The grey, overcast sky threatened to empty itself of moisture- indeed, lightning could be seen and thunder heard in the distance. Gulls' screeching cries rent the air as two of the fierce birds battled over a scrap of food. The cries eventually lessened and faded as the loser flew off lopsidedly and the winner devoured his prize. The only other beast in sight on this desolate stretch of beach was a lone wildcat. She stood in the sand, practicing swordwork, her cutlass blade reflecting the sullen light dully. Her faded shirt might have once been red, and her navy blue trousers were patched in several places, but her stance was confident and her sword in good repair. Her eyes matched the sea and her fur the clouds, except for the white tips on her ears and tail. Suddenly she halted, sheathing her sword as she noticed another creature down the beach. Cupping her paws around her mouth, she called to the distant figure over the noise of the wind and surf.
"Ahoy, mate! Care t'join me fer a meal?"
OOC: Sorry for the length- just wanted to give a sense of the setting and conditions. Um, if you want Tarragon to be in a boat, or something, I can edit this post. :) Anything else that seems weird or you want me to change, just let me know.
Tarragon had beached her ship The Sea Skipper to take on Water and supply's. The rest of her crew had headed up the shore or inland, while she had gone down shore to scout out the land. She looked to the sea the waves where tossed up into the air by the wind like a child's play thing. The harsh wind tugged and rippled at her cloths and there was the odd seance of having way to much light for the amount of cloud cover. She saw a figure down the beach she could not tell weather it was a friend or a foe but she herd it call out to her over the noise.
"Ahoy, mate! Care t'join me fer a meal?"
The call was faint and distant but clear. Tarragon sped up her pace.
As the figure moved closer, Max could see that it was an otter. Hoping that the other beast was friendly, she waved and approached. She now saw much more detail- the dark brown fur of the ottermaid and the loose white shirt, brown pants, and black boots. The young otter wore a rapier at her side with the air of somebeast used to its weight and well-versed in its purpose. Max grinned cheerily. This looked like her type of beast: a sailor!
"Hello. I was just about t'light a fire an' burn summat fer lunch," she joked. "Are ye willin' to risk yer tastebuds t'fill yer stomach or d'you wanna cook?"
As Tarragon approached she saw that the beast was a wildcat Instantly she became more cautious though she didn't show it. " I believe I'll pass' I don't eat with strangers," She said with a grin stopping in front of the wildcat. She noted the poor state of her cloths and the cutlass. The first thing that popped in to her mind was "Vermin," and then "Not to be trusted,". She casually placed a paw on her rapier and asked "Now who might you be?"
"I believe I'll pass. I don't eat with strangers."
Smart choice, thought Max. After all, one could never be sure of a stranger's intentions.
"Now who might you be?"
Max didn't miss the movement of Tarragon's paw and, taken aback, she clenched her own.
"My name's Max- I'm a traveler. Used t'be a sailor, an' I take t'the seas when anybeast'll 'ave me. Now, if ye'd do me th' kindness o' tellin' me yer own name, I'd be much obliged. But if ye draw steel, I'm afraid that it won't be possible t'have any kindnesses between us. If ye're clear on me meanin'."
"Ho I gets yer meaning alright" She said with a glint in her eye. Tarragon knew a threat when she herd one and she wasn't about to let this one pass. "The name is Tarragon currently captain of the Sea Skipper, and if yer wondering I'm not alone. I've got me self a fine crew of over a score ta back me up,"
"Good. Then we 'ave an understandin'." Max sighed inwardly. If only that were completely true.
"I don't doubt that y'do, or that they could make short work o' me. But I doubt that ye'll call 'em unless ye really need to- y'don't strike me as th' sort o' beast who lets others fight 'er battles. An' unfortunately, I think it's gonna be a battle. But instead o' tearin' each other's throats out like a pair o' savage lizards, I say we 'ave a duel. Honorable-like. Loser 'as t'stay up in th'north fer a season. Yer choice, miss Tarragon."
Done with words, Max squared her shoulders and shifted into a more aggressive stance. She didn't really want to fight this otter, but if she had to, she wasn't going to roll over and give up.
Tarragon drew her rapier with a flourish "I accept! and no worries my crew is near by but I never let another beast fight my fight for me," She went in to a fighting stance her eyes sparkling with anticipation "Now lets see what your made of,"
OOC: I had an idea. Max could join up and go sailing with Tarragon after the Duel.
OOC: Sure, if you'd like. I think it would be great to end this with them as less than enemies. :)
BIC: Max prepared to draw her own blade, heartbeat quickening. Paw on hilt, she waited for Tarragon to make a move. The wildcat's tail twitched nervously- she had never actually used this move in a fight before. With luck, it would work the way it was supposed to.
"I'm made of more'n yeller guts, that's fer sure."
"We'll see about that!" She said lunging at max point first.
OOC: sorry that is so short.
OOC: You're fine. :)
BIC: Excellent.
Instead of dodging the thrust, Max unsheathed her cutlass and brought it across in one fluid movement, seeking to turn aside the point of her foe's blade. If it worked, she should then be able to counter-attack. If it didn't work, then Max would likely be on the defensive for most of the fight.
Tarragons thrust was turned aside which was no more then she had expected. She hadn't really been intending to make a hit. It was more to test her opponents skill level. Now anticipating some sort of attack she brought her blade length wise in front of her chest.
Tarragon's thrust deflected, Max maneuvered her blade to cut up and across the otter's chest. A ringing clash echoed in the wildcat's ears as her cutlass was met by Tarragon's swift defense. Max shifted the point of her cutlass, trying to get it behind Tarragon's rapier so that she could yank it out of her opponent's grip. The wildcat would much rather disarm the otter than draw blood, but she didn't have much confidence in the likelihood of that resolution.
Tarragon lashed out with her rapier not at Max but at her cutlass locking blades she twisted her rapier in a maneuver which was meant to push her opponents blade around and down so hers was on top. If it worked she would then slash up at Maxes unprotected shoulder if not she would have to go in to defense.
OOC: I'm going to do a very slight auto here, if that's okay. If it's not, please let me know and I will change it.
BIC: This ottermaid was quite clever. But was she clever enough? Max only resisted her opponent's ploy minimally, letting her cutlass be pushed below the rapier. When Tarragon flicked her blade up to strike at Max's shoulder, the wildcat shoved her own sword straight upwards, diverting the rapier's deadly point.
Darn she thought. Her strike was diverted and she went in to a defensive stance taking a quick step back wards but then lunging forwards just as quickly aiming for maxes sword arm.
OOC: That was fine.
OOC: Oh, good. I usually avoid autos, and when I can't, I make it something small.
BIC: Max began to smile as Tarragon stepped back into a defensive stance, but it quickly turned to a grimace of pain when the otter lept forward again, bringing her blade across Max's sword arm. Taking a few quick steps back- retreating, some might make the mistake of calling it- Max sheathed her cutlass and took a glance at her injury. It wasn't too serious, though it could become a problem later without proper treatment. The wildcat clenched her fists and shifted her center of balance, getting into a boxing stance (well, a fist-fighting stance anyway).
"All righ', Miss Tarragon: you drew first blood. But I'm not givin' up because of a scratch. Go ahead'n keep yer blade- ye'll definitely need it now."
Though Max was a fairly good swordsbeast, she was at her best when unarmed. Unencumbered by armor or weapons, she was quick, agile, and deadly.
Tarragon was a little confused as she watched max sheath her sword Was she just giving up. Then when Max went into a boxing stance she began to get nervous not because she couldn't win but because she felt she had way to much of an advantage but if she put her weapon away she would surly lose. The truth was that Tarragon was no boxer.
She clenched her teeth and lunged at Max aiming for her middle. At the last minute she moved her raper down and aimed at her legs instead.
Max dodged to one side as the point of Tarragon's rapier flashed towards her abdomen, but was not in time to prevent it from piercing her footpaw. Her ears flattened in pain, but she used the opportunity to aim a left cross at Tarragon's jaw.
Tarragon was used to blocking attacks with her rapier not dodging blows. She swung her rapier up instinctively at maxes paw and jumped back. She stumbled on the shifting sand and falling on her back.
Fortunately, it was the flat of Tarragon's blade that struck Max's paw. If it had not been so, the damage would be quite severe. Even as it was, the blow had been strong enough that she would probably have a bruise later. When Tarragon fell, Max stepped up quickly and moved to place a footpaw firmly on the otter's sword arm, wincing as sand entered her wounded paw.
Tarragon Griped the handle of her rapier to keep from letting go. Then she kicked out with her foot paws at the cats stomach and threw a paw full of sand in her face with her free arm.
Max, who had been leaning down to give Tarragon a punch intended to knock her out, was caught completely by surprise. The otter's paws slammed into her stomach and sand flew into her eyes. Breathless, blinded and driven backwards, she was the one to lose her footing. She fell on her back and, hoping that Tarragon would need a few seconds to recover as well, pawed sand out of her eyes.
Tarragon rolled over and jumped up. Then she turned back and leaped over to stand behind Max'es head. This position gave her the advantage Max couldn't throw sand at her as easily or kick but in the process of gaining the advantage but she had lost time allowing Max to recover. She pointed her rapier at her and said "Weren't expecting that were you,"
Max felt Tarragon come to stand behind her, and knew that the otter's blade was probably within a few inches of her neck. Her fur stood on end and the back of her neck prickled. When she spoke, the wildcat's cheerful tone belied her nervousness.
"T'be honest, I wasn'. Yer quite a swordsbeast, Miz Tarragon. But not all fights're won with blades."
Suddenly, Max tucked into a forward roll and popped up to her paws a few feet away, turning to face Tarragon. She flashed a grin at her opponent and lunged forward to deliver a jab to the side of the otter's face.
"Aye sand comes in handy toouf," She had dodged to the side but wasn't fast enough she felt a bolt of pain as her opponents fist came in contact with her left shoulder. She stumbled to the side and swung her rapier at Maxes leg.
Max, caught off-balance when her fist hit a glancing blow instead of connecting solidly, pitched forward. Tarragon's blade slashed across her legs as she fell on top of the otter. Quickly, she straddled her opponent and grabbed for her sword paw.
Tarragon dropped her rapier and avoiding the grab she reached over and grabbed Maxes arm (the one she was using to prop he self up with) in tending to flip her over on to her back by pulling her arm out from under her and kicking with her foot paws at the same time.
When Tarragon dropped her rapier and reached for Max's arm, she simply dropped her full weight onto the otter. She hoped to simultaneously pin down her opponent and prevent herself from being put in a more vulnerable position.
OOC: In martial arts, I learned this move where if you're sitting on the other person and they go to knock your arm out so you fall, you just bring your elbow down on them with all your weight behind it. It's pretty cool. ^-^ I figured Max probably doesn't know martial arts, though. ;D
Tarragon let forth a whoosh of air as max came down on her winding her. she was filled with a panicky sensation like she was drowning. She thrashed out desperately in any way she could to get the cat off as she gasped for air.
Max tapped the otter lightly on her jaw, in a sensitive, "knockout spot". Then she stood and reached out a paw to Tarragon.
"Are ye all righ'? I mean, I 'ope I wasn' suffocatin' ye."
Aye, she was concerned about her opponent- why wouldn't she be? The otter obviously had a grand future ahead of her, and Max didn't want that to be snuffed out like it was nothing. Then again, she waned her own future to remain intact as well, which is why she was alert and cautious. If Tarragon tried to attack after being helped up, the wildcat would be ready for it.
Tarragon took Maxes paw and allowed her to help her up. She was a bit puzzled by this action but she didn't much care any more she picked up her rapier and tried to regain her breath. In a somewhat croaking voice she said "Why did you do that?"
Why indeed. Max wondered for a moment herself. She could have simply laid on the otter until she was unconscious, and prevented bloodshed that way. So it wasn't just about life. What, then? Max spoke slowly, trying to order her thoughts as she did so.
"Fer a few reasons, I s'pose. ...I knew I'd won. Killin' ye or knockin' ye out wouldn' profit anybeast. 'Twould just make us enemies. And... I could feel ye gettin' scared, an' I wasn' gonna use that. No 'arfway decent beast would. Besides, yer a real good beast, fer all ye set me up as an enemy when ye first saw me. ...Cap'n Tarragon, I release ye from th' conditions of th' duel. Yer talents an' crew shouldn' be wasted in th' northern wastelands fer a whole season."
Max bowed politely and threw off a respectful salute before turning to leave.
OOC: Wow. Sorry, that is a lot of words. Max has always been chatty. Sort of a soapbox character, I guess.
"Wait," Tarragon said. She rubbed her shoulder then reluctantly she continued she found it hard to say what she was about to say and not because she had just had the wind knocked out of her "I recognize you as a good creature now. An' I would be horned if you were to join my crew. Maybe I could even give you some pointers in fencing."
Max froze in surprise, then turned slowly. "Ye'd let me join yer crew?" A wide grin spead across her face and she saluted again. "I'd love ter be a part o' yer crew, Cap'n. An' I gladly accept yer kind offer o' helpin' sharpen my bladework."
Tarragon sighed and gave a lopsided smiled. "Aye I am glad that we are no longer enemy's. My ship The Sea Skipper's back that a ways," She said indicating back the way she had come. She tuned to see three otters approaching at a run they must have seen the tail end of the fight. Tarragon sheathed her Rapier and waved reassuringly. "Here comes some of my crew,"
Max faced the three otters and nodded, giving a friendly smile. Then, her wounded footpaw twinged, reminding her that she had injuries to see to. "Excuse me cap'n- do I 'ave permission t'go onboard an' find th' sickbay? Ye gave me some good scratches. Nothin' too serious, but I'd rather take care of 'em before they get infected."
The Otters looked puzzled Tarragon tuned to them and said "Take yer new ship mate here back to the Ship for patching up," A look of surprise and utter bafflement spread across the faces of the three crew members. "I'll explain latter. Now that's an order!" She winced and touched her shoulder "Should probably go there to and see the this here solder. Don't know how long it will be till I can climb the rigging again," They started to head down the beach. Tarragon looked up at max and said "I am glad to have you as an enemy no longer... Matey"
OOC: This is fun it makes a good story maybe we should do something else with Tarragon and Max sometime.
Max laughed. "Aye. Fer more'n one reason- yer a formidable enemy, cap'n, an' I like 'avin' all me skin attached."
OOC: Another RP with Tarragon and Max sounds great! For now though, I'm going to add "completed" to the end of their first adventure. Thanks for the fun, mate! ;D
OOC: Thanks I enjoyed it two. I was thinking that Max would eventually become the first mate on The Sea Skipper if yer willin'.
Definitely.