by Guy Laliberte on November 25th, 2011, 4:47 am
"Syliras!" someone shouted, to which Guy responded, "Really? Syliras?" This drew some laughter, and the man, red faced with embarrassment, amended his choice. "Sunberth?"
"Ah, Sunberth!" exclaimed Guy. "A most excellent choice. A season, then?"
"Winter!" another man suggested. "Very well." said Guy. "And what am I doing on this winter day in Sunberth?"
"Fighting off a group of thugs!" someone shouted, and Guy widened his eyes and cocked his eyebrow. The actions were hidden by his mask, but by the look in his eyes the audience could tell what he was doing. The suggestion worked very well for what Guy had in mind, and he said, "Splendiferous! Now, if you would all step back just a bit, I must prepare myself."
Once everyone had stepped back a few paces, Guy centered himself and looked at the floor, breathing deeply. A few breaths later, he was ready. Looking up and around, he settled his gaze straight ahead and said, as if to someone who was not there, "W-What do you want?"
His voice was filled with just enough fear to make it believable, but not enough so that people thought he was overdoing it. Shaking his head, he pleaded. "I don't have any money, I swear! I just gave my last coin to a beggar!"
Apparently, the imaginary thugs weren't buying his excuse. Guy started backing away, then looked to his right and to his left, as if he were being surrounded. "You're making a mistake! I'm telling you! I've got nothing!" He backed up until he was a foot away from the crowd, then looked behind himself. "You've got me cornered... You will regret this."
His voice took on a deeper authority, and was filled with the confidence of a man who knew what he was talking about. "You will leave me alone or you will wake up with your face in a puddle of your own blood. This I promise you."
Suddenly, he flashed up his left arm in a punch, bending his elbow and hitting an assailant who was trying to sneak up behind him. Pivoting on his left foot, he curved the turning motion of his body into a right hook, landing it in the gut of the man whose face he just punched. Turning still, Guy dropped down and swept out his foot, completing a 180 degree rotation and tripping another thug who decided to press the advantage. Springing up onto his heels he lashed out with two more quick punches to the face and a knee to the stomach, downing his second victim. Panting heavily, he struck a pose that not many would be familiar with. The Laliberté style of martial arts was not one passed on to many people, and the crowd gathered to watch Guy perform caught a rare glimpse of it as he acted to the whims of the onlookers. His feet were stretched about two feet apart, and perpendicular to each other, forming an 'L' shape. His arms were close to his sides, the fists clenched and ready to lash out.
"So you draw a crossbow, do you? Coward. I knew you could ne-" Guy started, then choked and thrust his body backwards, losing his stance, as the imaginary crossbow bolt pierced his chest. He staggered but remained standing, clutching at his chest in disbelief. His hands gripped something thin and long, and he tugged at it for a bit before staring down at his body with his chin against his chest. "I..." He coughed again, and dropped down to his knees. "I..." Every time he tried to speak, he coughed. Coughed up blood and saliva and who knew what else.
"Petch." he concluded, dropping face down to the floor. A few of the more conservative Sylirans gasped at the profanity, but the rest laughed and clapped as Guy met his untimely demise in a cold alley in Sunberth.
Springing up with a litheness that belied his figure, Guy bowed and flourished his arms. "That concludes today's performance, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for your patronage, I hope to see you soon." Gathering his things, Guy stopped to give a few Miza to Cecile before apologizing to the other masked man. "I'm afraid I'm quite busy today, but perhaps I shall take you up on your offer to dinner another day."
He walked back through the castle to his apartment, keeping his entertainers garb on but removing his mask en route. He counted the days earnings and knew he would have to do another show that day, but for now he took the bite out of an apple and collapsed fully clothed on his bed. Haven't practiced like that in a while, he thought. I really should spend more time going over the katas... I am the last Laliberté, after all... Must keep the style alive...
His dreams that night were filled with back alley fights and extraordinary feats of martial prowess.
