vatheon | 28th Combo

[Said one-eyed man sticks his head out into the main room, twisting until he could actually see Lloyd with his eye.]

Yeah. What is it? The forge missing something you don't know where to find?

[Lloyd shakes his head.]

No. I mean, that's not what I wanted to talk to you about.

[His footsteps come to a stop when he's a few feet from Mat, and for a moment he's not sure how to approach this.]

I've been thinking... I spend a lot of my time here, right? I mean, I think I spend more time here than I do at my apartment. You're okay with that, right?

[He shifts to lean against the door frame, raising an eyebrow.]

I would have said something if I minded. You want to ask something, so stop dancing around it and ask.

How did you-?

[Lloyd gives Mat a startled look, then tries to shake it off. This isn't the first time someone's managed to see through him to what he's going for.

But man, he wishes he knew how people did that.]

Never mind. I mean, I wanted to ask... Would it be okay if I moved into one of the rooms? That is, it's an inn and all, so I figured...

[Experience is how. Mat blinks. That...really wasn't what he was expecting to be asked.

He looks like he knows how to use those swords, but they'd done this to protect people by staying away from them...Blood and bloody ashes, Lloyd.]

There...are extra rooms, but...Well, we made this place where we did to protect people in case some of the bloody Forsaken showed up and decided to attack us. So...I think it'd be safe to say they'd allow you to stay if you put up a good fight in a spar. [Against him.]

A good spar, huh?

[Lloyd eyes Mat, seeming to appraise him just the same way Mat was looking at him. Was the older man asking for a fight with Lloyd?]

I can take care of myself, don't worry. You can count on it. I've faced some pretty dangerous people. Even some Summon Spirits!

I don't know what a Summon Spirit is. And I could take care of myself fine, for my village, when I was your age. I need to make sure you can within the Band's standard. That's the condition.

[He's not going to let Lloyd get hurt because he was stupid about this, okay? Makes perfect sense.]

I don't know what the Band's standard is, either, but if you want to test me, then sure. I'd be up for a spar.

[Said with all the cocky confidence of a teenage boy not quite a man.]

Right now?

Not in here, but if you're ready then yeah.

[The inn is important, okay?]

Don't think you'll be at the Red Arms' standard though. [He smirks.]

I'm always ready, and I think you'll be surprised at what I can do.

[Not that he knows what people are capable of in Mat's world, but he's still pretty sure he's got a few cards up his sleeves to throw Mat for a loop. He steps back toward the door, heading out of the Inn.]

Speaking of which, any rules or limits you want on this? Or is anything fair game so long as we don't actually try to really hurt each other?

[Mat raises an eyebrow.]

Are there any rules in actual fights in your world? What's the point of testing potential for a fight if you have rules about what you can and can't do?

[He's doing this to make sure Lloyd can protect himself -- if it means he finds out Lloyd can use some kind of magic on him, well, he won't be pleased it's affecting him but at least the Forsaken might be just as shocked.]

If it's an actual fight? No, not usually. But this is a spar, so it's different. Like I said, we're not really trying to kill each other. Right?

[Lloyd would argue that what he can do isn't magic, but Mat will have to discover that in due time for himself. Lloyd's not even going to think to bring it up, too used to thinking that people know the distinction between magic and and mana techniques.]

Just don't go in for the kill or draw a whole lot of blood. Scratches are fine with me.

[The point of this is to find out how much damage Lloyd'd be able to do. There's not much point if both of them are holding back a whole lot.]

Got it. That sounds fair enough.

[He'll probably still start off cautiously, until he has a better idea of Mat's strength.

Once outside, he keeps going for a bit, until they're at what feels like a safe distance to him. Then he casts Mat a questioning look. Speaking of what the other is capable of...]

You think we're far enough?

[That's a good plan anyway. Don't show your full strength until you know your opponent's.

Mat turns to look back toward the Winespring. It's not the sort of building to get hurt by a stray dagger, so he just turns back to face Lloyd.]

As long as you can't hit it with something other than your swords or a dagger from here, yeah.

[Lloyd turns to judge the distance again, then finally nods.]

Yeah, I think we're good. So...

[He draws his swords and shifts into a beginning stance.]

I'm ready when you are.

[Which means it's no longer the time for conversation.

Mat shifts slightly into a ready position, holding the ashandarei in one hand, before running toward Lloyd, clearly intending to make the first blow.

This is about Lloyd's reactions too, so this'll be interesting.]

[Lloyd's never seen a weapon quite like Mat's before, so he has no idea what tactics would work best against someone using one. The closest he can think of to compare it to would be a spear, but even that doesn't seem quite right.

Whatever. He'll just make it up on the fly. He's pretty good at that. One sword goes up to deflect the ashanderei away. With the other, he strikes toward Mat's unprotected side.]

[Right, the kid uses two bloody swords. Mat spins and grabs the ashandarei with both hands in an effort to block the blow even after the deflection, bringing a foot up to kick the other away in the process.

Two swords, and he only has one eye. He forgot about that.]

[Considering that Mat only has one eye, his reflexes are good. Lloyd mentally raises his opinion of Mat's skills up a notch even as he dodges the kick. He lashes out with one sword, mostly to keep the other man back while he considers his next attack.

Speaking of Mat's eye...

He tries another, more probing attack in the direction of Mat's blind side.]

[This is what happens when you lose your eye and have to book it for your life short after -- you learn to deal with it in battle fast.

Mat mutters a curse under his breath at that lash, having to jump back to make sure he cleared it. Depth perception is something he really wished didn't diminish with the loss of his eye.

At the next attack, Mat takes a step in the other direction, swinging the ashandarei to block where Lloyd's movements said he'll strike.

Thank the Light for being able to predict movement based on muscles.]

[Mat's weapon is there to block his blade so fast it's almost like he isn't half-blind at all. Lloyd makes a mildly frustrated sound and slides his blade to hook the hilt against the shaft, then shoves, trying to push the ashanderei aside, or shove Mat off balance. He'll accept either outcome if he can get it.]

[It does startle him, making him break the contact to regain his balance. How-? Nevermind, focus on that after the battle is over.

The problem fighting a twin blade swordsman is that Mat himself is used to fighting in people's faces, and that's easier to do when the opponent(s) only have one sword (each).

He's watching you, Lloyd.]

[This isn't working. Every time he's tried to close in, Mat's been able to block him. Okay, so, let's try something he can't block so easily. He draws back, centering himself.

The only warning Mat will get is a flicker of mana springing to life in the air around Lloyd before it races down his blade as he focuses and strikes! He's nowhere near enough to Mat for the blade to land, but the mana races out in a shockwave aimed straight for him. Let's see how you deal with this!]

Demon Fang!

[What- Light! Blood and bloody ashes, what in the name of Light is that? He can see it, so it's not a weave....

So his only option is to run out of it's path. Muttering a curse, Mat does just that, making sure to keep Lloyd in sight.

He throws a knife towards him too; Lloyd uses something that he hasn't seen him use yet, he'll use something Lloyd hasn't seen him use yet. Until he runs out of things anyway.]

[That's the biggest problem with Demon Fang: its effective width isn't very wide, making it easy for quick-witted opponents to dodge it.

Just like Mat's knife. Only Lloyd hadn't realized Mat had any other weapons on him besides the ashandereri. The thrown knife nearly catches him by surprise, and there isn't time to dodge it completely. He tries to twist away, but the blade still slices across his arm, leaving a line of blood behind.

Ow! Dammit, that was careless! He shouldn't have counted on Mat having just one weapon. Gritting his teeth, he ignores pain from the cut as best as he can. It isn't a deep cut, though still more than a scratch. Nothing he can't handle, though.

Okay, time to up the stakes. He barely gives himself enough time to recover from the attack before he charges, one sword leading in an upward strike that he fully expects Mat to block. If Mat's blocking, though, his hands are occupied. Mana flickers to life around Lloyd again as he concentrates. There won't be any daggers for a moment, and a moment is all Lloyd needs. Just let him get close enough...!]

[Oh, well, that's better than other places he's hit people he's thrown knives at without really aiming. It would've been really really bad if he'd hit Lloyd in the eyes-- Lloyd's running already.

Mat blocks the strike, instinct taking over, but...what's Lloyd going to do now?]

[What happens next happens very fast. When his first strike his blocked, Lloyd's second sword comes up, but he doesn't care if it hits, either. It's merely a guide from his mana. The energy leaps out from his blade, visible and snarling like the head of a giant-]

Beast!

[Too large and too close range to dodge, and nothing physical to block, so unless Mat has some sort of ability to deflect energy attacks, he's about to get slammed with mana.]

[What-?! What even was that? It didn't look quite like anything else Mat's seen before...

Mat grunts at the impact, forced back a couple paces by the mana. It's really only luck that keeps him on his feet. That was not expected.

Whatever it was, his medallion can't protect him from it. Mat curses, regaining his balance. What's Lloyd going to follow that up with?]

[Ffff, Mat either had to be really, really good, or the luckiest guy in the world, because that attack hitting at that close a range should have knocked him right off his feet.

Lucky or not, though, he's still recovering his balance, so now's the best time to follow up with an attack. Lloyd lunges forward, eager to get past that bladed staff and inside Mat's guard while he can. One sword stays at the ready to defend just in case, but the other swings straight for Mat's side, ready to pull short in case the attack works. He doesn't want to kill Mat, after all.]

[~~And then I realize I should replay to look at Beast again.~~

"Luckiest guy in the world" might not be too farfetched, actually. Keeping at least some of his footing during that is by no means the craziest thing he's ever done.

Blocking this would probably be the better idea, but it's not the one Mat decides to go with. Instead blocking, he spins the polearm, using the butt of the staff to try and hit Lloyd's chest - maybe knock him back. The bladed end is close to where it'd need to be to block, but not quite.]

[~~Haha, I know the feeling.~~

He had been expecting at least an attempt at a block. He hadn't expect Mat to attack instead, and the move catches Lloyd off guard. The butt of the staff hits, knocking Lloyd off balance. With a grunt, he stumbles, and his attack swings wide. His blade might score a glancing blow at best, but that's the least of his worries.

Dammit, no-!

He can only hope he manages to jump back in time before Mat can take advantage.]

[Mat lets out a low hiss at the feeling of the blade cutting his arm a little, but he's dealt with worse.

He doesn't know if this'll hit Lloyd - the change in depth perception still confuses him sometimes - but it's how he usually fights, so as soon as the polearm stops spinning, he kicks out.

Whether or not it hits the other, it still gives Mat a moment to breathe.]

[Blood for blood. Lloyd feels a marginal sense of triumph at the hit, but the fight's far from over yet.

Luckily for him, he's already jumping back when Mat lashes out with his foot. Otherwise, he might well have been caught by surprise. They'd been fighting with only their weapons so far. He hadn't expected an attack from Mat's feet! But the attack falls short by just a few inches - then farther once Lloyd backs off, circling warily.]

You're pretty good. You're not holding back, are you?

Edited 2013-04-06 02:07 (UTC)

[Mat turns slowly, to always keep Lloyd within his vision. Does Lloyd really need an answer to that? Too bad.]

Are you?

[Mat's pretty flaming sure that he isn't holding back. Sure, he hasn't shown Lloyd all of the possible things he can do yet, but he isn't slacking off.

He's just been a bit wary of that second sword. Fighting multiple people at once is fine, but they'd only ever used one weapon at a time.]

I'm just getting warmed up.

[Despite the cocky words, though, he's just as wary as Mat. Mat hasn't pulled anything like a mana technique yet, but he did pull a dagger Lloyd hadn't realized he'd been carrying. How many other weapons might he have on him? A dagger like that first one could be even more deadly than a spell. He'd have no warning, no building mana, no chant to tip him off.

I'll just have to be faster.

The thought's barely formed before he's lunging again, boosting his speed with mana as he attacks so that his blades seem to blur in quick, rapid strikes.]

Sword Rain!

[He doesn't respond. He may not know how truthful Lloyd's being, but it's silly to wait breath in a fight.

Enough to make a race of warriors impressed, Lloyd. He's only pulled out one so far. One.

Light, he still has no idea how Lloyd's doing that. He makes a low sound as he attempts to block all the strikes, quickly pulling the dagger hidden in his other sleeve and throwing it-- not bothering to aim.

Don't hurt the boy too bad.

Hopefully his luck'll listen because, burn him, one of those fast strikes got through in that moment. It doesn't feel like it hit him too badly so he doesn't back off, keeping both hands on the ashandarei ready to block again if need be.]

[Mat's luck must have been listening, because when the dagger strikes, it strikes handle-first - but right into Lloyd's temple, clocking him hard enough to make him stagger, stars dancing across his vision.]

Ngh!

[Still trying to recover, all he can do is stumble back, blindly lifting a blade to fend Mat off in case he presses his attack.]

[When Mat looked and saw Lloyd stagger back, he thought for a moment that he'd done more damage than he'd meant to. TOO CLOSE, LUCK. TOO BLOODY CLOSE.

Holding back and doing everything as if they were trying to kill each other are different things, so Mat stays back for a moment, quickly pulling two more daggers from his boots to store in his sleeves.

That done, he advances, swinging the ashandarei in a slow pattern.]

[It confuses Lloyd at first when Mat doesn't press his advantage, until he reminds himself that they're not really trying to fight each other to the death. He gratefully takes the reprieve to recover, backing up another few steps when Mat starts to advance. Once the last of the sparkles disappear from his vision, though, he steps forward, swinging a sword to test this new defense.]

[The slow pattern isn't so much a defense as keeping his arms moving so he's able to react faster, but he still blocks, holding the polearm steady, and strikes out with a foot.

No point in not, since he can recover his balance quickly enough if he's knocked back by a push from the boy.

He's not sure that they even need to continue much longer; Lloyd seems like he'd be able to protect himself for at least a little while again a Forsaken.]

[Lloyd's starting to wonder the same thing. How long is this spar going to last? It feels like they're pretty evenly matched up, so unless one of them gets a lucky shot or decides to go all out in trying to kill the other, they could probably go at it for a good long while.

He jumps back and away, dodging the kick, though that keeps him from launching an attack of his own.]

So, what do you think? Am I good enough?

[While he talks, he starts collecting his mana again. He can't do too many techniques without draining himself, but he should be good for at least a few more surprises if Mat wants to keep going with this fight.]

[Mat plants his weapon on the ground, leaning against it. He may still be ready with a dagger, but he'd be a little slow with the ashandarei if they continue.]

You'd be able to hold them off for at least a little while if they don't use the One Power on you, so yeah. Welcome to the Winespring.

[The Forsaken using the One Power kinda makes most of this spar pointless, but, if for some reason they didn't or couldn't, Lloyd would be fine.

He extends a hand to Lloyd.]

That was fun.

[Lloyd cautiously lowers his swords when it looks like the spar is over, then straightens and smiles, sliding them back into their sheaths.]

Thanks. Yeah, it was.

[He accepts Mat's hand, giving it a firm shake.]

You're pretty good. How many daggers do you have?

[He blinks. He hasn't counted them in a while...]

I have...

[A couple in each sleeve, several in each boot, one in his hat, one in his belt buckle, one on the small of his back, one in his scarf, one hanging close to the medallion...He feels like he's forgetting some.]

A lot of daggers.

[They're really useful, okay?]

Choose a room that doesn't have stuff in it.

[There are only three with stuff, one looking used frequently, the others like someone goes in to make sure things don't disappear.]

Sheehs, you don't wear them when you take a bath, do you?

[He's teasing. He's pretty sure Mat wouldn't go that far.]

It's probably a pain getting them all off, though. And getting them all back on.

[He takes a moment to wipe the sweat off his brow, then nods.]

An empty room. Got it. I'll let you know which I pick.

[Wear them? No...Keep them next to him? Yes.

So he just won't say anything to that, smiling instead.]

Better a pain than being defenseless if I drop this.

[He indicates the ashandarei, wiping his own face.]

Alright.

Yeah, I guess I can understand that.

I'm gonna go cool off, then go start moving my stuff. [A soft smile.] Thanks, Mat.

[He lifts his hand, then goes in to find said bathroom and rinse off a bit of the sweat.]

[He watches him go for a moment before shaking his head and collecting his two daggers.

Lloyd's a kinda odd kid.]

28th Combo

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STUPID MOUSE

[/pats]

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wait was supposed to be waste. I dunno how I typoed that

Haha, I figured. XD

/o/

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I actually have thought about where he has all those--

Haha

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