[1x1] Once is Chance (Lan vrs Soren)

[ramenli]

Soren did not enjoy training. Others enjoyed the feel of their muscles burning, sweat dripping down them, but he never had. Oh, in reality, when he was squashing humans, it was wonderful. He loved it. He would destroy them until his arms ached, his muscled burned. But training was not enjoyable.

But when there were signs he could not miss. Like fighting a hunter b***h, and while he had been the one to just walk away, something that still angered him and confused him...she had had the upper hand. He could not ignore that. He needed to work harder.

Now, the training grounds. And a horsewoman he had not expected to see, firing at a target. He watched for a short time before moving toward her, finally speaking. "Moving targets are a better test."  

[ramenli]

Soren simply summoned his khopesh.

"Guardians learn to take blows."  

[ramenli]

Soren knew that there could be advantages to this fight. But he also made a large target, and at close range? This was dangerous for him as well. But it was Lan, a spar. Training. Training with another versus a simple stationary dummy was much more interesting. Plus he knew she was strong in her own right.

Why she bothered to toy with him, a warning shot, was beyond him. Or perhaps she was just giving him a chance to leave. A cautionary swipe of his blade, inches from her, obviously a blow not meant to reach her. "You won't land the first blow?"

HP: 40
Damage: Oh god this fight will be long.  

[ramenli]

She caught him below the chin with her bow, pressing into tender and weak flesh. A good move, and him caught with his guard down, expecting an arrow. It was a good blow, something he really should have been ready for. He knew not to underestimate Lan. He knew better than this.

"Loathe my touch that much?" The tiniest hint of a smile as he brought the blade in, not in a sweeping motion but with a sharp jab at the noble. Hopefully she was not too worried about keeping her clothing pristine.

HP: 30
Damage: 7  

[ramenli]

The cruel smile...it was a fitting look for a horsewoman. He did not mind seeing it in the least. A full spar then, nothing held back. It would be fun. Her warning repeated, but he accepted that. He had known what he was doing when he offered himself as a target. When he attacked.

An arrow he was unable to dodge buried itself into his shoulder, ripping into flesh before it vanished. "I'm rather attached." Dry words, but really, ripping out his hair sounded like a needless discomfort. But if it was her robes she was worried about...he aimed for those. Barely nicking her but drawing a nice cut into the fabric by her waist.

Whoops.

HP: 25
Damage: 1  

[ramenli]

And then he took an arrow to the knee.

"War Admiral's flank!" Apparently Lan truly did take her clothing being damaged seriously. The Guardian's leg threatened to give out and he stumbled backwards a pace. That was a mistake. It took her out of his range and put him well within hers.

She had not just taken the advantage. He had surrendered it to her.

HP: 15
Damage: Have I mentioned how much he gets dice trolled?  

[ramenli]

Another arrow, but this one he walked into. Letting the arrow hit him as he pushed forward. She was entirely too smug. "Never give up. Never surrender." A quote that seemed fitting.

Rank, maybe not earned. Granted. This only serving to remind him how weak he was without being flush from human Fear.

Still...his khopesh darted out, slashing at a sleeve, at the arm underneath as well. Damage the arms, make it harder for her to use her bow. And of course to destroy the fabric.

HP: 9
Damage: 2