"... doubt they'll follow. How long should we wait?", Captain Mola's voice floats back from the darkness down the street where the Cardinal's guards are clustered.
"Here they come now - some, at least," a different woman's voice chimes in.
"If one side is outnumbered, we'll simply choose partners for the dance," a third woman laughs, "I'm certain we are all polite enough to wait our turn."
"Doubtful," comes Thaddeus's rumbling contradiction, "Well, gentlemen? Are you ready?"
Zöe rises abruptly and dashes to the bar. "What do you think?" she asks her peers, "Should we follow?"
Marea squints thoughtfully at the closing door. "Nah. They'll come back soon enough for healing if they're pinked. There's a warm fire and ale here, and not much we can do if they get in trouble. Besides, it looks like a polite affair, doubtless to first blood only. They'll be fine. And if Diego isn't in this alone, he's much less likely to get himself in real trouble." She shrugs. "They'll be fine."
Serana has not budged from her close conversation in the corner and has apparently not noticed the guards leave.
Cambino pulls off his slouch cap and scratches his head. "I'm not worried if it's fair - our masters can handle themselves - but where His Nibs is concerned, treachery is always an issue. You stay here and be sure they're not luring our masters from this place for some reason. I'll follow them in the shadows and watch out for treachery. I can call the dottari and lead them there, if nothing else."
"If I get to stay here and drink as part of the plan, I'm good!" The halfling grins at the rogue and shoos him towards the door while holding her mug for a refill. "On Diego's tab, if you will. Many thanks."
Cambino pauses by the door for a minute or so after the last of the combatants have left, then slips out.
Theo sighs rising to follow his friends "It would be nice if we could enjoy the nice meals here once in a while without needing to teach a lesson..." He takes a last bite of his meal then grabs his hat and heads for the door. "I tend to agree with Vittorio, if they're going to ruin our mean with this they should at least have the decency to pay for it."
"... doubt they'll follow. How long should we wait?", Captain Mola's voice floats back from the darkness down the street where the Cardinal's guards are clustered.
"Here they come now - some, at least," a different woman's voice chimes in.
"If one side is outnumbered, we'll simply choose partners for the dance," a third woman laughs, "I'm certain we are all polite enough to wait our turn."
"Doubtful," comes Thaddeus's rumbling contradiction, "Well, gentlemen? Are you ready?"
"Laddie, I was BORN ready!" Diego drawls his retort in a heavy, obviously affected, brogue. He claps his hands together and rubs them briskly.
"So Thaddy, will you be taking your lesson privately? Or are we going for the whole class at once?" Diego asks smiling. He seems unaware, and unconcerned, of whether or not Dom and the others are coming up behind him.
Vittorio laughs, "Imagine that, the coward braggart now wants to outnumber his opponents. I'd accuse you of having no honour, Thaddeus, but it would clearly be news to no one here."
He steps forward to stand next to Emiliano, settling into a fighting stance, "Come, now, Diego... It's not polite if you don't share."
Domenico laughs heartily at Vittorio's taunts, coming up behind to join the rest of his friends, "Not to worry, Vittorio. I do not mind being outnumbered. I've always liked games with fair odds." He smiles easily and rests his hand on the hilt of his blade. "I am ready."
Diego looks concerned. He counts himself, Dom, and Vittorio. (Conveniently ignoring the sight of the others coming up behind them.) Then he makes a show of counting the Red-cloaked group before them.
"Your right! It isn't fair! There are three of us and more of them! Perhaps we should let them call for more help first?" He grins broadly and interlaces his fingers together, then flexes his hands forward, popping his knuckles.
As the group moves through the streets, following the guard who had suggested a quiet location for an alfresco dinner, Captain Mola falls back to reassure House Grulios' guards.
"We would never dream of taking advantage of greater numbers, not for an evening of dancing. I will play the wallflower and stand aside so my young friends can have some fun."
"Yes, we can pair off," chirps one of the more slender of the Cardinal's guards, bright eyes peering from below the brim of a plumed hat, "Really, any of them are quite acceptable to me." She and another woman burst into laughter while Thaddeus shakes his head and Captain Mola frowns briefly.
The proposed playground is a deserted warehouse courtyard, gates standing open. Old shelters line one wall, and a set of animal (or slave) pens is grouped in the center. Two sets of scaffolding rise along the far wall with a rope bridge strung between them. A couple of stacks of roofing tiles adorn the top of the scaffolds. The building is apparently undergoing renovation, but is not yet in use.
The cheeky woman who led the way stops and bows. "My name is Teresina, and it would please me to partner one of you gentlemen in a dance this evening."
The silent man steps forward with a curt bow. "Liborio Polites."
"Bettino Carras, at your service," the other woman says, sweeping off her plumed hat in an exaggerated bow.
"You know me," Thaddeus claims, "Enough talk. Time to let our blades sing!"
Vittorio chuckles at Diego's comments, "No, if we do that, they might actually start thinking they have a chance to win." He watches the opponents line up, then holds up a hand, "A moment, if you will, while we discuss dance partners."
He turns to the others and says in a loud stage whisper, "I imagine all four of us would like the chance to wipe the smug look from Thaddeus' face.... I'm thinking we'll have to draw straws to pick who does that -- unless one of you isn't willing to fight a girl, in which case that person will have to fight Liborio."
Hah!! Diego laughs aloud at Vittorio's comment, smiling.
"Well said Vittorio! We'll have you writing poetry for the ladies in no time with turns of phrase as that!" He laughs.
Diego's eyes slide aside to Thaddeus for a moment. He continues in a lower voice.
"Ware lads, I fear that, Thaddeus at least thinks he is more than he seems. At least the others talk of playing nicely. I fear that given the chance, Thaddeus will not stop at a playful scratch. I got my fun just pricking his ego. I'll let you lads wrestle over who gets to deflate him properly. I'll watch your backs. I have, other plans for the evening." He winks.
Standing up straighter, Diego makes a pretense of carefully studying his erstwhile opponents. He points to the cheeky, wise-cracking slim lady who led the way.
"Teresina volunteered first. And only a truly ill-mannered brute would keep a lady waiting." Diego nudges Dom and Vitt with an elbow each, as if accusing them of being ungentlemanly.
Diego steps forward and bows to Teresina with a deep bow and a flourish of his own wide-brimmed hat. His long feathered plume barely missing the ground as he does so.
"My lady. I would be honored to have this dance with you. I promise that my blade will not scratch that pretty face of yours, if you will do the same for me!" He grins, flipping his hat completely over and around before resettling it on his head.
"And afterword, I'll buy you a drink!"
Teresina:
"Let us find a space where we can dance without running into other couples, shall we? And I would be pleased to know your name. I like to keep track of my victories." Teresina favors Diego with a dimpled smile as she leads him off to the side, away from the others and any obstacles. "I will try to avoid the face, but cannot promise, particularly if you insist on blocking or parrying with it! To first blood, then?"
"I am Domenico Acerbi," says the cavalier, a lazy smile still on his face.
"I prefer to let chance decide my dance partners anyways, Vittorio. So," starts Domenico, flipping up one of his dice with his thumb, re-rolling it when the result is one that should be impossible.
Once the die roll is determined, he gestures to his opponent and says cheerily, "That makes us partners. To first blood." He draws his sword and issues a salute.
The quiet man steps away with Domenico and likewise draws and salutes. "When the Captain gives the word, if you please."
Teresina:
"Let us find a space where we can dance without running into other couples, shall we? And I would be pleased to know your name. I like to keep track of my victories." Teresina favors Diego with a dimpled smile as she leads him off to the side, away from the others and any obstacles. "I will try to avoid the face, but cannot promise, particularly if you insist on blocking or parrying with it! To first blood, then?"
Diego happily follows Teresina with a cheerful, if fox-like, grin.
"Name? Of course! So silly of me! You weren't quite in the room yet. My sincere apologies. Emiliano Diego Thanos, at your service my lady. For this dance, and many more I'm sure." He says with a wink.
"Well I promise you, my face doesn't want to parry your blade any more than yours wants to parry mine!" Diego laughs.
"Yes. To first blood, please. Anything else would be, SUCH a waste." Diego says, giving Teresina a frankly admiring look.
The dandy slowly draws his sword, salutes, and bows.
"When your ready m'lady."
After two of his companions choose their partners, Vittorio says, "Here I thought everyone would be jumping at the chance to teach Thaddeus a lesson... Apparently, he's so distasteful nobody wants to touch him with a three-foot blade.". He sighs loudly, then turns, "Fine, I'll do it, but one of you will need to clean my blade."
He steps forward, drawing his rapier, "Come along, Thaddeus, it's time for me to pierce your ego."
After two of his companions choose their partners, Vittorio says, "Here I thought everyone would be jumping at the chance to teach Thaddeus a lesson... Apparently, he's so distasteful nobody wants to touch him with a three-foot blade.". He sighs loudly, then turns, "Fine, I'll do it, but one of you will need to clean my blade."
"Okay!" Diego pipes up,
"But I'm using his cloak to do it!"
Having stopped to take a last bite of his meal Theo arrives a bit late to the party, the others seem to have already paired off. He looks to Bettino Carras "Hmm it appears we are the only two left milady, perhaps you would grace me with this dance? I'm afraid I'm not very well practiced, perhaps you could teach me?" It's rather unclear if the catfolk is referring to the fight, or if he thinks there might be a chance she'll actually agree to a dance instead.
Bettino:
As they move to a clear area in the courtyard, Bettino says softly to Theo, "We're supposed to fight, right? I mean, there's no music?"
Arabela:
The Captain's command clarifies the matter for Bettino. "Ladies and gentlemen, on your guard. Ready? Begin." She has the clear, practiced tone of one accustomed to projecting for a group, and the assurance of one accustomed to being obeyed.
Pair init results:
Diego/Teresina
Liborio/Domenico
Theo/Bettino
Thaddeus/Vittorio
Liborio:
At the captain's call, after being assured Domenico is ready, Liborio darts forward with a brutal beat at Domenico's blade, trying for a quick disarm:
Thaddeus:
Thaddeus moves forward to engage Vittorio, tapping Vittorio's blade with his own but not attacking. Instead, he seems to be focused on watching Vittorio and anticipating his attacks.
Vittorio stands before his arrogant, obnoxious foe, watching for a heartbeat, then closes his eyes to find the strange power in his centre.... and releases it, slowly, carefully, allowing it fill him, heightening his focus and reflexes. He opens his eyes, focusing on Thaddeus, feeling a sudden insight into his foe, then lunges forward with the unnatural swiftness his bloodline grants him.
for
Diego circles his partner as they slowly maneuver their way away from the others. Diego decides he likes this sharp-tongued lass, and continues to verbally spar with her as he 'casually' makes his way closer to the platforms on the other side of the courtyard.
"There. THIS is far better, don't you think? We don't want anyone else cutting into our dance. Or stepping on our toes, do we?" Diego grins.
At the captain's call, Diego lunges forward with sudden viciousness, startling Teresina and causing her to visibly flinch. But he never actually comes close to striking her, instead stepping back and holding his arms wide.
"On second thought, let's make this dance really fun shall we?!" He waggles his eyebrows as if about to make an improper suggestion, then turns and dashes towards the platform above them.
It turns out that little Diego is VERY fast on his feet, covering the distance to the platform by the time Teresina realizes what he is doing.
"From up here, we can see the entire Ballroom!" Diego laughs over his shoulder, grabbing the ladder with one hand. He motions for Teresina to join him with his blade.
"From up here, we can see the entire Ballroom!" Diego laughs over his shoulder, grabbing the ladder with one hand. He motions for Teresina to join him with his blade.
Teresina:
"Follow you and get a blade in the face for my trouble? I think not!" Teresina calls back to Diego, dashing for the other ladder.
Vittorio ... opens his eyes, focusing on Thaddeus, feeling a sudden insight into his foe, then lunges forward with the unnatural swiftness his bloodline grants him.
Thaddeo stands for a moment staring at the blade in his chest, then drops to the ground, unmoving.
Captain Mola's eyes narrow as she sees her man fall. She draws her own blade and steps towards Vittorio, pulling her hand from her tabard and raising it behind into the en guard position. Even in the flickering torchlight, Vittorio can see that her hand and forearm are shrunken and withered.
"First blood to you, sir, and with no contest. Care for another bout?"
Domenico seems utterly perplexed when his blade is knocked from his hand. His eyes flick up towards his dance partner and he quickly reaches for his blade on the ground, and if he manages to sidestep his opponent's blade, he picks the weapon up as a part of a lunging motion at Liborio.
Unfortunately, his speed is hampered by having had to retrieve the blade.
"From up here, we can see the entire Ballroom!" Diego laughs over his shoulder, grabbing the ladder with one hand. He motions for Teresina to join him with his blade.Teresina:
"Follow you and get a blade in the face for my trouble? I think not!" Teresina calls back to Diego, dashing for the other ladder.
Diego looks wounded.
"What? I would never!" He protests plaintively.
Seeing his would-be girlfriend's goal, he clamps his own blade in his teeth and scampers up the ladder to the top. Once there, he takes a brief moment to see how his friends are doing. He sees The unpleasant Thaddeus already lying on the ground, and Vittorio being approached by the Captain.
"Well,... THAT didn't last long. I was hoping with all of that talk he would last longer?" Diego snorts aloud to no one in particular. He shakes his head in an 'Oh well' gesture, and goes to meet his dance partner.
Vittorio nods at the captain, "We'd best first make sure Thaddeus doesn't die. It would defeat the whole purpose of teaching him a lesson... And, to be fair, it was him that insulted my honour.... and that of pretty much everyone, really. I am satisfied, though I'll not refuse a lady."
Theo nods to Bettino "Yes, a fight is what they expect, but I don't always do what's expected. However as you pointed out we have no music... and this makes a poor ballroom." He slowly draws his blade offering the woman a salute. "It seems only gentlemanly to allow you the first move milady." The catfolks smiles at her and takes up a defensive stance "Whenever you're ready."
Diego/Teresina
Teresina scampers up the ladder as well, reaching the top a little after Diego. She clambers to her feet while he surveys the battle below and takes up a defensive position at the end of the rope bridge between the platforms, grinning.
Liborio/Domenico
Liborio is ready for Domenico to retrieve his blade, and tries a quick thrust as the gambler takes a chance on picking up his sword.
Ducking Domenico’s thrust, Liborio winds his rapier past Domenico's guard and pinks him hard in the shoulder.
Lowering his sword, Liborio steps back. "First blood is mine, sir. Do you concede?" he inquires gravely of Domenico.
Theo/Bettino
Bettino takes a fighting stance opposite Theo. Licking her lips a bit nervously, she makes a tentative attack against Theo's careful defense. Their swords clash but do not draw blood, and she dances back a step, out of Theo's easy reach.
ThaddeusArabela/Vittorio
Captain Mola's eyes flick briefly to Thaddeus and she shrugs eloquently. "Let Asmodeus watch after his own. I would be a poor friend and worse captain if I did not step in to avenge a fallen comrade. Will you take your guard, sir?" she asks Vittorio, raising her blade (though she does step clear of fallen Thaddeus, so neither combatant will trip over the arrogant fool).
Vittorio nods, "Indeed, I will. Though I must confess I find your choice of friends rather questionable." He raises his blade and salutes Arabela, "Whenever you're ready, lady."
Domenico steps back with a huff when his blood is drawn, and while he seems rather irate about being the first of his crew to have to concede, he says, "Yes. Yes, you've bested me, Liborio. To the blood, after all. Seems luck is not on my side today, I think I'd have had an easier time with Thaddeus!"
Theo weaves into a side step dancing around with Bettino as he breaks away from their clashing swords. "We should have danced, you are quite light on your feet m'lady." When she tries to create some distance between them, the swashbuckler follows up with a rapier thrust of his own. He tries to strike at a non-vital area not wanting to cause to grievous a wound.
"Come my lady! THIS is far better! Let us dance!" Diego calls across the bridge to his would-be girlfriend.
"I'll even meet you halfway!" Diego grins, and matching actions to words, steps lightly onto the rickety bridge and proceeds rapidly to the center. He then adopts a relaxed, patient stance, indicating he is willing to wait for Teresina to make the first move.
Diego/Teresina:
As Diego steps onto the rope-and-plank bridge, it sways beneath his feet like a light boat on the water. Nevertheless, the lightfooted cleric makes it to the center of the span without a stumble.
Teresina advances in turn, though Diego’s presence makes the footing even worse.
Teresina proves even more nimble than Diego, and sets herself to lunge as she reaches him.
A bemused look crosses the woman’s face as she hesitates. ”You look rather dashing standing on this silly bridge, sword in hand.”
Liborio/Domenico:
Liborio drops the tip of his blade and bows politely to Diego, removing a kerchief from his boot top to clean the blood from his rapier before sheathing it.
"Doubtless you would have, for it is not surprising to me that..." The man steps to Domenico's shoulder to whisper in his ear.
He steps back and shakes his head. "I shall, of course, deny saying that. And now I must tend to the fallen. You understand, I'm sure."
Liborio strides to Thaddeus's side and kneels to examine and aid the wounded man.
Theo/Bettino:
Theo swipes his rapier at Bettino intending to administer a light punishment, but Bettino weaves and ducks right into the arc of Theo’s blade. It strikes her on the side of the neck, though the mail there holds and prevents any sort of decapitation. Bettino gasps and thrusts a glove into the neck of her armor, swiftly withdrawing it to show it clean. ”No blood… we continue…” she gasps, obviously affected even though she's not bleeding her life away.
With a stamp and a flurry, she thrusts at Theo, not taking the care that he tried to avoid a deadly wound, but her shakiness does not help her aim.
Captain Mola/Vittorio:
The captain sets herself for combat. "I specified comrade," she says sourly.
Vittorio smiles, "The tone makes your opinion of the man quite clear, which shows you're as wise as you are beautiful. 'Tis truly a shame we meet under such circumstances.."
He moves, as quickly as the power singing in his blood will let him, keeping his eyes locked on Mola's and the smile on his face, a quick flick of the wrist launching the Rapier forward with terrible speed.
Diego/Teresina:
As Diego steps onto the rope-and-plank bridge, it sways beneath his feet like a light boat on the water. Nevertheless, the lightfooted cleric makes it to the center of the span without a stumble.
Teresina advances in turn, though Diego’s presence makes the footing even worse.
Teresina proves even more nimble than Diego, and sets herself to lunge as she reaches him.
A bemused look crosses the woman’s face as she hesitates. ”You look rather dashing standing on this silly bridge, sword in hand.”
Diego spreads his arms in a 'what can I do?' gesture. His teeth actually gleaming under the effect of his prayer.
"I have that effect on women. So I'm told. Perhaps after this, we can go get that drink together?" Diego raises his eyebrows hopefully, even as he leans forward to pink his opponent in a non-vital area.
Diego lunges across the bridge, using the rickety boards bounce to enhance the speed of his attack,...
,... If not his AIM.
Diego:
Vittorio:
Vittorio's superior strength and speed are apparent as he drives straight through the Captain's guard, blade sinking deep into the back of her thigh and emerging from the other side. A hiss of pain whistles between her teeth and she staggers back as Vittorio pulls his blade free. Breathing heavily, she sheathes her rapier and nods shortly. "You have first blood, sir," she gasps, "Would that you were on my squad. Are you perhaps looking for a new position?"
Diego:
Vittorio sheathes his blade, then bows his head in salute. "I am currently engaged, repaying a debt. I appreciate the offer, though I'd be more flattered if I hadn't met all of your other squadmates."
Domenico grins at what he is secretly whispered, "Indeed, tend to your wounded." He rubs at his own wound absently while he watches his comrades continue their matches.
Theo grimaces as Bettino weaves taking his rapier directly in the neck, it's a good thing a rapier isn't designed for slashing, even so that was a nasty hit "M'lady?"
Seeing the glove free of blood and Bettino's delcaration that she's continuing Theo nods and readies his weapon again "I admire your courage Lady Bettino" Though taking a blade on the neck to avoid having it draw blood on the arm was incredibly reckless it was clear she was giving the duel her all. Theo felt it would be disrespectful if he did not respond in kind.
The daring catfolk carefully pivots to avoid the thrust and returns with a stab of his own.