Ensign Janai Zol - Have at Thee!

[Janai Zol]

((Near the Bastille, Holodeck 1, Deck 5, USS Valkyrie-A))

Janai was almost done with giving out advice. Soon the duel would begin.

Zol: Charging straight ahead might catch them by surprise too, but I can't recommend that in good conscience. But if you try it, ::points at Vaysha's cape:: try and throw that over your foe's eyes. It might just work. ::Takes a deep breath:: Any final questions? 

Lennai: No questions.. but I am not ready to give up my beautiful cape just yet.

Strathmore: Let us begin. Vaysha, you’re Caylus. Go ahead and talk to these villains.

Front and center of their opponents was Georges de Schomberg. He wore red and yellow and with his stalkings and plumed hat, it gave him the appearance of a rooster. He strutted forward to meet them.

Schomberg: Well, our foes finally approach. I knew they would crawl out of the King’s bed eventually. 

He laughed to his compatriots, and Janai decided she already disliked the guy. 

Riberac: Brave of you to even show up. Brave, but foolish.

Entragues: We shall make short work of you.

Zol: Get them, Vaysha.

Lennai: The only thing short here, is you -- thou reeky bat-forling bum bailey!

Vaysha then shot a thumbs down at them.

Arthur stepped up to support.

Strathmore: Well, said!

Janai nodded her approval as well, although she'd be lying if she said she completely comprehended what Vaysha had said.

Schomberg ran his fingers through his mustache in anger.

Schomberg: More insults? I see you have no intention of retracting your accusations against my Lord Duke.

He placed his hand on the hilt of his sheathed blade, prompting Vaysha to do the same.

Zol: ::To Arthur:: This is about to kick off, I think.

Lennai: Never! I shall carve you like the Swiss carves cheese!

Strathmore: Response

Riberac: You knaves! Now you shall see what true steel feels like!

Schomberg: Responses

Entragues: I shall make you eat your words!

The duel had begun in earnest. Entragues rushed ahead and so did Vaysha, but Janai had little time to focus on their fight. Her own foe Riberac was coming straight for her, rapier pointed at her throat. She parried with her short blade, stayed on the defensive until she could get the man's measure. 

There was a crash off to the side, and she saw an apple flying past for some reason.

Lennai: You embarrass yourself, you ruftish common-kissing baggage!

She heard Vaysha's attempt at an aristocratic laugh and couldn't stop herself from smiling, almost losing her own focus. Again and again Riberac came at her, and again and again Janai parried, feeling the strain on her arms as blades met. She'd fought plenty of duels, but they were all for fun, between amateurs. Riberac was a skilled duelist, and he aimed to main, if not kill outright. Still, she was holding her own, for now.

Zol: Tired yet, Riberac?

She tried to stop her own chest from heaving - she hadn't been lying to Arthur and Vaysha before, dueling was exhausting.

Strathmore: Response

Riberac: I'll sleep when you're dead!

Schomberg: Response

Entragues: I will make you eat your words!

From all around her Janai could hear the sounds of battle as both Arthur and Vaysha fought. There were no shouts of pain so far, so things were going at least okay.

Lennai: Someone is ehhh.. unhappy!

Janai glanced at Vaysha's direction, saw her jump onto a market stand, dodging blows all the while. A flash of steel brought her attention back, and she barely moved out of the way as Riberac lunged for her. She dodged and weaved, took a step back, another - then felt someone behind her. Arthur.

Zol: Still alive, Ensign?

Strathmore: Response

Janai parried Riberac's blade, spun, pushed Schomberg away from Arthur with a thrust of her rapier.

Riberac: Two for the price of one, then! Have at thee!

Schomberg: Responses  

The situation was becoming confusing - too many swords in one place. She moved away from Arthur, back out into the open street of the market, guiding Riberac away from his companions, her boots kicking up mud as she fell back. From her vantage point she could see both her allies, fighting their own battles.

But she had to focus on hers. She tried out some attacks for the first time, could see that Riberac was surprised when she began fighting back. She tried to remember exactly how the man died, could not come up with an answer - it turned out that fighting for your life, even in a simulation, did require your full attention. 

She struck out once, twice, feinting to the right, thrusting left. Her last attempt found its mark, leaving a red line on Riberac's arm, causing his eyes to widen.

Zol: What's the matter, your grace? Surprised?

Lennai/Strathmore: Responses

Riberac: Insolent cur!

Schomberg/Entragues: Responses

Riberac charged forward, incensed by her words, and it was all Janai could do to fall back. She parried each blow, their force almost overwhelming, her arm crying out in pain with each strike. She went to take another step back but her foot landed on something - she lost her balance, found herself lying face up in the mud, her weapons thankfully still in her hands. 

Zol: ::Wincing:: Damn. 

Lennai/Strathmore: Responses

Riberac: I have you now! You will rue the day you insulted our Duke!

Schomberg/Entragues: Responses

Riberac's blade swung down, and Janai's body moved on its own. Before she had time to think she was rolling through the mud, blades clutched to her chest. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Riberac's rapier stab the ground where she'd just had been, then she was up. She thrust, and her rapier found Riberac right in his stomach. 

The man fell with a cry of pain that quickly turned hoarse. She'd got him good - he'd die, but not soon. 

Zol: Do you yield?

Lennai/Strathmore: Responses

Riberac: I yield. 

Schomberg/Entragues: Responses

--

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Ensign Janai Zol

Science Officer

USS Valkyrie-A, NCC-76418-A
V240304JZ2