[voice]

[bitofafop]

[Now that he has a better hang of this phone thing so he doesn't have to go flashing his face around everywhere.]

That "Holodeck" is an interesting place, I'll admit. But I prefer my opponents to be capable of thinking for themselves.

I'm looking for a sparring partner.

[...and after a bit more thought.]

No wizards.

[ps no one tell Jarlaxle that he may or may not be using this as a way to look for recruits.]

Comments

[Video]

[youfool]

"Ah, you hate those false things too, eh? 'Hollow'-deck indeed!"

[Man after his own heart, perhaps? He hopes he enjoyed the karaoke bar.]

"Goodness, what a windfall of swordsmen. I'd certainly be happy to spar with you."

[He didn't say it would be swords, but what else could be better?]

[voice]

[bitofafop]

[Oh hey, he recognizes this one. And he's liking the guy more already.]

I do. I've never been much fond of illusions, even for the purpose of training. It's not the same as a real flesh and blood opponent.

So where could I meet you?

Re: [voice]

[youfool]

[He's coasting on the positive feedback loop, made of mutual hatred natch]

Exactly! Woe to all that is false...

[And then he remembers his magic sword might be one of those unreal things he's so fond of decrying.]

...unless, perhaps, it's absolutely necessary for the preservation of the true. Somehow. Say, are you much of an expert of swords themselves? Their make and so on.

A location...how about the Genessia City garbage dump? Not much chance of interruption there.

[bitofafop]

The less interruption, the better. It may take some time for me to find, but I'll meet you there.

Unfortunately, I'm not as knowledgeable of their makes as I'd like to be. If that's something you need help with, I suggest someone else.

[youfool]

Take your time; might as well enjoy anticipation. Ah, you wouldn't be the first. If only I could find a true mystic of metal...wait, perhaps I know one like that...ah well, see you soon!

[as soon as he got there, anyway. Ted was milling about in one of the few empty spaces, looking at pictures from one of his 'fight books'. For refreshment, of course. He's dressed very colorfully, with a sword breathing out slight, chill vapors.]

"You know, your etymology presents an interesting dilemma. Scholars aren't sure if it means "safe" or "butcher". Which do you suppose you are?"

[bitofafop]

[Enjoy the anticipation? You bet he does, because how long has it been since he could spar with anyone? Now that he's more familiar with Fayren, getting to Genessia City is easy. It's finding the dump itself that takes a little more time. But he's there eventually, cloak covering drab travel clothes and the skull-pommeled sword and jeweled dagger at his hips.]

[And as it turns out, after that, finding his opponent is even easier - the colors almost make him cringe. At least he doesn't dress quite as garishly as Jarlaxle???]

I can tell you that it's probably not the former, at the very least. [And...probably not the latter? "Butcher" sounds so crass. And he can't help looking curious as he shrugs off the cloak and drops it to the ground.] Never gave much of a thought to its meaning, though, and I doubt that my mother did, either.

[youfool]

Ted chuckled. "Heh, well it's common for people to say things they don't mean. Also common for things to mean more than people know they're saying. I'm hoping for 'safe' myself, lest this spar turn gory. Ah well, it's as good a way as any to find out!" He kipped up, then put his sword in the 'roof guard' position, holding it against his right shoulder.

"Ready?"

[bitofafop]

And that earned a soft snort in answer, though it wasn't as though Artemis disagreed with him. He wanted to be able to go all out - it didn't feel like sparring would be quite worth the effort if he couldn't - but he lacked the proper tools for that. Non-lethal weapons, for example.

Unfortunately, he was also slowly going crazy from the lack of action that had been driving him till now, so playing "carefully" would have to suffice. He could practically hear the sword's outrage as he drew Charon's Claw from his belt.

"I'm only looking to keep my skills sharp," he assured, with a crooked smile and small shrug as he relaxed into a ready stance. "Which would be difficult to do if I killed those I mean to practice with."

...he sounded confident, at least.

[youfool]

Ted paused, for a moment. Being a dork, he's terribly interested in swords. Artemis' disturbed. A red blade with a black trough running along its center. The hilt looked more promising, but even its white was a sinister kind, like bleached bones. "Butcher" was looking more and more likely. That sword looked like killing was all it knew.

As usual, Ted didn't think too long. No reason to lose nerve before the fight even began. He gave a sharp nod and took the banter for a "yes", shouted "En garde!" then quickly stepped into combat. Any seasoned swordsman would recognize Ted's triangle-step at once; he, like all moral people, was right-handed, and so made a traverse step towards Artemis' left flank, following with his left foot going back and to the right. It also displayed Ted's greatest talent in fencing: footwork. He stepped lively and lightly.

He'd start with a "crooked cut", making a windshield-wiper motion as his hands crossed, forming a diagonal blow. His greatest flaw in fencing, as Artemis might find out, was his lack of deceit. He couldn't conceal his intentions to save his life, and so thought a tricky cut might be just the thing to fix that. More than that, however, was adherence to the golden rule of fencing: always be attacking. Set the initiative, frame it yourself, and things ought to go well. Getting the first blow was paramount.

But for all his vigor, Ted is careful. He'd been taught too well to let even his natural clumsiness and inattention to detail end in anything life-threatening. Beneath those colorful clothes lies a layer of chainmail and a few other precautions, just in case things get dicey. Still, he certainly looks as though he might be ready to skewer Artemis at any moment.