Challenge to Lamina Manira

[Fenris Olfwood]

(After extensive debate and discussion between players and multiple takes on the fight, we have come to the conclusion that for the sake of civility and further roleplay that both Lamina and Fenris should stop their blades before the decisive movements and that this should end in a draw.)

[Sara Whitley]

Both fighters had stopped their blades in the nick of time. A mere inch or two separated both of them from the cold steel of the others' blade.

The crowd fell silent. What had just happened, had never happened before. It seemed to catch everybody by surprise, including Lamina herself. Clearly, she struggled for a moment to absorb the reality of what had just happened.

Lamina slowly, almost hesitantly, lowered her sword, backed up two paces and nodded silently to Fenris, her mortuary sword going slack in her right arm. She was breathing heavily, winded from what was probably the longest, most theatrical performance she'd played since the start of her career. None proved such a close match, with such a prolonged fight, as Fenris. Had he really practiced so much since she had left the Arena of Nexxian City?

Then, the crowd roared. Lamina had been unable to defeat Fenris this day. The cheers seemed genuine; while winning/losing had been expected, the skill of both combatants had built up enough suspense to really rouse the crowd, and the spectators embraced the twist in events and expectations.

"... Good holding your own like that," she said when she had caught some of her breath. "You've been practicing?"

[Fenris Olfwood]

/me He saw his blade meet her or rather almost meet her before both stopped. "Holding my own?" he seemed to get genuine amusement from that. "Last I checked a draw is a bit more than that..." though he had been hoping to win, that would have cost a bit more commitment than he willing to give. The crowd did not seem to mind and he expected otherwise since "ties were like kissing your sister." though he had never felt that way, though there was some disappointment in that. He took her rhetoric as a bit of a "talk down" to him, but chalked it up to her own irritation or insecurity that for the first time in a long time she had not won a match. He was a bit winded as well and he slung the sword over his shoulder and gave a yawn. "Now what?"

[Sara Whitley]

Really, she had meant it as 'I couldn't beat you.' As something of a crude complement. Though Fenris' reply indicated perhaps a little bitter chord from the past, Lamina seemed to have made up her mind on how she wanted this to go. To break the ice and drop some barriers, she smiled, genuinely, sheathing her sword as her body fought to recover from exertion.
"I don't know, I don't suppose another match is in order," she said amusingly, well beyond what was typically seen of her temperament.

Presumably, they would both walk together back into the arena lobby through the same exit. She wanted to make small talk, but was a little bit nervous. Did Fenris, among who she felt were many others, hate her over their past and the competitive nature of her career? An unfortunate aspect of it was the acquisition of real social enemies and subsequent drama. And this was a man who had faced her a number of times.

[Fenris Olfwood]

He did not hate her but he was irked, and yet he sensed her hopeful attitude, she probably alienated a lot of people through her skill and young age and despite this he tried not to hold a grudge against her even if he was irked about it on some deep level, regardless he at least showed she was no longer necessarily his superior in his given specialization and that at least meant something perhaps. He would not be averse to continuing to talk to her and walking beyond the confines of the pit.

[Mesiphidon]

... And then Lamina mysteriously aged to that of a woman in her prime! For Fenris' dashing looks and admirable sword skills inspired her to womanhood.