PM to join A Meet and A Spar [Faircroft]

[Alexander Ross]

Alexander Ross As Alex executed the combo, he couldn’t help but give a cocky grin as his second swing landed directly on its mark. However when it came to executing the shield bash, he may have just been a bit too slow with it. It was almost as if Faircroft had been anticipating the attack, given how quickly he stepped aside. Just as Ross had feared, the momentum he had gathered into the shield bash had worked completely against him, sending the Squire off balance. He grunted and stopped for a moment, his entire body wobbling to try and regain his balance. But before Ross could even catch himself, he suddenly felt the force of a donkey punch which, much to the nineteen-year-old’s utter dismay, granted the desired effect. The punch itself wasn’t all that painful, but it was definitely enough to send him off balance. He gave a pained grunt as he landed flat on his stomach, the wind practically being knocked out of his lungs. He laid there for a moment longer as the defeat registered in his mind, before simply giving a chuckle. “Not bad.” He said, before moving to get up. “I apologize for earlier. I have a bit of a habit of underestimating people… Something that I want to correct in the future.” He sighed and dusted off his armor before turning to the other Squire with a smile that seemed more sincere than the one he had before. However, it faded once he noticed that Croft seemed a bit uncomfortable. He couldn’t understand why, as they had only been sparring for perhaps a minute. Aside from his heart hammering within his chest and his elbow having a dull ache, Ross felt as if he would be able to go another round or two. “Are you all right?” He asked, feeling genuinely concerned.

[Alexander Faircroft]

There was a stark contrast between confidence and arrogance. Unfortunately for Ross. He’d stepped from one into the other. As he lay flat against the floor Alex just tapped the edge of his sword lightly against the plates across Ross’ back. A single that if Alex had wanted too he could have ended everything right there. Though as much as Alex wanted to…He couldn’t quite shift himself to the point of holding himself up. His sword swung back and he used it as a brace. Fighting the pain in his shoulder he kept his balance, which kept him standing.

Though as Ross rose he chuckled. Perhaps it was a small amusement to him that he’d been beaten? Or perhaps it was the fact he’d registered that Alex was in fact injured and still managed to pull out a win. An apology for the lack of skill he thought Alex had. He just waved it off. “Don’t worry about it. I intentionally played the fool. It’s often easier to act as people want to believe you are. Then you can pull out something which surprises them.” Alex picked his eight up off of his sword and tried to balance. No good. Pressing the point of the blade back into the ground he stumbled lightly.

“It’s good to play with your opponent’s expectations. Often give you more room to move yourself.” Though as Alex spoke now there was an edge of pain to his voice. Like he was struggling standing. Ross must have noticed this as he asked if he was ok. “Not really. Wounds I thought would have healed by now are still giving me grief… They picked up again part way through the fight so I had to change tactics.” He stumbled over to the bench nearby sitting and letting the bruises ease down and numb themselves again.

“I’ve nothing against most knights. But there are one or two who could really used a lesson or two in humility. Or at the very least restraint. Particularly the unranked Stalinsas.” His words could have been considered derogatory and potentially have gotten him punished. But there was nobody here besides himself and Ross. No-one to take notice of his words, but he’d been injured heavily by one of them, and if it had been the other way around, he’d of been punished. Yet no repercussions fell on those who showed no restraint, when they held a full knight hood.

[Alexander Ross]

Alexander Ross Ross only nodded as he stood up, dusting off the dead leaves that had gotten stuck in his grieves. “I figured that’s what it was. Playing the fool is a good way to… well, fool people. You’re a pretty… heh… Crofty fellow. I’ll have to give it a try sometime.” He said, still chuckling. For a Squire who had a long way to go before he was any good, he was seeming fairly good-natured about losing the spar. Why wouldn’t he be? It’s not as if Faircroft was a bandit or a legitimate enemy trying to take his life, or that Ross would lose his entire life’s worth of savings if he had lost. It was just a friendly spar, something that Ross was always glad to have regardless of whether or not he won. However, when Faircroft mention that he had some old wounds still aching, Alex blinked in surprise. “So you’re telling me that you managed to land me flat on my face, while you were still injured?” He demanded almost harshly. In truth, Alex wasn’t even insulted… well, he was for a few seconds, but who wouldn’t be? Ross was sure that he had a better grasp on using a sword than Faircroft. However, Faircroft knew how to use his brain, which would also be a crucial point in combat. The fact that Croft was able to best him at his own game, and do it while still injured appalled him just a bit. “That’s… impressive.” He said, giving another chuckle. Well, if Faircroft didn’t have any of his respect before, he definitely does now. “You might have to teach me some of your tactics sometime. I might just find them useful in the future.” He said, sliding his blade back into the sheath that was holstered across his back. “Then perhaps in turn, I can give you a bit more advice on how to use a blade. I don’t know how much use that will be, though. I’m a terrible teacher.” He said, giving a small shrug. However, when he heard mention of the Stalinsas, he cocked his head curiously. He was unsure if he had actually heard the name before…

[Alexander Faircroft]

Lovely. A pun. As if he didn’t get enough flack for his name now a new squire was taking a crack at it. With a heavy sigh that was a mask of both pain and actual irritation he shot Ross a glance. “I didn’t play the fool. Just to play the fool. I played the part because it was what you thought I was.” He gave a sly smile one that spoke more sincerity in his motions than overall craftiness. Though the sounds of disbelief that Alex had managed to get Ross on the floor was something that gave Alex a touch of pause.

“It’s not like in real combat if you’re injured your opponent is going to give a damn.” The words were stark and short but honest. He spoke the truth from both experience and what his training was prepping him for. “If you can’t fight in any state, don’t fight.” The words may have sounded like a jab but instead they were a commentary on the overall state of things within the knights. They didn’t care too much if someone was injured, the still had to do their duties, and get on with things. Still now that he was pressing his back into the wall Alex could take some of the weight off of his abdomen and shoulders.

“I’ll teach what I can. But I learned most of what I base how I’m fighting on from what I gleaned off of Archailist.” A bit of advice on how to use his blade? Alex smirked. Clearly Ross didn’t know just how many weapons Alex trained with on a regular basis just to vary his options. “Thanks’ for the offer Ross. I may eventually take you up on it.” Alex hissed as he slipped his sword back into its sheath. Unlike Ross’s shorter sword which was across his back Alex’s much longer blade was stored on his hip.

“Though if I had one piece of advice to give you hear and now. It’s simply don’t charge with a shield. Ground your feet and push with the shoulder. Your power comes from your hips with the weapon. Charging only means that if you miss, it’s easy for someone to capitalize on it like I did just then.” Alex leant back on the bench a little more. Glancing towards the sky he spoke again. “Also. Make sure you always carry a backup weapon. And a shock tactic of some sort. Nothing is easier to beat than an opponent who is actively scared of you.” He shot a small smile all the expressions he was giving off held some form of emotion to them unlike the even and almost hollow smile of insensate glee he’d held whilst sparring.

[Samuel Longwell]

Grading Complete Please edit your grade request thread so that it's obvious that it's been graded. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions/problems with your grade. Name: Alex Ross XP Award: Weapon: Longsword 5 Planning 1 Socialisation 3 Observation 1 Tactics 3 Weapon: Shield 2 Acrobatics 1 Endurance 2 Lore: Tactics: The Deception Of Looking Weak Stalinsa: A Familiar Name Faircroft: Tactical Squire Shield Points: +5 Training Thread Name: Alex Faircroft XP Award: Weapon: Bastard Sword 5 Acting 1 Tactics 4 Socialisation 1 Weapon: Shield 3 Endurance 4 Teaching 2 Lore: Tactics: The Deception Of Looking Weak Ross: New Squire Endurance: Fighting With Healing Injuries Shield Points: +5 Training Thread Notes: I enjoyed the clash of the Alex's. I hope you enjoy your grades