[Cold Iron] Perfect Posture matched on the Edge of your Blades

The first exchange is slow and probing, you and her circling each other, both **** to touch steel to steel. You have reach and experience, but her stance betrays the quality of her teachers.

She dares the first all-out attack, the ferocious blade coming at you too fast to block. You duck, the tip of her weapon missing your head by a hair's width. A step back and you are out of reach of her daring footwork.

And you do anticipate the follow-up, but not the speed with which she parries your riposte. A third attack has you locking blades, swords connected at the hilt. Her face, lips open and sweat running past her nose, is close enough to kiss. And she does just that. A surprise attack that leaves you without breath and with an awkward erection limiting your movement.

"Again!"

She has broken the kiss and her renewed onslaught returns your focus. The first strike you block with some trouble, the second you dodge, and the third has you locking weapons again. You keep your head out of reach of her dirty tricks and your superior strength has her in retreat.

"Oh, well done."

She dances back and you, your blade freed, press the advantage. The lunge has her bending backwards with her offhand touching the floor, but you miss her hair by a span. And the counter comes fast. She jumps at you with breathtaking speed and your hasty block sees your sword bound at a disadvantageous angle. You hold her off, your muscles burning and she, smiling, steals another kiss.

"How about a wager?"

You blink and open your eyes to a change of the light. The dark, metal lanterns only shine down on the Ensign and you, with the rest of the room shrouded in half-moon twilight. And you are about to ask, but the fencing noises to the right have stopped; replaced by different noises.

It is dark outside. And it will be late at night before you return.

{if The Passage of Time > 95} Your Time in Barenhaven is running out {elseif The Passage of Time > 80} Your Time in Barenhaven is coming to a close {elseif The Passage of Time > 60} You have some Time left in Barenhaven {elseif The Passage of Time > 50} Your Time in Barenhaven is half-way over {elseif The Passage of Time > 30} You have quite some Time left to spend in Barenhaven {elseif The Passage of Time > 15} You have a lot of Time left to spend in Barenhaven {elseif The Passage of Time > 5} Your Time in Barehaven has just begun {else} You are now spending Time in Barenhaven {endif}

She smirks. "This house has its own traditions. If you’re not too chicken?"

You have never given much thought to rumours – the Sea may be lonely but on land propriety reigns. But you can make out the two shadows, one standing and one kneeling, from the corner of your eye. And the slurping sounds have you rethinking some conclusions. {if A Priest = 1} And if the nuns of the Church are sanctioned in their sisterhood and fellowship then let the Navy keep their idiosyncrasies. {endif}

The Experimental Ensign exploits the shift in your attention without mercy. Her weapon, swinging free, comes at you again. The impact misses your hand but threatens to wrench the blade from your grip. You step back and ready yourself for the next lunge.

She clears her throat. "Or we could call it a tie." She tries a half-hearted stab. "And try dancing the next time. Or dancing."