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TJ shouldered against her shield in an effort to hold back William, who held his blade against her in a firm two-handed grip. She lashed out with her sword. Williams shoved against her shield and then pulled back his weapon. His hands twisted around and his blade flashed through the air before her, completely reversing his stance and slapping his blade down on her sword as she swung, knocking it down.
William stepped in and slammed his shoulder and hip against TJ, rocking her back and knocking her off balance. His sword, which was now held point left slashed out at her as she stumbled, blade turning at the last moment.
TJ dropped and raised her sword, catching Will's blade and guiding it over her head. She darted away from William, back into the smoke, which was starting to disperse. Back towards Drustwn and then at a right angle away from them both.
William plunged ahead into the smoke, after his escaping adversary. And instead of finding a young girl with a shortsword and a shield he found a grown man with a ponytail and a katana.
"Musical freaking opponents..." William muttered as he raised his sword and prepared to take on his newest challenger.

Yazira's scimitars flashed out, one against Mathias shield and the other into his sword. He seemed intent on pressing his weapons at her, possibly using his size to his advantage. Yazira kept her blades locked with his weapons and then moved both of her hands out wide, attempting to force Mathias to do the same. Then she lifted her right foot straight up through the space between them, only straitening it once it was clear and almost straight up in the air. Then she brought it down at Mathias' shoulder.

When the doors opened they were greeted by a worn weathered traveler who's clothing had seen many a year. The fabric that was once bright was now faded and worn. Tears and tatters lined the ends of all of the fabrics. Even the collared area was frayed from constant wear. Sand was caked on his feet and simple shoes and dust hung suspended on his wild beard and hair giving the raven color a touch of grey. The stick in his hand stood a good head above his own and was riddled with dents and discoloration. The writing that once adorned the surface was blurred to the point of illegibility. However there was one thing that remained bright and sharp on this mysterious traveler. Past the fallen bangs one only had to look at his eyes to know that this individual was far from being close to death. There was a glitter in his eyes that shown like a flame and intensity that could almost see into a man's soul.

The attendant who first opened the door was startled when he looked into the man's eyes and nearly fell over. "Is this the Calivert Hunter/Guardian Corps.?" he asked plainly looking at the individual. The attendant swallowed hard and spoke, "Y-yes, yes it is. A-and you are s-sir?" The stranger smiled. "At last. I've made it." he said clenching his fist in excitement. Small tears of happiness welled mixing with the sand on his face. "Sir?" "W-what?" he asked startled by the question and looking back at the attendant. "Y-your name sir?" he repeated. "Ah, the name's Hiro. Hiro Mathus. I've come to join the ranks." he said proudly thumping his chest with his fist. Then looking around at the people who were starting to stare, he lowered his voice a tad. "So then...um, can you tell me who I can speak to to sign up?" he asked slightly more hushed.

He was directed to the location, but due to the events happening he started to get lost. Hearing the sound of clashing blades and metal, it drew his attention. Nearing the practice area, he leaned his staff against the stone wall and took a seat on the ground as he watched the combatants. It had been some time since he had seen a sparring match and their unusual styles intrigued him. Folding his hands into his lap, he immersed himself into the match watching each technique, each counter, each blow. A beautiful spectacle he believed.

((sorry, can you give me a few pointers of separating dialogue? when I have two people speak they tend to speak right after each other. I dropped 'he said/she said' after every quote because it tended to confuse people. If you want me to highlight each person's statement in different colors to make it easier to distinguish who is speaking I can do that. Or I can add more description between each person's statements if you like. Also thanks for the clarification.))

Hiro watched as the combatants sparred. He eyed their technique and swordplay. Some he had seen before and others were completely new. He could tell that these individuals were thinking ahead before making their next attack. Not one to carelessly swing. But then again that was the whole point of the exercise was it not? To learn one's own weaknesses and overcoming them? As well as to train to find weaknesses of the opponent.

Hiro smile excitedly as these thoughts ran through his head. He hoped that once he was properly initiated into the group, he would be given the chance to test his mettle against his fellows.

Drustwn did not move as William's blade streaked toward his heart. At the last instant, Drustwn suddenly bent backwards. Time seemed to slow down as Drustwn watched the slightly curved blade sliding past his sight. His good arm went back under him to press against the ground for balance as his foot came up, the toe of his boot aiming to kick the blade free of William's grasp.

Mathias allowed himself a grin of excitement when Yazira fell back from his counter attack. His grin vanished when her leg lashed up to kick his sword, which went spinning away before he could blink. His thoughts raced, a he grabbed hold of an idea. Yazira was already falling and he was in armor. He reached to grab hold of her left wrist with his free hand as he allowed himself to fall down completely atop her. He hoped the extra weight would stun her and hand him a victory.

((Drustwn is totally not copying Yazira. I thought of that counter before reading Yazira's move.))

Drustwn turned his kick into a backwards vault as he felt his boot connect and send William's blade flying free. He landed on his feet, katana held before him horizontally to ward off a sudden attack that did not come. He eased his stance slightly before advancing, sending his blade whirling this way and that in front of him to create what looked like a web of steel. In was a mostly useless display, meant more to confuse and dishearten his opponent.
Drustwn swept his eyes to and fro while advancing on William, wanting to make sure TJ didn't manage to sneak up and surprise him.

Mathias oofed as he and Yazira landed on the ground. He tightened his grip on her wrist, hoping to cause enough pain to make her drop the weapon as well as keeping her from using it. He struggled to climb up her body, wanting his mailed weight to assist him in grappling and hopefully overpowering her into submission.

Hiro watched and continued to observe the fights. The one he found interesting was the one between the armored man and female. She was indeed playing to her strengths by staying nimble and quick. However he flinched as she was grabbed by ghe armored man. He heard the thud as she struck the ground. "Oh, thays gonna hurt." He muttered. However he could see how she could bpbe problematic.

He hoped he would have a chance to test his mettle with them. He then looked toward the spectators. He then realized that would have to wait since he had not neen properly been introduced. It would be rather rude to just jump in. He decided to instead be patient until the appropriate time.

((Drustwn should start getting feeling back in the areas affected by TJ's toxin.))

William grinned back at the senior Hunter.
"You're not so bad yourself." Will said. "Maybe you could show a few of your own moves."
William darted back in at the man bringing his sword up in a diagonal upward slash from his left side.

Yazira was finally able to take in a full breath and the darkness that had been creeping in at the edges of her vision faded away. She spun to her feet and started stalking after the young armored Hunter. Her weapons came up at her sides. She brought them up to just below her shoulders and angled them in toward her opponent.
As she was closing to melee range she lunged forward and thrust with her right scimitar in a straight stab. Before she had even completed the move she retracted the blade and swung her left scimitar up and out to intercept and deflect out wide the parry that she was expecting in response to her thrust.

Drustwn sidestepped away from the slash attack, and gave William's blade another tap to add momentum to the swing, hoping to put the lad off balance. He grimaced as his arm began to tingle and a sharp pain wormed through his shoulder. He took the opportunity to quickly wrench the dagger free before the feeling completely returned to his arm. Even so, Drustwn grunted as the blade pulled free. His fingers half obeyed and wrapped loosely around the dagger's hilt. He held both blades ready now for William's next attack, but Drustwn's eyes still sought around for TJ as well, in case she decided to sneak back into the fight.

Mathias brought his blade up reflexively to parry Yazira's attack, and cried out when her attack suddenly changed, and his arm was thrown wide from the unexpected direction. Mathias instantly put his free hand up in nonthreatening gesture as Yazira's other blade snapped back towards him and yelped,"Yield!"