Kiko shoved up from the knee using her shoulder to ram Kat right in the hip. The other girl was quick and agile, but not agile enough and Kiko had spent several years of sword work honing her wrists and shoulders. The makeshift bamboo "katana" was flipped downward abruptly along her arm and shoved against the catgirl's hand not swung to block the strike. She attempted the twisting stab, too, on the opposite side. It was half-hearted instead of bold, she had little faith it would land.
She swore inwardly.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
silverdust [M:0:0:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?board=ci&action=display&thread=314]Mess with the panther, and you get the dagger in your throat.
Kat spun aside from the stab like a dancer, light on her feet indeed. She hummed a soft, liquid tune as she moved, catching Kiko's fully extended arm in one small yet surprisingly strong hand, pushing the other into the outside of her elbow to lock it. It was obvious from how easily Kiko's shoulder press had caught her hip just before that she wasn't as good at unarmed combat as Kiko, but she could at least do this.
She gave a sharp whistle and giggled softly, "that was good! Very good, but you need to work on that stab. It needs to be done with more confidence, yes? More confidence and like a good punch needs to start at your feet and finish three feet behind your opponent. But you over-extended your arm, too, which is why I could do this; always keep the elbow a little bent, it gives you more power."
Kiko favored her with another rare smile. She shook her head, backed up, took a breath and nodded.
Yes. Do not waver in your attack. My grandfather would have liked you, Kat. Again.
They continued to spar for the next hour or so until the light from the fire was the only thing illuminating their feet. By that time, Kiko was breathing heavily and doing her damn best to get past Kat's guard. When she was finally able to confidently turn her off hand "weapon" to an attack she halted with her fingers dropping to her knees. She discarded the bamboo and dragged her shoulders upright.
Enough. Else we are in danger of tumbling over into the fire just to see what we are doing.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
silverdust [M:0:0:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?board=ci&action=display&thread=314]Mess with the panther, and you get the dagger in your throat.
Kat continued to give advice through their sparring session, a delighted smile on her face as Kiko soaked up everything she had to give. She was laughing as they went, panting as they fought on and on without stopping. When Kiko finally called a halt an hour later, she dropped down to sit next to her friend. "You are good, Kiko. Very very good. Oh but I have not had this much fun in some long time."
I was correct earlier. My grandfather would have LOVED you.
Kiko shook her head and tried to work some energy back into her shoulders and arms. They returned to the fire pulled the fish from the leaves and had something to eat. By then, even the sounds of the lake had quieted down for the night.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
silverdust [M:0:0:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?board=ci&action=display&thread=314]Mess with the panther, and you get the dagger in your throat.
Kat waited for hers to cool slightly. She bit her lip as she watched Kiko roll her shoulders, remembering that not everyone had her boundless energy. "Would, umm... maybe I can massage your shoulders? The movements you have done are new. The way of working with the blade."
Kiko gave her smile. Oddly, she was doing that a lot with Kat.
I will be fine, Kat, but thank you for the offer. Part of the reason why I came out here to train, too. I have been lax. I used to do so every single day, but recently... well. I have had other things demanding my time.
Kiko halted here and her eyes turned from Kat to the fire. She had not been as diligent as in the past. She took quick stock of her thoughts, now. No. She would not have given up these past few months. The Wolf and Wistvale were home. Her shoulders would get back in shape, she would become more comfortable with the dagger. She only needed time.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
silverdust [M:0:0:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?board=ci&action=display&thread=314]Mess with the panther, and you get the dagger in your throat.
Kat sat down close to Kiko, pulling pieces of flesh off her smoked fish, popping them into her mouth and chewing slowly, a low purr of happiness rolling out of her all involuntarily.
Kiko picked at the fish. She expected to be hungry, but oddly the food was not near as satisfying as she had expected it to be. She nudged another piece of wood toward the fire.
Back East the sun would be climbing up into the sky right about now. Her eyes drifted closed. Kiko made herself a little bit more comfortable by the fire, back shoved up against her gear and her feet stretched out in front of her.
Where did you hear about Wistvale Kat?
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
silverdust [M:0:0:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?board=ci&action=display&thread=314]Mess with the panther, and you get the dagger in your throat.
"Everyone has heard of Wistvale, if not by name then by reputation. A place where everyone can start again, where those with adventure in their hearts can find their fill and live contented. A place of dangers and wonders, where the streets are paved alternately with gold and the skulls of our enemies. I knew it would be people exaggerating, tales growing over time, but after-- well, I had to come and find out for myself."
Kiko laughed; her shoulders shaking with it. She, too, had heard the wildest exaggerations and expectations of Wistvale. Of course, the whole "starting over" point was what sold her. Even if it was a lie, it hit a chord she could not deny. And she could definitely agree with Kat's reasons for coming here, too.
She had to know. And her world changed. She had to think back, too. Kiko remembered seeing her Chosen standing there with the horses. She'd been lacking sleep and trying to rest outside the stables. Not by want either, no it was due to an patron in the tavern being just a little bit too free with his hands and her lack of funds. He'd made some comment about the sun and her katana.
Kiko's new smile was bittersweet.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
silverdust [M:0:0:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?board=ci&action=display&thread=314]Mess with the panther, and you get the dagger in your throat.
Kat softly butted her head against Kiko's arm, displaying both a feline sign of affection, and also out of necessity, as her hands were occupied with disassembling her fish. "Maybe it is not all that the stories said; I cannot say that I really expected it to be. But you found good things here, so maybe I can too, yes?"
She smiled at the other girl and ruffled the hair on her head.
I'm going to get some rest. It's way too late to do anything else tonight, and I'd much rather stay outside by the fire.
She would rather be stretched out in another shape, but that was going to have to wait.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
silverdust [M:0:0:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?board=ci&action=display&thread=314]Mess with the panther, and you get the dagger in your throat.
Kat looked around, not really that used to sleeping on the ground, "I could... get some bracken maybe? It makes good bedding." She smiled quickly and apologetically, cleaning the fish residue off her fingers with the same fastidiousness she did the river muck. "I am sorry, Kiko. I'm much more used to finding a comfortable spot in a tree."
Kiko turned her head from the fire. She studied the other girl's expression for several moments before answering, probably causing her no end of consternation. It wasn't Kat's fault that she was small, or that her fine features, illuminated by the fire, reminded Kiko of ambushing children in the past. And, it took some deliberation on her part to think beyond it at this moment.
You do not have to stay, Kat. By all means find a place that makes you comfortable.
Kiko waved a hand toward the line of trees behind them.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”