You're mauling that body wrong.. (Aello)

[Nex Paciscor]

Anger, so strong he hardly recognized it flowed through him at the continued taunts that hummed through his brain. Talking in fighting, pointing out the obvious, it just didn't make sense in the circumstances. There was other things as well, like the frustration of not seeing her fall for his feint or the fact that she seemed to lack faith in his skills as a fighter. The red hot blood that ran through his veins pounded in his mind and urged him into action as he lunged forward with his right fist and felt it hit only air as her forearm smacked heavily into the side of it and launched it harmlessly aside. He needed a hit though, the simple rage within him demanded it, and snarling, his knee snapped forward striking into her exposed belly.

Just slightly, his eyes widened as he made contact with Aello's stomach, and immediately felt a wave of unaccustomed guilt that he quickly buried. She wanted this fight, any holding back would simply anger her, and put him into worse shape. If she wanted a fight of fists than that is what he would give her. Still, he was still a bit stunned as he backed off from her, but the hot blood pumping through his veins kept his muscles tense and at the ready, the more unused ones quick to firm up with the physical effort. He spread his feet evenly, and kept his arms clear at his sides in preparation for when she recovered, flexing his arms slowly and letting him get a more feel for his vitality as the emotions settled through him. Anger was a useful tool, but only when it was controlled. Chaotic anger got you hurt or worse, but bring purpose to it, along with a good degree of skill then those people where near impossible to stop.

In a blink, she was after him again, lunging with a wicked slug, but instead of diving out to the side or trying to twist around he held his ground, thoughts quick to crystalize in his mind. A dodging battle was no fun, and they could afford to trade hit for hit in this kind of brawl, so thats exactly what they would do. Still he wasn't stupid, and even reluctant to use it as he was, he needed practice in that discipline his master taught him those years ago. It was a simple thing to concentrate in the brief moments he had, feeling energy trickle up the veins in his neck to focus on the left side of his face, until he had divested a small portion of it. Then with but a thought and a moment to spare, he tasked it to firm up the tendons and skin there and make them a little bit more prepared to take the blow.

Her fist crunched against the side of his cheek, snapping his head to the side, and for a moment his vision wavered though he suspected he didn't black out from it simply because of the location and the flux power buzzing through there. As he took the blow, his left leg, arched against the ground would snap out to kick at the woman's knee as hard as he could, and as soon as the foot touched the ground, his right arm would swing out and down towards the woman, using his shift of weight to add force to the hit he hoped to score.

oocIf you need me to explain or change anything just ask

[Aello]

Aello could feel the Kelvic's flesh pressing up against her own. His skin sinking into the space between her knuckles as she followed through with the movement of her arm, before drawing it back to her side. She could see his flesh turning a light reddish-pink around the edges, and knew that although the flesh had changed, and she had inflicted some damage, the spar was far from over. They could each, take at least a little bit more. As Aello attempted to back up and regain her composure, she hopped around on the balls of her feet, trying to keep her blood flowing and her muscles loose. She was balling her hands more tightly into fists, when Nex's foot made contact with her right knee. The attack had been a lucky one, what she assumed to be a reflex more than anything else, but nonetheless, it pushed the kneecap up before letting it fall back into place. Aello grunted as she stumbled a few steps back, before tripping over a large rock that had not been caught in her magic's line of sight. Her legs wobbled before she went tumbling down. Petch you clumsy idiot! Now look what you did! You're going to get your face beaten in and your teeth knocked out! Aello's mind shouted as her back made contact with the ground. Her muscles tensed, bunching with the pain of the fall, the unevenness of the terrain. She could feel several small pebbles pressing into her flesh, scratching at the fabric of her clothes as several small, sharp, shooting pains coursed through her system. They seemed to sprout from the center of her spine, and trail downwards, into the tops of each of her limbs. Move! Aello's mind shouted, as she simply lay there for a fraction of a second, watching the shadow of Nex's body glide across her flesh. He was forcing his arm towards her, preparing for another attack. Now! It went on as Aello's eyes grew wide, and she pressed her arms together. She lifted them over her face, blocking it as she rolled her body to the right. When she was sure she had gone far enough, and somewhat to his side, she drew her right leg back, and thrust it towards the back of the Kelvic's nearest leg. She was aiming for his heel, or rather, just above it, in the hopes that she could hit it with enough force that it would be swept out from under him. Or at the very least, it would cause enough of a shock, and enough pain, to send him tumbling backwards. At which point, she could scramble atop his chest. She would curl her legs at the knees, and rest one on each side of his body. Hugging it tightly, so as to keep him in place. She would lift her feet up, so that she was supported by the area just below her toes, and would rest her ankles on the inside of his thighs, in the hopes that it would make it more difficult for Nex to roll over. As she did all of this, Aello would thrust her right arm, which she had tucked into her chest towards the Kelvic's face, hoping to strike his cheek once more. Afterwards, she would pull that hand back and attempt to strike with the other hand, before repeating the process. Until Nex begged for her mercy, of course. OOCI think I got it... erm, PM me if you need clarification. Also, if Aello's plan does not work, we can always keep going from your attack I suppose... the new one... where Aello is still on the petching ground and Nex is not.

[Nex Paciscor]

His foot made contact with solid flesh, drawing slight grin of satisfaction, and immediately his foot retreated to the ground to give weight to his next attack. Nex had expected her to sink to her knees with the hit, or at least remain standing with a shaky balance, but as his eyes had just begun to register her toppling inevitably backward, his fist was already in motion, striking as hard as he could and hitting nothing but empty air. He overbalanced, his feet frantically stepping forward as he tried to retain his balance, but still he toppled forward sprawling face forward in the dust. At least he had fallen on his elbows, and with a surge of energy he pushed off of the ground rolling to the left trying to put as much ground as possible between him and the fallen woman. Had she recovered?

He couldn't see her, but then again he was lying for those brief moments on the dusty ground, pushing up with the back of his arms to a sitting position and swiveling his head around. As soon as he could see Aello, he scrambled up to his feet, crossing his arms before him as he used the strength of his leg to bring him the rest of the way up, his eyes never leaving the deadly woman. His heart pounded in his chest, loudly in his ears so that he could see nothing but the woman before him, and focusing he blinked standing still for a moment. If she had came after him, he would defend with his arms crossed before him, trying to catch her arm or leg between them, and possibly throw her to the side. If she was still getting up, Nex would rush for her, launching forward his right fist in a overhand punch before coming in low with his left, aiming for the more vulnerable belly.

[Aello]

"Damnit Nex, why must you move so fast?" Aello hollered as she drew her leg back, using the momentum she had built up to smash the foot into the ground and help lift her. Especially after having just fallen down... at least you're not the only clumsy one though. Who seriously needs to work on her sense of balance... Aello thought as she got herself to sit up, shaking her head only slightly as she pulled herself onto her feet as swiftly as she could. She wondered vaguely, how Nex had managed to stumble, causing her to miss, when she was so very close to hitting him. It just seemed so very... unnatural. The young spiritist was once again, just raising her fists into a more defensive position by the time Nex reached her. His aura seemed to be giving off tiny tendrils of red smoke, as it pulsated around him. Now his blood is flowing. He is getting into the heat of the battle, her mind whispered, as she raised her right hand, unfurling her fingers to expose the palm. The Kelvic's right hand came crashing into it a fraction of a second later, producing a loud clacking sound as her fingers curled into his fist, trying to catch it. Aello's remaining hand remained in front of her chest, for protective purposes. She had it turned slightly to the side, so it ran diagonally across her body. It was in this way that she hoped to protect a greater portion of her relatively exposed belly. Even so, Aello's precaution proved not to be enough, for Nex's left fist rammed into her elbow. The girl grit her teeth in frustration as her own elbow was rammed into her stomach, partially winding her. She gasped for breath as her eyes flashed menacingly. That is the last petching time he will hit me, the girl thought as she staggered a few steps back, giving herself but a moment to catch her breath. Aello had balled her hands into tight fists once more, and returned them to the starting position when she lunged for Nex again. When she was within striking distance, she raised her right leg, turning it onto its side as she rolled her hips into the move. She was hoping to strike right around his waist, before drawing her leg back and pushing forward, in the hopes that she may follow up with a punch. Lowering her right hand, so that it was nestled near her right hip, before bringing it back up so that she could strike him just beneath his chin.

[Nex Paciscor]

Rather unintentionally his lips curled up in a twisted smile as his fist jarred her elbow, and cause her to back off a few steps. It wasn't as satisfying as earning a hit that truly mattered but it was a testament that he was holding his own in this fight, and not so much of a failure as she might think him to be. Putting one foot behind the other he disengaged at the same time as her, needing as much of a breather as she, herself did, his golden eyes widening slightly as they studied her. Carrying on a extended battle such as this was rough on him, and he knew, it must be the same for her. After all battles usually lasted a half a bell at the most, and that was really pushing it yet it felt to him like they had been fighting for much longer than that, despite the fast paced track of time his mind adopted with so much adrenaline flowing through his system. Perhaps it was the magic that wore out his body so, or the fact that it had been a while since he sparred last. Whatever it was, it pointed out to him that he needed to train harder on his endurance or he would never be able to do anything about it later when it really mattered.

He gritted his teeth as she took a run at him again, and in reaction he to moved towards her, stepping inside of her reach just in time to catch her flying leg in his large, callused hands. His feet bit into the ground ever so slightly as he absorbed the energy of the kick, and he moved to throw her off her balance when her fist cracked into his chin, head snapping back under the force of the blow. Letting go of her leg, he stumbled back a few steps as the shock set in, and blood streamed from his chin down to soak his dark blue tunic. As he moved back disoriented for those brief moments, he carried his arms crossed before him, his head tossing this way and that to rid himself of the dizziness and confusion that plagued him, finally settling upon the figure of Aello.

"Again." He stuttered out simply, lunging for her if she already wasn't on her way to pound him senseless. His fist would bunch up as he cocked his right arm back, allowing a small bit of his own djed to stream down his arm, and it flowed across his muscles and providing extra power where it could. While the strike was a fraction slower than all his others it made up for it in the sliver of power he had soaked into the strike, hopefully turning the tide of the battle to his advantage.

[Aello]

Aello hopped lightly on the leg that Nex hadn't captured, simply to keep her balance as her hand inched closer and closer to his flesh. When it struck, she quickly drew it back, much as she returned her leg to its proper place once he had let go. She allowed her friend to draw back, as she watched a thin trickle of crimson red blood slide down his chin. A few drops dripping off the edge. "Are you sure about that Nex?" she asked, as she raised her fists into the starting position, "because you're already bleeding." Aello was surprised then, when Nex lunged for her once more. She could see him drawing his arm back, the aura that surrounded it sparkling silver. Tiny stars against a blood-red sky. He was doing something to it. Using some sort of magic upon it, to make it stronger, it seemed. Aello's eyes grew wide. Not good, she thought, at the realization, that in a way, they were both cheating in the hopes of besting the other. Of course, Aello couldn't exactly say anything about it. Since she'd then have to explain how she knew what she did. Thus, as the fist inched closer and closer to her, Aello leaned over to the right. From her hips upwards, her body shifted so that it leaned more to the side, while her head stayed largely in the same place. As the Kelvic's hand swept past, she could feel it brush up against the side of her left arm. Just below where the shoulder met with its length. "Petch," she growled through grit teeth as a sharp, shooting pain shot through the length of her arm. That hurt. With the level of her anger, and pain rising, Aello was even more determined to win. To end this spar. Therefore, she drew her right arm back, and twisted it out to the side before bringing it back in. The arm made a slight arc as it soared towards her companion's side, hoping to strike towards the back of his arm, around the area where his shoulder met the blade. OOCYou didn't specify where you were trying to hit... so I improvised. Hope you don't mind. PM with questions or concerns.

[Nex Paciscor]

Nex lurched forward as his fist only grazed her left arm, but kept his balance by shooting his right foot in front of him to prevent his weight from pitching forward and leaving him vulnerable on the ground. Suddenly there was a stinging pain in his back causing his left foot to stumble back a bit at the sudden forceful punch that thumped against his shoulder. There was nothing left to do now but to think hard and fast about what he was going to do to get out of the way from her next punch, and then how he was going to quickly win this fight. His muscles quivered from exhaustion, and his every breath was getting harder and harder to come by, but he had to win this fight.

Gritting his teeth he rolled his shoulders back, throwing himself backwards to land on the heels of his feet while keeping his arms crossed before him to sustain any blows from the woman. His feet rolled forward as he set his heel firmly in the ground, and with a quick glance around charged forward once more, once again arching his fist back for a punch. Instead of doing his normal straight forward tactics though, he decided to try something he had seen others do before, perhaps even Aello had tried it with that nasty little dagger of hers. As he went in for the strike, he would punch out his right arm aiming for her chest, but even as he did so, his feet would shift diagonally under him, setting his balance at a tilt so when his fists momentum played out it pulled up short, and quick to pull it back, Nex quickly followed the blow turning it into a spin, only this time it was his right leg sweeping in low to swat Aello's feet out from under her. If he managed to knock her to the ground, Nex would straighten himself up quickly before pouncing onto of her, holding down her arms with his legs, and calling for a surrender. Should his leg miss, he would raise his right arm to ward away any follow up attacks before trying to outright bowl her over using his height and body weight to his advantage.

[Aello]

As soon as her fist struck, Aello drew it away, as she retreated a few steps. Buying herself next to no time to prepare for another defensive and offensive maneuver. As Aello watched the fiery red mist that wound itself around the Kelvic's body inch closer, her muscles tightened. They rippled beneath her pale flesh as thin trickles of salty sweat made its way down her skin. Here we go... she thought, as she inched her fists a little higher, preparing herself for his next attack. As Nex's fist inched closer and closer to her chest, Aello unfurled her fingers. Inching her nails away from the center of her palm, and out towards the sky. She held her fingers together tightly, and curled them inwards only slightly, so that they formed a slender crescent moon. Seconds later, Nex's fist made contact with her right palm. Her fingers curled inwards slightly, as the girl frowned. She had expected more force to have been put behind the punch. Something is wrong here. Nex is getting sloppy. He... Aello felt a sharp shooting pain course through her legs as they were swept outwards from beneath her slender form. Moments later, she was weightless, falling towards the ground; shutting her eyes tightly to keep the sun from them. To ward off the pain she knew was soon to come. Seconds later, Aello's back met with the grass. Tiny tendrils of pain trickled upwards, through the length of her back. Roots holding fast to the ground, as their stems shot upwards, and through her flesh. Sending sharp shooting pains into her system, that caused her to wince all the more, before she forced her eyes to open. The dark outline of the Kelvic's body was inching closer and closer. His fiery aura billowing out around him, as his shadow hovered over her form, obscuring the white of her flesh from view. The girl's eyes grew wide as she attempted to roll over, and away from her assailant. But it was too late. Nex was already upon her, pinning her to the ground. Aello attempted to kick her legs, and push up against his arms, even though Nex held her at the wrists. Winding his fingers around her flesh as though each were a snake trying to choke the life out of a rat. She could feel her flesh stinging, as it began to turn red, the color of his aura. It's no use, Aello told herself, as she continued to struggle. He has you now... it's written all over his aura. With the golden crown that rests atop the red. The girl sighed, as her pale pink lips curled into a wide grin. "I suppose you aren't the type to let a girl win," she whispered, her tone betraying a rather playful nature. Good. It's best he doesn't always let the girl win...

[Nex Paciscor]

Nex sighed as his leg met hers, collapsing her feet underneath herself so she fell to the ground. Within an instant he was leaping onto of her, using his knees to hold down her waist, and his hands to keep her wrists pinned to the ground. His heart thumped hard in his chest and he kept her down even as she struggled, his hands tightening around her slender wrists, gripping them tighter as she tried to press up and out of his hold. Behind him he could feel her kicking but from his angle he didn't much worry about any serious harm from the flurry of heavy kicks she aimed at the air. Instead he concentrated on his breathing, deeply intaking breath through his nose only to breath it slowly from his mouth, his face sharp and hard as stared down at Aello. He could feel every one of his muscles flex and reflexively tense up at every slight jolt of Aello's struggle, quickly responding to press all his weight down to try and keep her in place, his eyes constantly locked on her own. More than anything he needed to show his competency, needed to show her he could be more than what she had seen so far, he needed to show he could be worthy of standing with her. It didn't matter to him why, or the means that he was going about doing that, only that it needed to be done, and that winning seemed to provide a way for that.

His expression slowly softened at Aello's words as his mind drifted back to the present, but his grip on her didn't immediately lessen as his body kept wary for any mischievousness on her part. After a few moments, a smile came his lips and his grip on her slacked, his eyes alighting on her brightly, and he took a quick breath as he watched her, sitting up as he did so. "It's who I am" he chuckled, sliding off of her to sit on the ground, and lean back on his elbows. Indeed a spar was a spar, but for him it had meant so much more than that, as if his very future weighed in the balance. He wasn't sure why, but for the first time in his life it seemed like something truly mattered. Shaking his head at the all to confusing thoughts that buzzed in his head, he turned to look at Aello. "You handled yourself well"

[Aello]

Aello eased herself up rather slowly. Twisting her wrists, so that they could stretch, and ease away the burn of Nex's fingers. When she had finished, Aello looked up at him, with the smallest of smiles upon her lips. "There's no shame in that Nex. Sometimes, you will need to be able to fight people such as myself, in order to keep yourself alive," Aello commented, as she slowly eased herself onto her feet. Her bones creaked, her muscles ached, causing her legs to tremble. Aello took a moment to try and steady herself, to brush herself off. Any grass that clung to her clothes was pushed away. She didn't look up at Nex when she spoke again. "Hardly. You beat me... we both know that should not have happened." The girl chuckled, but only a little. Forcing herself to cut out the sound as it rang through the clearing. Bounced off the brown tree trunks, and skittered through their leaves. Aello plucked one last stalk of grass off her dress, before looking up at Nex. "Of course," she added, as she forced the auras to fade, "it could not have happened had I used the dagger... I am far better with a blade than with my own two hands." Her chest was still rising and falling rapidly, her heart hammering in her chest as she stared at the wolf. At least, he was good at something she sucked at. They'd even each other out, after all, right? With that, Aello strode over to her things, and picked them up off the ground. She returned everything to its proper place, before turning back to Nex. "What do you say we head back to Alenias?" she asked. "She's probably woken up by now... may be a bit worried not to see us there... she can't be left in the forest for long... has this misguided notion that each animal that dwells here is a friend." Aello smiled weakly, and began to make her way out of the clearing, knowing that in time, Nex would follow. OOCFeel free to wrap up.