Closed The Thrill of the Crowd (Bones)

[Aliara Cantrell]

15th of Spring 515AV

Most people see success as a way to make money, some see it as a way to become famous however Aliara Cantrell saw success as a way to be closer to her goal. A goal that seemed so far from where she was currently at, a small girl who couldn't protect herself… The incident at the start of last season still bothered her. That is how she ended up standing at the front of Tall Johnny’s Casino, the doubles doors that seemed to invite her in where the only thing between and the fights.

The guards out the front were unsmiling Akalak that weren't helping with Aliara’s uneasiness. Inside those doors was where Aliara would take part in the infamous cage fights. Aliara was still unsure of why she had chosen this route, Aliara had been sitting at her door watching the first morning of Spring when the thought had come to her. After a few days Aliara decided she was doing it for the practise and for the skill. Rumor has it that the fighters get trained and that was what had drawn Aliara in.

Inhaling deeply Aliara raised her head up high and made sure as she walked past the guards, that she looked confident. The Interior of the casino was crowded and loud, It was dark and dingy but somehow the man she had talked to yesterday found her within seconds.

“Miss, the cage is to the left.”

Not much of a talker then… Watching as he left Aliara tried to focus her thoughts, at this moment they were spinning around talking about death and what could happen in the cage even more so of what she would do in the cage. During her short briefing Aliara was told to win she would have to knock out her opponent , this meant a numerous amount of injuries Aliara would have to sustain before winning if she did. It scared her but it also filled her with a rush that she couldn't explain.

Finally moving to the arena Aliara stood against its border and stared into the ring, imagining what it was like to be in there, the roaring of the crowd and the adrenaline of the fight itself. Aliara knew why some people came here for fun.

[Ssafirsotibones]

As Bones headed into work for the day, he kept himself vigilant as always. It didn't do to let ones guard down, nor to grow weak. Of late one of his students, Jon, had taken up a game of trying to get the drop on Bones. So far he hadn't managed it, but he still didn't seem to be giving up. As he came within sight of the cage, he saw what appeared to be a new student. A new person then who planned to enter the fighting? It seemed there were more every day. Of course more every day were needed with how battered most of the combatants gotten. He'd yet to see one win without at least a few bruises and a black eye, if not worse injuries. However his assessment of the new human was cut short as Bones sensed/heard motion behind him, the sound of feet scuffing the floor. Bones turned to face the sound, to find Jon attempting to creep up on him. Seeing Bones find him, he gave up on stealth, and ran at Bones with a yell. Bones dropped into a defensive stance, but arms up at his sides and ready to come out. He waited till the last moment, till Jon was almost upon him, before he made a quick maneuver. He stepped forward into the attack, grabbed at one of the mans arms/wrists with one of his hands, along with grabbing at his side. Then with a twist of his waist he leveraged the youth with his own forward momentum, flipping him over once to land in a crumpled heap on the ground, landing within inches of the new fighter. It was more of a wrestling maneuver, an application of leverage, but effective all the same. The male human was young, not quite a man, but not a boy, with only a hair or two on his face, unable to grow more on his blond head. He was perhaps as young as this new fighter, if not a bit younger. Bones looked down at the boy on the ground, and let out a sigh. “Don't yell. It gives you away.” With that he offered a hand to the boy, pulling him shakily to his feet. He was young and spry however, and quickly recovered. His face just as quickly turned red as he noticed a new person there. It took Bones another moment of looking at him to realize why. It was a female human. Apparently male humans found it embarrassing to be tossed about with female humans watching. Bones still had a bit of trouble telling apart male and female humans at first glance, their fleshy bodies all seemed the same. But he was getting better, as it'd only taken him a few moments longer than the boy to realize her gender. He also noted her hair. Her long hair. That would be a problem. Pointing at the human female's hair, Bones made himself clear in terse terms. “You gonna fight? Cut it, or put it up. It'll be a problem.” Bones would give her some time to deal with her hair, a obvious handhold that someone would go for in the cage, before ordering her inside. “Now, we fight. You and me. What have you got?” With that Bones headed inside, handing Jon his weapons, his gladii and their rigging, along with dropping his shoes and shirt in a heap outside of the cage. Then he headed inside through the gate, and waited for the female to come in and initiate the battle. It was her first test, and her first chance to learn. Well second, if one considered the impromptu attack and Bones' response.

[Aliara Cantrell]

Her attention was drawn away from the ring by a blonde haired boy attacking what seemed to be her instructor. The boy launched into a run and yelled, even Aliara knew that was stupid, it was amazing what had happened next, the man in what looked like one movement had him pinned on the ground.Thats when he turned to her and started as her instructor. Inhaling deeply Aliara tried to process everything that had happened. A man, a man that Aliara couldnt describe even if someone asked her, had stalked up behind her and told her to either cut or put up her hair. Pulling her ribbon out of her pocket Aliara watched the man silently as she bundled up her hair on top of her head. This was ‘Bones’ her trainer, this was who she had to impress and this is who Aliara would have to listen to, but now Aliara was questioning if she was really worth anything without her cutlass.

Aliara frowned slightly as she tightened the knot, cut her hair? she had never thought of that but she wanted to keep her hair long. Turning her attention back to her instructor his was making his way into the arena . Shuffling in behind him Aliara looked around the small area, it was just dirt but if she was thrown onto the ground it would still do damage same went for the fence that surrounded the cage. Rolling her shoulders Aliara kicked off her shoes and faced down her instructor.

While she was looking over the arena he had taken off his shirt, looking over to the boy that had attacked him before she could see his fiery red cheeks from outside of town they were that bad. Shaking her head Aliara turned back to her instructor. Okay this was obviously a test, Aliara knew that her instructor was so much better than herself so why else fight. Nervous to start Aliara took a small step forward, Aliara couldn't do a battle cry because that alerts who you're attacking that you're attacking. All she could do is punch?

Moving closer to her Instructor Aliara straightened her back and took a deep breath in, she had never been in a staged fight like this before and didn't know exactly where to start, but as she stared down her instructor she had an Idea. Ducking down Aliara attempted to hook her leg around his and trip him.

[Ssafirsotibones]

Bones looked on as she quickly did her best to put up her hair. With a ribbon... Bones let out a sigh, seeing clearly that such a thing would not do. It was far too clear of a place to grab or yank, even somewhat put up as she now had it. Before she fought for real she'd need to take care of it properly, either through a tight well woven bun of sorts, or by hacking it short as he'd said. But giving a opponent a free hand hold, and a easy means of causing pain, that was utter foolishness in battle. And Bones knew that her foes would be all too happy to take advantage of such an offering. Inside the arena Bones was ready to face off and test his new student. As always he let them make the first move, giving them the chance to offer their might for him to grasp at. Often the first move said much about a foe. Not about their overall fighting skill, as often people tended to start out a fight slow and weakly, but said much about the person in question, about them more deeply than just how they fought. Bones kept his body lithe and liquid, ready to react and tense and flow as needed, but in a state of noncommittal preparation until that moment. It meant he was in a more neutral position allowing a more varied response than a more traditional stance, though it also meant that if he did not react he was more open to being hit. This was a style for a vigilant fighter, not one who did not pay attention or facing unexpected threats. Finally his foe moved, coming forward low with her foot, attempting to hook him and un-foot him. A simple trip, a toss to the ground. It was a straightforward attack, though somewhat foolish as it left her more open, since it required her to get so close. Particularly since she was smaller than him. If it had been the other way around it might have worked better, but with his greater reach and weight it meant she was putting herself well within his domain. Instead of stopping or avoiding the move that was somewhat obvious to Bones, he allowed it to happen. But as soon as she hooked her foot about his own, he yanked backwards, attempting to use her own move against her, and un-foot her. Likely there would be a pause, an opportunity, between the moment of her grab and her foot finding purchase and hold on his own, and the moment when she was able to act and commence with her simple technique and trip. Bones planned to take advantage of this pause in actions, watching for the first moment as she first attached, and acting. If he did manage to sweep her to the ground, he would take several steps backward, giving her room to rise and making it clear he would not attack while she was down. Then he would wait once more for her to make a move.

[Aliara Cantrell]

Aliara had been smiling before but it quickly turned into a look of utter confusion, Aliara had never really fought without her weapons and if she did it was never fair she would pull hair, kick out knees or if versing a rather tall person she would go for the crotch. Instead she had opted to kick out his legs so she would be able to pin him yet she ended up being the one that was hurtling towards the ground. It had all happened so fast his leg did same thing she had attempted only moments ago the difference was his was successful. Aliara was rubbish without her weapons, without the steel between her fingers Aliara only had cheap tricks and they would get her nowhere in the ring.

The breath was knocked out of her as she collided with the ground a large cloud of dust surrounded the air around her. A small groan escaped as she arched her back, she was doing nothing here but embarrassing herself. Pushing herself up Aliara looked into the eyes of her instructor, she was even more determined after being knocked down. She needed to better herself, she would not give up.Standing again Aliara rolled her shoulders.

“There is no way i can get you off guard, you are so much more experienced, you have seen everything, what sort of test is this?”

Frowning slightly Aliara stared down her fists, she couldn't just outright punch could she? Another idea had been that she can just tackle him, taking in his seer size Aliara couldn't plan out how he would fall so yet again she would be going in blind. Feeling pressured to do something Aliara rolled on the balls of her feet before launching herself at her instructor’s legs. She would probably end up in the dust but it was a try.

[Ssafirsotibones]

Bones had seen the dirty moves that were so commonly used by many an unskilled fighter. He'd seen them in action, and knew the potency of such things. But in general they required surprise, and for the opponent to be just as unskilled as the user, if not more so. A properly trained fighter then, such as Bones, would be hard to hit with such a thing. A knee to the manly bits, pulled hair (of which Bones had little to none), or other things were not all that subtle. But then, this wasn't a bar room brawl, where both parties were nearly drunk off their feet and pawing about mindlessly. This was a real bout, if not a true fight. If it had been a real fight, Bones wouldn't have been so passive or so easy on the girl. The girl went to the ground from Bones counterstrike which was a complete success, letting out a groan as she struck. However she was soon back on her feet, little worse for wear. The dirt wasn't soft per say, but it was much more forgiving than stone or even wood. And Bones hadn't been striking to inflict damage. Her question was one he'd heard before, but not one of much value. Bones let out a short sigh as he responded, after a moments pause. “Of you.” Bones said, referring to the test. For it was her that was being tested, not just of her fighting ability, but her in general. Her spirit, her will, or lack thereof. “You learn more by failing, and how you carry on. And you learn more by doing in a fight and a challenge.” It was true enough in general. One learned more by fighting a strong skilled foe, than they did another novice. Such fighting pressed you, and helped you see what you could perhaps one day achieve, along with seeing what you lacked. A novice learning by fighting a novice however... Only learned how to beat the novice. Once more the woman moved at Bones, a not so subtle attack, and once more Bones reacted. This time she launched herself low, a full body tackle of sorts in an attempt to take out his legs. Which might have worked... If he'd just stood there. Bones waited till the girl had cleared about half the distance between them, before moving to the side, his left, her right, turning his body as he did. Coming about in a slight spin, he attempted to sidestep her, letting her carry on with her tackle which she'd committed to. When she neared he'd also send out a single hand, an open palm, and attempt to smack/push her in the back of the head as she passed, trying to push her down and forward so she'd once more end up with her face in the dirt. If his response worked he'd once more give the girl time to rise without interfering. He'd yet to see any grit or initiative in her though.

[Aliara Cantrell]

His palm collided with the back of her head and Aliara could feel her confidence slipping away. Aliara was pushed into the hard dirt of the arena however this time she got a mouth full of dirt to go with it. It tasted like miza’s, blood and other things Aliara would rather not think further on. Spitting out as much dirt as possible Aliara frowned, different joints ached and groaned, she began to push herself up from the ground, she had to prove herself. Aliara had to better herself.

In her head she was screaming the same words, ‘You have to prove your self!’ Most of her hair had come out when Aliara collided with ground. Sighing she reached up and undid the ribbon, she would have to do it tighter this time. tying a braid she then wrapped it around in a bun and secured it tightly. Even her hair was filled with the dust of the Arena.

Pushing herself back to her feet Aliara didn't even bother to dust herself of this time, it was only going to end up there again. Frowning softly Aliara took a step forward, this time however she was not attacking she was studying. Continuing to take small steps around the Arena just taking the chance to study his frame.

Her instructor was a tall man but a small voice told her that was no weakness. This test was impossible, he was so much… More than Aliara, bigger sized, better skilled and probably a lot more Aliara couldn't tell. She could see a few scars on his arms which Aliara had to admit made her feel worse

Jumping from one foot to another Aliara balled her hands into fists and brought them up to guard her chest and face. She was just going for the simple attack approach. Closing the distance between her instructor and herself Aliara inhaled before punching out. She hoped it would collide instead of just failing like every other attempt.

[Ssafirsotibones]

Once more Bones' movement worked, this time resulting a bit more from a lucky strike than from actual skill. Perhaps that tied with the fact that the human girl seemed to be getting a bit flustered, perhaps aggravated at her failures. And when one got flustered, they tended to make more mistakes, and their proficiency tended to suffer. This time the girl went face first into the ground, getting a face and mouth full of whatever the ground consisted of. As Bones had expected, and made note of before, her hair was an issue. In her last tumble it had come undone. She quickly made a small gesture of tying it away again, but it was little actual help. He did not doubt it would come undone easily enough again. A simple ribbon tying the hair a little in a few moments wasn't a sturdy construction. Before she fought for real she was going to need to take some real time in preparing her hair, so that it wouldn't come undone no matter how rough the bout, and so it wouldn't afford any handhold in the process. Or if she tried to show up again unprepared to fight, perhaps he'd just chop off the long locks of hair. After taking a bit longer to prepare herself, perhaps sizing up her opponent for once, she took up a defensive stance, more akin to a boxers block. As she closed in Bones brought his own arms up in a defensive stance, matching her style change, arms held up before his face with his eyes peaking over. Admittedly he wasn't as skilled at boxing as he was at the more straightforward unarmed combat, but he wasn't afraid of fighting her in kind. As she closed in Bones brought his arms up to block, tensing his legs and sliding back a bit with the blow. The punch landed on his guard, clipping his left forearm with a good pop that smarted a bit. But his backward slide had aided in dissipating the force somewhat, and her punch wasn't the strongest. Bones responded after the punch, lowering his right arm and giving a quick jab. He was careful and precise with his punch, making sure to use the proper hip motion, a rotation of the hips along with the arm so that he could get a proper force to his blow. Something he'd learned from Ximal, his boxing instructor back in Nyka. He aimed for her torso, which meant if she still had her guard up it would likely hit her on said guard. But he did not stop there, pulling the arm back after the quick jab, and making a quick cross with his left arm, aiming at her right side. He did the same motion as last time, arm move, hip/torso twist and rotation, and added a rotation and transfer of his footing as he stepped into the punch, keeping his right up to block. However he wasn't nearly as drilled as he was with his fighting before, as boxing was admittedly a new skill to him, one he'd only practiced a few times. But tied in with his basic unarmed combat skills he could attain some level of proficiency, though not against someone truly skilled in boxing specifically.

[Aliara Cantrell]

Aliara hadn’t found a fighting style she was comfortable with, every time she would slip into her stance she didn't feel comfortable. This was not her style, she was a fluid mover not all this firm stances with locked limbs. Aliara need something she felt comfortable with doing so she would excel.

Her stance felt wrong but when her punch collided with the stone muscles of her instructor. The man’s arm was like a barricade yet Aliara felt as though she was on top of the world, she had managed to hit him. With this success Aliara felt more empowered, keeping her guard firm Alaira watched as he slid back. Aliara was sure he was going to attack, every time she attack he would counter.

Sure enough he lowered one of his hands, Aliara was ready for this, locking her back legs Aliara locked all her joints so she would be as stiff as tree. Watching his body as the fist hit her forearm she attempted to ignore the sting of her skin as it collided. She knew it was going to bruise. Keeping her body firm Aliara considered grabbing his fist and pulling, the aim would be to get it him off balance but Aliara didn't think it would have the same effect on him as it did those she fought with in the bars.

Aliara found that he didn't just stop there, her instructor pulled his arm back again and punched out. The blow was something Aliara hand accounted for so when she saw the fist coming Aliara had no choice but to let the blow collide with her side.It burnt in a small circle around here his fist had hit, thankfully he had missed all of her ribs but the pain was still there and the bruises would be to. Trying not to show her pain Aliara moved to retaliate.

Aliara kept her left leg locked and shifted her weight, from what she could see her teacher had left his guard down on one side, luckily it was Aliara’s kicking side. With the shift in weight Aliara was glad she had been practicing with her acrobatics, the idea was she would be able to keep her balance or twist out of possible hold. That was always the danger with kicking, or it was what Aliara had seen, if she weren't fast enough.

Lifting her leg Aliara aimed her kick towards his hip. Being careful of her balance Aliara kept her leg locked enough so she wouldn't topple over but not so much that she wouldn't do any damage to her own leg. She would keep her kick fast and hard before she would return to her stance again.

[Anarkhos]

Pc Name: Ssafirsotibones

Skills: Teaching-3
Unarmed Combat-3
Boxing-2
Observation-4
Detection-1

Lore: Bones: Hard for one to sneak up on
Bones: Learning by failing is the best way to learn.
Jon: Always trying to get the drop on Bones
Combat: Having hair is a good way to get hurt
Combat: It's all about leverage


Pc Name: Aliara

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