District One Tournament Day One: Earnest vs Vanburen

v a l e r i a n .

"I don't wanna turn my back
But I don't want a part of that
In the aristocracy"

It wasn't that he wasn't a fighter. Val had been raised in a training centre much like everyone else in District One. It was more that he didn't really care for it. The fanfair, the displays of strength and power that went with them and all that. The fact that they'd managed to turn a death games into entertainment was reason enough to question the society he'd been raised in but there was nothing quite like the dysfunctionality of being in a victor's dynasty that really made it all feel sour.

Val knew that one of the reasons he was standing in a circle with taped hands and bare feet across from Posy Vanburen was because they probably couldn't get Ky. He was a discount Earnest, a second-best kind of deal. That was fine, he didn't want his face splattered across magazines and commercials every time he took a shit. He was happiest behind the camera, most uncomfortable in front of one.

"Hey Poser," he called out with a little wave. Perhaps the nickname would sound rude to anyone else but they'd gravitated around the same training circles for years. "Ready to get your butt kicked?" he teased with a grin. It was all bluffing of course, Posy could and had given him a run for his money many times. Those stars of hers were deadly.

Still, he wouldn't let himself get competitive, not here. The last thing he needed was to lose his cool. It'd be better to forget about the people watching, about the talk that would happen for years after this if he lost. It'd be better to forget he was an Earnest.

Val made no signal to show that he'd be attacking. He simply sprang forward, the thin, metal spear gripped tight in his left hand an extension of his arm. There was no hesitation in his movements as he aimed straight for a week spot beneath her throwing arm.

[val attacks posy w/spear]
RLe07U6aORspear
Deep Gash on Right Calf -- 8.0 damage

v a l e r i a n .

"I don't wanna turn my back
But I don't want a part of that
In the aristocracy"

She was in a mood then. Of course she was, he was supposed to be too. All eyes were on the mini-arenas, there was no way that people weren't doing some betting under the bleachers and numbers couldn't have been kind to her. Tiny Posy Vanburen against One's finest and Valerian. Still, people had to know that a cub, no matter how sweet was still a lioness.

"Don't you know girls have cooties, pose?" he asked innocently. Val circled her slowly, very much in the role of a hunter but what most who were watching might not see is that he was the prey. Posy was lethal with those knives, taking his eyes off of her for even a second would prove fatal. He'd chosen the spear because it was what he was best at but to maintain distance as well.

Her words only made him smile, the pout hidden in her tone was to be expected from a lineage like hers but here it was almost cute. "Can't expect everyone to be as nice as me, Vanburen," he said as he drew back his arm again. She threw a star before he could make his move but it flew past him, to the right. He blinked at her and then grinned even as the star embedded itself in his back.

Valerian stumbled forwards a bit, the sudden heat of impact causing the colour to drain from his face in shock. "Shit, since when did you learn how to curve?" he asked, his tone nothing but impressed.

Maybe he could be more serious than he thought, just allow a little bit of that competitive streak out, nothing dangerous. Of course, that's how it always started. Valerian narrowed his eyes and sprung forwards again, this time, aiming right for her hand. His movements were light, fluid almost, like rain.

[val attacks posy w/spear]
|OeWyrExnospear
Shallow Cut on Left Calf -- 3.5 damage

6.5/25

v a l e r i a n .

"I don't wanna turn my back
But I don't want a part of that
In the aristocracy"

That old familiar heat had begun to burn at the back of his throat. Valerian swallowed slowly, trying to dispell it. It was the same itch that formed anytime he faced a real challenge, something that a lot of people felt, no doubt, but Valerian had always had a harder time dealing with it than most. There was no gradual build to anger for him. It'd always been that way, one moment he'd be calm and cool, the next his knee was on Thoma's arm and he was bending it further than he should until they both heard a snap.

Val didn't want to be that boy.

Especially not with Posy.

So he smiled through the pain, through the feeling that he was losing. If he was, then so be it. His name held no glory, there was nothing to live up to. His mom, whether she meant to or not, had always been shit at displaying pride. He didn't yearn for recognition from anyone. There was no driving pull, just the calm and then the rage.

"Damn Posy, you're getting so good. Couple more years and you'll be running this place," he said. She could be better than him. She was better than him in this moment. He could accept that.

The star came flying for his face and he tried to move, but he wasn't fast enough. Blood spilt down his cheek and the sharp sting of a cut came second, a burning sensation spreading quickly across his face. His brow furrowed in pain and he lifted a hand to the fresh cut, fingers coming away bloody. "Think I'm too young for laughter lines, Pose," he said, a deep quiver in his voice.

Stay calm, Val. She's what? Fifteen?

He jumped then, feet flying over his head as he got around her to hit her from the back. She was fast but then again, so was he.

[val attacks posy w/spear]
Yeb2Wpfauqspear
Block -- 0.0 damage

15/25

v a l e r i a n .

"I don't wanna turn my back
But I don't want a part of that
In the aristocracy"

Valerian stared down at the knife sticking out of his arm. At this point, it was easy see that his heart wasn't in it. There was no passion in his movements, no fire. It'd been sealed away. Posy, however, was all fire and brimstone. She was the one who wanted this. Who wanted to be here.

For a moment he just stares at her, wishing that he had his camera on him instead of the slim pole gripped loosely in his hand. He'd love to capture her like this, like the eye of the storm, confident and proud. She was the one who wanted this.

Her words are plain but meant to bite. "Posy, I'd never underestimate you," he said, smile still pasted on his face, "Maybe you just overestimate me." He was bleeding too much. If he didn't get out of the ring soon, this little tournament would prove to be a little more fatal than he wanted.

It was her glory, her wish to be here. If he just laid his weapon down and conceded she'd never forgive him for that. He had to go out with a bang.

So Val, tired, bloodless, leaned hard into his next push, hands wrapped tight around the spear even as his vision started to fade a little bit around the edges.

Posy was his friend and he wouldn't embarrass her.

[val attacks posy w/spear]
EzhJVnaqsFspear
Deep Gash on Right Bicep -- 8.0 damage

23/25