[The Quay] Crossing Blades (Talen)

[Nashira]

"Break?" Nashira asked. "Or cut in two?" Her eyes sparkled as she pressed her blade firmly against his, slowly raising the amount of pressure she applied upon it. Her lips curled into a satisfied grin, as her mind continued to whisper. He is still going easy on you. Testing you. He doesn't seem sure of himself. What to make of you, and your skill level. Her mind paused a moment. But that does not mean that he won't be picking up the pace soon enough. Perhaps you should follow suit. Provide him with a force to be reckoned with. The Ethaefal's smile widened as her blade glinted in the sunlight. She pulled it back, away from Talen's as she forced herself to retreat a few steps. Buying herself no more than a few seconds to think before she launched herself into another attack. First, she lowered the blade, bringing the hilt closer to her hip, while dipping the metal downwards, towards her legs. The sword was too far away to strike Talen, but once she had stepped forward and lifted the blade upwards, sweeping it in a line that ran from her hip, to her right shoulder, it would have been close enough. She hoped, with this simple move, to sever the strings that kept his tunic together. For once his clothes had been disposed of, she could far more easily slide the metal across his tanning flesh. After she had pushed her blade as far as it would go, Nashira would force it back down. In a straight line. Brushing the tip of her blade against Talen's flesh, from his shoulder to his hip, if he failed to block or get out of the way in time. Time to test his limits, Shira thought, as she waited for him to make a move.

[Talen Stirling]

Talen matched the pressure, eyes darting momentarily to her face while she spoke, to see her smile widen in anticipation and amusement. When she pulled back, so did he and resumed a base stance with the hilt at his midsection and the blade upwards. Here goes... How dangerous was she? And to whom? An opening. She lowered her blade to perform some kind of attack, but in doing so it was also no longer guarding her body and had shifted her balance far forward. The moment she started moving forward, so did Talen. He stepped forward and to the right, swinging his blade past his left leg down to parry her's, gravity and her momentum aiding him in forcing the heavy hand-and-a-half sword towards the ground as he moved towards her. Sidestep and offbalance her blade, move forward to prevent her dodge. Pull sword up and sla-- The clang of the blades connecting was for a fraction of a second exchanged with the sound of one sliding across the other and feet hitting the ground quickly. Talen let go of his blade with his right hand and threw his lower arm in front of him as he tackled his taller, prettier opponent with an arm to her upper chest just above her breasts. He used all of his momentum and strength to throw her backwards, yet if she was about to fall on her back he'd grapple at her dress and arrest her fall. His longsword rested firmly in his left hand, the blade upon that of her own.

OOCAlot of liberties taken in this post, I hope that's okay. If you do not think that this could have happened feel free to write otherwise and we'll simply pretend any number of the lines did not occur or happened in another way =) I was trying to come up with the most realistic response that suited the situation and PC's.

[Nashira]

The satisfying ring of steel upon steel filled the air, rippling against the surface of the water as it crashed into the shore. The light of the sun bounced outwards, in every which direction, causing the Ethaefal's hair to crackle and sparkle as she tried to apply even more pressure on her blade. Nashira wanted Talen to back away, she wanted to start again. To return to the beginning so that she may, hopefully, gain the upper hand. For now, she was not so sure she possessed it. After but a moment, Talen's sword lifted off of Nashira's, causing her to expel the breath she had not so much as realized she had been holding in. What is going on? her mind wondered, is he giving up? Or simply going easy on me? Since... The man's arm met with Nashira's chest, knocking the air she had just pulled into her lungs away. Her eyes grew wide as she began to stumble backwards, her left hand falling to the side, causing the sword to descend through the air. Slowly, until the tip clattered on the rock. It produced a sharp, cutting noise as it was dragged along the rock, Nashira still struggling to regain her balance. The Ethaefal could feel her fingers beginning to unfurl. She was loosing her grip upon the sword as the metal cut across the earth. Tugging on her wrist, begging her to be set free. It was strange for her then, in that moment when the sword finally left her palm and clattered onto the rock, that her opponent should extend his free hand to her. She could see his fingers stretching, as he propelled his arm forward. She could almost sense them tingling in anticipation, waiting to wind themselves around her slender form. Nashira watched as they moved away from each other, forming a fan, before they furled like a lotus, grabbing at naught by air, as she continued to stumble, farther and farther down the length of the smooth surface of the rock. Until finally, she tripped over an uneven edge, and tumbled onto her behind. Upon meeting with the cold stone, a shiver shot up the length of the Ethaefal's body, long before the pain the stumble caused settled in. It was dull, a gentle throb, but a pain nonetheless. From her position upon the ground, Nashira cast her gaze out to her sword. How it had settled several feet from where she now sat, with her knees curled into her stomach, and her hands out to her side, supporting her. There was no way for her to retrieve it. She had lost, to little more than a child. Nashira looked up at Talen then, her amber-colored eyes settling on his own. "I thought we were fighting with our swords, not our fists," she commented, as she glanced down, and followed the line of his silver sword. "Had I known, perhaps you would have been the one to fall," she finished, with a small smile, as Syna's sun caused her skin to sparkle, the sweat that lined it to glisten. OOCI think it's fair if you miss.

[Talen Stirling]

She seemed to fall too quickly, her light frame slipping just past his oustretched hand like a sunlit leaf in the wind to fall inevitably backwards and onto her behind. Talen whispered a half-curse and for a moment looked worried, taking a halfstep forward untill she looked up at him with a baleful stare from amber eyes. The relief of his opponent remaining unscathed was mingled with the joy of victory and confusion. "Huh'..? We fight with what weapons are at hand, a swordfight isn't a game of dice.. Besides, I wouldn't want to risk cutting your fair skin." With the last words he smiled widely and leaned down offering a hand to her so that she might support herself and get up. "My name is Talen Stirling. What is yours, fallen from the sky?" If the hand was accepted he pulled her gently onto her feet and asked his question as he walked over to retrieve her sword, carefully handing it to her with the hilt first. He'd known a few Ethaefal, but none quite alike this one. To him they seemed less foreign, less beautiful and alien... But perhaps that was simply because they were male.

[Nashira]

Nashira stared at Talen's hand a moment, as though considering whether or not it were worth taking. "You wouldn't have had to fight with a sword if you didn't bring one along... nor if I knew you were afraid of marring a woman's beauty," she commented, her tone rather neutral. "It doesn't make for much of a battle if one of the fighters isn't giving the other his or her all... or rather a training session. Whatever you'd like to call it," she went on as she tilted her head to the side, allowing her long red hair to cascade down the length of her body. Over her slumped shoulders. "You know no one will be going easy on you, when trying to claim you," she whispered. "Best not to get into the habit of half assing it now," she finished, as she extended her right hand to his, and wrapped her fingers around his palm. Nashira gripped him tightly, as Talen tugged on her arm, and helped to ease her up. Once upon her feet once more, Nashira brushed herself off, before looking over to her sword, which Talen now held. She reached for the hilt, and eased the sword away. "Thanks," she muttered, as she tucked the sword back into its scabbard, producing a strangely satisfying ring. Afterwards, Nashira looked back up, and settled her eyes upon Talen's. "Nice to make your acquaintance Talen. The name's Nashira." She paused for a moment. "So tell me, Denvali guard, do you normally go easy on a woman? Or only those who have fallen from the clouds?" She leaned a little closer, "for you can't keep the city safe if you refuse to cut everyone..." she leaned a little closer. "Even those which mean to disarm you with their beauty," she finished, flashing him a radiant smile, that caused her eyes to sparkle. She remained in place for a few more seconds, before leaning back, and resting her hand on the hilt of her sword. Nashira was waiting for Talen to defend himself. To tell her that he would kill at all times, if it was his duty. To tell her he had been trained by the best, and would not let her, or the people of Denval down. She was waiting for him to say anything. Or do something to strike her down, for real this time.

[Talen Stirling]

Talen smiled kindly when she received her sword, and wiped a hand through sweaty hair in a way that suggested it was a habit more than a situational movement. The longsword in his mainhand rested with it's tip upon the rock, and he breathed heavily with the exertion of the duel they'd had. When she leaned in a little closer he moved closer towards her with a curious grin. A grin that suddenly and swiftly faded away as she spoke, wiped away by what seemed an uncharacteristic expression of anguish, terror, and even guilt. He looked away for the second it was there, stepping backwards as she did the same. Talen cleared his throat and looked up at her again with a smile that didn't seem quite as cheerful as before, not reaching his gray eyes. "You're right... It's a weakness of mine, and one that it's not easy to simply practice away or forget.." He stretched his sword arm and lifted it carefully, looking down the length of the blade. He looked back at her and continued with a more plaful smile, "It's a dangerous weapon, the body you wield. Perhaps I should have a shield against it?" He laughed brilliantly, but it died on his lips, replaced by a faint smile warped by a bitter memory.

[Nashira]

Nashira was surprised that a man would admit his weakness to her. It wasn't truly like their kind to portray such a state in front of a woman. They always wanted to be strong, worthy of their place alongside a woman. As her protecter, as one that would later, help to provide her with food and children. A roof above both of their heads. "Perhaps then, you should learn to fight with your eyes closed... follow the shadows your opponent casts across your eyelids. Listen to their breathing, their heart beating, their footsteps in order to defeat them," Shira replied, as she drummed some of her fingers against the hilt of her blade. The Ethaefal's lips curled into a small smile as she watched Talen out of the corner of her eye, training her own on her surroundings as opposed to his sweaty form. His glistening flesh. "A shield would do nothing for you," Nashira continued, her voice strangely neutral, and far-off sounding. "If you are unable, at least, during the course of battle, to free yourself from your natural urges. Your desire for affection. For love... for women." She paused for a moment. "For another's company... the feel of their bare flesh beneath your own. Their pale lips against yours, before they trail lower, and lower, and lower..." Nashira's lips curled into a satisfied grin, as her eyes flashed mischievously. Her skin sparkled in the sunlight, causing her to seem all the more radiant, seductive, and playful. She had cast her amber-colored eyes back to Talen, and set them upon each of his cheeks, which she was certain, would soon turn the color of her skin, if they had not already. Calm down. Remember to breathe, Nashira's mind whispered to Talen's. Sending tendrils of hypnotic djed through the spaces in his ears, drilling towards the center of his mind. Where she hoped, they would take hold, and force him to obey her, at least, a little bit. It'll help, she added, as she raised her right hand, holding her fingers together, and cupping them like the crescent moon, she ran it over the edge of Talen's left cheek. The bottom half of her hand curling beneath his chin, while her fingers clung to his cheek. Her thumb moved slowly, back and forth, towards her other fingers, and then away from them. Nashira leaned in a little then. "But surely, a boy such as yourself doesn't need to be told about that." OOCUm... if this seems in any way unfair or inappropriate to you, tell me and I can edit. Also... those two points in seduction are so handy. *giggles*

[Talen Stirling]

Talen smiled faintly, nervously as she spoke. The ideas seemed silly, but whether she was mocking, teasing or simply speaking for the entertainment of it he didn't know. Even as she spoke, it was clear he found it difficult not to look at her and enjoy the sight of her trained body, and the promises of which it spoke. Just as her voice when she continued, whispering of things that had been on his mind since he'd seen the fair woman in the light dress. The smile she sent him spoke more than words ever could, alongside her shimmering skin and unearthly body. He moved closer, halfway with intent and halfway involuntarily, untill he stopped in his tracks when she stopped him and rested her hand on his face. His breath was heavy but steady, and he felt almost physically strained as he stood there so close to this woman. "But surely, a boy such as yourself doesn't need to be told about that."" She leaned in as she spoke, and Talen knew instinctively what to do, even if she called him just a boy. His free hand moved quickly to her waist, pulling her lithe body closer towards him for a passionate kiss. His longsword scrambled loudly on the stone, all but forgotten in the heat of the moment as he moved his newly freed hand to carress her face and brush away stray flares of red hair.

[Nashira]

Nashira could feel Talen's hand against the small of her back, before it made its way to her waist. It was the palm he used to steady her, not the side, which would have forced her to stand up a little straighter. His flesh felt warm, and wet. As though his palms had grown sweaty during the course of their fighting. They were strong hands, that she could tell by how he held her body to his own. By how he seemed to cling to her. But they were unsteady hands, which seemed to betray a hint of his nervousness. His unease, perhaps, at having to impress someone that wasn't entirely... human. As Talen's free hand made its way to Nashira's face, caressed her sparkling flesh much in the way she was caressing his, she knew something that been lost in translation. Or perhaps, she was merely giving the wrong impression, had gone too far. Not interested, was all Nashira managed to send with her hypnotic djed, wedging the idea into the recesses of Talen's mind, as she pushed her hand over his lips. Pressing her three middle fingers into it lightly, before their lips had a chance to touch, even if it was for but a moment. "And just what do you think you're doing?" she asked him, her tone a mixture of amusement, and that taken when a mother scolds their child, once they have misbehaved. "Trying to give one of your finest kisses?" Nashira asked. "Or just pretending, in the hopes that you may excite me enough to actually want one from you? To pursue... that sort of thing?"

[Talen Stirling]

He stopped his advance immediately when her soft fingers paused him, slowly stepping back and releasing his hold of her carefully, ending the brief contact between her slender frame and his own. Not interested...? The look of confusion on his face was quickly mingled with an angry, and perhaps disappointed, frown. He took another step backwards, and listened to her mocking tone with surprised disbelief that soon turned into bitter contempt. "I... Have been played for a fool." The spark of anger in his expression seemed to die out when he started speaking, and he shrugged with a deep breath, putting on the mask of indifference. "I am sorry if I have misunderstood and made you.. uncomfortable." The dull voice and expressionless face he had put on cracked for a moment at that last word, only to be replaced quickly with a smile as fake as the woman's intentions. "I'll leave you before this boy receives any more lessons, or gives out any fine kisses." He smiled brightly but without warmth at the physical form of Syna's fallen servant, before he stepped forward and crouched down next to her where strong hands found the familiar hilt of his father's sword thrown away in a moment of deceived passion.