text;

[morework]

I. text

Sparring partners wanted. Your choice of melee weapon. Meet by the forest, anytime this afternoon.

II. action

[ Cullen waits by the forest, near where the lizard's watery tail disappears between the trees. Half an armory is propped against a fallen trunk, lest any potential sparring partners did not think to bring their own. He trains alone as he waits, sword in hand, practicing stances. Very rarely he remembers to glance at his communication device, to see if any messages require a response. ]

Comments

[bloodmagics]

[His pout fades, replaced by a bright grin. He leans in to give Cullen a proper kiss before they part.]

Of course. Rules?

[morework]

[ Cullen turns the staff in his hand slowly, finding the right balance. He steps away. ]

No hits to the neck and above. No magic. First to pin the other to the ground for three seconds wins.

[bloodmagics]

See, now that just makes it sound like you want an easy win.

[eyebrow waggle.]

your wardrobe has gr8 wifi

[morework]

[ What Cullen wants is to make sure Garrett has a chance to practice for the occasions when Wonderland sees it fit to take his magic away. But there will be a chance for that later. For now he will settle for taking that challenge.]


All right. Magic allowed. Don't hold back.

[ Shifting into stance he moves forward and takes the first swing.]

get out of there

[bloodmagics]

[Hawke lets out an undignified snort.]

I don't need it, but thanks.

[He was almost caught off guard, but he manages to block the first swing and take one of his own -- aimed at Cullen's legs.]

noooOOOooOOOOoOoo :<

[morework]

[ Cullen slams his staff down fast, blocking. He is lucky Garrett picked the most obvious target first. He doubts he will be for much longer. ]

Are you sure? I nearly had you already.

[ He pulls back quickly, and braces himself for Garrett's next move. ]

yes x(

[bloodmagics]

[Of course he picked the obvious target -- all the more to lull Cullen into a false sense of security.]

It'll take more than that to bring me down.

[Garrett doesn't lunge again, instead of taking a defensive stance.]

[morework]

[ He laughs. It really does. ]

Prove it.

[ Cullen charges forward, an aggressive lunge at Garrett's shoulder- serving as feint, when he strikes for his side instead. ]

[bloodmagics]

[The advantage to spending so much time with Cullen is that he knows his common strategies -- of course, it works in reverse too. Hawke catches the feint, spinning to strike at Cullen's opposite side instead.]

[morework]

[ Garrett is fast, very fast. Cullen won't block on time, knows it the second he turns his staff to try. He dodges instead, precariously. Garrett's attack whizzes just past his fingers. He retreats quickly to regain his footing. ]

[bloodmagics]

[Garrett laughs as his attack misses, the thrill of the fight getting to him. As Cullen goes on the retreat, Garrett attacks again, aiming to keep him off balance.]

[morework]

[ Cullen digs his heel into the ground. Won't be enough to turn the blow without stumbling. Could try to dodge entirely again. Could also-- A smile twitches at the corner of his lip. He pushes his weight forward, and meets the blow aggressively. Both ends of the staff press into his palms hard, reminding him that Garrett's arms are not a force he wants to confront directly. He can keep up for a brief display. Cullen takes a step forward, pushing back as much as he can. ]

[bloodmagics]

[Cullen meets his offensive and pushes back, so Garrett doubles down. In a contest of sheer strength, they both know he'll win but this is anything but a simple display of power. Garrett continues his own assault until the last second, when he pulls away and dodges to the side to take another swing at Cullen.]