within each spark // astor&aine blitz

Stare
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and i will hold you tight / like the moon in the arms of the sky

within each spark // astor&aine blitz Jan 9, 2021 13:23:43 GMT -5

Post by Stare on Jan 9, 2021 13:23:43 GMT -5

It was the silent fire that people needed to learn to fear.

Leo had never understood that, which was why he was such a terrible failure. Leo was always trying to be a roaring blaze of fury, all muscle and blind passion, but people could spot those sorts of flames from a thousand miles away. He was reduced to hissing, spitting embers before he even knew what had happened. That was why when they sparred, like they were just then, she could see his attacks coming from a mile away. He landed a few hits on her, of course - he wasn't completely incompetent - but she'd swept a foot beneath him and landed him on his back before she'd truly started to break a sweat.

And that was why she was their father's favorite. Because she knew exactly what kind of fire they were supposed to be.

Aine stepped back from her brother with a triumphant grin, stretching her arms high over her head before bringing her hands to link behind her head and turning to observe the other Careers in the center. "Anyone else up for a fight? I could use a bit more of a challenge." Her tone was a blade coated in honey.

She was in the mood to burn some bridges.

pogue
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within each spark // astor&aine blitz Jan 9, 2021 13:55:18 GMT -5

Post by pogue on Jan 9, 2021 13:55:18 GMT -5

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A S T O R P E N D R A G O N

He's used to the feeling of fire in his life.

Scorching and screaming in his bones and in the namesake he carries branded on his back, the pressure of a thousand years of success laced into thick skin until it became his armor.

Only things he likes more than feeling the flames is watching them, fanning them.

That's why when he watches a girl with burning hair effortlessly take down her opponent he grins, watching the boy hit the mat with a heavy thud, a gasp and a groan escaping his lips along with the air in his lungs. He smirks while the boy sulks away with a tail between his legs, raises an eyebrow as the girl asks if there is anyone that is truly a challenge with a voice like sweet sweet arsenic. Aine Hayes, he's heard her name passed around through circles, always quick from one ear to the other as if it burned one to hold onto it for too long.

She's still turned when he steps to the mat behind her, feeling the fire touch his skin and flare up in his blood, smirk still written on his face. He bleeds posture and class, years of training swirling etiquette into his bloodstream, but that doesn't mean he can't enjoy the feeling of a fist to the face or the blood of a split lip. He's a Pendragon, after all.

"May I have this dance, m'lady?" He says, half mocking and all serious. When she turns he bows, before wiping the grin off his face and staring her down, fists raised.

___

Stare
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and i will hold you tight / like the moon in the arms of the sky

within each spark // astor&aine blitz Jan 9, 2021 14:51:29 GMT -5

Post by Stare on Jan 9, 2021 14:51:29 GMT -5

Aine grinned at her new challenger and his excessive formalities. She was used to them, of course - almost all of her father's business partners treated her like she was a princess - but they felt juxtaposed and ridiculous against the backdrop of the sparring mat.

"Only if you promise that you're a half-decent dancer," she retorted, tilting her head toward Leo. He was still sulking, like he always did after he lost a match to her. She knew he had dreams of someday becoming the new favorite, of shining as brightly as she did, but it was necessary to extinguish such high hopes. She would not allow herself to be usurped. "I'm afraid my brother doesn't meet that criteria very well."

She began to jump back and forth on her toes, maneuvering her body into an orthodox stance and bringing up her guard. She was already warmed up from sparring with Leo and felt the familiar buzz that always slipped into her bloodstream when facing off against a new opponent. Most people were just so predictable, she craved the chance for a fresh puzzle to decipher.

"It's Pendragon, right?" She inquired politely as her eyes flitted over him, analyzing his form. She started with a quick, experimental left jab, aiming for his jaw. "I've heard of you. Always good to meet someone with a nice, strong family name."

Last Edit: Jan 9, 2021 14:53:06 GMT -5 by Stare

pogue
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Is she trying to interrupt our henna session?

within each spark // astor&aine blitz Jan 9, 2021 17:02:55 GMT -5

Post by pogue on Jan 9, 2021 17:02:55 GMT -5

___

A S T O R P E N D R A G O N

"Yeah, no offense to your brother of course, but I don't think he has a career in dance going forward."

He feels the insult leave his lips with all the venom and malice that years and years of galas and balls and dinners have taught him, backhanded compliments hurt just as much as a sword to the chest if used correctly. "Me on the other hand, well, I have more moves then just in the ring." He throws the response out and let's it linger in the air, punctuates the sentence with a wink.

He's been bathed in sin since he was born, backdoors shady deals tended to come with the namesake when born into a family like his. But the worst sin of all? Well, that'd be throwing the first punch of. Fire, though, fire doesn't really care about sin at all.

When her fist flies towards his jaw he shifts his arm slightly, parrying the blow and stepping back to put distance between them.

"Pendragon." He confirms, savoring the riches imbued in his surname as it leaves his tongue. "Largest ammunition manufacturer in all of Panem. Not surprised you've heard of it." A triumphant hmph escapes his lips at the end of the sentence.

"Hayes, right? Tell me, what's your claim to fame?" He plays dumb, bouncing back and forth on his feet as they circle the ring, eyes eyeing each other's form and stance.

Aine is anything but stupid, a deadly fighter if her history and namesake says anything, so when he analyzes her stance back he's not surprised to find any holes in it. She reeks of the same experience he drowns in, the perfect killer.

Looks like he'd have to make an opening himself. His fist flies forward towards her, a distracting blow to get the fire started, to open up a hole in her defense.

___

Stare
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and i will hold you tight / like the moon in the arms of the sky

within each spark // astor&aine blitz Jan 9, 2021 18:51:55 GMT -5

Post by Stare on Jan 9, 2021 18:51:55 GMT -5

Aine wasn't surprised when he not only blocked, but blocked with excellent form. She hummed thoughtfully, still dancing on her toes to keep her heartrate going and her reactions quick. His arrogance wasn't unsurprising, either, though it was certainly amusing. Practically every Career in One had some amount of bravado. Her goal was always to probe and see just how much of it was earned.

"Perhaps some information is better kept secret." She shot him a crooked smile from behind her guard as she ducked to avoid his blow, then bounced back a step. She wasn't as fast as her sisters - a fact that haunted her every day - but competing with them had payed off for her. "I'm afraid that family business is not something I'm at liberty to discuss with strangers."

Sitting on a throne of corruption certainly had its advantages, but it had its disadvantages, too. She couldn't loudly tout a grand economic empire like the Pendragons could. She could attend fancy parties and afford the best training materials a Career buy but no one ever quite knew how - the Hayes family was nebulously powerful, drawing its influence and wealth from the shadows. That was why she wanted a Victor crown so badly. That was a claim to power that no one could question.

"So tell me, Mr. Pendragon," she paused and swung at his ribcage, turning her heel to add some power behind her aim, "does owning an ammunition manufacturer inherently make you skilled in combat? I had no idea such things were related."

pogue
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Is she trying to interrupt our henna session?

within each spark // astor&aine blitz Jan 9, 2021 20:21:57 GMT -5

Post by pogue on Jan 9, 2021 20:21:57 GMT -5

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A S T O R P E N D R A G O N

Astor smiled, letting a smirk permanently root itself on his face as Aine effortlessly dodged his return attack, bouncing back and putting distance between the two of them. A classic fighting strategy and he counts the steps between them, one two three four glancing up at his opponent when she finally chooses to add to their playful little banter.

It wasn't every day that he found an opponent that could match his energy, strength, years of training and ego. He had to assume that Aine didn't find the same very often, either.

Half of being a Career is just announcing how you got to that position in the first place, pointing clear and concise the pedestals that you stand on and the medals that are permanently laced into your skin. So, when Aine zips her mouth shut and lets the key disintegrate he cocks his head, raises an eyebrow and tightens his stance. The mysterious ones were always the most dangerous, that's what his Father taught him.

"No, it doesn't. Years of self-discipline and the pressure of a family name do that, but I guess you wouldn't know about that."

It's when her swing actually hits him that the gasp escapes his lips, air knocked slightly from his lungs and he quickly jumps back to recover, repositioning himself and spotting a gap in her stance.

"Does dousing yourself in mystery always leave you open for hits?"

The question hangs in the air for a millisecond of a heartbeat before he lunges again, taking full advantage of the opening in her stance to sweep low at her legs, fist ready to slam into her gut if he actually lands the hit.

___

Stare
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and i will hold you tight / like the moon in the arms of the sky

within each spark // astor&aine blitz Jan 9, 2021 23:07:24 GMT -5

Post by Stare on Jan 9, 2021 23:07:24 GMT -5

She released a hiss of surprise as his hit landed just beneath her ribcage, driving some of the air out of her lungs. Aine stepped back and shifted her body, moving with the hit, trying to mitigate the damage, before knocking his wrist away and bringing her guard back up. In spite of the pain she grinned, her breathing still a bit uneven and one of her lower ribs aching with every light jump.

"Think that'll leave a bruise," she managed after a moment, blowing some loose hair out of her eyes. She was beginning to sweat but she welcomed the warmth. "It's been ages since someone's landed one like that on me. Your form is excellent."

Her compliments were sickly sweet but her eyes had narrowed, taking him in with fresh eyes. Pendragon. She filed the name away in her mind to study more closely later. Certainly there must have been more to his story than what she'd already heard, or else she would have known him already. Self-discipline, he called it, assuming she had none. Assuming, like Leo did, that everything came to her naturally. The princess of fire hardly had to lift a finger to make things go her way.

They were both wrong, of course, but she found it was rather convenient to be overestimated.

"I think calling it 'mystery' is a bit dramatic, don't you?" She continued conversationally, taking the opportunity to recover a bit. She kept dancing out of his reach, searching for openings. "Some of us just know when to keep our mouths shut, that's all." She paired the backhanded comment with a sudden cartwheel backwards, aiming the arc of her foot at his forearms but really just hoping to catch him off guard. When her feet reunited with the floor she raised her firsts again and smiled lopsidedly. "We all have our secrets, don't we?"

pogue
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Is she trying to interrupt our henna session?

within each spark // astor&aine blitz Jan 10, 2021 15:44:50 GMT -5

Post by pogue on Jan 10, 2021 15:44:50 GMT -5

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A S T O R P E N D R A G O N

They are both swirling waves, ebbing and flowing rising and crashing with one another in a constantly cycle. His attack lands and he watches her stumble backwards for the shortest of moments, hardly a heartbeat in his chest before his hands are swatted away and Aine regains her composure, forcing the waves back into a stalemate as they circle the mat. "I'd be surprised if it didn't." His voice is laced with a playful venom, the sound of a snake playing with it's prey as Aine speaks again. He smirks, lets a small breath of air escape his nose as if to chuckle.

"Well, isn't that flattering. You're not half bad yourself." He winks.

He smirks, dull pain blossoming from the split lip and the metallic taste of blood hitting his tongue. He wipes it from his face with the back of his hand, feels it smear against his cheek and stain his skin red. "I pride myself on bein' transparent, Aine. My Dad always said a man with secrets was the most pathetic of all." It's a lie, of course. Only a maniac would be completely truthful in One, honesty can't survive long when thrown into a pit of snakes.

He throws a jab, right and left as he closes the distance, a flurry of punches thrown Aine's way.

"So go ahead, what do you want to know?"

___

Stare
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and i will hold you tight / like the moon in the arms of the sky

within each spark // astor&aine blitz Jan 11, 2021 20:00:18 GMT -5

Post by Stare on Jan 11, 2021 20:00:18 GMT -5

Her guard came up as he closed the distance between them, fast enough to block some of hits but certainly not all of them. His knuckles collided with her cheekbone and she flinched back, already feeling it begin to swell. Not quite a black eye, but damn close. Whatever corner Leo had disappeared into to watch, she was certain he was smiling.

Her smile became ever-so-slightly brittle, almost like a grimace. It wasn't that Aine minded being challenged - that was what she had asked for, after all - but she would not be made to look like a fool. That was unacceptable by her own account and, more importantly, by her father's. She allowed her shuffle to carry her back a few steps, shoulders rolling back and wrists shaking out. "You believe everything your father tells you?" She asked sweetly, searching for a chink in the armor. Fathers were so often a touchy subject for their sons - she'd learned that from Leo. "I certainly don't."

She hadn't earned her place as favorite by allowing her father to hear such speeches, so she kept her tone low and stepped back into range. Her breathing was becoming heavier, the muscles in her calves and between her shoulder blades aching, but she embraced the burn. Fire was her friend, after all. How could she hope to wield it at others if she couldn't stand the feeling of the sparks in her own fingers? She accompanied her next words with a hook and push kick in quick succession, twisting her heel before hinging back on her hip. "Is he the reason you train so hard, then? All the self-discipline and pressure - it's his, not yours?"

Last Edit: Jan 11, 2021 23:23:04 GMT -5 by Stare

pogue
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last seen Apr 16, 2024 18:41:45 GMT -5

Is she trying to interrupt our henna session?

within each spark // astor&aine blitz Jan 13, 2021 23:58:52 GMT -5

Post by pogue on Jan 13, 2021 23:58:52 GMT -5

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A S T O R P E N D R A G O N

His knuckles connect with her face, if only for a moment, but he feels the skin fold soft under the force of his punch and watches her head rock back slightly, observes her form falter if only for a moment as her form stumbles backwards. He lets the faintest of smirks dance across his face as she shakes the shock from her system, watches her smug grin fall heavy from her lips as she regains her composure.

His Father taught him control.
Of the world, of himself, of your opponent, of the fight you fight and the fight you're destined to win.

He feels the flood of success enter his bloodstream as he watches her smile change, the slightest of differences echoed like rippling waves across Aine's face. It's like she grows more fragile with every punch he lands, a rock bouncing against glass but leaving the faintest hint of a crack. He breathes once, twice, heart thumping heavy in his chest and sweat now pouring down his forehead. He bounces back a few steps just to wipe the sweat off with his forearm, positioning himself to best block his opponent's attacks as his fists raise again.

His Father taught him control.
Just, never taught him what happened when your opponent controlled you back.

One could only hold a snake so long before it turned and sunk its fangs into your skin, before its venom rooted itself into your blood. Predators were predators, after all.

His jaw clenches as soon as he hears her words, sweet and laced with the deadliest of poisons. It's a chink in his armor that leads straight into his bloodstream and he mirrors Aine's own facial expression, his grin wiped cleanly off of his face as he grimaces, grinds his teeth together in anger failure frustration. Because she was right, with words sweet like sugar and deadly like arsenic she was right,

That's what happens when you're made from the shadow of a man you don't know, will never know. You just echo those same movements and steps until you end up just like them.

"Is he the reason you train so hard, then? All the self-discipline and pressure - it's his, not yours?"

Her hook is blocked by his forearm, the dull shock of pain spreading through his arm but she's too fast for him to do anything before her kick hits him square in the stomach and he lets out a gasp of pain, feeling the air leave his lungs as he stumbles backwards from her, desperately trying to regain his positioning and letting rumbling growl escape his throat, fueled by anger and poison and everything in between as her words cut deep into his skin.

"Shut up-" He mutters under his breath, hardly more than a whisper and letting it dissipate into the air between them. The words are threaded with anger, a stark switch up compared to the banter they had been having just before this.

"Playin' with fire, Aine. You'll get burned." He mutters, before closing the distance between them and kicking out towards her chest. His attack is followed by bloodthirst and venom, laced into words that drip from his tongue.

"Besides, only thing worse than a father is a mother. A girl like you doesn't get where she is without selling herself to someone like that." He bounces back away from Aine on his toes and clenches his fists, much more serious in his composure.

"All this venom and fighting. It's hers, not yours. Right?" He says boldly, echoing his opponents words.

___

Stare
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and i will hold you tight / like the moon in the arms of the sky

within each spark // astor&aine blitz Jan 15, 2021 23:26:39 GMT -5

Post by Stare on Jan 15, 2021 23:26:39 GMT -5

Something shifted.

She felt it like a victory, satisfaction surging through her at the hit she landed that no one could see. Aine had found the weak spot, a softness that no amount of physical guarding could protect against. It was her secret talent, the thing that made her brand of fire so damaging. She was a spark that could slip between the ribcage and burn from the inside out. She was the flame that no one saw coming.

But then a kick snapped into her chest, so fast she didn't have time to dodge it, and as she stumbled back and tried to recover from the explosion of pain he landed an invisible blow of his own. The kind that needled beneath her skin with the cruelest sort of poison. The kind that she was rarely on the receiving end of.

Astor Pendragon, as it turned out, was the sort of person who could reciprocate.

Aine's eyes narrowed at him, her fingers curling and then uncurling. She'd brought up fathers so of course he would bring up mothers - it was a logical line of thought, but one that lead into dangerous territory nonetheless. It was incredible how he could be so wrong and yet still do so much damage.

"All this venom and fighting. It's hers, not yours. Right?"

No. No, it certainly was not. And yet the words drove into her like knives. Aine sneered, pulling her hand into her chest and spinning her elbow out, aiming for her nose while her foot kicked blindly in the direction of his shins. Sloppy, certainly. Leo would be shocked. "She wishes."

That wasn't true. Aine's mother had wished for her to be many things - kinder, gentler, better - and Aine had always been the exact opposite, too bold and chaotic and broken from the pristine woman who had brought her into the world. She drew back, chest heaving, and took a moment to pull herself together. Astor didn't know what he was talking about. He was taking a wild guess, a shot in the dark, hoping it would land and do some damage.

And it had. But he didn't need to know that.

"No, my mother had always thought I was a bit too venomous, if you know what I mean. But it was useless trying to please her." Her voice was a barely-restrained snarl, her smile plastered on like a grotesque mask. "But I guess that's the difference between the two of us, isn't it?"

You always take things too far, Aine. How many times had her mother said those words?

"I'd rather be a fighter than a disappointment."