Competition & Skill [Open]

[dragon_of_wei]

Characters: Cao Mengde, Sun Ce, Delita Heiral, Susan Sto Helit, Manfred von Karma & [OPEN]
Content: After declaring he is in the mood for a challenge this evening, Commander Cao Cao decides to duel four challenging opponents to make this an interesting night to remember!
Setting: Top Deck of the Victoria II
Time: Early evening [Sunset]
Warnings:

Comments

[conqueror_bofu]

It wasn't like Sun Ce had anything against Cao Cao--not particularly, at least. The guy could grate on him when he did things like making fun of his father or trying to manipulate him, and he needed to get that stick out of his ass now and then, and he just kind of had bad vibes now and then, but Ce didn't dislike him... He just didn't mind the thought of getting to take the pompous, elitist guy down a couple of pegs, that was all

[dragon_of_wei]

As soon as he heard the voice of his first opponent, Cao fought hard to keep himself somewhat friendly towards the brat. How he has longed to show his skill and swordsmanship to this arrogant beast! For far too long, this mere child has irked his nerves and tempt his rage. If he can prove his superiority to the son of now deceased 'Wentai', then perhaps this foolish boy will finally learn his place. The mere thought of utterly humiliating this young major humored Cao Cao as he turned to face this brat with such an amused grin.

"Indeed I am." Cao replied as his eyes gazed upon the mighty tonfas that Sun Ce is known to wield with such fiendish strength. It would be a shame to pass up a wonderful duel like this one to usage of feeble, wooden bokens rather than real blades.

"Leave that 'twig' behind." He was mentioning the practice blade as he unsheathed his fabled sword.

"Tonight, we spar as men!"

[conqueror_bofu]

Now, that was what Sun Ce liked to hear! As he tossed aside the practice sword, he was unable to restrain the smile that spread over his face--not cheerful and friendly as usual, but vicious, animalistic, feral. He was a Sun, after all, and battle was in his blood; it was hard to hold back when the adrenaline started pumping

[dragon_of_wei]

Catching a glimpse of that nearly feral and viscous smirk, the weight of his blade ceased to irritate him now once the severity of this duel weighed heavily within his thoughts. He mentally vowed not to use the magical, translucent, blue mana stone that sits within the elaborate guard of his blade out of respect. It would be foolhardy to use such magic only to be blamed with the death of the Wu heir, this is why he chose not to utilize it's magic even when sparring against one of his many rivals. If this was a real duel, Cao Cao wouldn't have hesitated to use its might but this is merely are spar

[nohoppityskip]

The selection of practice weapons on the ship was quite impressive. Susan, because she had done sport, on occasion, at school, was used to fighting in a skirt--but forewent petticoats and the like for a pair of trousers underneath her topskirt. Not that anyone would be likely to find out for themselves.

As she emerged in the fading sunset light, her hair had already arranged itself in a more proper bun that was usual even for it, all without pins or ties--as was usual for her hair, not that anyone noticed. In one hand she carried the practice stave she'd procured in the armory, leaning on it lightly as she watched the major and Mengde's bout.

[dragon_of_wei]

After testing his Wrath of Heaven against the might of Sun Ce's blade, Cao Cao was more than willing for a change of pace. The first bout turned out to be rather interesting, the commander now sporting a few minor scrapes and bruises from the spar. He had to admit that he was fairly impressed by Sun Ce's skill even if he hardly finds himself capable of respecting that flamboyant brat. The eldest son of Wentai is certainly a worthy enough adversary for Cao to be concerned about. If the two were to cross blades again, it would certainly not be in a friendly bout.

"Ah, Susan..." He gave a smile over towards the white haired woman, noticing the practice stave within her seemingly delicate hands. "I see you have found something suitable." Cao certainly did not look tired at all, perhaps he conserved most of his energy for his later spars.

Sheathing his sword, Cao reached for the wooden boken that leaned against the side of railing. "I suppose we should get this started?" He asked politely while mentally hoping he does not injure the

[nohoppityskip]

Susan ran a hand along the fine grain of the staff. "It will do, for this," she told him with a smile. True, it wasn't her grandfather's scythe of legend, with its blade so fine the very air sang as it was cut, nor a good solid poker. But if there was one thing Susan could do, it was swing sticks.

"Yes, lets." She was pleasantly surprised he had agreed to spar with her, instead of demurring with evasive protests. Because of that, and a lack of female sparring partners or sportsmates since leaving school, Susan was quite pleased at this evening's exercise.

Stretching her arms as he picked up the boken, Susan kept herself ready to drop into a defensive stance on a second's notice.

[dragon_of_wei]

Smirking lightly as he gazed at Susan, Cao Cao had a feeling he would not be disappointed by her even if they were using practice weapons. Raising the wooded sword towards her, the strategist already knew it would be up to him to make the first strike. Judging by the very few women opponents he battled in the past, most of them like to not to draw the first strike but rather to counter with a swift strike after his blade connected with theirs. Cao will to be quick upon his feet after charging at her, quick enough to avoid her counterattacks flawlessly.

Striking at her with a quick slash, the spar between the two of them began. Cao Cao was almost thankful that he was not using a sword now, the boken felt much lighter within his hands than his steel blade.

[peasant_king]

Unlike Susan, Delita hadn’t bothered to watch the earlier duels. In his mind it seemed a bit like cheating, and if this had been a true duel for some kind of reward he would have done it in a heart-beat. The Quartermaster did have some honor, in his own way. It was just something he chose to put aside more often the not. These dark days were not the time for such romantic ideals. So he waited a short while, so the Strategist could catch his breath before approaching.

He did not speak, instead shedding the dark blue cloak he wore over his uniform as he walked towards the older man, tossing it onto a near-by barrel. The uniforms cravat came next, and the first few buttons of the dress shirt went as well. The arming sword he wore at his hip made soft clapping sounds against his leg as he moved, then a small metallic “shink” as he drew it.

“I believe I am next, Commander?”

[dragon_of_wei]

By the time Delita arrived, Cao Cao was feeling rather confident about sparring with the young quartermaster. He smiled faintly towards the youth as he waited patiently for the youth to get ready for their match. The strategist was honestly surprise that Delita would rather use real blades rather than the bokens. He assumed that the other wished to practice his swordsmanship against a seasoned veteran rather actually make this into a mock-duel. However, Cao wasn't about to complain since he is quite fond about using the Wrath of Heaven within his spars.

"Indeed you are, Lieutenant Herial." The commander replied with a wide grin as he swiftly unsheathed his blade and pointed it towards Delita.

"I do trust this shall be a interesting match..." Something about this young man's gaze told him that he better be cautious of him.

[peasant_king]

“In-DEED!“ The young Quartermaster hissed, his voice rising into a war bellow as he went from a stand-still into a full charge in a fraction of a second. Delita was well practiced in hiding his intent from his body language, and he intended to use that in battle. He moved with almost shocking speed, body low and blade singing as it cut through the air in a mid-level swing.

As he swung he pivoted on his heel, just in case Cao Cao dodged backwards. That was so he could pull the blade back around to block. The was just a little strength in the attack. A test swing to see what Cao’s reaction time was.

[dragon_of_wei]

Actually taking a step back once the young lieutenant charged at him, Cao skillfully dodged Delita's quick lunge as he brought blade up in defense. Delita's fighting style was quite unusual in the strategist's opinion for he wouldn't ever assumed that this young man could be this quick upon his feet. If Cao wasn't already warmed up after his duel with Sun Ce, this spar against Delita would have become disastrous in only a second.

As Herial assumed, Cao was quick to dodge the first swing but even quicker to charge at him with a swing of his own. He cut through the air at Delita aiming for his arm as he did so. After witnessing that sudden display of power and speed, Cao Cao was quite sure that the youth could easy parry his blade.

[karmauberalles]

von Karma wasn't late by any means; by the time he'd taken his coat and vest off, put on a less flashy cravat, picked up his saber and made his way to the deck, Sun Ce and Cao Cao were already sparring. This was fine by him; while he was waiting for his turn, he'd get a chance to see Cao Cao's fighting style and take note of any possible weaknesses.

[dragon_of_wei]

It seemed quite fitting that Admiral von Karma would be his final match for the day, especially considering how legendary the admiral's skills are rumored to be. He watched Manfred from the corner of his eyes as he sparred against the others, somewhat worried about the admiral's hawkish glare. Unlike everyone else that Cao have spared this evening, he knew that Admiral von Karma must be just as calculating and swift as he is.

"Sir." He nodded his head towards the admiral out of respect before glancing at the saber von Karma brought with him.

"I trust practice swords shall not be needed for this spar." Cao said with a faint smile as he unsheathed his steel blade. The strategist wondered idly if this duel will honestly workout for his favor. He couldn't be sure if he could possibly win this duel against the admiral but Cao certainly knew he would give it his all.

[karmauberalles]

"Certainly not," said von Karma, drawing his own saber. "I trust we're both skilled enough to determine a victor without killing each other, are we not?"

He smiled. It wasn't anywhere near friendly, although the probability that von Karma would ever deliver a friendly smile was more remote than, say, the universe spontaneously collapsing in on itself. "Of course, with the possibility of... accidents, I wouldn't blame you if you wanted me to come back with a less lethal weapon. Not all of us can be perfect, after all."