[ OPEN ] Well I can't stand to be with myself, this liberation's seemingly rare

[ombranera]

WHO: Zevran and Various
WHAT: Zevran sparring and dealing
WHEN: Throughout Drakonis
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Violence, swearing, usual Zevran Content Warnings Apply. Open prompt below, poke me on plurk for a closed starter. Prose or actionspam welcome!

As much as he'd protested Alistair running off on some mission in the west- the time apart gives him that much more chance to train. He'd been doing so privately in the barn, occasionally squaring off against Settimo when they both had the time and patience for Settimo's paranoia and Zevran's over-adjustments for the blind side. Learning to fight with only one good eye is slowly driving Zevran to frustration. Settimo could not come at him hard enough to be a challenge, he could not learn his new limitations without a solid effort on both their parts.

Setting aside his vanity he takes to the training grounds- but working on stuffed dummies is only good for so much. Soon enough he is picking out soldiers and rogues to come at him in the dirt circle. Day to day it goes much the same. Zevran stands with bad eye covered and his swords, with his hands, with a single short sword and calls any that would step up to help him regain his awareness. It is, to be honest, slow going. More often than not if his opponent has any manner of skill he ends up on his ass. But he grits his teeth, stands, and goes at it again. And again. Afterward he recovers with the highlight of his training- a bucket of water to sluice off the sweat and grit of the day. Whether it's the relief the cold brings or the appreciative looks it tends to earn? He doesn't say. But thus he spends his days, training himself or wrestling with the fledglings, who will offer their own commentary and catcalling in Antivan during his other matches.

Comments

[ombranera]

"I do mean to ruin you, Bello." He shall need a better endearment for Norrington before the duel is through- but given time it would come to him. Much as James came to him, leaning in, hefting up. Zevran was unfamiliar with the maneuver but familiar enough with the tactic that he could take that force and work with it.

Flip with it, even, backwards in a show of dexterity that was all coiled instinct. And, to the catcalls of his students, hardly impressive. 'a fledgling could do that!' cries Settimo. 'kiss him already!' cries Vita.

Children.

"I have promised nothing as of yet." Key words there being yet as he found his feet, found his opening- and darted in once more to the right, coming up at Norrington's shield at an angle.

[judgemewhole]

"Hmmm, but will you be able to handle me, that is the true question." Was the light reply, as Norrington pressed his advantage. The 'children', as they were, got a faint smirk before he was on the offensive again, to almost run right into Zevran's sword on the right.

Luckily, they had taught him to duck in the Templar Order, so he rolled, shield, sword and all, out of the way and up to his feet again. "That is true. I am the one who promised that this would not be an easy dance. How are you liking the steps so far?"

Step back, shifting his weight to have the man go on the offensive once more.

[ombranera]

"When have I led you to believe otherwise?" Smirking, laughing through the lunge- and Norrington rolled away. It was good to know that at least one warrior he knew understood what it was to protect their flank.

Sun high and sweat beading upon his forehead, Zevran began to circle around Norrington, keeping his good eye on the man. An apparently idle roll of the wrist brought the tip of his sword around in a wide circle; a flashy way of adjusting his grip. An underhanded tactic meant to flare the sun's light in his opponent's eyes for a moment.

[judgemewhole]

"Well, not yet, but the dance has yet to be finished." Norrington drawled, as he moved backwards. Sword twisted in his grip, slightly, so he could adjust slightly.

The sun's glare flashed him right in the eyes, and he lifted his shield up to deflect the light, taking another step back as he did so.

[ombranera]

It was but a moment- but that was all Zevran required to dart in, swordtips flicking out to clash against the shield along the one side, and strike at Norrington's guard on the other. Darting and prodding back, attempting to herd him to the fence. "Ah, yes, tell me of that templar stamina."

[judgemewhole]

Norrington flicked his sword out to counter, and counter again. He was well aware that he was being cornered, but he wasn't quite sure for what. So he pressed on, his lips twitching, "I know I can hold out for much longer than you can, certainly."

[ombranera]

"Such sweet promises from panting lips." He had Norrington on the backfoot- for the moment. Edging him further and further back took patience- too quickly and the man would be able to turn away, too slow and he'd weary before he gained ground. But they made a steady pace all the same, parrying with blades and shield.

He had not half so much fun in the ring in a fair while.

[judgemewhole]

"Well, I am known to keep my promises." Norrington stated with a pious tone, before he felt the shadow of the fence behind him. He bit on his bottom lip, and then shifted towards Zevran's bad side, rolling to the side, making Zevran follow him around the circle a little. Coming up to his feet, he moved in a circle around Zevran, trying to box him in in turn with a swipe of the sword across Zevran's center mass, coming to smack him with the shield on the bad side.

[ombranera]

"Are you now?" Well there went his opportunity to end this swiftly by pinning him to the fence- Zevran turned about and hopped up, balancing on the railing instead for the half moment it took him to flip over Norrington and land, swords at the ready.

Even he looked a little surprised that he managed it.

"Ta-dah."

[judgemewhole]

"Yes, I am - " He started back, as Zevran hopped on the fence, flipped over his head, and landed with his swords at the ready.

Both Norrington's eyebrows shot up, and he looked damned impressed.

"Well, I shall never fault your agility and flexibility as being twice mine."

[ombranera]

"You should see me when I'm trying." Clearly he wasn't even making a token attempt. Or rather he'd made a choice in a moment of panic and it payed off.

That was not the best lesson to teach his kestrels, but they were applauding.

[judgemewhole]

"I rather think I would like that..." Was Norrington's reply, before he flashed him a boyish grin and did a slight bow without taking his eyes off of him.

"Shall we continue, or have we both run out of tricks and witty retorts?"

[ombranera]

"I have more tricks than you could possibly imagine, Bello- but they are not ones done with swords." A beat passed. "Well, not these swords."

Another beat.

"Well perhaps these swords."

[judgemewhole]

Well, that did it. That earned Zevran an actual laugh from Norrington, and he couldn't honestly remember the last time that he actually laughed. He grinned, before arching an eyebrow in challenge.

"Well, let's see how you do with your swords, then." He gestured. "Shall we finish?"

[ombranera]

"Which one?" He flicked them through the air in a casual loop, smile wide and on this side of lewd. "I am not certain you would wish those other tricks in so public a place."

[judgemewhole]

"Well, let's see what you can do with your actual swords ... " He paused, then added simply, "And we will see later about your other tricks."

[ombranera]

"A reward for a bout well one, yes?" He lunged then, darting in to come at Norrington's side.

[judgemewhole]

"Precisely so. It's not a real contest of skills - " He shifted to the side, letting Zevran extend into his space, before he brought his shield around to slam into him, and then followed up with a slash of his sword to his arm for the lightest of nicks, if he was quick enough.

"Without something to make it interesting."

[ombranera]

Different forms, different schools of thought- a bout is a bout, not a contest. All the same he twisted as best he was able, staggering under the slam (rookie movie, Zevran), the cut drags across his arm with a faint scratch that spurred him into locking their hilts together and leaning.

Norrington had reach, had power, had a shield. Zevran had two blades, one eye, and a stubborn will.

[judgemewhole]

Which was very true - for Templars bouts like this were simply contests against one another. True battles lay with creatures beyond human ken.

They locked blades, and James leaned as well. Testing strength against strength, will against will. See if how long they could keep this battle of wills.

[ombranera]

Like this, with Zevran relatively fresh? They could likely go all day. After a few tense moments that seemed to go on forever Zevran crackled a low laugh. "Perhaps we ought to call this a draw?"

[judgemewhole]

James huffed out, as he took a step back, lifting his sword, "Perhaps we should. I know you're a superior warrior with knives, and frankly, I am wondering just when precisely you'll pull a trick and have me on my arse."

One corner of his mouth lifted up, green eyes bright.