriously. He smiled back as her face grew stern and serious, ready to fight. Perhaps this would be a good fight after all... She did an odd spinning maneuver, and tried to come at Bones sideways, to catch him from behind or in the side with a elbow thrown. He brought up his free hand to intercept it, and then attempted to grab her elbow and pull her in, and then used the butt of his gladius handle, and tried to knock her in the side with it. If it had been a real fight, he would have used the blade, and could have been attempting a fatal blow. But he was feeling a bit playful today, and was not trying to kill her. If it did hit, it would smart a bit, but would not be anything serious. As she tried to kick at him, Bones threw his own legs in retaliation, entangling his own limb around hers, trying to hook it in and in return yank her off her feet. However she did not seem to skilled at her kicks. Perhaps, Bones thought, she was fighting a bit instinctively, if a bit dirty. Considering her height versus his, a kick to the knees would not be easy and was blatant, but could easily be countered, which was the sort of attack of a unskilled fighter... Perhaps he had noted a weakness in her... Perhaps she was not as skilled fighting with her body, as the meager skills she had with her blade. "You are sse one who sssaid I could decide. You are not planning to run out on our bet are you?"

[Auric]

YAY FOR GRADES
Bones
Skills:
Rhetoric +2
Teaching +2
Observation +1
Storytelling +1
(Weapon) Gladius +1
Lores:
Holding back One's Nature
Humans: Friends or Food

Nixie
If you come back, and would like a grade for this thread, please message me.

Additional Notes: None, really. Again, this thread had a lot of potential and I wish I could've seen it completed. As usual, if you have any questions with the grade, please message me.

Stay Golden.