Completed The Giant Vs The Pycon (Bitt)

[Nivel]

Nivel felt accomplished that she had completed the first part of operation "climb the Tree Boy" but this was short lived as Bitt began to shake his leg rapidly. She tried her hardest to stay on, but her small appendages weren't enough to keep her attached and she soon flew off. She was flung a small distance behind Bitt but quickly sprang up ready to stage another assault. Since climbing the trunk was clearly not going to work maybe she could cut the monster tree down. Once again extending her arms into tiny whips she lashed at Bitts closest calf muscle, before doing a dancer like jump spin and lashing at the other. Nivel was sure if she kept assaulting his base he would topple over, but it would take quite a bit of hits to make this happen. Nivel's breath was already starting to become heavy, and a few droplets of water leaked from her already sparkly clay flesh. She wasn't tired in the slightest, things were only starting to get good. Her Nexus was radiating energy and it gave her a tingling feeling she could feel throughout her body. As the fight went on she would surely try more daring things to increase the sensation. Grey chuckled at Crowe's comment but stopped as Nivel clumsily flew off the boys leg. Use your size and speed against him she thought as she saw her Squire get tossed to the ground. The patron was relieved to see the Pycon get back up so quickly and begin attacking right away. That a girl "Oh, their both doing marvellous" Grey commented partially in jest "for someone who didn't know how this would even work, he seems to be doing rather well for himself" Grey seemed coy but underneath her mask she fretted.

[Bitt]

Bitt felt a surge of satisfaction as his miniature opponent was flung from his leg. It was short lived though, and his stomach sank when the small pycon sprung to her feet and resumed her assault. The curiously shaped clay girl charged at Bitt with an enthusiasm that worried the squire.
She just keeps coming!
Crack! Snap! In a series of wonderfully acrobatic movements, Nivel slammed her whip-like arms into Bitt's calves; small lances of pain shot up his legs. The strikes stung, but weren't really doing any serious damage. Compared to Crowe smacking him with the reed, it was like the gentle caress of a feather. His pants, on the other hand, weren't so durable. Small tears were appearing on the fabric where he was being struck.
She's not very strong. But wow is she fast! ... My pants!

Frustrated, Bitt decided to attempt the obvious; he tried to punt the pycon. Bitt transferred his weight to his toes before springing forward half a step, using the momentum to launch a powerful kick at Nivel. He was beyond worrying about hurting the other squire, Nivel could clearly handle herself. He would not disrespect her any further, this was serious.

Crowe was impressed with Grey's squire; the lass was tenacious, it was a quality he approved of. He also felt a surge of pride for Grey. There must exist a certain challenge in training a pycon. His old squire was doing well, Nivel was shaping up quite nicely.
"That pycon lass of yours is quite impressive there lass." The compliment was sincere, Crowe wasn't the type to offer false praise. Suddenly, the older knight's eyes widened in surprise.
Well that's interesting.
The thought was in regards to Bitt's attempt to kick his pycon opponent. As far tactics were concerned, it was dreadfully straight forward. Crowe liked that; simple was good. The less you had to get right, the less could go wrong.

[Nivel]

The Tree Monster Bitt didn't seem too phased by Nivel's attack at all, his trunk was far more durable than she had anticipated but she did seem to chip at his bark a bit. However, the only substantial thing the pycon actually accomplished was angering the ferociously tall beast, causing it to fling a strong kick in retaliation. Instead of attempting to roll out of the way, Nivel jumped up in the hopes that she could ride the kicks momentum in order to launch herself in the air. If she was able to get some decent height, Nivel could maybe find the creatures weak spot. Nivel planned to aim for his chest first with another lash of her whip like limbs. This fight was much harder than the one she had in her dream, if this were her dream she would have had the monster under her thumb by now. Perseverance was what Nivel needed if she was to defeat her mighty foe, as an evil tree monster could never prevail. Grey was glad to see that the boy was now taking Nivel seriously, at least if Nivel lost it wouldn't be because she was an easy mark. The Masked Women did hope to see more from Crowe's new squire, he did seem to have a decent tolerance for pain. Remembering back on the training exercises she experienced with Crowe, the boy would have to. She still had a few scars from her time as his Squire, but she none the less wore them with pride. "Thank you"Grey blushed (not that anyone could tell) as Crowe suddenly commented her. "It seems your squire can take quite a beating but he is your squire after all" she continued making a comical jab at her old patrons teaching methods.

[Bitt]

She jumped!
The tiny pycon was able to dodge Bitt's kick with her unbelievable agility. Snap! Crack! Nivel's whip arms darted forward like a pair of snakes, lashing into Bitt's chest. This hurt significantly more than her earlier strikes to his legs. Fabric tore under the assault, and thin welts marked Bitt's skin where the whips bit into his flesh. The stab of pain was accompanied by a flash of inspiration;
She can't dodge in mid-air!
Bitt swung his right arm out in what was effectively a backhanded slap... but with a fist. The action was accompanied by a growl, his frustration was catching up with him. He wanted this to be over soon, this fight was so irritating! He already dreaded to think how Crowe has going to use his awkward performance as an excuse to intensify his training.

She jumped!
Meanwhile, a similar thought ran through Crowe's mind as Nivel evaded his squire's kick. The older knight would never cease to be amazed by the acrobatic capabilities of the strange race of clay-people. He spoke to Grey without taking his eyes off the action;
"You know me all too well lass, and you're right." A grin etched onto his face before he continued;
"I hope you're not too soft on that pycon lass of your's lass. I sometimes worry that my students end up going easy on their squires." It was a comment designed to get a reaction from the serious lass. Crowe took to enjoying stirring up the lass after she acquired her knighthood. He felt concerned that the lass had isolated herself from the other knights so much, what with her masks and the rumours that surround them.

[Nivel]

"I have a pycon as a Squire" Grey replied with hushed frustration "She finds the loss of a limb to be a minor inconvenience, I cannot even sure she feels pain the same way" She turned to Crowe "I am not taking it easy on her if I fail to physically harm her any chance I get, with a lady like Nivel you need to you use different methods." Grey regretted what she had just said, she knew that Crowe wasn't sadistic but she just couldn't let him question her methods. Crowe had no idea how difficult it could be teaching a squire who believed that that rain happened when the sky was sad. After Nivels attack made contact with the creatures chest, the pycon was sure she had hit it's weak spot. What she had failed to anticipate was that she had left herself open for attack. The monster launched a branch in her direction and being in mid air she had no way of evading it. Nivel was launched a fair distance, and continued to roll across the stone ground. When she finally stopped, Nivel unfolded her now distorted body out of the tangled mess it had become. Nivel noticed her leg was missing and turned back to where she had just rolled in panic. Spotting the missing limb she scrambled toward it with her still twisted frame. She stuffed it in her chest with a sigh or relief, it was very unnerving for Nivel to lose one of her limbs. "you punched my leg off!" Nivel shouted at Bitt "You'll pay for that you tree beast!" "you see what I mean?" sighed Grey "Nivel...Bitt is not a Tree Beast, please get your head out of the clouds." she lectured Nivel in a similar manner a parent would give to her unruly child. "I think we are done for today"

[Bitt]

Bitt felt the resistance that signified a connecting blow.
Got her!
Nivel was launched off to the side, hitting the ground in a tangled mess. Unfortunately, not all of her made it there; one of her legs had been detached by the ordeal. Immediately, Bitt was overcome by a surge of panic. Flustered, he began to rant to himself;
"Your leg! I broke your leg! I shouldn't have done that! Crowe is going to kill me! That was stupid! If onl -"
"Calm yourself lad! It's not a problem," Crowe snapped at his squire and gestured towards the little pycon, "It'll grow back in no time, the lass is resilient." Bitt flushed slightly in embarrassment, it was just one thing after another today. The young squire looked at Nivel and assumed an appropriately embarrassed look;
"Sorry about your leg... and my rudeness..." Bitt turned to Grey and bowed his head slightly, "I apologise to you as well Lady Grey." He had been just as rude to the masked knight, albeit unintentionally; she deserved an apology just as much as Nivel, if not more so.

Crowe nodded in satisfaction at his squire's actions. For all of his floundering about, the lad was quick to recognise when he was in the wrong and didn't harbour any false pride.
"Well put lad, well put! Lass, don't ruin the lass's fun. Bitt is rather tree-ish, I'm sure plenty of people make the mistake," He stroked his beard in mock concentration before continuing, "Surely you're not one to dismiss the stories told about other knights are you lass?" This last statement was accompanied by a grin directed at his old squire. Bitt found the claim that he was 'tree-ish' coming from Crowe to be hilarious, and he chuckled in response to it.

[Nivel]

Nivel body was almost completely recovered, only her leg needed to finish reforming. She didn't understand what Bitt was worried about, Nivel wasn't in real danger. it was very uncharacteristic of a Tree Monster to worry, and It ruined the mood of her make believe game. "You don't make a very convincing ferocious beast, If we spar again could you be a bit more mean?" said Nivel with a comically snarky tone. Realizing that since apologies were being dispensed, Nivel should at least join in. "I suppose I am also sorry for ruining your bark..I mean ...Skin.. oh sorry clothes..Tall Folk call those Clothes..right?" Nivel said awkwardly. "Yes.. the layers of fabric that Tall Folk otherwise know as Humans wear is called clothing and if your going to play make believe you should at least tell the other person if you want them to play along." Grey informed Nivel as she turned to Bitt "I accept your apology Bitt and I personally don't think you look anything like a Tree or a Monster." The boy wasn't a total fool after all, he was actually quite pleasant once she got to know him a bit better. It was comforting to know that Crowe had received such a humble and polite (for the most part) boy as his squire. Grey hated to admit it but Crowe was a great Mentor and deserved an equally great pupil. Now for Grey to address Crowe, who was still grating her nerves. "let me deal with my own Squire Crowe, you told me plenty of times to get my head out of the clouds" Grey said angrily The following comment about the silly rumours that followed her surprisingly annoyed her and it was made worse by the sudden giggles from Bitt. "Yes! I do find enjoyment spreading rumours about myself but I do not do it while I am engaged in a spar, now do I?" Grey replied before turning her head sharply to Bitt "what are you chuckling about boy"

[Bitt]

The colour partially drained from Bitt's face at the confrontation from Lady Grey. Crowe's ex-squire or not, there was something unsettling about the perpetually masked woman. That and fifteen-year-old boys have a tendency to crumple like paper when faced with a woman's anger;
"Oh, not you, me, um, Crowe said the tree, me, you see?" The answer was mumbled out at such a fast pace that any semblance of grammar was practically non-existent. He wondered if the woman was made with him for hurting her squire, but a glance at the energetic pycon quickly dismissed that theory. Still flustered, he responded to Nivel;
"Oh, I'm okay. Not a problem. They're just bar- I mean clothes! I -"
"I wasn't aware you'd knocked your head during that spar lad," it was Crowe who interrupted the bumbling Bitt in an act of social mercy. The beared knight stroked his beard and hummed in concentration, demanding the attention of all those present.

"I'd say this whole thing went rather well, wouldn't you lass?" The question, of course, was directed at Lady Grey, and Crowe nodded in response to his own question before continuing;
"Yes, rather well indeed. We may even have to do this again some time, ey lass? A good bit of sparring did young Bitt well, didn't it lad? I'm sure your lass learnt a lot too, right lass?" Crowe's shameless display served the purpose of trying to draw attention back away from his squire; the lad was on thin ice with the two women.
Well... seems like there's another lesson I'll have to give the lad at some point.

[Nivel]

Nivel was relieved to hear that Bitt didn't mind that his clothes were damaged or at least that's what she was sure he was staying. The Tall Folk seemed to be having difficulty speaking, she wondered if he was broken. The wise bearded oak tree seem to be wondering the same thing, and seemed to think it was Bitts head that was the cause. "did I break his head?" Nivel asked the Crowe. The Pycons odd sounding voice conveyed genuine concern even if her face remained stationary. Nivel was still surprised at how fragile Tall Folk could be for such large creatures. Grey was very confused at the boys jumbled rambling, she tried her best to understand what the flustered boy was trying to articulate but failed. She found it hard to stay mad at the boy when he was being so pathetically flustered. "you should really work on your confidence lad" Grey imparted "No one likes a mumbler" Grey just couldn't help keeping her motherly nature at bay, although her know it all nature may have also been an influence. "I believe it did" Grey agreed to Crowe's statement as she temporarily forgot that she was angry with him. "Although, I also believe that I am a grown women and not a lass" She threw in so it was clear that she hadn't. "and yes I am sure Nivel learned many a thing... I look forward to doing this again in the future" Grey said hesitantly. While Crowe did frustrate her to know end it was good to see him again. Grey did enjoy his company and she was sure that her squire had a good time as well. "Well it looks like it is time for us to say good bye I have other things I need to do today" She made a gesture of her towards Nivel "come Nivel...and don't worry you didn't break his head" "okay!" Nivel ran over, the two bowed and Grey picked the pycon up and put her on her shoulder. "Byyyyyye!" Nivel shouted as they walked away.

[Bitt]

"Goodbye!" Bitt waved after the masked knight and her pycon squire as they departed from the training grounds. He was embarrassed, feeling that he'd made a fool of himself.
Those two are just so... strange.
Crowe seemed to approve of them though, and that was comforting. They were both nice enough, and Bitt didn't have any particular issue with them... it's just that he found them unsettling. Objectively speaking, one would likely deduce that his awkwardness was a characteristic of young boys his age; of course Bitt himself was void of any such lines of thought. When the pair of women were out of sight Bitt turned to face his patron;
"So, what now?"

Crowe stood in silence as he watched his old squire and the pycon lass leave. The Syliran Knights tended to attract all manner of quirky individuals to their order, and Crowe had no delusions in thinking that he was an exception to the rule. Ultimately, Crowe considered the day's exercise to be successful. Bitt had gotten some useful experience and Crowe became aware of a few gaps in the lad's education. At his squire's question, Crowe returned the lad's gaze to answer;
"Well lad, it's such a nice day I thought we should go for a bit of run."

Bitt had learnt that when Crowe said "we" he meant "you". He was slightly worn out, both physically and mentally, from his spar with Nivel. Fortunately, he wasn't wearing his armour, so a simple run would offer no major strain.
"Yes Ser Crowe." The young squire took off at a brisk jog, but almost immediately Crowe called out to him;
"What are you doing lad! Run and fetch your armour first!" Bitt stopped in his tracks and looked back at his patron, who was now wearing a massive grin.
That seems about right.