the fine lines on his chiselled face, his deep golden brown skin flashing from beneath his cream coloured linen top, his well-toned muscles under his rolled up sleeves and long, lithe physique. But best of all, Nero's eyes shine like a vampires, with coffee coloured swirls and cinnamon flecks in a deep brown well of sheer brilliance. He's the only other human, well half human-half Nosferatin, who has eyes like a vampire. It could be to do with the fact that he is as old as Michel. Immortality must have its perks after 500 years or so.
He didn't say a word, just took a seat and crossed his legs at his ankles, put his hands behind his head - the usual Nero comfortable sitting position - and inclined his head. So, here's the thing. I could quite possibly have let Erika get the better of me and caved due to fatigue, but with Nero now watching. Not a bloody chance.
I rolled my shoulders and shook out my limbs, limbering up as best I could.
“All right, Blondie, bring it on!”
I think she was momentarily surprised. I think she really thought she had me, but she recovered quickly enough and went and got what I guessed were the bokken; two wooden swords in the same shape as the Svante replicas we had been using for the Weapon Dance and when I hefted one, about the same weight too. I did a few of the practice moves and was surprised at how realistic it felt. So similar, but not quite as deadly. I'm sure though, that a well placed whack from one of these wooden ones would still smart. Here's hoping I could avoid that.
Of course, I wasn't as smooth as Erika and I was quite sure she was holding back, letting me get the feel of sword on sword, but I kind of held my own. The dance moves she had instilled in me over the past four hours had actually sunk in. Possibly not to the point of intrinsic movements, but, with a focused determination, I could pull them off when needed. Changing my way of thought from repetitive movements, to utilising the strokes I had practised on the fly. Choosing the best action to counter whatever move Erika made.
She started out making a move and instructing me at the same time on what Weapon Dance action was needed to counter it, but within twenty minutes, she had stopped directing and just let me get on with it. Somehow, I was a natural. I have never picked up a sword before in my life, this was my first training session with a blade or bokken , but it felt like I had done this for years, decades even. I was a bit jerky to start with and the aches were distracting, but I found my groove, I sunk into the rhythm and I began to move with more and more grace. Our combined speed increased with each minute that passed and I vaguely realised that more and more vampires were returning to the room to watch.
I couldn't better her, there was no chance of that right now, but I knew, just knew, with practice that was not going to always be the case. I'm not sure if this new found skill with a blade was a natural balance, sporting confidence or hard fought from fitness. Or if it was just because of genetics, my Nosferatin fighting skills, blending with those of the traditional Nosferatu. I could tell Erika was surprised, but she was also holding back and when the room was back to capacity, she'd had enough of entertaining me. Quite frankly, I'm amazed she lasted that long. Vampires don't like being shown up. They are natural predators, they crave confrontation and they are always ready to fight.
She started landing the odd whack of the wooden blade against my side and when that didn't deter me or slow me, she began to jab me with its point. I, on the other hand, hadn't landed a single blow, just managed to stave off most of the attacks, holding my own and no doubt looking good for the part, but not actually closing the deal. The more whacks Erika got in, the more determined she was to make me beg for release, to beg to stop the spectacle it was becoming.
I noticed Nero now standing at the edge of the mat, I could
He didn't say a word, just took a seat and crossed his legs at his ankles, put his hands behind his head - the usual Nero comfortable sitting position - and inclined his head. So, here's the thing. I could quite possibly have let Erika get the better of me and caved due to fatigue, but with Nero now watching. Not a bloody chance.
I rolled my shoulders and shook out my limbs, limbering up as best I could.
“All right, Blondie, bring it on!”
I think she was momentarily surprised. I think she really thought she had me, but she recovered quickly enough and went and got what I guessed were the bokken; two wooden swords in the same shape as the Svante replicas we had been using for the Weapon Dance and when I hefted one, about the same weight too. I did a few of the practice moves and was surprised at how realistic it felt. So similar, but not quite as deadly. I'm sure though, that a well placed whack from one of these wooden ones would still smart. Here's hoping I could avoid that.
Of course, I wasn't as smooth as Erika and I was quite sure she was holding back, letting me get the feel of sword on sword, but I kind of held my own. The dance moves she had instilled in me over the past four hours had actually sunk in. Possibly not to the point of intrinsic movements, but, with a focused determination, I could pull them off when needed. Changing my way of thought from repetitive movements, to utilising the strokes I had practised on the fly. Choosing the best action to counter whatever move Erika made.
She started out making a move and instructing me at the same time on what Weapon Dance action was needed to counter it, but within twenty minutes, she had stopped directing and just let me get on with it. Somehow, I was a natural. I have never picked up a sword before in my life, this was my first training session with a blade or bokken , but it felt like I had done this for years, decades even. I was a bit jerky to start with and the aches were distracting, but I found my groove, I sunk into the rhythm and I began to move with more and more grace. Our combined speed increased with each minute that passed and I vaguely realised that more and more vampires were returning to the room to watch.
I couldn't better her, there was no chance of that right now, but I knew, just knew, with practice that was not going to always be the case. I'm not sure if this new found skill with a blade was a natural balance, sporting confidence or hard fought from fitness. Or if it was just because of genetics, my Nosferatin fighting skills, blending with those of the traditional Nosferatu. I could tell Erika was surprised, but she was also holding back and when the room was back to capacity, she'd had enough of entertaining me. Quite frankly, I'm amazed she lasted that long. Vampires don't like being shown up. They are natural predators, they crave confrontation and they are always ready to fight.
She started landing the odd whack of the wooden blade against my side and when that didn't deter me or slow me, she began to jab me with its point. I, on the other hand, hadn't landed a single blow, just managed to stave off most of the attacks, holding my own and no doubt looking good for the part, but not actually closing the deal. The more whacks Erika got in, the more determined she was to make me beg for release, to beg to stop the spectacle it was becoming.
I noticed Nero now standing at the edge of the mat, I could
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