My Own Design

[Trinn]

No matter how complex the sword stroke, Antien seemed to be able to block it even before she could hope to hit him. Her frustration grew until she realized, again, that Antien was more than just an ordinary elf. He was a seasoned warrior. She felt more tranquil realizing that, in the end, she would not be able to best him. All she could do was show him what skill she had.

Antien suddenly moved from his stationary position, faster than her eyes could follow. The full affects of the bond would not settle on her completely for some time. She only had a small portion of the enhanced speed and vision that would come to her slowly. At least she was faster than humans now. Apparently, however, not as fast as elves. Eva twirled Aiedail to parry the sword stroke she thought was coming, but, too late, realized Antien's trick. Her right rib cage received a sturdy thwack, causing her to stagger back a few feet and catch her breath. A brief thought to surrender came to mind, but was swept aside by determination. This fight wasn't over quite yet. She gave Antien a smile, showing no hard feelings. On the contrary, she liked seeing his more physical side. Eva starting circling the experienced elf, then charged, holding Aiedail low near her stomach where she could move it easily up or down to block an attack. Pretending to aim a swing at Antien's hip, she let the motion instead carry her into a roll that took her behind the elf. Popping into a crouch, she thrust up and his exposed back.

[Max452]

Antien's mirth increased when he spotted Eva's perseverance to continue their fight after he had landed a hit. Most of the young riders would have given up, knowing that they were up against a more experienced warrior; Eva did the contrary - she held onto hope that she would best him - whether to win against him or herself, he could not yet tell. He placed himself in a balanced stance as she circled him. He liked that smile on her; showed that she was not easily offended and playful. This delighted the elf.

Eva then charged at him, and Antien prepared himself for another obvious attack - thinking Eva should really try something else. He was thus surprised when she rolled behind him, feigning her hip attack for one to his back. "Clever." He heard himself say as he brought himself downward, tensing his legs as a brace while his sword arm went over his head to block her attack. He felt the pressure of their swords, as well as heard the steel clang. Once the blades hit, Antien quickly twirled his blade upward, intending to push both blades in the air as he gracefully twirled around to face his lovely opponent. Once he was free, he decided not to skid backward to create more distance, but rather, swing his sword arm downward on her collarbone.

[Trinn]

Eva had never expected to land her attack, and so, felt no disappointment when Antien easily parried. She was forced to move to her feet when he pushed both of their blades upwards. He forced his sword down then, aiming for a cut on her collarbone, it seemed. She kept her blade pressured against his, fending him off for only a moment. His strength far exceeded hers, and her arms felt wobbly only seconds after trying to push him back. Doing the only thing she could, Eva skipped out from under his sword, letting her blade be pushed down and away. It was an awkward position, but she recovered quickly by backpedaling, then jumping at Antien to put momentum into the slash she brought down at his shoulder.

[Max452]

Antien's elven eyes ravenously followed Eva as she hopped away, not wanting to miss what she was going to do; she had the knack of pulling out surprises. Antien braced himself as Eva attacked again. She delivered more force this time to her blow. His arm was raised vertically across as to block the slash to his shoulder. He tilted his head at her, an amused curiosity as he thought of a new tactic in fighting. His tactic may or may not backfire on him, as he wasn't one to toy with a young girl's feelings, but half of him was curious to know just how much Eva liked him. If it was a crush, then Antien wouldn't pursue...but if not...the elf would need to think long and hard on the matter. "Hmm, I always thought your eyes were hazel, but now that we are so close, I can see that they are definitely more of a dark green; how fetching."

[Trinn]

They're blades were locked again, bringing them in close quarters. Just as Eva was thinking of another way to attack, Antien spoke. His comment caught her completely off guard. He thought her eyes were pretty? She felt a little weak inside at the thought. He had noticed her, even if it was just her eyes. Unable to help herself, she smiled. "Thanks." She said, forgetting, for a moment, that they were in the middle of a sparring match. "I get it from my mother."

Eva! This is no time for small talk! Eos interjected. Her dragon's voice seemed to break the lovely moment, and Eva considered ignoring Eos. But that would only earn her a scolding later. She pushed her sword harder against his, bringing herself closer to the man of her dreams. "Perhaps we should finish this conversation...after I beat you!" And Eva sprang into action again. She skipped over to Antien's left, drawing Aiedail up the length of Antien's sword. Kicking her foot out, she struck the inside of Antien's left foot, intending to trip him. If she could get him on his back... her cheeks blushed and it was all she could do to focus on her attack.

[Max452]

Antien couldn't help the smirk that formed on his lips as Eva smiled up at him. It seemed his tactic worked and he would have used the distraction to flip Eva on her back, but her smile too, caught him off guard. His thoughts went fuzzy briefly and was grateful that he had his mind again right when Eva pressed against his sword more. "Mmm, I look forward to it." He felt an odd pleasant, fluttery, feeling in his chest at that thought.

Eva had sprung into action then and Antien readied himself for an attack. As she drew away from him, Antien prepared to counter any move made by the sword, so when she threw out her leg to trip him, the elf fell victim to gravity; he was strong, but any kick to the soft spot below the calf would knock anyone down. Antien felt himself fall backward, but the elf wasn't going down along. He gripped Eva's thigh before she could retreat and just pulled her forward while he fell backward onto his back.

[Trinn]

Eva felt a thrill of victory as Antien fell victim to her foot. She was about to bring her sword down for what would be a finishing blow, when she felt herself suddenly pulled forward with Antien. Caught completely off balance, Eva instinctively let go of her sword to keep her balance, but it was no use. She eventually fell, and landed right on top of Antien to boot. What she should have done was get up immediately, get her sword, and end the sparring. But instead, Eva lingered, enjoying the feel of Antien's body against her own. Her heart quickened, and she couldn't help but look up into the elf's piercing gray eyes. Her heart fluttered.

Eva! Eos called, but Eva felt tranquil just staring into Antien's eyes. A shadow loomed over them then, and Eos placed a talon against the elfs neck. Eva scowled, the moment gone. She quickly pushed away from Antien, retrieving her sword and going to stand next to Eos, who she was now mad at.

We were having a moment! She said, sounding pouty.

No. You were losing a match!

My match! My sparring match! It wasn't for you to interrupt! Eos suddenly snarled, and snapped her teeth together.

I am your bond! It is always my right to interrupt! Especially when you are acting foolish and lovestruck! Antien is an elf, and he has many years on you. You will never have him, Eva, and I don't want to see you get hurt! Feeling as if she had been slapped in the face, Eva turned away from Eos and stared at Antien. Realizing her features may seem somewhat cross, she did her best to put on a smile.

"Well, that was fun. Aiedail is the perfect match for me, indeed. Perhaps we can spar another time, Antien. If not for me being bonded to Eos, I'm sure the match would have turned out differently. I think you could teach me a lot..." A low, almost inaudible snarling came from Eos. The dragon did not approve of Eva's flirting. But Eva truly did want to learn from Antien. He was clearly her superior in a fight. "But, I should let you return to your work, now. I'm sure you've much to do."

[Max452]

Antien stared with a flustered feeling creeping in his chest as Eva slammed against him. They locked gazes and Antien didn't know what to do - what to feel. He had never felt like this before, despite knowing what it meant. What intrigued him more was that it was caused by the young woman before him. He had many opportunites to have a mate with his own species, but never held any interest in that...but Eva...that girl was making him long for things that he had long ago abandoned. His thoughts were interrupted when he felt a cold talon tap his neck. He tilted his gaze upward at the yellow dragon and smiled calmly at her. "Well played, mighty Eos." He felt Eva shuffle and returned to watch her as she stood up. Antien, too got up, but as he did, he sensed the air shift into a more tense vibe. He glanced at Eva and Eos, sensing a dispute, but knowing it was not his place. He felt his hand grip his sword as Eos snarled and snapped at Eva, feeling protective over the girl already; this wasn't good. He knew his flirting would possibly backfire on him! and now look - Antien was noticing Eva's attractiveness more and more. This bode ill! He was much older and she had much to experience in her life. She would want to live; it was the human thing to do - to explore and live, whereas, he, one who was still considered young by elven standards, was already considering of a more quiet and recluse life, with a family.

Eva turned to him then, and Antien did his best not to pry into her matters; she was crossed with Eos or something...he couldn't tell. Was it him? Antien returned Eva's smile with an elven grace. "I would like that very much, Eva; you need simply to ask and I will be happy to spar with you." Among other things. The elf shook those thoughts out. "Though you have Aiedail now, you are always welcome to visit me; I enjoy your company, and yours, Eos." His grey eyes darted to the dragon, hoping to guage her emotion. "Ah, perhaps you are right, I should return to my duties." He gave a polite bow to Eva and Eos. "I hope to see you soon." He smiled at Eva and excused himself, but stopped when he was astride Eva. "You handle Aiedail well; I will not be surprised to find you becoming a master swordsmen in a few years. You have much potential, Eva." He smiled and inclined his head again as he departed back to his forge, wondering all the while on how to feel about Eva.