Board Thread:Roleplay/@comment-32885213-20171120220818/@comment-33719112-20171128043041

Ready for an attack, the bushes rustled some more, and then, nothing. Hollow was curious now, but also experienced with the dangers curiosity brought with it. He kept his sword unsheathed, and approached the bush. A moment of hesitation, waiting for anything to spring out of the unseen and at him, he primed for an attack, only to see a small rodent creature of white fur and long stalky, yet furry ears, hop away from the bush.

He sheathed his sword and grinned,'' his first mistake. ''Silly Hollow, it was only a rabbit! He watched in relief as the rabbit loped off, his second mistake. Now, he doesn't have a choice to her ambush, as the lizardman leapt out from the bushes, screaming a battle cry. With the slightest rustle, his instincts kicked in, rolling to the side of the attack, and unsheathing his sword as he got up. It was some sort of lizard girl, considering the scales that run up her legs and on her shoulders, and those that made up her ears. He really wanted to quip at her, but knew that it was already futile as he couldn't speak. Man, he really has to get used to being a mute.

''Perfect. "I challenge you to a duel!"'' She yelled to the knight. Finally! Something that made sense in this world! Despite all the warnings he was given about the whole 'rape or be raped' thing, he actually found somebody willing to fight honorably! Or whatever that may count as in this strange fantasy land. He pumped his fist, then readied himself, nodding to his foe.

''Strange, how excited he seemed about this. But surely, I can beat him and improve my skills from this wandering traveler. "You accept? Then let the duel commence." She spoke, readying her own longsword. ''

She made a step forwards, turning that initial step into a downwards slash. Hollow anticipated this, watching the torso and lower half of the opponent to predict his opponent's next attacks, something that he had learned from Gwyn himself. He blocked upwards with his sword, a sharp KTING! from the blades clashing into each other. Not being one to take a blow without retaliation, he pushed into his opponent's guard, dropping an elbow into her chest, the armor having a... soft cushion to leverage her from. His elbow strike was short lived, as she immediately gained her balance and composure. "You're not half bad." He nodding in response, each duelist circling around each other, waiting for the next opening. ''"Shy?" ''Hollow gestured to his mouth, and covered it. ''"Can't talk?" ''Hollow nodded, and she nodded her head in understanding, the perfect time to strike.

He quickly crouched and slashed at her feet, the lizardman swiftly dodging backwards, and then reaffirming her feet with a lunge, something that was barely deflected by a quick raise of his sword. Again, their longswords clashed, her sword sliding over his, barely over his head, the noise of steel on steel accentuating their fighting prowess. He stood swiftly, knocking the sword of his opponent away from him.

Now, they both charged, the lizardman aiming for Hollow's legs, and Hollow striking at her ribs with a sideways slashing attack.

And when the two met, Hollow had his sword hovering over her head, and the lizardman had hers just stopped at his ankles. She looked up at him, almost helplessly, but with a tinge of amazement on her face.

"You... beat me." She stared straight ahead, almost in shock of the sentence she had uttered. "You beat me." She looked up to his face. He nodded in confirmation, he did beat her. He extended a hand to help her off the ground, which she gladly accepted. Helping her to her feet, he shook her hand, sheathed his longsword, and got out the chalkboard. He wrote an introduction.

"Hello, my name is Hollow." "My name is Elise. Will you marry me?" He took a step back. He was not prepared to marry anyone yet. What would he do when he got home? Show the parents his new monster-wife? He shook his head, no, he wouldn't. "But," ''She wasn't going to let the only man to beat her slip away! "You're so strong, and quick, and experienced!" She grabbed his hand with both of hers, almost massaging it, comforting him. "Please?"''

Hollow placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, looked down at their hands together, then up to her pleading eyes, and shook his head. He scrawled few reassuring words. "You'll find someone someday. I don't think that it's me." And left, putting away his chalkboard. ''She was shocked, nobody has ever rejected her! Well, she has never asked anybody to marry her before. Speechless, she only watched as he began to walk away, before coming up with something, anything to say. "I will follow you to the ends of the earth if that's what I need to do for you to marry me!" She picked up her longsword, put it in her scabbard, quickly grabbed a sack from the bush she was hiding in and slung it over her shoulder, chasing after the knight who walked away leisurely down the road.''

(Sorry for the super long post you guys, buuuuut... Eh. They'll be meeting you guys at camp soon.)