Closed Tiger baiting ( Gabriel)

[Ximal]

22nd winter 512AV

Snow covered foot falls. A deep swallowing breath of the frigid air and an exhale of frost laced breath. Early morning training sessions were the best, trudging towards the cold empty training area on the ground floor of the spires Xi stood in front of the training post he'd made before hand running tough his normal simple strings of techniques blocks punches kicks , high kicks , leg sweeps, block throws lunges punches grapples joint locks, the works. Still it wasn't the same without a real life partner to train with even if they had a lesser skill than him. The real flesh and blood training parter was something he could get behind, as most adapted to the situation so he would have to adapt to them. this forced him to be more creative and more fluid in his motions. A slow breath descended over Xi as he left the training post alone before lifting up a log from the ground and hauling it over his shoulders. A slow breath deep and long to stabilize himself before he started to jog with it over his shoulders and then tossed it to the ground. Repeating the process until he could feel his muscles burning and starting to respond to feeling stronger, to respond to pushing out the feeling of growth. Xi smiled and continued the process.

[Gabriel Velox Furox Mors]

Having heard of a training ground within the spires Gabriel had followed the directions someone had give him but for the life him he couldn't remember the face of that person, not that it mattered. The chill in the air was refreshing, he had never been in a place so cold but he liked it. Reaching the training ground, it seemed deserted save for one man who was training vigorously. Dropping the sack off his back, maybe someone who would be willing to spar with him and by the looks of the man he would be a huge challenge. Waiting for the man to stop running Gabriel walks over to him. "You look to be a man of a great skill, care to spar with me?" smiling while extending his hand in respect.

[Ximal]

Xi stretched out, the air around him now beginning to soothe his muscles with the biting chill of the wind. His breathing slow but deep, not panting but controlled slow breaths. Stretching out his limbs he could feel the tension he'd built into them relaxing, and just slowly ebbing away from their central point and lowing out into his finger tips, before allowing his djed to fill out and flow out into his muscles, the slow methodical process now just felt out with slow breathing but before he could focus on testing out his muscles he heard a voice and started to contract his djed. A new person in the spires or at least someone he hadn't seen yet. Why did everyone who even vaguely saw him practising considered him to be of "great skill" for all they knew he could be putting it on, he could be pathetic at fighting but still he looked at the man before him and seemingly stared him down whilst towering over him. An air of intimidation over his entire six and a half feet of muscle, bone and sinew. Xi stared him down. Refusing the handshake and leering down. "Why spar with me, why not practice by yourself. And more to the point how you you know i've "great skill" ? Have you been spying on me? Sitting here awaiting a chance to poke a head out and surprised me ? If so you've done a piss poor job. Leave here now. This isn't a place for children pretending to be fighters. Leave." Holding a leering look down at the man in front of him Xi for some reason didn't exactly like him, and he was pretty sure of the reason. How did one know someone was opf "great skill" ? What was great skill ? This boy probably didn't know that Xi could probably kill hom from how he looked.

[Gabriel Velox Furox Mors]

Seeing the man leering at him as he spoke, Gabriel's face became half serious have still smiling. "I was here long enough to see the end of your form with the post, from what little i did see of your training you take it seriously, only a man with either great skill with motivation or lesser skill with motivation trains that hard. I thought id try to choose the first and see your reaction. As for my skill, it is lacking and needs some work seeing as you are the only person here i figured it i would ask. As for leaving well i wont do that unless you spar me and either prove me wrong or otherwise." Gabriel remove his cloak and unsheathed his kukri laying them on his cloak. Standing just out of the mans reach, taking a martial stance his legs square but not tense making sure to be light on his feet, his arms bent and relaxed his hands slightly cupped so as to be fluid for blocking out stretched but between the man and Gabriels body and face. Though the man was leering, Gabriel couldn't read the man. In wonder of the mans actual skill waited for the man. Face serious, muscles relaxed, taking a deep break.

[Ximal]

Caught the end of his act with the training post. Xi sniffed the air and could swear he smelled something akin to bullshyke. At least the boy in front of him knew where his skill lie. But the boy wouldn't see what he'd meant by leaving. Xi leered at him again this time with a look which almost wan't taking him seriously, he'd discarded his cloak and drawn a kukri infront of Xi. Xi just looked at him and almost wanted to completely shrug him off there and then. Cocking the side of his jaw up he looked at the boy. Xi just sighed lightly before twisting slightly to make it look like he was going to walk away. "Don't do this. you don't need the pain. Just leave. At least that way you can come back here and train in peace. And you wont get hurt." Xi flicked his dark black blue eye's upto the boys almost willing him to make the first strike, after all Xi hand't revealed anything about what he was wearing armour wise, and his weapons were completely visible bar the six axes at his waist. Xi wan't making the first move. No the first move was for the inexperienced fighter, the one with something to prove, Xi had nothing to prove he simply didn't want to harm this person. Xi flexed his fingers beneath his cloak and out of view. "If your not going to leave, i will not be held responsible for what happens to you. Understand that now. Or leave now." Xi's tone was low and full of power, but not false proving power no it was a tone that didn't not command nor expect respect, but instead showed he earned it.

[Gabriel Velox Furox Mors]

The man didn't take him seriously or see him as a threat, though the man had weapon's Gabriel preferred hand to hand combat hoping the man felt the same way. Slightly offended by the mans unwillingness to even test him. The air cold against his skin he shook it off, "When i learned to fight i was always told no pain no gain." The man had an arrogant sense to him though may or may not be rightful, the man had to prove himself to Gabriel and likewise. More ready than he had ever been, he stepped forward his now front leg tensed as he put most of the weight on his back leg aiming to sweep the man's leg's, with the forward motion tightening his fist aiming for the man's chest. Iftho his leg would connect with the man's, he would put all the weight on that leg hold firm and bring his knee up aiming at the mans solar plexus, if the fist connects he would quickly grab what ever the man wore on his upper body and pull his weight into his knee aiming for the mans solar plexus. A very risky move on his part but he wanted first to prove his skill and metal to the man. Normally Gabriel didn't let things get to him but he had yet to accomplish anything he had set out to do since he left his home. A man of purpose, thirst for knowledge, willingness to not be taken lightly, and no friends felt he had something to prove right now...

[Ximal]

Xi watched the man infront of him, start speaking about "no pain no gain" Xi sighed he really was going to attack him. Almost wanting to just leave now himself he leered at him. The attacks now to Xi's seasoned eyes were, some what slow. and very very easy to read. Looking at the mans stance his weight was on his back leg meanign he wa going for a sweep of his legs. Taking a step back and do the side Xi let the kick sail past his leg before stepping back in moving his left hand up to gram the man's right hand he squeezed his hand onto his holding the blow in place. Then jammed his hand back and up locking the man's wrist in place. and forcing him to either surrender control of his arm to Xi or have his wrist completely shattered by his own body's momentum. then came the knee shot to Xi's solar plexus. a simple counter to that. Xi rolled his body to the side and twisted the man's wrist to form a wrist and elbow lock, and began to hold him in place from the side. "You draw a weapon and then choose to attack with out the weapon ? You really are naive, when it comes to fighting. now if you move your arm will break. So i think you've lost this round." Xi twisted his grip and then released his arm after grinding home that point. Instead of acting like a deterrent Xi was fully aware that this boy would come at him again. taking two steps back Xi let his arm back beneath his cloak keeping his hands hidden from view. He had the advantage here, unarmed there wasn't many he knew of who might be able to best him, the best hope that the boy had was his weapon and even then... not much of a hope.

[Gabriel Velox Furox Mors]

Before he could react the man had gained hand control, though the pain was present he gave no sign to the man that he felt it. Gabriel's opening moves though clumsy seem to have gotten the mans attention. As soon as the man release his wrist, he quickly took his stance again surveying the man. Smiling, the man did have skill but he still wanted to test it and prove his metal to the man. "I prefer hand to hand and though drawn my weapon lays with my cloak. I am not beaten until i either can no longer move or i am dead but i would hope to go with the first rather than the later." Moves with reach and legs relaxed to keep stance and move with the flow of the fight, swings wide and twists body as he swings wide for more power aiming to connect with the mans face, as it would be about to connect a quick switch with a short but hard punch to the solar plexus. Wondering exactly how much training the man had received and hoping that what little training he himself have received would be enough to either sway the man to train him, but knowing the only way to stand a chance is if the man would make a first move.

[Ximal]

A slow deep breath this time Xi want playing around any more. Watching the boy before him Xi slowed himself he'd finish this with both hands. He would not give up untill he could no longer move or he was dead ? Xi shook his head. Death was never an option. Xi gritted his teeth and then ocused on him. useing his right arm to block the shot to his face with his forearm, and then his left to block the punch to his middle. Gripping his fist again this time and now burning a look of deep anger into the boy's eyes. "Your not going to give up unless you cant move or are dead?" Xi gripped the boy's hand hard and then twisted his right hand to upside down by his side. Another flux technique without flux he would use. But he would still get off the chant like a second nature before pulling it off. "The eye of lightless darkness...Shadow purple. And with that Xi pulled on the outstretched arm to make an opening appear before darting out a pair of lighting swift strikes to both the pancreas and the kidney. then a final shot with the wrist to the lower spine to try and drop this boy to his knees.

[Gabriel Velox Furox Mors]

The wind having been knocked out of him with both blows. He dropped to one knee to roll away and quickly spring to his feet his body unwilling to move but he wasn't about to be taken down so easy no matter his opponent's skill. His body ached from this hits but he kept all emotion from his face as he concentrated. Watching what would have been the last strike from the man, Gabriel was impressed. Taking his stance again without regard for being out of breath. Standing there studying the name, his form better than anyone Gabriel had ever seen. Taking a complete defensive stance he didn't let his lack air stop him from fighting and did his best to hide it. Waiting for the man to strike first he smiled, for the first time someone was more than a challenge.