Flashback [Arena of Ancients] Mind the Edges

[Kaie]

60th of Winter, 508 AV
9th Bell

"Are you sure you wanna do this?"

Kaie stared across at her cousin, Keikyo, whose face was a bit uncertain at her proposed idea. He stood before her without any tension in his body. His arms hung at his sides with one hand only barely hanging onto the gladius possessed. It was like he expected her to back down. Did he know her at all?

"Of course I'm sure. Now stop being such a baby. We're already out here so let's just go!" The twelve year old Myrian girl exclaimed with unrestrained irritation. She knew the whole social expectations they had to uphold. After all if he maimed her it would certainly be a terrible day to be a guy. He was older and probably more experienced, not as experienced as Keritan, but he'd challenge her all the same. Hopefully her father wouldn't be lurking around. She'd hate to be chastised in this mood. He should've known given the choice between doing some chores and escaping to fight, she's always choose the latter.

"Well are you going to go or just stand there? I'm serious, Keikyo, I want to learn how to actually use this thing!"

"This isn't a toy, Kaie. Dulled or not a blade is a blade. Poking pointy sticks at each other is one but this is another. I'm no good with a sword either and you know that.

"Are you really trying to argue jabbing spears at each other aren't dangerous enough? You're ridiculous, you know that?

"Goddess, you sure can be a little determined shyke. Fine. One round. Then we go back. Deal?

The girl nodded and did her best not to grin broadly in her own victory. Though he loved to try to best her in every petching childhood game they came up with, shoved her face first into the mud, and was the cause of a fair share of her bruises, Kaie knew Keikyo had a soft spot for her. They were family. Cousins. Throughout the years they had become best friends. From the time they could run they were almost inseparable. In a dangerous world like Falyndar, having someone to watch your back was invaluable. For a task like this Kaie wouldn't have called anyone else. She needed him. All because Keikyo wasn't afraid to make things hard, especially if it would help her survive.

With a great sigh he trudged forward toward her. His fingers gripped the handle of the dulled blade more seriously. Now there was some tension in his body, and his eyes were all over her. Searching her for a place to strike first. Remembering her weaknesses and his strengths. He was older and stronger. Certainly he would use that. Kaie on the other hand stood there with resolve. Her clasp on the gladius was sloppy and clearly inexperienced. Their swords were borrowed and just by the way she held it, it was clear it was too heavy. Though Kaie would argue differently, there was no doubt she was unprepared.

Just when Keikyo's bicep seemed to tighten in preparation for a swing, Kaie beat him to it. Adrenaline coursing through her, she practically panic struck. She had hoped to surprise him and maybe even be the first to take an advantage. Sadly, the cumbersome weapon swung wildly right at his weapon rather than his body. Her cousin's eyes widened and he just managed to knock her shoddy attempt away with his sword.

"Such a little shyke..." He reiterated with a shake of his head and a small smile. And that's when he brought his dulled edge down from above at her.

[Kaie]

Goddess, the sight of a blade coming down on one's head is simply terrifying. Panic coursed through her veins and though her cousin hadn't really swung with intent, it was coming toward her all the same. Too caught up in the moment to use her gladius, Kaie ducked and shot ahead. She slipped under his arm where she found herself behind his back. Her eyes sparkled with the realization her impulsive dodge might not have been fruitless as she thought. His back was just so exposed! It was practically teasing her to strike him. So she did.

With the decency to at least clock him with the flat part of her gladius, Kaie struck him right in the middle of his back like a club. Keikyo yelped and whipped around annoyed. His eyes were wide with a little bit of surprise. No doubt her shock must've mirrored his with her lucky opportunity. It was a shame she might never seen one like it again. Keikyo sure would make sure she didn't.

His sword came again from above like a challenge. Obviously he wanted her to be able to handle the angle. He'd be damned if he let her skate away from dealing with such a common strike. This time she decided she'd have a go at actually rising against it.

Kaie lifted her gladius in an attempt at deflecting the shaky swipe. It was hard not to be hesitant when she hadn't a clue what she was doing. She tried all the same, finding her hold on the heavy weapon to be inadequate. Like an enraged Tskanna against a poorly crafted knee high fence, Keikyo's gladius tore right through hers. The weak grasp really cost her. Like a limp noodle her arm dropped under the weight and the force without much defiance. Keikyo's blade was just a hair away from potentially cleaving off her shoulder. The minor barrier she made her managed to knock him off course just enough. Still both knew she needed to pick it up to have a shot at being competitive here.

"That was close, Kaie. Real close. You've got to be stronger than that..."

Before she could think of some snarky remark, Keikyo sent a straight jab at her middle. It was slow and steady, and just enough time was available for her to move and anticipate. She jumped back with an offended look that didn't last long. The next thing either of them knew, she was launching herself forward with her gladius in hand. It occurred to her for a tick she hadn't a clue how to proceed. Guess she'd just have to figure it out when she did.

Kaie swiped diagonally with both hands on the handle. She was aiming for his middle, using all her body weight. An onlooker might've thought she was swinging a club. Keikyo arched a brow in confusion and stepped away from the wild swing. Kaie stumbled past him disappointed. As if she really thought that would work?

"For Myri sake, Kaie! Get that other hand off the handle! It's a sword used to cut, not a club used to pummel. Even I know that," He groaned outwardly at the obviousness of his fact. He then returned the previous favor and knocked her in the back with the flat of his own sword. How could she continue to be so naive?

[Kaie]

Feeling the cool metal on her bare skin brought a shiver down her spine. It was as if Dira herself warned her of what could've been. She really needed to get it together.

Relax. Just think. You've seen people use gladiuses before, right? Exactly. So just visualize. See what they do when they fight in your head. How do they hold it? How do they swing? What's their position like?

Had she been something of a real fighter, Kaie might've been far more adept at the whole visualizing thing. Instead all she saw was a bunch of blurry images. Just snippets of what she thought she remembered. It was almost useless actually. Wait, but what if she was approaching this all wrong? What if she should be thinking about what she does know rather than filling in random gaps? If there was anything she knew, it was at least how to throw a punch.

Okay, okay. So you can fight can't you? What if these things are connected? Maybe its too heavy and different to behave like a fist, but what about everything else? Shouldn't your feet in your stance be similar? Oh, and a guard too! See you can do this! Baby steps, Kaie, baby steps.

In a moment her feet were squared with Keikyo's body. She stepped a few feet back from him to regain herself. She bent her knees some and raised the gladius in a clenched fist like a guard. Granted it was so very awkward and she had no idea what she was doing. At least she was protecting her face.

"Kaie, what in the void is that?

"I'm trying to get into a fighting stance and protect my face. Petch off will you?" She shot right back at him exasperated. She hadn't a clue what she was doing after all. He should cut her some kind of break!

Awkwardly she suddenly extended her gladius some, pointing it at Keikyo. He chuckled at the sight of her. What with her weapon hung out there like she was sitting on a dock with a fishing pole. What was she thinking? The answer was she had no bloody clue. Keikyo swung his sword blatantly into hers, causing it to jostle in her grip some. At least he hadn't disarmed her. Now that would've really been the cherry on top...

Irritated she swung her sword right back at him in a diagonal cut. It was quick, deliberate, and saturated with utter disdain for him. Too busy laughing, she practically blindsided him. Flat end dug into his side earning another growl from Keikyo. These shots would've been so much more rewarding had he actually been paying attention!