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[Training] [SE] Games To Play In The Dark - Printable Version

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[SE] Games To Play In The Dark - Kellan - 06-25-2020

He was shyly proud of the house he had made with the help of his new friends. It was small cozy and a little weird unorthodox, but it was home in a way the rough lean-to in the jungle and the rented room in Haulani could never have been. There had been little to distinguish it from the rest of the jungle when he had led Rance to it except for the cleared area beneath a large rainforest matriarch of a tree, where he had built a rough worktable and areas for skinning game and tanning hides. About ten feet up, however, a rope ladder had been hooked to the side of the tree, and when he used his magic to nudge it free it led to a structure built into the arboreal giant's branches.

The ladder led to a trapdoor in the floor that opened to a room with a chair and table for reading or working, and a shelf with a few badly battered books. A curtain on one side separated it from the small kitchen, where a basin could be flushed with water from the water tank in the branches above and counters built into the walls gave places to prepare food. Beyond that was a semi-open space on the platform, almost a small porch, where another pipe to the reservoir allowed for quick showers, and a bar of lye soap was kept in a box. The other side of the living room was also separated by a curtain leading to a small sleeping room with a hammock strung between the walls.

The windows were large, some opening outwards and upwards, some opening in the middle, wooden shutters sturdy enough to keep beasts and weather out. There was no glass in them yet, only thinly woven screens to keep the bugs out, but the kept the air flowing during the day and the little house warm in the cooler evenings. The roof was made of thickly woven large palm leaves, overlapping to create a watertight surface that angled from the center of the tree down towards the tops of the walls so that the center of the rooms was peaked.

It was rough and rustic but it was Kel's and he had been glad to invite Rance to stay with him. His friend took up almost no space at night perched in his raven form, and the hunter had taken comfort from his friend's presence with the approach of the confusing LongNight.

And then it had arrived and it had been everything they had said... and nothing Kel was really prepared for.

Oh, he had candles stocked, and oil for the lanterns. He had strung a safety line of rope from his clearing to the edge of town so he could find his way through the pitch black jungle, but the overpowering darkness was emotionally exhausting and eerie as hell. He had finally suggested to Rance that they do something to burn off the nervous energy and had set up a ring of tiki torches around the little clearing at the tree's base. He stood there now, barefoot and wearing loose linen pants and a sleeveless top, grinning at his friend as he diligently stretched his arms and torso.

"Got any ideas for what to play?"

Rance


RE: [SE] Games To Play In The Dark - Rance - 06-25-2020

Rance hadn't noticed Kel's house on initial approach. The fact that it turned out to be a hidden tree house made him grin. It made perfect sense, a man raised by dryads wasn't about to trust his home on the ground. The rope ladder Kel knocked loose soon after, though, turned that smile into outright laughter. Whether Kel had meant it or not, the reference to their childhood -- when Rance's clumsy rope ladder had been a young wind spirit's only non-destructive way to Rance's loft bedroom -- warmed the raven attuned's heart.

The rest of the house was humble, but more than enough for one adult man and a feathery guest late at night. During the first couple of days, while there was still daylight, not much time was spent indoors except to sleep. Then the LongNight came and the beautiful jungle because oppressive and a little terrifying. Only by the light of the fires, enclosed in the small space with the friend he trusted, did Rance feel entirely safe.

Even that safety made Rance's skin itch when the night dragged on far beyond when his body thought the sun should be rising. So, when Kel eventually proposed stretching below the house in the clearing, Rance was eager to accept. He dressed in the lightest clothes he had; which wasn't much, just worn trousers of heavy cotton and an unlaced shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He'd only brought so much with him and he most certainly hadn't prepared for the warmth, even though the lack of sun cooled the air.

Rance stretched, though more to move stiff muscles than anything else. He winced as his shoulder cracked, eyes absently following Kel's motions. He couldn't help the smile that curved the corner of his mouth up, mostly in response to Kel's excitement. [say]"Well, tag and races would be just about fuckin' suicide right now... duelin' lords, maybe?"[/say] His smirk broadened a bit. The game had been one a very young Rance had picked up from humans and translated over into fae terms. Like fanciful nobles having a duel, they would 'fight for the crown' or 'avenge' their 'wronged honor'. [say]"I can't say I've bested the Sidhe prince in a while."[/say]


RE: [SE] Games To Play In The Dark - Kellan - 06-25-2020

The rope ladder had been a nostalgic reminder of his childhood, a connection to a friend he'd thought he'd never see again when he'd made it. Having Rance laugh to see it had warmed Kel's heart as much as it had the raven's, but in the past week he'd spent with his friend he had laughed and smiled more than in all the months he'd been on Caido prior to their reunion.

LongNight had changed that a little as time had gone on and the darkness hadn't lessened. Kel burned timer candles to mark the days so they knew how long was left (still not entirely convinced the sun would return after the days dragged on without a dawn or moonrise to reassure them), but they were both too used to being active to enjoy being cooped up for so long in such a small space.

It was a profligate waste of resources to light the little clearing, but Kel knew how to render more sap in a way that it would burn on the torches so they didn't have to use his precious supply of oil. Once the week was over they could do some shopping in town to get Rance cooler attire, but there was no denying that he was better padded against the game he suggested, and the wind-spirit flashed his friend a bright grin at the suggestion. "What's he done this time? Stolen your rightful crown? Enspelled your dear lover?" It was kindness on Rance's part to let him play the Sidhe prince, halfbreed that he was, but he appreciated it all the more.

He knew the plants around the clearing by heart already, and he moved to the east to inspect a couple of spear-like branches from a flexible young tree, finding the growth nodes and making two quick, clean cuts with his heavy knife. He stripped away the leaves, leaving two bendy sticks that were roughly the length of 'swords', thicker at the base and narrowing to sharper tips that might risk a papercut at the wrong angle, but were better than anything too thick and unyielding that could bruise. He tossed one to Rance with a grin and took up his stance - what there was of it.

"En guarde!"


RE: [SE] Games To Play In The Dark - Rance - 06-27-2020

Rance had never considered giving Kel the role of the 'prince' anything special. While he held the Sidhe of their world with much the same awe and wariness that many did, he'd never felt they were any more deserving of respect than those who might have earned it through more than age and innate power. Of course, he'd realized that others wouldn't see it quite the same. That those bigoted against half-breeds might even see their harmless game as an insult.

Rance would have told those people exactly where to shove their opinions.

[say]"Enspellin' my lover was a particularly heinous crime."[/say] He watched Kel move about the clearing with purpose, smile spreading into a grin. [say]"But, nay, he has dared to put my feather, not freely gifted, in his cap. So rude an insult I can't ignore."[/say] In truth, someone using his feathers for anything would have mattered very little. It wasn't as if they were any more magical than the feathers of an ordinary raven. Claiming the feather had been a gift would have earned a derisive scoff at most. But, of course, the game didn't require anything like reality.

He caught the stick thrown to him and took up something like a child's mimicry of a fighting position. He'd seen true swordsmen fight once or twice, and it borrowed a bit from that, but it wasn't as if he or Kel had ever trained with blades. Nor would that matter as he gave an experimental couple flicks to get used to the feel. Then, with the same falsely 'noble' voice, he said, [say]"Have at you, honorless dog![/say]

A quick step forward, and he was swinging the stick. Not at Kel directly, of course, but at his own 'sword'.


RE: [SE] Games To Play In The Dark - Kellan - 06-28-2020

Kel just grinned at the list of his crimes, but at the theft of a feather he put on his best smirk it was... kind of evil? maybe? and reached up to smooth back his eternally wind-ruffled hair. "Tis your own fault for leaving it lying around. Finders keepers, you flea-bitten featherduster!" He tried to make his own voice sound poetic and regal, adding a lilt that he'd heard from passing noblemen he'd guided in their plush carriages and well-guarded caravans.

If Rance wanted to attack the stick, that was fine by Kel. He grinned wolfishly and whipped the 'sword' out of the way of the attack, more by luck than skill, then lunged to 'stab' towards Rance's arm with the bendy point of his trusty 'blade' - that would probably be more likely to fold back on itself on impact if it hit than to do the raven any damage. "Is that the best you've got, blackguard?" he taunted in return!


RE: [SE] Games To Play In The Dark - Rance - 06-28-2020

Rance's initial attack hit neither his target, nor the one wielding it. Kel was far too fast for his haphazard swing. [say]"Keeper? You should have left it where it lay out of respect!"[/say] Out of respect for who or what would have been anyone's guess.

He danced to the side of Kel's return attack -- though only just barely, the point of the 'sword' catching and tugging briefly at his sleeve as it passed. [say]"Ha, a miss! Were you taught to aim by the same blind farmhand who taught you manners?"[/say] Of course, that was the point at which Rance overbalanced a step and swung wide, telegraphing a move that Kel really would have to be blind to get hit by.


RE: [SE] Games To Play In The Dark - Kellan - 06-28-2020

"You'll have to earn my respect!" Kel demanded haughtily - though he was almost laughing too hard to get the words out. The near-giggles might have had something to do with his lack of control over his own sword (or maybe that was just the lack of experience), but he tried to pull back out of range when he realized he'd only hit cloth.

"Don't compare my upbringing to yours, peasant," he called back, twisting lithely to avoid the unbalanced attack. He couldn't help himself - his magic spun through his 'sword' and into the air, creating a small gust behind Rance to give the raven an extra push to send his swing off target while Kel let out an undignified whoop of laughter and tried to swat his friend across the ass with his own 'blade'.


RE: [SE] Games To Play In The Dark - Rance - 06-28-2020

Rance wasn't surprised that his attack missed, though apparently he was only getting worse by the minute. Especially when it apparent that Kel had at least a bit better balance than he had. And when his swing went wide and Kel twisted away, his back was briefly to his 'enemy', which was all the opening needed. Kel's swing connected, landing a stinging blow across the ass that had Rance squawking in surprise and stumbling further forward.

He turned to face Kel, one hand rubbing at the wounded area, laughter in his grin and voice when he spoke. [say]"So, you try to dishonor me further with such a blow?"[/say] He sidestepped and sung at Kel's arm, hoping to finally tag a blow, though he still moved with little finesse.


RE: [SE] Games To Play In The Dark - Kellan - 06-28-2020

The squawk was as good as a victory for Kel and he gained a little more confidence as he stood with his stick cocked over his shoulder and a hand on his hip, grinning. Rance's ass was admittedly a very nice target, even if he didn't usually let himself appreciate it, and getting a hit in on it felt better than he'd expected. He was used to the raven being the dirty fighter, rough and tumble to Kel's airy grace, but on Caido everything they had known was turned on its head.

And the halfbreed had needed to learn a few dirty tricks himself to survive the months in Haulani.

Pride came before the fall, though, and as he rested on his laurels the raven was determined to get his own back. "I hardly needed to lift a finger to - hey!" He yelped as his attempt at dodging went awry, not swift enough to get his stick into a blocking position and his feet tangling together so he stumbled right into the blow. It stung, and he felt a moment's pang of regret for how he'd smacked his friend a moment before, but he was laughing too hard to mind the slight pain as he flung his 'sword' down dramatically and clutched his 'wounded' arm. "I won't let it end like this, you... you... brat!" He ran out of inspiration even as he lowered his shoulder and launched himself bodily at his friend, attempting to tackle him to the ground.


RE: [SE] Games To Play In The Dark - Rance - 06-29-2020

'Revenge' was sweet indeed as he managed to catch Kel off guard. There wasn't a lot of strength behind the swing, but when the weapon was a switch, it didn't need much to sting. One corner of Rance's smile quirked higher and he raised his weapon in mock salute. [say]"Perhaps a full hand would be more useful than a finger?"[/say] For all that this what he usually 'played' in the dark, Rance was having fun!

Rance was paying closer attention this round and when Kel surged forward, he braced himself, dropping his stick in the process. He could have dodged out of the way, true, but where was the fun in that? Kel's charge hit him, but he was ready, controlling the fall instead of being knocked down. The second they were on the ground, Rance barked a laugh and pushed with his legs, one hand flat on the ground, attempting to rolled them over.

[say]"Think you can make me submit, do you?"[/say] Rance attempted to growl, though his voice shook with contained amusement.


RE: [SE] Games To Play In The Dark - Kellan - 06-29-2020

Kel's reply was his charge, a wicked grin on his face as he abandoned subtlety for brute strength and momentum. The sword was abandoned due to his 'grievous injury' but he still had one good arm and two good legs, and he'd always been stronger and more muscular than the raven, ever since they were kids.

Something he kept remembering, instead of their 'new' bodies and the changes that had overcome them on Caido.

He felt a surge of victory as he hit, intending to tackle Rance to the ground and sit on him to claim victory as he'd done when they were kids, but Rance had learned some dirty tricks of his own since then and Kel was overconfident. Down they went - but the raven was ready for him, and when they hit the ground it was Rance who took control of their momentum. Before the wind-spirit could get his balance under him he found himself being lifted by the body beneath him and tumbled to the side, finding himself the one on the bottom and Rance straddling him in victory.

Kel tried to heave once with his hips, but he was thoroughly pinned and he fell back with a laugh, flinging one arm melodramatically over his eyes. "Alright, alright!" he managed through his laughter. "I submit! I'll return your feather, peasant. It didn't go with my wardrobe anyways." And he peeked from beneath his arm as he stuck out his tongue at his friend, happy to pretend for a moment that they were kids in the Grove again.

Not adults trying not to think about the unceasing darkness of an alien world.


RE: [SE] Games To Play In The Dark - Rance - 06-29-2020

Kel was still stronger in this world. it was true, but Rance had been active over the past few months. Whether the activity had made a difference or not, however, it was a different sort of experience that helped him pin Kel, legs briefly tangled until he could sit just above those bucking hips and pin Kel's shoulders with a braced forearm at his throat. Not that any pressure was actually applied and the moment Kel moved, Rance sat up and removed his arm, grinning.

Torchlight sparkled off amber eyes and for half a heartbeat Rance felt something in his chest stirring. But then Kel was sticking his tongue out at him and Rance was laughing, eyes narrowed and grin spread wide. [say]"Nonsense,"[/say] he chuckled, [say]"black is the perfect color."[/say] He raked a hand through his hair, the other on his hip as if to strike a heroic pose. [say]"And I am triumphant once again!"[/say] Not that his win record had been all that great when they'd last played nearly a decade ago, but it was the act that mattered.


RE: [SE] Games To Play In The Dark - Kellan - 06-29-2020

He'd seen Rance preen and pose a hundred times and more, but something in the angle this time caught the hunter by surprise, a look in hooded blue eyes that was there and gone again in a flash - or maybe he'd just imagined it? His grin faltered for a moment, but the raven's pompous words broke the half-formed spell and he snorted, pushing at his friend (gently) with his hands.

"This time," he admitted. "But I'll have my revenge!" He scrambled out from under his friend, looking around for his 'sword' and scooping it up to menace Rance with it. One hand was tucked behind his back - the arm that his opponent had 'wounded' in their first duel and he waved his sword under Rance's nose in a threatening manner. "You took my arm, and now I'll take your life!"

So saying he took a swipe at one of Rance's arms in retaliation to make his 'point' - whippy, wave, and not terribly sharp one though it was as he fought back an almost overwhelming case of laughter at their overacting.


RE: [SE] Games To Play In The Dark - Rance - 06-29-2020

Rance let himself be shoved to the side, toppling to the ground with much more drama than Kel's light nudging really deserved. Kel was already declaring his right to vengeance by the time Rance had levered himself up on his elbows, looking up at his 'assailant' with an arched brow. He rolled to his feet, grabbing his own dropped switch on the way, facing Kel just in time to have the threat tossed at him and feel the tap of Kel's own 'sword' tagging his arm.

Rance made a show of letting the arm dangle at his side for a moment, clutching it with his other hand. [say]"Curses, my arm! Wicked prince, lamin' me so!"[/say] His voice shook, laughing at the dramatics of his own words. Then, bending his arm behind him and hooking his thumb over the back of his trousers to make sure he didn't forget, he pointed his own weapon at Kel.

[say]"As long as I have an arm, I can still win!"[/say] He swung out clumsily, swinging low as if to 'cut' Kel's leg.