Not Just An Excuse To Use This Icon, I Swear [SEMI-OPEN]

[karmauberalles]

Characters: von Karma and The Boss
Content: von Karma finally works up the courage to ask The Boss out on a date von Karma is feeling pretty awesome after tasing Sho, so he figures he can finally kick The Boss's ass in a fencing match. Let's see how wrong he is, shall we? (Hint: Very.)
Setting: The Victoria II's upper deck
Time: About an hour after

Comments

[joyfulpatriot]

The Boss had been ready for her fencing match since a few minutes after the Admiral had messaged her. Her usual gear technically could have served, but she changed into the slightly better padded fencing equipment she had, anyway. The Admiral had not specified which weapon they would be using so she selected her favorite foil, epee and sabre as well as an appropriate mask.

She worked her way through a few stretched. The Admiral had also not mentioned where they would be fencing. The practice rooms were far too small, the mess would have been sufficiently large, but tables and patrons would make that untenable as well.

The upper deck was the only viable option. She strode on to the top deck just a few seconds before the Admiral's 'two hours' time frame would be up.

"Admiral." She didn't mention the little 'game' he'd decided to play with their location or preparation. That would likely give him too much satisfaction. He also was likely trying to get her off of her game. It wouldn't work, of course, but it was a good effort.

[karmauberalles]

A second within his time limit. Damn. He'd hoped to get her on that, at the very least.

"I see you've decided to be punctual this time," he said, picking up his saber, which he'd propped up against the edge of the deck while waiting.

[joyfulpatriot]

She noted his saber and left her epee and foil propped carefully against the side of the boat.

"Punctuality wins battles." She stretched a few more times to make sure her legs were limber. Footwork would be paramount. He would also likely still be favoring one side, although likely much better healed. There was also the matter of his eye--

It wouldn't do to be over-confident though.

"How are you feeling, today, Admiral." It wasn't even really a psych out, she was genuinely interested.

[karmauberalles]

"It certainly helps," he said, checking his saber's general well-being one last time-he'd already checked it about ten times in the last hour, but it wouldn't hurt to make sure it hadn't decided to spontaneously self-destruct. He quirked an eyebrow at the question, but figured there wouldn't be any harm in answering.

"Absolutely perfect, thanks," said von Karma, the hint of a smirk on his lips. "Why do you want to know?"

[joyfulpatriot]

She took an firm swing of her own saber. The sword was in fine shape.

"Simple curiosity." His answer was interesting, as well. He must have had a good day so far. Perhaps that's what led him to the challenge in the first place.

"What rules will we be scoring by?"

[karmauberalles]

"Whoever reaches ten points first is the victor," said von Karma, his voice giving the impression that he was quite certain the victor would be him. He picked up his mask and flipped off a haughty salute with his sword.

"Are you ready?"

[joyfulpatriot]

"Your conditions are acceptable."

She nodded and flipped on her own mask. It obstructed her vision just a little between the mesh and the tight fit, it also muffled her hearing slightly. But she was used to the battlefield where a mortar by your head and dust could obscure things far more.

"Whenever you are ready."

[karmauberalles]

von Karma got into stance, his left handholding his sword in a fairly neutral position. It didn't really look like he was well defended, but he was confident in his ability to block anything that The Boss threw at him.

"I'm always ready."

[joyfulpatriot]

She smirked at little at his response and then relaxed into her own stance. She started off more defensive. The Admiral's stance spoke of offense, not defense, but she did not want to press too quickly.

She made a slash towards his upper left arm, keeping reading to dance back if the Admiral countered more quickly than anticipated.

[karmauberalles]

von Karma quickly parried the slash, stepping back for a moment to gain a bit more momentum for a feint aimed at her mask. As much as he wanted to, he wasn't about to start attacking before he was familliar with her fighting style.

[joyfulpatriot]

She countered more with footwork than her sword, although she kept her sword raise in case he committed to the attack.

She swung for his arm outstretched arm this time, testing his responses.

[karmauberalles]

von Karma quickly parried the strike, then stepped back, adopting a slightly more defensive stance. It'd be good to mix it up a bit; after all, predictability tended to be a downfall in this sport, and he got the feeling that his usual tactic-intimidating his opponent into submission-wasn't going to work on The Boss.

[joyfulpatriot]

While the Admiral switched to a more defensive stance, The Boss pressed forward to test his right guard. It was a feint, but her reaction time would give her enough of a chance to commit if he didn't defend properly.

[karmauberalles]

von Karma managed to parry it, but only just; he hadn't really counted on his blind spot affecting his performance. He winced almost as if he actually had been struck, and tilted his head slightly so that the blind spot would be less of a factor. He retreated cautiously as he did this, then, with very little to telegraph his attack, lunged.

[joyfulpatriot]

He did manage to surprise her, slightly. The Admiral was hardly ham-handed in his style but she'd had an easier time reading him before. He certainly was well trained and well practiced.

She danced backwards and to the side, this time slashing down towards his left side.

[karmauberalles]

Well, he was at least making some progress; that'd been closer than he'd gotten before. He just needed to get a little closer-

He blocked fairly quickly, although due to the fact that he was somewhat busy strategizing, he swung his sword out farther than he meant to, leaving most of his right side relatively unguarded.