Round 2: Fight! Nathaniel Morosec vs. Azorra Astrid

It's the first day of the spring tournament! The sun is setting in the distance, the flowers are blooming and the roar from the battle arena can be heard all over the castle. Students have been welcomed to participate in the Spring Tournament for the glory of their dorm and to show of their skills in combat with powers.

It is late in the day as students and teachers alike wait for the second match to begin. In the middle of the battle arena a large and expansive stage has been raised in the center - the only two ways to enter it being on opposite sides by stairs. Up high as well are posts for the teachers to stand in, to supervise the fight in case it gets to out of hand. All around the battle arena, the students of Foresta cheer to see the second match of the day.

Near the entrance of the battle arena is a check in for the competitors. Once the competitors check in they are assigned a side of the stage and have a table next to the stairs full of water bottles for before they go up and fight.

The fight will be finished when either student is knocked unconscious or incapable of fighting anymore.


IN CHARACTER RULES
1.) Do not throw the other student off the tournament stage.
2.) Do not attempt to kill the other student, this is a tournament meant for fun and exercising your combat skills and powers.
3.) Do not direct your powers at the students in the audience, forfeit will automatically be assumed with a student in the battle arena audience is injured by the competitors.
4.) Do not bring weapons unless it applies to your power! You will be checked at the entrance! This is a fight for you and your power.

OUT OF CHARACTER RULES FOR THIS THREAD
1.) Be realistic! I trust that everyone can, but even mythical beasts and scientific experiments can only take so much damage before being knocked unconscious, etc.

More rules can be added as the thread progresses.

Lastly, this thread is open for everyone to join! Spectators are welcome, please understand that if you join Mally and @azorra are perfectly allowed to skip over you as they continue on with rping their fight if you are taking too long to respond.

Enjoy!

The night of the tournament's first round, Nathaniel sighed. Everything was always scheduled at sunset for him, which meant that he actually had to be awake before sunset to get ready. He doubted many humans at Foresta were willing to wake before sunrise, but that double standard was neither here nor there.

Because tonight, he would face another student in combat for... For what, he did not know. His own motivation was to represent Lyra in support of his campaign, but he only cared in-so-far as getting elected, and that had already happened. So now, this tournament was meaningless to him and he half considered dropping out. But no, he couldn't look that weak. Not so soon.

The vampire rolled his eyes when he was told who his opponent would be. He and Azorra Astrid had spoken very briefly on her first day at Foresta, and although he was generally welcoming, he did seem to recall barraging her with horse puns. Time would tell if the Pegasus held that against him, and if so, she would soon have the opportunity to make him regret it.

Not that Nathaniel intended to lose tonight, of course. He clenched his fists and stretched his body, testing the limits of his most flexible attire. The only off colors in his otherwise casual black outfit were the red scarf he wore around his neck, and white bandages that were wrapped fully along his left forearm. Those bandages were, for now, concealed by the sleeves of his black long-sleeved shirt.

Because the rumor had spread, thanks to Kaeru Ko's radio show. Nathaniel had been attacked by a werewolf recently, and although he had already fully recovered, the student body did not yet know that he was a vampire. Therefore, in their minds it would be entirely conceivable that he was still suffering from his wounds, which meant tonight the otherwise purposeless bandages would come into play. If he lost, well, he would have a worthy excuse to fall back on. If he won, he would be respected throughout the school.

It was procedure to be patted down before competition, and when the man touched Nathaniel's supposedly wounded left arm he grimaced in pain. The vampire carried no weapons, so he was permitted to pass. He waited patiently in the waiting room until it was comfortably after sunset, and then Nathaniel's name was called.

Show time.

Nathaniel pushed through the threshold and took in a deep breath when he saw the expanse of the stadium. It was the size of a proper football stadium, converted for the purposes of a tournament. There were people cheering and chatting among themselves, although most of the luster had probably passed during the initial fights earlier on in the day. Still, the sight didn't overwhelm him. They were mostly humans, so he had no reason to respect their sizable congregation.

The vampire stretched again and although he appeared complacent or even tired, he was physically and mentally ready. His opponent's name was called, to which Nathaniel began to fold up his sleeves - Exposing the bandages on his left arm in the process.

She had registered to compete in this friendly tournament but when she learned the rules she became uncertain. he was just a human and being pinned against somebody with superpowers was not what she volonteered for. Yes, she had fought and killed supernatural creatures in the past, but she had her weapons back then, and other things to her advantage. She was in the waiting area, wearing only a secondary pair of bracers on her forearms.
She only used the enchanted, Amazonian bracers in a real combat situations. She was just minding her own thoughts but one thing struck her. Her rival was waiting inside of the tent until they where called, after sunset and not once did he go out of the tent. Or so she knew. It hit her that new vampires where the same, they could not really tolerate the sun at a very early age.
As they where called, Azorra-Astrid grew very unsure of it all. She just did not feel good about exposing her pegasus looks to so many people.
As they called her she made took and put her helmet on, and made her way towards the arena. She walked to the side of the arena and looked around finally becoming very intimidated due to being in the centre of attention along with her possible vampire rival. She kept her eyes down in great embarresment, only glancing around ones every few seconds. She also stared at the strange torches that lit up the entire stadium-like structure. She has recently learned that they where the modern day torches of sort but she could not really understand how they could be so powerful as to be more like the sun, then torches. 
She looked up to see his rival there, and was so nervous that she did not register his presence until that moment. She watched him, and tried not to go into combat mode. Her mind however, could not be stopped as she thought of ways to sevierly injure of main him, using her hands and arms, what little sourroundings there where, and her newly gained body. She looked at her self and wings, very gently fluttering her wings several times.
She then realized that she did not even want to move her wings, it was just a unintended muscle reaction. She was a very good rider in the past and now that she was literally half a horse. Her mood dropped and though patter trailed off. She was a horse! It was very hurtful for her not being able to move like she used to. She however was ready for the fight. Win or loose, it did not matter all that much to her.
If she would wing, she would take it humbly and not brag... if she would loose, it meant she was outdated, and obsolete fighter of two long lost cultures. This was everything, if she lost, it would meant that she is a discrase to the Amazons and the Vikings, and others would think of both cultures as weaklings. 
She started moving forwards in a fairly fast walking pace, looking at him and his bandaged arm, If he is injured then she might even have some change to win.
Let the fight begin!

The vampire had fully rolled up his sleeves by the time his opponent hit the stage, which left his bandaged left arm exposed. With his right arm he removed his scarf and tossed it carefully towards his entry path out of concern that it may be damaged during the fight. Nathaniel's eyes were focused on Azorra-Astrid to size her up.

She was a lot bigger than he remembered, now that he had to fight her. She carried no weapons aside from her empowered form, but problematically, neither did he. She would move faster than him, and he suspected she held an impressive power in her hind legs. Wings, too, would make this fight complicated for him, not to mention she carried herself as though she had battled in the past. And yet, something seemed off about the demeanor of the Pegasus.

Nathaniel remembered that she had come from somewhere far away, and she was still getting used to her surroundings. He wondered how well adjusted she had become in her short time at Foresta, but he figured that was a good thread to pick from. When Azorra-Astrid began moving towards him, Nathaniel held his right arm out to ask her to stop.

"Woah, horsey. Don't you carriage about the rules? Rein yourself in, you're going to stirrup trouble if you attack before someone fires the starting pistol. Don't race so fast out of the gate," he said with a smug grin. "You're lucky I baled you out."

Despite the taunting warnings intended to stop her in her tracks, Nathaniel walked calmly up to Azorra-Astrid to close the distance. His supposedly wounded left arm had hung limp ever since she arrived on stage so he held out his right hand with a smile, "Hay black stallion, how about a handshake before we duel?"

She was already in battle motion and nearly reached him when he led up his right hand to siginal for her to stop.
As she listened to him talk, she grew more and more unsure and confused but understood one thing. All the horse related comments, with really annoyed her. " Cease mocking me!... i asked not, to be like this, so end your unwise words! " She frowned stomping a little with one of her front legs.
She however grew very confused, glancing around. " What of this pistol what you speak of? What dose it serve for? " She asked, not totally confused. She however understood the need to wait until a siginal horn of some sort. "So be it, i shall wait. " She said, looking around the arena to find the source for when to start. She turned back to him and groaned softly. " Hera... what an age i arrived into. " She muttered out loud but totally spoke her advance and waited.
She then realized that today the culture was different then in her original timelines and  with this in mind, she finally eased up. Azorra-Astrid listened to him, not suspecting any hostile intent from him... only some more teasing. She one again, grew annoyed and shook her head. "Aye, most amusing... black stallion. " She sighed and rolled her eyes but then softened up and reached out to shake his hand. " Aye, a handshake before a duel, sounds just. " She smiled softly reaching out to shake his hand. She then eyed his left arm, that where in wraps.
" Injured and yet, fighting... i admire your boldness. " Azorra-Astrid smiled and bowed her head gently. 

(sorry if it is so short, btw )

 

As expected, the Pegasus had some honor to her. The vampire supposed it came with the territory of her era, or perhaps it was related to her formal speech. Either way their hands clasped together and Nathaniel grinned, for she had fallen into his trap.

The novice shapeshifter's fingernails lengthened and sharpened into a durable set of claws, and he held on deathly tight to Azorra-Astrid's hand. The bladed nails would not do a significant amount of damage but they would creep through of the back of his opponent's hand, and they pierced her flesh in an all too painful way. The attack was far too subtle for any bystander in the audience to detect so the vampire refused to break the supposed handshake in the hope that he would prompt a more visually obvious physical response from the Pegasus - One that he could use to tarnish her reputation, or even disqualify her entirely.

"You mustang out with some very foolish humans," he said in a voice so low that only she could hear him. "The age you live in now isn't so just."

As her rival took a hold of her hand... a very firm hold of it, Azorra-Astrid had a bad feeling. She glared at his face and was the grin on his face. "What trickery is this?! " She grunted in surprise and unease. She then glared at the handshake and saw that his hand formed very sharp talon-like fingers. She gasped painfully and grimaced in great pain. She also let out an inintensional and loud grunt, trying to control pain. "Ah... a shifter... most... impressive... indeed " She spoke, making a slightly painful face as she uttered the words. So she was wrong, this guy was not a vampire, but a shape shifter. Even worst. 
Uncontrollably her Amazon instincts kicked in, and her other hand sent a strong punch that was intended towards his face. Not caring, if it connected or not, she spoke. "You dishonor your family and your kind! " She barked with anger, being close to her warrior spirit to emerge and go into an actual battle mode.
She sent another punch to his wrist that held her own hand. This was done to loosen and break the grip via a nerve reaction.
Azorra-Astrid walked a few steps away. "Know this, child: I was a human once... but the problem is not the world... it is the few scoundrels residing in it! " She said very angrily, but in a low voice. She really had to concentrate to control her warrior spirit, but her anger was getting had to control. She stood in one place with was stomping gently with one leg or the other. She was very irritated.


(sorry for the long wait, i hope this post is okay? ) 

Nathaniel recoiled in pain from the first strike to his face, although he had honestly hoped for this result. The following blow found his wrist so he immediately relinquished his hold, then backed off to point an accusatory finger at her. A close observer might notice drips of blood clung to his claws.

"You hit me!" he cried out in supposed shock. "I was just shaking your hand," he spoke more towards the audience than the Pegasus as he paraded around the stage. Perhaps this ploy would throw off her confidence. At best, it could get him out of the fight entirely.

"I'm already wounded, and the wild horse still has to take a cheap shot like that? Then has the nerve to call me dishonorable!" he called out to the crowd. "She can barely contain herself, look how rabid this beast is," Nathaniel still pointed towards the stomping Pegasus. "I call for a disqualification! This is supposed to be a friendly match, yet the untamed animal chose to strike before the battle even began! Back to the stable with it!"

In one of the surrounding stands for the teachers, Jared raises his hands toward the two to quiet the argument. Shaking his head at Nathaniel the teacher let out a barely audible sigh, "Start the match!" He hollered then, ignoring Nathaniel's call for a disqualification.

(( Posting out of turn per Onyx's request. ))

Well, now he was in trouble. Not only had he given her a free hit, but he had angered the Pegasus in the process and his attempt to have the match thrown out had failed. The sweet taste of early Spring was on his tongue as the audience came alive to the teacher's announcement. The audience was going to get their fight because Nathaniel could no longer stall, but he was not without a few tricks up his sleeve.

Still, now he had more excuses to work off of. Wounded and he took a cheap shot before the fight? The impetus was now on his opponent to win, because Nathaniel had done all he needed to put his physical condition in question. That said, he still had a future as house leader to look forward to so he needed to show bravery in this fight, lest he be seen as weak-willed. The students of Lyra must have all had their eyes on him tonight.

Nathaniel retreated to the edge of the stage, stood precariously close to the ledge the combatants were warned not to throw each other off of. In his estimation, Azorra-Astrid's equine body would be able to overwhelm him with a charge and he was not confident in his ability to outmaneuver her laterally, so if he put his back to the edge of the stage then she would have to slow down her charge so as not to knock him off. This would be the most advantageous position for him to fight from so the vampire welcomed the Pegasus in to his area of influence - A single outstretched hand gestured for her to approach.

As the shape shifter was parading around, Azorra-Astrid head his words and it was really really hurtful. She did not ask to become a centaur monstrosity! Her own real fault was that she survived a terrible battle and was back stabbed! If it was up to her, she would hand her human lower body back. Her soul war torn at, once again, but her anger also grew and then tripled. "Rabid?!... You dare?! " She yelled in anger as she saw him fall back towards the other side of the arena. She took off running after him, and only after a long second did she realized that she was much faster then a human. She could not get used her her new speed even after weeks of being half a horse.
She slowed down just as she was nearing the edge of the arena.
And all of a sudden remembered that she was going to loose if her rival was tossed of the side. She reluctantly opened her wings spreading them. She use her arms gently as using her wings where pretty hard and needed a fair amount of effort and concentration. She flapped her very large and very long, black wings several times, for her to be able to slow down enught. As she flapped, it caused a tiny dust and sandstorm. She had an idea, to use that against him. She flapped somewhat harder, sending more sand and dust towards his direction. She hoped that the spectators would not be effected by the sandy gust that she made. "If you think me wild, boy!... you know not, the word! " Azorra-Astrid growled frostily at Nathaniel. 

(( Is this alright? ))

The Pegasus had clearly seen her share of battles. It wasn't unusual that Nathaniel could get the better of someone mentally, but unlike Azorra-Astrid he was no warrior. She must have had years of combat experience over him and it showed, because she recognized his strategy and she worked up a dust storm. The gust was not so significant that it could knock him off of the ledge, but it dared to blind him and the attack would necessitate the vampire going on the offensive. She would draw him out of his advantageous position.

Before he moved, Nathaniel still had the presence of mind to grab his supposedly wounded left arm with his right hand and he made a scene of it. With the assistance of this functional arm he rose the bandaged forearm over his eyes to protect his sight and held it there as he charged the Pegasus. Nathaniel was now blind, but not without an accurate idea of his surroundings. His enhanced senses might not detect a fist flying through the air in time for him to react, but he could definitely locate the sound of her wings flapping away ahead of him so he made a bee line for his opponent.

Where to strike? She was larger than him, and her wings would pose a constant threat. But he decided it was better to take her down to his size first, so when he drew near he leapt into the air and came down with a heavy diving kick onto one the Pegasus's front legs. It was an obvious attack that could have been read from a mile away, but at the very least Nathaniel's proximity to his opponent might deter the dust storm.

Azorra-Astrid smirked as her rival held up his 'injured' arm to block some of the sand and dust that her wings worked up. She was a little amused as well, as she actually first saw this strategy when she was 9 years old, she did not think that it would work in such an era of such advanced technology.
She could not really control how her wings worked... as she only only used it a few times,and only used it for a short fly on a single occation. She however knew that her wings where still weak and had low endurance. She also could only was able to continue the dust attack outwards but as the Shifter came closer, she instinctively tried to fend him off at such a range. It did not work well, as she involontarily started up the sand and dust around herself. She grunted in annoyance just after 2- 3 thrusts but her vision got blurred just as Nath leaped up into the air. Her wings where actually getting tired and she would not able to close them fast enugth before she would be kicked.  She also kind of forgot that she was part horse now, and simply could not move out of the way fast enught.
Azzora-Astrid took the hit. It was much more powerful than the simular kick of a normal human. It made her yelled out in a painful grunt, as the kick hit her right above one of her knees. She stumbled clumsily, first onto the knees of her front legs, and then side ways. She tried to dampen the impact with her hands but her arms where not long enught to be useful from such a distance. However, when she finally stumbled to the side, her whole body was on the ground. Her arms not took a harsh impact, making her grunt out in pain again. Her upper body was momentarilly stunned and would have a fairly hard time getting up. She tried to get up, anyway, but her knees of her front legs, did not let her. She however forced herself to at least use her upper body like a warrior. She she braced herself for another attack. 


 

[ooc; Azorra wins by default of Mally not posting for a week. Congratulations @azorra]