Blade In The Sand

    The warm air moved over the city as the morning sun was already beating down upon the stone work and the sand that has blown in from the desert.

In an open yard, away from all the hustle and bustle of the main proper, was Xander Scaleharth, the black scaled Holy Knight carrying out several practice swings with his sword, along with foot steps.

    The tournament after all, was edging ever closer and he wanted to be sure he was in shape for it. After all, he might be a tank class, but didn't mean he couldn't put up a fight; Even if a part of him was sure he would lose.

It was this part that would sometimes fumble a step, miss-swing his blade, or block in the wrong angle. All points where he would stop, step back, and reset the motions once more from the beginning.

The city is beginning to fill with people drawn there by the prospect of the tournament. Not just those competing, but those hoping to make a profit off of the crowds. Perhaps that is why a familiar troupe of wanderers had also found their way to Breg Epona. They had made a camp of sorts, along with many others who couldn't find a place to stay in the city. A few had been seen setting up performance spaces where they could manage along the streets around the Arena, hoping to lure attention.

As before, many seem to look to Rylen as a sort of de-facto leader, despite the fact that the group had come together far more organically over time. So, he just so happens to be on the streets, making note of potential places the performers might be able to set up shop, temporarily.

That, is when he spots a familiar dark-scaled Salamander through the opening from the yard into the street. Curious, he leans on the arched passageway, watching Xander for a while without making any comment. Then, when he finally does talk, the Pooka comments, "Something seems to have you distracted." He is shirtless, as seems common to him, wearing only a simple vest rather than his long coat, white hair lightly flowing over his shoulders.

    Rylen's voice was a surprise to hear, as he voice comments on Xander's routine. The Salamander swings the blade around, raising a brow, before sheathing the sword into the Scabbard, "Rylen?"

Xander then looks over to the Pooka and gives the man a smile, "Rylen! It is good to see you!" His smile remains as he walks over. "And a little, I admit. Nerves mostly, I think. The closer we get, the more nervous I find myself." The Salamander chuckles lightly. "I've done pvp before, so you'd think my nerves would be calm, but," He shrugs softly, "They are not, so here I am."

Xander then motions to Rylen, "What brings you out here? Coin, tournament, come to watch me fight the fight?" Snaps his finger and points to him, "Or maybe /you/ plan to enter after all, hmm?"

When Xander turns his way, still brandishing that weapon, Rylen raises his eyebrows, his usual boyish smile showing on his face. It's almost a question in that silver gaze of his. "At your service." He bows, tucking one arm to his chest and extending the other. Ever a performer, it seems.

Then, when he rises, it is perhaps a bit of a surprise to see that smile on Xander's features. He doesn't question the lizard's good mood, however. "Did you miss me?" He asks, instead, a quirked lip giving him a lopsided smile.

"Ahh, the others wouldn't have let me pass up this kind of opportunity. There's good coin to be had by entertaining the masses between the intense moments of blood-sport." His tone shows that he isn't too serious in his words. "We've got a camp just outside town. Not the nicest of sleeping quarters, but it will suffice for a few weeks." The elf explains. "I've been scouting potential performance spaces where we won't make too much of an ass of ourselves."

He remains leaning against the entryway, but his eyes seem to light with amusement, "Were you hoping I'd cheer for you? I can if you want me to." Then, he raises a hand, "But no, I'm not here to compete. I said before, I don't fight for sport." His eyes look Xander up and down for a moment, thoughtful. "You need something to relax you that isn't out of a bottle, I think."

    Xander goes to rest his hand on the hilt of his sword, but it wa relaxed. Standing in a calm position as his tail gently moves side to side. "Miss you? Pfft. Please." There was a hint of dry sarcasm there, followed by a playful grin.

"Also can't blame them for twisting your arm. The place is probably going to be busy and spectators do love a good show between rounds." The Salamander admits, "So yeah, hopefully you and your troupe make a good deal of coin off the crazy antics."

Xander then shrugs softly, "And as for the fighting, well, can you blame me for being hopeful? You and I have yet to spar, so I have zero clue who can really throw down who." Then he laughs a little, "Though you probably are more nimble-footed than I am, given the ability to do the splits and such." He winces a little. "Still makes my groin hurt thinking about it."

The Salamander then tilts his head, "What do you have in mind, Rylen?"

"Aww." Rylen replies, his tone still playful. "Well, one can dream." Despite their talk earier, it seems that the elf isn't quite done teasing him just yet. Even if the Salamander never returns the favor, the light flirting is at least entertaining.

"They aren't /my/ troupe." Ry laughs at that, shaking his head, "Even if I do seem to get put in the lead role most of the time. We all just sort of figured out that we make money best when we work together, rather than competing for the attention of the crowds." He shrugs, lifting his shoulders slightly. "I just hope to earn enough to get started on something that should help people out a fair bit."

His voice is still light as Xander makes that comment about his flexibility. "It doesn't hurt, you know. And almost anyone can learn to do that, it just takes practice."

Rylen swipes his hand through the menu, clicking a few things in the air and then a message box appears in front of Xander. Rylen has requested a Duel. Accept? (Y/N). "Since you keep asking..." He smirks, "Though, I would probably guess you have the advantage of experience. I only ever fought for physical fitness and self-defense." Where Xander likely had to fight in actual real-world situations.

    Xander muses, but doesn't say too much back to Rylen, though when he does it is a tease in the other man's direction. "I'll leave the splits and yoga moves to you. You're the noodle, I'm just the tin can."

Then when the invite comes up, Xander backs up a few paces and chuckles. "Experience I might have, but that doesn't always apply to the game you know? Thanks to those stupid skill numbers kinda weighing down what we /can/ do."

He then hits accept with a swipe of his hand, before drawing out his sword, and pulling out his shield. "But I will /never/ turn down a challenge."

"Noodle, huh?" Rylen chuckles to himself as he steps out into the yard, knowing full well that Xander wouldn't turn down that challenge. As the HUD shifts into combat mode, he rolls his shoulders, then lets the vest slip off, clearly intending to fight bare-chested, with no armor and no visible weapons. It is a stark contrast to Xander's sword, shield, and armor.

"We'll see." He extends his arms, doing a few stretches, before falling into a combat stance. This doesn't look like someone who is only playing a martial artist in the game. There is a comfort in his stance that suggests this may be him physically moving, rather than utilizing the game's combat commands.

It seems that the Pooka isn't going to wait for him to make the first move. Instead, quick as lightning, a hand moves down, plucking a coin from the pouch at his side and literally tossing it towards Xander. It seems as if the move is meant to be a distraction, the reflected light flickering as he shifts into motion. At the same instant, a blow lashes out, the fingers tucked in knife-hand, aiming it towards Xander's gut, Rylen giving an audible kiai along with the impact of the blow.

    The coin is thrown and Xander is quick to action, he uses his shield to block off most of the attack, as a piece of the shattered coin, scrapes across the scales on his face.

When Rylen swings in his fists, he allows the hand-to-hand fighter in, taking the swift strikes, but what Rylen has to look out for is the shield that comes slamming in his way, as he goes to bash the man with it; Perhaps even knocking him away.

To many, that shield might seem immpenetrable. Something to block and protect, but Rylen seems aware that it can be used as a weapon as well. He seems nimble on his feet, ready to hop back as it swings in his direction, bracing much of the impact against crossed forearms. Without armor, such a blow must hurt, but Rylen doesn't show much sign of that. Perhaps martial artists come with some kind of toughness stat?

Stepping forward, the elf stomps his foot against the ground. The motion seems to almost connect him with the stone floor of the yard, sending ripples of energy radiating out from the impact. Then, his arms thrust forward. There is still quite a distance between himself and Xander, so it might look as if the movement has no purpose, but a heartbeat later, a pillar of stone shoots up from the ground. The hard edges moving towards the Salamander like a battering ram made out of the very earth beneath him.

    There wasn't much that could be done in the defense against a rising pillar, except for whatever the Salamander could come up with.

This meant rising up with it, taking the full force, but then conjuring magical circle right under his feet, that wrote out several runes, before shattering the stones under his feet as he pushed off.

Several of these fragments that flew off, made their way for Rylen, becoming hot slag of elemental energy. The other concern the elf had to worry about, was the blade glowing red, before Xander slashed the sword twice, sending two flaming streams of energy right for Rylen.

Firmly rooted to the ground, there is a tense moment where it looks as if the slag might strike Rylen right to the face. Instead, he arches his back, actually rolling backwards into a crouch, allowing it to soar over him and sink into the wall behind them, searing into the stone and leaving black patches where it has charred the surface.

Still in that crouched form, he continues to make these quick movements, but it is inevitable that some part of the attack will get through. A sword slash appears on his arm, glowing as he almost grins at the pain of it. Despite all of his insistance that he doesn't fight for sport, Rylen is enjoying himself. It's probably been a long time since he's had the chance ot fight a capable opponent.

He gives a shout, a sound likely more meant to put someone off-guard, and then closes distance, performing a series of quick strikes using various hand positions, seeking out any vulnerable areas not protected by the Salamander's armor.

    Xander was still feeling the effects from Rylen's earlier assault, so when the man rushes back in, he attempts to use his shield, and even his leg to block off some of the strikes, while taking a few blows that did manage to slip by.

The Salamander leaped back, and as he landed down, his shield shifted hues around the metal work, taking on runes and a golden tone. Which then Xander slams into the ground, causing the very earth to rise directly up to meet Rylen if the man isn't quick enough to avoid.

A bit of sweat beads on Rylen's brow, something that hasn't happened in a long time. The warmth of the day and the challenge of battle obviously meaning that he has to give full effort to what he is doing.

There is a slight widening of his eyes as he feels the ground tremble, knowing that feeling even before the attack lashes out at him. He raises his arms, trying to deflect the rock away from the core of his body, giving a grunt of effort.

Then, he purses his lips, giving a soft whistle. Another distraction? No. Out of the sky, a bird flies down, little talons clawing at Xander's face before it flies away again, out of harm's way. Rylen follows up this attack with a blow of his own, bringing a closed fist forward, trying to break through the Salamander's guard.

    Xander smirks a little as he notices he is making Rylen work to gain that victory, though when the man whistles he raises he brow, then he spots the shadow.

... That crow.

The bird is quick to get in Xander's face, which the Salamander quickly brings some of the rocks in with a swift hand gesture to block the strikes.

    Though from casting a quick spell, to having to move for a physical strike, the Salamander was a little slow on, moving his shield in just in time to get slammed by Rylen, but the force buckling his arm a little and causing Xander to slide back on his heels.

There Rylen can see a few scratch marks on Xander' face from the bird, but also a dangerous smile. "... Hi there." Is all the Salamander says, before he then lights up his sword on fire, starting to do quick strikes as he tries to not only catch Rylen with the tip of the blade, but also with the heated metal.

The crow perches herself up on one of the nearby rooftops, giving an audible 'caw' as she shakes some of the earth-dust out of her feathers. Clearly, the little animal isn't just there to keep watch.

Most people would be more than a bit intimidated by the blazing hot sword heading their way, especially without armor or shield, but Rylen doesn't seem all that concerned about it. There is almost a tactical analysis going on behind those gray eyes, knowing when to sacrifice in order to press the attack. So, Rylen simply allows the blow to in, the sword slicing against his side as he hisses between his teeth in pain, then returns that grin. "You should look behind you."

It has to be a trick, right?

As Rylen pulls back, the injury still glowing on his side, there is an eerie clicking sound from behind Xander. A strange looking creature seems to almost meld out of the ground, long dark hair hanging forward over a hidden face. The horrible creature looks to be some sort of undead, boney hands reaching out to claw at his back.

At the same moment, Rylen pulls up one hand, causing spikes of ice and dirt to spear out of the ground, making it harder for the Salamander to avoid this monster he's brought to the fight.

    Xander raises a brow, till he sees the shadow just as he hears the sound, "Ah hell.." He rumbles under his voice and attempts to avoid one of the claw strikes from the undead.

Then there was the added problem of the spikes coming out of the ground, which the Salamander has to avoid, as he tries to keep the shield ahead of the creature, while enchanting it's edges to kick back some of the impact.

As he does this he goes to take another impact, before going down on his knee and slamming his sword into the ground. What comes next is the sand twirling, before vines grasp out of the earth and attempt to coil themselves around Rylen; Along with his undead horror.

Unlike many summoned phantoms, this one seems to stick around even after the initial barrage. It is something straight out of a Japanese horror film, a young girl, pale skin covered in filth, hands and toes blackened, moving with that uncanny twitching that seems so often used, still making that unsettling clicking sound.

Rylen only gives the creature a single look before focusing back on Xander. The creature rips at the vines, giving an ear-piercing screetch as she does, though a few thorns do catch the elf, causing him to wince.

That same darkness seems to almost cling to Rylen, a stark contrast from his usual demeanor. The crow 'caws'. Then, Rylen charges forward, barreling his shoulder in towards Xander. The impact is meant to knock him off-balance, followed by a powerful thrust-kick, aimed at the Salamander's gut.

    Xander knew his HP was getting low, there was also many attacks coming from different directions, this meant a change of tactics was needed and for the moment; Get a breather.

When Rylen comes rushing in, Xander does what the Salamander is known for; He tanks. He tanks those hits by turtling in with that shield. The impacts come and they slam against that shield, each impact slamming, but he digs his heels in and holds fast.

    The Salamander's teeth were gritting tight, and it wasn't till the final impact does Rylen shatter that shield as the condition hits zero, and the next impact is caught by Xander's now open fist, which was enough force the knock the Salamander's arm back and along with him.

He tumbles along the ground, before he skids back up to his feet. His fiery eyes locked onto Rylen and he laughs gently. Not so much at Rylen; Though it could be seen that way; but more at himself. At his own thoughts going around in his head.

The shift of the battle would be obvious. The fact that Xander is forced to go full defense to ward off the blows, the loss of his shield, it all seems quite telling. Enough so, that Rylen hesitates.

Rather than pressing the advantage he has, he looks over towards the undead creature, "It's okay." He whispers at her, as if he were repeating something that he had said many times. The creature lifts her head, and perhaps the most eerie thing is that the girl who's face is now revealed, filthy and pale with death, has the same gray eyes as Rylen. She lingers only a heartbeat longer, then seems to vanish into the ground.

Rylen then looks to Xander, unsure exactly what that laugh is for, so he just raises an eyebrow. The darkness still seems to dwell around him, radiating off of him, but he offers a hand out. "I'd rather not have to pound your face in if I don't have to, Xan. Can we end this here?" He asks, though that dark energy around him suggests that he is prepared just in case Xander decides to continue to fight.

    Xander grins a little, "You should know by now, Rylen..." Those eyes lock on him, yet there is very little light there. "I don't stop. Ever."

Then the Salamander pushes off his foot, trying to close the distance. His blade burning with fire once more. As he moves in, his free hand glows as he tries to take away some of his injures, before he swings the blade down.

After the swing, Xander brings the sword around, using his free hand to now help guide the strike. It seems, Rylen may have to make Xander eat some of the dusty ground below in oder to call this to an end.

There is a brief glimpse of disappointment that shows on Rylen's face. He likely was telling the truth. Pummeling someone who is already struggling brings him no joy. But, he seems to accept that this is simply the way that Xander is. He will fight, until he falls.

"Your choice." Like before, he makes no movement to block the attack that comes his way. Instead, Rylen just steps in towards it, making it clear that being hit is /his/ choice in this moment. The sword spears into his shoulder, causing a twitch in his facial muscles, but then it returns to something both calm and intense.

He doesn't even bother backing away, leaving the sword still glowing in his shoulder, as he slams a hard punch right at Xander's face, following it up by a jab towards one of the pressure points on his sword-arm.

    Xander doesn't even care that the dark mist is moving around him. That the curse debuff now plagues him. Instead he is fully focused on the fight.

So, when Rylen comes in, he quickly moves his hand to create a magical shield in the air, one that the Pooka will impact first, before allowing the next impact to hit him.

His teeth grit in pain, even though a devilish smile creeps on his face, he freehand goes to grip ahold of Rylen's arm, as runes dance along his arm, before a dangerous vine of thorns attempts to strangle around the man's arm.

The hand impacts hard against that magical shield, causing Rylen to strain against the effort. He could have ended this before. Could have simply beaten the Salamander into the ground. And yet, Xander is not his enemy, even if the look that he shoots him in return is anything but friendly.

Rylen's eyes narrow, the tight hold of that hand on his arm and the digging feeling of the thorns causing him to growl under his breath. Those silver eyes flare then, channeling more of that dark energy. Kept in close confines with Xander, he has little choice but to attack in the space that he has been given.

So, Rylen simply moves forward, aiming to slam his forehead against Xander's incredibly thick skull. He follows that up with a knee towards the man's gut and a shove to try to get even a bit of distance, even if it causes the thorns to dig further into his skin.

    Xander doesn't let go, but he does throw his sword down to the ground. As his hand keeps ahead of Rylen, he uses his other free one to block the knee with his own leg, before meeting Rylen directly with the slamming of heads.

It was a jarring feeling, but the Salamander gave out a low growl to shake it off, his own claws trying to dig into Rylen's arm. This close, Rylen could see it; He could hear it. Xander was giving it everything he had, trying to pull a second wind.

His breath was heavy, he was nearing exhaustion and yet, this damn stubborn ass, partially American Salamander refused to give up.

Despite the pain that lingers in his system, Rylen seems to have fallen into an eerie sort of calm. He won't push Xander to give up, but he also isn't about to simply concede, either. A proper challenge deserves stepping up to meet it full on.

So, he grits his teeth as the claws dig into his skin, then reaches out and slams a fist right into the center of Xander's chest. It's aimed right in the spot that for a normal human, it would knock the air out of them.

At the same moment as that hard thrust to the chest, something grabs onto Xander's ankles. Those familiar, black-fingered, boney hands wrap around and threaten to pull him off-balance, or worse, drag him under.

    Xander hand refuses to let go, so when the punch comes, he tries to block it, which at last forces him to let go of Rylen, there is even a glow around Xander as he tries to keep himself alive.

Yet, the undead comes and he moves his hand tower the under, there is a rune in the air around it, as if trying to take control, but the exhaustion wins over the battle; He can't win that struggle.

    The undead remains in Rylen's control as it takes hold and yanks Xander down, the salamander goes back and slams his head against the hard rocky ground. His teeth grit as his head makes impact and he ends up laying there.

The challenge between the two is over.

Rylen is the winner.

Normally, undead seem to easily obey whomever it is that has the strongest will over them. In that instant, it is hard to tell if the problem is Xander's weakness, or Rylen's particular kinship with this dark summon. Whatever the case, it seems to resist that other pull. As the duel ends with the <<!! Winner !!>> appearing over Rylen, the hands vanish, too. All effects from the battle disappearing.

The visible signs of injuries also begin to fade along with the end of the duel, though it likely takes a bit of time for HP to rise back up through natural regen. The fact is, Rylen's chest is also heaving from the effort. His health bar is blipping in the red, with only a small shred of HP remaining. It had been close, in the end.

The elf crouches down next to Xander, resisting his usual urge to reach out, "That looked like it hurt. You alright?" He asks, reaching up to rub at his forehead, "God you're hardheaded, in more ways than one." He murmurs, "Tough as nails, too."

    Xander just lays there, keeping his eyes closed. He doesn't respond to Rylen. If Rylen was a PKer, he would have been dead. Just like a few others he had battled in a duel. Uta thought Xander was a great teacher, but honestly? He couldn't really win a fight.

This echoed back to his past even, when he first joined ETO. It was the curse of being a tank. You didn't really do damage, you took it and later, yeah, later on then you could start actually doing something.

He wasn't there yet.

    The Salamander opened his eyes with a million other things going on in his head. He ignored how low his HP bar was, he didn't even look at Rylen right away. Slowly though, his eyes glanced over to the other man. Then his eyes trailed down to the offered head, before his eyes went back up to Rylen's own.

His tone was almost without emotion. Heavily composed and distant. "You should be fighting in this tournament. Not me." He then took Rylen's hand and allowed the other man to help him up to his feet. It was hard to tell if Xander was being sincere or just spiteful. His face was even harder to read.

It was as if Xander had checked out and was just running on auto-pilot.

It isn't hard to tell that something is brewing behind the Salamander's firey eyes. Enough so that Rylen's easy-going smile doesn't return immediately as it might under other circumstances. Instead, he is watching Xander, gray eyes almost hawk-like as he yanks the other man up to his feet. "I don't fight for sport." Rylen repeats, though he knows it likely will fall on deaf ears. "Besides, I don't have the heart for it. In a real fight, not pushing until my opponent is down is likely to get me killed someday."

Then, he reaches out and pokes Xander right on the nose. "Stop." Wait, what? "Whatever it is that is going on in your head right now, stop it. Whatever self-depreciating nonsense you've got running between your ears, bin it." A hint of frustration is there in his voice.

"I offered a fight to try to help you relax. Guess that was a fuck up on my part." He sighs, giving a shrug. What is there to do sometimes? Despite his feelings towards the man, Rylen will likely never be able to figure out Xander and how not to end up making things worse sometimes. "You kept egging me on. Taunting me, so I fought as hard as I could and I'm sitting here at two freaking HP left. Two."

Rylen just shakes his head at that, rubbing at the phantom pain still in his arm as he walks over to grab for his vest, grabbing it off the ground ahd shoving his arms through the holes. "Sorry." He rumbles, "I don't know why, but I can't seem to stop fucking things up when it comes to you."

    Xander listens to him, but doesn't respond right away, his jaw clenches a little, slides just slightly to the side. "It... /did/ help." He at last says, with some of himself in those words.

"I just," He inhales deeply, before exhaling slowly. "I just really wanted to beat you. I have had rotten luck since we all be kicked back to level 1. The knowledge that death is longer... just everything... has cut into some part of me."

He rubs the back of his neck. "I thank you for trying to help Rylen, I do... and for not going easy on me." He chuckles "I... I probably would have been more pissed if you /did/ go easy on me." Then the Salamander shrugs, "And, well, where you seem like you fail at trying to... cheer me up... or whatever... I.. feel the same way when it comes to... Talking to you."

    "Both of us... mean the best, but we can't seem to find our footing on the rough seas that has made us who we both are. Men with a ton of pain in our history and... perhaps, even unknowingly, closed hearts." Xander says softly in thought, he looks directly at Rylen. "Or maybe, I'm just the one with the closed heart, because I lost the key somewhere, and... I-- don't remember what it is to be... me... or open... or... compassionate. I just have this... On and off switch."

The Salamander goes to reach down and pick up his blade, though tiredly, before he just takes a knee in the sand, his forehead coming to rest on the hilt of his blade. "I... am worried I will lose, round after round. I barely have any respect already, beyond from you-- if that-- and younger players, who don't know any better." Xander closes his eyes. "... So, I wanted to win, for my own pride's sake." He ignores as the dust rolls around him, feeling the heat of the sun against his armor. "And yet, I am thankful," He raises his head up and looks up at the sky. "That I am slowly being reforged... even if I am a rambling mess of words... because I am glad you are here. I honestly am."

Xander then goes to stand up, twirling the blade, before he sheaths it. "Because I have something I want to say to you, something important, but I need to find that key... and myself. Like... My real self... hidden away," he motions at his head, "Somewhere up here in this scrambled head of mine."

Then Xander looks at him. His eyes are soft, that fierceness pushed away. "... but all I can ask for now is... please stay and... help me... find me."

"You know..." Rylen starts, reaching up to pull a bit of hair away from his face, "... there was a time I thought I was good with people. I learned pretty quickly that when things get bad, those who stick with you are your real friends. Everyone else? Just faces in the crowd." There is that struggle, trying to figure out how to be that sort of person for others.

He turns back towards Xander, then, listening. "It was never about beating you. Win or lose, I don't care that much." Rylen shakes his head, "I just wanted you to see me. See my strength. Maybe come to respect me just a little bit." He huffs, a sound not quite a laugh. "Maybe see me as something more than just some circus clown."

He takes a deep breath, closing his eyes as if trying to focus his own mind, making sure he chooses his words. When those silver eyes open again, he inclines his head to Xander, "I know." His words are soft spoken, "I know how hard things are for you, Xan. There's a sense of... powerlessness, when you see someone you care about struggling. I just wish I knew how to help, sometimes." Every time he tried, those attempts were rebutted.

Regardless of that, Rylen is still here. "Don't worry too much about winning or losing in the tournament. It's a chance to learn." He hesitates, then adds, "I'll be there to cheer you on, either way."

At the request, at that soft look from Xander, he does offer a small smile, though there is some sadness behind it. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere." It is reassurances he'd offered before, and they seem appropriate to repeat at this moment.

    Xander listens and nods his head a little. Though to what or how much is hard to say. He doesn't exactly respond, but what he does do is walk over and gives Rylen a pat on the shoulder, before his hand slides off. "Let's see about getting something to eat yeah? Maybe finding a tree to rest under. I could really go for a siesta right now."

Then the Salamander turns back over to Rylen and gives the Pooka a thumbs up, "Then maybe we can go for a few more rounds. Some hand to hand! Nothing serious! How does that sound," he says with a wink and a playful tone. "King of yoga." That had to be a step up from circus clown right?

Then off handedly Xander says as he keeps on walking, "You know I was kidding about that whole circus clown thing right?"

There is a split second where Rylen's eyes settle on that hand on his shoulder, but he doesn't make anything of it more than what it is. "Fine, but you're buying." Xander did still owe him for last time, so it only seems fair. "I think we could both use something with some HP regen on it." He reaches up, rubbing his shoulder where he'd been stabbed.

"I can try to show you a few things I think that might help, at least against people like me, anyways." There were plenty of different styles of fighting in Elder Tale, and Rylen only knows a few of them. His eyes narrow, though, at the new title being tossed his way. "It's Kung Fu, dumbass." He nudges Xander on the arm, then rolls his eyes. "I've never even done Yoga."