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 Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 4:37 pm
Aphismet exclaimed victoriously, not even paying attention to where Ebony was leading his steps. "Ahah! I knew you'd been to one of these before! As a contestant, or a trainer? Or do you mean just as a spectator? Everyone here seems so skilled!"
Aphismet glanced around finally, noticing they were standing in an elevator. He didn't remember there being an elevator on the way in... "Um, where are we? This isn't the way to the washrooms, is it?" He laughed nervously, a sneaking suspicion dawning on him... Surely she hadn't!
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Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 5:06 pm
Those silver eyes glittered like metal in the sun when she looked to him then. That was a look she usually only reserved for really expensive and rare items, excitement in her eyes betraying her normal expressions with a smile. "You'll see." The elevator doors opened with a resounding ping announcing they'd arrived.
Walking out of the elevator was just as bad as it was when she'd gotten off the train. At least this time she wasn't in that big of a hurry. There was so much chaos in such a small hallway then. People carrying weapons and uniforms of all kinds were rushing around while others were nervously pacing in place. Some had even opted to practicing and meditating there despite all the commotion. It surely was a sight as Ebony walked over to talk with a security guard at closed door. There was some harsh tones exchanged before Ebony sighed and rolled her eyes heavily before pulling something out of her pockets and showing him. The man looked at it suspiciously before quickly apologizing and opening the door for her. Ebony slipped whatever it was back in her pocket and waved for Aphismet to follow.
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Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 5:20 pm
Holy Crap, they really were down near the stage. This was the backstage area, wasn't it. She DIDN'T. What was she planning? She didn't expect Aphi to... Right?
Nervous, Aphi stayed close to Ebony, wringing his hands on his shirt self-consciously. When she left his side to go argue with a guard, Aphismet nearly panicked, reaching out half-way and saying "ah!" very softly. He felt like he'd been left in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by sharks.
Thankfully, a moment later Ebony called Aphi forward again, and he hurried to catch up, apologizing profusely as he passed near the other people in the hallway.
"Ebony, what the hell is going on?!" he asked, very obviously nervous.
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Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 5:38 pm
The area they'd enter was exactly what Aphismet had thought it was, the stage area. They were right on the floor in the middle of it all! Clearly the other was getting anxious and nervous about all her secrecy, so Ebony finally gave him a straight answer. "Take a deep breathe Aphismet. There's just an old friend of mine I'd like for you to meet" Her slated sight glanced around, "Ah! And there he is...Matthew!"
She madly waved at a red-headed man who was at least 6'8" if not taller with a build and physique that even Hercules would have been jealous of. His blue eyes seemed to light up at seeing Ebony before he jogged over and swung her up into a huge bear hug. Anyone else would have screamed, but not her, Ebony just giggled like a school girl at his antics. "Shades! It's been forever! How you been?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 9:32 am
Aphismet blinked. They were going to meet... Ebony had friends here? Well, of course she did. She just said it'd been a while since she came to one of these, right? So she must know some people.
When they emerged onto the stage, Aphismet could only watch with wide eyes as the giant of a man stomped towards them, scooping up Ebony like she was a six-year-old child. And the woman, instead of protesting like Aphi thought, only giggled!
"Um," Aphismet said, glancing around, blushing profusely now that he saw that they were actually ON the stage, although it was still the intermission and no one was paying much attention. Still, being on the stage! "I-is this your friend, Ebony?" the man asked timidly, afraid to come nearer.
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Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 5:02 pm
Upon hearing Aphismet's voice, Ebony seemed to pull back her girly giddiness with a cough and slip right back into her normal demeanor. Hopefully, he wouldn't bring this little crack in character up later. The red head blinked at Aphismet and placed Ebony back on the ground, "Ah...and who's this? You're boyfriend?"
Those steel orbs gave the man a look that said she'd kill him for saying something such as that now, even if he was just joking around. Yet instead of snapping at him, Ebony gave a devilish smirk and a witty retort, "Why? Are you jealous?" They shared a laugh before she continued, "Actually no, this is my friend Aphismet. I've been tutoring him in some martial arts for the past month or so. Aphismet, this is my old friend Matthew. I'm sure you remember him from one of the earlier matches."
Matthew placed his hand out towards Aphismet then with a grin. "Pleasure to meet you."
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Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 8:11 pm
Aphismet blinked at this behavior he was seeing. Ebony wasn't such a tough-girl, deep down, was she? Aphi sometimes saw her being playful, like at the Halloween party, and he sometimes saw her being girly, which was pretty much only today so far. But still, it was nice to see that she had an easy-going side.
Aph grinned back at the man, eyes wide as he took the hand to shake. "Wow! I mean, Hi! I'm Aphismet Delaran, I'm really very honored to meet you! You did GREAT in your match, your style is wonderful! Those punches, so much power, and you look so much bigger in person although you still looked big even from over there, I certainly wouldn't want to meet you in a dark alley, what kind of style do you practice?"
Aphismet blushed a bit as he ran out of air, knowing that he'd once again prattled on and on without leaving time for an answer. He was just so excited, meeting someone of this high skill level! "Hey, could Ebony beat you?" he added the last question, suddenly wondering if he'd met someone of this skill level already, and just hadn't known. Somehow, he now thought that he did.
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Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 5:18 pm
The fighter lightly scratched the back of his neck, giving a chuckle as the other rambled off excitedly. "Uh well, thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. Ah, my style's mixed martial arts, so I do a little of everything. Keeps everybody on their toes so to speak."
When Aphismet added his other question, Matthew had to take a minute to think on it as it had been a very long time since he and her had seen one another let alone spar. Yet, Ebony was the one to answer before Matt could. "Maybe seven years ago, but certainly not now."
Matt protested, "You've got to be kidding me with that Shades! Little Miss Judo Jujitsu, the Phantom Punch they use to call you! Just when you thought you had her...BAM! She'd side swipe ya!" Those blue eyes shone like sparkling sapphires as he continued. "But you'd think everyone would have seen it coming what with how good her old man was. Say, how is the old battle horse these days?"
His smile faded when Ebony gave him a grave look with a silent shake of her head. It was like she'd told him everything he needed to know just with that tiny gesture. Thus, he apologized quickly and moved on with the conversation, "So uh...Aphismet. What is it you're enjoying most about the world of martial arts?"
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Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 7:32 pm
Aphismet quirked an eyebrow at the strange information, which Ebony didn't seem to want him to know about. Her Father had been a great martial artist? Why wouldn't she want that fact known? Puzzling, but Aphismet easily put that question aside in favor of the fact that Ebony was a Master, as he'd come to suspect. He smiled, falling back into easy territory.
"I like the calm spirit it gives. Well, watching is fun because it's so damn impressive, but practicing it makes me calm. And, well, I'd really hope to become able to protect the people important to me." A painful memory sparked up for a small second, but Aphismet smiled through it. "As for Ebony being sneaky, I can easily believe that. She's often doing that to me, I'd think she's walking away to get a glass of water and instead she'd kick me in the back of the knees to test my balance or something." He laughed.
"What about you? What made you want to study this?"
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Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:02 pm
"Ahhh..." Matthew gave Ebony a knowing look of which she returned with a small smile. "Starting to understand why Ebony wanted to introduce us. Well, I was kinda like you. Simple guy that just wanted some sort of structure to his life. I wanted something that I could always count on, something that would make me stand strong when things got tough."
Ebony folded her arms almost defensive like. She knew his story and knew what was coming. If she wasn't careful, it would get to her. Meanwhile, Matt took a deep breathe before continuing on, "I was probably 11, 12 when one night my home was robbed by some thugs. My father tried to stop them and ended up getting stabbed. He died later from internal bleeding."
If anyone had been paying attention to her then, they would have noticed Ebony turn slightly away from the two men, wiping a tear or two from her eyes and trying to cover it up as if she were coughing or something. It never failed. Every time she heard the story all she could remember was the first time she'd heard it and it always broke her heart. But she had to be strong, so one or two and that was that. Matt finished, "So I guess that's the main reason I started. Just like you, I wanted a way to protect myself, my family, my friends...everything that I ever cared about. I just wanted to be strong. Like my dad was before he died. "
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Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:14 pm
Aphismet smiled reassuringly at the taller man, nodding. He could easily understand that motivation. He noticed Ebony moving away slightly, but didn't pay her too much mind. Instead he raised his hand to pat the big red-head on the arm. "I understand that motivation perfectly. Well, if it matters, I think that those thugs wouldn't stand a chance against you now." With a grin, Aphi stepped back, glancing over at a referee who was trying to get their attention.
"Ah, Ebony, I think the intermission is almost over. We should get back to our seats! And Matt, it was great to meet you. Good luck in the other matches!" Aph once again shook the man's hand before going to stand next to Ebony, waiting for her to lead him back to their chairs. He couldn't remember the way in the slightest.
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Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:37 pm
He took the other man's hand and shook it firmly. "It was good to meet you as well Aphismet, and thank you. I wish the best for you in all your training." Matt turned to the violet haired beauty and took her into another hug, yet this one was far more gentler than the last. "And it was really great seeing you again Shades. And hey...just because he's gone doesn't mean you have to fill his void. Okay?" This last part he said much more quietly.
One of the warmest looks to ever come forth from those cold steel pools was given to Matt then. Ebony just squeezed his hand and replied, "You have a title to win, Love. Don't get all engrossed thinking about me now. I'll be sure to keep in touch better this time. Promise."
It was then that the announcer asked everyone to return to their seats as the second half of the tournament was about to get underway. Ebony quietly leaded Aphismet through the stage hallway back up the elevator and to their seats.
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Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:27 am
Aphismet was led back to his seat, following Ebony quietly. He'd gathered that there was some issue with Ebony's Father?... But of course, Aphismet would never ask. After all, he himself didn't like talking about his own family either. He'd let the topic slide by as though he'd never heard it.
The white-haired man watched the rest of the tournament with more of a personal interest in the outcome, now that he'd met one of the contenders. He cheered harder when Matt won match after match, until the tall giant of a man defeated his final opponent and won the championship.
Aphismet felt pride for the man, cheering as loud as he could when the man accepted the trophy during the closing ceremonies. After this, people began filing out of the arena. Aphismet, as they were walking out among the throng, turned to Ebony and smiled. "Thanks a lot for bringing me. I think I get your message; I'm really motivated now! I'll see you tomorrow morning?"
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Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:16 pm
It was no surprise to Ebony when Matthew won his title. This was something he'd been working towards for years and now everyone knew he was a force to be reckoned with. When the champ raised his trophy in triumph at the end of the ceremonies, she couldn't help but wonder if that would have been her instead had circumstances allowed it. 'Well...I suppose we'll never know...'
Ebony smiled some towards the white haired male, "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself and that you're feeling more motivated to continue with your training. Who knows, work hard and maybe this time next year we'll see you down there duking it out. No pressure of course." She didn't want to scare Aphismet off with too high of expectations. Besides, it wasn't about the glory, but about being able to defend yourself and those you care about. "Yes, I'll see you tomorrow. Take care and have a good evening Aphismet."
(( OOC: Just as a note to all, single quotes in purple that are italized is Ebony thinking to herself. ))
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