The bodies in my floor all trusted someone. Now I walk on them to tea.

[kingshaming]

[After the trial, Xander does what he does best. What always blanks his mind when training is not an option:

He organizes.

The hot food for lunch is out still, and while he feels far from hungry, he knows they all SHOULD eat. Everyone wanders off to take care of their own grief, and he lets them for now- and instead busies himself at the espresso bar. There's something specific he wants to do.

Later, under each door, and with the same thing written on the white board he had dragged out for meetings:]

There is hot food and tea in the cafeteria, and while I have no stomach for food it is there for those that can.

While it is tempting to be alone right now, if you wish company I shall be there until evening. Now may be a good time to compare new information while it is fresh.

If not, please stay well.

Xander

[And as promised there is fresh tea. Green tea in fact, though it lacks the milk Chitanda made- but basic tea he can manage at least]

Comments

[kingshaming]

That would be a rather ignoble thing for me to want so soon after a tragedy. But yes, I am- but if you would prefer something to stand still and be hit, I can manage that as well.

And I promise to not make any lewd mumblings. [Which is another reason he didn't suggest McBurn]

[bylight]

....... [She gives him a very stern look.] The only person who has ever stood still and let me hit him without hitting me back is an idiot called Snow Villiers. You don't seem like an idiot.

[She moves close enough to him, rapping her knuckles against his chest with a smirk.] And I don't think you have what it takes to make a lewd comment in the first place.

[McBurn would be McDead if he tried.]

[kingshaming]

[He makes a small noise that would be a laugh if he was in a better place for it]

I suppose how much of an idiot I am or am not would depend on who you ask- but no, I don't make a habit of taking hits without giving them back.

[He makes no comment on the lewdness- what could he say that WOULDN'T embarrass himself further?]

[bylight]

I think he didn't hit back because he's dating my sister.

[Engaged, actually. Light refuses to acknowledge it.

Back to the fight. She takes a few steps away from Xander, lifting her arms up enough to signal she was ready.] I'm not gonna hold back just because we get along.

[kingshaming]

I would expect no less!

[And he comes right at her- letting her 'get the first hit' would likely just seem patronizing. So he takes a heavy swing at her middle]

[bylight]

[Good. Not a goody goody gentleman who would wait for a hit from her.

But true to her moniker, she's quick to dodge that hit. Not in the mood for possible bruised/broken ribs. Her counter after the dodge is a tried and true 'get in close enough to hit someone in the face really, really hard' kind of hit. There's no need to get fancy in this fight just yet.]

[kingshaming]

[Good- this would be disappointing if it was too easy. He's not fast, and that's clear very quickly. So instead of trying to dodge he brings his arms up to block, feet braced to resist any momentum.

He wasn't a sword, he was a shield. He would take anything she could throw at him and take his opportunity when it showed itself]

[bylight]

[That hit connects with as much resistance as she had expected. This man was like a wall. That means she either has to keep going to take him down, or just go until all the anger was out of her system. Both could easily go hand in hand.

So she hits him a few more times before jumping back and moving into a more defensive position. Does he want to try and get a few hits in now?]

Impressive. You're a lot sturdier than that idiot I was talking about.

[kingshaming]

The best offense is a good defense- but don't think that means I can't serve it up as well.

[He keeps himself low, protecting his torso and keeping his face down- looking about to shoulder charge her.

Only at the last moment he jabs his foot out, meaning to take her legs out from under her if he can]

[bylight]

You're a paladin. You better be good at both.

[Charging like a much smaller version of a Behemoth. She hasn't personally fought one that she can remember right now, but that's what it reminds her of. Which just makes her all the warier. The jab is unexpected. It makes her stumble which enough that her first action is to kick off the ground with her other leg to backflip away from another attack.

She'll return the charge now to get close enough for a roundhouse kick.]

[kingshaming]

['Gods, I've seen Hoshidan ninjas that weren't this agile'

It's impressive, and so he becomes a bit more bold. Instead of blocking her kick with his forearms he catches it. There's a nasty little pop that might be one of his fingers not liking the force, and he grunts, his arms wrenched to the side with the momentum.

But the look in his eyes is far from pain, ruddy almost-red eyes bright. And he pushes back, meaning to toss her]

It's been too long since I fought hand to hand, so make sure to give me a good work out.

[bylight]

[She's one of a kind.

She's actually rather impressed that he caught it. He might just be sore later from catching the kick, but he seems willing to risk that.

She lets the push throw her, using that momentum to roll and get back up. With something close to a grin, she charges at him again. When Light gets close enough, she ducks down enough to kick at his legs easier. Let's see if this big man will go down hard.]

Better return the favor!

[kingshaming]

[He grunts, unable to defend his lower body as easily as his upper body. He goes down to one knee- but now at this height he can try and bring his elbow down on her as he fumbles]

[bylight]

[This is going to most likely bruise like hell, she lets herself get hit. It stuns her for a moment, as expected, but now she knows his legs are a weak spot. So Light takes aim, ramming her fist into his thigh. To escape another blow from Xander, she scrambles till she was a safe enough distance, already feeling soreness where she'd been struck.

Definitely going to hurt for a while.]

[kingshaming]

[When her fist digs into his thigh he spits out a shocked:]

Gods-DAMN IT!

[That HURT! Enough so that he can't manage to chase after her just yet, though he's watching her carefully to see what she'll do]

[bylight]

[That curse earns him a snort from Light.]

I thought prince's weren't supposed to swear.

[She stands fully and walks over, holding out her hand.] Let's see if we can get you some ice. And let me look at that hand.

[kingshaming]

[He clasps her hand, hauling himself up and smiling - even though he was favoring his other leg]

Well, right now I am no prince. Just a man. So a few slip ups are okay.

[bylight]

[This guy is alright.]

Come on. Let's take it slow. [And let her check on that hand while you hobble.] It didn't feel like I broke anything on you. Any numbness?

[kingshaming]

[It's a bit swollen, but not bad]

No, hurts too much to be numb. I think you might have popped a knuckle is all- nothing too bad.

[His hands are large and dotted with callouses and scars- and the telltale slightly oversized knuckles of one who has broken them before]

[bylight]

Which knuckle?

[Xander was definitely someone who has used swords most of his life. During training, all of the soldiers wore gloves to avoid things like this. Her own must feel far too soft for a warrior.

She's already missing her gunblade.]

I can pop it back into place.

[kingshaming]

[In battle he did the same- he even had his gauntlets with their intimidating claws.

But when he trained alone, he did it bare]

This one here, thank you.

[bylight]

[At least his hands are still usable.

She nods, wrapping an arm around his hand to stabilize it, she grabs the offending finger and pauses. No, she doubts he needs reassurance. Without a word she yanks hard on the finger till she feels that slight pop.]

Better?

[kingshaming]

[He gives a grunt, but this time doesn't curse]

Ngh... much. I may have gotten a bit too eager.

[bylight]

[She lets his arm go, patting his shoulder before walking ahead a bit.]

I strike as hard as my name implies. [Glancing over her shoulder, she waits for him to follow.] You stayed upright a lot longer than Snow ever has against me.

[kingshaming]

Well, I wouldn't expected anyone named Snow to last long at anything.