Closed Kukri vs. Kris [Shijara]

[Shijara]

Steel flashed in front of her, swinging forward, back and forth. Shijara stepped backwards, keeping her weapon held up. She nearly wavered, but Sonnet's presence pressed upon her. Flashes of Kel's back moving as his he closed in on her, swinging his weapon contrasted to the image she saw, almost overwhelming. His blade was getting closer. Would he stop? Would she be cut open?

Shijara.

An imaginary picture of her parring Kel's approach broke her thoughts. Shijara was forced to take another step back.

Shijara.

Sunlight bounced off the blade. He was going to cut her. Or at least slap it against her. She needed to brace for the pain. She needed to-

SHIJARA.

Another vision of her fighting back shocked itself into her mind, the urge strong from her guardian, erasing her momentary panic. The dark haired woman felt an emotion that pushed her forward. Was it irritation? Determination? Passion? Shijara took a deep breath, eyes locking not on Kel's face, but on his blade, on his arms, on his stance. Had she not agreed if she would do this, the injuries would be worth the fight? The kris' waved blade, swung upwards, catching his as it lowered to complete another 'x' formation. Metal on metal hissed,and she held the blade tightly, holding it against his.

Push.

Shijara obeyed the advice of her guardian, exerting energy to push his blade far enough to try for an opening. Kel was much larger than her, but she needed to regain ground. If she could just get his kukri to the side, she could bend at the knees and throw her shoulder into him, maybe even catch him in the diaphragm or stomach, using the height difference to her advantage. Knocking the wind from him would also give her a chance to pull out of such proximity. Being so close for so long would be dangerous. The Svefra knew what he was doing much more than the desert dweller and she would need to pull back after her parry.

But would it work?

Even if she didn't knock some air from his lungs, if she shoved hard enough, it was possible he would at least stagger. Tactics swirled within the woman's mind, leaving only a chance for action. No more thinking. Shijara gritted her teeth, pushed her blade further, and when she thought she had a shot, pushed off in hopes to slam into the male's chest.

[Kel Tempest]

The kukri sliced through the air as he moved forward, step by step, the Chaktawe responding just as he had anticipated. He kept a keen eye on her as she backed away, her face an impenetrable mask, watching for her body to betray her next move. He wasn’t sure what motivated her retreat, whether out of fear or a tactical decision, it was a tossup, all he knew was his plan was working.


That is, until the woman retaliated.


Shijara’s kris lashed out, light glinting off the steel as it flashed upwards through the air. The two weapons clashed together, a torturous sound emanating from the offended metal. The momentum from his attack shoved the kris down when the blades met until it was brought to a standstill by the woman holding her ground.


Kel wiggled his eyebrows at her humorously, a smirk crossing his face.


“A fighter, I be seein’. Might be hope fer’ yeh’ yet.”


Her black eyes stared back at him and he winked at her, enjoying himself as he antagonized her. It never got old. She might not appreciate it but it brought him bountiful amounts of mirth. He allowed himself to relax for a moment, just putting enough pressure on the crisscrossed blades to keep them in place. But because of his momentary lapse in concentration, he wasn’t expecting the sudden surge of motion from the woman, his kukri suddenly having been shoved aside and the small body leaping forward.


Her shoulder slammed into his torso and his eyes widened in surprise. An oompf sounded from his lips, causing him to grunt as the blow forced him to stumble back a few steps. He hadn’t expected such a calculated risk from her.


Kel regained his balance and stood there for a moment, staring at her, kukri held extended slightly from his side. He rubbed the spot where she hit him with his free hand absentmindedly, eyes narrowing.


He didn’t like being bested. Even if it was only one strike.


The sea dwelling Svefra could feel his temper flare at his pride having been wounded. He didn't care how petty it was that it irritated him. While he didn’t completely lose it, it still irked him that she had gotten through him. Now it was time for some payback.


He lowered his chin slightly, looking down at her coolly, a low rumble reverting in his chest. His dark blue eyes flickered menacingly, the humor slowly draining from his gaze, lips pulling back into a half snarl. Kel held the blade down by his side, fingers curling and uncurling around the leather wrapped hilt. Shijara had gained some distance between them from her maneuver and he intended to use every inch of it.


A battle was first won in the mind before it was even physically acted out. Intimidation and fear could be incredibly useful in a fight he had discovered. Fear, if not locked down, could spell out defeat for a warrior if he didn’t know how to control it. But even the most war hardened veteran still felt fear in the midst of combat. If one played their cards right however, sometimes it was possible to tease that fear out and exploit it.


Shijara knew Kel well enough to know he didn’t play by the rules and could be somewhat unpredictable. He was a predator through and through. She might not fear him but she might be slightly nervous by his sudden demeanor shift.


Kel began to move forward silently, the last trace of lighthearted fun having drained from the Svefra. Step by step he prowled closer to the woman, taking his time, feeling the deck of the ship shift under his feet. The Svefra reached out with his Oceanus gnosis, feeling the currents of the ocean around them with the power granted to him by Laviku, timing the waves that swelled and crested under his feet. It only took a few ticks for a plan to formulate in his mind.


And then he acted.


In a burst of motion, the scorned Tempest exploded forward as the casinor climbed a swell, the ship rising up into the air. Kel leaped onto the railing of the Laviku’s Wrath with one foot, planting it firmly on the wooden beam. Muscles coiled and released, launching him off the gunwale back towards Shijara as the wave peaked. The ship dropped as the wave crested, giving the Svefra the added height and distance he wanted.


Kel landed back on his ship, using his momentum to throw himself into a forward roll. He hit the deck with his shoulders, head curled to his chest, curving his spine allowing him to rotate smoothly, managing to avoid stabbing himself with his weapon. The Svefra sprung up into a crouch, intending to land directly behind the woman.


If he was successful in maneuvering around Shijara, allowing him to sneak in behind her defenses, Kel would slap the flat of his weapon hard against the backs of both of her calves, mimicking a crippling effect had the attack been for real.

Legend

Fratava

Common

[Shijara]

Shijara felt the attack long before she knew what was happening. Kel's bright eyes seem to darken, as if a shadow was cast from inside of him, surely not a good sign. Steeling her resolve, Shijara tried to prepare for what happened next, but she was caught off guard and vulnerable. Her fingertips buzzed furiously, the currents beneath the boat picking up, her own racial ability allowing for her to feel the rush of moving water.

It was her warning sign.

But there was nothing she could do about it. Kel jumped and was doing some maneuver when the ship began to rise. Shijara's eyes widened in fear, eyes suddenly darting around her. Wha- For security, the Chaktawe searched for her guardian who was trying to get a grip on the deck. The briefest of memories flickered, the day Kel had walked with her through Riverfall's aquarium. He was doing this. She knew it.

Her footing began to falter as the ship began to fall, Kel's attack something she saw coming but couldn't deter. The sharp smack against her calves sent a burning sting up her leg, the sensation all too real. Shijara gritted her teeth to keep the yelp of surprise and pain from being too loud. A high pitched sound radiated from her throat, followed by a frustrated scoff.

"Dammit, Kel!"

The curse was out of place on Shijara's lips, the female trying to catch herself and scramble to sit. She turned, looking up at the male, frustrated, "No.. tattoo water dance!" Shijara couldn't remember the word for what Kel was capable of doing, just that it came from his the moving images on his skin. Pushing herself off the deck, the Chaktwe kicked at the man halfheartedly, trying to decide what to do next. Sonnet had momentarily vanished from Shi's vision, leaving the spar to watch secretly.

"What are you doing with your feet?" Shi lowered her weapon, changing the topic, the spot on her legs where he had smacked her growing bright red. She would inquire about his stance. This was a way to learn, but there also needed to be an opening for her. Something to take advantage of like he had with her. "Show me."

The dark haired woman widened her stance slightly, motioning him closer with narrow eyes. "What about my arms?" Her voice held caution, as if she was unsure about whether or not she should allow him closer.

[Kel Tempest]

Victory flashed in the Svefra’s eyes as Shijara yelled in anger. All of his irritation and annoyance drained out of him in an instant and was replaced by laughter that bubbled to the surface. He stood from his crouched position and lowered his weapon, grinning ear to ear as she turned and glared at him. His pride was restored and the anger left as quickly as it came as if nothing had ever happened.


Kel wiggled the kukri at the livid woman sweetly. He chuckled as she struggled to get the words out. He thumped his tattooed chest with his free hand.


“Tis’ an Oceanus, Shi Shi, get it right.”


He chuckled again as she tried to kick him, swinging his leg backwards to dodge her unenthusiastic attempt at hitting him. He admired her dedication to improving her combat abilities and decided for once that maybe he’d help her out.


“Aight' then.”


Kel widened his stance, his gaze flickering from his feet to her’s.


“Spread yehr’ legs so they be same as yehr’ shoulders. Bend yehr’ knees and balance on teh’ balls of yehr’ toes. Yeh’ need ta’ be able ta’ move in any direction at any moment.”


The Svefra brought up his arms, bent at the elbow, tip of the blade at eye level.


“As fer’ yehr’ knife, yeh’ want it in yehr’ dominant hand. Fer’ obvious reasons. Though at some point, yeh’ are gonna’ wanna’ learn ta’ use it inna’ both. Hold it slightly diagonally across yehr’ body, allows yeh’ to block better.”


A memory flashed through his mind of Gideon giving him the most ridiculous instruction. As outlandish as it seemed, it had done wonders for the Svefra. Maybe it would do the same for Shijara.



“Yehr’ blade needs ta’ become an extension of yehr’ own body. Yeh’ need to forget tis’ even there. I want’cha fer’ the next three days ta’ carry yehr’ blade inna’ yehr’ hand. Yeh’ can’t set it down. Only fer’ sleepin'. After that, yeh’ll be so comfer’table yeh’ won’t even think twice ‘bout it."


He jerked his head in her direction.


"Now yeh’ try.”

Legend

Fratava

Common

[Ssezzkero]

Grades

Kel Tempest

XP:

• Acrobatics +3
• Rhetoric +1
• Socialization +1
• Observation +1
• Weapon: Kukri +3
• Teaching +2
• Unarmed Combat +1
• Tactics +2

Lores:

• Acrobatics: Backflip
• Shijara: All bark, maybe a little bit of bite
• It's not uncommon to find someone who doesn't like you
• Never underestimate you opponent
• Be aware of your opponent's body
• Surprise only works if you conceal you weapon
• Shijara: Fast with her blade but slow with her body
• Shijara: A Fighter
• A battle is first won in the mind
• Teaching: Directing one's body movements

Notes: I tend to enjoy your writing, and this was no exception , however the grey on black is realy hard to read, I had to highlight the whole thing. Don't forget to edit your post in the request forum as 'Graded'. PM me if you have any questions or concerns.