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WHO: Kain and OPEN!
WHAT: Kain is looking for non-Forces people to spar with
WHEN: Throughout the month
WHERE: Kirkwall, training area
NOTES: It probably won't need warnings!

Kain is a regular at the training grounds, as it is. Whenever he's not off in the mountains or otherwise out of the area, it's his main way to keep his skills sharp. Usually he'll come in and work alone, though he'll occasionally need a change from that routine. He's always on the look-out for a good sparring challenge, as it is.

Which is why this assignment works out so well.

"You." He approaches someone who looks like they'd be a decent fit for what he's after. "You're not in Forces, are you?"

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Araceli is not, in fact, part of the Forces division though her project reports to it because what's any sort of organisation without it being complicated by reporting to multiple people for multiple things? It's the evening, and she's changed into her casual gear from what she'd wear during the day when the call gets her attention, half-turning with a hand to her rapier anyway without even thinking about it until she recognises it who it is.

"No, I'm not. Is there something I can help you with this evening señor Ventfort?" Kain, to the best of her recollection, is a warrior, but someone easy enough to get along. Someone probably trustworthy enough to not go too easy but to take into account that she's much smaller than him which tends to be a concern when it comes to finding warriors here to spar against.

Given his assignment, he's definitely looking for those with varying fighting styles, and Araceli certainly fits that description. He's aware that she's a lot more like a rogue, though he's not had a chance to see her skills up close. There's no time like the present, though, and he's actually pretty curious to try this.

"There is, actually, if you have some time for it." He approaches, briefly putting a hand on his own sword, though not making to draw it or anything yet. "I've been tasked to spar with those who aren't in Forces, to see what our other divisions are capable of... Would you be willing?"

She considers it. If she says no then there's no skin off her nose, no shame in it either but it's an interesting idea to go up against someone different. A Warden and he's Forces so reporting to Coupe, who...well she isn't sure what Coupe knows about her or what'll be reported back.

"This is usually when I'd do training, and if it's for a cause then I don't have a reason to say no." Both rapiers come out, a little smile on her face as she does it; the smaller knives can stay hidden as long as she needs them to. "So a test to see if the diplomats can draw blood with more than a well-placed barb and withering look?"

"That seems to be what I gathered, as well. Given what we're often up against in the field, they want to be sure we can all hold our own. It's an interesting proposition, really… I don't purposefully seek out such differing fighters…" He draws his own heavy two-handed sword. This will definitely be unlike the usual clashing of larger swords that he's gotten quite used to… And it's easy to forget, while Araceli has all the appearance of a rogue, she's technically a rifter. He's thoroughly interested to see what unusual tricks she might have.

Nodding, Araceli allows herself to drop into a comfortable opening stance with the blade in her right hand extended toward Kain, the left close to her side but ready.

"This is your engagement, you should strike first." It's not a proper duel but from her tone, she'd be more comfortable knowing what weight he'll start with to better judge what her off-hand weapon should be.

Kain nods, as he gets into a battle-ready stance himself. It's only a quick moment to snap his mind into his usual fighting mode, leaving all else behind for now. All he has to do is concentrate on his opponent, to maintain awareness of her every move.

He springs into action, taking a steady swing toward her with his two-handed sword. He's not going to overdo it yet with his opening move, more testing things out first and foremost to see how she reacts.

Drawing a deep breath, Araceli sidesteps, bringing up her rapier to catch the worst of it near the basket-hilt where the blow rattles up her arm all the way to her teeth. Her back foot catches her weight though and she keeps the second rapier out for now instead of switching off.

It's a clean swift thrust towards his side, ducking low as she goes to try to make it harder for any overheard swings.

He feels the sword strike against hers, a good blocking move on her part. He knows to keep an eye on the other blade... something that's always important while facing rogues. He moves swiftly to a defense and counter maneuver, using his block and slash move to hold off the incoming blade, keeping the momentum going as he strikes toward her again.

With Kain it's going to be the size difference, the force he can put behind it. If she can tire him out by being smaller and ducking lower - but she instead feints to the left, rolling her shoulder when she can to get some feeling back in it as her hand flexes to keep the grip on her blade.

And then she steps closer, kicks a leg out at his knee because there are duels then there's just a fight, and Kain didn't come to meet her with any rules of engagement here so no one said she needed to play fair.

If you can't tell this girl is in research just by seeing the stack of scrolls stuffed into her satchel, then you're not paying attention. She stops though, eyeing the Warden suspiciously before she states with complete confidence.

"No-pe. Don't get me wrong, I can take care of myself ... I just like books ....better. Why?" She lets her fingers go to rest on her staff, riding on her back. "Are you some kind of mentally deficient thief? Seeing if I can defend myself before you rob me in the middle of a courtyard?"

"I would be a pretty terrible thief if that was my goal... But, no. I'm not looking to do anything unlawful here." He eyes the things she's carrying, particularly the staff. It's actually a pretty good deal, having to go up against non-Forces people. It means he's more likely to run against those with very different fighting styles to his own.

"I've been given a directive to challenge those not in Forces, to get a better sense of how you fight... Are you interested in sparring?"

"H u H." She gives him a considering look, before she leans back a little. Folding her arms over her chest, she arches an eyebrow at him, under her purple bangs.

"All right, say that I am interested in sparring. What's the prize for winning or the price of losing?" He looked pretty strong - so she wasn't going to underestimate him. Especially since he had a good foot on her.

The height and size differences haven't escaped Kain's notice, either, but that's something he'd more or less expected. Most of the heavy-hitting warriors tended to favor Forces, after all. He definitely doesn't want to underestimate her, though there's always something exciting about the unknown ability of a new sparring partner.

"Aside from the feeling of accomplishment that comes with aiding someone in their all important mission?" He asks with a bit of dry humor, before turning serious as he thinks it over. He hadn't planned anything out, but it's not a bad idea. Fortunately, he can think of an idea that few in the Inquisition would tend to refuse. "Hm... The loser buys us a round of drinks after we're done. It's not easy work, after all."

She tipped her head to the side, then nodded. "Sounds fair." She found a nice high place to put all her books, scrolls and otherwise, and pulled her staff. Giving it an appropriate Nevarran battlemage twirl, she stretched a little. Tipped her head to the side so it was nice and loose, and then took her stance.

Waiting for him to say or react with an attack, when it was time to 'Go'.

"It's a deal then." He's ready to begin, the only preparation he needs is to draw his sword, taking a firm grip in both hands as he eyes his new opponent curiously. He never knows what to expect with mages, so he's definitely keeping his guard up here. This ought to be a good challenge.

In an instant, he springs into motion, his blade swiftly moving in an arc toward her. Time to see what she's made of... and test his own magical defenses in the process.

The first spell she puts on herself, a nice strong Barrier. Her hands twist around the staff, and she slaps Kain with a Weakness, slowing him down considerably and also lessening the powers of his attacks. She followed that immediately by throwing down a Paralyze, to stop him or at least throw him down, so she could prepare the first of her Lightening spells.

Already, the air is starting to crackle around them with static electricity, lighting up her eyes and making them seem all green.

The magic hits him, but he's expecting that, ready to adjust as much as he can in this situation. In fact, he's fine with letting her get an initial hit in, especially as he gets his Ring of Pain going, claiming this part of the field as his in the way that only Reavers can do. It ought to help him considerably when that lightning hits...

Oh sweet Maker Tits, what the hell was that?! Mal immediately withdrew, swinging her staff around to slap down another Paralyze, before she went to trap him inside a Static Cage. She was only going to get one shot at taking him down without going face first into the dirt ... but she needed time to figure out how.

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