[b][u][center][i]The night before.[/i] [color=0076a3][h1]A MIDNIGHT BATTLE BY THE POND[/h1][/color][/center][/u][/b] [quote=@Dark Light] Drakus been been laying on his bed for what felt like hours, yet sleep continued to elude him as haunting visions of violence and loss hid right beneath his eyelids. He had heard that some of the others were planning on going to the Kappa ponds in the morning and for some reason this bugged him. He wasn’t sure if it was their foolishness that bothered him most or perhaps their bravery. Maybe somehow it was simply jealousy. Anyway pride had insisted that if any were to explore the dangers of the pond first it would be him. Sneaking out, mostly undetected, lightly armed, he made his way through the night to the forbidden pond. Upon nearing the water he saw a petite slender figure with long white hair and pale skin, sitting perhaps too near its edge. Cautiously Drakus slowed his approach, Moving with silent steps he manoeuvred out wide to come from behind. [/quote] [quote=@azoicsiren] She waited patiently, tossing cucumbers pieces towards the pond, a few of them making it into the water. The shadows beneath moved in a frenzy. Suddenly a scaley, little hand popped up from the surface of the pond. Its claws dragged against the earth as it blindly felt around until its fingers grazed another cucumber. It greedily snatched it up and dragged it back under the water. [i]Fascinating..so they do like cucumbers... [/i]How odd it was that these vicious meat eaters, who enjoyed the intestines of children on average loved this simple vegetable. She was slightly pleased with herself, a smirk creeping up on the edges of her lips. However, it didn't last long because the creature emerged from the water again and this time it crawled out of the pond. A reptilian like a figure with colors of yellow and brown, a shell, much like the tortuous, was attached to its back. In all honesty, it was rather repulsive to look at. It rummaged around the dirt for more treats and took a moment before realizing there was a small girl staring at him. It quickly stood up and Rei mimicked it by standing up as well. Grabbing hold of another cucumber and holding it out [color=0076a3]" Were you looking for these"[/color] her voice soft and silvery and non-threatening in the least. She tosses it another one but it never met the ground, the creature caught it in midair and swallowed it whole, obviously wanting more. It crooked. She tossed it the last one and sighed in false disappointment"[color=0076a3] That is all, there is no more. Farewell "[/color] with that said she gave a bow to the little creature and it growled at this gesture. Unwillingly it bowed back and the bowl on top of its head emptied of its water, its power source. [color=0076a3]" wow.. that was almost effortless. I must say I'm a little disappointed... I thought you were clever creatures..." [/color] The little thing seemed a little distraught and hurled its self towards her. Scratching and snarling. Camly she slipped two twin blades that were tucked away inside the sleeves of her jacket. Bracing herself as the enemy drew closer. In one swift movement, her right arm extended and sliced across the creature's body in a horizontal fashion. Her left leg followed suit swinging the momentum of her body in the opposite direction and placing a powerful kick into the creature's side, projecting him back into the pond with a bloody splash. :: [/quote] [quote=@Dark Light] Meanwhile, approaching deliberately from behind, observing the commotion intently with an intrigued curiosity, Drakus casually inched closer. He could hardly believe his eyes. Surely this had to be some sort of vile demonic ploy. He remained alert and on edge, scanning the still starlit surface of the pond for any further signs of movement. One thing he was sure of was demons could not be trusted, he was left unsure if this was all just a lure for him or if some lonely innocent looking petite little girl had really just lured out and attacked a demon after trying to engage with it. Consumed with curiosity he gave way to caution and very carefully unfurled the chain of his Kusarigama while watching the girl. [/quote] [quote=@azoicsiren] The hairs on the back of her neck tingled, her fingers curling tightly around her blade. she swiftly turned on her heels. Her long hair a blur of silver. she looked up and over towards Drakus direction where she noticed him standing there in the shadows. Embarrassed she quickly swung her blades to the side, letting the blood of the demon flick off her weapon. [color=0076a3]" Did you enjoy the show "[/color] She spoke with a tone of bitterness:: [/quote] [quote=@Dark Light] With a faint amused smirk Drakus gave the strange girl a slight nod of acknowledgment as he relaxed and stood tall. His heavy chain in hand, casually spinning at his side. Only now did he notice her deep mesmerising eyes. [color=gray]”You’re fucking cra..” [/color] he began in a teasing tone before suddenly cutting himself short with a sharp flick and extension of his arm. In s blur the weighted fundo at the chains end went lashing out towards her. [/quote] [hider] [quote=@azoicsiren] She stood perfectly still, his weapon severed a few strands of her long, silver hair but she didn't flinch. [i] crazy[/i] she may be. It wouldn't be the first time that someone called her that. The thud of the dead kappa's didn't deter her, she had no interest in looking. A wicked smirk crept onto her angelic face "[color=0076a3]...Oh?... And exactly what house is it that you are from..[/color]: A question of assumption, which was one of her best methods of manipulation. Gently she took apart her blades and held them at her sides. Relaxed but alert if he felt the need to attack her, just because he was a student didn't mean she had to trust him. Although her vanity got the best of her and she had to admit that he wasn't bad to look at, there was something Nobel about him. maybe it was his good posture or his clothing. She never laid eyes on anyone who looked like him before and that was slightly intriguing, of course, she would never let him know this:: [/quote] [quote=@Dark Light] [color=gray]”What is with everyone’s preoccupation with lineage?”[/color] he asked with a slight tone of irritation as he began coiling his chain and stepping further back from the waters. [color=gray]”You know nothing of me and that’s the first thing you ask. If you could know only one thing to define me by is that truly what it would be?”[/color] There was a taunting smugness to his reply as he challenged and teased her. His eyes showed interest in her reply even if the rest of his body language didn’t. He remained aware of her grips on her blades and only smirked in reply. His cocky arrogance allowing him to lower his guard. She could easily be demon kin, Drakus thought to himself while looking at the petite ghostly assassin before him. Her devilish smirk a vast haunting contradiction to her otherwise innocent and helpless facade. [color=gray]”You better not turn out to be a demon.”[/color] he snarled, eyes now reaching over her shoulder to the ponds surface behind her, his stare become one filled with an intent spiteful rage. [/quote] [quote=@azoicsiren] She shrugged rather nonchalantly. She wasn't a demon but she understood why he might have mistaken her for one. she did have demon like qualities and she wasn't a very honorable human being and has done some Questionable things:: [color=0076a3]" I'll be honest... I know nothing about the houses. so even if you did tell me. it would have no substantial value to me. However... I can't help but feel you might be ashamed of yours? yet here you are accusing me of being a demon? why, because I take a different approach to learn about my enemy? Really now who's the one being judgmental..."[/color] : She took a few steps towards him as he stepped back" [color=0076a3] Now.. We can fight[/color]: she took another step towards him " [color=0076a3]Or I can gather my things and be on my way..."[/color]:: [/quote] [quote=@Dark Light] [color=gray]”Now a fight?”[/color] he says, suddenly enthused. He raises his chin a little in contemplation and gives a subtle smile as he looks down at her. Now no longer backing away. [color=gray]”That would be a true question, a test of wit and skill. But are you really foolish enough to challenge me?”[/color] he questions eagerly as he leant forward, still maintaining his posture. He seemed to almost be itching to prove himself. A daring excitement filled his eyes. She nodded, mockingly she suggested "I mean unless your too tired of course?” [/quote] [/hider] [hider] [quote=@azoicsiren] She nodded, mockingly she suggested "I mean unless your too tired of course? " With a small twist of her body she stood in a side-stance . If was lucky that she didn't decide to keep her Katana on her, It wouldn't have been as effective against his kusarigamas.. Hopefully it was somewhere waiting for her. It was going to be a challenge since she didn't quiet know his fighting style but the pure idea that he was duel as she was all she needed. It was most likely the BEST way to get to know someone without all the mush. She gave him a forged smirk" Be gentle with me ... " She spoke with a condescending tone.::[/quote] [quote=darklight] Drakus gave the first true smile he had held for days. Her condescension only exciting him further. He mused over their combined confidence. Perhaps the worst injury here tonight would be to someone’s ego. How he wished he had his duelling rapier on him. The ground was soft, littered with the odd unsteady rocks which could be dangerous for unsteady footing. Closer to the pond it became muddier and slippery, a small hazard compared to the kapper filled pond itself. Otherwise those small unpleasantries aside the ground was mostly flat and completely open, perfect space for his weapon. Still, this battle would be wrought with unpredictability. He had no idea of her powers or even what year student she was. But none of that mattered, for he had confidence in his skill. All the years of torturous training. Cracking his neck from side to side he steadily stepped towards her.[/quote] Before they began she needed to get better footing and as probably unladylike like as it might have been.. she carefully slipped off her shoes, leaving one partially on only to suddenly project it with a swift kick into the air towards his face. She never said she was going to play fair, that just wasn't her fighting style. Despite her best efforts of deceit and trickery, her opponent was observant. The subtle tension of her rear calf as it bore her weight gave away her intentions. Drakus admired her ruthless tactics, smiling as the shoe sailed past his head, he sank into his stance reading for the oncoming attack bound to ensue. She sprinted forward and glided across the empty space between them, such a small agile thing. The twin blades in her hands the perfect size for her petite figure. Left blade covered high and her right blade covered low. She quickly went in for the first blow, the weapons pinned against each other. She wanted to attack fast. She wanted throw him off guard and disable any chance he had of keeping her at bay with his heavy reach weapon. Her attack did come fast, she was truly quick and nimble, nearly enough so to achieve her goal. Nearly. But he was too was quick. Perhaps quicker than he should be. As predicted she sought to break his advantage of range, the obvious and wisest decision. Without flinching, he sank into his defiant stance as he pivoted, shifting his weight to meet hers. His right hand swung up and out to parry the attack and push away her blade, using the metal links in his grasp. At the same time he flung the fundo and the rest of the chain out. It would unfurl and then wrap around his back to come crashing around towards her head in a moments time. His own hidden deceptive attack. At the same time his Kama caught her other sword in its curve where they would wrestle her for control. His every movement and timing was so precise and deliberate that as the heavy weight on the end of the chain went whipping around him it caught the projectile shoe mid flight and flung it around redirecting its momentum. No expenditure of his energy went wasted. “Don’t think for a second my arrogance is not earned!” He spits the words out at her through a wicked sadistic grin. [/hider] [hr] The ensuing battle lasted for far longer than Drakus had anticipated, each skirmish earning his female opponent more and more of his respect, maybe even admiration. Neither combatant ever dipped into their powers, instead relying purely on raw physical strength and talent. Despite the severe intensity in which they attacked each other and the deadly focus of their moves, each wore a continuous smile as they dance back and forth, a dance of blades and blows. In the end a proud taunting Drakus stood victorious over the slim petite pale girl. However he was not unscathed. A thin line of blood stretched across his cheek. He wore the injury proudly in his smug arrogance. He was not ashamed of it because she had earned it. Both had shown the other many of their tricks, the battle had turned out to be a truly revealing conversation on many levels. Content, Drakus gave her an approving nod, straightened up his ruffled clothes and nonchalantly turned and walked away. Not many words were used, not many were necessary.