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Vex
A Self-styled computer geek that moonlights as a G.I. Joe.
1,014 posts
2 likes
Proud bearer of the "Polish Stalker Badge".
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last online May 21, 2018 17:30:54 GMT -5
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Nov 24, 2010 22:27:03 GMT -5
Post by Vex on Nov 24, 2010 22:27:03 GMT -5
Rizzen had left in the morning, after being woken. It was, thankfully, hardly a problem for him to make his way back to his own chambers, given both his own talents and the all-seeing eye of Wash overlooking his passage down the hall with the video plants that he'd put up.
It may be home, but this was still Falleen. It paid to be cautious.
The appointed time had come. The duel was at hand. Rizzen's father and mother had been excellent hosts for the Chiss woman and her escort. They'd been given a fine breakfast and the ability to select from a fine selection of wardrobe choices because of the inconvenience of having to stay the evening at their estates and being unable to return to their own places. Now they would all be in a hover limo, pulling up to the chosen venue for this particular duel. Servants were there, opening the doors to the vehicle only moments after it came to a stop.
The view was quite exceptional. The duel ring was a carpet of rich, soft grass on a jut of land extending out from a cliff. Over the edge of that cliff, the expanse of the capital city spread out toward the horizon like its crowning jewels. The morning air was brisk, but just barely so, and there was hardly a cloud in the sky. There was already a small crowd there, waiting for the combatants to appear.
Rizzen was already there, blade in hand. He was going through movements to warm up and jog his muscle memory in the use of a weapon he'd not picked up in some time. It was there, but not as readily as it had been at his prime. He knew with grim certainty that it would take something extreme for him to manage the upper hand in this battle. He was, however, resolved in his actions.
He was dressed for comfort and mobility. His boots were supple black leather. Breeches were of deep gray and loose to improve mobility, while that pale white shirt was loose at the shoulders and sleeves so it wouldn't bind and restrict his movements.
He turned, hearing the limo come up. As the occupants exited, he lifted a hand, waving to them lightly, careful not to let his eyes or mind linger on Rahja. His attention was drawn away, however, as another luxury vehicle pulled up.
Peronin had arrived.
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last online Jun 4, 2023 4:58:38 GMT -5
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Dec 7, 2010 21:58:48 GMT -5
Post by Talau the Ever-Lurking on Dec 7, 2010 21:58:48 GMT -5
She didn’t like it, none of it…but what could she do?
Rahja hadn’t liked this situation from the moment she’d discovered that Rizzen was here, and furthermore, involved with her target! Again! This wasn’t even taking into account the fact that her target was a force user, and an Anzat at that. The fact that Nikkos likely knew at least part of what she was didn’t settle well with her…after all, who enjoyed feeling like they were going to be the main course of someone’s dinner? She could have lived with that, or at least worked with it, if it hadn’t been for an upstart falleen with a chip on his shoulder deciding to challenge Rizzen to some sort of imbecilic duel of honor that (of course) had to involve herself and Nikkos, forcing them to spend the night at the Xan’s manor.
Of course, there had been an upside to that…
By the time they arrived it was nearing mid-morning and Rahja was as silent as possible without being overtly rude. Then again, it seemed that Rizzen’s parents, as well as Nikkos, hardly seemed any more talkative. As the doors to the speeder were opened, she took in the area as she waited for the others to exit as well. With a simple, flowing, dress as blue as the sky, she stood out yet again among the green skinned people who had gathered around. Closely followed by Nikkos, she had only made it a few steps toward Rizzen and the small crowd before another speeder pulled up.
No doubt it was the challenger.
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Vex
A Self-styled computer geek that moonlights as a G.I. Joe.
1,014 posts
2 likes
Proud bearer of the "Polish Stalker Badge".
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last online May 21, 2018 17:30:54 GMT -5
Master
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Jul 5, 2011 19:47:33 GMT -5
Post by Vex on Jul 5, 2011 19:47:33 GMT -5
Peronin stepped out into the morning air. He'd kept with the gold, his tunic richly accoutered and it almost appeared as though he was clad in flowing metal. His breeches were black, but there were blood stripes running down along the side of each leg that perfectly matched the tunic. His boots were almost blinding, given the shine they flashed as he stepped out. The word "sauntered" may have been a better description, however. He fairly swaggered as he came out into the open air and looked out at the gathering crowd. When those eyes came to Rizzen, they grew positively wolfish with anticipation.
The Xan heir, for his part, remained unaffected, focusing on his own preparations while his opponent preened for the crowd. He had no time or inclination for such actions. He moved forward, instead, to greet those that had come to support his side. Bowing his head first to Rahja and then to Nikkos, he'd greet his parents last, as was right when dealing with guests. Trying to keep things light, he'd glance up at the sky. "Pleasant weather today...perfect for a matter of honor. It would have been unfortunate if it had decided to rain."
He was interrupted by the proctor for the duel. Stepping into the center of the dueling circle, he spoke so that all could hear. "Would the two honorable duelists please step forward and take their place? It is time to pick weapons and finalize the preparations."
Violet eyes flashed a bit as he looked to the people there assembled for him, almost lingering on the Chiss beauty longer than was proper before turning away and stepping up to his assigned place.
Things moved swiftly after that and soon they were back to back, weapons in hand and held up in front while the final rules were recited. They were then directed to take five steps apart and turn, facing one another. With a flourish of bows, the battle was commenced. Blades slashed and the sound of metal ringing was clear in the morning air.
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last online Jun 4, 2023 4:58:38 GMT -5
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Jul 7, 2011 3:30:07 GMT -5
Post by Talau the Ever-Lurking on Jul 7, 2011 3:30:07 GMT -5
Belt link and Dress linkSide note: sorry if this sucks. I had muse for her then something…happened…and muse for anyone and everyone I had died. Still, it turned out longer than I expected.
It was difficult not to notice the bright flash of those gilded clothes as Peronin stepped out of his speeder and strutted like the flashily plumed peacock he was. Comparatively, everyone else in attendance was only a fraction of his gaudy appearance and Rahja, one of the most plainly dressed there, had to keep from asking if he was attempting to…compensate…for something. The thought amused her, even with the seriousness of the situation, and she wondered if there was a way to use that gaudy persona against him. While Nikkos bristled beside her tangibly, green eyes flashing with lethal fire, she doubted anyone (beside, perhaps, the Xans themselves) wanted to see this man fall from his self perceived pedestal than she did. As Rizzen approached, Rahja took a bold leap in action (at least for her)…and perhaps in propriety. Not that she particularly cared at this point. When the dress had been selected, the colors of it chosen, Rahja had made a simple request: to have several strips of cloth in the same red and blue and gold colors as her dress to braid into a choker. No one had thought much of if so the request had been granted in the form of six or so silken ribbons, which she’d spent some little time on braiding together after Rizzen had crept out of her room that morning. She’d worn it all morning, her mind hardly lingering on it for more than a few seconds here or there when attention wasn’t on her…but now, as he greeted them all, she stepped forward, pulling off the necklace. ”Rizzen, on the risk of stepping very much out of my bounds or out of place for a duel such as this…” before he could have a chance to interrupt, she’d hold the twined necklace of ribbon up in both hands for him to see before slipping it around his bicep and tying it there as she continued to speak. ”I wanted you to take this…as both a charm and, much more importantly, a token of my thanks to you and your House for your infallible sense of honor, generosity and kindness through all of this. Thank you…it shall not be forgotten.” For a moment those red eyes would flicker and flash in the sun as she glanced to Peronin, then back to Rizzen, a touch of that devilish smirk forming along her face as her voice lowered so only he (and perhaps his parents and Nikkos) could hear it…and the impish darkness in it. ”He deserves a lesson in honor…teach him one.”Stepping back to stand beside the, quite stunned, Nikkos, she seemed calm as ever. It may not have been a tournament, or a battle, or even supposedly dangerous…but she knew the history now and she wasn’t going to put it past Peronin to have rigged something. While she knew Rizzen didn’t need an object to know he had her support, or why, she was making it abundantly clear now (to all of them) that he did, and why…as well as subtly laying verbal barbs for Peronin. No one he was preening for gave him any token of support or otherwise…no words of thanks or how honorable he was being…not even up to the point where the proctor called both men forward. Still, only Rizzen would know just how out of character an action like that was for her, and also only he would know the full meaning behind her words…especially those last few, for they said it all. Put him in his place, Mandalorian. You have my full and unwavering faith and support.Smoothing down that red and blue gown calmly, she gave a light shift to her belt before settling again passively with her hands clasped lightly before her, ignoring any looks she might have received from her previous actions and listening to what was being said instead. Not another inch of that fiery temper shown through her cool and collected exterior as the rules were recited as otherwise wicked looking blades were presented to each man. As the two finally stepped away from each other, she glanced up to the tree where Sender was quietly hiding among the leaves and branches before turning her eyes back to the two men. Even from the start the swift clashing of blade on blade had her on edge beneath that cool exterior. More than the swift swish and clang of the weapons they used, Rahja ‘heard’ and felt the echoes through the force. The swirling motion of it around the battling men telling her more than her eyes ever could as the tide of the duel pooled in Peronin’s favor, then spilled back over into Rizzen’s only for him to miss his opportunity by milliseconds and have it all go flooding back to Peronin. Again she felt a stab of frustration at her situation and lack of training. Had she been a properly trained jedi, or even a semi-trained padawan, she could have done something to even the odds…but as it stood she could only watch passively, hindered by her past yet again. What was worse was the knowledge that, foe or not, Nikkos wasn’t doing a thing to help either. Well, if he was, truly, working with the Empire than she didn’t doubt it…still, his pride had been injured badly. Certainly that was cause for some sort of retribution? A glinting flash off of metal struck her eyes and she narrowed them a bit to see Peronin sweeping in swiftly toward Rizzen…a set up he was creating. A feint of unusual proportions…willing to be hit to gain a more dangerous strike in return… Please, Rizzen, don’t fall for it…
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Vex
A Self-styled computer geek that moonlights as a G.I. Joe.
1,014 posts
2 likes
Proud bearer of the "Polish Stalker Badge".
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last online May 21, 2018 17:30:54 GMT -5
Master
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Aug 14, 2011 20:43:27 GMT -5
Post by Vex on Aug 14, 2011 20:43:27 GMT -5
As the pair of them stepped back from the initial trade of blows, Rizzen kept his wits about him, keeping his surroundings in mind as they circled each other. A sideways stutter step was followed up with a thrust that Peronin deflected, putting Rizzen on the defensive as he followed with a counter strike, pressing the advantage. The man struck fast, like a snake, his skill readily apparent with the fluid way he moved, like a wave lapping over one rock to the next. While Rizzen was far from lumbering, his muscle memory was not as fresh as it had once been. Only his combat reflexes kept his own blade up between himself and his opponent's.
Fortune favored him with her fickle favor, however, as Peronin's advance faltered from a particularly slick patch of dew on the ground. It slowed him enough as he caught his balance for Rizzen to go back upon the offense. In many ways, seeing this might remind her of their initial meeting. The intensity of Rizzen's attack was every bit as unrelenting as what she'd experienced the night he came for her. Rizzen didn't have the grace or thoughtless ease of movement with that rapier, but he kept his attacks in, not allowing them to swing wildly as he pressed his advantage. Despite the ferocity of his onslaught, his face remained cool and neutral. He could have been looking at a HoloNet terminal in stead of crossing swords in a Falleen battle of honor for all the expression that she showed.
He hadn't been able to do much in response to her words or actions prior to the duel. She had danced upon the edge of propriety, but had pirouetted around it as though the edge wasn't razor sharp. Her boldness had surprised him for a moment until he remembered just who this woman was and why he was so drawn to her. The light weight of that token around his bicep was a calming balm upon him as he continued this battle. He knew he didn't have the same level of skill as his opponent did, but Rahja had reminded him of one thing: Peronin didn't hold a candle to him when it came to true combat experience.
Feeling the pressure, Peronin had to break off completely, managing to tie up the two blades against each other for a long moment and then push back, forcing the two of them far enough away to set the flow of battle back to neutral. Peronin's arrogant smirk was off of his face now. He had expected to thoroughly trounce Rizzen…to humiliate him with his greater skill. Instead, Rizzen had managed to take advantage of a misstep and put him on the defensive. It was humiliating. Dark brows narrowed as he stalked around. He wasn't going to play around any more.
The two stepped forward once more, blades crossing again. Rizzen managed a half-step back as Peronin swung, daring to lift his blade and let Peronin's swing whisper by mere inches from his chest. Setting his feet, he counter-thrusted. The gambit almost paid off, but the length of the blade slowed his movement just enough that Peronin was able to bring his blade back up to defend and twist his body to the side, warding off the strike.
As they came back together again, Peronin seemed to open himself up, frustration on his features as he came in for a heavy strike. Rizzen saw the opportunity and reflex had him going for the strike before the rest of him noted that something was amiss. Even as he tried to abort the strike, which barely skimmed along Peronin's ribs, letting out a shock that had the man gritting his teeth in something like a cadaver's grin as his pulled his strike in and down.
Rizzen brought up his other hand, bringing that bracered forearm up over his elbow in reflex to block that strike as he pivoted on his heel in an attempt to turn away from the strike. It took the power off the blow, but there was still too much to stop it completely and the blade came down across his his upper arm in a shallow cut.
The crimson was bright against the white of that tunic as it welled up, sticking the sliced linen to his skin. Hissing from the pain, Rizzen broke away, bringing his blade up in a flourish to ward off a pressing of the attack. There was a collective gasp from those that watched. Rizzen's mother brought her hands up to her face while the Patriarch took a half-step forward, speaking something low and vehement in his own language. Another of the Xan clan, a more distant and hotheaded cousin moved to step forward, only for the elder Xan to reach out and stop him. "No. Coward or no, the ring is inviolable until the completion of the duel. Peronin has made certain that any that attempt to do so will be dealt with."
He nodded to a speeder that had come up shortly before the beginning of the duel. Standing on it were two Falleen, each with a rifle.
To make sure the rules were enforced, of course.
Peronin smiled darkly at the blood dripping from Rizzen's arm. "It's time for blood to be paid with blood, Rizzen Xan." He began circling Rizzen slowly, seemingly tasting victory.
Rizzen looked back to Rahja and the rest of his clan. Seeing some chomping at the bit to be involved, he shook his head slowly. He couldn't dare lingering on her more than a moment, but she would see the muscle set in his jaw…the way his shoulders rolled back. His fury at the deceit was all but palpable as he turned his attention back to Peronin.
"You are as foolish as your brother was…"
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