Grayell smiled then, just a hint. This wasn't going to be messy and he might have saved Alec a rather unfortunate loss to some mischievous imp. Losing to the Fae at ANYTHING was not a wise thing to do.
He winked at Kiko then and placed hands on her shoulders as he stood behind her.
Just a little fun love, enjoy yourself.
Grayell walked around the table then, removing his jacket. He paused at the end of the table and folded it over his arm then set it to rest there quite carefully. His hands began to unfasten his shirt now and he stared at Alec, that very slight hint of a smile on his face. He was quiet, controlled, but inside he was a little excited.
He knew Alec could fight. He also knew he'd gotten better, it was evident in the way he walked and held himself. Grayell was in fact hoping Alec had gotten remarkably good.
His shoulders rolled back as his arms pulled wide and he shrugged off the shirt. His chest rose, a deep breath now he was free of the confines of the monkey suit; and he smiled wider as he pulled his last arm free. He dropped it in a heap upon the jacket and rolled one shoulder, then the other, hands pulled up at his waist as he approached Alec.
He stopped several feet from him, feet side on. He smiled and tilted his head back now, teeth flashing, his hair lazily stirring in the magical breeze that wafted through the clearing.
So. Just for show. Magic use is up to you. Agreed?
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
Untying his cummerbund, Alec folds it over his arm, and sets it on the floor, out of the way. Unbuttoning the shirt, he does the same. "Well," he says, chuckling, "unless you've got a metal plate in your body somewhere, my magic is useless. And you could jerk me around like a marionette. So, if you don't mind, just the boxing?" Alec thrusts his hand out, looking for a handshake.
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
Grayell nods with a wider smile now and steps in to take Alec's hand. He grabs it at the wrist though, his other hand clasping Alec's forearm and shakes it in a hard, manly manner before stepping back once again.
You'll excuse the formalities of course.
Grayell's foot slides back and folds, him standing on it's ball. His lead leg comes in and then slowly circles out as knees bend and he lowers. His left palm presses to his right first and he bows his head to Alec as hands stretch out together. He then swivels his hips and offers the same bow to the Queen.
Hands then roll back, wave over one another in a fluid motion and slowly separate as he widens his stance, breath hissing from pursed lips. His hips swivel just a little, his legs bounce and settle and his head turns side to side before stopping, eyes locking on Alec. His rear hand comes in and flicks his nose and he flashes a grin... which fades. His expression turns cold and purposeful now, he is ready.
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
Shrugging, Alec ticks off a quick salute to Gray, then bows once more to the Queen, hands at his side. Straightening, he slides one foot forward, just enough to turn his body slightly. He raises his hands, pulled into loose fists, one held slightly forward. "Ooh, this oughta be interesting."
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
Grayell lazily circles Alec and watches as Alec's own footfall's carefully test the ground beneath him. Alec had an almost smarmy but detached demeanour which amused Grayell, he wasn't buying any facade of simplicity that Alec may or may not deliberately portray. But you didn't gain Alec's physique through simple books alone. He had muscles with purpose and little wasted mass. Not so big as Grayell, but then Grayell had larger bone structure.
Grayell had been about longer as far as he knew. He'd seen a great deal of combat and even matches such as these. He could consider himself the favourite to win here if only he were foolish enough to discount Alec's potential... which he wasn't about to do. He'd much rather test it. A simple attack would be simple to block. Let's see just how much the lad knows...
Grayell shot in, his leg whipping up, curving and then cutting air toward Alec's head. It was fast - unerringly fast - but deliberately flashy. Open. It would hurt like hell if he didn't react quickly though.
Faloren looked somewhat confused and turned slightly from the fight to look at Margrett directly.
"Just like whom? I will admit, it is a rare spectacle to have such a demonstration at the Queen's ball... but she seems to approve.
I must say, another story would not have been quite so dramatic, don't you agree?"
Faloren was smiling happily, oblivious to whatever might be agitating Margrett.
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
Ducking, Gray's leg slicing the air just over Alec's head and ruffles his hair. Laughing and bouncing on the balls of his feet, he swings his own foot in and kicks out at Gray's knee. He's toying with you, Irrational spits. You're not going to let him get away with that are you? Rational butts in; Not toying. Testing. He's only seen you fight a few times, and wants to know what you're capable of.
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
Gray's high leg drops and he lifts his rear and spins then. following the motion of his first kick. His rear leg only bats Alec's kick aside and then unfolds, his heel whipping across Alec's chin - missing it by but an inch.
Grayell laughs and bounces back now, his feet shuffling, hands lazily floating up and down. He bounces in with a hiss, a taunt.. and then away again.
Very good. You've been training.
Grayell leans forward at the waist now, both hands reaching forward.
She shrugged, leaning back again, leaning against him a little.
Maybe. You don't know him like I do, though. Hell, for I know they planned this. I guess we'll just have to watch them beating each other senseless. She looked around at the other fae.
I don't know about your people, but I do not call that a good time.
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
Resuming his stance, Alec's eyes begin to turn a steely sort of red and he licks his lips with quick, darting motions of the tongue. Pushing off with his heel, he spins on the outside, and drives his knee towards Gray's temple.
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
Faloren was still puzzled by Marg's shift in attitude. He was a little lost but was watching the match intently.
"But my people are known for the careless and light-hearted nature. We enjoy a scuffle as much as your kinsmen here. Besides, a little sport amongst friends is good for such relationships."
Faloren looks at her with those dark, strange eyes and smiles with a shrug.
"I imagine they will be better friends when they are done."
Grayell was almost surprised at the attack, it defied his own logic. His kick to Alec's head had been a ruse, an open stab to test his reaction... but following with such a blatantly open attack of his own either meant he was cocky or just plain foolish. Much better to kick below the waist.
At any rate, Grayell's lead arm rose to intercept the knee, his head lowering behind his arm. His feet drove into the soil though and his hips swivelled, unchambering his free arm - which shot a vicious open palm at Alec's rather exposed abdomen.
She was quiet a moment. She looked down, then back to Grayell and Alec.
Maybe. I wouldn't, though. Seems...I don't know. Ridiculous. Insane. Call me old fashioned, but blood and violence doesn't mean friendship....especially if you're the one who made it. Not worth it.
Faloren chuckled then, he was warming up to her but was amused by her stance on the match.
"Have you never arm wrestled someone? Never taken up a dare, never tried to out-drink someone, outwit them, complete with someone? Is it not the things we share that make us friends?
I say if your friends can fight and maintain a mutual respect for one another, enjoy themselves well... then they have friendship figured out. So few mortals seem to.
Perhaps you take things too seriously milady. A mortal condition for certain, but I can assure you, my people are constantly toying, teasing and pranking one another. It is who we are, what makes us happy.
You should not mistake action for intent. And it is better that they fight. I cannot say either would fare well against the Queen's best. It would have ended rather... poorly."
He smiled and slipped a hand onto her arm, seems he only wanted to cheer her up. The rest of the crowd was enjoying the fight thus far.