Dueling in a winter wonderland (open)

[Rakel]

Once more Rakel could be found in the training grounds and as last time when he was here he was almost still as a statue. The only sign of movment was the almost inperceptible rise and fall of his chest as he was breathing. His left eye was closed and his weapon stabbed into the ground with his right arm resting on the smooth surface of the hilt where the handle joined with the rest of the weapon.

Snow fell slowly in the are he had chosen today and he was standing wearing the large red coat and his sandles. One would think he was uncomfortable but it was just the opposite. Rakel was by no means immune to the effects of the cold, But he did find it able to sharpen his senses and keep him alert.

To day he hadn't actually found anyone to trainw ith. He had made many mistakes during his first fight with a person out of his class. He had been a bit rusty. But now he had gotten back into the swing of things. Particularly after his short battle with the flying demon on the hill near his home a few nights ago. it was then he realized he had gotten used to combat again and now not many people at his own rank would be able to beat him without having to work for it.
Not that I care about a loss. If I learn something and improve than thats enough for me. He thought as he stood there letting a gental breeze pull at his clothing. The bandages on his arm and torso were fresh and he had just taken a drink from his flask which clottled the blood from the wounds that would not close.

He had been standing in the same spot for over and hour. Other students who had just started learning melee combat at the academy were practicing a bit aways but they held no interest to Rakel at this time. He had no interest in going against anyone unless they were at his level or beyond. Which was why he was here. He had no classes this day and was interested in a test of skill.

[Feeves]

“Hmmm…”

Fyn was taking yet another walk to enjoy the weather a bit. His soft steps barely harmed the snow on which he walked, something that he had learned now to do from the rabbits he had spoken to when he was younger. He enjoyed such a walk. It was a challenge, and tested how long he could keep his patience with his steps. His meeting with that girl… Phaedra. He couldn’t lose his composure like that ever again. Else it may cost him, or someone else far more than he could imagine.

The training grounds. Yes here he was again. He felt constantly drawn to it after that night. The trees here were so very nice after all. It made him want to spend a day in one, even despite the weather. Decidedly… why not?

He climbed up a tree, the same one he had climbed when he was a tiger. It was indeed a shame that he had been unable to even think of anything that night. It was such a beautiful tree too.

“If only I could speak to you,” he said softly, “You probably have stories to tell don’t you?”

He stared down, noticing again red cloth. That guy… he was the guy he had seen the other day as a squirrel. What was he doing there standing alone? What was he looking at?

He hopped down from the tree landing several feet behind the man while striding atop the snow again.

“No classes today then?” he began, his guard seeming to drop.

[Rakel]

Hearing Feeves landing Rakel's eye snapped open and he whirled around as the other student spoke to him. Despite his quick reaction his weapon was left stabbed into the ground. His reaction was from the fact he was in this area when he heard the noise.

He gave a slight shrug.
"No not today. I just figured I would come out here for some concentration and also to wait and see if someone was interested in a duel. Not much else to do anyways." He said in his normal flat tone though his posture and more or less open response made it clear that company was not unwelcome.

[Feeves]

"Interesting. What would you do if I said I were willing to play?" Fyn's voice dropped in pitch to a low hiss. The sound was musical but at the same time seemed to belie a roar of one who was prepared to do combat.

Fyn's enjoyment of the situation seemed to grow. An almost perverse pleasure. He stood striding atop the snow again back and forth slowly.

[Rakel]

Rakel pulled his weapon from the ground hefting it over his shoulder.
"Then I would accept and have you come at me." He said with a slight smile hoping this person could provide what he was looking for. Rakel had the feeling that this person was around his own level of ability. Meaning this fight ought to be pretty even given their respective skills.

Rakel now fell silent as his left foot slid forward slightly and he went into a slight crouch ready to defend himself or attack. His eye loked onto Feeves as he stood there waiting to see when Feeves was ready.

[Feeves]

“Don’t mind if I do…” Fyn took a step forward.

“Stop…”

He stopped moving immediately, confused, his body seeming to freeze for a second. He attempted to switch shape. Yet he was unable to transform for whatever reason.

“The progress of shifting requires progress of the body beyond it. Fight this battle without us.”

The creatures weren’t going to partner with him for now. It was fine. He was too reliant on them anyway.

“Come, I’ll let you have the first blow.”

That way I can think of a plan first…

[Rakel]

Why did he stop? Thought Rakel who had been ready to dart to the left while slashing when Feeves came in. His eye narrowed as his opponet seemed to have a moment of internal conflict of a sort. But it was soon over.

Rakel gave a small nod in response to the invite for the first srike. He ran in and roughly about seven feet away he stopped and swung his wepon down wards and outwards to let the blade's tip slam into the ground. He also had swing so his wepon was moving across to the left. The result was his weapon slicing through the ground sending chunks of rock flying at his foe. His next move would depend on the way Feeves reacted.

[Mathias VonTepes]

"My, my this was stupid of me. Walking in to two duelists in cold climate... thank god for villagers" Mathias said. whiping the littlist drop of blood from the corner of his lip, snatching it back up again with his tongue. Today he was dressed alot warmer than usual; he went without his scarf, knowing how the winds can throw it around in the winter climates.



His blade warmed and dried the ground them with its fire augment. Mathias took care to pack a few augments with him, especially when in a winter climate, he had to keep the blood in him warm, and his sword was doing the trick nicely. He was sitting on the dried ground right next to Clair. He began stroking Clair's crossguard as the sword purred in acceptance, its eye fixed on Mathias. A snow rabbit just happened to hop into the warm circle, dropping dead without explanation. The swords eye closed in contentment,

[Feeves]

Fyn’s grin didn’t seem to fade even as he crouched and leapt sideways, neatly dodging the boulder, balancing precariously above the snow still even as he slid. It seemed effortless, though Fyn was immediately feeling somewhat out of breath. Exhilarating. He could feel his heart pumping blood and screaming into his years. The man was strong no doubt. The rock was large and heavy, making a large impact crater in the snow as it landed. Was there an opening? Shouldn’t he return an attack?

But he couldn’t. He wasn’t fast enough to rush forward and plant his staff squarely in the man’s forehead. Instead, he kept his distance, circling quickly, his staff out in front of him. Patience. An opening would appear sooner or later.

He could hear the shaking of rosary beads in his imagination as if his imagination was flowing on a tide of ice cold water, ready to flow out and grasp his opponent, robbing him of what he held most dear. Was his opponent worthy of that spell? He would have to wait and see.