Young Writers Society

[Lathe]

Lathe, you are a complete and total moron, he told himself, watching Chandra go. He shook his head, refocusing yet again. An hour. Right.

He headed for his quarters, eyes down.

**umm wut kind of preparing do we need to do?**

(Get stuf for travel. Change clothes, make sure you have all your weapons, grab provistions, that sort of stuff.)

Chandra-

I went back to my quarters and grabbed my pack. I put in a spare shift and skirt, as well as leggings and a tunic. Usually I dressed in men's clothes around the yard, but out in a crowd a girl needed to look like a girl if she wanted to blend in.

I put in an empty waterskin to fill at the fountain and a knife for eating with. It was a rule of my own that I never used the same knife to kill as I used for my food.

I planned on going down to the kitchens to get some bread. Outside my door the guard patrolled.

"Goodbye," I said. He had been nearly a friend while I stayed here. He winked at me, the gormless idiot.

"You're travelling light," he said.

"No, only some jewels, a fancy gown and twelve hairbrushes." I said. "I'll see you around."

I headed down to the kitchens.

[Lathe]

Lathe slipped on a new, clean (amazingly enough) tunic and some loose leggings; he hated the tight ones that were coming into style, blech. He quickly wiped down his swords and slipped a dagger into his shoes, just in case.

"Pack pack pack," he mumbled to himself, lifting shirts and blankets in search of his pack. He was always losing it. He dug quickly through some clothes, checked under the bed, and then in the tiny closet that was nearly empty. Which was the last place it should be, because that was where it belonged, but it was there in the corner.

The string was tangled, so he fumbled with it and reached a hand backwards for some clothes to throw in, making sure (this time) to include both shirts and pants. There was a waterskin already in the pack, so he went with that.

He snatched up the pack and went out the door, intent on fruit in the kitchen. What he didn't expect was Chandra, his newfound obsession.

"Hey there," he greeted casually, trying not to seem too interested while he searched for fruit, where was it again? Oh yeah, fruit basket. Duh.

Chandra (I'm sorry, you're getting rejected. Again).

The guy was practically drooling over me.

"Yes?" I asked.

"Just getting an apple." he said, hurrying to the fruit basket. "You want one?"

Well now that he mentioned it. "Sure." I said.

He tossed on over and I caught it lazily.

"Nice catch," he said.

I scowled as I saw his blue eyes looking me up and down. I absolutely hated it when they did that. I'm not a princess after all, I'm an assassin who would as soon kill you as look at you.

"What are you doing down here anyway?" I asked biting into it.

Gin finished packing and slung the pack over his shoulder. When he opened the door an elf was standing there. "Hello Gin."

"Karana right?" She nodded as he made his way outside, "How can I help you?"

"They say you're the best martial artist of the Guild. Care to test it?"

Before Gin could say anything she tried to punch he, but Gin dodged it letting go of his pack. He smiled and readied himself as she came around for another go. She kept throwing blow after blow leaving little room to counter. Shit. She's an elf, her speed and stamina are naturally hi. After a few more he saw an opening. He knocked her hand out of the way and landed a shot of her face, but she grabbed his arm right after and kicked him in the torso sending him sliding back.

"I guess that makes us one for one." She smiled and relaxed, "You are good."

"So are you. Is there anything else you need, or have you seen enough?" He asked sarcastically.

"I'm good, but some company wouldn't hurt?"

"Sure, I'll walk you to the doctors, make sure your okay."

She raised a finger to her mouth and brought it down showing blood, "You are good."

[Lathe]

"Getting food, and you?" Lathe was surprised by her tone, which was loathsome once again.

"Same," she answered simply, continuing about her business.

She obviously didn't like him, he realized. And he couldn't blame her. All he had done this far was stare at her like a crazed rapist. Which is a really great impression to make, especially if the person who receives it carries knives. If he was going to make any progress at all, or at least be able to work compatibly with her, he needed to treat her like an equal. Which she probably was.

An idea came to him, "Do you fence?"

Chandra-

"Do I fence?" I said. "You're asking me if I fence."

"Yes, I am."

I drew my sword. "Would you care to find out?" I said.

[Lathe]

Lathe grinned, unsheathing one of his swords, "Yeah, I really would."

They circled confidently, each wearing a smirk, waiting for the other to make their first move.

*i guess we'll have to take turns? maybe we'll tie hehe*

*okay, but I'm off to bed in a bit, so this'll have to be my last post til tomorrow evening, I have school*

I lunged forward and he blocked me. I pulled my sword down quickly an lunged again. He blocked again.

He then made several jabs at me. I stepped back lightly and laughed.

"Is that the best you can do?" I asked, bringing my sword in a wide arc and meeting his at his knees.

*feel free to do whatever you like here, jump onto tables, up the stairs, whatever. You can make a winner if you feel like it or keep the match going til my return, I really don't mind. Sweet dreams*

Sandy-

After Sandy got all of her stuff together she moved back to where they were to meet. She found a dark shadow and waited there watching everyone and everything that moved around her.



/////wanted to keep her in it. /////

[Lathe]

"Not even close," Lathe replied, his grin spreading as he blocked her sword again. He jabbed at her stomach and then slashed at her face, she ducked and then jumped back onto a table. Lathe followed, sword out.

She met him with a series of slashes and jabs, most of which he blocked. One, however, sliced into his arm. Drawing in a sharp breath, he slashed at her legs. She blocked and he brought his sword to her throat, trapping her.

Chandra didn't even flinch; instead calmly slashing at his knees again, making him jump back and lose his advantage. She pressed forward, meeting his sword in jabs and slashes. They danced gracefully across the floor, blocking and jabbing.

They knocked over the bread and then the fruit basket when they neared the counter and then jumped from floor to table, table to floor, swords out all the time. Blocking, jabbing, slashing... and breathing, when they remembered.

About ten minutes later, Lathe stopped, resting his hands on his knees and gasping for breath, "I think... its a... tie."

Karana

I walked with him to the medical center, watching him out of the corner of my eye. My jaw was beginning to throb; he had delivered a harsh blow...

"I didn't hurt you too badly, did I?" Gin asked after a moment.

I looked at him and smiled briefly. "No. But I will say this: I'm impressed."

What would he think of that?


*All I've got, sorry...*

Chandra-

The guy collapsed onto his knees.

I offered a hand to him. "You need work. Serious work."

He took my hand and pulled himself up. "Am I that bad?"

"You're too confident." I said, sheathing my sword. "You nearly had me, but you forgot to defend yourself. You're an assassin's dream."

"Am I your dream?" he asked with a sheepish smile.

I shot him a look of pure disgust and pointed at him. "That's the kind of thing I hate."

"Well at least you're talking to me now."

"You've earned my respect. That's all."

He grinned at me.

[Lathe]

"For now," Lathe whispered.

She glared, "What?"

"You'll see," his grin widened, "But we'll have to save that for another time, or we'll be late."

"Fine."

**srry its short**