Gwydion is set to face off against Sir L1-4MNT. He pilots a Hatchet, an Armour usually reserved for training young knights, but this armor is far from what one would expect. It mad been heavily modified for close-in combat. The armor is completely black except for the Sir L1-4MNT's coat of arms--an axe splitting the chain on manacles set against a red field.

After yesterday's performances, Sir L1-4MNT is the favorite to win the Tournament. Gwydion is likely in for a tough fight.

OOC:
Heads up, this guy is a tough cookie. Since Meara and Brun had to have it out I thought it'd be most fair to have Gwydion face somebody with equal competency so this guys is built like a PC.

  Near Station
   /         \
Start 1 --- Start 2
   \         /
  Above Callisto
        |
Callisto Surface

12:48, Today: MerLN, for the NPC Sir L14MNT, rolled 0 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, 1, 0, 0. Mark +3. Initiative. Total: +3 If you can beat that, go first.

Aspects in Play
Iliza's Favor
The People's Champion

[Understood, I'll be careful.

14:21, Today: Gwydion rolled 3 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 1, 1, 1. Mark +2, Initiative.

Comes to +5, woo! Also, if I didn't use my Controlled Strength boost from the end of the last fight, can I still apply it here? That had been my hope, but I'm not sure if boosts can go unused past the end of the conflict they're created in.]

Gwydion rubbed his eyes with one hand before looking again at the sensor readouts. He'd been up late last night as he'd expected, but he'd been planning on doing some research on this guy. Well, at least he'd made some new friends, but that wouldn't last long if he couldn't. If he had a next match, he'd have to remember to go easier on the ale before it.

As the match itself began, the Longsword opened with the same move as before, a few quick swipes of the gunblade to launch cutting beams toward the Hatchet. This time the plan wasn't to keep his opponent off-balance for a direct approach, but rather to buy himself time while his sensors gathered as much data as he could. He'd be doing his night's homework in as few seconds as he could spare.

[Narratively shooting energy blasts, mechanically making a Lore check to Create an Advantage.

14:33, Today: Gwydion rolled -1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, -1, 0, 0. Lore +2, Create an Advantage.

Erk. +1 total good enough?]

While Gwydion tries to prepare for the conflict, Sir L1-4MNT doesn't wait around. He rushes straight at his opponent and tries to deliver a hay maker that will cripple his opponent in one blow. He's fighting style isn't fancy, but it is brutally effective.

OOC:

Gwydion:

I'm not sure if boosts can go unused past the end of the conflict they're created in.

That's actually what I was looking up when I made this thread, but I couldn't find a definitive answer. My inclination was that a boost, since it is so transient ends when the conflict/challenge that created it resolves. If you can find where it says otherwise though feel free to use the boost.

19:13, Today: MerLN, for the NPC Sir L1-4MNT, rolled -3 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, -1, -1, 0. Armour +3 to avoid being sensor scanned. Total: 0. You succeed at creating your advantage.

L1-4MNT moves to your starting zone and attacks.

19:17, Today: MerLN, for the NPC Sir L1-4MNT, rolled 1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 1, 0, 0. Great +4 Melee. Attack. Total: 5

  Near Station
   /         \
Start 1 --- Start 2
 Gw L1
   \         /
  Above Callisto
        |
Callisto Surface

Aspects in Play
Iliza's Favor
The People's Champion (1 free invoke)
Gwydion's unnamed aspect (1 free invoke)

This message was last edited by the GM at 23:22, Tue 19 Aug 2014.

[19:09, Today: Gwydion rolled 0 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 1, 0, -1. Melee +3, Defend.

Two shifts of success, so I'll absorb that with my 2 Stress box. You weren't kiddin' about this guy.]

Sensor readings flow in on Gwydion, and a proximity alert chimed in. There was just enough time to raise the kite shield, and the impact sent Gwydion's armour shooting backward until his thrusters burst in to bring him to a stop. He was pretty sure this wasn't going to go his way if he let that beast get in close again.

The first order of business was to move away from that death machine, putting thrusters on full burn to open the distance. His next beams were designed to create an obstacle keeping Sir Liamont from getting close.

[Moving to Above Callisto, then Creating an Advantage using the Energy Gunblade and Melee. Gonna try and make an aspect to stop Liamont's free movement and buy myself some time.

19:34, Today: Gwydion rolled -3 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, -1, -1, 0. Melee +3, Create an Advantage.

Uh...Fate point reroll! :D

19:34, Today: Gwydion rolled 1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, 1, 1, 0. Melee +3, Create an Advantage.

Oh thank goodness. +4 result. Hopefully that'll slow him down a bit.]

Sir L1-4MNT doesn't even bother to dodge the field of shots that Gwydion fires, he simply charges right through them using his Armour's shield to deflect the hardest hits. It's slow going, but he is closing the distance between himself and Gwydion.

OOC:
Your total on the movement aspect was +4 so Sir L1-4MNT needs to beat 4 to overcome the aspect.

10:52, Today: MerLN, for the NPC Sir L14MNT, rolled 0 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 0, 1, -1. Armour +3 to overcome Field of Blades Obstacle Aspect. Spend a FATE Point tagging Brutal and Efficient to raise total to +5. Aspect is removed, but I'm going to say that the free invoke that Gwydion earned with his roll becomes a boost applied to his next action. Also Sir L1-4MNT wasn't able to move that turn.

  Near Station
   /         \
Start 1 --- Start 2
 L1
   \         /
  Above Callisto
       Gw
        |
Callisto Surface

Aspects in Play
Iliza's Favor
The People's Champion (1 free invoke)
Hatchet Scan (1 free invoke)
Free Boost of Gwydion's Choice on next attack,

Also, it occurs to me that Brun and Meara can see each other's sheets so you should be able to see Sir L1-4MNT's sheet too so:

Sir L1-4MNT

Aspects: Forged in the Crucible of Mars, Brutal and Efficient, Loyalty Unto Death

Great: Melee
Good: Armour, Mark
Fair: Blast, Daunt, Vigor
Average: Cunning, Devotion, Smithy, Zeal

Stunts
Killing Stroke: Spend a fate point to force an opponent to step up a consequence they took as a result of your attack. Mild becomes moderate, moderate becomes severe, and severe requires a second consequence or be taken out.

Power Surge: Shut down a System to gain +2 on an Armour roll

Fearless: +2 Devotion to Overcome vs. Fear-based Mental Attacks

STRESS
Physical [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Mental   [ ] [ ]

Current FP:2

Executioner
Head: Death’s Head (Use Armour instead of Daunt to intimidate an
opponent if you haven’t done so already in this scene)
Front: Vibranium Alloy (Great Vigor)
Back: Mono-edge Axe (When you succeed with style on a Fighting attack, you may put a scene aspect with a free invocation into play instead of just a boost)
Arms: Gauss Kite Shield (+2 to Armour to defend vs. Melee)
Legs: Charger Rockets (Use Armour instead of Zeal when attempting to overcome obstacles)

Liamont powered through Gwydion's energy beams. He hadn't seen that happen before. That was alarming.

On the enemy's approach, Gwydion readied himself to strike back. If he could time it right, he'd be able to dodge the incoming axe with a burst of speed and cut into his opponent's armour as they passed each other. If it went wrong, well... Gwydion tried to ensure it didn't go wrong.

[Moving back into Start 1 and making an attack against Liamont. This might hurt a bit. Not sure who. :P

18:33, Today: Gwydion rolled 2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, 1, 1, -1. Melee +3, Attack.

Starting with +5. Since this guy's got me pretty well freaked out, invoking the People's Champion (free), Blade Cover (free boost), Iliza's Favor (1 FP), and Louder Than Words (1 FP). That's a total of +13. Let's see how that goes.]

Gwydion's attack is flawless and againt an opponent any less skilled he would have ended the fight with that one blow. But Sir L1-4MNT is fond of that tactic himself, and manages to counter the blow, but just barely. Gwyidon's gunblade scrapes across the Armour's face ruining the twisted and intimidating visage that decorates it.

Sir L1-4MNT tries to counter attack, but the blow is clumsy and not likely to do any real damage.

OOC:
Hell of a hit, sir. Insane.

Spend those Fate Points. Spend them all! Then I can rain compels on you and there's nothing you can do Muwahahahahahaha! >:D

21:59, Today: MerLN, for the NPC Sir L1-4MNT, rolled 1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 1, -1, 1. Melee +4. Defend. Spending a Fate Point to invoke Forged in the Crucible of Mars and ge +2. Total: 7. 6-stress hit. 4-stress check box is checked off and he absorbs the other two by shutting down a system.

22:13, Today: MerLN, for the NPC Sir L1-4MNT, rolled -2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, -1, 1, -1. Melee +4. Attack. Total: 2

Near Station
   /         \
Start 1 --- Start 2
L1 Gw
   \         /
  Above Callisto
        |
Callisto Surface

Aspects in Play
Iliza's Favor
The People's Champion
Hatchet Scan

Also, it occurs to me that Brun and Meara can see each other's sheets so you should be able to see Sir L1-4MNT's sheet too so:

Sir L1-4MNT

Aspects: Forged in the Crucible of Mars, Brutal and Efficient, Loyalty Unto Death

Great: Melee
Good: Armour, Mark
Fair: Blast, Daunt, Vigor
Average: Cunning, Devotion, Smithy, Zeal

Stunts
Killing Stroke: Spend a fate point to force an opponent to step up a consequence they took as a result of your attack. Mild becomes moderate, moderate becomes severe, and severe requires a second consequence or be taken out.

Power Surge: Shut down a System to gain +2 on an Armour roll

Fearless: +2 Devotion to Overcome vs. Fear-based Mental Attacks

STRESS
Physical [ ] [ ] [ ] [x]
Mental   [ ] [ ]

Current FP:1

Executioner
Head: Death’s Head (Use Armour instead of Daunt to intimidate an opponent if you haven’t done so already in this scene)
Front: Vibranium Alloy (Great Vigor)
Back: Mono-edge Axe (When you succeed with style on a Fighting attack, you may put a scene aspect with a free invocation into play instead of just a boost)
Arms: Gauss Kite Shield (+2 to Armour to defend vs. Melee)
Legs: Charger Rockets (Use Armour instead of Zeal when attempting to overcome obstacles)

[12:49, Today: Gwydion rolled 0 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, 0, 0, 1. Melee +3, Defend.

+3 defense just barely escapes that +2 attack. Whew.]

He'd landed a blow! The strike managed to throw off Liamont's own strike enough to avoid, if only just barely. That was two attacks he'd survived. If Gwydion lost now, at least he'd have lasted longer than the Martian knight's prior opponent. Then inspiration struck.

If he could mask sensor signals, Liamont's armor would have a harder time getting close enough to bring that weapon to bear. With a new plan in his head, Gwydion went to work setting up a sensor jam. He took flight toward the planet below, skimming the upper atmosphere and bringing down his energy gunblade to warp the magnetic field. Hopefully it would provide the sort of sensor feedback that would give him a better chance to get in a solid hit.

At no point did he take into account that it might affect his sensors as well, nor did he notice the Hatchet's scans displaying a much better sensor network than his own.

[Moving to Above Callisto, then gonna see if I can Create an Advantage using Lore (Magnetic Distortion on the zone). while compelling Louder Than Words for -2 to the roll. The idea being that he hasn't really thought his plan through, and it's likely to hurt him as much as his opponent in the short term.

12:56, Today: Gwydion rolled -4 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, -1, -1, -1. Lore +2, Create an Advantage.

Erk. Uh. Lore +2 brings that to -2, and compelling the aspect makes it -4. o_o]

Gwydion's attempt to create a magnetic distortion is a success. Unfortunately, the distortion momentarily blinds the Longsword's sensors and by the time the young knight can recover, his opponent is right on top of him and looking to even the score.

OOC:
That roll will create the aspect but with a free invoke for your opponent.

Sir L1-4MNT will pursue Gwydion to the same zone and attack.

18:54, Today: MerLN, for the NPC Sir L1-4MNT, rolled 1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, -1, 0, 1. Melee +4. Attack. Free invoke on Magnetic Distortion for +2. Spending his last Fate point to invoke Brutal and Efficient for +2 Total: 9

Sir L1-4MNT
STRESS
Physical [ ] [ ] [ ] [x]
Mental   [ ] [ ]

Current FP:0

Executioner
Head: Death’s Head (Use Armour instead of Daunt to intimidate an opponent if you haven’t done so already in this scene)
Front: Vibranium Alloy (Great Vigor)
Back: Mono-edge Axe (When you succeed with style on a Fighting attack, you may put a scene aspect with a free invocation into play instead of just a boost)
Arms: Gauss Kite Shield (+2 to Armour to defend vs. Melee)
Legs: Charger Rockets (Use Armour instead of Zeal when attempting to overcome obstacles)

  Near Station
   /         \
Start 1 --- Start 2
   \         /
  Above Callisto
      Gw L1
        |
Callisto Surface

Aspects in Play
Iliza's Favor
The People's Champion
Hatchet Scan
Magnetic Distortion

[16:15, Today: Gwydion rolled 2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, 1, -1, 1. Melee +3, Defend.

So that's +5. I'll take the four-shift hit to my 4 Stress Box (which we determined I get from my Armour's Great Vigor) and try really really hard not to get hit again.]

The incoming attack made contact, and only the strained effort of Gwydion's shield against the axe blade kept the thing from removing some part of his armour. He couldn't keep that up. Liamont was wearing him down, even if only a bit at a time. But he had one more surprise up his sleeve, and the time had come for it.

A thruster-boosted turn helped him shove the axe away, and he used that momentum to draw the sword up and hopefully into his opponent. He had every respect for his opponent, but the real loss would be losing the faith of the people, and possibly the favor of the Baron. He needed this victory. Avaluna needed it.

[16:26, Today: Gwydion rolled 2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 1, 1, 0. Melee +3, Attack.

Alright, so +5 total to start! Adding +2 from Hatchet Scan (free invoke), Iliza's Facor (1 FP), and The People's Champion (1 FP) for +11 total. That will bring me to 0 FP, by the way.]

Gwydion's perfectly timed riposte deals another punishing blow to Exectioner and sends it reeling as one of it's thrusters explodes.

Despite the damage, Sir L1-4MNT strikes back with his axe, showing no less ferocity than before.

Great cheers go up on the station as it looks like the battle is turning in the Prince's favor. The young envoy had done much to increase his stock among the populace of the station the prior evening and news of his charming and forthright demeanor had spread like an oxygen fire.

Princess Iliza watches the screen with rapt attention. She gasps every time it looks as though Gwydion's Longsword is going to take a fierce blow, praying that the charm she gave him will keep him safe. It's not that she doubts Gwydion's ability, but Sir L1-4MNT has a reputation for being a brutal fighter and his showing yesterday puts any doubts of that to rest. But Sir Gwydion is more than holding his own against the skilled Martian knight. When Gwydion deflects the blow and drives the gunblade up into his opponent's armor, she jumps to her feet and cheers with the rest. Decorum and the appearance of neutrality be damned.

OOC:
15:28, Today: MerLN, for the NPC Sir L1-4MNT, rolled 1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, -1, 0, 1. Melee +4. Armour +3. +2 From Kite Shield Defend. Total: 6. Three Stress Check-box plus shutting down Charger Rockets.

15:30, Today: MerLN, for the NPC Sir L1-4MNT, rolled 0 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 1, 0, -1. Melee +4. Attack. Total: 4.

Sir L1-4MNT
STRESS
Physical [ ] [x] [ ] [x]
Mental   [ ] [ ]

Current FP:0

Executioner
Head: Death’s Head (Use Armour instead of Daunt to intimidate an opponent if you haven’t done so already in this scene)
Front: Vibranium Alloy (Great Vigor)
Back: Mono-edge Axe (When you succeed with style on a Fighting attack, you may put a scene aspect with a free invocation into play instead of just a boost)
Arms: Gauss Kite Shield (+2 to Armour to defend vs. Melee)
Legs: Charger Rockets (Use Armour instead of Zeal when attempting to overcome obstacles)

  Near Station
   /         \
Start 1 --- Start 2
   \         /
  Above Callisto
      Gw L1
        |
Callisto Surface

Aspects in Play
Iliza's Favor
The People's Champion
Hatchet Scan
Magnetic Distortion
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:44, Fri 22 Aug 2014.

[13:26, Today: Gwydion rolled 0 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 0, 1, -1. Melee +3, Defend.

+3 vs his +4 attack gives one shift of success, and there's really not much I can do about it. Going to compel the Magnetic Distortion aspect against myself to make that a 3 shift hit and earn myself a Fate Point. I'm gonna need it. Then I'll take the hit to my 3 stress box.]

His plan had backfired terribly, but at least he was chipping away at his opponent. Another major system down, just a few more to go. But how long could Gwydion keep it up? Did he really have any more tricks up his sleeve? There wasn't much time to think, as the axe came down hard onto the Longsword's sword and shield, pushing the Armour into the atmospheric distortion he'd created. The electronics in the cockpit started to crackle and short, and he slammed the gunblade back down to create a spike of energy in hopes of masking another retreat. The only sensor readings he needed in that moment were to know which direction was away.

[First rolling Create an Advantage to provide opposition to Liamont following me, then moving to Start 2.

13:40, Today: Gwydion rolled -3 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, -1, -1, -1. Lore +2, Create an Advantage.

...Uh...Does -1 do it? :D]

Unfortunately for Gwydion, the magnetic distortion seems to affect his own Armour more than his opponent's. Sir L1-4MNT pursues him with relentless determination giving the Prince no quarter as the Executioner slams into the Longsword with its heavy shield.

OOC:
17:42, Today: MerLN, for the NPC Sir L1-4MNT, rolled 0 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 1, 0, -1. Armour +3. Defend vs. Aspect. Total: 4 Fail on the Create Advantage.

17:22, Today: MerLN, for the NPC Sir L1-4MNT, rolled 1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 1, 0, 0. Melee +4. Attack. Total: 5

Sir L1-4MNT
STRESS
Physical [ ] [x] [ ] [x]
Mental   [ ] [ ]

Current FP:0

Executioner
Head: Death’s Head (Use Armour instead of Daunt to intimidate an opponent if you haven’t done so already in this scene)
Front: Vibranium Alloy (Great Vigor)
Back: Mono-edge Axe (When you succeed with style on a Fighting attack, you may put a scene aspect with a free invocation into play instead of just a boost)
Arms: Gauss Kite Shield (+2 to Armour to defend vs. Melee)
Legs: Charger Rockets (Use Armour instead of Zeal when attempting to overcome obstacles)

  Near Station
   /         \
Start 1 --- Start 2
             Gw L1
   \         /
  Above Callisto
        |
Callisto Surface

Aspects in Play
Iliza's Favor
The People's Champion
Hatchet Scan
Magnetic Distortion

[11:56, Today: Gwydion rolled -2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 0, -1, -1. Melee +3, Defend.

Erk. Spending 1 FP to invoke Hatchet Scan for +2, bringing that to +3 total. I'll soak the two shift hit by shutting down my Skeletal Hyperweave Alloy.]

As Gwydion backed off, his crackling sensors didn't give him the kind of warning he needed to know just how close Liamont had gotten. It wasn't until he glanced back at the scans and realized how /fast/ that machine is that he knew he wasn't getting anywhere. With a quick twist, Gwydion slammed his shield into the incoming axe, pressing against it to try and keep his Armour from being sent flying again. The strain started overheating the servos, and emergency systems started to loosen elements of the frame to prevent a complete breakdown.

Sufficiently loosened up, Gwydion kicked off his opponent and backed away in a flare of rockets, slashing to and fro to give the Hatchet something to dodge, hopefully right into the real attack.

[Moving to Near the Station, then attacking with Melee. No Fate Points for me, though. Ew.

12:04, Today: Gwydion rolled -2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 0, -1, -1. Melee +3, Attack.

What the what. Oh that's not very good at all.]

Sir L1-4MNT continues to press the assault and it looks like the tables have turned. Moments before the Knight from Avaluna had the advantage, but now that advantage seems to belong to the Martian Knight who deals cut after cut while easily deflecting his opponent's blows.

The station becomes eerily quiet as the people watch Prince Gwydion attempt to fend off the brutish Sir L1-4MNT. Some are shock at the quick change in momentum, but each and every face is glued to the monitors unable to look away.

OOC:
23:55, Today: MerLN, for the NPC Sir L1-4MNT, rolled -1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, 0, 0, 0. Armour +3. Defend vs. Melee. +2 Kite Shield. Total: 4. That's a defense with style, so he gets a boost. Furious Charge.

Sir L1-4MNT pursues and attacks.

23:59, Today: MerLN, for the NPC Sir L1-4MNT, rolled -1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, 0, 0, 0. Melee +4. Attack. +2 Boost from Defense roll with Style. Total: 5

Sir L1-4MNT
STRESS
Physical [ ] [x] [ ] [x]
Mental   [ ] [ ]

Current FP:0

Executioner
Head: Death’s Head (Use Armour instead of Daunt to intimidate an opponent if you haven’t done so already in this scene)
Front: Vibranium Alloy (Great Vigor)
Back: Mono-edge Axe (When you succeed with style on a Fighting attack, you may put a scene aspect with a free invocation into play instead of just a boost)
Arms: Gauss Kite Shield (+2 to Armour to defend vs. Melee)
Legs: Charger Rockets (Use Armour instead of Zeal when attempting to overcome obstacles)

  Near Station
        Gw L1
   /         \
Start 1 --- Start 2
   \         /
  Above Callisto
        |
Callisto Surface

Aspects in Play
Iliza's Favor
The People's Champion
Hatchet Scan
Magnetic Distortion

[15:38, Today: Gwydion rolled -1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, 0, 0, 0. Melee +3, Defend.

Oh dear. That gives him a success with style, which is either 3 stress, or 2 stress with a full aspect and free invocation. I'll let you decide on that part before I continue.]

OOC: Sir L1-4MNT is definitely taking the two-stress hit + Full Aspect with free invoke. If played right he'll just keep freight-training along until he beats Gwydion into submission. >:D. At least Iliza seems like she'd nurse the poor Prince back to health.

Seriously, though, it's not over. You're far from out of this. Keep in mind you did some significant damage early. This wasn't meant to be a push-over fight, but it's still well within hand for you too.

[Oh I know it ain't over until somebody gives. Just looking for ways to get myself either FP or more free invokes. If it's a straight roll-off between his Melee +4 and my Melee +3, I have a very slim chance of success. Gotta find ways to get the upper hand or I'm toast.

Taking the stress to my Kite Shield system, shutting it down.]

His own attacks were proving completely ineffective now that he'd lost his advantage, and Gwydion was beginning to regret his choice of late night activities. Studying would have given him the chance to come up with a real plan. Instead, the best he could do was try to find an opening in the enemy's attacks and strike with all he had.

This was not his finest moment, but he wasn't ready to yield just yet.

[Gonna make a Mark roll to Create an Advantage. Trying to renew the Hatchet Scan aspect.

17:12, Today: Gwydion rolled 0 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, -1, 1, -1. Mark +2, Create Advantage.

That's a +2. Any opportunity to compel something that won't take me out of the fight instantly? ^_^; ]

Sir L1-4MNT's relentless assault drives the two armours back father with each strike, block, and parry, until the two are practically on top of the station. Many of the Spectators abandon their viewscreens and rush instead to viewports and plasteel windows to watch the action. Proximity alarms blare as the two of you streak toward the station.

Gwydion tries to get another sensor readout of his opponent's armour, but the systems still hasn't recovered from the magnetic distortion that affected them earlier.

Sir L1-4MNT maneuvers Gwydion so that his Longsword is trapped between the Executioner and the station itself. The Prince has no where to go and a very skilled Martian Knight ready to take him out.

A voice crackles over the comms, the magnetic distortion getting the better of the transmission, "Yield, Sir Gwydion. You fought well, but you are bested. You need not get hurt."

OOC:
22:03, Today: MerLN, for the NPC Sir L1-4MNT, rolled 1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 0, 0, 1. Armour +3. Defend vs. Being Scanned. Total: 5. Sir L1-4MNT wins the defense with Style. The aspect isn't created and instead Sir L1-4MNT gets the boost You really should have done your homework.

Compels you say? Why, yes, I've got plenty. Gwydion also has plenty of reasons not to lose this fight--there's too much a stake. The mission, the people of this station, even Lady Iliza... That's a compel on Arthur's Nephew, The People's Champion, and Iliza's favor. If and only if Gwydion refuses to surrender he can have Fate points. He can have 1 if he refuses to surrender until he takes at least a minor Consequence, 2 if he will hold out until a moderate consequence, and 3 if he'll hold out until a severe consequence. Those are some heavy stakes for sure. Is it worth it? Should he just surrender or should he go for it? The real question is how bad do you want it?

Sir L1-4MNT
STRESS
Physical [ ] [x] [ ] [x]
Mental   [ ] [ ]

Current FP:0

Executioner
Head: Death’s Head (Use Armour instead of Daunt to intimidate an opponent if you haven’t done so already in this scene)
Front: Vibranium Alloy (Great Vigor)
Back: Mono-edge Axe (When you succeed with style on a Fighting attack, you may put a scene aspect with a free invocation into play instead of just a boost)
Arms: Gauss Kite Shield (+2 to Armour to defend vs. Melee)
Legs: Charger Rockets (Use Armour instead of Zeal when attempting to overcome obstacles)

  Near Station
        Gw L1
   /         \
Start 1 --- Start 2
   \         /
  Above Callisto
        |
Callisto Surface

Aspects in Play
Iliza's Favor
The People's Champion
Hatchet Scan
Magnetic Distortion
Buzzing the Tower (1 free invoke for Sir L1)
You really should have done your homework (Boost)

Gwydion managed to bring his Armour to a stop just before making dangerous contact with the station's hull. The people inside could likely hear when his mangled and discarded kite shield clanged into it a few seconds later. The prince was quiet for a moment, weighing his options. He was truly in a bad place, and the only way out would be through Liamont. Their respective machines were in similar states, but the Martian was clearly a more skilled combatant. He steeled himself, took a breath, and gave his reply.

"You are the better fighter, Sir Liamont, and I can't say otherwise. If we keep at this for too long, I may not return at all. Even so, this isn't about me or my pride. This is about humanity against the Enemy. It's about the indomitable spirit. When our Knights step out into the cold void to face the machines, there will be no choice to surrender. There is no retreat or respite. There is only the fight, and the end. I may not be here to die, but there is simply too much at stake to yield so easily." With that, he brought the sword up, now with two hands, and readied to continue.

[Taking the two fate points. Gonna fight until victory or a Moderate consequence. Also rolling Chivalry to create an advantage using Gwydion's sense of honor and loyalty to his people, that being all of the people everywhere, to shake Liamont's resolve.

21:26, Today: Gwydion rolled 0 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, -1, 1, 0. Chivalry +3, Create an Advantage.]

[Success on Create an Advantage gives a free invoke to The People's Champion. Again, may as well recycle aspects. Also updated Biography lines.]

Sir L1-4MNT is quiet for several moments after Gwydion's speech and refusal to yield. "Very well, Sir Gwydion. I will end this quickly," Sir L1-4MNT finally says through bursts of static on the intercom. His words are not arrogant, but almost deferential.

True to his word, his attack comes swiftly. He darts in, skirting along the hull of the station, ensuring that Sir Gwydion has nowhere to go. He raises his axe, preparing to deliver the final blow to his opponent.

OOC:
12:00, Today: MerLN, for the NPC Sir L1-4MNT, rolled 0 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, 0, 0, -1. Melee +4. Attack. +2 from Boost. +2 Free Invoke. Total: 8.

Sir L1-4MNT
STRESS
Physical [ ] [x] [ ] [x]
Mental   [ ] [ ]

Current FP:0

Executioner
Head: Death’s Head (Use Armour instead of Daunt to intimidate an opponent if you haven’t done so already in this scene)
Front: Vibranium Alloy (Great Vigor)
Back: Mono-edge Axe (When you succeed with style on a Fighting attack, you may put a scene aspect with a free invocation into play instead of just a boost)
Arms: Gauss Kite Shield (+2 to Armour to defend vs. Melee)
Legs: Charger Rockets (Use Armour instead of Zeal when attempting to overcome obstacles)

  Near Station
        Gw L1
   /         \
Start 1 --- Start 2
   \         /
  Above Callisto
        |
Callisto Surface

Aspects in Play
Iliza's Favor
The People's Champion (1 free invoke)
Hatchet Scan
Magnetic Distortion
Buzzing the Tower
You really should have done your homework (Boost)

[18:50, Today: Gwydion rolled -1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, 0, -1, -1. Melee +3, Defend.

Of course. That's a +2, giving 6 shifts of success. @_@

Taking out my Heraldic Database Visor to absorb 2 shifts. I'll let him choose another system of mine to shutdown for -4 before I continue.]

OOC: He'll chose to take out the Energy Gunblade.

The sudden attack, even expected as it was, completely overpowered the Longsword's defenses. With no shield to protect himself with, Gwydion was forced to rely on his gunblade to hold off that killer axe. Power surged and redirected, focusing enough energy into the gunblade to burn out its emitters. The advanced sensor feed crackled and went dead, leaving only basic sensors and no access to the heraldic database. By the time Gwydion pushed off from his opponent's assault, he was piloting what was almost a wreck. He'd have to think on his feet a little more to come out of this the victor.

His first order of business was to open the distance again, but without the use of his gunblade at range, zooming out into open space was suicide. Liamont had used the tower against Gwydion. It was time for Gwydion to use it against Liamont. The Armour's rockets flared and sputtered for a moment, but then gave a solid burst and the Knight zoomed off along the tower, away from his opponent. Hopefully he could move far enough to get a chance to think.

[Going to use Zeal to Create an Advantage, getting myself a free invoke on Buzzing the Tower.

19:48, Today: Gwydion rolled 1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, 1, 0, -1. Zeal +2, Create an Advantage.

+3 result look good?]

It's easy to see the tiny faces of the spectators staring out of the viewports in awe and wonder as you zoom past.

Sir L1-4MNT rushes after Sir Gwydion determined to finish the fight. He struggles to keep up with the Prince and his quicker reflexes, making up for what he lacks in finesse by diverting more power to the his thrusters. The gamble backfires just as Sir L1-4MNT closes the distance and raises his Monoaxe to attack. Already damaged and unable the sustain the increased output, the Executioner's thrusters overload and send Sir L1-4MNT careening violently into an external ship mooring structure. The Executioner hits hard and does not rebound quickly.

OOC:
23:11, Today: MerLN, for the NPC Sir L1-4MNT, rolled -3 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, -1, 0, -1. Zeal +1. Defend vs. CA. Total: -2. Gwydion succeeds by 5. That's definitely success with Style. That'll help for defense, because I think he's going to try to finish it again.

23:21, Today: MerLN, for the NPC Sir L1-4MNT, rolled -4 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, -1, -1, -1. Melee +4. Attack. Total: 0

Wow...the Dice Roller is in love with you. Damn, it must have really dug your speech. I think L1-4MNT is about to have a bad day if you can capitalize.

Sir L1-4MNT
STRESS
Physical [ ] [x] [ ] [x]
Mental   [ ] [ ]

Current FP:0

Executioner
Head: Death’s Head (Use Armour instead of Daunt to intimidate an opponent if you haven’t done so already in this scene)
Front: Vibranium Alloy (Great Vigor)
Back: Mono-edge Axe (When you succeed with style on a Fighting attack, you may put a scene aspect with a free invocation into play instead of just a boost)
Arms: Gauss Kite Shield (+2 to Armour to defend vs. Melee)
Legs: Charger Rockets (Use Armour instead of Zeal when attempting to overcome obstacles)

  Near Station
        Gw L1
   /         \
Start 1 --- Start 2
   \         /
  Above Callisto
        |
Callisto Surface

Aspects in Play
Iliza's Favor
The People's Champion (1 free invoke)
Hatchet Scan
Magnetic Distortion
Buzzing the Tower (2 free invokes Gwydion)

This message was last edited by the GM at 03:42, Sun 07 Sept 2014.

[20:47, Today: Gwydion rolled 0 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, 1, -1, -1. Melee +3, Defend.

+3 vs +0 is a success with style! I get a boost on top of my free invokes! :D]

The plan was working! Having to dodge around obstacles gave Gwydion's Longsword the edge, and he quickly adjusted speed to let his enemy catch up as quickly as possible. It didn't take much effort to avoid the wide swing of the axe, and the Prince countered with his unpowered gunblade, intending to end the fight then and there for all the people to see

[Alright, here goes. Alpha strike time. Going for a Melee attack, naturally.

20:53, Today: Gwydion rolled 1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, 0, 1, -1. Melee +3, Attack.

So that's +4 to start. We're gonna bump that sucker up: Off Balance (Boost +2), The People's Champion (free +2), Buzzing the Tower (2 free +4), Iliza's Favor (1 FP +2), for a total of +14.

If he takes a Severe Consequence, I'll use the Quality of Mercy to tone it down to Moderate for a Fate Point. :D

EDIT: Put in the Boost and took out a Fate Point spend.]
This message was last edited by the player at 17:18, Sun 07 Sept 2014.

End the fight the Prince does. He deals the Executioner a devastating blow. With his Gunblade poised to strike again, Gwydion's comm crackles to life: "I yield, Sir Gwydion. You are the better combatant today," Sir L1-4MNT says.

The Spectators go wild. Any bystanders somehow oblivious to the scene might have supposed a riot had broken out if not for the cheers and shouts of joy.

When Gwydion reaches the hangar once more and climbs down from his battered Armour he's practically snatched off of his feet and hoisted up onto the shoulders of the crowd. They carry him around like a trophy, rather than a member of the Royalty. Shouts ring out, "What a Mighty Champion!", "Can you believe it? Chip off the ol' block 'e is. I bet his Uncle is ten feet tall." " "He's has the heart of a Lion." By the way he's paraded around, it's as though Gwydion had won the Tournament itself rather than just his second round match.

Suddenly, Gwydion is put down in a hurry, almost unceremoniously. Sir Gwydion finds himself standing only a few feet from Lady Iliza, "Oh, no," she protests to the crowd, "Please, don't stop the fun on my account. Really." A voice from the crowd cries out, "We were just bringing him to you, m'lady. Figured we'd save you the trip." Iliza blushes at the comment, and mutters a thank you before she finally manages to recover her poise. She takes a step closer to Gwydion, but then hesitates. Another voice calls out, "Don't stop the fun on our account. Really!" Lady Iliza looks even more deeply embarrassed, but she musters her courage and speaks, "Sir Gwydion you fought well. Your courage is truly humbling and--," she reaches out to take his hand, "I am so glad you're safe."

"The ring goes on his third finger, m'lady," another heckler in the crowd says. "Go on, give him a smooch!" Whistles go up at that. To her credit, Iliza teases the crowd back, "Oh, what a lovely bunch of chaperones you make. Shame on you. To think I call you my friends. Perhaps I should reevaluate my choices." "Reevaluate the smooch!" "You are incorrigible. Simply Incorrigible," Iliza chides playfully. "We aim t'please," says a nearby, very drunken, man. "Do you? Hmm, that's very strange. You see, I've heard a very different story from your wife," Iliza responds with quick wit. The crowd begins to guffaw and Iliza sneaks a cautious look at Gwydion suddenly realizing that she's said something that Gwydion will find dreadfully offensive.

OOC:
00:03, Today: MerLN, for the NPC Sir L1-4MNT, rolled -2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, 0, 0, -1. Melee +4. Defend. Total: 2 12-shifts of damage. I take 3 on his 3 stress box leaving 9. Geeze...it doesn't even matter where we allocate them really, his armor gets ruined and he gets busted up and concedes. He'll end up with Moderate Consequence: Bruised Ribs.

Holy hell, Gwydion. How'd you manage to pull that off? That was brilliant. That's like the one time ever I've seen the RPOL Dice roller frame a narrative so perfectly. Gwydion won because he didn't give up when he could have. Wow. Wow. Seriously, how much money did you send jase?

I would rain fate points upon you, but there are compels forthcoming which will do that for me >=)
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:31, Sun 07 Sept 2014.

Gwydion went right along with everything, from being lifted into the air to the crowd bringing him right to Iliza. He seemed almost as embarrassed as she did, though she seemed to regain her stride once the silly jibes started back and fourth. When the crowd suddenly became concerned for his delicate sensibilities, the Prince just looked around at all of them, still wearing the smile that came from stifled laughter. A moment passed before he spoke.

"My friends all need drinks. Come on, we've got glasses to empty!" He didn't seem phased at all by Iliza's joke, and took her extended hand with a wide smile before starting in the direction of last night's bar. "Couldn't have made it without you."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:18, Mon 08 Sept 2014.

The crowd cheers at the mention of drinks and seemingly as one the spectators head for the tavern ushering Prince Gwydion and Lady Iliza along in their wake. Lady Iliza's relief shows when Gwydion takes her ribald jest in stride. His next comment clearly has an affect on her and she squeezes his hand before taking his arm and walking with him.

"Prince Gwydion, I hope you will forgive me for saying, but you are not at all what I thought you would be. I confess I had heard of your visit to the Court of some of the other Titans last year. The stories do not paint you in a favorable light. Did you really fight seven duels? I expected you to be just another vain and arrogant Lord more concerned with his status and handsome face than anything else. But you...you aren't any of those things. You truly have others' best interests at heart. I can tell. Life here is not always easy, Emergent raids are frequent, and when we aren't guarding against the Emergent, we are guarding against each other. More die each year than the last. My father tries to govern well and to ease the burden of the people here. For my own small part, I try to do the same. But you've only been here two days and you've begun to do something my family hasn't been able to do for years. You're giving these people hope. Thank you."

OOC: Fate point for a compel on Transparent Principles. Another if you name/describe the bar. I always like it when players add details.

Gwydion smiled at her as she spoke. He looked exhausted, but kept listening quietly as the crowd led them on their way. When she finished, he took a moment to gather his thoughts before responding, looking around at the station's goings on as if it were part of the answer.

"There was a time my uncle would send ambassadors to the Titans. I often went along with them. They talked a lot, rarely said much. For years I thought it was a punishment, teaching me how to behave properly and act like a good prince. Good afternoon, sir, what pleasant weather the station is having. I've never had a silver tongue, and no interest in playing that stupid game that earned them the title Petty Titans. No offense, your father seems a much more reasonable sort. The others..." He shook his head and sighed, then took a deep breath and began again. His smile had faded until the sadness behind it began to show, and he looked at her again.

"There have been some duels, yes. I think seven is an exaggeration, but...well, maybe not. The politicians don't like it when I call them liars, or callous. Their knights didn't much like it either. But I won't stand idly by while Emergent attack and the lords do nothing but squabble about tariffs and the semantics of treaties. And when those knights who attacked Brun swore that Brun and I had lured them out to steal their Armour like common bandits, I wasn't going to stand for that either." The smile was gone by then. The sadness pushed aside and replaced by an intensity, resolve like a stone wall. They were already close to MacGuffin's Pub and Brewery, the very same bar Gwydion had wiled away the previous evening, but Gwydion stopped to face Iliza and make himself clear.

"I'm no politician, Iliza. I don't waltz with words and play tug of war with innocent lives for amusement. I am a Knight. Not of a county or a castle, that is not where my loyalty lies. It lies with King Arthur, and his loyalty lies with humanity. That's why I'm here. Avaluna isn't a place. It's all of us, every human stretched out across the solar system. I'm not here to gain your father's alliance, I'm here to show him, and these people, that alliances are meaningless. We're already one people, we always were. All that matters now is rubbing out all those imaginary lines in the sand, and standing as one whole against the Emergent. The duty of a Knight is to protect the people. All of them." He was ready to go inside, but waited to see Iliza's reaction.

Lady Iliza is visibly moved by Gwydion's words. She takes a moment before she replies with sincerity, “Oh Gwydion...that is beautiful. I know my father will see things as you do. He will join the King's cause. He must. I will do what I can to sway him. I promise.”

She starts to say something else, but someone slurs, “There they are! I tol' you they didn' get los'. Lady Iliza would never get los'.” The two of them are swept into MacGuffin's in a flash. “Our best table for the Lady and her Champion,” the owner, Cyras, announces. You two are seated at the head of a long table, the only table in the establishment. A entire tray of flagons is put down in front of you. “Perhaps we should partake lightly,” Iliza says as she picks up a flagon, “I promised Mother that I would help her finish the preparations for tonight's Ball and you have another match today.” She has every intention of doing as she says, but then the toasts begin and they continue on for some time. It seems as though every man and woman in MacGuffin's has something to toast, whether they are truly grateful or just passing the time until the next match.

“To Baron Gehenmis and King Arthur! Long may they reign.”

“To the Brave Prince Gwydion, who gave that Martian what for!”

“To the Lady Iliza, to her kind heart and stunning beauty!”

“To that Edge Knight Brun, and his perfectly chiseled backside.”

“To our wives and sweethearts—may they never meet!”

There's a cheer after every toast, and another toast after every cheer.

OOC:
Now it's time for some fun!

First off, have a Fate Point for the speech. Good stuff there.

Second, have a compel on the People's Champion to have more than you should to drink before your next match. It's rude not to drink a toast you know. Especially one on your behalf and boy there are a lot of those going on right now.

And one on the Iliza's Favor scene aspect to have her get drunk too. What's the harm? It's not like there's a fancy ball tonight she needs to help get prepared or anything, right?

For his part, Gwydion nodded in agreement with Iliza's suggestion. He was still rattled from the battle he'd just won, and there was yet another? He only hoped his team would be able to repair the Longsword in short order. It had taken quite the pounding.

The first toasts got hearty drinks from the prince, his smile widening with each one. They started getting a bit silly quickly, but Gwydion wasn't about to turn any of them down. Before they got too far out of hand, he tried to bring them back to toasts he felt were worth mentioning. Besides, he wouldn't want to be left out of the fun.

"To Sir Liamont of Mars, as honorable as he is fierce!" It may not have been common for a knight to praise his enemy so highly, but he'd already declared the Martian a better warrior during the battle itself, and the tournament was all in good fun, after all. And anyway, it would be absurd to play down the skill of someone who'd just carved up his Armour like so much mutton.

"And to MacGuffin's Pub, the place where everybody knows your name!" Maybe he was getting a little too into the spirits of things...

[Hey, don't forget to start passing Fate Points off to the others! That brings me up to 8 FP! XD But totally accepting all of 'em. Aw yeah.]

Before you know it there are quite a few empty flagons of ale between the two of you. Lady Iliza smiles at you and reaches over to take your right hand. She holds it close to her face and examines it. “One...two...three...four...five...hmmm,” she counts as she runs her index finger over each of your fingers in turn, “Just five.” She repeats the process with your left, and then stares at it perplexed for a moment. “There must be something wrong with you. How do you feel about beets?” Lady Iliza has clearly had plenty to drink and is becoming rather tipsy.

Having snuck away from her poor, overworked handmaiden/guardian, Meara enters the pub where there seems to be lots of happy sounds and talking about knights and Avaluna and humanity and wives and mistresses and fun.  Of course, she makes a beeline for the people she recognizes, standing behind Iliza and looking at Gwydion with a expression on her face that seems to be one of intense interest, as if she also very much wishes to know how he feels about beets.

Mysteriously, she hasn't made a sound or really been in their field of vision until she suddenly shows up behind Iliza, either just having fun or genuinely backing up the tipsy noble lady's alcohol-influenced interrogation of Gwydion.

By that time, Gwydion was having a tough time figuring out what Iliza was talking about. She counted his fingers and stopped at five, and he blinked down at his hand. Beets? He looked at her again, and there was Meara right beside them. The prince lifted his hand to show his cousin, a touch of concern on his face and not nearly enough looseness in his voice. He was pretty clearly being far more careful with his speech to sound properly sober.

"I was pretty sure I had ten before we sat down. Does she think my fingers are beets? I didn't drink that much. Do you think she likes beets?"

Iliza turns around to see who it is that Gwydion is speaking to and looks very pleased when she sees Meara, "Oh Princess Meara. It's lovely to see you. Join us, won't you?" She slides down to make room for the Princess on the crowded bench, bringing her very close to Gwydion.

"Oh no you don't," Iliza protests waiving an accusatory finger at the Prince, "We asked you first. Didn't we, Meara? I'm afraid you'll just have to answer the question."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:38, Tue 09 Sept 2014.

Meara quite happily observes the two, rather enjoying the alcohol-influenced interactions between her cousin and his admirer who he may or may not have decided to court - the thought that she is getting to witness the beginning of a courtship makes her giddy inside.  She says nothing to either of them, first giving Gwydion a confused expression at his query, then smiling at Iliza and taking the offered seat, gently nudging Iliza with her hips so that physical contact between the two adorable lushes may occur on a greater scale.

When Iliza presses the subject, Meara's face turns Adorably Serious™ and she nods in agreement with the other woman, adding more pressure to the poor man to answer.

"Hm?" He glanced from his hand to Iliza, then took a deep breath and set his hand on the table. There was a moment before Gwydion had an answer.

"Beets're...I dunno, we dun have'em back home. Mario throws 'em. Blook! I dun think they're very good for fightin'. 'S a food, right?"

"Of course, they're a food. What else would they be? For fighting? Heavens no! Beat with a beet? My word!" Apparently she finds the idea very funny, because she collapses on Gwydion in a fit of giggles.

It takes her a while to recover from her fit, but when she does she looks up at Gwydion and narrows her eyes playfully, "Wait. You're trying to dodge the question, aren't you? And you said you had no time for politics, which is itself a very political answer. Very sneaky. I'm on to you, sir. Now tell me truthfully. Beets or no?"

When Iliza falls on Gwydion due to her giggle fit, Meara subtly scoots over to prevent Iliza from having room to sit back upright without either knocking Meara over or remaining draped over Gwydion.  She does this because she finds the situation both hilarious and adorable.

She is also holding about three different drinks people have bought for her in her hands, each with a different color of umbrella.  They may or may not be alcoholic, but Meara does not trust them.

This does not stop her from sneaking a sip through one of the many straws also sticking out of the drinks, however.

When Iliza toppled over onto him, he caught her with a look of utter confusion. He spent a moment trying to figure out the joke, before giving up and asking Meara.

"What's funny about that? I haven't... no seriously, we don't have beets. I don't see...oooooooh, beat with beets. I got that one. I mean I get it now. Meara, you got it, right?" He didn't seem to notice Iliza didn't have any space to sit up again.

"Hey, hey I am not sneaky. Maybe you're the sneaky one, making all those toasts and then hugging me. That was a lot of toast. I'm pretty sure that may have been too much toast. But it was toasty. I mean tasty."

Iliza looks up at Gwydion, "Hugging you?" Iliza flounders for a moment before trying to turn to Meara for help and suddenly realizing her predicament. She plays it as though she had intended the move all along however, "Not at all. I was merely making room at the table. As if it's my fault that you're entirely comfortable to rest upon."

Iliza wiggles a bit to settle in against Gwydion and speaks to Meara, "Oh my, let me help you with those," she takes one of the drinks with a teal umbrella from Meara's hand and has a sip. "So tell me, Princess Meara. How did you come to choose the Lævateinn Blade as your favored weapon? Such an exotic blade is considered an unconventional choice for a Venusian design, is it not?"

Meara isn't the only one to find Gwydion and Iliza amusing. Many of the patrons cast knowing looks at the pair and smile.

Cheers go up as the picture on the viewscreen switches to the match between Sir Grouz and Dame Scipii.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:38, Mon 15 June 2015.

Suddenly put on the spot, Meara sits up straight on reflex and nearly spills the two drinks she's still holding, managing to keep them from spilling at the last minute with the two drinks held out at arm's length.  Deciding that the table is a much safer place to put the drinks than her hands, she sets them down and clears her throat as if doing so would remove all embarrassment from her undignified reaction.

"Ahem.  I chose it because it is the weapon I trained with the most when I was learning how to fight in Armor.  I also like it because it is tricky to use right, but if you can slip it past their guard, it is very powerful."  Starting to talk with her hands as well as her mouth, she starts making elaborate, but confined (so as not to knock over anything on the table or hit anyone), "But you have to line it up just right or else it will send feedback up the arm and slow you down.  To use it best, you have to be fast.  Really fast.  Vwoooooooosh!"

Iliza clearly enjoys Meara's explanation and pantomime, "Ah, I see. Well, you are clearly fast and skilled enough to take advantage of the blade for certain. Tales of your skills were not exaggerated in the least."

She looks up at Gwydion then back at Meara, "Do the two of you spar often? You're both so skilled I couldn't dare venture a guess as to who would win between you."

Gwydion smiles at Meara's explanation, sneakily taking the glass out of Iliza's hand and setting it down on the other side of him. When she turns and asks the both of them if they've sparred, the prince blinks at her before glancing to his cousin.

"Well. Kind of? We used to, uh... well Meara would bonk me on the head with a stick when I wasn't looking. Does that count? We were...we were wee. Four or five years old, I think? Freyr would scold her, she had the kind of scoldings you find in Greek poems, and I would tell her I'd be prepared for next time. Neeeever was. Eventually the big "they" saw her talent and she started lessons to become a Knight. So did I, but it was mostly because I didn't want to be so bad at it.

My whole combat style is based around dueling Meara, actually. As a five year old, anyway. Strike fast, strike first, keep the opponent off balance. But we haven't had a chance to duel in...well, ever since. Got busy with...being official responsible types. Not as fun as it sounds. Maybe we can during the tournament. It'll be fun. Like old times, but less embarrassing."

Remembering the "sparring" they did as children, Meara says, "Heehee!  You were always bigger than me, but it never mattered.  I'd just bop you with the stick over and over."  Raising the pitch of her voice to sound younger, she imitates her younger self, still doing the pantomime, "Where's your guard?  What if I was an evil ninja robot assassin?  C'mon, let's play Knights and Dragons!  Rawr~"

She then sits up normally and looks a bit nervous as she adds, "Freyr was always a bit scary when she scolded me.  She still is.  I probably ought to be more ready for my next match instead of sitting here, but this is more fun and it helps me loosen up!  All that 'mental training' stuff never really worked for me.  And I do hope we get to duel.  It should be fun!  I would like to see how far you've come with my own hands, as it were."

With a very mischievous smile, she teases, "Not like Iliza might want, though~♥"

Yes.  She has definitely been spending time in the barracks.

Iliza looks shocked at Meara's comment, not because she is offended, she had truthfully been thinking something along the same lines, and that thought did nothing to assuage the sudden worry that she'd been all too obvious. She found Prince Gwydion charming, courageous, genuine, and, yes, more than a bit attractive. That was no secret, judging by all teasing she'd endured these  past few days, especially from her sister Irina. Normally, Irina didn't give any attention to her older sister's social happenings beyond an eye roll, but she'd already made several cheeky comments about the attention Iliza paid to Prince Gwydion.

Now, Meara had suggested it as well, none too subtly. Had she been openly leering at the Prince the entire time, Iliza wondered. What must Gwydion think of her? She thought he seemed to share her warm affection, but could it be that he was just politely humoring a dopey girl from a backwater space station? Or worse yet, did he think of her as another of the, what she imagined must be, countless women who threw themselves at him because of his position? Iliza suddenly felt as if she need air.

She politely laughs at Meara's comment, but stands up as she does, the fingers of her hand brushing against Gwydion's own. She pulls her hand away quickly. Wait, hadn't she been holding a drink a few moments ago? She spotted the cup in question sitting behind Gwydion. He must think I am a drunkard too. “I-I've had a lovely time here with you, but I really must be going. I promised my Lady Mother that I would help her with preparations for the Ball. Princess Meara. P-prince Gwydion.” She curtsies briefly, and moves quickly out the door.

Gwydion smiled and chuckled a little as he and Meara reminisced about the old times as children. They'd had more time together then. Not so much studying, training, meeting important people, discussing politics and dealing with all those important...things that kept popping up. Life. Whatever it was. He almost wouldn't have minded being bopped on the head with a stick again.

When she mentioned hoping they could spar again soon, Gwydion began to nod his approval of the idea, right up until she followed it up with a comment about Iliza. He froze for a brief moment, and then let out a little semi-laugh as the red shot across his cheeks, followed by a small-but-ridiculous smile. He didn't quite know what to say, and before he could decide, the lady had already stood and begun heading for the door. Oh dear.

Several thoughts ran through Gwydion's head, but the alcohol was making it difficult to separate them out. It was less a train of thought as a trainwreck. He smiled to Meara and leaned over to give her a hug before hopping to his feet as well.

"We should make time to really catch up later, but we've each got matches to prepare for. Looking forward to that next bonk on the head, Meara!" He began towards the door, but found a straight line a little tough to handle. He apologized for the first couple of people he'd had to use for support, smiling sheepishly and waving as he continued on his way.

"A moment, Iliza! You forgot something!"

Iliza too has trouble moving with anything but deliberate speed, and Gwydion is able to catch up with her easily. Fearing she has already been dreadfully rude, and not wishing to offend Gwydion further she stops to wait for him when he calls out to her. Her head buzzing and afraid of what she might see on his face, or he on hers, she avoids looking directly at him when he approaches. “Oh Prince Gwydion, you're most kind,” she says, but the words sound as if she's just repeating something she's heard rather than meaning to speaking them herself, “What is it that I have forgotten?”

When he reached her, Gwydion stopped and sort of stared at her briefly. Hesitation covered his face, as though he was just on the verge of speaking but had stopped himself. Once he finally did, his voice was much lower.

"I, uh... I was about to say you'd forgotten a kiss and then I'd have kissed you, but now I'm afraid that would earn me a rightful slap. If we were in one of those silly romance holovids, this would be a good moment for that. My head's a bit fuzzy, but that seemed like a perfect idea a moment ago." He gave a nervous smile and bowed his head a bit as he continued.

"You're clearly upset by something and I'm terribly sorry for anything I've said to cause it. If there's any way to earn another of your smiles before I face the next opponent, you've but to name it." Apparently he was savvy enough to notice when someone was upset, but too tipsy to piece together the why.

As the two of them get up and run off due to varying reasons for embarrassment, Meara at least has the sense of shame to smile awkwardly and let out a quiet, "I think I went to far."  Thankfully, however, she is saved when Gwydion chases after Iliza like a proper gentleman who is also a healthy young man under the influence of alcohol chasing a pretty, healthy young lady in the same condition to clarify that things are okay and that he even attempts to continue their awkward flirting, which makes her feel a slight tinge of victory to help ease her shame.

It does not remove her shame, but it does help temper it.

She can only hope nobody is recording any videos to put up on any kind of social media that the common folk seem so fond of using.

As Gwydion confesses himself, Iliza ventures a look up at him. He looks just as embarrassed and self-conscious as she feels. Had she been wrong? Did Prince Gwydion genuinely care for her? Perhaps it was just the drink playing on her doubts? When Gwydion finishes speaking she says, “Oh, no, you musn't think you've done something wrong. You haven't. On the contrary you've been so wonderful. The problem is me, I'm afraid. I was embarrassed. Not by what was said, but by the fact that it wasn't exactly wrong. Not that I...Or that you...I was just so afraid of what you must think of me. If you thought ill of me, I'd...” Iliza trails off and looks down at her feet.

After a few moments and she suddenly snickers. She places a hand to her mouth in an effort to hide her laughter but it doesn't help. Soon she's laughing nearly as hard as she had in the bar, “Really,” she asks Gwydion in between laughs before pitching her voice down in imitation of Gwydion's baritone, You've forgotten a kiss. That was your go to line? It's so awful, even by holo-romance standards. I'm not certain which is worse—that you thought that idea would have worked or that it actually would have...”

Gwydion's face relaxed in relief as she let him know he hadn't caused her trouble. Red tinged his cheeks when she continued explaining, but his embarrassed smile widened all the same. When she began to chide his choice of lines, the smile turned to a grin.

"The cheesier, the better. Though I think perhaps princes and ladies cause a bit too much commotion to be quite that cheesy in public. Everyone's looking. Come, let me walk you back. I've got to get checking on my armour to make sure we're ready for the next match, but would rather not leave you to go on your own." He offered her an arm and a smile. Really, they'd likely be steadying themselves on each other, which may not have been the best of strategies.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:54, Sat 20 Sept 2014.

”I'd very much enjoy you walking me to the reception hall,” Iliza says as she takes Gwydion's arm and returns his smile. As they begin to walk she notices the two of them have attracted something of an audience, “You are right. It seems we are more entertaining than an Armour duel. I hope they're not expecting one of us to explode in spectacular fashion.”

After walking Iliza back to the reception hall, likely garnering some attention considering their less-than-sober states, Gwydion returned to his repair crew, busily working away as best they could to repair what was almost entirely a vaguely humanoid ball of twisted metal. Fortunately, he had some of the finest mechanics who were willing to be associated with him, and though the Longsword wasn't going to be pretty, it would be functional.

Several of the mechanics exchanged glances and looked like they were reconsidering the association with him as he slurred his gratitude and let them know how much he loved them and their brilliant work. This was going to be a long day...

[22:21, Today: Gwydion rolled 2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, 0, 1, 0. Smithy +0, Repair vs 4.

Spending 1 FP to invoke Young Knight of Avaluna, giving access to a household's mechanics, then spending 1 FP to invoke Arthur's Nephew, netting me the best of the best (of the people willing to associate themselves with headstrong anti-political idealists). That +4 brings me up to +6, which will repair the suit. Tada!]