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 Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 8:57 pm
And again, he was blocked. The momentum was a bit more than Anoki had expected however, and he clanged with an even greater force off of Keanu's sword. While the other boy didn't seem to notice much, it sent Anoki spinning around the other way. He couldn't go swinging back and forth like a pendulum all day, but there wasn't much he could do about it.
As a result, however, the blow that had been aimed at Anoki's chest ended up hitting him on his side instead, slicing through his shirt and cutting into the skin near the back of his ribcage. Gasping out loud, he staggered backwards. That one actually hurt, and it was bleeding a little, but other than the immediate pain and a lingering stinging, he figured he was still okay. At least, he didn't want to give in yet. He wanted to do well in at least one of his classes.
As soon as he could catch his breath, Anoki swung his sword up as high as he could- about shoulder level, all told. He aimed the point at Keanu's shoulder and let it fall, hoping gravity would do the rest of the work.
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Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 9:13 pm
Keanu might have rebounded from the first bit better than Anoki. But after his swing he paused a moment to try and assess the situation. He'd actually managed to cut the other boy that time. That was enough to cause a minor clash in his head.
He was supposed to be fighting for real, or at least in a competitive manner. But at the same time... Anoki hadn't done anything wrong. He really shouldn't have been hurting him. A frown drew it's way along his face as he stood debating the entire thing. Still grasping the sword at his side where it had fallen after the last swing.
Too long though. He remained frozen in his bit of mental turbulence a moment too long, snapping out of it as he realized that a blade was falling down toward his body. Even if the longer fur hid it well enough the blade left a line from his shoulder down his chest a ways from the brief instant before he jerked back away from it. The rest of his body saved by an instinctual raise of the blade to block the traveling metal.
The cut did cause the boy to wince though, one arm raising to cover the new gash a moment. New rule. No more spacing out in the middle of a fight.
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Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 9:19 pm
He blocked. That meant that Anoki's turn was over. But then again, Anoki wasn't sure he wanted to take turns anymore. He was determined to do better. He wanted to win. And if that meant that his turns needed to be longer, that was what he would have to do.
If Anoki was thinking rationally, he would have been shocked at these thoughts. But his compassion was temporarily replaced by a need to win at all costs- or at least, all costs that he could afford to pay. While he had no desire to really hurt Keanu, he wanted to show the teacher that he could do well too.
His sword was parried again, and knocked back towards Anoki's head at a dangerous speed. If it was anyone else that could have been disasterous, but in this case the sword merely nicked one of Anoki's large horns and bounced off- now heading back towards Keanu's head, with Anoki's arms outstretched, and the ibex boy fighting dizziness caused by the knock to the noggin.
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Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 9:39 pm
The rational bit about not hurting Anoki was quickly diminishing. With the new gash and the fact that only moments after he'd deflected the first hit another was coming survival instincts were kicking in. That and the will to prove he was the beter fighter.
Not that the boy would admit it, but he was rather competitive. He wasn't about to lay downa nd let someone win. That wasn't how you saved anyone. So he quickly shifted the blade back up to deflect the return swing while shifting to move in for an attack. The concept of worrying about Anoki wasn't at all prominent anymore, simple survival and winning.
He'd make sure he was the last one standing and prove he was a better fighter. He hadn't been training to be anything less. A hero had to win in the end. As soon as he felt the two blades clash he quickly shoved up again hoping to send the blade away. He needed an opening if he was going to attack afterall.
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Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 9:46 pm
Still disoriented, the block pushed the sword over Anoki's head, and before he knew what had happened he found that it wasn't in his hands anymore. The shock combined with his residual dizziness had sent the blade flying a short distance behind him. Again, he was forced to run after it, but this time it was easier. He picked the weapon up and turned to face Keanu- but was it fast enough?
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Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 9:50 pm
There was the opening. Anoki lost his blade which left Keanu a chance to attack. Even as the ibex turned to run after it the leopard was quick to chance drawing back his arms over his should for a diagonal swing. He didn't bother to stop in his pursuit, but simply swung down as Anoki turned from retrieving his weapon. So much for being careful.
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Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 9:54 pm
Anoki turned around, swinging his blade haphazardly, but he didn't have the timing or the coordination he needed. The sword connected with his shoulder, and there was nothing he could do about it. Letting out a sharp cry, Anoki dropped his sword again and crumpled to the floor, holding his arm. Now they were both hurt, but this new one hurt more than any of the other cuts. If he wanted to continue, he would at least need a minute to rest.
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Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 10:02 pm
The initial bit of glee at the small victory was cut short as a taste of reality crept in. His opponent hadn't gotten up or charged back at him, rather... he was cradling the wound in pain.
There it went, that nagging sense of guilt that had momentarily abandoned him. He didn't release the blade, but he did let it fall to his side as he crouched down to make sure Anoki wasn't too badly hurt. "Hey- uh.. sorry about that." Losing his head. That wasn't good. He needed to be far more careful. "Are you alright?" Stupid question, but what else did you say?
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Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 10:05 pm
"It's okay," Anoki said with more conviction than he really felt. He didn't want people to feel sorry for him. He wanted to prove that he could really do things, that he was better than someone who screwed up all the time. And to do that, he couldn't let a little thing like a stinging arm bother him.
Wincing, he flexed his arm tentatively. The wound was bleeding, and it was sore, but he could move it. If he held his sword mostly in the other hand, he might be able to retaliate enough to make an impression on the teacher.
"Just a l-little more," Anoki pleaded, getting up. "Pl-please?"
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Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 10:26 pm
Okay? It really wasn't, not in his mind. Even if Anoki had hurt him a bit, it didn't mean he was bad. It was just meant for the class, for learning. Still, he couldn't undo what he'd done. Also, it seemed the other child was about to quick just yet.
Rocking back as he stood up to give the ibex space he did have to give him some credit. He was determined. "If you really want." He'd just have to be careful not to do it again. Not to forget about being careful. "But I'm not going to lose." That didn't mean he'd roll over though. Never. He lifted the blade to ready, prepared to defend himself.
Afterall, he wasn't too eager to charge at Anoki again. He didn't want to hurt him more.
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Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 10:42 pm
"Th-thank you," Anoki said evenly, keeping the sword pointed down while he regained his balance. The blow to the head had knocked him off kilter, but now he was better. Better enough, anyway, to return Keanu's comment. "I'm n-not going to l-lose either."
It was his turn to attack, obviously. So he started to run, dragging his sword behind him, and when he was within range, swung it upwards towards Keanu's waist.
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Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 1:40 am
So his opponenet wasn't about to give up. Well that was fine, trianing went better when both parties did their best. It just meant he really couldn't go too easy on Anoki. Even if he was going to try and be careful not to hurt him.
The point was proven when the ibex came charging and swung at him. Definitely not one to take lightly. Still, he was paying close attention when the boy attacked and had time to take a few steps back. Raising his own blade to deflect the oncoming one and avoid any new cuts for the time being. At least he seemed to be getting better at that though.
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Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 9:01 pm
Anoki half-expected that blow to be blocked- if it wasn't, how horrifying would the results be? But that didn't mean he could stop. Maybe it was because the duo was learning, or better prepared, but when the blades clashed he wasn't thrown totally off balance. Recovering fairly quickly, he decided to try again. But how?
Slashing from the sides wasn't working. And Anoki couldn't get the sword up over his head, not with how tired he was. But there was something he hadn't tried yet. Taking a step back, he maneuvered so that his sword was in front of him, the blade pointing almost straight down, and leaving him almost completely ungarded for another moment or two. Then he stepped forward and pulled up, bringing the blade with him.
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Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 11:53 am
Fingers tightened along the hilt of the sword as he shifted his weight. There was a brief pause between attacks. A chance.
He wasn't quite sure what it was the ibex was up to, but he knew to take an opening what he had it. A quick shift for the blades placement to bring it up over his shoulder. If the constant exercise has given him one advantage that was endurance. He was used to working out and keeping it up for a while. Sure he'd get tired, but he could push himself even then. Which was ostly what kept him going.
As Anoki was beginning to bring up his own blade, Keanu was starting to swing his down at the boy. Not exactly the best situation for either. Keanu wasn't in any position to block or move away due to being midswing, that much was for sure.
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Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 4:46 pm
In Anoki's mind, he was moving pretty fast. Better than he had been, certainly, and he was picking it up fast considering it was his first class. But the other boy was better. He'd obviously had more practice, and was both faster and stronger. Anoki realized this, but it was a bit too late.
Fearing what might happen if their blades met again, he stepped back. It was difficult, especially in mid-swing, and probably not the best idea. But Anoki didn't care; he was suddenly afraid, and he wanted out.
However, he wasn't fast enough. As he stumbled and tried to get out of the way, Keanu's sword caught him in the shoulder. Anoki yelped and fell backwards, his sword falling uselessly to the side. That HURT.
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