1162/Grumby Fighting

Grumby Fighting
Date of Scene:	17 December 2014
Location:	The Citadel - Field of Trials
Synopsis:	Gaius and Serori decide to blow off some steam. Maybe even learn a thing or two about one another in a less formal fashion.
Cast of Characters:	37, 522

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Gaius Van Baelsar (522) has posed:
Gaius was standing in the middle of an arena setup by the system for Serori and him to fight on. Though one would expect to see the Legatus in his dark magitek suit armor, instead he was in rather more basic clothing.

Pair of black steel toe boots that went up mid calf, blue jeans tucked in, and a white shirt with a v-lace cut that was half way tied up. He also had one a pair of fingerless black leather gloves that went up to about mid lower arm, with a bit of padding to protect the arm from any possible impacts. Though light it was.

Though with his arms exposed, one could see a few old scars that ran along in some places, just from years and years of abuse that his body has endured from starting out from the lowest of low and eventual his rise to being at the top within the Garlean Empire itself.

Those gold eyes of his though showed very little light as pressing matters still weighed heavily on his mind of events to come. His pacing steps as he waited may remind one of a predator waiting to be unleashed from his cage-- tired of being held up, though not to be mistake for impatience as one may.

His lightly peppered hair giving away his age, including a few lines that showed up lightly on his face. Yet beyond the marks that showed he was no young man, his physical form defied such and his movements showed no sign of slowing down.

Though hard press to say what he may be like twenty years from now-- if he does not die before then on the battlefield or from just the sheer stress itself.

Serori (37) has posed:
The air flickers, and Serori appears hovering three or four inches above a once-blank patch of ground.

Like Gaius, she's in casual dress -- very casual. The snug tanktop she's wearing is heather gray and fitted down her hips, flattering to her figure but simple in design. The pants she's wearing are loose and white and of a heavy weave, likely taken from a more typical 'gi'-style uniform. Serori isn't wearing any shoes, sandals, or socks, but she is wearing a brace on her right wrist, several visible bruises, and the weary look of a woman who is simultaneously troubled and irritated, and doesn't know which emotion should be given more energy.

Lowering her two extened fingers from her forehead, she nods her greeting to Gaius, settles to the ground, and takes up a relaxed defensive posture. The furry brown tail she's got curls around her waist like a belt, signifying her desire to begin the match.

"I can tell you've got a lot on your mind. Want to talk it out while you try your best against me?" The banter calls up a light smile, and brings a cocky gleam back to her eyes. It's short-lived, but it's something.

Gaius Van Baelsar (522) has posed:
Gaius watches as Serori appears and his pacing comes to a stop. Those gold eyes stare directly to meet her own. When she greets him with her gesture, he greets her in kind with a simple bow of his head. Once her posture changes to one of defensive, he takes his own defensive stance.

Arms raised up ever so slightly and his steps smooth across the ground. As he circles around, slowly making a close in toward the woman, his steps cross over the other only slightly, but ready to spring at any point. The weight of the boots themselves not seeming to really bother him.

"I could say the same to you. Though I do think your problems are far more pressing, given its dealing with a man whom you can apparently barely stand." Gaius says rather casually, shrugging off perhaps any lingering commander air. This was a spar between two warriors, two friends-- comrades-- at least in his mind.

There was no reason to hold the acts of leadership, military air, or any of the political mess. He could afford, at least for a moment, to be himself in full-- though those who know him well, knows there is very little difference between the two. Only those subtle things, like how words are spoke, smirk on the lips, and a little more casual air to the man.

And someone may get him to actually laugh.

"Is he going to be a problem for your plans in the future?" Gaius decides to ask, in some concern given in his voice, as he then suddenly steps in and goes to throw a false hook, but to come around swiftly with the true possible strike. His strength held back though, after all-- he didn't want to harm her.. even though he was pretty sure without the armor, that be rather difficult to do.

Serori (37) has posed:
It might be called 'unfair' to pit an unassisted man against saiyan reflexes. Serori is known for her speed and agility, and under normal circumstances, she'd have no trouble dodging, deflecting, and keeping light on her toes -- an infuriating and fluid opponent for anybody to handle. Today is different, however. He'll see it right away. Serori is as exhausted as she claimed, and whatever punishment she took the night before has had an impact. If before her speed was 'astonishing', today it's just 'A++ really great'.

Still, it's just a test. The feint is easy to read, and Serori ducks it. At the same time, she steps inward to deliver a quick pair of palm strikes at about his kidney level in an attempt to stun his diaphragm and leave him winded. After delivering the attack, she's got enough time to snap up her arm and push aside his strike; the impact pushes her two staggering steps to the side.

Bringing up Vegeta puts a scowl on her face. "Vegeta and I have a complicated history. He is royalty, as I mentioned. I was raised to obey his line. His father was my King, when I was a child; the greatest warrior our kind had ever seen, too. Vegeta has inherited his father's name, face, and skill. His power far exceeds my own, and he's not afraid to use it -- to force his subjects to keep their place." A light line of upraised fur appears down the length of Serori's tail, giving it a bristly look to match her tone. "Getting rid of him was the best thing that ever happened to me. Now that he's returned..."

There is a flicker of some vulnerability -- something like fear, but not quite. She is uncertain, that's for sure, and doesn't seem to like her chances. "I don't know what it will mean for me."

Gaius Van Baelsar (522) has posed:
The impact does leave Gaius winded, but he recovers swiftly. When she goes to block his strike and explain the situation. It causes the older man's brows to furrow. That was--not good to hear. However even with some sympathy, it does not hold back the given advantage.

Her steps have staggered and he goes right in for the strike before he even speaks. He actually steps in and goes to slide his own boot for her knee to trip her off balance. Though if she was to fall, he catches her arm so she doesn't land to hard on the ground.

This was a spar. Something he also had to keep telling himself, for in the Garlean Empire even before Nael's own ferocity went over his man, a good deal of the hand to hand training was taught to maim, if not out right kill. Because someone had to be left standing-- and it was going to be them, but in spar.. such ferocity wasn't required.

It is as he goes to hold her then bring her back up to her feet, though he still pulls her aside as he goes back into a defensive posture, given he is rather sure she could try to take advantage of that gesture, does he at last speak. "If it is of any consequence, I will stand by your side, Serori. As I am sure many of the other Confederates would as well. Though it may be of your.. world.. and thus perhaps your own problem to handle, you may say-- but you are an ally."

Gaius foot slides back a bit, waiting for he to come in. "..and my Legion will stand by to aid if it should come to it."

Serori (37) has posed:
A direct hit. The saiyan starts to lose her balance, but Gaius quickly catches her arm, pulls her upright, and just quickly (and wisely) lets her go before she can take advantage of the closeness. The look he gets is more grateful than her tone, which remains soured by apprehension and bitter memory.

"He once broke my collar bone because I did not heed his orders. I don't remember what the command had been, but I remember the pain of the injury. He used the life of Gohan's mother as a bargaining chip to keep him in line. He manipulated my desire to restore our society, promising to help realize my goals if I remained /loyal/. He left me crushed beneath gravity fields I was too weak to withstand. He betrayed my faith in him without reason or warning, and now, within moments of his return, treats me as a commodity again!"

The anger rises in Serori's voice, and puts strength into her next strikes. Without meaning to, she unleashes a quick combination on Gaius, not quite utilizing her full strength and speed, but certainly pushing it. One light kick spins leisurely to another, only for Serori to lean into her toes and follow through with three swift jabs, high, middle, middle.

Gaius's advantage of reach will help him; Serori must constantly press close in order to attack, and this puts her in a position he can exploit.

Eyes snapping, a growl in her voice, Serori spits out an invective. "That /prince/ will not get far trying his old tricks."

Gaius Van Baelsar (522) has posed:
Gaius quickly steps back, keeping her at blocking length. The older, taller man has to be swift though. Even with her not doing her best, she was far more impressive then he was when it came to the martial form. Her speed was far surpass his own and without his armor, it was heavy concentration to keep up.

Her punches are blocked, but it causes him to slide back and a bit to the side. The air slapping from the sheer force with only the padding giving him some form of protection, though it still smarted and obvious from a minor sneer on his face.

The force of her kick though gets him, cause even though he manages to block it with his leg, it was enough to cause him to stagger a bit. Those gold eyes meets her, and though he leg stings, he still steps in and doesn't give any quarter.

While she talks, he was also quiet. Perhaps due to focus or perhaps due to honestly letting her just vent. It could even be both in all truth. Though once he comes in, he does so with a punch to her stomach and then another strike for good measure, before making motion to strike his elbow to her backside, but instead moves out of it and just takes a few steps back. Huffing a bit at both the sudden exertion and the fact he had to check himself.

"He sounds as the type who desires to rule in fear, instead of respect." Gaius shakes his leg for a moment, but he doesn't break his entire guard. "Fear can only get a man so far.. he will be crawling on the ground soon enough when others like yourself have had enough.. and it only takes one to lead that change."

Gaius eyes narrow slightly. "..But you are in a better standing now.. he be a fool to even /think/ of doing such acts again.. and in if he threatens to take away his Saiyan warriors.. let him." Gaius says with some confidence in his voice. "You have many allies of varies of strength and sizes. Make use of them and show you do not fear him any longer. That he has no control over you."

"And giving him any form of emotional response.. including display of anger, fear, rage.. that is only a sign that some part of /you/, is willing to obey. Some part of you could be open to give in." Though as Gaius speaks those words, even he himself is trying to remind some part of him that these words also ring true for his own situation.

Serori (37) has posed:
The hit to her stomach almost folds Serori in half; her muscles had been half-lax, not braced to receive the force. The upside to this is that she's in good position to then recoil and avoid Gaius's follow-through, even if she has to come up winded and flinching.

"His saiyans..." Serori doesn't speak again until after she's been able to right her stance and catch her breath. "...are more primitive, and not from the world I knew. I'm sure they're loyal to him already, and not too interested in other options." Pressing her lips into a thin, hard frown, she musters her thoughts in the same way she prepares her next attack -- her mind working like muscles gathering before the pounce. "Strength has always ruled in our society, and Vegeta is one of the two most powerful saiyans still alive."

"He and I will /have/ to fight. He will have to see the progress I've made without him, and realize that I am stronger standing on my own than I am crushed under his heel. Besides -- part of me wants to hurt him. I /want/ to rage at him. I /want/ him to see how much I /hate/ him."

A half-crescent step inward, a low feint to the left, and her next jab comes in from the right, aimed at the spot just above his hip. Her left arm comes up in a defensive motion to protect her body as she strikes, sweeping out and up to deflect what she predicts to be Gaius's most obvious counter. It's a move likely wasted, but at least demonstrates her way of thinking.

"If he can show me something other than cruelty...if he can treat me as more than an object...perhaps I'll consider kneeling."

Serori abruptly turns her feet and twists her right hip into forward position as if in advance of a kick, only to lash her tail out like a blunt whip, snapping it at Gaius's thighs. She smirks at him, playful in that moment.

"I am glad I can count on you to watch my back."

Gaius Van Baelsar (522) has posed:
The feint catches Gaius a bit off guard and as he tries to go in to counter react, he is a bit to slow. The impact hits him in he side and he winces a bit as he nearly bends slightly with the impact. Though once he finds the opening he strikes, to meet her block square one and the air claps once more from the force he exerts in kind.

Though when she goes to kick, he quickly shifts his weight to block to only find himself getting whipped in the though by a tail, perhaps playfully and he just quirks up a brow slightly as he rolls around on his boot's toe to put himself in a proper defensive position again. "I can not fault you and given culture differences, perhaps-- that /is/ the better optional choice. Given my own is based on merit and less of exact brute force."

Gaius rolls his shoulders about then, before he suddenly goes to take a few steps in, "Though sometimes brutality is also effective!" With those words he stomps his foot in, before he rushes in with rapid combo of his own fists, putting more power behind them then early and trying to keep himself protected, even while he strikes out.

Then with a step back, he suddenly sweeps down low with his heel to try and trip her over. Though as he does come back up, he seems a bit winded, though he does have a slightly boyish grin on his face for whatever thought could be crossing his mind or maybe just the sheer enjoyment of the spar itself.

Serori (37) has posed:
Saiyan tails are much like monkey tails. Prehensile and possessing exceptional strength, it is not only a useful tool, it can be a weapon. It's also the conduit through which Serori inherits her racial ability to transform under the light of the full moon. There's no such moon here today, but she could create one, if she wanted -- but perhaps stomping Gaius under the foot of a 40-foot-tall ape creature would be kind of unfair, huh? This spar isn't /that/ serious.

Serori doesn't return her tail to a safe spot around her waist. It remains waving behind her as mischievous as her smile. Somehow, the tail remains jaunty despite Serori's backpedaling reaction to Gaius's charge. Now that she's warmed up, she's picked up some of her usual grace. As she retreats, she keeps up a proper defense, raising her arms to block and deflect his oncoming jabs and punches. Each block jolts her to the core. Each deflection costs her something in offensive opportunity. Still, she does what she can.

His final punch is caught inside Serori's hand. Arm braced, she holds him for a moment before he retreats, spins, and sweeps out his heel. Serori hops over the attack, tucking her body into a tight backward handspring, but when she comes down on her fingertips, her injured wrist collapses. Serori falls into an awkward tumble, and comes up wincing and unable to return the offense -- in fact, she's pretty wide open in that instant.

During all that blocking, she keeps up the conversation: "It isn't optional. I can't hide behind someone else and expect him to respect my authority as Colonel. If I can assert my own station, I'll have far less to worry about from him. He'll also think twice about harming me. Of course, if he decides to harm me anyway, I won't think twice about bringing the Confederacy down on his head. Mathias -- a-ah, the Field Marshal will give me that much."

"And what about your own concerns?"

As she stands up from her awkward landing, she meets his gaze, still waiting for his response to that question.

Gaius Van Baelsar (522) has posed:
The Legatus gives only the faintest of nods to what Serori has to say. Though when she falls over, she will find no return for the opening. Instead Gaius is stepping away, giving his wrists a good shake and getting his body to loosen up a bit.

It seems in silence, he was calling for a minor break. So when Serori asks him of his own concerns, she can't see his face, but his step was a bit softer and then upward tilt of his head could be some indications on the matters ahead.

His voice also losing that playful tone and one of much darker indications. "Though I can only prepare myself for what could come in the storm, I can not give a foreshadowed warning of an Eikon to his Radiance."

Gaius turns to look at Serori, those eyes holding no light at all them, snuffed out by the truth of his concerns and how deep down to the core they go for him. "In truth, I would have ignored them myself.. but I can not simply ignore a pending threat, when that pending threat could be Nael or even Bahamut itself."

"But until I have proof of this threat.." He voice falls short, with a grimace of his face which turns into a snarl of agitation really. "..all I can do is wait and see." He then puts himself in a defensive stance. "..and hope that if Nael does show himself.. we are all ready to act quickly. For he will make a fool of the Garlean Empire, of his Radiance, and continue what he had not finished."

Serori (37) has posed:
"Prepare for the worst. If it's all you can do, at least you can devote yourself to being thorough in those preparations. As thorough as you can be, given the obvious constraint you're working under. I am eager to meet His Radiance, and to judge his worth in person. I believe he is deserving of your fealty, but how much I care to work with him -- or /around/ him -- that will have to be decided once I've seen him face to face. At the party, I suspect."

Serori grins a little. "We'll see how far the right dress will get me into /his/ good graces."

That bit of banter triggers her next attack. Coming at Gaius in a low rush, she puts her full range of motion on display, springing from the ground into a high-reaching backward flip -- both her heels coming for his chin -- only to this time /stick/ the landing on her hands, and turn her body and legs into an unexpected windmilling kick, her hands walking her toward him as one, two, three swipes come at him at chest height. From there, she collapses into a limber forward roll, and presses the offense, attempting palm strikes at his midsection -- aiming, again, for his solar plexus.

Lastly, that tail comes swatting at him, a flickering distraction meant to turn his attentions from the full force of her assault. Naturally, she doesn't aim to /hurt/ him, but she does try to test him.

Gaius Van Baelsar (522) has posed:
Gaius tilts his head ever to the side. "..If Nael doesn't get to him first.." He can only rumble, but thoughts are quickly shifted aside when Serori comes in with grace and speed that he could never perhaps master.

He quickly raises up his arms to block the first blow, but the next slam him in the chest. It forces him to stumble backwards, but he manages to keep his footing, even if he nearly trips over and then final strike he goes to block and throws him off balance once more. The sweat of the spar itself was easy to see on his brow and with him being off balance in attempting to defend the onslaught, leaves him ever open.

Only for perhaps enough time for him to speak his mind, "You're fast... very fast.."

Serori (37) has posed:
The effort was costly; warmed up or not, Serori is /tired/, and has to sink into a half-crouch to catch her breath. Could she have pounced on the opening? Probably; however, the friendly quality of this spar means that Serori is content to hold back to reasonable levels, and to avoid overstressing her body. The pause gives her a moment to shake her injured wrist. Maybe the maneuver had tweaked it?

"Saa. I am." Serori blinks slowly, her almond-shaped eyes reflecting confidence. "It's my biggest advantage. I was bred for it, and have always exceled." As far as a scout was permitted to excel, anyway. "You're not what I expected. I figured you had some hand-to-hand training as a soldier, but you're much more hardy than I thought you'd be."

The corner of her mouth quirks upward. "Age doesn't burden you much. It's interesting to see."

Gaius Van Baelsar (522) has posed:
Gaius catches his footing and grunts softly. He takes a defensive posture once more as he also attempts to catch his breath and ignores the pain from his chest. Yeah-- that was going to bruise some. "War teaches you to tolerate pain. Combat educates you on how to suppress the natural desire to flinch. When you have been in wars and battle long as I-- you learn to ignore the pains and push the body."

Gaius then inhales deeply once more before he goes to strike in, even while he speaks. "And so long as your willing to keep training," Then for another strike. "Long as your willing to keep pushing," Then he follows in with a snap kick for her side. "The body will not grow tired easily."

"It is when you stop, does the body forget its own place." Gaius brows furrow. "..and I have no plans to stop until I breathe my last breath."

Serori (37) has posed:
The first two strikes glide past Serori like water flowing past rocks. The third -- the kick to her side? It wasn't seen until far too late, as it was neither telegraphed nor predicted: it catches her squarely, and leaves her gasping for breath. "Uff!"

But even breathless, she's a force not to be underestimated. Serori had held back, before -- not this time. His eyes are treated to the sight of her body in motion just before she seems to disappear. So fast she eludes the usual limits of human sensory perception, Serori lunges at Gaius, and doesn't appear again until she's behind him, and swinging both her fists together in a doubled strike at his back.

Then, she sinks down panting hard, unable to add much to the conversation outside a gasped: "You are an impressive man."

Gaius Van Baelsar (522) has posed:
Gaius loses sight of her and when he picks her up in the corner of his vision, it is all but to late. Her fists slam squarely in his backside, before he bends back slightly with the strike. His teeth grit, but no call of pain is made.

His hands tighten and his instinct is easy to see-- to swing, to strike back with all his power his muscles can give to him, even under all the pain that rocks his body from the impact. Instead he only shifts his weight around and goes down to one knee.

Lowering his head and taking that moment to compose himself. To let the ache in his back from the impact become something he can tolerate. "Thank you for the compliment.." He says softly, "..but you are far more impressive the I.."

Gaius then at last goes to stand up and extends out his hand to her. "What you do.. you do naturally.. for me to even compare, it would require me in my suit of armor." He then puts a slight smirk on his face. "So maybe next time, I should give you a proper challenge by having my armor on."

Serori (37) has posed:
Serori straightens up. Gaius's hand is taken, and a crooked, tired smile given back in return. "Hff. I would like that. What you can do outside your armor reflects the caliber of your training, and your discipline; I can only imagine how dangerous you must be when augmented by your armor."

The end of her tail flicks at the air a moment before the appendage once more loops Serori's slim waist. "I will take your compliments to heart. I will probably need the confidence in the days to come."

Then, she frowns, but not enough to truly dim her brighter expression. Her hand lingers in his grasp as she considers him, and continues in a soft, less cheery tone. "We will both emerge on the other side of our challenges. I have faith in that much."

When she reclaims her hand, it's to pass it through her wild hair, and to give it a shake. "Tch. I should get something to eat, and get back to work. I've had enough fun."

Gaius Van Baelsar (522) has posed:
Gaius can only give an equally soft smile, but no words come from him. Only a simple, subtle nod of his head. He goes to rest his hands on his hips and moves his head side to side, before stretching out his hands, in equal stretching out his back a bit.

It still smarts, obvious to see that on his face even as she talks about getting something to eat and getting back to work. "Aye, we both have duties to return too.. though for myself, I need to privately investigate into a matter, so the spar was a nice warm up."

Gaius then look at Serori once more. "I look forward to seeing you at the party, Serori, along with the others. It will be a nice sound off I believe to the new year to come and the start of the truce soon to follow."

The Legatus tilts his head ever so faintly. "If you ever do need of something, feel free to ask me of it and all shalt see what can be done." He then gives her a respectful bow of his head. "..until next we speak, Serori. Be well and travel strong."