Tiger & Snake on Northern Manse

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Fire, 10





*Dal quickly looked around and realized what was happening, without too much surprise as he had become slightly accustomed to Cho-hi-Xo's visitations.*

" The drums and clouds are interesting... Don't worry, I haven't lost yet, if you can believe it I anticipated this happening.

Good thing I was right, it's one of my golden rules of combat; 'Let your opponent waste their energy in your favor!' In this case, It got me away from her without me expending myself trying to escape or control her."

*Dal'Lumen's eyes flicked off in the direction Cho was looking in.*

"Those Cumuli you taught me to call have been infinitely useful, and will be again very soon."

*He winked and smirked viperishly. Then looked at Cho wondering if he just called him in to get misty eyed about the past.*

"Kahn is certainly aggressive... in a word." *He said not sure which direction to go in with his conversation.*

[Ress]

Resplendent fire, 10

* Cho nodded, letting his arms fall to his sides, the two large axes on his back clanking together as he shifted*

" I have no doubts that you had Desus' fist for the situation... I am just here to give you a better chance... I can't do this often, but I can impart upon you a very simply, yet ultimately useful technique... something that I invested in not long after my Exaltation... if you are interested, I am here to offer it to you?... what do you say?"

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Fire, 10





"I don't know who that is... but your technique sounds interesting? As always, if you're willing to teach I am ready to learn!"

*Dal stood up off the bench attentively waiting to be educated.*

"What sort of technique is it?"

[Ress]

Resplendent fire, 10

" What is it?..."

* He turned around, grabbing one axe from his back and holding it to the ready*

" Imagine having an extra reserve of essence at your disposal... but not only that.. an extra reserve that replenishes itself as combat continues!... its not perfect, however... its motes can only be used for short offensive purposes... but charms can be grafted together without prior practice for it!.... and learning it?..... you will know it by the time you leave... good luck out there!"

* Cho whipped back around, swinging his axe as he did, causing the false reality around them to tear itself apart... but left behind the knowledge of the Charm that Cho had mentioned*

* With the false Rathess gone, Dal was once again flying through the air*

( standard xp cost for in caste charm)

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Fire, 10





*As Dal was hurled back to his reality in much the same way he was hurled from it, he righted himself in the air when he reached the peak of his ascent and slowed. He looked down at the Kahn beast below sternly, straightening his legs and pressing his fist into his palm. He closed his eyes and seemed as if for a short moment to relax and whisper a prayer. There was new energy in him he could feel it surging through him, enough to renew a full offensive. He opened his eyes, puffed up his chest, put his fingers to his lips and let out a deafening whistle. He looked down again and shouted.*

"Not good enough!"

*His voice boomed down on Kahn like thunder. A small cloud streaked out of the dark sky and swept up Dal'Lumen from his fall. His eyes blazed and the two huge arms formed from his Anima banner hung over Dal like bizarre wings. There was a sound like a thunderclap as the air was cut by the sudden and fantastic acceleration of the Cumulus cloud and Dal'Lumen, a puff of golden mist radiated like ripples in the sky from Dal's original position.

Like a shaft of sunlight through the clouds, or a star hurled from the heavens in a cascade of holy fire. Dal' was upon Kahn in a hearts beat throwing himself from the Cumulus into a collision path with the Lunar beast. If Kahn couldn't defend herself from the initial impact Dal would land like a ballistic missile on her upper body with both of his feet. Depending on how he landed he prepared to unleash yet another explosive kick with every ounce of strength he could push into it. He hoped that Kahn would be thrown off balance by his initial impact and would be unable to properly deal with a follow up attack that he had focused all of his energy into by sacrificing some precision.*

Dal could be heard saying "This one has been a long time coming!"

Just before the cacophonous boom from impact followed by a deafening silence as the air itself, for a moment, retreated from the area around the two combatants.*

*Dal connected with Kahn both of his feet landing solidly upon each of her collar bones. His knees bent and then extended forcing all of his kinetic energy down through Kahn, which could be enough to send her flat to her back but also caused Dal to go airborne yet again just a few feet over Kahn. Dal flung legs and arms through the air flipping himself around until finally he came down with his second kick. By all rights it was an example of a perfect flip kick, Dal hung upside down and his leg cut the air with such speed and force that the fabric of Dals silk pant leg disintegrated below the knee and burned away into shredded smoking fibers.

(5 sxs prayer | aimed 14 (16) sxs attack on impact | 20 (22) sxs 1wp Attack Kick Fierce {+4B note})

(19 Raw Damage 30 Raw damage)

>6B 16B< SXS



~~~BUDDHIST PALM (Kick)!!~~~



(3 dice stunt)

[Ress]

Resplendent fire, 10

* From the sky, Dal could see a pulsing light coming from the fields of oats around the manse were pulsing both gold and silver in an erratic flicker.
Kahn rested on one knee, panting softy as the red glow left her eyes, it was obvious now that whatever charm she had used before was now spent, leaving her slightly diminished.
When she heard the whistle and saw a cloud pluck Dal from the sky, her eyes widened in surprise. She got to her feet, still wearing the skins of her warform.*

" You command the clouds!?"

* Kahn braced herself for impact, seeing the descending solar closing in on her. Remembering from her prior self's tutelage, the best defense is an aggressive one, readying herself to turn aside the rain of solar fury that threatened to fall upon her... but this time it was not enough. Despite her great strength, Dal had too much behind him with this strike, and her essence reserves were almost completely used up.

Dazed from the initial strike, she was rendered motionless for a few seconds with the next. She rolled over onto her knees, bracing herself with her left hand as her right arm hung lifeless by her side. A soft chuckle escaped her as she lifted herself off one knee, rolling her huge right arm as if having popped it back into its socket. She grinned up at Dal in a half impressed half embarrassed grin. Her giant warform began melting away as she returned to her human form.
A large blue and purple bruise sat angrily on her chest where Dal had impacted, a tell tale sign of a broken collar bone*

" Okay... you win, Dal'Lumen of The Okeanos. I know when its over."

From what I am told... this the first time that our first meeting has resulted in you winning...."

*She grunted getting back to her feet, wobbling for a moment before regaining her balance*

" I think we did our past selves proud... Cho-Hi-Xo of Rathess, and Avalisa Ristivia of Ondar Shambal."
* She bowed to Dal. She did not seem so cocky now, as the loss had seemed to humble her. at least for the time being. She turned around and went for the exit, not feeling up to leaping off the many stories high manse*


* The a mild amount of cheering came from the stands overhead, the hazy light of the sky still obscuring the faces of those who sat in the stadium.*

( DV:7,6)

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Fire, 10





*Dal had stepped back after landing his kick and was again stretched out in a snake form stance when Kahn stood back up. When the air had cleared and Kahn spoke to him and began to sulk away he relaxed, crossing his arms over his chest with a slightly disappointed look on his face, which turned to a stunned surprise when he realized what name Kahn had in her past life. He smirked while Kahns back was turned before putting on a serious face to talk.*

"Hold it right there! Is that all?"


*He shook his head slowly with his eyes closed.*

"You come into my house, you beat up my field god, and challenge me to a fight? And when it's over you think I'll just let you walk out of here!? I don't think so Tigress!"

*He pointed his finger at her, his body turning sideways as he smirked.*

"You may get to sulk away, defeated from a fight where you come from... but from where I come from there are different expectations of the defeated party of a duel between warriors!"

*He let this tone carry for a while. setting a long pause before he began again letting Kahn think he was about to tell her she was in his service or some other terrible embarrassing requirement. He dropped his finger down and smiled warmly opening his arms.*

"Where I come from, when two great fighters duel each other tradition dictates that the defeated warrior is required to submit to being treated as an honored guest within the victors home. So unless you are without any respect you will allow me to feed you and give you a place to rest and regenerate yourself.

It would be my humble honor to offer a great martial artist such as yourself my greatest hospitality before you return home. Please come inside and make yourself comfortable... You owe it to me Kahn Red Talons."


(10 SXS social combat; convince Kahn to adhere to Dal'Lumens traditions)

[Ress]

Resplendent fire, 10

*Kahn stopped when Dal spoke to her, pondering weather or not this was something she should agree to or not. She looked up to the obscured sky, then down to the arena floor.

Slowly, she turned around and nodded, her expression not changing*

" Alright, I agree. If those are the terms, then I will stay"

* The stands began retracting back into the manse, with the specticle now over, the spectators began going back to their lives*

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Fire, 10





*He smiled, feeling satisfied with her answer.*

"That's what I wanted to hear! No telling how Quie-Ra is going to react to this... I'll make sure he doesn't spit in your food at the least."

*He chuckled, walking past Kahn down the exit, waving for her to follow.*

"I'll grab you some ice, and see if we have anything for you to drink."

*He shot a thought at Cho-Hi-Xo.* ~Thanks for the boost... The cycle has been broken. I can't believe Kahn is Avalisa's incarnation, is she really THAT Avalisa? I guess it would be unlikely for two Avalisa's to Exalt into lunars and even then to have an association with this Empire... She must have been a lot different back then for you two to be married!~

*The tradition Dal had convinced Kahn to follow did in fact exist in the group of islands around his home but was not quite as mandatory as Dal had made it out to be. For example if the warrior that came to challenge the head of the house in combat was an old enemy or had been unforgivably heinous, or unfriendly in the past or during the issuing of a challenge; the victorious party need not honor an ungracious opponent. In truth it was a tradition built around erasing hard feelings and posturing ones social status, however Dal felt it was a good way to break down some of the hostility Kahn had displayed in the past and establish mutual understanding and create a tenuously polite rivalry.

Dal could still see how Kahn and he both needed someone to measure themselves against.*

[Ress]

Resplendent fire, 10

" The field god? I didn't beat him that badly... at least I don't think so"

* Kahn chuckled a little as she followed, her mind seemingly slipping away from the loss she just took at his hands*

" Ice?.. I should be fine. I am an Exalt after all... and don't forget, I almost had my spine torn out by a Deathlord, and still I stand. It took a few weeks to fully heal, but this is nothing compared to that."

* She motioned to her broken collar bone, though she doubted Dal could see from behind him*

* The disembodied voice of Cho-Hi-Xo could be heard through Dal's head, sounding mostly amused, with a touch of sarcasm*
~" Ha! I figured I would have wanted a helping hand in my first match... who knows how different it would have been?yeah, that is her... the same exact one who live here with me when we were still alive... and no... her and Kahn are very similar. I remember one time, she gave me a black eye for my hundredth exalt day and said 'sorry I didn't have time to wrap it'! "~

* Cho began laughing loudly, somehow managing to have his voice echo through the halls*

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Fire 10



~' How thoughtful of her... In any case I have a hard time picturing it you two. The fight... I think perhaps fate simply decided that Kahn needed to experience a loss more than I. She also needs to experience a different emotional reaction to losing, she needs to learn to lose gracefully. Back then of course you were used to winning through your days as a gladiator, my exaltation was forged from a life of loss instead of victory.'~

"I have no doubt you're tough enough to handle it, as your host it is the very least comfort I can provide to aid in your swift recovery."

*Dal dipped his hand in a fountain as he passed on his way down to the kitchen. Poring the majority of the cool water over his head to cool himself and the remainder he rubbed together in his hands to clean them.*

"Quie-Ra, I know you're listening... What can we fix to eat, and do we still have any wine? If not what else do we have to drink?"

*Dal turned and gave a slight smirk to Kahn as he spoke.*

"He usually cooks and I don't really drink very often so we should have something laying around."

*He guided Kahn to the dining room.*

"Sit anywhere you like, all the chairs are thousand comfort lounges from one of the perimeter manses, so make yourself comfortable and the bath hall is down that corridor and at your disposal. I'll be right back with some things... Scales can keep you company."

*He gestured at the feathered serpent that was wondering down the hall. He grinned, and vanished into the kitchen, hoping his home wouldn't be destroyed by the time he got back.

While in the Kitchen Dal Foraged around for food of an eatable quality and drink of the same.*

"Hey Quie, stop pretending you can't hear me... Don't make me use the hearth stone!"

[Arachnia of the Hour]

Resplendent Fire 10,

*following the sounds of the combatants into the manse, a little girl crept in after them, eager to see what they would do afterward. She had never seen a fight like that before and the little girl knew she had to get a closer look. When Dal and Kahn ended in the kitchen, she caught up with them and did her best to silently settle into a corner of the room to watch. Once she had successfully set up her post the girl's body fell into a relaxed stillness, her chest barely seeming to move as she breathed. With dark hair and tanned skin she fit into the less-lit corner well, her gaze and attention focused intently on the warriors as they interacted.

When Dal left, it was all she could do to not run over to Kahn and start asking her all of the questions she had bubbling up in her head. She took in a breath, almost failing to keep quiet. If she was found she wouldn't get to watch anymore, and this was fun. Her eyes roved over Kahn, reading her posture and the way Dal walked when he left. Her forked tongue flicked out into the air as she tasted the air*

[Ress]

Resplendent Fire, 10

* Kahn said nothing, simply nodded. As present, she was not sure what Dal's angle was, but still she sat down and waited.*

* The giant feathered serpent doubled back on itself, then hunkered down near Kahn, and the two of them began speaking in forrest-tongue*

*When Dal entered the kitchen, he saw that Quie was already in there, mostly done with cooking. He looked down from under his reed had at Dal, a confused look on his face*

" I'm right here!.... you don't think I didn't know what was going to happen.... or who she was, right?.... here do you think that music and the light show came from?... besides, you should know by now... I only get into fights I already know the outcome of... and if it is not in my favor, it is because I have something up my sleeve. My mother was a war goddess after all... its only too bad that my dad was a field spirit and I was 'born' into a time when there were few to no wars, but a huge need for food.... What are you doing back here?! get back to entertaining your 'ancient rival.' "

* Quie-Ra began laughing after he used this phrase, , shaking his head slowly as he looked back into the pot he stirred. His laughter quickly being followed by the sound of Cho-Hi-Xo also howlng with laughter as he appeared sitting on the kitchen counter next to Quie*

[Dal'Lumen]

Resplendent Fire 10




*Dal snorted and then rasped his lips.*

"Pfft, now I know you've been beaten badly, I think she broke something in your brain! You must be crazy it's not like that brother!"

*His protest sounded nervous and hasty; even he didn't know exactly what he was going to do at this point. He stumbled back into the dining area quickly and then stopped abruptly almost looking as if he had been thrown out of the kitchen forcibly.*

"Looks like dinner will be ready shortly. Hrmm..."

*He realized he had forgotten something, grinned awkwardly and then disappeared back into the Kitchen to grab some ice. He tried his best to ignore Quie-Ra and Cho's teasing on the way back out. He re-entered the dining room and walked over to Kahn with a cloth filled with ice in his hand and offered it to his guest and then sat down in a nearby seat, fidgeting awkwardly as he did. He glanced across to a corner of the room thinking he had heard something shift but dismissed it as his imagination.*

" So... are you settling in to the empire pretty well, how are your followers managing themselves?"

[Arachnia of the Hour]

Resplendent 10,

*her tongue kept flickering in and out as Quie Ra cooked up something tasty-smelling in the kitchen. A quick grin flashed over her face as she watched Dal and Kahn interact, watching with interest the blossoming sweetness. The Solar looked so uncomfortable she almost giggled, but didn't want to interrupt and miss out on them kissing. It was a funny thought, really, when she was nine she didn't care about boys and kissing, but now she did. She would have to think on that..*