Part 10a: Sparring partners

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Part 10a - Sparring partners by Dworkin (GM)
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Jack and Kalika step outside, ready for some friendly sparring...

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Jack
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    Jack smiles an impish smile over at Kali as they leave the building, looking around. “So I believe you had agreed to let me give you a run for you money earlier today?” He scans the area looking for a good spot with few rocks so it might not hurt so much when he is thrown to the ground.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali smiles from her position at Jack's side. While her mind was tiring from mental communication, her body was not and she felt a thrill of andrealine and excitment course through her blood at Jack's words.

"Oh yes" she says with a vicious smile "Would you like to place a wager on the outcome?" she asks with mock innocence while leading him towards a flat, sandy area a little aways off from the natural buildings of the city.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Jack
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     Jack looks at her, he feels he should be worried but he cant help smiling a broad smile at seeing her so alive with the excitement of the fight. If nothing else that made it worth it to him.

  “What’s the wager and I’ll tell you if it interest me?” By now he was smiling a sinfully wicked smile as he moved a few steps away from her in the area and through his pack out of it. “Also how shall we spar, armed or unarmed?”
   She can see by the sparkel in his eye that he has something he wants to say but is not saying it. . .yet!

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali chuckles, intensely enjoying the banter between herself and Jack.  She surveys the sand and sighs.

"It will be hard to gain purchse in the sands... but it will do" she comments to him in a more serious tone.

She looks up at him, yellow eyes gleaming in the light. In a blink the lustrous purple has replaced the yellow and her smile is less feral.

"No fair using those abilities... this will be pure skill alone" Kali smiles prettily at him "Now as for the bet..." the wicked gleam returns to the violet orbs "Let me think..."

As she "thinks" she takes off her pack and strips off her overtunic, so that she is only wearing her breeks, swordbelt and sleeveless undershirt.  Her arms are tanned and muscular, with many knicks and scars showing on the once smooth skin. She swings the mass of her shining silver hair into a functional knot, with a few loose strands trailing in the stray breeze. With the bulk of her pack and the obscuring fabric of her over tunic removed, Kali's svelte figure is suddenly obvious.

"Why don't we start with swords.... winner names punishment for loser" her smile is knowing and inviting "It will give us a chance tobe... creative" she purposely chooses the same words Jack had in their prior mental conversation.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Jack
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   “Who me? Use those abilities?” He gives her an overacted look of hurt innocents. As she strips down to undergarments he looks mockingly indignant “Hey! No fair using those abilities!”  The indignant look is lost behind laughter.
   He grows serious as she pronounces the prize and looks shocked. “ I do not know if I like the term punishment or not.” He shakes his head drawing his long straight blade from his short staff and pitches the staff off to the side. “But I guess I’m game. What have I gotten myself into!?!” He stands tall a moment batting his eyes and flipping his hair he says “Be gentle with me, it’s my first time.” followed by another wicked grin.

Internally the banter is covering the uncertain worry in the face of her aggressive nature.

He takes a tentative defensive stance drawing his main gauche. “Live steel I take it?” he sounds a bit more serious now. But the uncertainty is starting to show through.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali's rich laughter mingles with Jack at his comment about her abilities.

"I use no means that you aren't incapable of using yourself" she winks at him and her eyes flash.

He draws his steel and her eyes instantly train on him. Their gaze soaks up every detail of how he handles the blades and his uncertainty was well noted in her knowing gaze. She draws her own blade, the starmetal ringing free of the sheath. She holds the worn hilt easily in her hand, and moves it in a few warm up manuevers, the sharp steel caressing the air like a lover.  She moves lithely and with practice and after getting her blood flowing and her muscles warmed up she is ready.

She takes an easy, relaxed stance and looks happy and content, the troubles washed off her face to reveal features still glowing with youthful charm. She meets his eyes, all serious, and nods.

"Yes. We go to first blood" she nods and begins to circle him slowly, like a wolf toying with its prey.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Jack
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“First blood?” He whispers barely audible, his eyes focused on her blade as she circles. “What have you gotten yourself into Jack?” He turns with her movements adjusting his stance preparing for the sudden onslaught of movement.  He knows he has to do something to break this game of cat and mouse.

    Jack glides in with as quick step trying to use the longer reach of his arms for any advantage he may have. Far enough back he hopes that she would have to go off balance for a good lunge. He tries to engage her blade and keep it busy with short quick fencing movements. Trying to keep his blade in a position of threat to her while trying to drive hers off center where she can not threaten him. His main gauche at the ready he prepares for her attack with a riptose

   “First blood he thinks, I don’t know if I would cut her even if I can.” Jack thinks knowing that it put him at a disadvantage. “She has no such qualms with me. He actually whispers the last “Trust her Jack. She trusted you, trust her.”

However we all know how the best laid plans of mice and Jacks go awry. OOC: He is moving in tentatively.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali lets him come to her, an amused smile on her face.  She strikes out as he approaches, an easily parriable shot... a test.

And so it begins.

She continues with slow predictable attacks, trying to coax him out of his defensive shell but leaving what appear to be gaping holes in her defense, but when he moves to strike the blow is blocked neatly by her shining blade.  She was intending to teach him, not kick the crap out of him after all.

As the sparring continues, Kali slows increases the pace, moving both her body and her blade faster.  If Jack presses the attack, her blade is always there as if she has an uncanny ability to know where and when he will strike before he does himself.  A thin sheen of sweat makes her tan skin glisten as she moves through the comfortable maneuvers, she executes more complicated movements, moving with lightning fast accuracy, but instead of drawing blood, the flat of her blade smacks Jack's body where his guard is lacking.  The shots hurt, but are not dehibilitating. They do not break the skin and at most he will get a light bruise or two. She repeats the same maneuvers until he blocks them sucessfully and smiles in approval when he stikes out first, expecting her move.

"Good" "Close"  "Nice try"  "Parry NOW! Yes!"  "There you go" *smack*-"dead"

Her words of encouragement, advice, and good natured teasing are spoken throughout the spar after about 20 minutes she knows it is time to bring it to an end.

With a resounding cry, she charges him, deftly moving in so that her sword is locked in a contest of strength with Jack's own sword and parrying dagger (assuming he'd use both to block a strong shot). As his blades slide down her blade, closer and closer to the hilt, it increasingly becomes more of a contest of strength rather than swordsmanship. Then Kali jerks her wrists, her blade moving away and then slamming into his, causing the sharp egdes to spring off of her sword in a wild arc that causes the tip of the main gauche to trace a thin red line across her cheek.  Kali smiles as she feels a drop of blood spill down from the shallow scrape.  She bows to him and sheathes her sword. Her breathing is only slightly elevated and it is with a huge smile that she offers her hand for a handshake. The match is his.

OOC: I hope you don't mind me handling the fight... I figured since Kali had a superior skill she would pretty much dictate how the fight went. If there are any issues, please let me know and I'll edit :)

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Cyan
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There's a faint clapping from the sidelines.  "Very nice," Cyan notes, amethyst eyes glittering slightly in the dim light.  "I have to say, it looked more like a lesson than a spar, but still.  Both of you seem quite competent with blades."  She bows to the two.  Berd sits on her shoulders, asleep - such things are never of any interest to him.

Eyeing the two, Cyan tries to determine which of them seems more tired.  True, Kalika didn't have to put as much effort in, but twenty minutes of fighting, even sparring, is EXHAUSTING.  Even exceptional people would have a difficult time.

These two, apparantly, are beyond exceptional.

She's seen enough, now and before, to realize that Kalika is at least her equal with the blade.  Cyan suspects they would have to fight for some time, seriously, to determine the truth of the matter.  Jack...she wonders about him, and goes over his performance in her mind.  How good, exactly, was the lost man?

"Odd, Jack, Kalika; were you not as tired as you said?"  A twinkle appears in her topaz gaze.  "Well, I suspect now you might be ready for a rest."

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Kalika Wolfblade
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OOC: Just as a note Cyan, it's pretty clear that Kali was in control the entire time and that she threw the match. And as a note to both, if that length of time wore on Jack, she would have slowed the pace to let him recover.  Just so that it's not like she's being the Nazi instructor/sparer :)

IC: Kali looks over at Cyan sharply, not realizing there were spectators.  The deep violet of her eyes is back to the feral yellow as she recognizes her friend and instantly relaxes. She sheathes her blade and smiles at Cyan.

Her breathing is coming harder than usual but she is not too exhausted.  Swordplay is her livlihood and slowing down for Jack gave her a chance to catch her breath as well.

"I was tired in mind" Kali explains easily "Now my body is starting to catch up"  she looks over at Jack "How are you holding up? You did better than I thought" she teases with a caring smile.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Jack
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Part 1: The Play

     It really does not take Jack long to come out of his defensive shell and relax, and his smile soon makes an appearance. Though at times it is bordering on a grimace when he takes a knock or presses himself hard. He even starts trying to banter a bit. This is quickly curbed as he losses a bit of concentration and gets whacked a couple of times.
       By the mid point of their workout he has almost given up trying to impress her with wit or skill and has instead taken the tact of showing heart, spirit and desire to listen and learn if nothing else. Constantly pressing himself harder and harder.  With a will that is strong if nothing else, taking his lumps in stride and learning from his mistakes. It’s easy to tell he is working hard for something but hard to tell for what.
      By the time she charges him his focus borders on obsession and she can see something that borders on animalistic drive pressing him to keep moving inspire of hits he has taken. Not truly to take her, just refusal to back down or show sign of  weakness.

Part two:

    He met her charge with both sword and dagger sliding into a corps-a-corps. As they pressed he took a chance and was leaning in closer in this contest of strength. He was bringing his face close to hers when with a deft motion and the sound of  metal sliding on metal it was over. She had thrown the match!

    Jack stepped back with a look of surprise, then his face took on a hard unreadable look and he started to say. “Hey! That’s not. . .” and heard Cyan’s clap. The hardness melted from his face after a second as he watched  Kali. His knowing smirk returning  with a speculative look.  “Well played, you surprise me at every turn.” He said quietly as he smiled, with a glint of respect in his eye. Then turned to put up his blade and let her talk to Cyan for a moment.

  He joined the two women and leaned in close to Kali as if to whisper something to her, instead giving her a small kiss on the cheek then drawing back away. He looked at Cyan with a mischievous smile.  “Indeed I was tired Madam Bard, but will not say of what.” Jacks broad chest rises and falls and muscles you would not have guess at beneath his baggy tunic stand out.

      He looks back to Kali, “Considering I am countless times dead I think I am well.” He rubs at his arm where he had taken a particularly good hit. “Though I do hope that everyone is not as good as the rest of you, other wise I may have to spend the rest of my life as a librarian.”

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali smiles, practically glowing. It had been awhile since she was able to spar with anyone and was elated at the opportunity... and its outcome. She looks up at Jack after the light kiss and a small smile comes to her face. She takes his hand and winces for him when she feels the beginings of blisters.  Her reply to the librarian comment is a throaty chuckle as she squeezes his hand and releases it lightly.

"Although I don't doubt that you would make a great lybrae...thing" she laughs at her own write off of the foreign word "one must remember this is what I have spent two thirds of my life training in swordplay" she pauses and her yellow eyes unfocus as she thinks, fingers ticking at her side "my friend Johnee and I figured out the time in his favorite Shadow once... it was called Eart or something like that and it came out to be 67 years of time sword fighting!" she shares the fact with incredulous eyes "He said that's a lifetime for people there" she shakes her head "It's just beyond me sometimes... that I could be so young to my people... but so old to other people" she stops and smiles apologetically "But that's of no importance. You did very well, once we cut through your yun your ma was able to shine forth. Very feral and stubborn. That makes a you a good opponent and can make you a skilled fighter, if you wish it" the words are obvious a compliment and she is clearly impressed by his show.

She then rolls her shoulders and stretches her arms, joints popping and creaking "Ahh" she breathes in relief "That was a good warm up... what shall be next?" she asks with a wink to both Cyan and Jack.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Jack
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     Jack can’t help but smile broadly at Kali’s glow. After she finishes telling them about her time as a swords woman and Jonnie. Jack looks as if he is thinking and replies “Well I spent. . .There was the one time I. . .I have devoted years to. . .Braggart!” and he sticks his tongue out at Kali but his beaming smile gives it away as play.

    After the what next comment Jack looks at Cyan his eyes going wide and rolling up in his head. Then he looks at Kali out of the corner of his eye and lifts her better hand in his own even more beaten hand giving it a light kiss before letting it back down.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Cyan
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Cyan laughs aloud at Jack's comment, her topaz eyes shining.  "I think, Jack, you will have no trouble defending yourself against the majority of foes.  For the rest, I fear that you might simply wish to hide behind Kalika."  She grins, then, at Kalika.  "I fear you are more than a little weary, Kalika.  To spar with you now would be somewhat less than fair.  Shall we say, another time?"

Berd stares down at Cyan and cocks an eyebrow.  She shrugs.  "In addition, my blade is capable of cleaving steel...and you have no armor.  Accidents happen, even amoung skilled practitioners, and I think it might be wiser to await a time that we have practice blades."

There is no sign of fear in her amythest eyes – only a faint concern and appreciation for the other’s skill.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Kalika Wolfblade
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Laugher rings out from Kali as Jack reveals his true profession.

"What have I gotten myself into?" she cries in mock despair.

That question is answered soon enough.

A few seconds after Jack oh so gently kisses her scarred and callused hand, Kali stiffness. She breaks the contact between herself and Jack and takes a deep breath, grounding herself and banishing the memories. Her eyes come back into focus and she smiles at Cyan, in control once again.

"Now that your out here you might as well work as well" her voice regains its strength as she speaks "Why don't you two spar? We can see how long our esteemed braggart can last" she looks from Cyan to Jack, and for all her eyes are hard to read, her smile is genuine.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Jack
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    Jack pales visibly himself when contact is broken, his features look troubled and he says “Kali. . .I- I did not mean to. . .I am not like. . . Miss Cyan forgive my rudeness but, may I have moment alone with Kali?” Jack walks off a dozen or so yards looking worriedly towards Kali.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali watches Jack go and looks up at Cyan.

"Perhaps his rudeness will give you more of a reason to teach him the lessons I did not, eh?" she smiles and winks before bowing her head in a quick motion "We will not leave you waiting long, I promise" with a smile of farewell, she moves from Cyan's side and follows Jack.

She stops, half way to his side, and unbuckles her sword belt, the heavy blade hitting the sand with a soft thud. Two daggers join the starmetal blade in the sand from their sheathes in her boots and she unwinds her hair from its functionary twist.  The long tresses fan out, still interspersed with Cyan's excellent braidwork. She then continues to Jack's side, each step bringing more human violet to her eyes and less wolven yellow. She reaches Jack's side as a woman, not warrior, not changeling, perhaps not even as Chunchee, only as woman.

She looks up at him, not as formidable with those trappings of a warrior, purple eyes wide. She moves forward as if to embrace him, but hesitates, unsure of herself. So she waits, silently, the headstrong warrior replaced by the unsure woman.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Cyan
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"Miss Cyan?"  Cocking her eyebrow over one sapphire orb, Cyan watches the unflappable Jack walk off.  Definitely flapped.  Kali follows, dropping sword, belt, and letting down her hair.  Knowing a little more of that sort of culture than most people might think, Cyan's other eyebrow joins her first, and she spins away, quickly fleeing the two at a rapid walk, heading towards their arranged sleeping area.

Berd makes a rude noise, glittering, sparkling eyes staring back at the two.

"No!" Cyan hisses.  "It is not!"  Another half beat.  "Observation," she continues tartly, "is often biased."  Another moment.  "Stop it!"  Her face is now a red to match her hair.

Berd pauses, and glances back at her, coiling his neck around to stare into her face.  The redness grows further, if that's possible, and Cyan's head comes up.  "I am not, and will most certainly not!" she replies, tartly.

Berd utters a chiming sound that, for all of its musical nature, bears a suspicious resemblance to a snicker.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Jack
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    She does not have long to wait, Jack wordlessly steps forward and gently embraces her. Looking down deeply into Kali’s purple eyes he speaks so softly that his words are lost in the cool winds of the whispering sands.

He leans in and gives Kali a short gentle kiss in the lips, pulling back to watch her eyes again.

OOC: This is of course if kali does not do something to prevent any of that.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali returns his embrace ardently, savoring the feel of his arms around her, and of him in her arms. She pulls her head back and looks up at him solemnly, mild confusion crossing her face for a moment, it clears in the wake of amusement and then all is obscurred when she surrenders herself to his kiss. Long moments pass before she pulls away slowly, unwillingly, a private smile reserved just for Jack on her lips.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Jack
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      Jack embraces the second kiss with a warm smoldering passion. When they part he stand holding her simply lost in the feel of everything. Trying to burn this image of her into his memory so that he may never forget it. He reaches up and gently ran his fingers along her cheek as he quietly spoke to Kali in soft tones. As he stands there whispering to her a look of curiosity washes over him.

    Jack glanced over and noticed Cyan was gone, silently he nods to the empty sparring arena. Looking back in Kali’s eyes he smiles.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali chuckles to herself and looks up at Jack, her silvery brows furrowed in concentration. After a few long moments she embraces him in a hug and then tilts her head up at him, a little incredulous.

"You wish to spar again?" she asks, not sure if she interpreted his indication properly.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Jack
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     Jack smiles though he winces and cringers a bit rubbing the bruised knuckles of his sword hand with his other hand behind Kali’s back. “Kali, my dear.” Jack holds up one of his hands for her to see.
    No matter how bad her hands were, his were worse. He had no protective calluses to shield his hand form the wear of extended swordplay. His hand still red had open weeping blisters, payment for his exertion and stubbornness.

“You know I would do anything for you, but I believe I shall need a bit of time before I am ready to play again. However if you can think of something more creative to play.” He gives her a playful wicked grin, which quickly fades to a warm smile.  “No I think Cyan deserted us.” He takes the hand, sore as it may be and strokes her hair with the back of his fingers, not yet truly ready to relinquish the embrace.
    Jack closes his eyes and rests his cheek against Kali’s. “Right now I want to hear about you, all about you. Jonnie, the Chunchee and your travels, all of it. So let us follow Cyan so I can apologies again for my rudeness first. Then we will bind my hand, see if we can’t work some of those pops out of your back and you can teach me about you.”

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali winces, inwardly cursing her thoughtlessness. She examines his raw hand with gentle fingers, assesing the damage.

"I have an ointment in my pack that should help... but we'll need to get the grit out of it first" she warns him, knowing it was going to hurt terribly and then be sore with movement the first few days of healing "I shouldn't have let it last so long... I'm sorry"


She sighs happily when he leans against her and takes a deep breath, nose adjusting slightly as she takes in the scent of him and stores it away ensuring her ability to track him if he ever got lost again. She kisses the side of hsi cheek lightly and then reluctantly pulls away from his side.

"You're right... we owe her an apology" Kali says with a loving smile before turning to retrieve her swordbelt. She buckles it around her slim waist and smiles without thinking, pleased to have the familiar weight back at her side.The daggers return to their sheathes in quick motions and she returns to Jack's side, positioning herself so that her sword is at one hip and Jack at the other. She wraps an arm about his waist and leans up to give him a quick peck on the cheek.

"You ask for a lot of information... too much to tell on the short walk back to the others, but I will make a start tonight if you would like" she agrees to his request as they begin to head back towards the buildings.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Jack
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      Jack smiles warmly at Kali as she looks over his hand, “Don’t be sorry, I could have yielded at any time. It was to much fun though and I would not have ended it a moment sooner. We shall get me a pair of gloves and go for twice as long next time. After all I must learn to keep up with you at least if this is how we are going to spend out Friday nights.” He does wince as she hits a tender spot, but only slightly.

    Taking a moment to grab up his and her packs while she arms herself again. He slings them over the opposite shoulder he closes his eyes for a second as she kissed his check, then looks over at her smiling a broad warm smile his eyes sparkling with delight.
    Jack started following Cyan’s footprints in the sand. Giving a deep amused chuckle “Of course I did not expect you to tell me you life history in the next two minuets. We have time, we have time.” He gave her waist a small hug from her side, then put two fingers to his lips and gave a shrill whistle. “CYAN!”

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Cyan
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Cyan sits against one of the buildings, nearby.  The palaver continues, and she had no desire to head back into the discussion - dealing with these people was starting to make her head ache.  Since she hadn't actually been TOLD where she could sleep, it might be best to simply do her work out here, and avoid any possible insult to their hosts.

Now she sits, leaning against a wall, a pair of small, women's reading glasses on the tip of her nose over her opalescent eyes, and sketches out portraits.  Ares.  Jack.  Kalika.  Lazarus.  Kendall.  Berd sits on her shoulders, staring down at them with glittering eyes.  Occasionally he makes a small crooning sound, or a chirp.  Either noise brings about a small change in her drawing.

Hearing Jack's call, and the whistle, she glances up.  "Here!" she calls back, using her Bard's voice, pitched to carry without screaming.  Glancing over at Berd, she shrugs.  "Perhaps I misunderstood?"

Berd grins toothily.  After a moment, Cyan frowns.  "Stop it.  I swear, you are far more obessessed than you make them out to be."  Letting out a chirping laugh, the little dragon rolls over on his back, sandwiched between the wall and her shoulders.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Jack
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     Jack guides Kali in Cyan’s direction, each has their arm around the other casually walking side by side. Jack seems somehow different in odd little ways. His smile is a relaxed open smile rather than the knowing smirk. His countenance is less watchful, less like he is studying everything and more like he is out of a enjoyable stroll in the park. As if he were taking everything in and enjoying life on a lazy summer afternoon.

“Cyan ! There you are!” Jake smiles at the bard “What happened? You disappeared on us. I apologies if I offended you back there, but I was worried that I had wronged Kali here.” He looks between the bard and the huntress with a friendly smile.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Cyan
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Cyan looks up, absently stripping the glasses from her nose, and smiles at the two, emerald eyes gleaming in the near darkness.  "Oh, no offense, Jack.  I merely sensed you needed some time alone."  She shrugs.  "I am perceptive that way," the Bard notes, deadpan.

Berd snores, loudly.

Holding up the sketches, she fans them for a moment, like a conjurer with cards.  "I felt it would be good to take a few minutes to prepare the beginnings of palanquet cards."

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Jack
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         Jack chuckles at Cyan “Thank you Cyan,” Jack nods to her, he looks honestly appreciative. “though it was not necessary. We merely needed a few moments to settle some matters between us.” He gives Kali’s waist a warm squeeze “It was an important matter, but if we would have needed more time or space we would have taken it of our own accord. Though I appreciate the thought.”

   Jack examines the drawings looking closely at each of them, but taking extra time to examine his and Kali’s. “Please explain to me again what these are for? They will be like the cube?” he asks Cyan.

OOC: I have to hear this. How did you draw Jack? What does he look like? What’s he doing? What’s his background? Same goes for Kali also.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Cyan
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Cyan grins.  "Well, I am glad you settle things, as you say."  She waves the sketches in the air, and then hands them to Jack.  "They are only preliminary works, and will bear little resemblance to the finished product.  When completed, they will allow me to contact any of you at great distance, even across worlds, and bring you to me, or myself to you.  I can also make duplicates, and give them to you to use."  She grows more serious, sapphire eyes dimming slightly.  "And yes, they use the same palanquet energies that the cube taps upon."

OOC - I have no idea yet...as of now, they are simply black and white sketches of faces.  The details will come later.  I have some ideas...and when finished, will let you know.  :)

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali returns Jack's squeeze and smiles up at him. That smile fades as she regards Cyan's drawings. In fact, she frowns.

"I do not understand this Palaquet power of which you speak" she admits honestly "How is it that you can track someone down through the different worlds with just a drawing" she looks Cyan square in the face, suspicious "We have heard stories of peoople who can trap one's soul into a picture. Is this wht you are laboring towards?" she eyes the inked outline of herself warily, unsure if it is able to be trusted or not.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Cyan
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Cyan cocks an eyebrow over an amber eye, but doesn't mock Kalika's question.  "It is wise to be wary of things you do not comprehend," she notes.  "But in this case, the Palanquet is nothing more than a gateway to the place, or the person's mind.  Yes, it can be dangerous.  Perhaps the capturing of the soul originated from the fact that, if you open yourself to contact, and you must agree to it, the person on the other side of the card may assault you, spiritually, harming you with the power of their mind."

A shrug from her, then.  "It is a risk, since you do not know who may be on the other end of a contact.  But it is one I choose to take.  As for how they work..."

Reaching down, she picks up Kirelindë, drawing the blade and peering along it.  The metal shimmers, ripples, and suddenly clouds scud across the silvery blade.  A moment later, and the vision changes - a valley, lush and green, in the midst of mountains.  A river, a lake.  A waterfall.  A cottage.

"My home," Cyan whispers.

The blade snaps back into the wooden scabbard.

"There is a spiritual link, but it doesn't not capture the soul."  She takes out her drawing of Kalika, and holds it up.  "I will destroy this, though, if you wish.  And never make another."  Her eyes now hold only utmost sincerity.  "You have my word."

Berd lets out a *snork* and awakens, glancing around.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali is quiet for a few long moments while she considers Cyan's words. Then her decision is made as she keeps the stetch of herself in her hands.

"Potraits I don't mind... but links such as what you explained... what's on your blade" she shakes her head, heavy braid studded hair swirling with the movement "Please no" she smiles at the other woman, confident that she will understand.

She bits her lip worriedly, wondering if others would honor her wishes as well.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Cyan
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Cyan nods, her eyes shimmering emeralds in the dim light.  "Certainly, Kalika.  I would never, ever do such a thing against one's wishes."
And she won't, now.  Even if it is life and death.  Some things are more important than mere survival.
Berd snorts in disgust.  Or perhaps he's merely snoring.
Cyan takes the sketch of Kalika and, smiling, holds it out to the other woman.  "A small picture of you.  I will make a better one later, when I have the chance to paint something without using the palanquet energies."

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Jack
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    Jack merely stands there quietly watching the exchange between the two women with a smile and a curious look. That having played out he glances around at the word around them, scanning the horizons.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali smiles at Cyan, her shoulders relaxing almost instantly.

"Thank you Cyan" she says simply, her eyes drawn to the landscape by Jack's gaze.

"See anything interesting?" she asks lightly although her eyes are serious as she leans against his arm.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Jack
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      “Not really, just sand, sand and more sand.”  Jack shivered as he spoke, the chilly arid air had cooled his sweat clothes. He looked away from the landscape taking in Kali’s face and features. “Now I do.” He said with an impish smile grin, his body shook ever so slightly in the cold as put his arm around her again and give her a casual squeeze.  “So Cyan are you ever so sick of us yet?” he asks aloud

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Lazarus
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"Looks there's plenty of interesting things to see here," Lazaraus says as his inky form materializes next to Kali, "and plenty of not so good things too.  Veldom just asked me to gather you all together and bring you back to the building for shelter."

His dark tail twitches sporadically in agitation, "Apparently there is something called the Gatherer here.  It's some sort of force that turned this shadow into the desert that we see now.  Sounds like its best avoided."

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Jack
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       Jack started as the panther appeared beside them, he shot Laz a dark look then laughed good naturedly “Well Ladies and gentalma- cat, sounds like it may be time to beat a hasty retreat.” Jack said looking around. Jack started to gently guide Kali towards the building entrance, yet not so forcefully that she could not hesitate if it so took he fancy. “Are you coming Cyan?”

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Cyan
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Amythest eyes sparkling with curiousity, Cyan nonetheless stands.  "Well...despite a desire to SEE this gatherer, I do believe I will follow.  After all, this quest is something of importance, and it would not do to delay or endanger it to satisfy my curiousity."

With a quick smile, she picks up her stuff (setting Berd to an annoyed trill), and follows the small group into the building.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Jack
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   As they walk back to the building Jack starts to squint, Kali can feel his muscles tensing under his tunic. When they make it to the doors he lets his arm fall away from her and reaches up to rub his temple, his face straining. Turning to look out at the desert again he looks everything over one last time. “Something’s happening, get inside.” Jack says his voice a strained whisper.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Lazarus
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Padding behind Jack, Lazarus takes a quick glance at the horizon of the desert looking for this Gatherer.

Cyan's right - it would be interesting to see what this gatherer could be - a massive swarm of locusts maybe?

Trailing them to the building, he gives a loud feline sigh, Well, we all know what curiosity did to the cat.  This is followed by a loud snort, Now that was bad.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Jack
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   “Get inside!” Jack hissed between clenched teeth as he grimaced and rubbed his temple. Yet he himself stands there beside the doors looking around, not truly looking at anyone as he spoke.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali listens to Lazarus with her full attention, not at all fazed or concerned by the fact he was a panther and speaking. She could relate to that. She accepts Jack's guidance and follows him amiably enough.

She tenses when he does, yellow eyes sharp as she looking around, nose rippling as she inhaled the brreze, searching for a scent that may hint to what was happening.  Jack confirms the danger, and even though she realizes that if Jack can sense it her sword would do little damage she draws the silvery blade and holds it in a defensive position and stands in front of him warily.

"I don't go in until you do" she tells him, eyes scanning the area around them for the "something" Jack was sensing.

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Re: Part 10a - Sparring partners by Jack
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    Jack doubles over in pain, falling to his knees. He looks up in her amber eyes his face twisted in pain  “You can’t fight it! I’m right behind you! Get them inside NOW!” He starts to stand and move toward the door “EVERYONE INSIDE!”

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