A bit of spare time (Open)

[Darren]

Darren quietly finished pouring the water to Rista before setting it aside and listening to the young Yasi talk. How... strangely formal. It might have taken a bit longer but he started to notice the small hints of humility and respect she was giving to the foreign Vantha. Still, her forceful personality seemed to underline her sentences whether she realized it or not. "A bad childhood? Hmph, already no good." Taking a small sip from his cup his eyes watched the young Inarta ever carefully, the life of a yasi was being told to him he should listen closely. Taking the behavioral cue with her piercing as a sign the older vantha took that as a sign of her repeated abuse. "Don't lie to me. If you don't know you don't get many scars." Helping herself? Hmph like that is ever done anymore. Only people who do that regularly nowadays are thieves and thugs. Darren twitched slightly at the explanation, retraining his urge to point out the flaws of her plan. "You don't know what is right. Nobody does. I learn because I had to, not because of small whim. Not enough to change one to be better. Not enough. Need strength in here and more there. Too small right now." Flicking her forehead lightly and tapping his chest proudly it was up to her interpretate what he meant. Did he mean focus and heart? Brains and pride? Cunning and strength? Who knew what the Inarta culture would instill in their youth? Their yasi as they called it. Nevertheless Darren just went out of his way to trust that the Inarta race as a whole still upheld the correct standards of a intelligent race. For if they didn't he would be making a big mistake on both their part and his own. "I don't teach violence." That what the burly foreigner was trying to explain to Rista as his eyes stared straight into hers. "That is what you are looking for and I do not know it." Setting down his cup he finally averted his gaze away from the yasi as he moved the cups and jug aside. Getting up with a disgruntled sigh he waited until Rista followed before he would end their discussion. "Attack me. Kick me, anything! I will show you the differences between the martial and the violent." His eyes glowed a dull red from his intent, if anyone has to show the youth their folly it might as well be him. After all he was the worst from his race.

[Rista]

Not good enough? Rista wouldn't have been able to answer if anyone asked what she had been expecting to hear, but judging by the way her mouth fell open and how her head snapped back from the study of people she had been surprised by the choice of words. Not good enough? Why was she surprised in the first place? The girl listened with a stunned expression as she was literally - but strangely gently, or was it just her? - scolded by the man. Violence was no good? But what was the fighting for if not for violence? No one ever struck another because it was fun, or shouldn't do it at least. She had never actually enjoyed fighting in itself, or so she had come to believe anyway. The way Darren pointed out what he perceived as her true goal with the request made her suddenly doubt her own intentions. It certainly had been a mere whim to ask for a lesson, her only real motivator was curiosity; when it came down to it there probably wasn't anyone that wanted her life so much that she couldn't defend it anyway.

It was a shocking realization, and as the girl rubbed her forehead where it had been flicked her expression was thoughtful. A part of her was trying to rile itself up - he had called her small, said she wasn't good enough, and hadn't he said already that he would teach her? But Rista wasn't listening to the voices - he hadn't actually promised anything, it was just her own conclusions - and instead did her best to try and figure out what exactly the man was talking about. It felt like there was something important to learn from all of this, some key to uncover that, if she found it, could take her to unknown places of growth and development... But it eluded her, the girls thoughts weren't calm enough and she was so distracted that she at first didn't even notice that Darren had stood up.

The girl blinked and looked up at him from her place on the floor, trying to piece together the fragments of words that she actually had picked up. He wanted her to attack him? But he hadn't done her anything, and even if it puzzled her his words hadn't made her angry, and in any case what would people say if they saw her attack a stranger in the middle of the common rooms? She opened her mouth to object, but after a second look on his face she reconsidered and slowly pushed herself up on her feet and moved to stand in front of him. Curious glances were given them as people moved around them, but no one stopped to listen or watch; it was none of their business after all, and they probably had important things to do.

Wetting her lips uncertainly, Rista flexed her fingers and peered over at the taller man. So strange. First he said that he wasn't going to teach violence, and then he told her to attack him. Her small sliver if budding understanding of what he had wanted to say was slowly disappearing again, and left behind was a question that annoyed and teased whatever revelations she could have had given time. Was she supposed to wait for a time of need before she learned? That was stupid thinking, if she ever found herself in true need of such knowledge as fighting, then it would be too late to start learning afterwards. She might not even survive to know her mistake if she ended up in a situation where she wished that she had been wise enough to grasp an opportunity as it passed by. Small? Not good enough? That was like saying she wasn't worth bothering with, not worth his time. Some annoying blue-headed foreigner stood there and told her that she was too stupid to learn how to fight..!

She wasn't even aware that she riled herself up; the annoyance that suddenly pumped through her body was as natural as breathing to her and it swiftly washed away all her doubts. Replacing reason and all logical thinking with anger and adrenaline. Maybe two breaths had been taken during that time, the short mongrel had just come into balance but her face had already darkened into a grim frown as she stared at her opponent. Not attentive enough to take warning from the intense look on the mans face, Rista did as she was told without uttering a word in complaint. Clasping her hands into fists, she suddenly charged forward with a low growl pressed forward through gritted teeth, moving fairly quickly despite her small size.

With the large and obvious movements of someone that had learned to brawl kids by watching kids fight she came towards him directly from the front, her right hand retracting somewhat before it lunged forward in an attempt to punch Darren in the gut. She had seen his fast reflexes in action just recently, but suddenly everything she thought she had known was gone; nothing remained in her head except seething anger, grim determination and the threatening snarl of a mistreated dog that didn't know which hand it was possible to trust. How would she know after so many times of harsh treatment?

oocFeel free to move her around as you wish, she seems to be in need of a good ass kicking... xD

[Darren]

He watched with glazed eyes as Rista riled herself into a frightening fourteen year old fury, this child was scarier then most things that Darren had ever faced thus far. It was hard to believe a kid can throw herself into such a fury, just look at that face! Darren's eyes popped slightly discouraged by the demeanor that this little Yasi had put herself in. Grimacing slightly, he stepped to the side slightly before fixing his stance. That mustn't be good for your health. Still Darren had to put on the air of a master, somewhat relaxed but altogether wary of his opponent. It was altogether to easy to end up on the floor if he wasn't careful, something told him that the child might not fight fair. The Vantha tensed as the Yasi went forward, quickly running the motion in his head his lead food shifted sideways as he inched forward. As Rista's fist came forward his own hand moved without hesitation as it deflected it downwards. Following the flow of his hand he withdrew to the side using his lead leg to pivot himself into position. Letting Rista follow the momentum of her attack Darren planted his feet before retaliating. His right hand drawn close to his chest shot out sideways to blind sight the Yasi to finish their pass. oocI'll just stick to small posts for now

[Rista]

He was so fast. With the adrenaline pumping, her dilated pupils seemed to take in all the small details of what he did and how he moved, but even if her mind could keep up to some extent, her body wasn't attentive enough to manage that. He stepped away from her and moved a hand that knocked away her tightened right fist, so unexpectedly that Rista lost her balance. Threatening to tip forward, she was aware of how the dark-haired man moved around and in behind her. It was never a good thing to have someone behind your back, and even as Rista was brought forward by the momentum of her movements she thought of how to get out of that pinch.

Every thought only occupied her mind for a fragment of a drop. Instead of trying to break the fall and risk getting hit by whatever attack he aimed towards her, Rista dived into it, threw herself into a ball and rolled to the floor. Down and forward, just in time to feel the strike of a hand graze the very top of her head with just enough force to rattle her brain a bit. Pain was something the girl hated. No, she didn't hate it, she feared it, which was even worse. Deeply rooted instincts told her that the pain was dangerous and that it was very bad to expose herself to it; those feelings suggested that she should remain curled up into a ball on the floor, so that he might stop with the punches and forget about her. The rational part of her brain didn't listen though; she had been in too many brawls to actually believe that. No, she needed to get up and get ready, this was in no way over.

She unfolded her short limbs and tried to turn around and get back on her feet at the same time; the movement was slow and clumsy as she didn't have the proper strength nor the experience to do it smoothly. Somehow she did get back up though, and when she once again faced Darren and moved in to once again try to punch him, in the stomach this time too - she was too short to believe that it was possible to hit him in the face - there was a faint smile lingering on her lips.

Okay, so maybe she did enjoy this a little. Enough to smirk at least, and even if she didn't... Well, it made her look sinister. However sinister a fourteen year old girl can get, when she's barely tall enough to reach her opponent to the chest. Most of all she looked like an overgrown puppy that tumbled around; her avoiding the punch had after all been a stroke of luck rather than a show of brilliant skill.

oocI really tried to keep it short.. anyway, to clarify the post, she rolls down on the ground, takes the hit lightly to the top of her head, gets up and turns around and then she tries to punch him in the gut again. Gods it's been a long time since I tried to fight someone. Please tell me if I end up doing improbable things...

[Darren]

Blinking slightly amazed, Darren watched as Rista dived forward to dodge. Good instincts on this one. Still... she isn't developed enough to make use of them. Politely waiting for her to get back on her feet he issued the same challenge, inviting her assault. His eyes narrowed as he saw a dek passing the pair, looking with curious eyes at the two. Offering up a welcoming smile before looking back at Rista. His expression would soon changed as he noticed the young Yasi already starting the next pass, aiming at his stomach again. Inhaling slightly, Darren flexed his body as Rista's fist collided with his body. Staring blankly at the young Yasi's eyes Darren exhaled irate as he stepped forward. A nondescriptive face concealed the intent he had in the upcoming flurry. His right hand was shaped into a palm as Darren aimed it at Rista's jaw in a small arch. His left hand soon followed as he aimed a body shot at the Yasi after a bit of lag. Both working in unison for the same purpose, to unnerve his opponent. His arms placed tightly to his body before, there wasn't too much power from the strikes to be condsidered devastating but both were aimed at ideal targets. A hit to the jaw would work to disorientate, while his left took advantage of a person's natural instinct to protect his/her face. If the jaw check was avoided she shouldn't be able to see much indication of the follow-through attack that would wind her.

[Rista]

What was it to focus? It was something the adults aways talked about, whether it was during history classes or archery lessons. 'Focus!' they said with intensity and a passion in their eyes, but they never explained how to do it. With time she had figured out that it mostly was about to concentrate on the things you were doing... But in this type of situation where everything was happening at once, where should she focus? Was it at the soreness of her shoulders and back after the impact with the ground? Was it the slight pulsating feeling at the back of her head, a reminder of a blow that could have hit? Should she be thinking of the air as it passed around her fist and cooled her skin, that felt like it was burning from adrenaline and excitement? Or, was it the man she should aim to focus at? It wasn't easy, her mind felt so scattered and the fact that she was in the middle of a strike wasn't helping. Her senses were all over the place; touch, sight, hearing, even scent and taste...

Shock flashed through her mind as her fist slammed straight into his abdomen, not so much because she had hit but because he was so hard! It was like punching a wall, and for a brief moment she dared to look up and glance at his face... So calm. How could he be so calm? She was seething with emotion and hormones, her thoughts were all over the place and there he was standing, completely at ease and didn't even budge as he got her fist in his gut. He even smiled.

Then a hand slapped over her face - where had that come from? - and Rista felt how her head was rattled, her weight and balance shifted. She hadn't seen it coming at all and her instincts wailed in surprise and pain. It actually didn't hurt all that much at all, but her surprise made it all the more shocking and she tried to shake it away..
A second strike reached her body, a fist embedded itself in her relaxed gut and the yasi bend over as the air was struck out of her. This one actually did hurt, quite a lot, and with tearing eyes she felt her knees weaken and the world spin around her. When had he aimed that strike?

Ah, this was such a.. Even she realized the outcome of this fight. If it could even be called a fight, with the way the older man seemed to toy with her. Humiliation and defeated anger mixed with a rather misplaced sense of humor, and a mixture of a whine and a laugh escaped the girl where she slipped down onto the floor. She was such an idiot.. and this was such a comical sight. A mountain cat toying with a cub, watching the little cat and its clumsy pawing with detached patience and amusement... Nothing to be riled up over at all. No wonder he was laughing.

[Darren]

Watching Rista shake from the strike Darren drew his hands back into a ready position. Keep going. However his mental command was ignored as the Vantha heard a nervous laugh from the Yasi as she tried to regain her breathe. "Are you alright?" Dull red eyes addressed his opponent as Darren determined if she was still able to go on. "Keep going, you've yet to be convinced. Try harder, we are done warming up." Taking his stance the Vantha waited until Rista was read before he started the next clash. His arms still positioned close to his body Darren was choosing precision and speed over any flashier movements. Mere thrusts and slight swings flew from his palms as he tested Rista's ability to defend herself. Though none of them actually connected with her hard Darren should still be able to convey the differences between the two. His hands describing small circles Darren then stepped forward as he tried to calmly exhibited his limited mastery. Starting things off with a well telegraphed uppercut to her body Darren followed through with his body to check whether Rista' had good footing or not. Ideally the leaning attack would only cause her to take a pace or two back if she didn't react too well or in fact stagger her away if she wasn't paying attention. In any case the Vantha would watch patiently for the Yasi's retaliation, his eyes inviting for her to try to land a clean hit on him. oocAny problems or clarification? PM me. If you can put out a Rista combination that would be nice. Sorry if it's a bit difficult, I haven't done one of these in awhile either.

[Rista]

Was this supposed to make her change her mind when it came to learning? It was a strange way of doing it, considering that it was working.. and not working. If anything it made the yasi realize just how little she knew, and how much he would be able to actually teach her instead of just beating her up. A glare was offered Darren at his question - it had to be pretty obvious that she was in pain, right? - but it still had that faint sparkle of humor hidden somewhere beneath the dark depths. A gallows humor, black and toxic, but as it mixed with fear of pain and anger it served to give her strength, enough to at least push herself back up on her feet. Rista took a few careful breaths and found to her surprise that the muscles were recovering pretty quickly. Maybe he wasn't hitting her for real? Now that was something to consider, was she supposed to take advantage of that, get irritated or be relieved? After all, she did realize that it would be pretty easy for the man to kill her then and there, should he actually wish for it.

Standing her ground and waiting for the attack, Rista tried to evaluate the situation as much as she could, even though there weren't a lot of time to be thinking. Her opponent were obviously much larger than her, stronger and more skilled too. But it should be possible to surprise him, and she might have a chance when it came to speed... She had to be quick, then, and light on her feet. Between two breaths she changed her stance a bit, bent the knees slightly and shifted the weight forward to the front of her feet as she tightened the muscles in her stomach - painfully, but it was possible. Hands reached up in front of her, trying to mimic the stance that Darren had. She didn't really know what she was doing; without noticing she had actually calmed down a bit, her thoughts were so focused on avoiding the next blow that attacking became something secondary...

He moved, an arm came swinging up towards her stomach again and in a motion that made Rista surprised over herself she mimicked the first move he had made. Allowing one foot to move back, she turned her body away from the fist and to the left, feeling the strength in his had as the knuckles scraped over her abs. Ugh, she hadn't been fast enough... Almost immediately the man stepped forward, and while her mind still processed the fact that she had been hit again Rista used the time to try and land a hit, at least one hit somewhere in a place that would be felt... Her fists tightened she didn't even consider restraining her blows - it would just have been too unfair - and aimed punches towards his chest, first the right one to the line where his ribcage ended, then the left hand followed while aiming a little to the left of that spot.

And then, just to see if it worked the girl slipped her right foot forward and placed it just behind the heel of Darren's left leg, in case he would try and step back again... It was worth a shot, Rista wasn't really aware of what she was doing anymore. Her head was crystal clear and oozing with the things she saw and felt, all senses on edge as adrenaline rushed through her veins. This was so different from the brawls she was used to, where kids kicked and screamed as they dragged their opponents to the floor to wrestle and get a grip on arms and necks.. It wasn't as dirty, not to mention the fact that it all would be over if Darren actually got a grip on her. He was bound to be stronger, heck he was stronger, and the small insults he had given her really weren't enough to keep the flame of anger burning within her. Her will to fight was weakening, it was really only her wish to learn and a stubborn refusal to admit defeat until beaten that kept her going. Perhaps it was a good thing...

oocit feels a bit chopped, but it's kinda hard to be clear with what she's doing and keep the feeling at the same time.. tell me if anything is unclear

[Darren]

The attempted mimicry was done ineptly enough to case the Vantha to stifle a chuckle. Nothing that he did would be picked up so easily by an inexperienced youth. Nevertheless Rista's attempt did work in another way. Darren was starting to react more arrogantly in response to Rista's actions. What she was doing was actually something similar to sidestepping and retaliating but it was a good start for her. Knowing the situation a wave of excitement and adrenaline would run through her system as she retaliated. That was good, though Darren had to see the Yasi in another light disparaging, Rista foregoing her previous experience fighting made her look rash, careless even. The right having little confirmation of a hit his body soon followed as he leaned towards the Yasi with his body as the weapon. A reaction came but it seemed to confuse Rista more then anything. The leaning attack was met with a fist. His advance colliding with the unrestrained power of a young teenage girl in the form of a fist his expression twitched as he felt the new pain in his system. It was a good hit, if she otherwise angled it wrong Rista might have hurt her hand more then anything but no. This retaliation was would be deemed correct, a slight jamming feeling in one's hand in exchange for a hit to the chest? Darren would take that situation every time it presented itself. A incredulously look was given as she tried to what looked like hook his leg with her own. "Your overextending yourself" Giving a slight shove aimed directly in the middle with his left again Darren would check Rista's footing as the Vantha stood steadfast in his stance. Granted she might be able to make decent calls for situations and had enough instinct to dodge a hit but the foundation she had was still lacking to him. People wouldn't be nice enough to slow their hits or throw out all out advances, for now she just seemed to be taking advantage of his 'kindness.' "Continue"

[Rista]

This was slowly beginning to feel pointless. Even when her fist actually connected perfectly with the mans chest and caused him to change expression for a bit, Rista failed to see the point in what they were doing. Was he trying to teach, to demonstrate that she wouldn't be able to grasp the things he knew? She didn't see it, and perhaps that was what made her unsuited for his type of combat. The shove he gave her neatly forced her out of balance and made the girl stumble backwards... But instead of doing as Darren said she continued to back away a bit as soon as she had regained her balance a bit. The black-eyed mongrel shook her head with a frown and threw her hands out to the sides in an exasperated movement.

"Continue with what?" she asked with a slightly annoyed tone to the voice. "I fail to see what you want to have accomplished. You teaching now? Not very good, if so. You beating me up? Could do better, I would say. Proving me unable to learn? Proving me stupid, finding out what I can? Tell me what we are doing, Darren foreigner, Chiet, so I can do it properly. Like this, only time will pass and only bruises will be given. If you not plan on teaching at all, say so and I can spend time in a better way."

Getting a good beating wasn't her idea of fun, and Rista honestly had no idea what they were doing anymore. If she wasn't fighting for her honor, then why was she fighting? The only reason she was there in the first place was to get a lesson, but if the man wasn't going to teach... At the very least she wanted to try and hear him out, in case he was going through some foreign ritual to initiate her.. Unlikely as it seemed, it wasn't impossible.

oocugh, sorry for the shortness. I had no idea what I should be doing, so.. seems like our confusion is mutual..