Kick, Duck, Punch {Roland-Medaerus | Collosseum}

Medaerus · August 1, 2007, 06:49 PM

Medaerus and Roland entered the ring. The elf rubbed his hands together and melted into what he hoped was a sufficient defense stance, monitoring Roland's every breath. He raised his hand's to chin-levle, awaiting a blow from his cousin. Not that he didn't expect Roland to strike a deep conversation first - oh no, he was almost already lowering his slim arms.

Roland Moonstar · August 1, 2007, 08:27 PM

Grendal stepped into the center of the ring and gave the usual speech that all gladiators and aspiring fighters got. As usual with everyone in Arium, Roland tried convincing the aging fighter to join House Moonstar, and would not let the fellow leave the ring without at least a pamphlet to consider. Once he was gone, Roland turned to Med.

Roland smiled at Med. "Okay, let's do it." He spent a moment or two spinning his arms around and stomping his feet, explaining to Med that you wanted to get the blood flowing but you didn't want to stretch, as stretched muscles were 15% less powerful than taut muscles.

Then, preamble aside, he started charging directly for Medaerus. "Yaaaaaaaa!"

Rioshi · August 2, 2007, 07:14 AM

Silently watching from outside the ring, Rioshi smiled. Luckily he had already borrowed some food from Leon's farm and would be in for quite a treat watching the fight. Wonder why Roland keeps handing out those silly little pamphlets..., he thought, idly turning one over in his hand. Still, he hadn't expected Roland to let his fists do the talking for him. Unusual, but interesting nonetheless. While he had been hoping for an arcane fight that would tear apart the arena, at least someone would end up with a bloodied nose or two... *Sliding back in his chair, Rioshi began to watch closely.

Medaerus · August 2, 2007, 08:39 AM

Medaerus in fact did have to lower his hands for a moment, but not for long. When Roland finally charged, his mind raced. He feigned bracing himself for impact, then spun out of the human's path, hoping that he would fall forward. Being an elf, Medaerus was terribly quick and light on his feet, but Roland had more bodily force. This would be an enthralling match.

Once Roland charged past him, the elf swung his leg forcefully at his cousin's back, waiting for contact with bated breath.

Roland Moonstar · August 4, 2007, 11:22 PM

It was a plan that worked perfectly. Roland came charging up at Medaerus, with the obvious intent of giving the elf a left uppercut. "Yaaargh!"

He moved fast, his hand a crimson blur. If that punch landed, it would be painful.

But it didn't land.

Roland ineptly missed. He appeared not to have counted on the speed of the elf, as he did in fact stumble and fall forward a bit when Med sidestepped, giving Med the chance to swing his leg at Roland's back. Roland paused, as if trying to get his balance. The kick landed true, and Roland went down into the dirt for a moment. "Oofff."

A moment later Roland got back to his feet then leaped back, not yet giving Med the chance to strike at him again. This time he danced around, and he curled a finger at the elf. "Your move. Take a shot." Roland planted his feet, curious to see what Medaerus would do.

Medaerus · August 5, 2007, 09:41 AM

When Medaerus's foot connected, surprise washed over him, immobilizing him for the moment or two Roland recovered. Medaerus's eyes calculated Roland's position and tried to guess his next move. My move...

The elf circled Roland, for he had seen it done many times before in fights. Finally, he leapt forward and extended a fist to pommel Roland's stomach while at the same time he attempted to hurl his elbow at his chin. It was a risky trick...

Roland Moonstar · August 5, 2007, 02:24 PM

Roland stood there, looking rather astonished at the attack. He couldn't quite fathom out what Medaerus was doing. He could tell that Med was trying for an elbow strike and for a punch to the solar plexus, but he didn't quite see how the elf was going to pull it off as a first attack.

Taking a deep breath, Roland merely pivoted, putting the weight on the ball of one foot and the heel of another. With a minimum of movement, he simply pivoted and leaned back, avoiding the elbow attack altogether.

Apparently forgetting to block the other hand, he grunted as the backhand of Med's fist slammed into his stomach, and then took a few steps backwards, sideways from Med.

"That's a good punch. You don't have the muscle memory yet to start with a combo. Keep it basic."

Roland held out his right hand in front of him to block, and swung his left hand back. Feinting a jab with his right hand, Roland yanked it back in rhythm with his left moving forward. He was apparently aiming for a spot just behind Med's back, and if he connect with his front, would rotate his fist on contact.

Either way, he immediately swung his left hand back and brought his right fist forward, aiming at the same spot.

Medaerus · August 5, 2007, 02:59 PM

Medaerus nodded to Roland's comment. At least it was not a complaint, he thought. When the human made the faux thrust with his right hand, Medaerus completely and utterly fell into his trap. Stepping slightly to avoid it, Roland's left fist connected heavily. The air whooshed out of the elf's lungs, he stumbled back and raised his fists as a guard, although they would not hold back much until he regained composure.

Roland Moonstar · August 5, 2007, 09:05 PM

Roland kicked backwards and took a few steps back, giving Med a chance to catch his breath. He glanced down at his own hand for a moment, frowning at it. He danced around, waiting for Med to make the next attack.

Looie took a seat neat to Rioshi, offering the Katta a Lutran delicacy that he called "sun-heated maize." He watched the fight. "Huh. Classic case of strength versus speed. Even before Port Constantine, Roland was a farmer and apprentice blacksmith, spending years lifting bales of hay, cow calves and whatever." He pointed at Medaerus. "But the elf is faster, younger, and more agile. If he maximizes his strengths and wears Roland down with lots of basic in and out jabs, using the longer reach of an elf, he should win." Looie crunched his delicacy, getting crumbs all over Rioshi. "Are you a betting man, Katta?"

Down in the arena, Roland hopped from foot to foot, one arm in front of his face, one in front of his chest. He was quiet, and he was patient.

Medaerus · August 5, 2007, 10:03 PM

Medaerus acted even before he felt fully recovered. He did not wnat to seem weak. The elf frequently reminded himself what they were training for: when someone caught then unarmed. It was when Roland backed off that he made his move. In a real fight, he (hopefully) wouldn't be fighting his cousin, and would not be given a chance to take a breath.

Lunging forward at lightning speed, he ducked once he neared Roland and swept his leg across the ground in attempt to trip his opponent. If it worked, he would get an oppotunity to stand and recuperate, if only for a second.

As he swung his leg, a voice caught his attention near the ring. Flicking his eyes ever so slightly, he saw Looie chatting with a calicori. Medaerus recalled seeing the katta at Roland's cakeday party, but they had not spoken. He wondered vaguely what they were speaking of and why the katta was here.

Roland Moonstar · August 5, 2007, 10:38 PM

Looie's voice caught Roland's attention as well, and since he was not focusing 100% on the elf anyway, thinking his cousin would wait to catch his breath, Medearusf was in fact able to sweep his legs forward and trip Roland.

Because the move caught Roland by surprise, he acted instinctively, muscle memory moving of its own accord. When he was down, instead of wasting time trying to get up, he braced with his palms on the ground and kicked out with one of the snap-kicks that Master Aisan taught him: if it connected, Med would be forced back a bit, and if the elf danced back to avoid it, he'd also move back. Either way, the move was meant to control the range between the two combatants.

Medaerus · August 6, 2007, 08:53 AM

Satisfaction dawned on Medaerus as his leg brought down Roland, but he wasn't prepared for the kick he recieved in reply. The elf stepped back partially, but the kick still hit him and he reeled away from his cousin. Roland sure knew some moves.

Roland rose, and this time Medaerus said, "Go ahead, cousin. Your turn." After a couple failed attempts at offense, maybe he would be better at defense. Stationing himself so that he could punch or duck easily around Roland's blows (or so he thought), Medaerus waited for the human to charge.

Roland Moonstar · August 6, 2007, 09:15 AM

Roland grinned at Medearus. "You've held your own so far. That's pretty good. Most people would be seeing stars by now. I fear to go up against you once you've had some formal training."

Roland knew that the elf desired to learn sorcery and some other things, but just based on natural talent, Med clearly had the knack to be a fighter or warrior.

Roland rubbed his nose, studying the colloseum architecture. He pointed up in the stands. "Hey, what the deuce is that Katta doing to Looie?" Apparently stopping the fight, he put his hands down, then put one hand over his eyes, to shield them from the sun, and pointed with the other. "No no, look over there, Med."

Roland stood there, his eyes twinkling, mouthing some nonsense syllables. "Oh wait, I mean over there."

There wasn't anything to see. Roland wouldn't actually use magic in a friendly spar. However, he didn't mind using basic psychology. The minute he got Med looking anywhere but at him, he threw a sucker punch at him.

Medaerus · August 6, 2007, 10:12 AM

Medaerus looked questionably about for a few seconds, then realized Roland's trick. His strength was his wit and speed, but mostly his wit. The elf was not one to fall for tricks.

Although, by the moment Roland charged and punched, Medaerus was fantastically pommeled, and crumpled backwards, actually laughing.

"Nice...try...Roland..." he panted. If that was the way he wanted it, then that was the way he would get it. Medaerus wouldn't have minded the trick if it were magic, but seeing as he almost sprung the trap by basic, non-arcane trickery, he lusted for revenge.

"Well, I think that I have enough bruises for one day. What do you say we return to the house for a nice cup of tea?" As the elf started for the edge of the ring, hoping that Roland would follow, he lashed back a foot, spinning in one high jump and bringing a fist into the man's stomach. "Although I think that you could use a few more bruises."

Roland Moonstar · August 6, 2007, 11:16 AM

Roland nodded. "Sure, that sounds... OOmph!" Roland doubled over for a second, as his stomach muscles had not been tensed.

He straightened out, though the effort made his face flush. "A wiseguy, eh?" Roland went into a standard defensive stance, knees bent to lower his center of gravity, one hand in front of his face and one in front of his chest. "Okay, smart guy, the kid gloves are off..."

Roland danced around in a circle around the elf, his muscles coiling and tense. He tried to move faster than he had before. He closed with Med, again trying for a feint and a jab.