Sparring session for Nick

[1stmacleod]

For some reason, Connor never expected the holidays to be this hard. Thanksgiving passed by without much notice, he's never really celebrated that, but Christmas has had him on a private roller coaster. One minute he's blissfully happy to have a home and a woman he's in love with who loves him back, even knowing the truth of what he is, the next minute he's remembering holidays with John and Rachel and even Brenda and he just wants to go bury himself in a dark corner with a bottle of whiskey. All the scotch he's been given as gifts is going at a distressing rate. It's not even New Year's yet, and then it'll be his birthday soon after that, which he just hopes nobody will notice at all...

Just a few days after, and he's pacing, resisting the urge to crack open the next bottle. He needs a distraction. He needs to get out. He needs something to do.

The message that comes on Nick's pinpoint is typical Connor, brief and brusque and to the point.
Want to spar?
There's coordinates attached, and he's got the sense to have picked somewhere it's night. Connor's waiting in a grassy field on a quiet world he ran across in a Nexus guidebook. There's an almost full moon that gives him enough light to see by, and it's not the dead of winter, here, so he can stand around in t-shirt and jeans and sneakers without freezing his ass off. He swings the katana slowly, working his way through kata. There's a couple of rapiers and a western broadsword on the ground nearby... and a bottle of scotch, because his willpower gave out already.

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[1stmacleod.livejournal.com]

"That's the trick, isn't it..." His raspy voice gets softer, and any smile fades away. "Blend in, look normal, but you can't... live like they can, because you can't settle down, or get attached, or else..." He pauses, shakes his head, and suddenly he's dropped low and whirls in, a snakelike movement that, if it works, will smack Nick in the legs with the flat of the blade. One advantage of a single-edged sword is he can turn it if he needs to and keep from cutting him, that way.

[det-debrabant.livejournal.com]

Nick's stance is better suited to avoid stabbing motions, and he takes the hit in the leg and his frown turns grave. He'd be down a limb at least, if that had been a true hit.

"Or to be someone they can trust, who doesn't stand out enough to get noticed." Nick backs off a bit more, resetting himself so he's more mobile. His techniques, such as they are, aren't nearly as adaptable as Connor's, but he will do what he can.

[1stmacleod.livejournal.com]

Connor's still turning and keeping low, until the movement takes him out of sword reach again.

"I'm... not so good on trust." He smiles bitterly, because he knows that's the understatement of the millennium.

[det-debrabant.livejournal.com]

"It's a hard thing to come by." Nick moves in a slow circle, before quickly pressing forward, sending quick jabs and short slashes at Connor.

[1stmacleod.livejournal.com]

"...Dangerous." He circles and keeps moving, his defense fluid and fast. Connor's had plenty of time to get his wind back, and this fighting style is his default. He's definitely had some Eastern teachings, but the occasional kick or once a light kidney punch in passing hint that his roots taught him to fight dirty. Nick's just lucky this is a 'play nice' match. Connor knows how to break a man's nose with his forehead. Highlanders fight rough.

[det-debrabant.livejournal.com]

Nick takes a few stumbling steps back after one of those added hits and eyes up Connor again. As much as this is fun and games, he doesn't like being kicked around, Lacroix made certain of that.

He comes in quickly, intending to force Connor into closer quarters if he can. His sword is used for defense, even as he attacks, just trying to keep the katana out of the way as he advances.

[1stmacleod.livejournal.com]

As far as Connor's concerned, he's holding back because this isn't really about beating the crap out of each other, it's just for fun.

When Nick gets in close, Connor first tries to dodge and turn and spin out of the way to avoid it. Nick's being aggressive about it, though, and when they get locked in close he finally frowns and twists a little to knock the hilt of his sword on Nick's head. "Don't do that! I only know how to fight dirty up close!" He's panting though, because Nick's making him work hard, now.

[det-debrabant.livejournal.com]

Nick actually laughs a little, almost childishly, at Connor's bump to the head and keeps locked in close to him for a moment longer to frustrate him before giving a playful shove that sends them far enough from each other to reset. He smiles as he flourishes the sword only a small bit. It's not arrogant, rather it's just meant to be a little distracting.

[1stmacleod.livejournal.com]

There's something very teacher-y about Connor's tone, but he locks blades again, wrestling to keep Nick from getting his sword against him while they're up close, then makes a face as he staggers back a little. He's a lightweight, really, fast and agile, but not all that strong.

He's too smart to fall for distracting flourishes, though. He's watching Nick's body more than his blade, anticipating, while he gets his own stance back.

[det-debrabant.livejournal.com]

For whatever Nick looks, his appearances are truly deceiving to his strength. Connor's not going to fall easily for the same trick, so Nick circles before going in for another attempt to knock Connor's blade from his path and come in close. He won't be surprised if it fails, but it's worth a second try.

[1stmacleod.livejournal.com]

He's starting to notice how much stronger Nick is, and he's worried that'll be a problem in close quarters. That can turn into a wrestling match in a hurry, and he usually loses those.

His best defense is to just be faster and wilier, so this time when Nick comes at him he makes like he's going to block, then just drops at the last second to tangle up Nick's legs. If they weren't both fast healers, the vampire would have bruised shins by the time this is over.

[det-debrabant.livejournal.com]

Bruised shins, and a sore body. Nick goes down hard with a pained grunt, the wind knocked from him and leaving him momentarily dazed as he stares up at Connor for a moment as he realizes he needs to move. He takes the moment where he still appears dazed to at least untangle his legs quickly.

[1stmacleod.livejournal.com]

Connor helps with the untangling and gives Nick a light kick, mostly to push himself away and roll back to his feet. He's starting to breathe heavier, now, but lunges back in while the vampire is still getting his feet back. He aims a much heavier blow than he's used up until now, with the back of the blade, for Nick's sword arm. He's hoping to weaken his grip or even make him drop his sword.

[det-debrabant.livejournal.com]

Nick sees the sword coming, and while it's only the back of the blade, he's determined it's not a hit he wants to take. There's a rush of air as he becomes a blur, moving away from the attack and coming to a stand off to the side of Connor at sword's length. His touches the flat of his blade to Connor's arm once he's stopped moving. His eyes stay their normal hue even though he's tapped one of his abilities. The move he's made is a cheap one, but it wouldn't be the first time he's used it.

[1stmacleod.livejournal.com]

Connor sucks in air and whirls, but he can't match Nick's speed and it registers in his mind that if they were actually enemies, he'd be dead now. Nick can hear the little jump and sudden increase in his heart rate. That's the warning that he's just thrown Connor into a controlled panic. The katana slices one way toward Nick's arm while Connor's leg sweeps in from the other direction to take out his feet yet again. It's really not a good idea to startle him.

[det-debrabant.livejournal.com]

Nick realizes it would probably be best if he just, tried to step back calmly, at a normal speed. The foot catches him though, he's more used to people backing up from this sort of thing than lashing out, and it stalls his retreat. The blade takes a cut of his arm and he hisses, looking down at it as he backs up. He figures it's just punishment for his actions. He lowers his blade, the wound on his arm already healing as he keeps backing up, in case Connor decides to come after him.

[1stmacleod.livejournal.com]

Connor's expression is almost a snarl, but the blood makes him pause, sliding into a defensive stance. He blinks, absorbing what just happened, then smiles weakly but doesn't lower his guard. "Sorry."

[det-debrabant.livejournal.com]

"It's fine." Nick's wound is almost closed, the blood pulling back up into it, and in another moment, it will be little more than a cut in his shirt. He takes a second before he looks back up at Connor apologetically. "I think it might be a good time for a break."

[1stmacleod.livejournal.com]

"You startled me." He gives a shrug, and an apologetic smile, but his blade lowers very slowly.

[det-debrabant.livejournal.com]

Nick turns his shoulder to Connor, walking back over to the weapons and setting his down. He rubs at the palm of his hands again, a bit nervous as he keeps his distance from Connor. He may not have a blade in hand, but Connor knows he's fast enough to still be a threat, if he chooses to see it that way.

"Sorry."

[1stmacleod.livejournal.com]

When Nick walks away, Connor lets out a very quiet breath, and forces himself to relax a little. He can recognize an accident, probably more on his part than Nick's. Connor rolls his neck and shoulders with a quiet popping sound. "You want me to pay your tailoring bill?" All that's hurt in the end is his shirt, after all.

[det-debrabant.livejournal.com]

"Hm?" Nick was not expecting that remark from Connor and then smiles. "Oh. It's nothing I can't fix." He sits down where he is, looking calm enough.

[1stmacleod.livejournal.com]

"That's always the trouble with real fights. After you've managed to survive, you still have to get away and find a change of clothes and wash the blood off..." He follows, now that Nick's sat down, katana pointed toward the ground. There's still something wary about the way he moves, but he drops in a crouch facing Nick, taking the chance to relax and catch his breath again.

[det-debrabant.livejournal.com]

Nick can't blame him for the wariness, though how much he should attribute it to tonight's events, he's not entirely certain.

"Cover up the fact that something had happened..."

[1stmacleod.livejournal.com]

Partly it's just Connor's default. He has trouble relaxing around people until he knows them very well. He settles though and reaches for the bottle again, laying the katana at his side, and still in easy reach. "And that's not counting the dealing with the body part..."