[1v1] Practice Makes Perfect (Kiwi/Lan)

[xoxomenai]

Kiwi made one last twirl of the bandage around his fingers, pulling it taut and tying it off before pausing to observe his handiwork. There, that would do nicely. He had taken Soren's advice, and decided to invest in some wraps if he were to make this ab workout successful. That accomplished, the Famine colt sprinted across the training area to the nearest grove of trees, and scaled it expertly.

He then located the nearest lower branch, and assured it was stable enough for him, swung his legs across as he dropped down to hang in the air. He fanned his wings a moment, and crossing his arms, did his best to pull his torso up, an act that only managed a weak, half-twist in the air, leaving him both dizzy and slightly winded.

Soren was right. This was alot harder than it looked. He wasn't prepared to give in so soon though. He tried again, focusing his strength towards his core, willing the muscles of his abdomen to pull himself upwards.

Again he failed, falling back down with a pant. Kiwi's jaw set, and he tried again. And again. And again.

After several more tries, and an aching stomach, he began to realize he was actually managing to perform semi-decent crunches. He could only get about halfway, but halfway was much better than nothing. He was midway through a second set, when a sudden silky voice caused him to falter, dropping back down into midair.

Lan's face stared up at him, opposite from this angle, and his face flushed in surprise. "O-Oh, hello Lan, I was just in the middle of a workout. ... Are you here to train too?? ..."

He thought it a little odd a noble such as herself would be visiting the training grounds, especially in the heat of midday. Working quickly, he managed to right himself on the branch, swinging round to face her properly.

iStoleYurVamps

Finally have a thread of awkward ab things ovo <3

 

[xoxomenai]

"I-I'm fine." Kiwi did his best to shrug the embarrassment off, managing a weak smile. At the mention of spar however, his interest was piqued. It had been quite a long time since he had actually participated in a spar with another horseman. And he had never went up against anyone outside his own clan. It sounded promising.

"Alright," he answered, standing to leap nimbly to the ground below. He turned to face Lan a few yards away, summoning his chained sickle. "I could use a little warm up against an actual opponent myself." He smiled - a soldier's devilish grin - and awaited her move.

iStoleYurVamps

 

[xoxomenai]

He jumped aside, but still Lan's arrows managed to graze his shoulder. She had good aim. He should expect nothing less from a Conquest noble, and indeed, he likely shouldn't have smarted off as he had. But a battle was something Kiwi craved, and sometimes the sheer thrill could overwhelm him to a degree. "I mean no disrespect. It has simply been some time since I've had the chance to wield my weapon against one of my own." Which led to no surprise when she asked of his weapon. Kiwi circled defensively for a moment, pondering how best to answer. "... Consider my weapon a jack of all trades, if you will." And with that he swung, letting his grip on the blade fly free so that the chain spun out with a whirl.

HP: 38/40
Damage: 4

iStoleYurVamps

 

[xoxomenai]

Kiwi smiled, grateful he hadn't offended her. Her jibe however caught him off-guard, and he tumbled backwards as Lan's arrow sliced clean through his left wing, sending a shock of pain down deep into his shoulder, certain to leave quite a bruise to the hollow bone.

A jack of all trades- but what does that make you a master of Kiwi?

Lan's words rang louder and louder through his mind as Kiwi tumbled back into the dust, one thought above them all: He couldn't protect her then ... and-and now ...??

His wing throbbed, and somehow that pain seemed to ebb through him. For a moment, he simply lay there, allowed it to wash over him, to still him ... then-

His grip around his scythe tightened, and Kiwi pulled himself to his feet. Lan wanted a worthy opponent, and by Famine he would give her one. Huffing from effort, he leapt into the air, gritting his teeth against the pain of air whistling through his sore ligaments, and dove down, whipping the scythe's blade out towards Lan. True to word, he wouldn't hold back for this battle. If Lan wished to gain strength, he would give it his all as well. He wouldn't ... he couldn't possibly be that weak ... could he?? ...

As he sailed past her, he managed to answer a curt: " ... Nothing. But that gives me all the more reason, doesn't it?? ..."

HP: 29/40
Damage: 4

iStoleYurVamps

That dice roll wut. Lan you are already a sensei *^* Also saw this as a good opportunity to include a little Kiwi-plot yes (as Lan's comment would probably wound his damaged ego a bit |D)

 

[xoxomenai]

No sooner had Kiwi touched the ground behind Lan, than he found a second arrow whizzing past. He was fortunate it only managed to nick the bone, clipping a few feathers as it passed. But that paired with her response triggered a reaction in him, and his sickle shot through the air, chain pulling taut as it swung towards her.

No, I am a horsemen. And horsemen decide their own fate.

But even that thought couldn't still the echoing memory of Medea's voice, ever chanting her mantra: all paths lead to the same end ...

His grip on the chain flexed and tightened.

HP: 28/40
Damage: 1

iStoleYurVamps

Preying on Kiwi's weakness like that ;; ilu Lan <3 Also epic dice rolls these 8D

 

[xoxomenai]

No desire?? ... No that wasn't true-

Kiwi caught his blade again in an outstretched hand, barely having time to react as Lan's arrow collided with him. His feet slid back across the ground, leaving a trail in their wake. His chest stung and and pulsed with pain where the arrow hit, and he slowly dropped his arms, panting hard.

He had fought all these years. Fought hard to be an honorable soldier for Famine. His grip tightened on the blade. Maybe he wasn't as strong as he could be, perhaps he was still the same failure he had always been ... even with her ...

But he had tried hard his entire life.

Kiwi braced his feet into the soil, and swung his blade towards Lan, letting the chain slide like sand through his hands. "And you Lan?? ... Are you proud of what you have accomplished??"

HP: 23/40
Damage: 3

iStoleYurVamps

 

[xoxomenai]

Kiwi leapt, and managed to avoid the brunt of her shot as it grazed his arm lightly. He expected no less from a horseman of Conquest. His hand tightened around his blade. He had promised to give her a good fight, and a good fight he would. Touching feet to the ground, he kicked off, pirouetting through the air as he brought his blade down towards the noble.

HP: 22/40
Damage: 5

iStoleYurVamps

 

[xoxomenai]

He attempted to cartwheel to the right, but Lan's arrow managed to graze his arm, spreading a bright wound into the orange-brown markings and knocking him off balance. Kiwi toppled into the dust. The wound stung, but he ignored the pain. The battle seemed to be taking it's toll, for a measly arrow to throw him off his feet. He would have to be careful this time.

Quietly he circled around Lan, eyeing the Conquest mare for any sign of an opening, a weakness. And when he saw his chance, he swung, guiding his sickle out.

Perfect.

HP: 18/40
Damage: 8

iStoleYurVamps

Sorry for the impromptu hiatus. Let's get this finished up?? ovo