There's a new combatant standing across from Kailin and Sunahl as they enter the arena, and not a particularly imposing one. The crowd seems to have taken a near-instant liking to her, however, and there's some sort of glint in her eyes.
A tallish, skinny-as-a-stick-figure female halfling practically skips out of the dark entrance to the south. Her clothes are a garish mish-mash of brilliant flowing silks, and well-worn but well-made studded leather armor can be seen peeking out from under them. A dagger and spell component pouch hang from her belt.
Her dark hair is cut short, and fly-away spikes dance as she turns her head to take in the crowd... throwing them a winning smile in return for their warm greeting. She flicks her small scimitar in an ornate flourish to them as a wave, then turns to regard her opponents.
Her grin remains, but her eyes take on a considering look, even as she quips loud enough for her voice to carry to the crowd.
"Apparently the thought of letting a 20 pound slip of a halfling girl win is so appalling they sent me two big, strapping, testosterone-filled gladiators." She spins into some kind of dancing, spinning flourish, ending in a low, crouching stance with her blade pointed at the half-elf. Her tone gets serious, "Though this is the one time i will offer it, so consider it well. Walk away now, and I won't send you and your snake to meet the Dawnflower."
Kailin and Sunahl step out into the arena, the rigors of their previous match gone, and looking once again ready to do battle. As usual, he has little more than a katana of fine quality and armor, along with a crossbow that has yet to see use in his battles.
At the halfling's banter, both of them stop and raise an eyebrow, giving each other a quizzical look. After a moment of silent communication, Kailin shrugs, and Sunahl sets himself back down for battle while the half-elf draws his blade.
"I think not," he says simply, toward Ritti.
The wiry halfling continues her spinning flourishes, moving slowly forward, joking as she moves. "That mean, therefor, that you are not?"
She winks at the stoic half-elf as she spins to a stop, flicking the first two fingers of her out-stretched, palm-up hand in the universal sign for bring it.
Kailin rolls his eyes but gives a wry chuckle, while Sunahl makes his first comment since entering the arena, with a simple and sarcastic, "Well, aren't you clever?" in a deep yet clear voice.
Kailin mutters some magical words, and presses his hand to the snake's back, a blue aura passing over Sunahl's scales before fading out. The serpent then moves forward, slithering through the sand.
The crowd cheers at the posturing and banter, then settles down as the bloodshed seems to draw closer.
"I've always thought so," the halfling retorts before wiggling her fingers at the half-elf, winking at him, then vanishing.
-----
Cast Vanish (1 of 2 rds)
Stealthily Move to K-7: stealth
A growl from Sunahl cuts off into silence as the Halfling disappears, and the snake goes low to the ground, seeming to listen and watch for signs of movement. Kailin, meanwhile, makes the same gestures as before, placing the same spell he put on Sunahl moments ago onto himself instead.
That done, he settles back against the wall by the entrance he came out of, simply waiting. Sunahl moves back and adopts a defensive position nearby.
The sounds of Kailin's own arcane intonations, the crowd's rumblings, and the slither of Sudahl are all that ring in Kailin's ears.
---
Begin casting Sleep, with the intent on targeting Sudahl. It will go off at the beginning of next round.
Vanish: round 2 of 2 (will end at the beginning of next round, luckily at the same time as the completion of the Sleep spell.)
Kailin continues to hold his position for a moment, then walks over to the side along the wall, Sunahl following after him, both on high alert.
Across the arena, barely visible between a sliver of space between the two columns between Kailin and the halfling, she appears . He barely has time to notice as a spell assaults his and his snake's mind.
Sunahl looks drowsy, closing his eyes a bit, but then shakes his head, resisting the magic. Kailin seems unaffected however, and simply steadies the snake.
Ritti frowns disappointedly as the two shrug off the spell. "Now that's unfortunate…"
Seeing the ready stance of her two opponents, the lithe halfling moves gracefully out into the center of the arena, stopping near the middle with her blade held out.
Once again she gives her two-fingered 'come here' gesture, "Fine…. let's do this, then."
Move to E.08
Ready to Vanish as soon as someone tries to attack her
With the halfling made more obvious, Kailin and Sunahl both move out to the center of the arena as well.
"No longer hiding?" Sunahl teases, with a smirk and a twitch of his tail. Kailin says nothing, simply holding his blade at the ready.
The halfling shrugs, "Who can say? I sure as hell won't let you two get a free run at me if I can help it." She lifts what looks like a pinch of butter from her spell pouch as she retreats behind a pillar, squishing it between her fingers with a few strange words. A sheen springs into existence on her skin… from head to toe.
"I will say, though, that at two to one, you boys may have to put out some effort here. As my instructor used to say, 'Let's cut the foreplay, boyos, and make a move'."
Move to C.07
Cast Grease
Ritti shouts out a jab from behind her pillar, "Now I usually got nothing but respect for a man who lets his snake do all the talking... this, however, is a little too literal and disturbing for my tastes."
At the first taunt, Kailin does actually respond. "From the one who keeps dancing around the battlefield rather than face her opponent, that's an interesting criticism," he mumbles.
At the second, Kailin rolls his eyes, while Sunahl stifles laughter, though it turns full after only a second. Kailin glares at him, and the snake quiets down and starts moving, nodding his head towards the half-elf with a 'Yes, alright,' type of response, though he still has a smile on his face.
The expression disappears however, as he approaches the pillar and bares his fangs, before darting his head around the pillar to strike at Ritti, while Kailin moves up behind him.
"Now we're getting somewhere," she replies as she dives around the pillar and inside the snake's reach, blade flicking out in a testing strike.
-----
-- Acro
Defensively attack Sudahl
---> Damage
"About time," Kailin mutters, and moves around Sunahl and Ritti, while the eidolon gets into favorable position. As they surround her from both sides, the two lash out at her.
As blood stains the sand, Ritti barely remains on her feet. In a surprise move, she continues her defensive stance, dodging around Kailin. When she slides to a stop, feet faltering, Kailin stands directly between herself and Sudahl.
"I'm trying to come up with some quip about double-teaming a girl, but for some reason, my head's spinning…"
A small piece of what looks like her liver falls from her mouth amid the spray of blood as she speaks.
Kailin turns to follow the halfling as she goes around him. "I think we can fix that," he says in response to her statement, then bolts around the pillar, swinging himself around to Ritti's other side. "Shouldn't take more than another good knock to it."
As he reappears behind Ritti, Sunahl surges forward and lashes out with his jaws once again.
As Ritti drops to the ground, Sunahl and Kailin both take a step back. Sunahl moves by her first. "I'll look forward to your banter next time we face each other," he says, before heading over towards the entrance.
Kailin moves up next, raising the katana for a finishing blow. "Not bad, hafling. 'Til next time." With that, he brings the sword down with full force.
After a sweep to the side to free it of most of the blood, he slides it into its scabbard, and bows his head to her, before following Sunahl back out of the Arena.
.
But yes indeed, good game. Ritti sure had them running all over the place to keep up with her.