Nix's eyes flashed as he examined Caius anew. It was a true transformation from male to female. Even her fire was slightly different from her male counterpart. Nix blinked as he lifted her back onto her feet. "Such a pretty Fox, so much love to still give, let go of the pain, remember to liv." Nix whispered as he nuzzled his nose against hers.
Her song was of a slightly higher note. Her need for revenge was more targeted, her devastation over the loss slightly muted. Nix brushed a kiss on her forehead. "Remember to liv."
Caius teasingly licked her Pretty Birdie's cheek. "Before I can liv, I must still exist." Having lost not just a mate, but most of their litter… it had taken much to not suicidally go after Alaina. "Let's start with a dance." She brushed the topic away, along with brushing a tail along her Pretty Birdie's body coquettishly.
Randal stiffened eyeing Caius… even his mannerisms had changed. His tails were constantly brushing over Nix. Her tails… Randal wasn't easily fooled by a pretty face but… looking away was harder than he'd like to admit.
Randal eyed his companions. All were in a varying state of distraction. Had Nix… planned this deliberately? Randal was almost relieved when Alexei approached, equally cautious.
"If there is to be a dance, perhaps we can join in." Alexei made it more of a statement. Nix was apparently less tolerant… he needed to know how much less.
Nix tilted his head, "All are welcome, all can partake, just don't be surprised, so much hidden at stake." Nix offered his hand, gesturing to all. "All are welcome, any may partake, though this is a dance, for Sun's blessing we pray."
Neolani watched as Nix held Caius in one arm and swung a glowing gold short sword in the other. "Are there… any rules?"
Nix blinked, "Don't be discouraged." Nix grinned as a drum started to beat.
Mitt didn't hesitate. Before the first drumbeat finished he was swinging a sword overhead as if to split Nix in two.
Nix lightly stepped out of the way, bringing Caius in close.
Randal was a split second behind swinging his hammer from the side. Nix used the tip of the sword to redirect him his hammer up. Randal kept going rather than lose his weapon.
Nix glanced at his sword, he really wasn't one for weapons. Tossing the sword up, he lifted the taller Caius to stand on his feet.
Caius giggled as her Pretty Birdie's face was perfectly aligned with her chest. She barely blinked and already they'd danced just out of reach of more than a dozen blows.
Randal wasn't sure why Nix threw his weapon, but he wasn't going to be lulled into a false sense of security. Pivoting, he swung his hammer at the duo once again. Nix leapt up, stepping on his shoulder with enough force to draw him to a halt.
"This arm should be higher, or your balance is lost, don't skip on the basics, haste begets faults." Nix reminded as they flipped backwards. As they landed on the ground, three of his pieces came at him.
Tou stabbed at Caius's back. Mitt was coming from the side with a slash, Hito mirroring Mitt. The mountain man was swinging a giant axe from overhead.
Caius blinked as her body was dipped so far back her ears touched the ground. They'd dodged the side slashes and stab from the back. Her Pretty Birdie was using his bracer to hold the axe in place.
Nix blinked at the dazed Caius. Blowing in her face to get her attention he grinned. Pulling her up, he brushed the axe away, blocking four incoming arrows. "Your blows are so strong, your speed like the winned, but don't force a blow you cannot rescind."
Randal watched as Nix easily caught his sword. Blocking another dozen blows all while gently leeding the female Caius in a dance across the clearing. They couldn't even catch her tails.
Randal took a breath to really see what was happening. None of this looked like any kind of prayer. Occasionally Caius's tails would whip out to deflect blows or attack, but for the most part Nix was on the defense.
His steps were in time with the drumbeats, he didn't break stride, he didn't even glance up to see what attacks were coming. Randal realized… Nix wasn't dancing… he was going through a set of sword forms. Adjusting as attacks reached within swords reach.
The Ranger cursed. None of his arrows were getting past that toy of a sword. It would be less irritating if most weren't so close to hitting their mark.
"Nay, watch, he be going in forms." Randal stated. It was clear Nix should have been holding either a dagger or small shield in his other hand.
"He be jus a bit slower than me, looks like he be jus a bit weaker than Mountain Man. He notice anything else Randy?" The Ranger asked.
"Aye, he seems ta be jus a bit less then our best. Tis Caius who be interrupting the forms." Randal said with a nod to the tails once again slapping spells away before Nix could reach them.
Nix brushed noses with Caius before tossing her up. The moment she was overhead Randal was swinging his hammer at Nix's waist. Nix used the sword to redirect the hammer toward the ground. This time Randal was able to follow through without overstepping.
Using his elbow he aimed for Nix's face. Nix caught the elbow with an approving smile. Stepping into Randal's personal space, he gently pushed Randal's shoulder until his stance was better for such close combat.
Randal was forced back until he was also… dancing the sword forms. Nix was leaving obvious openings but Randal wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. Randal missed Nix each time by just a hair's breath. He was also learning the steps. Even if he wasn't using a sword, the steps were almost perfect for his hammer.
Nix tossed his sword up as he caught Caius, twirling her out of Randal's reach. Randal kept up his offensive. He only had to see the steps once to memorize them. Allowing Randal to attempt them in battle without interruption, Nix smiled as he kept Caius close.
Her song had taken on a jubilant melody. Every thwarted attack thrilled her. It would seem she enjoyed battle as well.
Randal didn't deviate from the steps just yet. He wanted a feel for them before he started to improvise. Having been a mercenary, he hadn't received formal combat training until he'd regained his status as a noble so he was good at learning on the fly.
Randal's daughter, Estell watched with rapt attention. When she'd spoken to lord Reece back in the capital, he'd been so different. She'd seen her father training before, but never seen him moving like this. He was practically a blur! The Inago were standing off to the side.
Estell wasn't sure if they weren't joining because they couldn't keep up, or because they wanted to also watch. She had to cover her mouth to keep from shouting out! He was so close!
The mountain man had stepped back so Randy could… well it did look more like a dance from where he be standing. There were a few times when Randy looked close enough ta kiss the wee bird.
Neolani watched as they moved faster with each blow. Randal was leaving imprints on the ground. Caius was still stepping on Ashton's feet, it should have been comical to see such a large female stepping on his feet but he made it look not only effortless, but elegant.
Caius laughed as she was dipped once again. The hammer swung just missing her nose, then she was pulled back up. She couldn't remember the last time she'd danced. It had been a few decades.
Nix blocked the next hammer strike with his bracer, then with the other arm spun her with only their fingertips touching. Nix wanted to shake his head as Caius wrapped one leg around his waist. Using his free hand he lifted her leg up. He had to leap back to miss the next few wings.
Caius wrapped her arms around her Pretty Birdie's neck, snuggling into his neck.
Nix caught his falling sword. Randal was the only one on the attack, but the others were preparing something big.
Randal watched out of the corner of his eye. The mage was planning something devious no doubt. Wee Tou was hopping on his head excitedly. They were waiting for him to finish this set of steps. How considerate. If it wasn't a trap.
Caius locked eyes with the mage for just a moment. She blinked before anyone but her Pretty Birdie could notice.
Randal saw the signal. Without hesitation he leapt away. More than two dozen spells came out of nowhere. All materializing less than a meter from the dancing duo. Randal felt sweat sliding down his face just seeing the onslaught.
Not even the ground was safe as four pillars shot up. Ten from above, the rest coming from the sides. There was less than a foot between each spell. No way both would be able to escape unscathed.