Things have Changed [Clair/Richter]

[Clair Feldsky]

OoC: Err... the second b level support between Clair and Richter. Taking place after Arriving at camp, on the way to Edessa, in Illia.


Clair stood by, watching the troops as they went through stretches, and light sparring, getting ready to bunker down against the cold. They'd been traveling with these soldiers since leaving Ostia. Since before then, actually, all the way back to when she was freshly hired, and Richter was suspicious of everyone. She had been trusted more than all the rest, simply because she'd been from an external source. From that, had grown a mutual respect, friendship,... and something more. At least from Clair, but that was not in keeping with her remembrances. She'd started small, and now had been trusted as Richter's second in command, and invited to share her opinions with him, and Mavick, their tactician. Was she worthy of it all?

Something caught her eye, as she considered her thoughts. "Lancer! You're keeping your tip too low. You're targeting his chest, not his knees." The lancer jerked in surprise at being addressed, and got his weapon up where it belonged. The next blow he blocked would have gotten through, if he'd still be slacking off.

All in all, it didn't really matter if Clair had earned it, or not, and she knes it. She'd been entrusted with serving in this capacity, and it was her duty to do so to the best of her ability.

[Richter Abend]

OoC: I thought this was going to be the evening previous

Richter watched from a distance as Clair gave the lance wielder tips, and couldn't help but let a small smile escape his lips. Officer Feldsky really was becoming quite the leader, even if she didn't realize it. He still remembered when she'd shown up at the gates of Salvation Point, still a greenhorn mercenary from Ilia, and he still a paranoid, freshly promoted Region Officer with a grudge to take out on the world. How times had changed.

He'd taken a liking to Clair instantly, mostly because they shared a common heritage in a time where he had been surrounded by Etrurians in a much more foreign land. At that point, he'd been away from home so long, it had seemed like years since he'd even seen another Ilian. A complete untruth, as he had been working with plenty of Ilian mercenaries during his five years in Etruria. Nobles always preferred the Ilians. It was almost a sign of status for them. Like a finely bred horse. Still, having Clair around had always put his mind at ease.

"Nice to see you finally filling into the position," spoke Richter, slowly approaching from behind Clair. He put his hands behind his back and watched his soldiers spar. "I was starting to think you'd never start acting like an Assistant Officer, but you seem to be a natural at giving directions." The pink haired Ilian watched the soldier Clair had just instructed fight his opponent, and noticed that his form seemed just a little tighter than it had moments before. "I can already see the improvement."

[Clair Feldsky]

OoC: Oops. Receiving error. I didn't make anything specifying where we were at though, so I'll just edit the description.

Clair turned, at her Commander's voice, but didn't jump, as she likely would have done before. She gave a rueful smile at his combination of criticism, and compliments.

"It takes more than a day to learn to be an officer, Commander, but thankyou for the encouragement. " She had done things over the past year, but much of the time had been filled with finding duties which Mavick didn't cover. Those first few months, of managaing supplies had been done out of necessity, and it was a miracle they'd not had shortages then. Since Mavick took over, stock had been better managed. Clair had found other tasks since then, but only recently had she begun to feel competent enough to take to the instructor's field in battle practice.

Clair looked from Richter's tall form, back to the soldier she'd corrected. "He's tired from the march, and was letting himself get lazy with his form. He should know, by now though, that we can't drop our skill just because we're tired.

"So what brings you out here? Inspecting your troops again?" She twirled her old slim lance slowly, letting it come to rest on the ground, and leaning on it.

[Richter Abend]

Richter shrugged slightly, turning his gaze to Clair.
"More like inspecting my troop," he replied correctively, nodding his head toward Clair Feldsky. "We haven't spoken much since the march began, and I just wanted to get a feel for how my Assistant Officer was doing. As commander, it is my duty to make sure my officers are in good condition, both physically and mentally. I can't have somebody unfit for duty helping me in running this outfit." Richter's head slowly scanned the camp. Considering how far they had come, and how hard he had pushed them, his soldiers all seemed as fit and ready as they usually did. His soldiers were almost as tough as he was.

"Though apparently I have no need to worry," the commander continued, looking back to Clair, "you seem to be doing an excellent job, though there is one thing I still have yet to check..." Richter, still standing straight and tall, turned his eyes to the miniature arena they always set up when they made camp. This would be a fitting place. The pink haired Ilian took off his jacket and his shirt, slinging them over a nearby tent post, revealing his scarred, muscled frame. A slight shiver shot through his body. It was cold, definitely, but no matter. He'd warm up in a second.

Unsheathing his blade, Richter moved onto the field. He raised a hand and waved to his soldiers, letting out one sharp whistle.
"Alright men, take a break and let your commander show you how it's done!" A few of the men smiled and nodded as all of them made their way off of the dirty patch. It wasn't everyday you got to see Commander Abend fight. Richter then motioned, with his sword, for Clair to take her position. "Come. Show me again how well you can fight."

[Clair Feldsky]

Oh, so he wanted another spar? That was good. Clair was eager to test just how far she'd progressed since last time they'd sparred. She wasn't nervous this time. Instead, she was expectant. She'd give him everything she'd gotten from her experience under him, and see what he thought then.

She raised an eyebrow, as he tossed his shirt down nearby. He was definitely well muscled, and he had the scars to show his true his profession. She thought about trying to flummox him a bit, as she'd gathered he didn't handle man-to-woman relationships very well.. Maybe later. He was asking for it, after all. For now, she just needed to make sure of one thing.

Glancing around, she located one of the healers that normally stayed near the training grounds. He wasn't particularly difficult to find, as she had insisted on pushing his way to the front of the watching troops. Clair pointed him out. "Don't go anywhere." The healer nodded his head immediately. It was fairly clear that he'd not planned on moving.

Clair moved out onto the field, stretching her shoulders a bit, and sizing him up. Again. He'd definitely have the strength, but she had the weapon advantage. Also, unlike before, she knew how to use it. His size would still present a problem though. She'd just have to find a way to deal with that as best she was able.

"Just so you know, don't expect to swat me around like you did before." Clair readied her lance then, and focused. Focused like she'd been trained to by all the best teachers, her Mother, Father, and Richter himself. At last, after nearly a year of solid experience, combat was becoming less of a thinking process, and more of an instinct.

She stepped in, previously unseen targets places flaring at her for attention. She paid them no mind. An opening on his shoulder wouldn't do her much good if she couldn't follow up on it effectively. Instead, she swept the blunt end of her lance around towards his midsection. It was an odd parody of what she'd been trying when they'd sparred for the first time, but now, her weapon was the entire lance, and not merely the point.

[Richter Abend]

"I'd be disappointed if I could," replied the commander to Clair's confidence. He readied his blade. Clair had gotten much better with the lance since they first sparred, and taking that into account, Richter was now at the clear weapon disadvantage. He'd have to play by his strengths.

As Clair swung her lance around at him, Richter was instantly reminded of their first duel, only this time, Clair was attacking first, and her form was much tighter. Good, she was taking the initiative. Not seeing any openings, the commander was forced to step back to avoid the blow, but after the pegasus knight's strike followed through, Richter raised his blade, gripping it with both hands and stepping inward, and swung it down upon his opponent.

[Clair Feldsky]

Richter stepped back, letting her strike move through unchallenged. She hadn't been expecting that. As he raised his blade, she saw what he was planning on doing, and reacted aggressively, sidestepping the shot, while bringing the haft of her lance around again, and connecting with his weapon. Her goal was to knock it into the ground. With only a slight movement, she was able to bring around the lead portion of her lance to swing in at his back.

Even if it hit, the impact would be light, she didn't have the range to really wind up on this hit, but it was more than she'd managed before now.

[Richter Abend]

As Clair's lance clashed with Richter's sword, the commander's arm was forced downward and his sword hit the dirt, but the swordsman would not be bested so easily. Maintaining his grip on the blade's haft, he shot his arm skywards, and parried his Assistant Officer's follow-up strike. Solidifying his stance, Richter stepped back to regroup.

Clair was keeping her lance-work tight against her body, and even with the parried blow, her guard was still to tight for a good hit. Richter was definitely impressed by how much the pegasus rider's skills had improved since they first met. She was using the length of her weapon to her advantage, and at least for now, keeping Richter somewhat on the defense.

"You've definitely improved, that much is true," spoke the pink haired swordsman. "But do you really think you're going to beat your commander?"

[Clair Feldsky]

He must be testing her. Letting her throw everything she'd accumulated over the time she'd served under him, against his superior strength and experience. She still had to do everything she could though.

"You've definitely improved, that much is true, but do you really think you're going to beat your commander?"

"You're the one who trained me. You tell me." Her face showed intense focus, accompanied by a slight quirk of her lips, as she stepped back. Maybe I do have a chance then. She took a step back, keeping her lance tip moving erratically across his chest level, so it would be difficult to predict where her next move would be. She had to reassess her approach. He was fast enough to have blocked just about every strike she'd ever thrown at him. She'd have to either find a way to get around his speed, or get him to make a mistake.

She watched, circling carefully, waiting for a new opportunity to strike, or for his response.

[Richter Abend]

Richter raised an eyebrow. She was confident in her own abilities, which was good. You'd never win a fight if you always predicted that you'd lose. The commander turned his body longways towards Clair, keeping his sword in between him and his opponent and giving her a smaller target. Seeing as a lance was primarily a thrusting weapon, the goal was to give the pegasus rider a smaller target.

Richter observed as Clair's lance danced before him. It seemed she was trying to distract him. That or she was trying to be unpredictable. Either one was a viable strategy, as the pink haired swordsman couldn't entirely predict the location of a strike when her lance wavered as it was. Time to go on the offensive.

Richter ducked down, trying to lunge under the shaft of Clair's weapon, and thrust his sword forwards in an attempt to make up for the range difference in their weapons. Hopefully, his reach would be enough.

[Clair Feldsky]

Clair caught Richter's raised eyebrow. Something big always seemed to happen after he did that. She made ready to intercept an attack. She wasn't disappointed.

The moment She saw him diving under her lance to charge, she knew where he was going. He was faster, but she still had longer reach on him. Getting the point of her weapon under the near end of his sword, Clair flipped it out to the outside, and brought the blunt end of her lance towards him in an upward swing.

She had the advantage. Now was the time to press it. She choked up on her grip, as she stepped in, giving her shorter reach, but a more even length on each side. She brought the side that she'd used to redirect his sword down on the crook of his elbow, inside it preferably, and then retaliated striking with the other side, pressing in with anything she could throw that would give her the needed room to follow through again with the haft near the pointed side. Likely bringing it down on his shoulder, near his neck.

While the Pegasus Knight knew her attacks didn't carry the same strength Richter's did, she'd trained hard to make sure that her precision was at least vicious enough to match him.

[Richter Abend]

Richter's attack had been risky, and it hadn't paid off. His longer arm length and speed just hadn't made up for the difference in weapon length. Having thrown himself off-balance with his powerful but jeopardous lunging strike, he had made himself open to be taken down, an opportunity on which Clair had made sure to monopolize on with all the skill she had built up under his command.

Richter tried to pull back, seeing his attack failing before his eyes, but Clair was fast enough to keep him from retreating, stepping in and, in one swift movement, forcing her commander's sword arm to the dirt. As his arm struck the ground, his sword bouncing out of his hand, Richter took a split second to mentally curse to himself before he felt the stinging shaft of Clair's lance strike him in the neck. Insult to injury.

In order to keep himself from being caught up in Clair's zone of control, the commander rolled with the blow, directing himself away from his opponent, and deftly jumped to his feet. His neck still stung, but it didn't sting quite as much as his pride right now. Truth be told, he hadn't expected Clair to have gotten as good as she currently was, and had made a bit of a risky move. Sure, he could use that as an excuse if he felt like being a coward, but in a real fight, underestimating your opponent got you killed.

"Well, you've managed to disarm me," said the commander, "do you have a follow up?" Bravado, admittedly, but then again Richter always did have a bit of an ego.

[Clair Feldsky]

Richter's sword hit the ground as he rolled out of the way of another set of attacks. The Pegasus Knight had been trying to hit him like that, but was still caught off guard at her success. Did I just disarm the Commander? I just disarmed the Commander! Oh! Clair wasn't sure what to do at first. There was a general rule against beating your commander, at least in front of his soldiers, but Richter had always expected the best out of her, like her parents, and like some of the other teachers she'd learned under. Now wasn't time to slow down. Not like she could, with her heart hammering away inside her.

Richter's Assistant Officer suppressed her excitement and amazement as best she could, but some of it could still be noticed. And why not? Hadn't she just gotten the upperhand on the best fighter in their army? If she could do this, then just what was she capable of on the battlefield? She didn't dare look around at the soldiers surrounding them, in case that would shatter the focus that was already becoming tenuous under all the mental storms. There was still just one matter of business to attend to.

"A follow up? Only if my opponent doesn't yield." She made sure to step up, leaving Richter's fallen sword a mere foot in front of her, well inside the strike zone of her lance. In a real battle, she'd likely try and finish off her opponent instead. In the chaos of a battle, things were far more hectic, and even an enemy weaker than she was could get the jump on her. Someone of Richter's caliber, she'd expect it from.

[Richter Abend]

"Yield? You must be kidding."

Richter eyed Clair, his eyes darting from her head to her feet. Although it pained him to admit it, he was at a gross disadvantage here, and shown up by his Assistant Officer no less. In real combat, Richter was likely to get killed without his blade. In this spar, however, it mostly meant a vast decrease in his zone of control and his range of attack. Most people would have given up by now, as being disarmed usually meant defeat in a spar, but not Richter. This was a test of Clair's abilities, not his own. He wouldn't lose.

The commander eyed his surroundings. Most of the men were staring at the fight in dumb shock. After all, their leader had just been disarmed by his own officer. Most soldier commanders would have flown into a rage at the embarrassment, but not Richter. He wasn't so petty. His eyes jumped to his sword. Clair was obviously trying to bait him into getting it, as the blade was lying well within the length of her lance. The Ilian cracked his knuckles with his thumbs. Having seen Clair's progress, Richter couldn't help but feel a small sense of pride. She had developed into an excellent soldier.

Richter would have to get his sword back to seal the match, seeing the rules he was currently setting for the spar as they fought. Testing time was over. The commander had seen through the lance-wielder's defense.

With that thought, Richter bolted for Clair, one arm extended and the other arm tucked in near to his chest. Her strength was her lance, and lances had a large "non-fatal field", as the ex-mercenary liked to call it, due to their long shafts. Their strength was in pointed attacks, not defense. He'd make a note to remind Clair to be a tad more aggressive in the future, especially against an opponent such as himself.

Reaching the pegasus knight, the pink haired Ilian switched his stance, planting his forward foot and bringing the right side of his body around in a quick instep, thrusting his right arm across his body in an attempt to knock Clair's lance away from his sword.

[Clair Feldsky]

Clair hadn't really expected him to yield just yet. He was far too proud and confident to quit at something as small as losing his weapon. Small compared to his tenacity, anyway. Commander Richter wouldn't quit until one of the two of them had won.

When Richter made his move, he just plain out ran her, she tried to get the point back on him, but his arm came up, and knocked the point away. With him inside the attack range of her weapon, she was forced to retreat, frustrated that he'd somehow outfoxed her.

Well, if wanted it, She'd make him pay for it. As she backed away, leaving Richter's sword on the ground, she whirled the blunt end of her lance around, using the force he'd thrown the point away with to slingshot the strike even faster.

The lance swept around, aiming for a point at the back of her Commander's knee. A sweeping move. Grounded opponents were at a major disadvantage to lance fighters. She'd considered going for his head, but honestly, the Pegasus Knight wasn't ready to play for keeps at that level.